Chapter 109. Hufflepuff Wins!
"The Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric Diggory, seems to have spotted the Golden Snitch!"
Nearly two hours into the match, Lee Jordan suddenly shouted.
The stands around the pitch fell silent at once, and everyone began searching for Cedric.
"Oh, brilliant!" Lee Jordan cheered loudly.
"The Ravenclaw Seeker is being run rings around."
"The Snitch is actually on his right, and now only he is in pursuit."
"A superb turn, and he's dodged a Bludger by a whisker!"
"Now the Snitch is right by his hand, reach out!"
"Brilliant, he's got it, and the match is officially over!"
"Hufflepuff wins this match by an undisputed 370–60!"
As Lee Jordan's voice rang out, the stands erupted in cheers, and the Hufflepuff students chanted in unison, "Hufflepuff will win!"
The Ravenclaw players wore wry smiles, exchanged looks, and flew down to the grass on their broomsticks, dejected.
The Hufflepuff players all gathered round Duncan, asking with concern if he was hurt.
"I'm fine, the broom was just a bit out of control for a moment," Duncan said with a smile.
Everyone breathed out in relief, chattered excitedly, and flew together toward the players' tunnel, ready to change in the changing room.
Along the way, Zacharias laughed and said, "Cedric, why didn't you wait a bit longer to catch the Snitch? Duncan was about to break the scoring record!"
Cedric froze for a moment.
There were actually people blaming a Seeker for catching the Snitch too quickly—what logic was that?
"Yeah, Duncan was only a few dozen points off.
Cedric, don't be so quick next time!" the others chimed in.
"You lot!" Cedric said with a laugh and a shake of his head.
"You win one match and your tails are already sticking up to the sky!"
"If you can't strut when you win, then when can you?
Right, Duncan?" Zacharias raised his eyebrows.
"I'd say we can take our time," Duncan said.
"Save it for when we win the Quidditch Cup and strut all together!"
Zacharias was taken aback for a beat, then burst out laughing.
"Too right—once we take the Cup, I'm going to celebrate for three days!"
"Hufflepuff will win!" the players cheered, hoisting their broomsticks.
When they reached the changing room, everyone went to find their things.
After changing, Duncan said to the others, "Head back first.
I've got something to take care of and will be back a bit later."
"All right, but don't you slip away tonight," Cedric said with a grin.
"I hear there's going to be a celebration feast!"
"No problem, I'll be there on time," Duncan waved, left the changing room, and strode quickly out of the stadium.
"Duncan!" came a voice from the side.
Hermione, Neville, Fred, George, and the rest ran up to him in a hurry.
"Are you all right?" Fred looked him up and down, still worried.
"Look at me, lively as a cricket.
Do I look like someone who's not all right?" Duncan replied with a smile.
"Good," Fred let out a breath.
"You scared me half to death just now.
I was already picking out a burial plot for you."
"Go on, get out of my sight.
You annoy me just looking at you!" Duncan said, waving him off in disgust.
Harry seized the chance to ask urgently, "Were you being controlled by someone just now as well?"
Hearing Harry's question, the others lowered their voices and turned their eyes to Duncan.
Duncan nodded.
"Seems like it.
For a while in the middle I really couldn't control the broom."
"Who do you think was cursing you?
Snape?" Hermione looked at Duncan expectantly.
"Though Snape and I don't get on, we've no quarrel," Duncan said with a shake of his head and a smile.
"Oh?" Hermione's brows drew together in the middle.
"Then who do you think it was?"
"Mm..." Duncan thought for a moment.
"When the broom returned to normal, I glanced at the stands.
It looked like only Quirrell had gone down the steps and left."
"Professor Quirrell?" Hermione was full of disbelief, and Fred, George, and the others looked unconvinced as well.
Someone who spoke in a timid mumble to everyone else had the nerve to attack Duncan in the middle of a match in front of the crowd?
Duncan looked at them and said, "Do you think someone Professor Dumbledore invited back to teach would truly be a complete useless wreck?"
Fred blinked for a heartbeat, then said, "You've got a point.
Thinking back on it, some of his behaviour is suspicious.
For a professor—or an adult wizard—he's far too craven."
"But if Quirrell really is capable, why pretend to be scared of everyone?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"That I don't know.
Perhaps you could go and ask him," Duncan said with a smile.
"I'm telling you this just so you'll be careful around Quirrell and not underestimate him."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully, head lowered, clearly turning something over in her mind.
"But there's no need to worry too much," Duncan waved a hand in front of Hermione's eyes until she refocused, then went on, "There are other professors at school.
They'll surely protect the students.
Just don't go out of your way to provoke Quirrell."
"Come off it," George said.
"How would we ever provoke a professor?"
"I mean you two!" Duncan glared at Fred and George.
Right now Quirrell had been wound up by him almost to breaking point.
If someone else went to provoke him, Quirrell might really lose his head and make a move.
"Got it," Fred said, patting Duncan's shoulder.
"I almost see Mum's shadow in you."
"Get lost!" Duncan rolled his eyes and pushed Fred's hand away.
"I've got something on, so I'm off.
See you later."
After saying goodbye, Duncan took a roundabout route and ran to the forest.
The pixies had saved his life, and he had to thank them.
When he reached the spot where he usually met the pixies, the little fellows hadn't appeared, and heavy footsteps shook the ground nearby.
Duncan looked over warily and saw the troll he had saved from Quirrell and later left to roam free in the forest.
It seemed to have heard about the attack on Duncan.
After it arrived, it kept looking him up and down to check his condition.
Duncan had just opened his mouth to speak when the pixies burst out of the bushes to his right in a neat swarm, chirping away without stopping.
"Duncan, are you hurt?"
"Did you see our gallant performance?"
"We all helped drive off that nasty wizard!"
"Yeah, I shot him twice, and it hurt so much he howled!"
...
"Thank you.
If not for you, I'd have been done for today," Duncan said sincerely.
One pixie puffed out its chest in pride.
"No need, it was nothing.
We're all friends!"
Duncan nodded with a smile.
"To thank you for your help, I'd like to give you a reward."
"What is it?" all the pixies crowded round, eyes wide with curiosity.
"This." Duncan took out a small round shield.
"With this, you'll have enough round shields in total."
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