The Quidditch pitch was in turmoil. Gryffindor players landed around Madam Hooch in protest, while the Slytherin Seeker triumphantly held the Golden Snitch aloft, displaying it to the spectators. The Gryffindors surrounding Anthony erupted in boos.
"Foul! Foul!" Dean Thomas, who had previously called for a "red card," rallied everyone to rhythmically clap the railing. Gradually, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students joined the chorus. The cries of "Foul!" reverberated throughout the stadium.
"As any sensible person would concur, the spectators believe the outcome should be invalidated. Gryffindor demands a rematch," Lee Jordan declared. "Slytherin took advantage of the situation and despicably captured the Golden Snitch." Professor McGonagall had no time to correct his language at the moment. She briskly made her way through the crowd towards the group of disgruntled Gryffindors. Snape clapped gleefully, feigning sympathy as she passed by: "Oh, Minerva, that was a close one."
Professor McGonagall scowled and walked up to Harry. "We could have won!" Harry exclaimed in frustration. "I almost had it—I saw the golden glimmer just before I was summoned." Hermione pulled him away from the commotion: "Oh, forget about the Snitch. Are you alright, Harry? Are you injured?" Professor McGonagall also inquired: "Are you feeling any discomfort, Potter?"
In the distance, Jordan continued his commentary: "The game wasn't paused when the Golden Snitch was caught, and the referee declared the score valid. Well, congratulations to Slytherin for their dubious victory." The boos intensified. The Gryffindor players encircled Madam Hooch, vehemently gesturing towards the sky, mimicking the spiraling broom. However, their protests seemed to solidify her decision: "If Potter had caught the Snitch in that situation, I would have awarded the victory to Gryffindor! They didn't violate any rules!"
Hagrid bellowed: "This is preposterous! The rules of Quidditch should be amended!"
Wood, frustrated, slammed the post and rushed to check on his prized Seeker while the others continued arguing with Madam Hooch. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Dean surrounded Harry, who repeatedly assured his friends that he was uninjured. Upon seeing Wood approach, he exclaimed: "Wood, I saw it! The Snitch was right next to me when I was summoned! I almost caught it!" Wood offered a grim consolation: "Slytherin got lucky today." His expression suggested he intended to make them less fortunate once the professors left.
Anthony retrieved Harry's broom and inspected it. It appeared to be an ordinary broom, indistinguishable from the Nimbus 2000 displayed in the shop window. With his expertise, he could at least confirm the absence of dark magic. "Minerva, take a look," he said, handing over the broom. "What happened?"
"What happened?" Wood interjected, his anger reignited. "Would you like to hear from the person involved? Harry had regained control, then the broom jerked, flew into a piece of cloth, and Slytherin caught the Snitch! Tell me what happened!"
"Wood! Are you going to lecture the professor?" McGonagall warned, glaring at him. "You're the captain! Potter's broom malfunctioned, yet you're only concerned about the Snitch!" Wood recoiled under her stern gaze.
"There's an issue with the Light Wheel. We have a spare broom, Sweeping Seven Stars, Comet 290..." he muttered, "But we only have one match against Slytherin this year... Our ranking..."
Professor McGonagall's glare intensified, prompting Wood to shake his head and swallow his remaining words. Harry seemed to echo Wood's frustration. Despite thoroughly examining the broom, Professor McGonagall found no abnormalities. It appeared Harry's broomstick had spontaneously decided to perform a backflip and two-and-a-half twists in mid-air. The Slytherins grew even more smug.
"Potter, what's wrong? Can't stay on your broom?" they taunted. "Blame the broom, blame the dog, any excuse for attention!"
Anthony stepped forward, gripping the railing and glaring at the Slytherins. Their taunts died in their throats, replaced by embarrassed silence as they retreated. His reputation among the students had shifted from "Anthony who never deducts points" to "Anthony who deducts all Slytherin points."
The incident with Neville falling into the lake had clearly angered Snape during detention, leading him to deduct points from Slytherin for the first time. Such a punishment from the head of house seemed severe. Even their own housemates avoided them for a while. Naturally, they blamed Anthony, solidifying his notoriety within Slytherin, making him seem less like a newly hired Muggle Studies professor. As the spectators dispersed, Ron and Hermione comforted Harry while Professor McGonagall approached Madam Hooch.
She was certain there had been precedent for matches being canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, and she intended to request a rematch. "Every Quidditch match this season is crucial," she explained to Anthony. "I don't want Gryffindor to fall behind in the rankings."
"Oh, Henry," Hagrid grumbled, stuffing his binoculars into his pocket. "You shouldn't have stopped the game... Harry was flying so well..."
Anthony shook his head: "But I thought Potter was going to fall."
"But the game..." Hagrid insisted.
"Is the game more important than Potter's life?" Anthony asked, surprised that Hagrid, supposedly Potter's friend, would prioritize the match.
"He'll be fine," Hagrid said confidently.
"There haven't been any Quidditch deaths at Hogwarts in years. I mean, maybe a broken arm or something..." His voice trailed off.
"Or a broken neck," Anthony retorted. "Just an unlucky angle." They descended the stands, conversing as they walked. In the distance, Professor McGonagall seemed to have persuaded Madam Hooch, now leaving Snape frowning and gesticulating.
"Professor Quirrell," Hagrid greeted gruffly. "Quite a nuisance, isn't it?" Quirrell, pale and distraught, sat huddled at the bottom of the stand in his wizard robes. He flinched at Hagrid's greeting: "Yes, indeed."