When Charlie was explaining Quidditch tactics to everyone, he kept using common terms like "Eagle Head Attack Formation" and "Bokov Decoy Tactic." Albert only half-understood, feeling as if he were listening to an English class in his previous life.
However, the tactic that interested Albert the most was the Transylvanian Tackle.
He learned the term from Charlie, who forbade Mark from using the Transylvanian Tackle in matches.
Albert only got his answer by asking Wood, who was beside him.
According to Wood, the Transylvanian Tackle is essentially pretending to harm an opponent—feigning a punch to their nose, an elbow to their chest, or even a finger poke to their eyes. As long as you don't actually touch the opponent, all such feints are considered legal.
Mark's most skilled tactic was the Transylvanian Tackle. Sometimes he would swing his bat as if to hit someone, elbow an opponent's chest, or ride his broom threateningly close to collide with them.
No one knew if Mark's next Transylvanian Tackle was real or fake. After all, no one wanted to take a direct hit from a bat; it was more unnerving than being targeted by a bludger.
If a bludger targeted you, your own Beaters could help. But if Mark targeted you, you could only pray for good fortune.
This put enormous pressure on opponents.
As for actually hitting someone…
Of course, it would be ruled a foul, but Mark's excuses were always very proper: his Transylvanian Tackle had failed, and he was sincerely apologetic… not!
Anyway, it would just be called a foul, which wasn't a serious situation; at most, the quaffle would be given to the opponent. The player who took an elbow or a bat hit was simply unlucky.
"True and false?" Albert murmured.
"Haha, look, Charlie, Albert also knows the trick to the Transylvanian Tackle! Why don't you understand? A feint has to be both true and false, otherwise how can you scare the opponent?" Mark made an exaggerated bat-swinging motion with his bare hands. "Now, when everyone sees me raise the bat, they all have to get far away."
"Don't argue. You know very well what happened last semester." Charlie warned sternly. "Anyway, you are not allowed to use the Transylvanian Tackle in matches anymore, do you hear?"
"Alright." Mark blinked.
"Did something happen last year?" Albert asked curiously. The other newcomers all pricked up their ears to listen.
"Last year! Before the match with Slytherin, there was a small conflict between the two sides outside the field. Jack was made unable to play by the other side, so Mark, on the pitch…" Danny struggled to keep from laughing, raising his hand to make a bat-swinging motion, and explained in a low voice: "Well, Mark used the Transylvanian Tackle and knocked the Slytherin Seeker off the field with one hit. Although he insisted it was just a tactical error, the enraged Professor Hooch still banned Mark from playing for a semester."
However, Slytherin, without a Seeker, still lost the match in the end.
Later, Slytherin students labeled Mark as insidious, but Gryffindor clearly didn't care. They were happy to see Slytherin lose, even if the means were a bit unsporting—after all, the other side had started it.
After half an hour of tactical explanation, the official players returned to the field to practice Charlie's tactics, while Albert and the other newcomers continued to fly in circles on their brooms.
Along the way, there was a small accident: Fred, who had swapped brooms with Albert, was forced to get off shortly after taking off.
This time, Fred had to admit that the broom was indeed problematic.
Quidditch training continued until half past ten. With only three training opportunities per week, it wouldn't be easy to win the Quidditch championship if they didn't seize the time to train well.
Of course, strict training was only for official players. Charlie's training for newcomers was free and relaxed, mainly focused on developing their flying skills and passion for Quidditch.
Without that passion, it was truly difficult to endure the tough Quidditch regimen. After all, whether it was raining, snowing, or thundering, Quidditch training would still continue.
After training, everyone gathered in the changing room. Charlie commented on the problems that arose during practice and recorded them, so that in the next session they could specifically train to address those weaknesses.
"Albert flies well." Wood said, glancing at Charlie as he took off his protective gear. "He's very suitable to be a Seeker."
"Is Charlie giving up his Seeker position next year?" Jack said exaggeratedly. He knew, of course, that this was impossible—Charlie was the captain, and captains always played.
The others, however, agreed with Albert's talent; otherwise, Wood wouldn't have said such a thing.
"Your brother is also good," Irene suddenly said. "If we can't find anyone more suitable next year, they can take over our positions."
"How about Albert as a Chaser?" Danny suggested. "I think he should be suitable too."
"I think Angelina is good; that girl is more suitable to take over from you," Mario added. "If she can stand out in the tryouts next year."
Jack said, "As long as she trains with us, that's no problem."
"Cough, cough." Charlie cleared his throat, interrupting the discussion. "For certain reasons, Albert hasn't focused on Quidditch. He has joined Professor McGonagall's… um, Transfiguration Club."
"Transfiguration Club?" Wood asked with a puzzled expression. "What's that?"
"Do you read Transfiguration Today?" Irene asked.
"No." Wood answered honestly.
Irene was speechless for a moment, then explained, "You can understand it as a club where a group of talented Transfiguration users gather."
"Isn't he just a first-year?" The others were somewhat surprised.
Well, now everyone could guess Charlie's painstaking efforts; he was preparing to leave a reserve Seeker for the team.
Although Charlie himself was a Seeker, he was close to graduating. After he graduated, if the team couldn't find a suitable Seeker, wouldn't there be a ready-made substitute?
Although Albert was busy with the Transfiguration Club, if Wood truly couldn't find an excellent Chaser, Professor McGonagall would surely be willing to help persuade Albert to join the Quidditch team. After all, they all knew that Professor McGonagall's love for Quidditch was no less than anyone else's.
If Albert knew, he would surely shake his head and grumble: Don't worry, once Charlie graduates, a protagonist named Harry Potter will take over the Seeker position.