Chapter 81: Audrey's Gradual Hardening
"Audrey!"
"Audrey!"
The cheers rolled across the Quidditch pitch like thunder, shaking the stands with a single name.
Even Lee Jordan struggled to be heard over the noise.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today's match—Hufflepuff versus Slytherin!"
The roar only grew louder.
"AUDREY! AUDREY!"
"Now—please welcome the teams!"
---
This time, Audrey didn't make a dramatic entrance.
No goblins. No spectacle.
She simply walked out from the players' locker room with the Slytherin team… like a normal player.
Well—
As "normal" as she could be.
In truth, she barely even knew her teammates.
As she mounted her broom and rose into the air, the crowd exploded once more.
The Hufflepuff players' expressions darkened.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
In past matches, Hufflepuff had always enjoyed the support of the entire school when facing Slytherin.
But today?
Not a single cheer for them.
Every voice—
Every gaze—
Was fixed on one person.
Not Slytherin.
Audrey.
---
Marcus Flint flew up beside her, already irritated.
"Why don't you ever come to training?"
Audrey didn't even look at him.
"Training? I'm a Seeker. What exactly am I supposed to coordinate with you about?"
Flint gritted his teeth.
"Seekers and Beaters need teamwork! There are tactics—"
Audrey waved a hand dismissively.
"What tactics? I'll just catch the Snitch."
Flint snapped.
"We lost to Gryffindor! This is our last match—we need a high point difference if we want the Cup!"
Audrey already knew that.
She knew how things would play out.
But—
Did she care?
Slytherin winning or losing had nothing to do with her.
Her agreement with Severus Snape was simple:
Play.
Not win.
---
A sharp whistle cut through the tension.
Madam Hooch had begun the match.
"The game starts!" Lee Jordan shouted.
"Hufflepuff takes possession—and immediately, a Bludger is sent straight at Audrey!"
The crowd gasped.
Then—
Chaos.
"Helga! Godric! Rowena—what am I seeing?!"
The stadium erupted.
"Audrey Astray just knocked the Bludger away with her bare hand!"
A heartbeat later—
"She's raised her hand again—SHE HAS THE SNITCH!"
"FIFTEEN SECONDS!"
The entire pitch exploded into deafening cheers.
It was over.
Before it had even begun.
Marcus Flint's face twisted in fury.
But no one else cared.
Students screamed.
Professors stared.
And in the stands—
The professionals fell silent.
Because now, they had seen it with their own eyes.
---
At the section where the Kenmare Kestrels sat, their Seeker, Vincent, exhaled slowly.
"Did you see that?" the coach asked.
Vincent shook his head.
"Too fast. That dive… it exceeded what a Nimbus 2000 should be capable of."
The coach frowned.
"That kind of talent… reminds me of someone."
"Perkins," Vincent said quietly. "1498. Could push his broom far beyond its limits."
The coach nodded slowly.
"Can she reach that level?"
Vincent didn't hesitate.
"She'll surpass it."
The coach raised an eyebrow.
"You're that confident?"
Vincent smiled faintly.
"Speed isn't even the most terrifying part."
"Oh?"
"It's her awareness."
The coach went silent.
Because he hadn't even seen the Snitch.
Not once.
---
Across the stands, similar conversations echoed.
Every professional team present had come to the same conclusion:
They needed her.
---
And Audrey?
She was already planning her escape.
Because sitting there—
Perfectly visible—
Was a goblin elder from Gringotts.
Morristo.
Their intentions couldn't have been clearer.
It was April now.
The Kupon had already lost 70% of its value.
By summer, it might hit 90%.
Their losses?
Catastrophic.
But Audrey didn't care.
Contracts were contracts.
And she had no intention of cleaning up their mess.
---
She was just about to slip away—
"Audrey Astray!"
The voice rang out sharply.
Minerva McGonagall.
"Please come to the main stand!"
Audrey paused.
Then, with a faint sigh, she turned back, waved to the crowd, and flew toward the stands.
Waiting for her—
Was Cornelius Fudge.
Smiling.
Too pleasantly.
"Minister," Audrey said calmly as she descended. "It's been a while."
Fudge chuckled, glancing meaningfully at McGonagall.
She didn't move.
Instead, she said stiffly, "I'll… check the match statistics."
A weak excuse.
But she stayed nearby.
Watching.
Fudge's smile faltered for a moment.
Then returned.
"Audrey… your Quidditch talent is extraordinary! I believe you'll shine in the World Cup!"
Audrey's eyes narrowed.
"You called me here… to say that?"
The air shifted.
Fudge blinked, caught off guard.
This wasn't the polite girl he remembered.
"This year," Audrey continued coldly, "your Ministry expects me to pass twelve OWL subjects."
Her voice sharpened.
"That means my time is worth five times that of others."
"Every second matters."
"And you're wasting it."
Fudge stiffened.
Something about her presence—
Her aura—
Pressed down on him.
Still, he forced himself to continue.
"This concerns the entire wizarding world," he said more firmly.
Audrey gestured lazily.
"Go on."
Fudge straightened his tie.
"As you know, Gringotts is facing… difficulties."
"Bankruptcy is a real possibility."
"And if that happens—it will be disastrous for everyone."
He paused.
Then delivered the real message.
"I've been asked—by Elder Morristo—to act as an intermediary."
He looked directly at her.
"For the sake of stability… would you consider repaying your loan early?"
---
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Audrey smiled faintly.
Cold.
Unmoved.
Because this—
Was exactly what she had expected.
And the answer?
Was already decided.