Entering Snape's office, Professor McGonagall got straight to the point: "Severus, how is the inspection of the firebolt coming along?"
Snape slowly stirred his cauldron without looking up: "Still inspecting it."
His tone remained gloomy when speaking to Professor McGonagall, but the mockery was gone.
"A month isn't enough time?" Professor McGonagall's tone was full of doubt.
"That broomstick may have been jinxed," Snape said, putting down his stirring rod.
"I must meticulously check every detail. This is all for Potter's safety."
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, deciding to use her trump card:
"Severus, as long as you complete the inspection within this week, next school year, I will approve a ten percent increase in the Potion office's materials budget compared to this year."
The liquid in the cauldron bubbled and gurgled.
Snape's stirring hand stopped.
A ten percent increase in the budget.
This meant he could purchase more rare materials and arrange his experimental plans with greater ease.
Snape's mind raced.
He hated Harry; there was no doubt about that. But he loved Potion more, and naturally wouldn't refuse more funding for Potion experiments.
Furthermore, even if he returned the firebolt to Harry, Gryffindor wasn't guaranteed to win the championship.
Because Snape knew very well that there was a certain outrageously wealthy scoundrel in the school who would absolutely not stand by and watch Harry take the quidditch cup.
Rather than sacrificing tangible benefits just to spite Harry, it was better to secure more funding for something meaningful.
Moreover, the thought of watching Harry hold the firebolt full of hope, only to lose the match in the end, was quite amusing.
"Since Professor McGonagall insists," Snape sighed hypocritically.
"For the sake of this budget, I suppose I'll work overtime."
A week quickly passed.
An hour before the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw match, Harry finally met Professor McGonagall in the changing room.
"Mr. Potter, here is your broomstick," Professor McGonagall said, handing him the firebolt with a serious tone.
"Professor Snape has completed the inspection and found no jinxes."
The moment Harry took the broom, his whole being lit up. When he rushed onto the Pitch holding the firebolt, the Gryffindor stands erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Harry's broom is the firebolt!"
"We're definitely going to win!"
The Ravenclaw stands were silent. Their Seeker, Cho Chang, paled as she looked at the top-tier broom in Harry's hands, her heart already sinking.
Madam Hooch, the referee, blew her whistle, and the match began.
The firebolt's performance stunned the entire stadium. Harry streaked across the Pitch like a red bolt of lightning; Ravenclaw's Seeker, Cho, couldn't even keep up with his slipstream.
She gritted her teeth and accelerated desperately, but a slight burst of speed from the firebolt left her far behind.
Harry even had time to help his teammates score goals.
Twenty minutes later, Gryffindor was already leading by seventy points.
Harry circled high above. Catching a flash of gold in his peripheral vision, he dove down without hesitation.
Cho saw it too, and chased desperately, but the firebolt's speed completely overwhelmed her.
Harry reached out and snatched the Golden Snitch, which settled firmly in his palm.
"Harry Potter catches the Golden Snitch! Gryffindor wins the match, leading Ravenclaw by 220 points!"
The Gryffindor stands exploded.
Teammates rushed up, hoisted Harry, and tossed him into the air. Wood was so emotional he was weeping, kissing the goalpost several times.
"We've overtaken Hufflepuff!" Ron yelled from the stands.
"First place in total points!"
Hermione flipped through her notebook:
"Gryffindor is now twenty points ahead of Hufflepuff, and both teams have one match left. If we rack up some more points in the next game, the quidditch cup is highly likely ours!"
Harry was surrounded by his teammates, but his gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the Ravenclaw stands.
Cho was gathering her broomstick, her long black hair fluttering in the wind. When she turned her head, Harry clearly saw her face.
Truly beautiful.
Cho noticed his gaze and frowned.
This person is so annoying.
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