Chapter 103: Rules and Loopholes
"Hawk-Eye Spell…" Hermione Granger muttered, reluctantly bringing up the idea. "As for whether to use it, we can still discuss that. I know George has already developed it into a wandless, nonverbal spell."
"If Harry casts the Hawk-Eye Spell on his broom, catching the Golden Snitch would be easy," Ron Weasley said immediately. He had seen the spell used many times during matches and knew just how powerful it could be in Quidditch.
"But then the match would be meaningless," Harry Potter said, clearly conflicted. He didn't want to lose to Draco Malfoy, but if he resorted to cheating, then winning would lose its value.
Cheating—or rather, winning and losing—became the real dilemma. The core issue wasn't just fairness, but what mattered more. When the strongest players gain an advantage through unfair means, the game itself begins to encourage such behavior. So should they accept defeat with integrity, or bend the rules to fight back?
Harry, Ron, and Hermione fell silent. Should they follow the world and do whatever it takes to win, or stay true to themselves even if it meant losing? None of them had an answer.
"Let's not overthink it," Ron said at last. "Let's ask George Weasley if he has any other ideas. Besides, controlling a broom with Hawk-Eye isn't that hard."
"Yeah… let's go ask George," Hermione agreed. She didn't know what decision to make either. The idea she proposed was only a last resort.
"Let's go," Harry said, standing up. He didn't want to make the choice between cheating within the rules and losing honorably. Maybe there was still a way to win fairly.
The three of them gathered the books they needed to return and left the common room together. After returning the books to the library, they went to find George, who was reading in the mutual aid society.
George looked a little surprised when he heard their intentions. "So… you're basically ready to give up?"
"We're not giving up," Hermione said irritably. "But Slytherin—and everyone else—are basically cheating. The rules of Quidditch practically encourage it."
George listened with a faint, meaningful smile. "Your observation is correct. Quidditch is a display of magical power and intelligence—it does, in fact, encourage what you'd call 'cheating.'"
"They encourage cheating?" Hermione was stunned. She had come to a similar conclusion while reading, but thought it was just frustration speaking. She hadn't expected George to confirm it so directly.
"How is that possible?" Ron said, unable to believe it. He had always loved Quidditch and admired its players. The idea that it promoted cheating completely shook him.
"Why would a sport encourage cheating?" Harry asked as well. As a player facing Slytherin's seven Nimbus 2001s, he needed an answer.
George looked at their shocked expressions and began explaining calmly:
"This isn't like Muggle sports. Wizards are born with magic—it's a part of them. Magic is inseparable from a wizard; it's the most fundamental difference between wizards and ordinary people."
"In any game between wizards, you can't forbid them from using their magic—just like you can't forbid a normal person from using their body."
He paused, then gave an analogy:
"Among ordinary people, physical differences vary greatly. Some are naturally intelligent, others strong, others fast. Competitions—whether beauty contests, intellectual games, or sports—all rely on these natural traits. No one considers using your own body unfair."
"For wizards, magic is just like that. It's their 'body.' So no competition can forbid them from using it."
"But broomsticks aren't magic," Hermione said softly, though without much confidence.
"They may not be magic themselves, but they're part of the tools used in the game," George replied. "You can't forbid strong or magically gifted players from competing—and likewise, you can't forbid better equipment."
He continued:
"If wizards numbered in the billions, they might divide competitions into strict levels, limiting both magical ability and equipment. But clearly, they don't need that. They simply want to display power—and intelligence, including wealth, is also part of that."
At this point, George stopped.
"Then… will you join Ravenclaw's team?" Hermione suddenly asked. She would rather see Ravenclaw win than let Slytherin take the Cup.
Harry and Ron immediately brightened. As long as they didn't lose to Slytherin—and Malfoy—they were happy.
George shrugged casually. "Like I said—if there were billions of wizards, things would be different."
Hermione lowered her head and thought for a moment before finally understanding.
"So… Malfoy didn't exploit a loophole at all. He just used the rules as they are. And for you… Hogwarts-level Quidditch is simply too low. The entire competition itself is a loophole."
"Everyone, be sure to give this story a Powerstone! Also, 30 advanced chapters of this story are uploaded on my Patreon—you can go there and read them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"