Mysterious Journey

Chapter 596: A Subtle Change

Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room.

Although Gryffindor had lost all hope of winning the Quidditch Cup this year, Oliver Wood was not discouraged. Instead, he proactively contributed his treasured Quidditch pitch model and enlisted the entire Gryffindor team to brainstorm for the first-year team. He used his wand to direct the miniature players, shifting them around to explain the tactics Slytherin might employ.

Fred and George weren't gathered around Wood; they had other important tasks.

At this moment, the Weasley twins were crouched in a corner of the common room, quietly imparting their valuable combined experience to two slightly restrained, chubby boys. Perhaps because it was their first time stepping into Gryffindor territory, Crabbe and Goyle seemed somewhat nervous, their minds wandering even more than usual.

With some curriculum adjustments at the school over the past period, and with Hermione acting as a mediator with access to all four house common rooms, a small crack had gradually appeared in the seemingly impenetrable ice wall between the houses.

The first-year wizards, in particular, had almost no house divisions from the start.

For example, Crabbe and Goyle, due to frequent Quidditch training matches, had a closer relationship with the Weasley twins than with many older students from their own house.

However, compared to Crabbe and Goyle, who were still slightly uneasy, Draco Malfoy, sitting beside Hermione, was noticeably more at ease. He was now earnestly listening to the tactical analysis, occasionally discussing offensive strategies for tomorrow with Ron and Hannah.

If one were to ignore his silver and green robes, judging solely from the boy's intense desire to win and his familiarity with the surrounding Gryffindor students, no one would believe he was a Slytherin wizard.

Besides them, a black-haired boy with glasses, looking incredibly nervous, sat away from the center of the crowd.

This was the first time he had held such an important position in a match, especially in a role previously held by Hermione, filling Harry with apprehension. Every time he thought about tomorrow's game, he felt a churning sensation in his stomach.

Unfortunately, Harry couldn't escape his nervousness by distancing himself from the group, as he was constantly thinking about the upcoming match.

The Hufflepuff Quidditch team captain, Cedric Diggory, was sitting across from him, meticulously explaining to Harry the things a Seeker should pay attention to during a match, as well as some practical game tips.

"Don't worry, Potter. You fly very well; you're not much different from Hermione."

Cedric patted Harry's shoulder forcefully, sincerely comforting the first-year boy.

"Seeker isn't a position where whoever is bigger wins. It requires eyes, attention, flying skills, and brains... In that regard, you're much better than those Slytherin gorillas. Besides, you're leading Slytherin by two hundred and twenty points, so there's absolutely no problem!"

"Yeah..." Harry's lips twitched slightly as he replied stiffly.

The vegetable stew he had eaten for dinner seemed to be churning in his stomach. He instinctively covered his mouth, trying to recall Hermione's description of the stew, hoping to distract himself through memory.

Although it might be somewhat disrespectful to Cedric, if he were to throw up in front of so many people, especially Draco and Hermione, it would be too embarrassing.

"...When you fly high, pay attention to the reflections at the edge of the pitch..."

"...Vegetable stew is a classic Italian dish. Simply put, it's a hodgepodge of large pieces of beef, veal, pork, chicken, and sausages cooked together. But my recipe is different..."

"...When diving, make sure your arms have some leeway and are not fully extended..."

"...First, add some Italian fennel sausage, fry it in the pan, making sure each side is browned..."

As Harry tried to shift his attention, the churning in his stomach gradually disappeared. Cedric Diggory's voice seemed to come from far away, overlapping with Hermione's voice.

The tense match scenes swirling in Harry's mind slowly transformed, conjuring images of flavors and food, and some of the familiar tools and tweezers, as if he were back in his beloved Potions class.

"...Place the fried sausage in a stew pot, add a small amount of trison sausage, a delicious, smoky Spanish chorizo. Frying it will release an incredible aroma..."

"...Potter, when you see someone heading towards a target, follow them..."

"...Then cut some carrots, celery, and garlic, and fry them in the pan until fragrant. Adding some lentils is a good side dish choice, along with bay leaves and thyme, which are essential spices..."

"...Keep your body as close to the broom as possible during high-speed flight, but keep your arms extended forward..."

"...Then put the sausage back in the pot, add some chicken broth, and of course, pigeon, beef, and pork. Patiently stew the lentils until they are soft, waiting for the flavor of the spices to penetrate deep into each piece of meat..."

"...Finally, firmly grasp the Golden Snitch, clench your fist, and don't let it fly away..."

"...Sprinkle with some chopped parsley, and the gorgeous and simple vegetable stew is complete..."

With these images, the delicious and fragrant vegetable stew seemed to reappear before the boy's eyes.

Harry Potter swallowed hard, instinctively asking in a low voice, "So, can I eat it now?"

"Eat? That's the Golden Snitch! You have to grab it with your hands, not eat it with your mouth!"

Cedric Diggory frowned, looking at Harry, who seemed to be daydreaming, and waved his hand impatiently.

"Hey! Potter? Potter, are you listening to me?"

"Eh?! Sorry, sorry, I'm a bit nervous..."

Harry Potter, immersed in his fantasy, suddenly snapped back to reality, looking at Cedric apologetically and quickly apologizing.

"...Never mind, I think what you need most now is rest, not these tips."

Cedric glanced at Harry, who was hastily apologizing, and shrugged helplessly, pressing down hard on the boy's thin shoulders with both hands. "Even if you forget those tips, it's okay. The most important thing is that you must believe that you can fly well! As the Seeker of the team, you can't lose confidence first."

"That's right, Harry, Cedric is right."

At this moment, Hermione, who had finished discussing tactics with everyone, walked over and echoed. Then, she turned to Cedric Diggory, who was sitting next to Harry, and thanked him sincerely.

"Thank you so much for tonight, Cedric..."

"You're welcome. I also want to see Slytherin lose to you. Those guys are too annoying!"

Before Hermione could finish speaking, Cedric shook his head with a smile.

"Besides, you've made so many delicious things for everyone in Hufflepuff lately. As the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, I have to find some way to express my gratitude, right?"

"Although I want to say that doesn't make sense logically—but, you're handsome, so you're right. As for you, Harry..."

Hermione glanced at Cedric's handsome face, shrugged noncommittally, then turned her gaze to Harry Potter, who still looked apprehensive and insecure, and sighed helplessly.

"How about this, I'll have Hermione take you to a place to see, maybe it can give you more confidence..."

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Chapter 2!! My God!!!

Fat Chicken is not hungry, Fat Chicken is not hungry~ The round-faced Fat Chicken will not be hungry~