Three Against One

The next morning, the moment Albert entered the Great Hall, he sensed that something was off. The air was thick with tension, like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark.

Albert quickly spotted Isabelle, decisively picked up his tray, and slipped away to sit beside his girlfriend.

"What, are you planning to transfer to Ravenclaw?" Penelope teased with a smile when she saw Albert come over. "I'm sure everyone would welcome you if you did."

"The tension over there is too intense. Is there really any need to take a game this far? It's ruined my appetite." Albert ignored Penelope's remark and focused on the food on his plate. With malicious delight, he said, "They might as well just have a fight right here in the Great Hall. Whichever side loses can count it as losing today's match. Once the game starts, they'll probably end up fighting on the pitch anyway."

"I thought you'd support the Gryffindor team?" Penelope asked with a smile.

"Of course I support them."

It just didn't sound very sincere.

"The Slytherin team members are much better built than the Gryffindor team members. And your team has three girls, so you won't have much of an advantage in a fight," Penelope reminded him with a grin.

"You make a very good point."

Albert set down his fork and turned to look toward the Slytherin team. If the two sides really came to blows, Gryffindor probably wouldn't win.

Penelope had not expected Albert to agree with her. She froze for a moment, then could not help laughing.

"How are things on your end? Do you want to go watch the Quidditch World Cup together during the summer?" After finishing the food on his plate, Albert turned to Isabelle, who had also finished eating.

"The