WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
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"Professor McGonagall, isn't this a bit…"
Wood's face looked constipated.
As Gryffindor's Quidditch captain, it wasn't that he didn't trust Professor McGonagall's judgment. After all, she'd won Quidditch medals back in her day.
But no matter how promising, they were just two first-year wizards. Probably their first day of flying lessons. Could they really handle these positions?
Gryffindor Quidditch had been weak these years. Constantly suppressed by Slytherin. But with only a month or two until official matches, no matter how talented, they couldn't possibly outperform upper-year veterans.
Even worse: two at once.
If just one, they could barely carry them. Two at once? Guaranteed loss.
Though they hadn't expected to win anyway. But couldn't lose too embarrassingly either.
But seeing Professor McGonagall immersed in her vision, Wood ultimately chose silence. Smiled at the two: "Welcome to the Quidditch team, underclassmen."
Harry looked excited.
Hermione shrugged.
After Professor McGonagall left, Wood thought for a moment. Said: "How about this—after class I'll take you outside to explain Quidditch rules. Get some hands-on experience."
Sunset.
On the pitch, students had long dispersed.
Hermione and Harry followed Wood to the field's center. A box floated before them.
Hermione released the spell. Thud—the box dropped heavily to the ground.
After class, Wood had immediately taken them to request pitch access and retrieved the Quidditch equipment box.
Seeing Wood panting from exhaustion, Harry hurried forward to help carry it.
Since Hermione was a young girl, the two gentlemen didn't ask her to help.
Halfway there, Hermione really couldn't watch anymore.
"Um… Wood, you know we're wizards, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
Wood didn't understand.
"So, shouldn't we avoid carrying this so laboriously? Use a spell maybe? Like this…"
Hermione raised her wand: "Wingardium Leviosa."
Harry and Wood suddenly felt the weight lighten considerably.
"…" The two exchanged glances. Speechless.
"Ahem…" Wood cleared his throat. "Actually, even though we're wizards, we shouldn't use spells for everything. Exercising the body is also necessary…"
Hermione looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
"Alright, I forgot." Wood pinched his nose.
Clearly didn't use charms much normally.
"But Hermione, you can levitate such a heavy box and move it this far—really doesn't seem like a wizard who just enrolled." Wood said in surprise.
Didn't expect recruiting for Quidditch would let him meet two of the most famous new students simultaneously.
"The Boy Who Lived" and "The Library Witch."
Opening the box, three balls lay before them. The middle one noticeably larger than the other two.
"Quidditch rules are actually easy to understand…" Wood patiently explained.
Through Wood's explanation, Hermione basically grasped the concept.
So-called Quidditch: wizards riding broomsticks playing ball sports in the air. Most unique point—three types of balls used simultaneously.
Seven per team: one Keeper, three Chasers, two Beaters, and one Seeker.
Chasers passed the Quaffle. Goal: get it through the opponent's hoops. Like basketball.
Beaters protected teammates from the flying Bludgers while hitting them toward opponents.
Seekers searched for and caught the smallest, fastest ball—the Golden Snitch.
Keeper was self-explanatory. Everyone understood that.
Wood was Gryffindor's Keeper.
Speaking, Wood pulled out the largest ball.
"This is the Quaffle. Successful goal scores 10 points."
Then handed Hermione something like a bat. Said: "You're a Beater. Responsible for hitting these two Bludgers."
The remaining two slightly smaller balls jumped restlessly in the box. If not chained down, they'd have shot skyward already.
Wood released one's restraints.
The Bludger immediately bounced up. Flew chaotically nearby.
"Remember, protect our team members from the Bludgers!"
Seeing Hermione swing the bat with whooshing sounds, Wood grimaced. Turned and ran a dozen meters away. Harry followed suit.
The way Hermione swung that bat—didn't look like playing ball. Looked like picking a fight.
Watching the ball fly closer, excitement flashed across Hermione's face. Swung the bat out.
"Home—run!"
THWACK—the Bludger was instantly sent flying. Straight toward the two spectators.
Harry startled. Eyes wide. Ducked hard. The Bludger grazed his scalp at the last second.
Wood behind him wasn't so lucky. Took it straight to the gut. Fell stiff to the ground. Then clutched his stomach in pain like a cooked shrimp.
Harry hurried over. After confirming Wood was fine, quietly sighed in relief. Simultaneously felt lingering fear.
If not for his quick reaction, he'd have become Nearly-Headless Harry.
Wood struggled upright.
"Under… underclassman… your strength's good… just… could you aim better before hitting…" Wood said brokenly.
Hermione showed an apologetic expression.
Harry suddenly shouted: "Hermione, behind you!"
Hermione instantly alert. Felt the wind at her back. Head tilted. Instinctively swung again.
"Holy—!"
Seeing the black shadow flying toward them like a cannonball again, Harry and Wood only managed one curse before both hit the deck.
What are you even protecting?! Wood screamed internally.
But Hermione fell into thought. After a long while, suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
"Wood, I've thought of a guaranteed winning strategy!"
"What?" Wood froze.
"We adjust—no Chasers or Keeper. Six Beaters straight up. Specifically chase opposing players. Only leave one Seeker to catch the Snitch…"
Hermione seemed to have discovered brilliance. Said proudly: "I call this strategy: Invincible Six-Protect-One!"
Wood's mouth twitched. Said: "Each position has fixed numbers. Can't randomly change rules."
"Oh…"
Hermione's voice held disappointment. Then her eyes lit up.
"Can we use spells to knock opponents down? Or just use a Summoning Charm to pull the Snitch over?"
Wood swallowed: "That… also violates rules. Quidditch prohibits magic use. Plus all three balls are enchanted against spells…"
"Hmm…"
After thinking, Hermione raised her head again.
"Can I bring knives on the field? Throw them at opponents? Or just use the bat to…" Hermione waved the club. Closed one eye, aiming at Wood's head. "You know."
Wood broke into a cold sweat.
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