The defeated Gryffindor players hurriedly landed to check on Harry. 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 spirit of tenacious struggle. Gryffindor should have the courage to acknowledge its own flaws and face its shortcomings..."
One of the Chasers, Emily Spinnet, said quietly, "If Harry hadn't fallen, we might have won."
Professor McGonagall heard her. With a stern expression, she said, "And what exactly would you have used to win? Frankly, your performance during the match was terrible."
"The two Weasley gentlemen were completely out of sorts, and Miss Spinnet, all three of you Chasers are girls. Why did you insist on competing with the Slytherin boys in strength and stamina? I didn't see you making use of your own advantages."
As she spoke, she looked at Harry again, her expression softening somewhat. "Harry, your broom lost control at the end, didn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, Professor."
When he fell, Fred had failed to catch him, but he had brought Harry's broom back afterward.
"Leave it to me. I'll take it back and inspect it. All right, children, go back and think carefully about what I just said. Don't push the blame onto others. Think about it—when victory was within your opponents' grasp, they still chose to save Harry first."
On the way back to the changing room, Angelina Johnson said to the twins, "Hey, can you introduce me to your brother?"
"Which brother?"
"Little Ronnie, perhaps?"
"Don't play dumb. You know who I mean!"
The twins shuddered. "God, is she planning to get revenge on Vaughn?"
"Very likely, Fred. Vaughn must have disgusted her terribly today."
"But hatred can turn into love!" the twins suddenly said in unison,