A Race Between Wind and Runes

The Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw Quidditch Match is scheduled for a weekend in mid-February.

In spring, Hogwarts is covered with a layer of new green, tender buds sprout on the treetops of the Forbidden Forest, the ice on the Black Lake has long since melted, and ripples occasionally spread across its surface. The Quidditch Pitch stands are divided into two camps by blue-bronze and red-gold flags— Ravenclaw's flag is embroidered with a bronze eagle, Gryffindor's flag is embroidered with a golden lion.

The night before the competition, Su Yu was stopped by Hermione in the Slytherin Common Room. She had become a regular at the Slytherin common room. Hermione said she liked the atmosphere of the Slytherin common room, with its countless exquisite pastries, quiet atmosphere, and academic high-achievers everywhere. It was full of little wizards who wanted to improve themselves, which was much more interesting than studying in the library.

Today her curly hair was more voluminous than usual, her face was flushed, and she was clutching a well-worn Quidditch strategy manual in her hand.

"Su Yu, are you watching the game tomorrow?" Hermione asked.

"Look." Su Yu leaned back on the sofa, while Kurama lay on the coffee table, his mouth full of sugar.

Who do you think will win?

Su Yu thought for a moment. "Ravenclaw."

Hermione frowned. "Why?"

"I just delivered Cho Chang's broom."

"Is it that fellow villager you mentioned during summer vacation? You sent it?" Hermione's voice rose slightly. "When did you send it? What did you send?"

"Yes, during Christmas, Firebolt."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Firebolt? The one Harry had?"

"Faster Harry's." Su Yu glanced at her. "I modified it; it's perfect."

Kurama looked up from the coffee table, glanced at Hermione, pushed a cheesecake towards Hermione, then pulled it back and replaced it with a smaller one.

Hermione shut her mouth, not even glancing at Kurama. She sat down next to Su Yu and asked in a low voice, "How did you change it? Floo Powder? Or Transfiguration?"

"Runes." Su Yu casually drew obscure symbols in the air, intricate patterns engraved on them, faintly glowing blue in the candlelight. "Just stick them on." He put the runes away and leaned back on the sofa.

Hermione was silent for a moment. "Harry's Firebolt, we don't know who gave it to him, but he always cherished it."

"I know, but his broom doesn't have runes."

On the day of the match, the weather was unbelievably clear. The February sun rose from the treetops of the Forbidden Forest, illuminating the Quidditch Pitch in Winky. The stands were packed with people; flags were waving in the blue section of Ravenclaw, and horns were blowing in the red section of Gryffindor.

The commentator was still Lee Jordan, his voice booming and resonant from the magic megaphone, penetrating the entire stadium.

"Welcome to the fourth Quidditch Match of the season! Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw!" Lee Jordan's voice echoed across the pitch. "Wood looks paler than usual today, probably nervous—I really don't know what he has to be nervous about, his Seeker rides Firebolt! The fastest flying broomstick in the world! And Ravenclaw's Seeker— "

He paused, then pushed his glasses up.

"Ravenclaw's Seeker, Cho Chang, is also riding Firebolt. That's fucking amazing—"

Professor McGonagall's voice came from the High Table, interrupting him. "Lee Jordan!"

"Excuse me, Professor," Lee Jordan coughed, "I mean, this is really amazing. Ravenclaw team's brooms have been upgraded, and Cho Chang is riding Firebolt —and it looks even better than Potter's!"

A commotion arose in the stands. Some Gryffindor turned to stare at the Ravenclaw stands, while others on the Ravenclaw side smiled smugly.

Su Yu leaned against the railing at the very top of the Slytherin stands, with Kurama squatting beside him and Ka-jie standing to his left.

"Did you send it to me?" Ka-jie asked.

"This... um..."

"She outshone Harry, you know that's aiding the enemy, right?"

Su Yu immediately shut up and stopped talking...

Players from both sides flew out from opposite ends of the field. Gryffindor Quidditch Team, dressed in scarlet, had Wood at the front, looking as serious as if he were attending a funeral. Ravenclaw team, dressed in blue, had their captain Roger Davis flying at the front, smiling as if he were attending a wedding.

Cho Chang stood in the middle of the group, her black hair tied back in a ponytail. The Firebolt she rode was different from Harry's; upon closer inspection, one could see the difference. Several silver runes were affixed to the handle of Cho Chang's broom, shimmering faintly with a blue light in the sunlight, almost invisible unless one looked closely. When she gripped the broom handle, the runes glowed slightly, as if smiling at her.

Harry flew out from the Gryffindor group, also riding Firebolt. He noticed Cho Chang's broom, the runes on it, and how they were glowing, but he didn't think much of it. He stared at Cho Chang's face, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before looking away.

Hermione grabbed Neville's arm from the stands. "Did you see her broom?"

Neville stared at Cho Chang's broom. "I see it. That's—that's not an ordinary Firebolt."

"It was a gift from Su Yu," Hermione said. "He added runes."

Neville paused for a moment, then his not-so-bright brain worked for a second. "You mean Harry's in danger?"

Hermione did not answer.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle, and the game began.

Fourteen flying broomsticks shot up from the ground and into the Sky Void. Angelina Johnson, the former Chaser of Gryffindor Quidditch Team, got to the Quaffle first, broke through from the left, faked out the Ravenclaw goalie, and gently tossed the Quaffle through the goal circle.

"Cho Chang of Ravenclaw team is still getting used to his new broom!" Lee Jordan shouted. "Their players are still gelling, while Gryffindor is already ten points ahead!"

The Gryffindor students in the stands cheered as Fred and George did a victorious somersault around the goalpost, and Wood clenched his fist in front of the goal.

Kurama squatted down next to Su Yu and scratched his ear with his paw.

"Gryffindor played well."

"No rush," Su Yu said.

Ka-jie glanced at him. "What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for Cho Chang."

Twenty minutes into the game, Gryffindor had taken a sixty-point lead. Ravenclaw's Chaser had made several mistakes. To coordinate with Cho Chang's swift broomstick, the entire team was constantly refining their tactics. Cho Chang wasn't quite used to it yet, and each time he accelerated, he would overshoot.

Roger Davis called several timeouts to rearrange tactics, but the effect was not obvious. Gryffindor's offensive became more and more intense, Angelina and Alicia cooperated well, almost controlling the Quaffle in Ravenclaw's half of the field.

Commentator Lee Jordan's voice blared incessantly. "Gryffindor scores again! By Johnson! Seventy points ahead! Ravenclaw isn't in good form today, their tactics are flawed—did I tell you? Too fast is bad—"