The torrential rain seemed to give Gryffindor an even greater advantage.
Chaser Angelina Johnson and her teammates scored goal after goal. Having borrowed Neville's binoculars, Su Er could see the frustration on Cedric's face. Cedric roughly wiped the rain from his face, jerked his broomstick upward, and soared into the sky, circling constantly. Hufflepuff's only chance of victory now lay in that tiny, elusive Golden Snitch.
Hermione, too, was swept up in the excitement on the pitch. Every goal the Weasley Brothers helped Angelina score drew a little cheer from her.
"I can feel the appeal of Quidditch now."
As the fifth ball was mercilessly driven through Hufflepuff's hoop, she threw her arms around Su Er's neck and jumped up, shouting in his ear.
But could you be a little more considerate, Hermione? I'm in Hufflepuff. Is it really appropriate to hug me around the neck to celebrate Gryffindor scoring?
Su Er sighed helplessly.
With the rain growing heavier and the raging wind increasingly bitter, Wood fiercely knocked away an attack from Hufflepuff, raised his hand, and landed to call a timeout. He seemed to want to adjust their tactics.
When Harry came down onto the pitch, everyone could see that he was soaked through, his slight body shivering in the fierce wind.
"Harry must be freezing," Ron said, looking back.
Wood gathered his teammates around him, seemingly giving them instructions. Cedric, who had been tirelessly circling the pitch, could finally get a little rest as well.
"Tweet..." Madam Hooch blew her whistle again. The match resumed!
"Whoosh..." It was as though a river in the heavens had tipped upside down, the rain relentlessly pounding the grass and splashing up muddy water.
Cheers and boos rose and fell. Harry and Cedric each occupied a stretch of sky, wordlessly swapping places