Quidditch Tryouts

Since the start of term, Vaughn's Academic Overlord qualities had long since become deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

Hermione had once wanted to compete with him.

But perhaps because she had spent too much time hanging around with an Academic Underling, she gradually stopped being so obsessed with earning points.

Now, only losing points could still anger her.

When the Owl delivered the package, Vaughn was pretending to think. Ron, sitting across from him and eagerly awaiting the answer, was practically sprawled across the long table, as if sitting closer would let him hear the answer sooner.

So the package dropped by the Owl landed right on his head.

"Damn Zhu Weiqiong! I knew it, it's had it in for me for ages!"

Ron cursed the family Owl. Ginny had given it its name.

This young Eagle Owl was Errol's successor and currently served the entire Weasley family.

Perched beside Vaughn, Zhu Weiqiong cast Ron a disdainful glance, as though looking at a pile of rubbish.

Ever since Ron had called it Little Pig once, it had never looked at him properly again.

Harry had no interest in Ron picking a fight with a bird.

He stared blankly at the familiar-looking package and asked Vaughn, "Vaughn, is this...?"

Vaughn's expression brightened as he opened the package. He nodded. "Just as you thought, Harry. A Flying Broomstick—the Nimbus 2000!"

"Merlin..."

Ron clutched his chest with both hands. It was as if he could see Gold Galleons glittering inside that package. He stared at Vaughn. "You... you actually bought a Nimbus 2000?"

"Of course I didn't buy it. Professor Snape did."

This familiar turn of events made Harry increasingly uneasy. Not long ago, he had received a Nimbus 2000 as well. Professor McGonagall had bought it for him to celebrate his becoming Gryffindor's Seeker.

Hermione thought of it too and covered her mouth. "Vaughn, don't tell me you joined the Quidditch team too?"

"That's right, Hermione. Professor Snape thinks I have tremendous talent for Quidditch and wants me to lead Slytherin to victory!"

Vaughn smiled at her.

His tone was cheerful, but Harry could not bring himself to feel happy no matter what.

He thought of their first Flying Class, when he and Vaughn had flown laps around the field. Vaughn had displayed an astonishing adaptability and responsiveness in the air.

The two of them had performed equally well that day.

It had left Harry worried ever since. He had even forgotten to ask Vaughn about it until just before bed that night... when he suddenly remembered.

Vaughn still had not told him who Nicolas Flamel was.

From the bed beside his, Ron was furious about Vaughn joining Quidditch. "...That old bat Snape did it on purpose. He just can't stand seeing you do well, Harry! So Professor McGonagall made you a Seeker, and he made Vaughn one too!"

"What a sinister scheme!"

He suddenly shouted, startling Seamus Finnigan, who had just fallen asleep, into leaping upright, all traces of drowsiness gone.

Ron paced back and forth beside Harry's bed. "Harry, don't fall for Snape's poisonous scheme. He's trying to break up our friendship. He wants you and Vaughn to turn against each other. He—"

Harry had to cut him off. "What are you talking about? You're getting more ridiculous by the minute."

"Uh, you've seemed unhappy this whole time..." Ron stammered. "Do you think Vaughn will steal your spotlight? You could learn from me. I've lived in his shadow since I was little, and I haven't lost any flesh over it..."

Listening to him, Harry suddenly felt a little sorry for Ron.

But he still interrupted him. "I don't. Don't talk nonsense. I'm worried because... Vaughn is very strong. I'm worried I'll lose to him. Everyone on the team has placed their hopes on me, and I'm scared of letting them down..."

Ron scratched his cheek, unsure how to comfort him.

Saturday arrived, and October officially began. The temperature in the Scottish Highlands dropped once more.

There was even frost on the grass in the morning.

Today was Slytherin Quidditch team's training day. As the second Seeker after Harry Potter to join a Quidditch team as a First Year by special exception, Vaughn attracted a huge number of students who had come to watch.

By the time Harry and Ron arrived, the stands were already packed. There were not only Slytherin students, but Hufflepuffs as well. Cedric Diggory had brought several classmates who often discussed Transfiguration with Vaughn, holding up a banner that read: "Go, Vaughn!"

The Ravenclaw stands were even more crowded with girls, making the very air seem sweetly fragrant. They conjured fireworks and shrieked teasingly at Vaughn as he flew through the air.

There was no need to mention Slytherin. Even quite a few Gryffindors were standing there. The Twins shook out a bedsheet with a magical comic drawn on it, showing Vaughn catching the Golden Snitch while riding a broomstick.

Hermione was there too, casting a spell on the bedsheet and trying to make the pictures move.

Ron was furious and shouted at the Twins, "You two Traitors!"

The Twins replied, "He's our little brother, Ronnie."

"He's your big brother too, Ronnie."

"Those two must be sucking up to Vaughn." Ron grumbled to Harry. "I'd bet that if I joined the team, they wouldn't do anything like this. Who knows how they'd mess with me instead!"

Harry was not in the mood to talk. He spotted Wood and squeezed through the crowd with Ron.

Wood did not seem to be in a bad mood. He even comforted Harry. "Don't worry, Harry. I don't believe anyone could possibly be as talented as you!"

Until Slytherin's training began.

Today's training was mainly meant to test Vaughn's ability to catch the Golden Snitch. The other players acted as opposing team members, interfering with him by hitting balls and other means.

Vaughn wore windproof goggles and sat astride his brand-new Nimbus 2000, looking down at the crowd below.

"...I think I underestimated Quidditch's popularity..."

He had known from the original story that Quidditch was the most popular sport in the Wizarding world.

But since coming to this world, Vaughn had never watched a match, so he had never truly grasped it.

He was considering a question—shouldn't the popularity Quidditch gathered count as Reputation too?

There were so many Young Wizards below, as well as their families behind them. If he could win them over through playing, surely he could at least add one point to his monthly Reputation Points settlement?

"Time to get serious!"

Vaughn gripped the broom handle tightly, planted both feet on the broom's footrests, and rose slightly.

At the sound of a whistle, Captain Flint released the Golden Snitch. The other players immediately began moving as well, obstructing Vaughn's vision and flight path.

But it was all futile!

Harry's instincts had been right. Vaughn's reaction speed truly matched his own. As Vaughn pressed down on his broom, the Nimbus 2000's terrifying performance instantly surged to its limit.

The few players tasked with intercepting him at close range only saw a black blur flash before their eyes.

One of them had even nearly collided with Vaughn.

But Vaughn still reacted in time, brushing past his broom as he broke through the formation.

He darted through the crowd like a flower in the wind, weaving past tackles and colliding balls as he shot straight toward the golden speck dancing below.

One minute later, Vaughn raised his hand high, the Golden Snitch gleaming brilliantly in his grasp.

Cheers erupted from the stands!

Harry looked up and saw Wood's pale face...