They all seemed to think the Firebolt needed an honor guard, with Ron, Neville, and the others from the dormitory setting off fireworks at the door.
Almost all the students turned their heads towards Harry... no, towards the Firebolt, and the hall was filled with excited chattering. Harry saw the Slytherin team members not far away, each of them dumbfounded, and his previously somewhat weary spirit felt greatly satisfied.
Just as the senior had said, wealth unshown is like wearing lavish clothes in the night...
"Put it here, Harry."
Wood emerged from the crowd, so Harry placed the broomstick in the middle of the table, carefully turning it so its logo faced upwards.
Soon, a group of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students gathered around, Cedric put an arm around Harry's shoulder, congratulating him on getting such an excellent broom to replace his old one, and asked if he had any intention of discounting the Nimbus for sale.
Ron heard this and his face instantly showed a vigilant expression, he watched Harry somewhat nervously.
After hesitating for a moment, Harry still refused, after all, he wasn't short on money now.
On the other side, Percy's girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, also came over, asking if she could hold the Firebolt for a moment.
"Alright, alright, Penelope, no messing around!"
As Penelope carefully examined the Firebolt, Percy appeared more nervous than Harry, facing the puzzled looks from his siblings and saying in a lowered, excited voice, "Penelope just placed a bet with me," he patted Harry on the shoulder, "Ten Galleons on today's match outcome!"
To the Weasley Family, ten Galleons was really a large sum, so George and Fred started asking if there were any opportunities for temporary investment.
Soon, Penelope put down the Firebolt, thanked Harry, and returned to the Ravenclaw table.
"Harry—you must win!" Percy suddenly said eagerly in a low voice, "I don't have ten Galleons... Oh, here comes Penelope!" After speaking, he quickly ran over to eat a piece of toast with her.
"Tsk."
Ginny, while fiddling with Kabuda's belly, glanced at Percy's back and whispered lightly to Luna.
Harry could tell they were definitely whispering about Percy, but he quickly shifted his attention, seeing a certain unlucky Niffler being toyed with by Ginny, at her mercy.
Harry's eyes lit up slightly, he remembered clearly that Kabuda disappeared with the senior a while ago, causing Ginny to complain in the common room. So now that Kabuda had reappeared, did it mean——
He instinctively turned to look at the Hufflepuff Long Table behind him, and then saw the figure he often thought of beside Hermione...
Wait, did saying it this way sound a bit gay? And when did Hermione move over?
Harry blinked somewhat bewilderedly, he wanted to go over and greet them, but the Firebolt attracted too much attention. "You have no problem dealing with that broom, Potter?" Behind him, a cold, drawling voice said.
Draco Malfoy also came over to see the broom, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.
Honestly, if these guys hadn't shown up, Harry might have forgotten about them; the boy finally realized why his school life had felt comfortable these days—because Malfoy hadn't caused him any trouble.
"I think so."
So, Harry said somewhat carelessly.
"It has many special features, doesn't it?" Malfoy said, his eyes glinting with malicious intent.
But Gryffindor team members nearby all stood up, fiercely glaring at Malfoy, guarding against whether he intended to act against the Firebolt or Harry.
So, Malfoy narrowed his gray eyes and walked away briskly, everyone watched as he walked over to the other Slytherin team members, a group of people huddled together, undoubtedly asking Malfoy whether Harry's broomstick was really a Firebolt.
Finally, at ten and three-quarters, the Gryffindor team set off for the changing room.
The weather today was completely different from the day of their match against Hufflepuff: sunny, cool, with a gentle breeze.
This time there wouldn't be any visibility issues; although Harry was nervous, he began to feel the unique excitement that only a Quidditch match could bring. They heard the school students' noise from outside pouring into the stadium, a sound that made his body unconsciously start to tremble.
Harry took off his black school robes, pulled out his Magic Wand from his pocket, and tucked it into the T-shirt he was planning to wear under his Quidditch uniform.
Though he knew the Dementors wouldn't appear again, he still brought his Magic Wand—just like the other team members, the shadow cast by the Dementors in the match against Hufflepuff was truly immense; after all, the feeling of struggling with a broomstick in a sea of despair was truly unbearable.
"You know what we need to do."
Just as everyone was preparing to leave the changing room, Wood stopped everyone, put an arm around Harry's shoulder, and said seriously, "If we lose this match, we might have no chance, so Harry, fly as you did in practice yesterday, we definitely have no problem!"
After saying that, they walked out onto the field, and the cheers were deafening.