Chapter 91: The Quidditch Match
The next morning, before the Quidditch match began, Kyle caught up with Cedric outside the Hufflepuff changing room. Cedric looked noticeably thinner and exhausted compared to just a week ago, but his eyes shone with determination.
"We're going to win for sure!" he said confidently, gripping his Nimbus 1700 before resolutely turning toward the changing room. Kyle could tell Cedric was still a bit nervous; he could tell by the slight limp in his usually steady walk.
When Kyle made it to the stands, they were already packed with students. Quidditch matches were some of the most anticipated events at Hogwarts, and today's decisive game was no exception. Kyle squeezed through the crowd to the front row, where Mikel and Ryan had saved him a prime spot. Next to him, Kanna handed him a homemade banner embroidered with a small badger and the words "Hufflepuff Forever," crafted with Developing Solution. The badger stitched on the banner waved its front paws cheerfully. Kyle smiled, charmed it to float in the most visible spot nearby, and propped it up.
"We're going to win for sure!" Mikel said, his voice bursting with excitement. "I can just feel it—Hufflepuff's going to take the Quidditch Cup this year!"
"Of course," Kyle replied, grinning. "With intuition like that, maybe you have a future as a Seer, Mikel."
"Haha, I think so too," Mikel chuckled.
Just then, the teams entered the stadium.
"Look, here they come!" announced a seventh-year student with long blonde hair, holding a microphone charm-enhanced for the whole stadium to hear. "First to enter is the Slytherin Quidditch team! After suffering a big point loss due to an accident last game, they didn't let it crush them. Instead, under the leadership of their captain, Rosier, they rallied and defeated both Ravenclaw and the top-seeded Gryffindor. Will they manage a miracle and pull off the triple win? We're about to find out!"
The commentator's voice climbed in excitement. "Oh, and here come the Hufflepuffs!"
The stands burst into cheers as he continued. "Leading the team is the captain, Harris! He's an outstanding Chaser, holding the record for the most goals scored, and has been instrumental in Hufflepuff's rise. Following him are the Beaters... and last but not least, there's Cedric Diggory, their Seeker, who's strengthened Hufflepuff's only weak spot!"
The two teams were well-matched, and the commentator's excitement was infectious as he leaned out of the commentator's box. Energized by his enthusiasm, the crowd's cheering grew even louder, with yellow and green flags waving like ocean waves across the stands.