Chapter 173 - 172 — The Match Cancelled

Chapter 173: Chapter 172 — The Match Cancelled

# Chapter 172 — The Match Cancelled

Harry and Ron followed the crowd toward the Quidditch pitch, where Wood was relieved to see them arrive.

"Where have you two been? Everyone’s waiting for you so we can go over the tactics!"

Even though there was barely any time left before the match, Wood did his best to explain the strategy to them one more time.

Harry’s thoughts gradually returned to Quidditch.

This time, he was absolutely going to win.

Vesey already knew what was attacking the students, and Dumbledore and the other professors would take care of it.

Everything would get better.

Harry smiled.

He followed the players onto the pitch amid thunderous cheers, then mounted his broomstick, ready to ease the tension with a good match.

The Hufflepuff team was also hurriedly discussing its tactics.

Finally, Madam Hooch blew her whistle and released the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch.

"Let the match begin!"

She shouted.

At that moment, an enormous rumble reached the ears of the teachers and students gathered at the pitch.

Everyone froze for a moment, but the players from both teams soon took to the air.

Only the professors were preparing to return to the castle and investigate.

"I wonder which student caused that! What on earth are they doing? If I catch them, I’ll deduct points from their House!"

Professor McGonagall said angrily.

Professor Sprout nodded in agreement.

"Indeed! I thought I saw the castle shake just now. This is absolutely unacceptable."

As they spoke, they hurried toward the castle.

But before they’d taken more than a few steps, a silver phoenix appeared in front of them.

It spoke in Dumbledore’s voice.

"Minerva, another attack has occurred! All Heads of House must immediately order their students back to their common rooms. Vesey is seriously injured, and Miss Granger has been petrified!"

Snape’s face turned deathly pale.

He nearly broke into a run.

Professor McGonagall’s lips trembled.

"All right, Albus. I’ll get the students back immediately!"

She hurried toward the Quidditch pitch with Professors Flitwick and Sprout.

When she reached the stands, she raised her wand to her throat and amplified her voice.

"Stop! The match is cancelled!"

Protests erupted from the crowd.

Madam Hooch quickly flew over to the stands, where Professors McGonagall and Sprout explained what had happened in the castle.

Her face turned pale as well.

She shouted, "All players, land immediately! Follow your House prefects back to your common rooms!"

Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout began organising the students and escorting them away.

Professor McGonagall remained behind.

"All students must return to their common rooms immediately! Someone will explain what has happened later!"

With that, she hurried down from the stands.

She went straight to the Gryffindor section and ordered everyone to return to their common room.

Then she turned toward Harry, her expression unexpectedly gentle.

"Come along, Harry. Come with me. I think you should be there..."

She sniffed, her voice seemingly catching in her throat.

Harry didn’t understand what was happening, but a terrible suspicion began to form in his mind.

Had there been another attack?

Did Professor McGonagall think he was responsible?

He walked over to her heavily.

Ron hurried after him.

Professor McGonagall glanced at Ron but didn’t stop him from accompanying them.

"Come on. I’ll explain as we walk."

She quickly led the two boys toward the castle.

Harry assumed she would take them to her office or Dumbledore’s.

But she didn’t.

Instead, Professor McGonagall led them toward the hospital wing.

"I know this may be difficult for you to accept, but... there has been another attack. Two students were involved..."

Harry’s heart sank.

He suddenly thought of Vesey and Hermione.

"Vesey..."

Professor McGonagall gave him a sympathetic look.

Then she opened the door to the hospital wing.

Inside, Madam Pomfrey was drawing the curtains around Hermione, who had been turned to stone.

Beside Hermione’s bed lay Vesey.

Snape was hurriedly pouring a potion into Vesey’s mouth. His face was so dark that he looked as though Vesey had already died.

Harry could barely move.

He had no idea what had happened to Vesey.

He was terrified that she might die.

She was his sister!

Vesey was so kind, so wonderful, so amazing...

"All right, Harry. Don’t cry. Vesey is still alive."

Madam Pomfrey spoke gently.

"Her condition is rather serious. She used power far beyond what her body could withstand, and it nearly killed her on the spot. Fortunately, she survived. She’s still alive..."

Only then did Harry realise that tears were streaming down his face.

He hurriedly wiped them away.

Moving to Vesey’s bedside, he stared at her face as though he couldn’t bear to look away.

There were several fingerprints on her cheek, apparently left by her own hand. They stood out starkly against her pale skin.

"Professor, will she be all right?"

He looked pleadingly at Snape.

At that moment, if Snape had told him that kneeling down would help Vesey recover, Harry would have done it without hesitation.

Snape glanced at Harry and snorted.

Then he demanded furiously, "Why didn’t Vesey go to the Quidditch match?

"Some students said you spoke to her before the match. Then she was found in the castle..."

He couldn’t finish.

The power Vesey had unleashed had nearly torn her body apart.

She had come within a hair’s breadth of death. Just a little more, and he might never have seen the girl again.

"Stupid girl!"

Snape muttered, unable to contain himself.

At that moment, Dumbledore entered the hospital wing, looking helpless.

He shook his head at Snape’s reaction.

"Severus, Vesey had no choice. If she hadn’t used that power, she and Miss Granger would both have died. At least Vesey is still alive now."

Snape’s nostrils flared. He turned toward Harry, his expression furious.

"Tell me! What did you say to her? You let her remain alone in the castle at a time like this. You wanted her to die! You’re responsible for this!"

"Now, Severus, I don’t think Vesey would want you to speak to Harry like that. Harry is already devastated, and none of us expected this to happen."

Dumbledore shook his head helplessly.

He glanced at Harry.

Harry felt overwhelmed with guilt.

"It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let her go alone..."

More tears slipped from his eyes.

"Then, Mr Harry Potter, would you kindly tell your professor what you asked Vesey to do?"

Snape narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Harry hesitated, glancing at the many people gathered around him. For a moment, he considered asking to speak with Dumbledore privately.

But after thinking it over, he decided to explain everything in front of the others.

"When Vesey and I were walking together earlier, I heard that voice again. Vesey said she’d heard it too..."

Harry recounted what had happened.

The professors gathered around the hospital wing listened, their expressions changing to shock from time to time.

"The basilisk! Vesey was right. The traces of the battle confirm it was a basilisk. She fought the creature herself."

Dumbledore said approvingly.

"She truly is one of the most brilliant young witches at Hogwarts!"

Harry looked proud for a moment.

But when he thought of Vesey and Hermione lying in the hospital wing, his smile faded.

He didn’t tell Dumbledore about Hagrid or Tom Riddle. He wanted to confront Hagrid himself first.

If Hagrid really was responsible for what had happened to Vesey, Harry would never forgive him!