Chapter 68: Snape’s Intuition
Before the afternoon Quidditch match was set to begin, Professor Snape approached Madam Hooch, requesting a postponement on the grounds that the physical and mental health of his house's players had been affected.
Madam Hooch, already aware of the chaos that had unfolded at noon, didn't question his request. Without further discussion, she agreed and began preparations to have Ravenclaw replace Slytherin in the match.
However, Snape wasn't done. "Madam Hooch, I don't think Gryffindor is fit to compete today either," he added, glancing toward the Gryffindor team. "There's something urgent I need to discuss with the Weasleys."
Madam Hooch frowned in frustration. "Can't it wait until after the match?"
If both teams were replaced, it would throw the entire tournament into disarray, making the rescheduling process a nightmare.
"It's urgent," Snape replied, his voice unwavering. As a full professor and head of Slytherin, Snape had enough authority to intervene, and Madam Hooch reluctantly agreed.
"All right, but let's hope this doesn't happen again," she warned him. "Rescheduling matches is a serious inconvenience."
Snape, with his usual cool tone, replied, "Believe me, I don't want this to happen either, but I can't fathom what they were thinking..." With that, he strode toward the Gryffindor team and, without hesitation, pulled Fred and George away.
Charlie Weasley quickly stepped forward, trying to intervene, but Snape shut him down immediately. "Disobeying a professor? Ten points from Gryffindor, Weasley," Snape said coldly. "If you don't step aside, I'll dock twenty next time."
Charlie clenched his fists, his face turning red with anger. The veins in his arms bulged as he considered arguing further, but after taking a deep breath, he grudgingly stepped aside. "Professor Snape," he said tersely, "take care."
Snape, his grip on his wand slightly loosening, gave a derisive snort before leading Fred and George away from the Quidditch Pitch. As he did, Charlie cursed under his breath, his frustration boiling over. Without wasting another moment, he stormed off, heading straight for Professor McGonagall's office.