Halloween, Quidditch, and the Troll

The Halloween atmosphere grew ever stronger. Most Young Wizards were immersed in the festive mood; some girls had already put on all sorts of Halloween-themed accessories, while the boys discussed the Hogwarts Quidditch matches that would take place after Halloween. Everyone was looking forward to the holiday.

"Sean, the owls are here."

Hearing Blaise's words, Sean looked up at the owls flying into the Great Hall and quickly spotted his family's Eagle Owl, Rob, among them.

With a slight beat of his broad wings, Rob pulled ahead of the other owls beside him and landed directly on the table in front of Sean.

Sean pulled out the slightly flattened package from beneath Rob's rear, then stuffed Kulkan, who had poked out from his collar to provoke Rob, back inside. Only then did he open the package under Blaise's watchful gaze.

Inside were two letters, one from each of Sean's parents, followed by some snacks. The most impressive items were the pumpkin pie his mother had made herself and half a roast chicken. These were things Sean ate every Halloween, and after Martha's years of adjustments, they perfectly suited his tastes.

As Sean unpacked the package, Harry and Ron across from him were already heading out with a long, large package. Their concealment was not particularly successful; anyone with even a little experience could tell that what they carried was a Flying Broomstick, though they had no idea what model it was.

As for Quidditch, Sean quite enjoyed watching the excitement but had little interest in participating himself. Therefore, he could not remember what model Harry's broom was. In any case, it was probably the best broom currently available.

Slytherin's Quidditch prospects were looking a little shaky now.

Scratching Rob beneath the chin, Sean fed him some nuts while watching Malfoy lead Goyle and Crabbe off to cause trouble for Harry.

That guy really did love Harry deeply. He relentlessly went after Harry, and Sean had no idea what he was trying to achieve. Could it be just to get Harry's attention?

Sean gently shook his head and turned his attention back to Rob.

After feeding Rob some nuts, Sean had him stay at the Hogwarts Owlery. Once he had finished writing his reply to his parents, he would have Rob carry it back. Rob could take the opportunity to rest as well.

After feeding him the last handful of nuts, Sean released Rob into the air, stuffed Kulkan back into his right sleeve, and headed to class with Blaise, books in hand.

On the way, Sean gradually heard about Harry's new Nimbus 2000, as well as how Harry had been exceptionally promoted to become Gryffindor's Quidditch Team Seeker in his first year. The Slytherin Young Wizards all felt this was deeply unfair, and their hostility toward the Savior only intensified.

Looking at the unhappy Slytherin Young Wizards, Sean spotted Ilina not far ahead. After thinking it over, he quickly walked over and said to her, "Ilina, could I take a moment of your time?"

Ilina looked at Sean and nodded. She temporarily said goodbye to her friends before following Sean beneath a nearby tree.

"Sean, what is it?"

"Ilina, have you heard? Someone gave Harry Potter a Nimbus 2000 and promoted him to Gryffindor Seeker in his first year."

Ilina nodded firmly. "I have heard about it. The news has been spreading like wildfire today, so it would be hard not to know. Does this have something to do with you?"

"Harry Potter and I take Flying Class together, so I know he is indeed very talented. Combined with the latest Flying Broomstick, I think he could very well pose a threat to our Quidditch Team."

Hearing this, Ilina's expression became a little more serious. She nodded and said, "That is true. So, since you came to tell me this, you must have some sort of solution?"

"It's actually very simple. Since someone set a precedent by exceptionally promoting Harry Potter to be their Seeker, then we can also exceptionally promote someone who can't stand Harry Potter into the team. I think the person being exceptionally promoted would be quite eager. For that, he should be willing to pay a certain price—for example, sponsoring the Slytherin Quidditch Team with seven Nimbus 2000s. I think that would be a pretty good sponsorship project. Those known as the wealthiest should have no trouble coming up with that money."

By this point, Ilina naturally understood what Sean meant.

In an instant, Ilina figured out the implications. If her suggestion helped the Quidditch Team win, she would undoubtedly gain many more invisible benefits.

Thinking of this, Ilina said to Sean, "Sean, I owe you one."

"We're both Slytherins. Our goal is the same."

Ilina reached out and patted Sean on the shoulder, then immediately went to find someone to put the plan into action. Sean, meanwhile, glanced at Harry in the distance and could not help saying, "Harry, I'm sorry, but I am a Slytherin after all. I have to do my part for Slytherin's Seven Consecutive Championships."

With this idea, as long as he could make up the points, then even if Slytherin lost to Gryffindor again later and lost the House Cup, it would not be his problem. If they won, Sean's idea would become hidden capital for him within Slytherin. Naturally, he would not let such a good opportunity slip by.

With that in mind, Sean found Blaise waiting nearby. The two of them entered the classroom just in time to attend today's Charms Class with Ravenclaw.

After class, Sean had already heard that Professor Snape had agreed to let Malfoy join the Quidditch Team. Along with that news came word that the Malfoy family was willing to donate a batch of Nimbus 2000 Flying Broomsticks to Slytherin. Sean could not help but marvel at just how deep the Malfoys' pockets truly were.

A Nimbus 2000 was not cheap. This was not about buying one for Malfoy alone, but donating a batch of Nimbus 2000s to the Slytherin team. The money involved was absolutely no small sum.

Of course, this no longer had anything to do with him. He had already gotten what he wanted, so there was no need to keep paying attention to it.

That evening, students from all four Houses gathered in the Great Hall. It had been completely decorated in a Halloween style. Huge numbers of bats hung upside down from the ceiling, occasionally swooping down and fluttering about like dark clouds. All kinds of pumpkin decorations could be seen in every corner, their scent filling the entire Great Hall.

Just like at the start-of-term feast, all the food on the long tables was served in golden dishes, many times more lavish than their usual meals. Just as Sean was working on a medium-rare steak, the doors of the Great Hall were suddenly thrown open. Quirrell rushed in from outside in a panic, terror written all over his face.

"Troll! A Troll in the dungeons!"

Please bookmark, vote with recommendation and monthly tickets, and keep reading.