In fact, the first Quidditch match of the semester did not feature Ravenclaw. Instead, it was a match between the fierce rivals Gryffindor and Slytherin.
On the day before the match, Harry mysteriously approached Alaric and Hermione in the library. Along with Ron, they retreated to a quiet corner.
"Do you know? I just saw Snape at Filch's place," Harry whispered, lowering his voice. "His leg was all bloody, clearly bitten by something. I overheard him saying, 'How could you keep an eye on three heads at once?'"
Hermione was puzzled. "What does that mean? I don't understand. Why did you bring us here—"
"He mentioned 'three heads'!" Ron emphasized a bit louder. "You know, Harry and I once got caught by Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. It was that night when we entered the forbidden corridor Dumbledore warned about. Guess what we saw?"
Apparently, due to Alaric's influence, Ron and Hermione didn't have much interaction, so there wasn't the same misunderstanding and conflict between them as in the original story—except for the jinx class on Halloween.
Back then, Ron had provoked Hermione, leaving the proud girl alone in the corridor. As a result, she was nearly attacked by the troll. Although Hermione didn't hold grudges, she had lost favor for Ron since that day. It seemed that the plot wouldn't be followed in this timeline.
Of course, Ron himself was unaware of this.
Currently, Ron's impression of Hermione was that she was an overly serious, studious girl, a bit difficult to get along with but not someone he disliked.
And now, he was trying to act mysteriously in front of Hermione, which turned out to be a bit childish.
"You mean the three-headed dog? I know about that. The creature you call 'three heads' refers to that, right?"
"What? You knew it all along." Ron looked a bit disappointed that he couldn't impress Hermione.
"So, do you know what this means?" Harry took over, holding his breath.
"On Halloween, he was trying to get past that three-headed dog! When we saw him, he was heading there—he was looking for whatever the dog was guarding! I bet my broomstick that he let that troll in to divert everyone's attention!"
It was clear that more than just Alaric had left the main group on Halloween night. The savior duo also took the opportunity to have an adventure.
However, Hermione didn't believe this.
"No—he wouldn't," she said. "I know he's not very good, but he would never steal something so carefully guarded by Dumbledore."
"Do you also think so?" Ron looked at Alaric with an expectant gaze.
Disappointingly for him, Alaric nodded in agreement.
"Perhaps Snape is gloomy, biased, and stingy, but he's a qualified professor. He has significant achievements in potion-making, and he would never harm his students."
"To be honest, you guys always think all the teachers are saints."
Ron said unceremoniously, "I agree with Harry. I think Snape is capable of anything. But what is he looking for? What is the three-headed dog guarding?"
The discussion among the four ultimately led to no conclusion.
However, Hermione and Alaric still thanked Harry and Ron for voluntarily telling them everything.
What happened to Alaric and Hermione encountering the troll on Halloween night was well-known at Hogwarts.
Harry and Ron taking risks to inform them of the news regarding Snape being the possible culprit was indeed commendable.
Later, Ron and Harry invited them to watch Harry's first Quidditch match.
...
Early the next morning, Cho Chang excitedly took Alaric to the Quidditch pitch, claiming it was to observe the opponents and gather information.
Hermione also joined them, bringing along a few small flags with lions on them to show her support.
In fact, she didn't support Gryffindor, but due to Draco Malfoy's long-standing derogatory remarks about Muggles and his boasting against Alaric, Slytherin became the house she disliked the most.
Alaric cast spells on the flags, and the lions on them began to move anxiously, occasionally roaring majestically.
Ron and several Gryffindors who had arrived at the pitch early noticed these flags and eagerly approached. They spent a few sickles to buy these flags.
"Let's make more of these before the next Quidditch match and make some pocket money," Alaric whispered to Hermione. She smiled and nodded.
By eleven o'clock, it seemed that the entire school's staff and students had gathered around the Quidditch pitch. Many students brought binoculars.
The seats were elevated to the sky, but it was still difficult at times to see the match clearly.
Madam Hooch, the Flying instructor, acted as the referee for Quidditch. She stood in the center of the pitch, holding her broomstick, waiting for the players from both teams to arrive.
"Listen, I hope everyone participates in the match fairly and honestly." When the players gathered around her, she said.
This statement seemed to be specifically directed at Marcus Flint, Slytherin's team captain, a sixth-year student.
Slytherin was known for using dirty tactics in matches, and Flint was particularly notorious for it.
Madam Hooch blew her silver whistle loudly.
Fifteen broomsticks soared into the air, rising high into the sky. The match had begun.
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