Just like Cedric thought, over the next two weeks, he was constantly challenged by different people during D.A. gatherings.
But the good news is, so far, the ones he was most worried about, Fred and George, have been quiet... Of course, this also means he must keep an eye out for them.
Moreover, Cedric discovered another problem, since Quidditch training needs to avoid bad weather, it's hard to pin down a set day for their gatherings.
However, they quickly found a solution for this issue.
Hermione was inspired by the rewards Kael left in the Room of Requirement and created a batch of fake coins with a Transfiguration Charm.
As long as the number on the main coin changes, the other coins will change accordingly, allowing them to promptly inform people of the next gathering time.
Pretty convenient.
Fred and George found this method quite useful for cheating, but Cedric quickly discovered their intention, and that was the end of it...
Cedric would absolutely not allow them to do this, but Fred and George just had the idea.
After all, using something for cheating is fundamentally different from their previous prank products, if discovered, it won't just be a deduction of points or detention.
They certainly don't want to be expelled from school, that's too embarrassing, and it might even affect the future of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
A store opened by outstanding graduates sounds much better than one opened by expelled students.
"This is for you." One day during breakfast, Cedric handed a fake coin to Kael.
"Although you haven't been around much lately, I think it's still good for you to have one."
Kael took it, held it, and felt it, "Is this a Leprechaun coin?"
"Technically, it's a Leprechaun coin duplicated with a Doubling Charm," Cedric said, "Leprechaun coins can only last half a day, but this way they can last about a year."
"Nice idea," Kael said.
"Well, we're all too familiar with the Doubling Charm, naturally knowing all its uses," Cedric said with a smile, reminiscing about years ago when they were furiously duplicating maps in some empty classroom.
Kael smiled too, and then put the fake coin away, "Are you having any more gatherings soon?"
"Probably not this week," Cedric shook his head and said, "Gryffindor has their first Quidditch match on Saturday, they won't have time in the evenings this week."
"Yes, I figured as much," Kael said.
The Quidditch match is about to start, and it's the first match after a year, everyone takes it seriously, including the professors.
Lately, there have been brooms flying above the Quidditch Pitch almost every day... It's either Gryffindor or Slytherin.
The last time Cedric applied for the pitch usage rights, Ms. Hooch said, the usage rights for the coming week have already been pre-booked by Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.
Although this doesn't comply with the rules, since the two professors personally asked her, she couldn't refuse.
The whole team understood.
If Saturday's match included their Hufflepuff team, Professor Sprout would probably be the one asking Ms. Hooch.
But in this case, it's good, like having a holiday.
...
As the match drew closer, the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin grew, with a strong smell of gunpowder.
No matter who it is, regardless of year, whenever they meet in the corridors, they can't help but mock each other.
Warrington even boasted in the Auditorium, saying he would knock Harry off his broom, though Kael remained skeptical.
Regardless of whether Warrington has the skills, their brooms are not on the same level.
A Nimbus 2001 trying to catch up to a Firebolt? Unless there's a Fire Dragon pushing it from behind.
But this seems to be Slytherin's strategy, they tirelessly attack every Gryffindor player, aside from Harry, Ron is also a major target.
Millicent, Pansy, and Malfoy even rehearsed a small play, reenacting Ron's scene of dropping the ball.
This made Ron anxious every day.
November finally arrived.
The weather got colder and colder, the wind outside the castle felt like knives cutting into faces, yet inside the castle it was quite lively.
Because today is the day the Quidditch match begins.
Early in the morning, Kael, Conna, and Cedric left the common room and headed to the Auditorium.
They all wore gold and red scarves, which had lion designs on them, showing their support for Gryffindor.
The Auditorium was much livelier than usual, bustling with excitement.
Aside from the impending match, there was another reason...
At the front of the Auditorium, where the teachers sit, there's a row of brand new, shiny brooms.
A total of thirty brooms, each one is brand new, with smooth broomsticks still carrying the scent of pine oil.
"Oh my, these are Cleansweep Eleven!"
A crowd gathered in front of the teachers' seat, looking at those brooms with longing eyes.
"I saw them at the Quidditch Boutique in Diagon Alley, they're new releases from this year."
"So beautiful..."
"Are all these brooms going to be given to all the Quidditch players?"
"Ahem, ahem."
While everyone eagerly discussed...
A light cough came from the crowd.
Umbridge appeared in the Auditorium out of nowhere, upon seeing her, everyone scattered like birds and beasts, quickly sitting back in their respective seats, but their eyes still glued to that row of brooms.
Umbridge coughed lightly again, gaining everyone's attention.
She walked to the front and smiled, "Yes, no doubt, these brooms are yours."
It was like someone told them Christmas came early, cheers and shouts echoed in the Auditorium.
Umbridge had to use her wand against her throat to make her voice heard over the cheers.
"As the Senior Investigator of the Ministry of Magic, I noticed the school is using brooms that are thirty years old.
"The Ministry of Magic believes, every year Hogwarts has more students injured during Quidditch matches, the main reason being the severe broom aging.
"Thus, the Ministry of Magic decided to replace them with a batch of brand new, better brooms for use in Quidditch matches and Flying Class."
"Oh!"
Cheers sounded again in the Auditorium, mixing with praises for the Ministry.
Umbridge was pleased with the students' reaction, she turned to look at Professor McGonagall, who smiled back at her friendlily.
Not seeing her opponent's annoyance and anger made Umbridge uncomfortable.
"Did you do it?" Conna instinctively looked at Kael.
She couldn't believe the Ministry would spend so much money to buy the school new brooms without a reason, besides, Umbridge couldn't care less if the students got hurt.
"Hmm... I couldn't afford such a large sum," Kael blinked and lowered his voice, "I just made a small suggestion."