It was Saturday, and John had been invited to witness a Quidditch match. Malfoy had boldly declared his intention to leave Harry Potter trailing in his wake, mockingly referring to him as "Scarhead." John, observing Malfoy's swagger, couldn't help but think if Harry was "Scarhead," then surely Malfoy was "Oily Head." For the time being, Goyle and Crabbe had been reassigned to act as John's bodyguards, leading the way to the Quidditch pitch.
As they made their way through the crowd, John noticed the Slytherin students parting to make way for him, much like courtiers would for a newly crowned king. This display of respect did not go unnoticed by Hermione and the others. Seated in the Slytherin section, Daphne Greengrass took the seat next to John, her admiration evident. "John, you truly look like a king," she remarked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of admiration and ambition. "Power does come first, doesn't it? Your badge is magnificent. I always knew you were destined for greatness." She inquired about when she might receive a badge of her own, to which John replied with a knowing chuckle, "There will be a chance, for eternal glory." Daphne echoed his sentiment, her determination clear.
The match commenced with Madam Hooch's whistle, and the players soared into the grey sky. Harry, as the Seeker, flew higher than the rest, his eyes scanning the field. Malfoy, eager to flaunt his new Nimbus 2001, taunted Harry, calling him "Scarhead." Harry, focused on the game, ignored Malfoy's jibes. Suddenly, a rogue Bludger targeted Harry, narrowly missing him. George Weasley intervened, batting the Bludger away, but it seemed hell-bent on pursuing Harry, reminiscent of a previous year's incident where Harry had lost control of his broom.
The game grew tense as the Bludger relentlessly chased Harry, despite the Weasley twins' efforts to protect him. Rain began to pour, further complicating the match. The commentator, Lee Jordan, announced Slytherin's lead, highlighting the advantage the Nimbus 2001 brooms gave them. With the rogue Bludger in play, Harry struggled to search for the Snitch, his vision obscured by the rain.
Realizing the Bludger had been tampered with, Oliver Wood called for a timeout, a move that elicited laughter from the Slytherin spectators. The Gryffindor team was at a disadvantage, both in equipment and now with the sabotaged Bludger. Despite the limited timeouts, Harry resolved to confront the Bludger himself, allowing his teammates to focus on scoring.
As the match resumed, the rain intensified. Harry, back in the air, was immediately targeted by the Bludger. Determined to outmaneuver it, he couldn't help but wonder if Malfoy was behind the Bludger's erratic behavior. The match had taken a dangerous turn, and Harry knew he had to act swiftly to ensure not only his safety but also the success of his team. Harry suspected Malfoy had enchanted the Bludger, but the idea seemed far-fetched. As he maneuvered in the sky, dodging the relentless Bludger, Malfoy's taunts echoed around him. The Bludger seemed to have a vendetta against him, relentlessly pursuing him as if it intended to knock him out of the sky. With his team on the brink of defeat, Harry's frustration mounted, mirrored by Hermione and Ron's anxious expressions in the stands.
"Let me take it down," Ron proposed, eager to intervene, but Hermione halted him. She pointed out the impracticality of his plan, not only because of the distance but also doubting his ability to neutralize the enchanted Bludger.
In a daring move, Harry dived to evade the Bludger, heading straight for the Slytherin section. The Slytherin students recoiled in horror. Amidst the chaos, Harry heard a familiar voice. "Harry, this way!" It was John, calling out from the Slytherin stands. Despite his initial hesitation, Harry steered towards him, determined.
As Harry approached, Goyle panicked and fled, but Daphne noticed John's resolve. John, fixated on the Bludger, realized it was cursed. He wondered if the heir of Slytherin was behind this, questioning why the Bludger targeted Harry and not him. Nonetheless, he prepared to act.
As the Bludger neared, John, with remarkable precision, caught it with his bare hands, momentarily staggered by the force. With the Bludger in his grasp, he quickly cast a spell, "FubuteUbcabtaten," neutralizing its enchantment. The Bludger, now harmless, drifted away.
"You caught the Bludger with your bare hands?" Daphne was astounded, having never witnessed such a feat. John nonchalantly replied, "This is the second time," revealing his previous encounter with a similar situation. His physical strength had evidently improved, allowing him to emerge unscathed from the ordeal, much to the astonishment of the Slytherin onlookers.
In the Gryffindor stands, Hermione cheered, "I knew John would help!" Ron, equally impressed, questioned John's human limits.
Meanwhile, Malfoy mocked Harry's evasive maneuvers. However, Harry's frustration turned to opportunity when he spotted the Golden Snitch behind Malfoy. Seizing the moment, Harry stealthily approached, but Malfoy soon noticed the Snitch as well. The chase was on.
The two rivals clashed in the air, their pursuit of the Snitch leading to a series of collisions. In a dramatic finale, as the Snitch descended, Malfoy hesitated, allowing Harry to catch the Snitch but at the cost of a harsh fall, rendering him unconscious.
Lee Jordan jubilantly announced Gryffindor's victory as Harry regained consciousness, only to find Lockhart rushing to his aid. Harry's attempts to refuse Lockhart's help were futile; the healing spell was cast, necessitating a week's stay in the school hospital—a situation that could have been avoided, as John remarked.
In the aftermath, John observed Malfoy's confrontation with Marcus Flint, who expressed his disappointment over the Snitch's escape. Malfoy's frustration was palpable, but he found solace in John's earlier words about the importance of personal strength, acknowledging the value of self-reliance over material advantages.
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge