And so it went on until the second week.
Before the match began, everyone in Hufflepuff had begun to get nervous, with no mood for anything else—it was clearly the weekend, but no one was catching up on homework in the common room.
The winner of this match would determine who gets the match point, taking the initiative in the final, so they couldn't afford to ignore it.
Harris was too nervous, like a wind-up toy, aimlessly holding his broom as he walked back and forth in the common room, constantly repeating the precautions he'd already said more than a dozen times.
Beside him, the two Beaters were endlessly practicing their swinging movements.
Everyone at Hogwarts knew that the Weasley brothers of Gryffindor were the best Beaters.
To avoid dragging the team down, they could only use this way to somewhat make up for the gap in strength.
However, Kael felt that if this continued, these two might be sent to the Hospital Wing due to arm exhaustion before the match even started.
Luckily, Professor Sprout sent over a pot of Sunflowers that could soothe emotions, allowing them to save their arms.
Since Hufflepuff won the championship last year, Professor Sprout had started to pay more attention to Quidditch matches.
This time, she brought Sunflowers, a rare plant somewhat resembling the Three-Headed Dog from Fantastic Beasts, extremely rare.
Besides soothing emotions, its flowers and leaves are the main ingredients for making Felix Felicis.
Kael felt a bit envious, but clearly now was not the time to set sights on the Sunflowers.
Finally, it was noon, and as they entered the Auditorium, all eyes turned to them.
Unexpectedly, besides Gryffindor, almost everyone else in the Auditorium supported Hufflepuff.
No need to mention the Slytherins, they preferred to see anyone but Gryffindor win.
Ravenclaw's thoughts were more complicated; they had been shut out in the last match, but as long as Gryffindor fell behind significantly this time, they could wash away the shame.
Seem? We're not weak; the opponent is just too strong, it'd be the same for everyone.
It's like an exam where having a perfect score is fine as long as everyone else fails.
In some sense, zero and failure are not much different.
For Gryffindor, it was the first time they faced such one-sided support, a treatment usually reserved for Slytherin.
During the meal, Wood was so angry he nearly smashed his plate to pieces.
"Forget what they say, we are the best!"
Looking at the somber atmosphere around, Wood pushed the plate of steak already cut into mince aside and encouraged the others: "Support rate means nothing, we must win the match and show them who is truly the strongest team at Hogwarts."
"That's right!"
Chaser Angelina also set her plate aside, raised a glass of pumpkin juice high, and stated resolutely, "Let's show them who is the strongest!"
Just as she finished speaking, two more glasses of pumpkin juice were raised.
"Hey, don't forget we're Gryffindor."
"This kind of atmosphere shouldn't be at our table."
It was Fred and George.
"Yes, exactly."
"We will definitely win!"
More and more people began raising their glasses, and then everyone laughed, instantly sweeping away the earlier gloom.
Harry was among them, raising his arm high, his face flushed with excitement.
...
After lunch, the game was about to begin.
As students gradually arrived at the Quidditch Pitch, the stands became more and more lively.
In the team changing room, Harris was saying those morale-boosting words as usual.
"Captain, you've said this eight hundred times, let us have a moment of peace."
Keeper Fello peeked outside the door, taking a deep breath, saying, "The stands are filled with supporters for us, I feel even more anxious than last year's finals, what if I don't perform well…
Wait, who's that… My God, Dumbledore actually came!"
"Dumbledore?"
The changing room went silent instantly, everyone squeezed to the door to confirm.
"Great!"
Seeing that silver-white beard, Harris excitedly waved his arm and said, "If Dumbledore is watching, Snape definitely won't dare to excessively trouble Kael!"
The biggest problem that troubled him was instantly resolved… Harris felt completely relaxed.
Quickly, the changing room door opened, and the players lined up to walk towards the field.
"Look, Hufflepuff players are entering!"
On the stands, Lee Jordan's voice rang out.
"They're the most favored team, not any weaker than Gryffindor; defeated Ravenclaw of Slytherin last game, not even scoring before them."
With one sentence lowering two teams supporting Hufflepuff, Lee Jordan's provocation was too obvious.
But his words were quickly drowned out by boos, with lots of snack wrappers and Multi-Flavor Beans thrown at him like rain, even mixed with a few pairs of shoes.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall waved her wand and looked at him disapprovingly.
"Oh, sorry Professor McGonagall, I was just telling the truth."
The boos grew louder around.
Even Snape as the referee glared at Lee Jordan, considering whether he should let him slightly experience Kael's treatment in the next Potion Class.
Lee Jordan felt a sudden chill, as though something terrible was watching him.
Seeing the public fury, he dared not slip any more personal snippets, beginning a proper commentary.
"This commentator is really stirring things up; if we lose, it'll be embarrassing and become Gryffindor's stepping stone."
On the field, Cedric quietly said.
"It's fine, just win."
Kael smiled and said, "As long as we shut Gryffindor out too, he won't say things like that next time."
"Then I'll have to catch the Snitch as soon as possible."
Cedric smiled too.
Soon, the captains of both teams shook hands, Madam Hooch blew the whistle, and the match started.
Kael, relying on his broom's advantage, seized the Quaffle first.
Harris followed tacitly behind him, as they rapidly charged towards Gryffindor's goalposts.
Angelina and Spinnet attempted to intercept, but their brooms couldn't keep up with the Nimbus 2000, only able to follow far behind.
A Bludger hit by Fred was easily dodged by Kael in a flash.
In the scoring area, Kael pretended to pass to Harris on the left then made a feint, tossing the ball toward the right goalpost.
The cheers on the stands ceased, everyone was tensely watching the Quaffle.
Only Lee Jordan was still quickly commentating:
"Kael is throwing… another feint… can Wood… Beautifully done, Wood saw through the trick, the ball is intercepted, Gryffindor now has the initiative!"