The seven members of the Slytherin Quidditch team stood in a neat line, each holding a brand-new Nimbus 2001. The silver decorations on the broom handles glittered in the sunlight.
Malfoy slowly stroked the registration number on the broom's tail, his eyes gleaming with ill intent.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Slytherin's new Seeker," Malfoy said smugly. "Would you like to admire the new brooms my father bought for our team?"
The Gryffindors stared silently at the seven high-end brooms before them, unable to say a word.
"Not bad, right?" Malfoy smiled falsely. "But the Gryffindor team should be able to afford some new brooms too. After all, your Cleansweep Fives are genuine antiques. A museum would surely pay a good price for them."
The Slytherin team burst into laughter, while the Gryffindors' faces flushed red.
"At least every Gryffindor player earned their place on the team through their own ability, instead of buying brooms for others!" Hermione snapped.
Malfoy's fake smile froze, as though she'd struck a sore spot. "This isn't your place to speak, you filthy little Mudblood!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the situation spiraled out of control. George and Fred immediately lunged at Malfoy, while Marcus Flint stepped in front of him first.
"What did you say?" Alicia, one of Gryffindor's female players, demanded furiously. Ron also pulled out his wand and pointed it viciously at Malfoy.
"Ron Weasley..."
The icy voice was like a bucket of cold water thrown over them. Everyone turned around and realized Sagreles was already standing behind them. In the distance, Snape was also rapidly approaching.
"Are you going to cast a spell on a fellow student?" Sagreles looked at Ron expressionlessly. "Think carefully, Mr. Weasley. If you can handle Lucius when he comes calling afterward, I certainly won't