The defeated Gryffindor players hurried down to check on Harry, and Professor McGonagall rushed over as well. After examining him and confirming that Harry was unharmed, she finally comforted everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, although we lost, I saw your tenacious fighting spirit. Gryffindor should have the courage to admit its flaws and face its shortcomings..."
One of the Chasers, Emily Spinett, said quietly, "If Harry hadn't fallen, we might have won."
Professor McGonagall heard her. Her expression turned stern. "And what exactly would you have used to win? Frankly, your performance during the match was dreadful."
"The two Mr. Weasleys were completely out of sorts. And Miss Spinett, all three of your Chasers are girls, so why were you trying to compete with Slytherin's boys in strength and stamina? I didn't see any of you making use of your own advantages."
As she spoke, she looked at Harry, her expression softening somewhat. "Harry, your broom went out of control at the end, didn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, Professor."
When he fell, Fred had failed to catch him, but later brought back his broom.
"Give it to me. I'll take it back and examine it. All right, children, go back and think carefully about what I just said. Don't shift the blame onto others. Think about it—when victory was within their grasp, your opponents still chose to save Harry first."
On the way back to the changing room, Angelina said to the twins, "Hey, can you introduce me to your brother?"
"Which brother?"
"Little Ronny?"
"Don't play dumb. You know who I mean!"
The twins trembled dramatically. "Oh no, is she planning to take revenge on Vaughn?"
"Very likely, Fred. Vaughn must have disgusted her terribly today."
"But hate can turn into love!" the twins suddenly said in unison, waggling their