After the Gryffindor Quidditch Second Team was officially established, the Quidditch atmosphere at Hogwarts completely changed.
What was originally a dull training session became a lively and exciting one due to the intense competition between the first and second teams, attracting even passing students to stop and watch.
Gradually, other colleges also started to take action.
Hufflepuff was the first to follow suit and formed a second team.
Ravenclaw followed suit, and even the usually arrogant Slytherin, under the captain's guidance, quietly began preparing their second team.
The entire Quidditch at Hogwarts seemed to have become more lively than ever before, almost overnight.
That evening, the Great Hall was as noisy as ever.
Several owls filed in, one of them clutching a long, tightly wrapped package in its talons.
Even without looking, you can tell from its shape that it's a brand new broom.
The package landed directly in front of Harry.
Draco knew perfectly well what was going on.
This thing was most likely secretly prepared by Professor McGonagall for Harry.
Perhaps the professor felt sorry for Harry's suffering in the Dursley family for so many years, and this was a belated compensation.
Because Professor McGonagall was unable to pull Harry out of that oppressive family environment.
Even now, she still can't do anything.
Because as long as Voldemort's remnants are still roaming around, the protective magic of his mother's love that Harry possesses will be crucial.
Ron stared at the thickly wrapped long bundle in front of Harry and couldn't help but complain, "This bundle is so obviously obviously hiding something; anyone could tell it's a broom inside."
Lavender nodded in agreement, "Exactly! It's too much trouble. We might as well just hand it over."
Parvati's eyes darted around, and she looked at everyone curiously. "Guess who sent this?"
Hermione answered calmly, almost without hesitation, "It's Professor McGonagall."
Parvati looked at her in surprise. "How did you know, Hermione?"
"After all, it was Professor McGonagall who made an exception and allowed us first-year students to participate in Quidditch," Hermione explained.
Lavender leaned closer curiously and asked, " Hermione, aren't you even a little jealous? Harry got such a nice broom."
Draco reached out and gently touched Hermione's hand.
"What's there to be jealous of? I'm here for her. I'll buy it for her. Professor McGonagall must know that, which is why she didn't send any to either of us."
Olivia coughed softly beside her, her tone endearingly earnest. "Actually, it's probably just that Professor McGonagall hasn't saved that much money."
Suddenly, the group at the table burst into laughter, the sound spreading softly like the evening breeze brushing against the windowsill of a castle.
Hannah looked at Hermione and said with a hint of envy, "I'm so jealous..."
Hermione didn't say anything, but looked at Draco gently.
That glance drew another burst of laughter from those around them.
"Isn't there a letter? We'll know once we see it," Neville reminded him curiously.
Harry nodded and carefully untied the envelope tied to the package.
Unfolding the letter, Hermione was right; it was Professor McGonagall's handwriting.
The letter said that the broom was the latest Nimbus 2000 model, specially prepared by Hogwarts for a team of Seeker.
Ron stared at the tightly wrapped broom, his eyes filled with deep envy, and muttered softly, "I want one too..."
Lavender laughed mercilessly from the side, "Give up on that idea. Harry's Seeker on the first team."
"But I'm still the goalkeeper for the second team!" Ron immediately puffed out his chest, clearly unconvinced.
"Yes, yes, yes, our great second-team goalkeeper." Lavender joked in a drawn-out tone, which made everyone laugh again.
The days slipped by at a leisurely pace, like the Black Lake flowing quietly at the foot of the castle.
Before we knew it, two months of school had already passed.
The new students' lives at Hogwarts weren't earth-shattering, but they were fulfilling and reassuring.
Courses, assignments, Quidditch practice, late-night whispers in the dorm...
That day, everyone happily finished their last class of the day because Halloween was just around the corner.
On Halloween Eve, Hogwarts traditionally hosts its grandest banquet.
Draco also felt a surge of excitement.
He knew very well that Professor Quirrell would most likely release the Troll tonight to explore the depths of the dungeon to find the location of the Philosopher's Stone.
For him, this was not chaos, but a rare opportunity for real-world practice.
As night fell and everyone entered the restaurant together, they all held their breath quietly.
The scene before me was so beautiful that I was speechless for a moment.
A thousand bats fluttered their wings silently between the walls and the ceiling, their dark shadows darting about.
Another thousand, resembling low-lying dark clouds, hovered slowly above the long table, casting flickering light from the candlelight inside the pumpkin lanterns.
On the golden plates, delicious dishes suddenly appeared, just like at a school opening banquet, their aroma gently spreading.
Lavender's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but gently cover her mouth, exclaiming softly, "My God... it's so beautiful!"
Parvati took her arm, his lips curving into an uncontrollable smile, as if he had seen an entire starry sky fall into the restaurant.
Olivia stood to one side, quietly watching the bats fluttering in the air and the flickering candlelight.
Neville stared up at him, his face filled with disbelief, and muttered in amazement, "So this is what Halloween parties are like..."
Harry gazed at the dreamlike scene before him, a warm feeling spreading through him—a joy and warmth he had never experienced before.
Ron's eyes lit up as he stared at the table full of delicious food. He excitedly pounced on his seat, muttering, "This is amazing! We can have a feast tonight!"
As everyone was engrossed in enjoying the delicious food at the banquet, the pumpkin candlelight flickered gently on the plates, and the shadow of a bat swept across the table.
Draco's gaze, however, remained calmly fixed on the distance.
He clearly saw Professor Quirrell's expression shift slightly, his fingers tightening almost imperceptibly, as if he was about to do something.
The time has come.
He turned his head and whispered to Hermione in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Come out with me for a moment."
Hermione paused slightly, a clear look of confusion appearing in her eyes. Her brows furrowed slightly as she wondered why he would suddenly leave at such a lively banquet.
But she didn't ask any more questions; she simply obediently put down her knife and fork and quietly got up with Draco.
As soon as the two left their seats, the teasing around the table immediately followed.
Lavender, resting his chin on his hand, said, "Hey—where are you two headed? Aren't you going to eat here?"
Parvati's eyes were full of a doting smile, "You wouldn't be looking for a quiet place to be alone for a while, would you?"
Olivia coughed lightly and said incisively, "It seems that the liveliness of the banquet is less important than certain people."
Ron immediately frowned, looking displeased, and shouted, "Hey! Where are you going? The banquet isn't over yet!"
Draco didn't stop walking; he merely turned around slightly and casually made up an excuse so absurd that no one would believe it. "There's something wrong with the broom; I'm going to check it out on the field."
Lavender burst out laughing on the spot, mercilessly exposing her lie. "I think you just want a date alone, what kind of excuse is that!"
Parvati chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Stop pretending, we all know!"
Draco didn't turn back. He simply took Hermione's wrist and led her quickly through the noisy crowd toward the dimly lit corridor.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she wondered about his true purpose, yet felt her hand firmly held by the warmth of his palm.