On the pitch, several students interested in trying out for the team began taking turns on test flights under the direction of the team captain, Benjamin Bruce.
In the stands, Eddie kept talking without pause as he commented on their performances.
“Ha!
That boy Andre got a worse grade than I did in our first-year flying class, yet he still has the courage to attend the team tryouts?
Look at him, flying slower than a woodcock!”
“Is that Chambers?
That boy’s quite skilled.
Perhaps he could fill the empty Chaser position and form an unpopular partnership with that annoying Roger.”
“Look, Cho Chang flies beautifully, doesn’t she?
In my opinion, Bruce should make her the Seeker directly.
Our current Seeker hasn’t performed well in previous matches anyway.”
“Thank you for the commentary, Eddie,” Scott said irritably.
“Although only one sentence was useful.
It reminded me of a piece of trivia I once read in the Encyclopaedia Britannica when I was young.”
Milton asked lightly, “Scott, which sentence are you referring to?”
“Oh, of course it was the one about Andre flying slower than a woodcock.
The woodcock is the slowest-flying bird in the world,” Eddie answered proudly before Scott could speak.
Milton blinked and turned to Scott.
“I think I should read more Muggle books, such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica you mentioned.
Perhaps that would improve my understanding of the Muggle world.”
Eddie was shocked by his words.
“You’ve never read the Encyclopaedia Britannica?
Mm, if I remember correctly, you’re a half-blood?”
Milton said, “Yes.
My mother is a Muggle, but she has never expressed any opinions about my education.”
“All right.” Eddie knew better than to ask further.
“But I should remind you that the set has many volumes.
By 1985, it had already expanded to thirty-two, and every volume is thick.”
Milton looked enthusiastic instead.
“All right, I’ve found something to do during the Christmas holiday.
I’ll go and buy thirty-two books.”
“I recommend finishing the entire set, Milton,” Scott said.
“After reading it, you’ll understand much more about the world we live in.”
“I will.”
“Hey, look over there!” Eddie suddenly interrupted Milton.
“The Slytherin team is here too.”
Benjamin Bruce also noticed them and went over with several Ravenclaw players.
“Will they start fighting?” Eddie asked expectantly.
He had already risen from his seat.
“No,” Scott said calmly.
“We’re Ravenclaws, not Gryffindors.”
Sure enough, after Benjamin Bruce negotiated with the Slytherin captain, Marcus Flint, each side took half of the pitch.
After a while, Eddie began complaining, “This is boring.
Since Slytherin arrived, they’ve all started flying cautiously.
I think we should return to Ravenclaw Tower.”
Scott agreed with his suggestion.
“This is neither training nor a match.
There’s no reason to sit here watching Bruce and Flint guard against each other.”
Milton had no objection either.
The three left the stands without telling Roger and headed out of the pitch.
At that moment, another group of Slytherin girls approached from the other side of the grass.
“Hey, do you see the blonde girl walking beside Parkinson?” Eddie suddenly became excited and lowered his voice.
“Jasmine Travers.
She’s the most beautiful girl among this year’s first-years.”
Hearing this, Scott gave Eddie a pointed look, as though silently reconsidering their friendship.
Even so, he glanced towards the girl and happened to meet Jasmine Travers’ eyes.
The girl was indeed astonishingly beautiful, with brilliant golden hair, deep silver-grey eyes, pale skin, and rosy lips.
When Scott accidentally met her gaze, she did not look away.
Instead, she gave him a slight smile.
She looked like a little princess who had stepped out of a fairy tale, with a proud yet fragile expression in her eyes.
The three Ravenclaw boys and the Slytherin girls quietly passed one another without anyone speaking.
Once Scott and the others had crossed the grass, Eddie immediately began speaking cheerfully again.
“Did Miss Travers smile at you just now, Scott?
Not bad.
You captured Miss Travers’s heart that easily.”
Scott frowned and stopped walking.
He spoke to Eddie seriously.
“You’d better shut up, Eddie.
I don’t share your tastes.
Plus, that girl isn’t as simple as she appears.”
“I know what you want to say, Scott.” Eddie did not care.
“The head of the Travers family is a Death Eater who followed You-Know-Who, and he’s still imprisoned in Azkaban?”
Scott continued walking.
In any case, you’d better make sure those jokes never reach Miss Travers’s ears, or you’ll cause trouble for both yourself and me.”
“Oi!
Aren’t you making this sound too serious?” Eddie followed behind him.
“You should take a proper look at Miss Travers.
That girl looks so beautiful and fragile.
How could she—”
“Eddie.”
Scott stopped again, turned around, and looked directly into Eddie’s eyes.
“I’m warning you seriously.”
“Eddie.” Milton patted Eddie on the shoulder.
“You should trust Scott.
Don’t forget the gift he gave Professor Flitwick.”
“The gift?
That painting?”
Eddie remembered what the painting represented, and his expression immediately changed.
The painting Scott had given Professor Flitwick had become another popular topic around Hogwarts Castle during the first few days of term, second only to Potter’s flying car.
“You… you’re serious?” He still seemed unable to believe it.
“You sensed her magic?”
“At least among the students at Hogwarts, I don’t think anyone is capable of hiding their true nature from me.” Scott gave him another look, then turned and walked towards the castle.
Milton patted Eddie on the shoulder again and followed Scott.
“All right, I understa… Oi!
Wait for me!”
Eddie recovered from his shock and hurried after them.
“I never expected it,” he said in amazement.
“That young lady looks as fragile as porcelain, yet Scott says she’s dangerous.”
“This isn’t Muggle society, Eddie.”
Since Eddie usually knew where to draw the line, Scott explained a little more.
“Those little interests of yours are harmless most of the time,” he said, inwardly hoping that was true.
“But you should know when to keep your mouth shut.”
“Also, that young lady isn’t merely dangerous.
She…”
Scott lowered his voice and added something that made both Eddie and Milton’s expressions change.
(End of Chapter)
…
T/N :
Feed me Power Stones to keep me motivated.
This translation is pure volunteer work, so every bit of support helps me continue.