They seemed to think that Harry was becoming more and more like Professor McGonagall—no, you could say he was a little Professor McGonagall, being quite tough when deducting points from his own house.
"Hey, Weasley!" Draco and Pansy were practicing the Disarming Spell right next to Hermione and Ron.
"What's up?" Ron dodged Hermione's Disarming Spell and nonchalantly sent it back.
"Got a bed reserved in the hospital wing, Weasley?" Draco teased Ron with a chuckle, knowing this was Ron's first match and that he was very nervous about it.
Just as Draco expected, Ron's face suddenly froze after hearing these words.
Then Hermione's spell hit Ron, causing his magic wand to spin and land in Hermione's hand.
Draco laughed heartily, mimicking Ron's motion of missing the Ghost Flying Ball along with Pansy.
Ron's ears turned red, trembling with anger as he glared at Draco.
"Ignore them!" Hermione slapped the magic wand into Ron's chest, glaring at Draco. "Or perhaps, Malfoy, you'd like to taste my magic spell?"
Draco raised both hands, made exaggerated faces, and said, "I don't want to taste your spell, but I'm quite sure Weasley is eager to experience the flavor of the Wandering Ball."
Pansy cooperated well, mimicking the motion of being hit by a Ghost Flying Ball and tumbling off her broom behind him.
"I still suggest you ignore them." Hermione said to Ron reassuringly, "I think you're amazing, Ron, don't let others affect your mood. You'll definitely become a goalkeeper as good as Wood!"
Reassured by Hermione, Ron grinned.
Indeed, care from a girl was useful; Ron visibly bounced back.
Before class ended, Harry called a halt to their practice.
"Well done, everyone." Harry said from behind the podium, "Next class, I'll arrange something interesting for you, something about integrating the Iron Armor Spell and Disarming Spell—stay tuned."
"What are you going to prepare for us?" Fred and George asked in unison.
"That's a secret, keeping you in suspense." Harry replied with a smile.
October ended with a wild storm, and November arrived.
Cold air descended upon the highlands surrounding Hogwarts, leaving a heavy frost each morning, and the icy wind biting hands and cheeks.
The sky and the ceiling of the Great Hall had shifted to a pale blue-gray, the mountains around Hogwarts wore snow caps, the castle's temperature dropping enough that many students wore thick dragon skin gloves while resting in the corridors between classes.
The morning of the match was clear but cold, Harry woke up to find Ron sitting straight, knees hugged to his chest, staring blankly.
"What's up?" Harry walked over, nudging Ron's shoulder.
"A bit nervous." Ron raised his head and smiled reluctantly.
"It's normal to be nervous, Ron." Harry comforted him. "Remember Wood? Wood told me when he had his first match, he had no idea what he was doing—he only remembered getting on his broom."
"Really?" Ron's eyes lit up, "What about after that? He must have performed excellently, right?"
"Oh, not quite." Harry patted Ron's shoulder, "When he woke up, he found himself in the hospital wing."
After hearing this, Ron's eyes quickly dimmed.
He regretted it now, regretting it very, very much.
Why did he have to ask such a nosy question?!
"You need some breakfast," Harry encouraged again, "Come on, come out with me, let's eat something—remember what you told me before my first Quidditch match? You can't go without food."
"Alright." Ron sniffed, standing up.
When they entered the Great Hall, it was rapidly filling up, chatter louder than usual, the atmosphere more lively.
As they walked past the Slytherin table, there was a burst of noise.
Harry looked around and saw nearly everyone wearing silver badges shaped like crowns outside their silver-green scarves and hats.
They received an enthusiastic welcome at the Gryffindor table, everyone wrapped in scarlet-gold scarves and hats.
However, the cheers didn't seem to lift Ron; instead, it seemed to sap his last bit of morale.
He slumped onto the nearest stool, as if facing his doom meal.
"I must be crazy to do this," he said hoarsely.
"Crazy my foot!" Harry patted Ron's shoulder, whispering, "Listen, pal, I want you to pep up, and I've got just the thing to do it."
"What thing?" Ron's eyes brightened.
"Remember the last Blessing Potion?" Harry glanced around, ensuring no one noticed, then pulled a small bottle from the pocket inside his magic robe.
Ron's eyes shone brighter on seeing the bottle.
"Quick!" Ron hissed, "That's it! I want it!"
Good heavens, telling someone quickly about bad temptation, eh?
You're something else, Ron!
"I know this stuff." Luna's ethereal voice suddenly sounded.
Harry and Ron turned around to find Luna standing behind them.
"When did you get here?" Harry asked, "How come we didn't hear your footsteps?"
"I've been here a while, overheard your conversation." Luna said softly, eyes fixed on the bottle, "The Blessing Potion, right? Just a bit can tremendously increase one's luck... but you must know, it's strictly forbidden at school, if caught, Ron could be punished, perhaps even banned from the match!"
"As long as you don't tell, no one will know, right? Dear Luna?" Ron clasped his hands in prayer.
"Oh, I didn't see anything." Luna hummed an unknown tune, turning away.
"Such a good girl." Ron wiped his sweat, eagerly turning to Harry: "Quick, Harry, buddy, I need that stuff, just add a little to my cereal... just a bit is enough!"
"You can have the whole bottle." Harry said, secretly pouring the bottle's contents into Ron's cereal bowl.
Ron promptly lifted his cereal bowl, gulping it down.
Afterward, he showed a goofy smile.
"I feel pretty good." he said.
"Really?" Harry tucked away the bottle.
"It tastes really good." Ron looked at Harry, "It has a berry flavor, if it weren't so expensive, I'd want more..."
Harry thought, it's just colorless blueberry juice...
But he couldn't say that; after all, he needed to use this placebo to boost Ron's confidence.
"Anyway, you'll be fine." Harry patted Ron's shoulder, "You know what? Today, you will definitely perform brilliantly, making perfect saves! You'll be the best Quidditch goalkeeper Gryffindor ever has!"
"Really?" Ron's eyes sparkled.
"Oh, I've lied once; don't make me lie again." Harry shook his head helplessly.
Ron crossed his arms, snorting arrogantly.
Now he felt incredibly strong!
Slytherin?
Hmph!
Watch Ronald Weasley grab that platinum-haired Malfoy, showing him never to mess with any Weasley!