Cedric was right; for Slytherin, the switch to new brooms was probably the only unhappy event.
Because this used to be their biggest advantage, and now it's gone. Instead, Gryffindor fights more and more courageously.
Not long after the match began, they were already twenty points ahead.
To recover the disadvantage, Slytherin's captain, Graham Montague, even wanted Crabbe to knock Angelina off her broom... As long as their biggest threat, the Chaser, was out of the game, they still had a chance.
However, Crabbe's intentions were too obvious; Angelina didn't give him any chance to get close.
Moreover, Ms. Hooch also noticed his blatant foul play and immediately awarded Gryffindor a penalty.
Angelina took the penalty. She first used a feint to trick the Slytherin Keeper, then raised her hand for a throw, and the Quaffle smoothly sailed through the goalpost.
30:0
The Gryffindor supporters in the stands erupted into cheers.
"Gryffindor is sure to win," Mikel said with a smile. "Montague can't compete with Angelina, and their ape-like player is no use. Now it's up to Harry to catch the Golden Snitch."
Cedric nodded, "Yeah... Wait, is it just me or does it sound like someone is singing?"
"No, it's not a mistake," Kael said.
Someone was indeed singing, and the voices were coming from across the pitch in Slytherin; everyone could hear it.
"Weasley is our King,
He never lets the Quaffle in,
Slytherin seams will sing,
Weasley will make sure we win,
Weasley is our King."
...
It felt like someone was conducting, the singing was uniform and highly penetrating.
Slytherin likely had planned this long before. They knew that the other Gryffindor team members were veterans, with plenty of match experience, who wouldn't be affected by the audience's antics.
So, they targeted Ron, who joined the team this year.
Ron's nervousness over the past few days, especially his helplessness when facing Slytherin's provocations, was plainly obvious.
So this tactic was highly effective.
Upon hearing the surrounding singing, the already nervous Ron suddenly panicked, and his movements became sluggish.
Meanwhile, Warrington of Slytherin also got hold of the Quaffle and charged toward the goal.
Without any suspense, the Quaffle slipped right through Ron's outstretched arms, directly into the center goalpost.
30:10
"That's despicable!" Mikel shouted angrily, "They know this is Ron's first match, and if this keeps on, Gryffindor's Keeper will be as good as useless."
Everyone knew it, and Mikel wasn't the only one protesting; Lee Jordan on the commentary desk also loudly denounced Slytherin's behavior.
But it was useless; this didn't count as a foul, not even Professor McGonagall could say anything... Ron being affected only meant that his psychological resilience wasn't strong enough.
The match continued.
But from then on, the singing on the field never ceased, especially when Slytherin players held the Quaffle, they sang even more zealously.
"Gryffindor must change their tactics," Cedric said, "They can't rely on their Keeper anymore and must attack continuously to force Slytherin on the defensive, giving Harry time."
...
On the field, Angelina also chose the same approach as Cedric.
The three Chasers lined up in a row, forming a hawk-headed attacking formation, charging toward Slytherin's goal.
The defensive duties were left to Fred and George; as soon as a Slytherin player got the Quaffle, they'd send the Bludgers flying at them.
However, this method couldn't hold forever; Slytherin still seized an opportunity... Pucey passed the Quaffle to Montague, and Goyle blocked the Bludger, allowing Montague to rush toward the goal.
30:20
The Gryffindor side groaned in pain, while the Slytherins erupted into screams and applause.
"It's so unscrupulous," Cedric said with a grave expression, "Gryffindor only has one new player, but we have three, and every position has a newcomer.
"If Slytherin pulls the same tricks then, we're in trouble."
Kael also frowned.
"Don't worry, we can prepare some loudhorns to drown out those irritating songs by then."
"Plus, we can try talking to them," Kael continued, "Maybe they'll realize this behavior is unacceptable."
"That's all we can do… Oh, look," Cedric suddenly pointed toward the field.
Harry and Malfoy were diving down at the same time.
"That's the Golden Snitch!"
"There it is, they both see it..."
Both speeds increased, but Harry's Firebolt was just a bit faster. Less than five feet from the ground, he abruptly stopped, his outstretched hand clutched, revealing a hint of golden light between his fingers.
Harry had caught the Golden Snitch.
Ms. Hooch's sharp whistle resounded once more, indicating the end of the match.
180:20
Gryffindor won the match.
The stands were in chaos, Gryffindors began unrestrainedly mocking the singing Slytherins.
On the field, aside from Ron who still sat dumbfounded on his broom, the other players from both teams had already landed. Ms. Hooch angrily stopped Crabbe, loudly berating him for his foul play… Just after her whistle, he had sent a Bludger towards Harry.
"See, we found another way to counter the interference," Cedric said with a laugh, "Just catch the Golden Snitch quickly."
"But you can't catch the Golden Snitch whenever you want," Kael said, "I still think approaching them is a better option; after all, both Montague and Malfoy seem like they might be reasonable."
"Them… reasonable?" Cedric was puzzled, "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Kael nodded, "And I'm actually quite good at reasoning with others; they usually like listening."
Cedric still seemed doubtful; the Montague he knew didn't seem like the reasonable type.
But before he could say anything more, they were interrupted by a sudden disturbance on the field.
The two teams had started brawling.
To be precise, it was Fred, George, and Harry, who simultaneously charged at Malfoy, punching and kicking him relentlessly.
In an instant, the entire Quidditch Pitch was in complete disarray.
The sound of fists hitting bodies, Malfoy's cries, and the shouting of spectators blended into an incomprehensible noise.
"Malfoy's mouth has gotten him into trouble again," Kael couldn't help thinking.
He had indeed seen Malfoy say something earlier, but from his distance up in the stands, he couldn't make out what was said… then Malfoy got beaten.
"Don't do this, Fred, George…" Cedric leaned over the stands, shouting down, "The Professor is right here, stop!"
But the three were like enraged bulls, ignoring the sounds around them, pounding Malfoy mercilessly as if in a frenzy.
Until...
"Impedimenta!"
A force pushed the three aside.
"What are you doing!" Ms. Hooch angrily shouted, "I've never seen such behavior… You three, to the Headmaster's office at once, immediately!"
Fred, George, and Harry left the pitch without looking back, striding swiftly towards the castle.
Behind them, the Slytherins stepped forward, lifting a curled-up, groaning Malfoy.
His mouth was bleeding, his body was covered in numerous shoe prints, and his face looked noticeably larger than before.
Pansy Parkinson hurried over, shrieking curses upon seeing Malfoy's condition, while Crabbe stood behind, giggling at the departing trio… Montague was laughing too.
Kael glanced toward the commentary desk, noticing Lee Jordan being led away, and Professor McGonagall, who was originally at his back, following Fred and the others back to the castle with a stormy expression.
"Should we go and check as well?" Conna asked.
The incident happened so quickly, she didn't understand what occurred, yet from the current circumstances… Gryffindor was in big trouble.
"I'll also go find out what's going on," Mikel said.
"Good," Kael nodded, "But we should hurry, before more people leave."
Then they all left the stands together.
Kael, Cedric, and Conna ran towards the castle, while Mikel headed for the remaining Gryffindor players on the field.
...