Chapter 207: Overwhelming Support Rate
As the second week approached, anticipation for the match continued to build, and the atmosphere in Hufflepuff became tense. The stakes were high; this game would determine who would claim crucial points and gain a solid lead heading into the final. It was the weekend, but the Hufflepuff common room was unusually quiet—no one even attempted to do their homework.
Harris, the team captain, was visibly jittery, pacing the common room with a Toy Broomstick in hand and repeatedly going over game-day reminders. Meanwhile, the two Hufflepuff Beaters practiced their swings with intense focus. They knew that the Gryffindor Beaters, Fred and George Weasley, were the best at Hogwarts, and they were determined not to let their team down. Kyle worried they might exhaust themselves and end up in the Hospital Wing from overworking their arms. Thankfully, Professor Sprout had brought in a pot of mood-enhancing herbs to lighten the tension.
Since Hufflepuff's victory the previous year, Professor Sprout had taken a keen interest in Quidditch, and these Thymes were a rare type, known for their uplifting effect. Resembling the Three-Headed Dog in rarity, the flowers and leaves also served as key ingredients for the luck-enhancing potion Felix Felicis. Kyle felt a pang of envy at this unique plant, but there was no time to think about it now.
By the time they reached the Great Hall at noon, they were the center of attention. Surprisingly, almost everyone—aside from the Gryffindors—seemed to be rooting for Hufflepuff. The Slytherins, of course, were thrilled at any chance to see Gryffindor lose. The Ravenclaws' motivations were more complex. Though they had been shut out in their last match, if Gryffindor performed poorly, it would soften the blow to Ravenclaw's pride.
It was like an exam where only one person scores perfectly; as long as everyone else fails, individual scores don't sting as much. There's little difference between a failing score and a zero when everyone's struggling.
For Gryffindor, it was jarring to face such overwhelmingly lopsided support from the school. Usually, only Slytherin experienced this kind of reception. During dinner, Wood, the Gryffindor captain, was furious, nearly tearing his plate apart in frustration.
"Forget what they say; we're the best!" Wood exclaimed. Surveying his teammates, who seemed just as dispirited, he pushed his plate aside and raised his voice. "Support doesn't decide anything. We're going to win this game and show everyone who the strongest team at Hogwarts really is!"
"You're right!" Chaser Angelina echoed, pushing her plate away and raising her glass of pumpkin juice high. "Let's show them who's strongest!"
As she finished, Fred and George raised their glasses as well, adding with a grin, "Hey, don't forget—we're Gryffindor."