The sky was blue, the grass was green, the sun was shining, and the weather was perfect.
Today was the grand day of Hogwarts' annual Quidditch match.
Hoare reluctantly put on the Slytherin team's uniform, which was quite green.
Each of them carried their broomsticks and entered the Slytherin team's preparation hut.
Just as they brushed past Gryffindor, Hoare glanced over and noticed that the Slytherin brooms were mostly Nimbus 1000s, except for his own Nimbus 2000.
On the Gryffindor side, the team’s brooms were mostly old models with scruffy tails.
Except for Harry Potter's, which was the only shiny and bright broom.
The same model as Hoare's, a Nimbus 2000.
"Heh." Marcus Flint sneered, leaning over to Hoare with a look of disdain. "They seriously think that Potter can save them."
Harry, across the way, seemed like he wanted to come over, but was held back by his captain, Oliver Wood.
Oliver Wood whispered a few words in Harry's ear, and Harry nodded apologetically at Hoare before following Oliver Wood away.
"Heh, Henry, look at that Potter. Only Slytherin is your friend," Marcus Flint remarked pointedly.
Hoare ignored everyone. For him, nothing could shake his determination to win this match.
---
The match was about to begin.
All the team members stood behind the gate, waiting for it to open.
Marcus Flint stood in line with Hoare.
"Nervous?" Marcus Flint looked ahead, his voice so soft that if Hoare weren't the only one beside him, he would have thought Marcus wasn't talking to him.
Hoare calmly replied, "Nervous about what? The pose for receiving the award?"
"Hahaha, I really like your attitude," Marcus Flint laughed.
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At that moment, they heard the commentator, Lee Jordan, outside saying, "Now entering the field is the Gryffindor team. Let's see who’s playing this time. Oh! It's Harry Potter! He will be the Seeker for this match. Can he bring glory to Gryffindor?..." followed by introductions of the other Gryffindor players.
With Gryffindor's introductions complete, it was almost time for Slytherin to enter.
The gate was about to open.
Marcus Flint turned to look at the players behind him, his face stern. "I won't waste time with unnecessary words. Just one thing: the championship is ours!"
"Any objections?" he scanned the room.
"None."
"Alright, let's go!"
The gate opened.
"I can't wait to see their faces when they find out you've been switched to Beater. That'll be interesting," Marcus Flint said with an evil grin.
"It's starting," Hoare said.
A first-year Beater—it was exciting just to think about it.
If it weren't for Gryffindor having Harry Potter, boosting their morale, Hoare wouldn't have wanted to change positions.
He preferred the feeling of flying fast rather than the violence of hitting people with balls.
After Gryffindor announced Harry's addition, Slytherin prepared to make personnel adjustments for a surprise move.
Their attention collectively turned to Hoare, who was munching on a small cake.
Hoare's hits were notoriously painful, something his teammates knew all too well.
After all, a Beater hitting a Bludger at an opposing player wasn't considered a foul.
Everyone mounted their brooms, and all the players flew out together.
"Now entering the field is the Slytherin team, last year's champions. Their lineup this time includes, oh! I just received a list, another first-year, Henry William, as the Beater for this match..."
This announcement not only shocked the scene but also caused an uproar on the Gryffindor side, who laughed heartily.
A first-year Beater—it seemed like a gift.
With only two Beaters on a team, Slytherin was now down one. Gryffindor was outwardly delighted but inwardly nervous.
The position of Beater was crucial. A mid-game substitution either meant they had other tricks up their sleeve or that person was formidable.
It was unclear which category Henry William fell into.
Oliver Wood looked at Harry, who shook his head, indicating he had no idea about Henry William's skills.
Slytherin's training was held privately, with Headmaster Snape booking the small field.
So, except for Slytherin, no one knew.
Everyone formed two layers, with Madam Hooch on the grass in the middle, ready to open the box.
"I now declare the match open," Madam Hooch announced, and as the box opened, the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch flew into the air, officially starting the match.
Hoare rode his broom, calmly hovering in the center of the field.
A Beater only needed to wait in the middle for the Chasers to find the Quaffle, pass it to him, and then hit it into the opponent's goal.
"The match has begun! The Bludger is in the air, and it's been caught!!! Let's see who has it! It's Gryffindor's Chaser Angelina Johnson!"
"Beautiful! Angelina Johnson made a fake pass, successfully fooling the Slytherin Chaser."
Commentator Lee Jordan narrated passionately.
"Oh! Is she really going to pass this time!? No! Oh, another fake move... No!!! Slytherin's Beater Henry William has taken the ball!!!"
"Oh oh oh, is Henry William going to strike? Can Gryffindor's Keeper withstand it? I think he can, after all, Henry William is just a first-year, lacking in all aspects is normal..."
Lee Jordan's commentary began to drift, and Slytherin students loudly booed him, bringing him back on track.
"Gryffindor's Oliver Wood is going for the ball!"
"Oh! No!? What happened!? Why is Oliver Wood suddenly flying towards his own goal? No no no!!! It's the Bludger!!!"
Hoare had snatched the Bludger and was about to hit it when suddenly Oliver Wood, Gryffindor's captain, appeared in front of him.
He tried to get close and snatch the Bludger from under Hoare's bat.
Hoare wouldn't give him the chance.
He increased his strength and struck hard.
The Bludger, with Hoare's force, slammed into Oliver Wood, carrying him towards the goal.
"The ball! It's in..." Commentator Lee Jordan was stunned, and only after Madam Hooch's reminder did he snap out of it and loudly announce, "Slytherin scores ten points."
"Oh! My goodness! Slytherin's Beater Henry William, that shot was truly outstanding! Did you see that, everyone? For the first time! The first time in Hogwarts history!"
"Both player and ball were sent into the goal together!!!"
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