The rain was getting heavier, making it increasingly difficult for the students to watch the match.
Students without umbrellas had rain pouring into their eyes if they looked up at the sky. But few were willing to leave the field and return to the castle.
So they put their hands over their eyes, struggling to chase those swift, swallow-like figures through the rain.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle blew, and Harry raised his arm high while circling above on his broom, Gryffindor players cheering as they rushed towards him.
Then Madam Hooch loudly announced Gryffindor's victory, prompting applause and cheers from the entire stands.
Malfoy stood nearby, his face pale, watching the scene. Slytherin's captain flew over, yelling something at him.
"That was amazing! Did you see him catch the Golden Snitch, Remus? It was brilliant! He snatched it right from beside the opposing chaser's ear!"
Sirius also joined in, shouting and clapping vigorously. Although invisible, Vid was sure he'd jumped several times.
"Vid, who was that clueless Slytherin chaser?" Sirius loudly asked.
"Draco Malfoy," Vid replied.
"Lucius Malfoy's son?" Sirius bared his teeth, muttering, "That cunning snake!"
Then he shouted even louder, "Well done, Harry! Knock that Malfoy off his broom!"
"Shut up, Sirius!" Lupin said irritably, "You really want everyone to notice you, don't you?"
No students were near Vid and his friends, but a student in the front rows was already curiously looking back.
Seeing only Vid behind him, the student politely smiled as if thinking they had heard wrong.
Sirius relaxed and turned back to Lupin:
"Remus, didn't Harry look just like when he was in his fourth year? I remember James tried to show off in front of Lily, purposely flying to her, and ended up being knocked off his broom by Snape..."
The crowd suddenly erupted in exclaims, turning several heads immediately.
Players from both teams clashed mid-air, a tall Slytherin player threw a Bludger, knocking Wood off his broom; the twins charged at several others on their brooms, causing the girls to scream.
Dumbledore swiftly reached out a hand, from afar, halting Wood just before he hit the ground.
"Stop, all of you, stop!"
Madam Hooch sprang into the brawling circle like an angry eagle, yelling furiously, "Anyone who continues will be banned from the match."
Players angrily stopped, still cursing each other quietly. Suddenly, a skinny figure plunged straight down from the sky.
"Harry!"
Sirius sprang forward, starting to run down, but was grabbed by Lupin.
Spells shot out simultaneously from the teachers' seats and stands, catching the falling Harry.
"Great, thank you, Vid."
Lupin hurriedly said, putting away his magic wand. They quickly ran down the stand, avoiding other students as much as possible.
Harry had landed on the ground and was surrounded by people, with Lockhart—dressed like a green peacock—pushing through the crowd, raising his wand high and loudly saying:
"Watch me, I'll have you healed in a second. Don't worry, Harry, it's a very simple spell, I've used it countless times."
Harry moaned on the ground, holding his arm, seeming to try to speak, but it was inaudible in the downpour.
Vid immediately stopped in his tracks, clutching his wand, about to stop Lockhart but suddenly halted.
—Sorry, Harry.
Vid silently mouthed, watching Lockhart's actions intently.
Lupin and Sirius, unaware of this being the Lockhart Harry frequently complained about in his Friendship Book, paused instinctively seeing a professor.
Lockhart dramatically twirled his wand, pointing at Harry's arm: "Arm Repair!"
A second later, Harry's arm hung limply like a rubber glove, eliciting gasps and terrified, disgusted expressions from others.
"His arm's bones are gone!"
Bloodied Wood initially sought treatment but, witnessing this, held his head in horror when Lockhart turned his gaze, retreating hastily.
Gryffindor's Alicia hurriedly positioned herself in front of Wood as if Lockhart were a flood and beast.
"Ah...um...haha, sometimes little accidents happen..."
Lockhart chuckled awkwardly.
"Well, Harry, at least it doesn't hurt, right? Go to the hospital wing...let Madam Pomfrey...uh...fix it for you."
He hurried away, vaguely feeling like he'd heard some beastly roar.
"I'll kill him! I'll kill that bastard!" Sirius growled angrily, baring his teeth.
"Yes, yes, but not now...remember? We snuck in..."
Lupin said, dragging him towards the hospital wing.
Vid took out his magic wand, secretly casting Levioso on Sirius's clothes. Sirius was lifted by his clothes, flailing, unable to resist Lupin's pull.
Eventually, Sirius had to give up struggling, unwillingly saying, "We must teach him a lesson! How dare he do that to Harry!"
"Certainly, that's a must," Lupin agreed decisively.
…
Madam Pomfrey was the one who could truly heal an arm in mere seconds, but with the bones extracted, it would at least take overnight for them to regrow.
Ron pulled the bed curtains and helped Harry change into pajamas. Madam Pomfrey had him drink a large cup of Bone Regeneration Potion, then cleared out the students who had accompanied Harry.
"He needs rest now, out! Everyone out!"
In the corner were three people under the Disillusionment Charm.
Bone regrowth was a grueling process. After Madam Pomfrey departed, Harry lay in bed, enduring pain, occasionally moaning aloud.
"Dispel the charm, Remus."
Sirius croaked.
"Alright."
Lupin agreed, dispelling the Disillusionment Charm.
Harry was startled, propping himself up, eyes wide in amazement: "Sirius, Remus, and Vid? How come you're here."
"I watched your match," Sirius smiled, "It was magnificent...you flew brilliantly..."
Harry grinned widely, seemingly forgetting his pain.
They chatted for a while, Vid and Lupin preparing to leave, but Sirius sat by the bed, seemingly reluctant to get up.
"Sirius?" Lupin said.
"You both go ahead," Sirius murmured, "I want to keep Harry company tonight."
"Harry needs to sleep too."
"I'll watch him sleep," Sirius persistently said, "I won't disturb him!"
"Alright..." Lupin gave in, reminding him, "Don't get discovered."
"I know...wait, give me back my wand," Sirius added.
As he couldn't carry his wand when transformed into an Animagus, he'd given it to Lupin for safekeeping and forgot to reclaim it after returning to his human form.
Lupin returned the wand before leaving the hospital wing.
Vid glanced back, seeing Sirius sitting by the bed, head lowered, whispering to Harry like a loyal big dog.