Impact Wave?

In the Gryffindor changing room, Harry and the other players had all changed into their bright red Quidditch uniforms.

Harry kept moving his wrists. From his expression, it was obvious that he was nervous. This was his first time taking part in a Quidditch match.

The changing room door opened, and Wood walked in.

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

Angelina Johnson, Gryffindor's Chaser, said with a smile, "The good news first."

Wood said, "The good news is that Slytherin's Perrigin was injured during training. He's still lying in the School Hospital and won't be able to play."

The players in the changing room immediately looked delighted. Perrigin was a formidable opponent; without him, the Slytherin team's strength would drop considerably.

Angelina was also overjoyed. As a Chaser, she hated facing aggressive Beaters like Perrigin. She asked,

"What's the bad news, then?"

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

Angelina's expression changed drastically. "Matthew Black? Oh my God! Hasn't he gone at least half a year without training? Why are they still letting him play?"

Matthew had left a deep psychological shadow on her. During last year's match, she had been struck so badly by one of his Bludgers shortly after the opening that she had completely lost her bearings.

Katie Bell, the Chaser beside her, felt Angelina was overreacting. The match had not even begun, yet she was already boosting the enemy's morale. She said to Angelina,

"Black was indeed impressive in last year's match, but he hasn't trained for at least half a year. What's there to fear? Our training hasn't been for nothing!"

Like Harry, Katie had only joined the Gryffindor team this year. Although she had watched Matthew play from the stands last year, her impression of his style was nowhere near as clear as Angelina's.

Harry was also a little surprised. He had not expected Senior Matthew to be so formidable at Quidditch as well.

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

Seeing that worry still lingered on Angelina's face, George draped an arm over Fred's shoulder. "And there's me! Matthew won't be able to break through our defense!"

Angelina smiled warmly at that, and much of the worry on her face faded.

Wood tried to ease the mood, clapping his hands. "Just like Katie said, our training hasn't been for nothing! We're much stronger this year too! Most importantly, we have Harry Potter this year! This is Gryffindor's best team in years! We will win!"

Harry panicked. How had this suddenly become about him? He was only a rookie player taking the field for the first time! ...

The Quidditch match was about to begin. The players from both sides left their changing rooms and entered the pitch.

The cheers from the stands grew louder and louder. Students from Slytherin and Gryffindor shouted the names of their respective Houses, and the wave-like cries pushed the atmosphere in the stadium to its peak.

Once the players emerged, the spectators began cheering for them. Matthew Black received the loudest cheers of all.

Matthew had attracted a great deal of attention during last year's matches. Just like in any other competitive sport, the atmosphere between different divisions was fiercely hostile, yet plenty of spectators still admired famous players from opposing divisions. That was competition—strength was everything.

Madam Hooch, the referee, was already standing in the middle of the pitch. Once both teams had gathered around her, she said,

"Listen carefully! I expect you all to play fairly and honestly! Mount your Flying Brooms!"

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

The players from both teams immediately took off, and Angelina, at the very front, snatched the Quaffle first.

Gryffindor's Lee Jordan was serving as the commentator. He shouted loudly,

"Beautiful! Angelina's timing on that grab was perfect!

The instant the Silver Whistle sounded, she rushed towards the Quaffle!

She was so decisive! Wasn't she afraid of a false-start foul?

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

Slytherin sent two Chasers after Angelina in hot pursuit. Angelina decisively passed the Quaffle to Gryffindor's other Chaser, Alicia, but the moment Alicia caught it, a Bludger came hurtling in from afar and struck her.

"Slytherin is pressing hard! Angelina is about to be pincered by two Chasers! Nice! She passed the ball! Gryffindor's Alicia caught it!"

Lee Jordan suddenly grew excited and shouted urgently,

"Alicia is in danger! She didn't see the Bludger behind her!

Oh my God! Isn't anyone going to block it for her?

Oh, Gryffindor's Beaters are both around Angelina. You can't blame them; after all, that girl is such an outstanding Chaser, and she's very charming too..."

"Sorry, Professor!" Lee Jordan had been warned by Professor McGonagall beside him. He continued his commentary,

"Alicia was hit by a Bludger sent flying by Matthew Black!

Matthew Black was last year's Annual Best Hitter, and his Bludgers are still just as accurate!

Will Alicia be knocked off her broom?

So close! She steadied her Flying Broom before hitting the ground! But her Quaffle was snatched away by Slytherin's captain, Marcus!"

Marcus, having seized the Quaffle, sped toward the goalposts. Another Bludger flew in from his side—it was one George Weasley had hit for Gryffindor.

"Marcus is rapidly closing in on the goalposts! Is Slytherin about to score? Can someone stop him!

Gryffindor's two Chasers are trying to get closer—but it's too late—their distance is a little too great!

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

If Marcus keeps going forward, he'll be struck by the Bludger—can he still reach the goalposts?

Wow! The Bludger was intercepted!

It's Matthew Black! When did he get there? Why is he everywhere!

Oh my God! The Bludger Matthew hit away struck Gryffindor's Keeper, Oliver Wood, dead on!

Did he calculate that? As expected of last year's Annual Best Hitter!

No one can stop Marcus now! He easily threw the Quaffle through the goalposts—Slytherin scores!"

The cheers erupting from the Slytherin stands instantly drowned out every other sound.

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

"Black!

—Black!

—Black!"