Quidditch Tryouts

Since the start of term, Vaughn's reputation as a top student had long been 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 underachievers, she had gradually stopped being so obsessed with earning points.

Now, only losing points could still make her angry.

When an owl delivered a package, Vaughn was pretending to think. Ron, sitting opposite him and eagerly awaiting the result, 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 out for me for ages!"

Ron cursed the family owl, whose name Ginny had chosen.

This young eagle owl was Errol's successor and currently served the entire Weasley Family.

Perched beside Vaughn, Zhu Weiqiong gave Ron a disdainful look, as though it were 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 paying attention to Ron, who was competing with a bird.

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

Vaughn's expression brightened as he unwrapped the package. He nodded. "Just like you thought, Harry. A broomstick—a Nimbus 2000!"

"Merlin..."

Ron clutched his chest with both hands. It was as though he could see shining Galleons glittering inside that package. He stared at Vaughn. "Y-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, covering her mouth. "Vaughn, don't tell me you joined the Quidditch team too?"

"That's right, Hermione. Professor Snape thinks I have exceptional 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 at all.

He thought back to their first flying lesson, when he and Vaughn had flown laps around the field. Vaughn had shown astonishing adaptability and reflexes when it came to flying.

The two of them had performed evenly that day.

It had left Harry worried for the days that followed. He had even forgotten to ask Vaughn about it, until suddenly remembering before bed that night...

Vaughn still had not told him who Nicolas Flamel was.

In the bed beside his, Ron was furious over Vaughn joining Quidditch. "...That old bat Snape definitely 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 a Seeker too!"

"How sinister!"

He suddenly shouted, startling Seamus Finnigan, who had just fallen asleep, into springing upright, completely awake.

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

Harry had no choice but to interrupt him. "What are you talking about? You're getting more ridiculous by the minute."

"Er, I saw that you've been unhappy all this 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 cut Ron off. "No, don't talk nonsense. I'm worried because... Vaughn is very strong. I'm afraid of losing to him. Everyone on the team has placed their hopes on me. 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 again.

There was even frost on the grass that morning.

Today was the Slytherin Quidditch team's training day. As the second Seeker after Harry Potter to join a Quidditch team as a first-year exception, Vaughn drew a huge crowd of students eager to watch.

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

The Ravenclaw stands were even more full of girls, and the air itself seemed to have turned sweet. 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 had come. The twins were shaking out a bedsheet bearing a magically drawn comic strip of Vaughn catching the Golden Snitch on his broomstick.

Hermione was there too, casting a spell on the bedsheet in an attempt to make the drawings move.

Ron was furious and shouted at the twins, "You two traitors!"

The twins replied, "That's our brother, Ronnie."

"And your brother too, Ronnie."

"Those two must be sucking up to Vaughn," Ron said indignantly to Harry. "I'd bet anything that if I joined the team, they'd never do this. Who knows how they'd mess with me instead!"

Harry was in no 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 mainly involved testing Vaughn's ability to catch the Golden Snitch. The other team members played opposing players, using Bludgers and other methods to interfere with him.

Vaughn wore windproof goggles and sat astride a 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 arriving in this world, Vaughn had never watched a match, so he had never truly grasped it.

He considered a question—surely the popularity Quidditch drew in counted as reputation too?

There were so many young wizards down there, along with the families behind them. If he could win them over through playing, surely it would add at least 1 point to the reputation points he received each month?

"Time to get serious!"

Vaughn gripped the broomstick handle, planted both feet on its footrests, and raised himself slightly.

At the whistle, Captain Flint released the Golden Snitch. The other players immediately sprang into action as well, obstructing Vaughn's line of sight and flight path.

But it was all futile!

Harry's instincts had been right. Vaughn's reflexes truly were no weaker than his. As Vaughn dipped his broom, the Nimbus 2000's terrifying performance instantly surged to its limit.

Several players tasked with intercepting him at close range only saw a black blur flash past their eyes.

One of them had even nearly collided with Vaughn.

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

He darted through the crowd like a flower in the wind, slipping past dives and flying balls as he shot straight toward the golden speck weaving through the air 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...