Back in the Hufflepuff common room, the place was unusually packed with students.
Zacharias Smith, Ernie Macmillan, and a few others were racing to make Hufflepuff banners.
Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, and several other girls were using their wands to dye black robes yellow.
"Jon, come help!" The moment Zacharias saw him return, he shouted, "Tomorrow is the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match—a battle to the death!"
"A battle to the death?" Jon walked over and blinked.
"This afternoon's match... Slytherin got turned around by Ravenclaw while they were leading by 140 points!" Zacharias roared. "With two straight losses, they're doomed to finish without a placing. When we face them in the final round, we'll have an absolute advantage!"
"So tomorrow's match against Gryffindor will practically decide who takes the championship! If we win, the Quidditch championship and the Quidditch Cup will be almost within reach!"
Just as Zacharias was rambling through his explanation, a group of Quidditch players in Hufflepuff uniforms returned to the common room.
"Gimick, once the match starts, keep a close eye on Potter. Try to use the Bludger to disrupt him as much as possible!" Cedric Diggory walked at the front of the players. "Leave their Chasers to Bob!"
He did not forget to go over the tactics one last time.
"Go, Cedric!" Seeing them return, the Hufflepuff students cheered. "Long live Hufflepuff!"
Jon stepped forward as well, walking up to Cedric Diggory. "Cedric, I believe in you. You'll definitely win!"
"Thank you, Jon!" Cedric smiled and nodded. "I can't guarantee the result, but we'll certainly give it everything we have!"
"That's not what I meant." Jon shook his head. "I mean, you'll have an absolute advantage in tomorrow's match... because Gryffindor's Seeker, Harry Potter, probably won't be able to play!"
"What?" Cedric was startled.