Impact Wave?

In the Gryffindor changing room, Harry and the other team members had changed into their bright red Quidditch robes.

Harry kept flexing his wrist, and from his expression it was clear he was nervous—this was his first Quidditch match.

The changing room door opened, and in walked Wood.

After entering, Wood cleared his throat. Once he had everyone's attention, he said, "Good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

Gryffindor chaser Angelina Johnson said with a smile, "Good news first."

Wood said, "The good news is that Slytherin's Perrigin got injured during training and is still lying in the School Hospital. He can't play in the match."

The players in the changing room immediately lit up with joy. Perrigin was a formidable opponent; without him, Slytherin's strength would drop considerably.

Angelina's face was also full of delight. As a chaser, she hated nothing more than facing an aggressive beater like Perrigin. She asked, "Then what's the bad news?"

Wood's expression turned serious. "The bad news is that the substitute playing is Black!"

Angelina's face changed drastically. "Matthew Black? Oh my god! Hasn't he been out of training for at least half a year? How can they let him play!"

She had a huge psychological shadow over Matthew. In last year's match, not long after the game started, one of Matthew's Bludgers had knocked her senseless.

Nearby chaser Katie Bell thought Angelina was overreacting, letting the opponent's momentum build before the match even started. She said to Angelina:

"That Black was indeed impressive in last year's match, but he hasn't trained for at least half a year. Why be afraid of him? Our training hasn't been for nothing!"

Katie, like Harry, had joined the Gryffindor team this year. Although she had watched Matthew play from the stands last year, her understanding of his playing style was far less clear than Angelina's.

Harry was also a bit surprised. He hadn't expected Senior Matthew to be so skilled at Quidditch too.

Fred said with a grin, "Angelina, don't worry. I'll block Matthew's Bludgers for you. I'll protect you!"

Seeing that Angelina's face still carried a worried expression, George draped his arm over Fred's shoulder. "And me! Matthew won't break through our defense!"

Seeing this, Angelina couldn't help but smile warmly, and the worry on her face faded considerably.

Wood tried to lighten the mood. He clapped his hands. "Just like Katie said, our training hasn't been for nothing! We've gotten a lot stronger this year too! Most importantly, this year we have Harry Potter! We're the best Gryffindor team in years! We're going to win!"

Harry was panicking. How did it come to him? He was just a Rookie Player playing his first match!

The Quidditch match was about to begin. Players from both sides walked out of the changing rooms and onto the pitch.

The cheers from the stands grew louder and louder. Students from Slytherin and Gryffindor shouted their respective House names, the wave-like roar pushing the stadium's atmosphere to its peak.

After the players came out, the crowd began shouting the players' names. Among them, Matthew Black's cheers were the loudest.

Matthew had won a lot of attention in last year's matches. Just like in other competitive sports, the atmosphere between different teams could be as tense as fire and water, but there were still many spectators who liked famous players from opposing teams. That was competition—strength above all was the main theme of competitive sports.

Referee Madam Hooch was already standing in the center of the pitch. When both teams had gathered around her, she said, "Listen up! I expect a fair and honest game from all of you! Please mount your broomsticks!"

After both teams mounted their broomsticks, Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle high into the air and blew her Silver Whistle.

Both teams immediately shot into the air. Angelina, charging ahead, snatched the Quaffle first.

The commentator was Gryffindor's Lee Jordan. He shouted loudly, "Beautiful! Angelina's timing was perfect!

The moment the Silver Whistle blew, she rushed towards the Quaffle!

So decisive! Wasn't she afraid of a false start?

But it doesn't matter! She didn't foul, and she got the Quaffle first!"

Slytherin sent two chasers to chase closely behind Angelina. Angelina decisively passed the Quaffle to another Gryffindor chaser, Alicia. But as soon as Alicia caught the Quaffle, a Bludger came flying in from a distance and struck her instantly.

"Slytherin is pressing hard! Angelina is about to be sandwiched by two chasers! Nice! She passed the ball! Alicia of Gryffindor caught it!"

Lee Jordan's excitement suddenly surged, and he shouted urgently, "Alicia is in danger! She didn't see the Bludger behind her!

Oh no! No one to block it for her?

Ah, Gryffindor's beaters are all clustered around Angelina. Can't blame them—that girl is such an outstanding chaser, and she's very charming..."

"Sorry, Professor!" Lee Jordan was warned by Professor McGonagall beside him and continued his commentary, "Alicia was hit by a Bludger from Matthew Black!

Matthew Black is last year's Annual Best Hitter winner! The Bludger he hit was still so precise!

Will Alicia fall off?

Almost! She steadied her broom just before hitting the ground! But her Quaffle was snatched by Slytherin's captain, Marcus!"

Marcus, who had grabbed the Quaffle, sped towards the goalposts. Another Bludger flew in from his side—it was one hit by Gryffindor beater George.

"Marcus is closing in on the goalposts! Will Slytherin score? Is anyone going to stop him!

Gryffindor's two chasers are trying to get closer—but it's too late—they're too far away!

George Weasley is moving! He finally left Angelina's side—he's sent a Bludger at Marcus!"

Marcus was about to be hit by a Bludger if he kept charging forward—could he still make it to the goalposts?

Whoa! The Bludger was intercepted!

It's Matthew Black! When did he get here? How is he everywhere?

My goodness! The Bludger Matthew knocked away just hit Gryffindor's Keeper, Oliver Wood!

Did he calculate that? No wonder he's the Annual Best Hitter!

Marcus was unstoppable! He easily tossed the Quaffle through the goalposts—Slytherin scores!

The cheers erupting from the Slytherin stands instantly drowned out everything else.

Then, after the cheers from the Slytherin stands died down a bit, they began chanting in unison:

"Black!

—Black!

—Black!"