Quidditch was the most popular sport in the Wizarding World.
It held an even higher standing than football did among Muggles.
Hogwarts had four houses, and matches between their Quidditch teams were practically unmissable events for students.
With the arrival of the Starry Sky Cup, the four houses suspended their matches, making Hogwarts especially united that year.
With less internal strife, everyone at Hogwarts stood together against their rivals.
"Beauxbatons used a Confundus Charm on the Quaffle."
Wood covered his eye, where the Quaffle had left a mark.
The Hogwarts players seethed.
Normally, they wanted nothing more than to crush each other's teams, but now that they were fighting for Hogwarts' honor, Beauxbatons had subjected them to every dirty trick imaginable.
An impulsive Gryffindor Chaser was about to storm over and settle the score, but Wood stopped him.
"If we start a fight, we'll be giving them exactly what they want."
Like his father, Wood was a fanatical Quidditch enthusiast.
Even his brain, which normally had little room for anything besides Quidditch, became sharp and levelheaded now.
"This is Beauxbatons' strategy. The tournament's about to start, and they want to cut into our training time as much as possible," Wood said decisively. "Stephens, I remember Hufflepuff has another Quaffle. Go borrow it for now."
"That's letting them off too easily!" the Slytherin Beater fumed, gripping his bat.
As captain, Wood needed to keep his teammates' emotions in check, but he was simmering with anger himself. "We'll settle this on the pitch."
Stephens fetched the Hufflepuff team's practice ball.
Just then, the Beauxbatons students swaggered onto the pitch.
"This is our training time. Please leave!" Wood gave them no friendly looks as he ordered them out.
Aude Ollie smirked. "Tsk. I thought you'd break the spell. Instead, you chose the most