The three houses had harbored malicious expectations for Harry's Firebolt, but in the end, they were all disappointed.
January unknowingly turned into February, yet the cold weather persisted.
The match against Ravenclaw was approaching, but Harry still hadn't ordered a new broomstick.
After every Transfiguration class, he would inquire with Professor McGonagall about any news regarding the Firebolt.
Unfortunately, each time, he could only hear this kind of answer:
"No, Potter, you can't have it back yet.
We've examined most commonly used spells, but Professor Flitwick believes this broomstick may have a jinx on it.
I'll let you know once we're done inspecting. Now, please don't pester me."
What's worse, Harry's progress in Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm class wasn't as smooth as he hoped.
Several times, he managed to produce a vague, silvery shadow, but his Patronus was too weak to drive away Dementors.
The shadow could only hover, resembling a semi-transparent cloud.
But finally, luck seemed to favor the chosen one.
One noon in early February, while the entire school was having lunch, Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch appeared in the Great Hall, holding a Firebolt wrapped in protective covering.
"Um, I just went to Gryffindor common room to find you," McGonagall's voice was not loud, but it was enough for many to hear.
"Here you go. We've done everything we can think of, but there's nothing abnormal about this broomstick at all... You have a good friend somewhere, Potter!"
Harry's mouth fell open. She was just taking out his Firebolt, and it looked as beautiful as ever.
"Can I have it back?" Harry asked quietly, "Can I really have it back?"
"Indeed," McGonagall said, actually smiling. "I dare say you'll want to try it before the match on Saturday, won't you?
And, Potter, do your best to win, alright? Otherwise, we'll go eight years without the Cup."
For the past month, Harry's mood had never been so light, and Wood, the captain of the Gryffindor team, was also delighted.
He seemed to be ecstatic, as if Gryffindor was guaranteed to win as long as Harry had the Firebolt.
However, reality told them that even with Harry's Firebolt, there's still no surpassing the master.
On the Quidditch pitch, Cho Chang's customized broomstick outperformed the Firebolt by far.
All the spectators were astonished to find that even riding the Firebolt, Harry was effortlessly surpassed multiple times by Cho Chang.
Furthermore, the broomstick excelled in agility and braking ability, leaving the Firebolt far behind.
In the face of this unknown broomstick, the Firebolt seemed utterly useless.
"Oh, is this still the legendary Firebolt?" commentator Lee Jordan exclaimed during the match.
"According to Quidditch Through the Ages, the Firebolt was supposed to be the first choice for the national teams in this year's World Cup.
But in front of Cho Chang's unnamed broomstick, the Firebolt performs as poorly as a comet facing a Firebolt."
In fact, the Firebolt wasn't as bad as they claimed. Its performance far surpassed that of all other broomsticks.
But unfortunately, Harry, who had the Firebolt, was crushed and defeated by Cho Chang.
This left Gryffindor disappointed, with even Wood shedding tears in front of everyone on the pitch. Gryffindor's chance of winning the Quidditch Cup was now very slim.
"Come on, Harry, relax," Ron comforted Harry on their way back to the locker room.
"Ravenclaw just relied on Cho Chang having a good broomstick, that's all.
I bet it's the next-generation product of Comet Trading or some other company.
Definitely something Alaric managed to get his hands on. If Cho Chang used the same Firebolt as you, she wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"Don't say that, Ron," Harry shook his head, sounding somewhat puzzled.
"Cho Chang's flying is really good, especially her move to dodge the Bludgers.
You might not have noticed, but she managed to dodge under the broomstick in just a second, with her head down and only her legs holding her steady.
It was awesome, but unfortunately, I can't do it."
"Oh, yes, she's quite a charming girl," Lee Jordan commented excitedly.
"I think she's the most charming girl in Ravenclaw. Last year, her flying wasn't as good, but this year, it's like she's a different person.
She's usually so gentle and charming, yet so heroic on the pitch. Harry, since you've competed against her in person, what do you think?"
"I think..." Harry swallowed, his eyes showing a hint of longing.
He couldn't forget that extremely lovely girl, and every graceful move she made on the field captivated him.
"Oh, it looks like our Harry is smitten," Lee Jordan put his arm around Harry's shoulder, goading him.
"Go get her, Harry, show her your charm. Who knows, after you start dating, maybe she'll even teach you a thing or two."
However, George Weasley went against the grain and stopped him, "Hey, Harry, don't listen to him."
"That's right, otherwise you'll be in big trouble," Fred chimed in.
"Do you know who Cho Chang's boyfriend is?" George asked mysteriously.
Harry shook his head in confusion.
"Her boyfriend is Ravenclaw's genius!" Fred answered eagerly, "I heard from the Quibbler that the broomstick was modified for her by him."
"But isn't Alaric often with Hermione?" Harry pointed out hopefully, "I often see them studying together in the library, they seem quite intimate."
"I've also seen Alaric often with Ravenclaw's Penelope Clearwater, who is a famous beauty," Lee Jordan gossiped excitedly.
"I once saw them walking by the lake together, and she was holding Alaric's cat, that white one."
"After all, he's Ravenclaw's genius."
"It's normal to date three girls at the same time."
The twins said simultaneously, their relationship with Alaric being quite good, so they were more aware of what was happening around him.
"It's really unfair," Ron complained angrily, kicking a stone on the ground forcefully.
"All the pretty girls in Hogwarts are taken by him. Is it just because he's good-looking?
Honestly, I always thought Hermione was just a plain bookworm, who knew she looked so beautiful when receiving the Order of Merlin, there's a photo of her in The Daily Prophet."
Genius, no matter where it's found, is always envied by others.
In fact, upon hearing that Cho Chang's broomstick was modified by Alaric, all the girls at Hogwarts expressed intense jealousy towards her.
Some joked that the reason why other houses lost to Ravenclaw was because their female players didn't have a boyfriend named Alaric.
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