As the only team with a keeper as captain among the four teams, Wood's strength naturally needs no more words.
However, Kael didn't expect to score right at the start. After a probing ball, he knew this match would definitely be a tough battle.
"Trouble ahead."
Kael looked serious, feeling a bit regretful inside.
In this situation, aiming for a shutout against Gryffindor won't be easy... If only he hadn't bragged to Cedric earlier.
On the other side, Wood arrogantly raised his eyebrows at Kael before tossing the Quaffle to another teammate.
"Now Gryffindor has the ball... it's Chaser Alicia Spinnet, a talent discovered by Oliver Wood's shrewd eyes. She was just a substitute player last year."
Lee Jordan continued with the commentary, but his voice was notably louder and more passionate than before.
"The ball is passed again to Katie Bell... Oh no, Hufflepuff has taken the Quaffle, Kael again, he's literally flying, my God... Dodging a Bludger without slowing down, his flying skills are incredible. Why isn't he the Seeker... Sorry, Digory, no offense intended."
Cedric glanced helplessly at the commentary booth, but what Lee Jordan said was indeed true, Kael's flying skills were really impressive.
As for why Kael didn't compete for the Seeker position... he'd asked the same question before, even stating clearly that he was open to fair competition.
But Kael declined without hesitation, saying something like, "What I enjoy is the process of the Quidditch match, not playing hide-and-seek with the Golden Snitch like an idiot."
Even though being the Seeker is a very important position... Cedric shook his head helplessly and continued searching for the whereabouts of the Golden Snitch in the air.
Meanwhile...
"Kael is back at the goalposts... Can he score this time... Wait, he's passed the ball to Harris, Wood was fooled... Hufflepuff scores!"
"Damn... Pockov's Luring Technique can be used like this?"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall, it won't happen again."
With Harris successfully scoring, the score became 10:0.
But just as the young wizards were about to start cheering, a sharp whistle suddenly echoed from the pitch.
It was Snape, he believed that Kael's move to dodge the Bludger was a violation, directly canceling the goal.
The score returned to 0:0.
"That's not fair!" Harris roared: "We've already scored... why didn't you say something earlier!"
Faced with his doubts, Snape was unresponsive.
"It's no use, save your energy."
Knowing full well Snape's obnoxious nature, Kael stepped forward to advise, "Luckily, he didn't award Gryffindor a penalty, we still have a chance."
"I'm going to find Professor Sprout and Madam Hooch..."
Harris waved his arm angrily, "If he insists on being the referee in the next match, we'll refuse to participate!"
In the stands, many people also felt extremely dissatisfied with this outcome, shouting loudly.
But it was all in vain, Snape couldn't hear their words.
In the Gryffindor stands, Ron tried to restrain his excitement and whispered to Hermione, "Seems like Harry was right, Snape is definitely targeting Kael."
"But that's not right," Hermione frowned. "I've read 'Quidditch Through the Ages', Kael didn't commit any foul."
"Yes, I know." Ron mumbled quietly, "But for us... Ouch!"
Someone poked Ron in the back of his head, it was Malfoy.
"Oh, sorry, Weasley, I didn't see you there."
Malfoy grinned at Crabbe and Goyle.
"You really ought to thank Professor Snape, he probably doesn't want you to lose too badly."
Ron wanted to rebut, but he stammered, unable to find the words.
Because Snape had just unreasonably called another foul on Kael.
"That's two..." Malfoy couldn't keep smiling at this point.
He said jealously, "Damn, why does Professor Snape treat you guys so nicely, just because you have no brains?"
"Then you should join too, Neville Longbottom. With your empty head, maybe Professor Snape will hand you the Golden Snitch directly."
Neville's face flushed red as he turned from his chair to face Malfoy.
"Shut up, Malfoy, this time I won't be afraid of you!" he stammered.
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle laughed grotesquely, "Looks like you didn't learn your lesson last time, what, trying to feel the Leg-Locker Curse again?
Bouncing from the Quidditch Pitch all the way back to the castle, I'd say that must be quite something."
Neville's face turned even redder, as he held his fists tightly.
But Malfoy paid no attention, continuing to chatter mockingly.
Neville finally couldn't take it anymore, flipping over the seat back, taking Malfoy down onto the ground.
Seeing this, Ron hurried over to help, and together with Crabbe and Goyle, the five quickly rolled into a brawl under the seats, fighting even more fiercely than on the pitch.
But everyone around was focused on watching the match, so no one noticed them, not even Hermione.
Her eyes were fixed on the pitch.
Just then, Harry suddenly accelerated towards the ground without warning, clearly having spotted the Golden Snitch.
But at this moment, Snape coincidentally called another foul on Kael again, and the frustrated Hufflepuff Beater swung out of frustration.
The speeding Bludger brushed past Harry's nose, headed straight for Snape, causing him to instinctively dodge backwards.
When Harry regained his bearings, the Golden Snitch had already disappeared without trace.
"Oh, damn, why at this moment..." Harry muttered in frustration, raising his broomstick back into the sky.
...
After this, the match almost turned into Snape's solo show, he used that magical whistle to blow away at least fifty points for Hufflepuff.
And when the match reached the thirty-minute mark, just as Harry and Cedric simultaneously lunged at the Snitch, Snape inexplicably appeared right in front of Harry.
To avoid crashing into him, Harry had to change direction ahead of time, making a turn.
But this simple action cost him the best chance to catch the Golden Snitch.
When Cedric finally grabbed the Snitch, he was less than one inch away from Harry.
No matter how you see it, the match was over!
180:20.
Hufflepuff wins.
When Harry jumped off his broomstick in frustration, a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked up to see Dumbledore's smiling face.
"You did well." Dumbledore's voice was soft, audible only to Harry.
"Though it's a bit regrettable, I'm glad to see you not thinking about that mirror all day... living a fulfilling life... That's wonderful."