Harry naturally had no objection to Sherlock's statement. Winning the match was his duty in the first place.
"But—Wood said Snape... Professor Snape would find every excuse to deduct points from the Gryffindor team."
"Well said."
Sherlock also agreed with Wood's view, then provided a solution: "You just need to catch the Golden Snitch before the gap between both sides widens to one hundred and fifty points."
Seeing Harry nod repeatedly, Ron really couldn't stand it anymore.
"Wait, do you know what you're actually saying?"
Obviously, Snape becoming the Quidditch referee was a very unfavorable thing, but somehow when it came to Sherlock and Harry, they seemed to have taken reassurance pills?
It's simply ridiculous!
Hermione also spoke up: "Ron has a point. Even if Professor Snape won't hurt Harry, he definitely doesn't want Gryffindor to win."
Sherlock chuckled softly: "That's how Quidditch is. Seeker Harry just needs to fully focus on the match and catch the Golden Snitch, but Snape, as the referee, has many things to consider."
(=_=)
This time, not only Ron but even Hermione couldn't hold it in.
Even though Sherlock had repeatedly emphasized during this period that she believed Snape wouldn't harm Harry and would even protect him, Sherlock's statement really made her find it difficult to understand.
He wasn't being sarcastic, was he?
In fact, Sherlock really thought so. After all, after Snape became the referee, besides ensuring Harry's personal safety, he also had to find ways to deduct points from Gryffindor. This was indeed quite challenging for him.
Shortly after Severus Snape was confirmed as the referee for the second House Cup Quidditch match, the game began.
Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff.
Compared to the first match, the little lions had mixed feelings, the little snakes were gloating, and the little eagles were watching intensely. On the contrary, the little badgers who were actually participating seemed carefree and uninvolved.
This time, Sherlock didn't go to the changing room to find Harry before the match. But Wood pulled Harry aside for some coaching:
"Potter, I don't want to put pressure on you—but today we need to catch the Golden Snitch faster than ever before."
Wood's brow was almost knotted like a pretzel. "We must fight quickly! We absolutely cannot give Snape time to excessively favor Hufflepuff."
Harry nodded. On this point alone, everyone's views were consistent. Even Sherlock, who had always insisted that Snape would protect him, said the same thing.
Due to Harry's outstanding performance in the last match, this game had even more spectators—almost all the professors and students came.
"Too bad Professor Dumbledore isn't here."
Looking at the lively, noisy stands, Harry felt somewhat disappointed. If Dumbledore were also present, Quirrell definitely wouldn't dare harm him.
Although Sherlock said Snape would protect him, Sherlock had also said that with Voldemort's help, Snape's strength was slightly inferior to Quirrell's. Last time, Quirrell had almost succeeded.
But this time Snape had specifically applied to be the referee and could act at any time, so there shouldn't be any problems.
As the referee blew the whistle to start the match, fifteen broomsticks soared into the air.
Every time a Quidditch match began, Lee Jordan began to display his talent, using his naturally rhythmic voice to provide passionate commentary.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff has officially begun!
If Gryffindor can defeat their opponents in this match, then with two consecutive wins, they'll very likely snatch the House Cup championship from Slytherin!
I personally believe this match will still be a contest between the Seekers—provided the referee can make fair judgments..."
"Jordan!"
"Sorry, Professor."
Faced with Professor McGonagall, Jordan obediently admitted his mistake. However, he had still managed to express his meaning.
Using the same tactics as the last match, Harry stayed far away at first. On one hand, he was waiting for the Snitch to appear; on the other hand, he was avoiding being targeted too early.
The Hufflepuff team players had much better moral character than Slytherin. Not one of them committed malicious fouls like Marcus Flint.
Just then, Snape looked toward Harry. Harry responded with what he thought was a friendly smile.
Snape immediately turned his head away, then awarded Hufflepuff a penalty—the reason being that George had hit a Bludger toward him.
Harry: (--;)
He had a feeling this penalty was somehow related to him.
His guess was quickly verified. Just one minute later, Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty.
This time the reason was even more ridiculous. Gryffindor Chaser Angelina Johnson's flight path was a straight line, which constituted deliberate collision with the referee.
"So, after that obviously biased ruling—"
"Jordan!"
Professor McGonagall growled quietly.
"I mean, after that controversial ruling..."
"Jordan, I'm warning you—"
"Alright, alright. After that penalty, Hufflepuff's lead has expanded to twenty points. Still, I believe anyone could encounter such things.
Gryffindor currently has possession. I think they can only hope their Seeker Harry Potter can find the Golden Snitch quickly, or they'll really suffer."
Honestly, with Snape doing this, Lee Jordan found it very difficult to remain impartial.
The Gryffindor students let out loud boos. This favoritism was too obvious!
However, they were powerless to do anything about it. Quidditch matches were like this—many calls were borderline anyway.
Snape was simply calling penalties for all of Hufflepuff's borderline fouls. Gryffindor was the opposite—all borderline fouls went uncalled.
Back and forth, the score gap gradually widened.
The sky gradually began to rain. At first it was just drizzle, but as time passed, the rain grew heavier.
For the players flying in the air above the pitch, the rain was gradually beginning to have an impact. However, Snape didn't call off the match.
A little rain was nothing to worry about.
Oliver Wood was loudly encouraging his teammates: "It's just a little rain, everyone. We've practiced in much worse weather than this!"
"Yeah, yeah, even if forbidden curses were falling from the sky, you wouldn't end practice!"
George Weasley rushed to the front, smashed a Bludger hard toward the opposing Seeker, and made a complaint.
The pitch was intense, and the stands were equally lively.
Before the match officially began, Sherlock said he had something to do and left the spectator seats under Hermione and Ron's puzzled gazes.
Originally distant, Malfoy was overjoyed when he saw this situation and immediately came over with Crabbe and Goyle.
Once the match officially started, Malfoy began mocking Harry, while Ron led Neville, Dean, Seamus, and others in sharp retorts.
Hermione didn't participate in the verbal sparring between both sides. She had her hands clasped together on her knees, constantly muttering:
"Harry, hurry up!"
Although Quirrell hadn't shown any unusual behavior so far, Hermione was still worried this guy would do the opposite of what was expected.
As Snape's calls became increasingly outrageous, the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin students in the stands grew thicker.
After Malfoy mocked Gryffindor once again, Ron couldn't help but roar:
"Damn it, you bastard are only so arrogant because Sherlock isn't here!"
When Ron said this, Malfoy's face immediately became somewhat uncomfortable.
"I'd be afraid of him? Don't be ridiculous. He's just a Muggle-born guy who got the professors' attention with a bit of cleverness!"
Ron didn't dare take his eyes off the pitch, but his mouth wouldn't let up: "If Sherlock were still here, Malfoy, you wouldn't even dare fart!"
"Weasley, can you only use other people's names to scare me? If brains were gold, you'd be a pauper!"
Ron's ears immediately turned red: "Malfoy, I hope your bones are as hard as your mouth!"
"Ron, don't let him provoke you—oh my god, look at Harry!"
Hermione, who had been trying to calm Ron down, suddenly screamed.
On the pitch, Harry, who had been staying away from everyone, suddenly changed direction and went into a sharp dive.
At this moment, the Hufflepuff Seeker still hadn't realized what was happening.
"You're lucky, Weasley. Scarhead obviously saw money on the ground!"
Malfoy mocked again.
This time, Ron finally couldn't stand it anymore. But before he could exert any force, Malfoy had already fallen.
Seeing a familiar figure appear in the stands, Hermione and Ron cheered together:
"Sherlock!"
"You're lucky too, daddy's girl."
Sherlock withdrew his fist and turned to Crabbe and Goyle. "How about you both go pick some up too?"
Facing Sherlock, Crabbe and Goyle didn't fare any better than when they first met on the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the school year.
In just one encounter, they followed in Malfoy's footsteps and fell to the side.
At the same time, high in the air, Harry rode his Nimbus 2000 whooshing past Snape.
The wind from his speed made Snape's black robes flutter up at the corners. This made the latter frown deeply.
But before he could find an excuse to call a penalty, Harry had already stopped just a few inches away from him.
The next moment, Harry raised his right hand high, just like in the previous match.
The Golden Snitch was firmly in his grasp.
The match was declared over.
The entire pitch was immediately drowned in cheers. This was a new record—the fastest Golden Snitch catch in House Cup history.
"We won, we won! Gryffindor team is victorious!"
Hermione in the stands was screaming and jumping on her chair, and she hugged Sherlock tightly.
At this moment, Harry also jumped down from his Nimbus 2000 at a height of one foot from the ground.
Snape then landed next to Harry. He was pursing his lips tightly while keeping a straight face.
Obviously, this result didn't make him happy at all.
Looking at his sour expression and thinking about those few calls he'd made during the Quidditch match, Harry originally didn't want to acknowledge him.
But thinking of the flower language Sherlock had explained to him and that special Christmas gift, Harry still said to him with sincere gratitude:
"Thank you, Professor."
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