Chapter 679: Bellatrix and Umbridge
As May began, the weather grew steadily clearer, with the sky as bright and blue as the forget-me-nots swaying in the breeze.
Not long before, Hufflepuff had played their second Quidditch match, achieving a landslide victory against Slytherin. Slytherin had attempted to mimic Ravenclaw's strategy, using their numerical advantage to trap Kyle, who flew in his Firebolt.
However, Slytherin lacked Ravenclaw's star player, Cho Chang, and Kyle easily broke through Montague and the others' formation with the Firebolt's unmatched speed. The sluggish Nimbus 2001s were no match and could hardly keep up with him.
The game turned into a dazzling solo performance, with cheers from the stands barely pausing. Half an hour later, Cedric caught the Golden Snitch right under Malfoy's nose, locking the score at 360 to 10.
This resounding win placed the Quidditch Cup firmly within Hufflepuff's reach. They now held a commanding lead in points, and just a few goals in their final match would secure the title. The Hufflepuffs were elated, celebrating their imminent triumph.
Not everyone shared their joy. From the stands, Snape observed Kyle at the center of the crowd, his expression dark and brooding as though lost in some private grievance. When the players landed, Snape let out a dismissive snort and strode back to the castle without a word.
After the match, however, reality set in. With exams looming ever closer, the Hufflepuffs' excitement lasted only a day before they had to bury themselves in their heavy workloads again.
Three days later, on the first weekend of May, the sixth-year students gathered in the Great Hall for another Apparition lesson.
"As before, practice freely," Twycross instructed.
Yet enthusiasm was scarce. Recent practices had been fraught with Splinching accidents, some severe enough to leave parts of students' bodies temporarily behind. Though Professor McGonagall had expertly restored everyone, the disturbing incidents had made many students apprehensive, slowing their progress.
Some, however, remained unaffected.