Harry and Cedric spotted the Golden Snitch almost simultaneously, but Cedric was a little closer to it. They both took off at almost the same moment.
The Firebolt's performance was beyond question. Even this year's new Nimbus and Cleansweep models could not compare, much less Cedric's broom, last year's Nimbus 2000 and One.
Harry accelerated noticeably faster than Cedric, but Cedric was closer, after all, and had already reached the Golden Snitch first.
Sensing the Seekers approaching, the Golden Snitch swerved from side to side, then suddenly shot skyward.
Cedric thrust out his hand, his fingertips brushing the Golden Snitch, but ultimately failed to catch it. Watching it shoot upward, he could only turn his broom and chase after it.
Harry, meanwhile, used that time to catch up.
The two chased the Golden Snitch side by side, bumping and jostling each other.
As a fifth-year student, Cedric naturally had a much stronger build than Harry. Harry, however, had the more agile broom and was better at fine maneuvers, leaving them evenly matched for the moment.
The Golden Snitch changed direction repeatedly, preventing either of the two tightly packed Seekers from catching it first.
Arguably Hogwarts' two best Seekers in nearly ten years, they swooped up and down above the Quidditch pitch after the Golden Snitch, competing against each other.
The Chasers below were still competing fiercely, but the spectators' attention was no longer on them at all. Everyone stared fixedly at the two Seekers in the air, one in red and one in yellow, and the Golden Snitch ahead of them.
Following the Golden Snitch, the two climbed to an astonishing height. Looking down from there, the Quidditch pitch and the Castle resembled miniature toys.
The spectators at the Quidditch pitch below could no longer see the two at all