The fact that Quirrell was caught in the alchemical bomb explosion did not disrupt the progress of the Quidditch match. Although it was a very serious matter for a Hogwarts professor to be openly attacked, it was not enough for the wizards to stop an ongoing Quidditch game.
At the professor's desk, Professor Snape ceased reciting the counter-curse. He continued scanning the surroundings, looking for potential crises.
According to Professor Snape, the alchemical bomb explosion had been a long-planned attack. Although the target of the attack wasn't entirely clear, such a clue-less assault posed a significant threat to Hogwarts. After all, today it was Quirrell who was attacked; tomorrow, it could be any professor or student! Snape's eyes were filled with vigilance. He even left the professor's chair and patrolled the stands constantly, fulfilling his duties as a teacher.
In the Gryffindor camp, Hermione looked at Irina in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Did you really attack the professor with an Exploding Charm? Besides, it was obviously Professor Snape casting the spell—why would you attack Professor Quirrell?"
Hermione hadn't clearly seen what happened at the professor's desk. She could only infer from Irina's actions and the coincidence of the explosion, leading her to believe Irina was behind it all.
Irina blinked her large ice-blue eyes innocently. "Hermione, I didn't do it! When I arrived, Quirrell had already exploded! Even I was shocked!"
As she said this, Irina looked aggrieved.
Hermione realized she had misunderstood Irina. She quickly hugged her and repeatedly apologized.
On the Quidditch field, the Nimbus 2000, having regained control, was steered by Harry in a sharp dive toward the ground, nearly crashing completely.
Harry was seen covering his mouth as if about to vomit.
On all fours, he coughed violently, and a Golden Snitch appeared in his hand.
"I caught the Golden Snitch!"
Harry raised it into the air and waved it triumphantly.
Irina tilted her head unconsciously. What a strange imported product!
And so, the Quidditch match ended in chaos.
Even twenty minutes later, Flint, the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team, was still shouting angrily. "He didn't catch the Snitch—he almost swallowed it!"
In Flint's view, how could a Seeker catch the Snitch with their mouth?
However, Flint's protest didn't change the final outcome. Harry's actions hadn't violated any rules.
Amid Gryffindor's cheers, the commentator Lee Jordan announced the final score: Gryffindor had won 170 points to 60, sending the crowd into an uproar.
Some rejoiced while others despaired. As the lion cubs cheered and celebrated, the snake cubs sank into gloom.
But none of this concerned Lynn. After Quirrell exploded as planned, he left the scene and returned to Hogwarts Castle to prepare for refining the Forbidden fire.
Having some rare, uninterrupted free time, Lynn naturally wanted to make the most of it.
---
At Hagrid's hut on the outskirts of Hogwarts Castle:
Irina, Hermione, Ron, and Harry, having finished the match, arrived together at Hagrid's hut. The hut's owner, Rubeus Hagrid, was preparing a strong cup of tea for Harry.
"Snape definitely did it!" Ron declared to Harry and Hagrid. "We all saw it! He was muttering something under his breath, fixing his eyes on your broomstick. Luckily, Professor Quirrell cast a counter-curse for you, or else, Harry, you would have been in serious danger!"
Harry looked surprised. "What? But I saw Quirrell get blown up…"
Ron insisted, "It had to be Snape. After discovering that Professor Quirrell was casting a counter-curse to protect you, he took action to kill Quirrell! Thankfully, Professor McGonagall was there—otherwise, Professor Quirrell might not have survived!"
Irina covered her face. Snape gets blamed yet again!
Hagrid wasn't convinced. "Rubbish! How could Snape do such a thing? He'd never harm his colleagues or students!"
Ron grew anxious. "I'm telling the truth! If anything I'm saying is false, I'll eat chocolate while under the effects of a love potion!"
Irina glanced at Ron with sympathy. She felt as if she were watching a tragic performance unfold.
Quickly, Irina grabbed the agitated Ron. After exchanging a glance with Hermione, she decided to let Hermione explain.
Hermione turned to Hagrid. "Hagrid, we found out something about Professor Snape. He seemed to want to get past Fluffy on Halloween. Fluffy even bit him! We think he was trying to steal something that the three-headed dog is guarding."
Irina added, "Of course, it's also possible that Professor Snape was simply on a routine patrol and got attacked in the process, or perhaps he was accidentally attacked by Fluffy while chasing a dark wizard."
Harry and Ron stared at Irina in shock.
Why are you defending Snape?!
"Come on! Professor Dumbledore said no one is allowed in the corridor on the right-hand side of the fourth floor," Harry argued. "Why would Snape be there if it was just a patrol?"
Irina explained, "Some of the Gryffindor students like sneaking around at night. Maybe one of them ended up there during an exploration. If that's the case, Professor Snape might have been trying to save their lives!"
Ron threw up his hands. "That's impossible! Think about it—a greasy git like Snape probably wants us dead. Why would he bother saving us?"
As the group argued, Hagrid set the kettle down heavily on the table with a loud thud, drawing everyone's attention.
"How do you know about Fluffy?!" Hagrid asked, looking nervous.
Fluffy, the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the secret chamber of the Anti-Magic Stone, never left that room. The fact that Harry and the others knew about him clearly meant they had been there without permission and seen the dog.
This made Hagrid panic. The philosopher's stone was a highly classified secret, and it could never be revealed to the young wizards before him.
"Fluffy?" Irina, Hermione, Harry, and Ron asked in unison.
All eyes turned to Hagrid, waiting for an explanation.
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