Early in the morning, Harry made up his mind: he would play in the match. He refused to let Snape and Slytherin's schemes succeed, and he couldn't abandon his teammates to run away alone.
George arrived with Hermione and Ron to cheer him on, repeatedly promising that if Harry fell from his broom, he would cast a Floating Charm to save him.
Harry felt even more nervous hearing this, but there was also a flicker of reassurance in his heart. George's immense power offered some comfort. With Hermione and Ron's help—and knowing that last time he had broken a curse through words alone—he began to believe the worst wouldn't happen.
His teammates around him looked tense as well. They had lost to Slytherin for seven consecutive years. The thought of finally breaking this nightmare and defeating their rival filled them with excitement. Wood's mere mention of the match made everyone's blood boil with enthusiasm.
No one worried about Hufflepuff; the only concern was how Snape might interfere. This made Harry feel guilty. Snape hated him with a venomous intensity, as if Harry had stolen something precious from him. Snape seized every opportunity to humiliate Harry, never letting go.
Harry even suspected that Snape was following him around the castle, as no matter where he went, Snape would appear suddenly, mock him, deduct Gryffindor points, and strut away, awaiting the next chance to humiliate him.
Potions class had become a nightmare for Harry. He suspected Snape was monitoring him constantly, and it often felt as if Snape's eyes could see straight into his thoughts—fueling both his fear and his hatred.
That afternoon, Ron and Hermione came to the locker room to cheer him on. Seeing their worried expressions, Harry briefly considered withdrawing from the match, but looking at his teammates around him, he clung to George's words: "If Snape is the referee, he can't make direct calls against you."
He donned his team uniform, mounted his light-weight Roller Bike 2000 broom, and waited anxiously for the game to begin, paying little attention to Wood's pre-match pep talk.
Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione joined the Gryffindor supporters in the stands. Neville, Dean, and Seamus were also there, waving the banner they had made from bedsheets last time. The banner read: "Potter Must Win", with a massive lion symbolizing Gryffindor beneath it.
Hermione tapped her wand gently, infusing the banner with color and light, then cast the Hawkeye spell on herself and Ron.
It was Ron's first time watching a Quidditch match with Hawkeye. His eyes widened as he scanned the field. "Oh, this spell is amazing! Much clearer than using binoculars."
A few days earlier, George had started teaching everyone the Hawkeye spell. Hermione mastered it quickly, making the casting effortless. Harry, immersed in intense training, had no time to learn it, and it would have been impossible to use it on the field.
Ron still struggled to master the spell despite having far more time than Harry. Seeing its miraculous effect during the game, he resolved to practice diligently once back at the dormitory, determined to master it quickly so he wouldn't struggle again.
"Don't treat this as a game. Don't forget why we're here," Hermione scolded. Ron's shocked expression made her think he might be unreliable. Today, they had the power to protect Harry—a serious responsibility.
"I know. We're here to keep Harry safe and stop Snape from hurting him," Ron replied quietly.
"Don't talk down to Snape," George said. "The last curse was someone else's doing." Hermione also lowered her voice, scanning the surroundings. "I see George. He's right across from me. Greet him."
"With everything ready, let's follow the plan. George will watch Harry. If Harry's broom falls, he'll rush in to save him," Hermione said seriously, glancing at Ron. "You watch Snape; I'll guard against anyone else."
Thanks to the Hawkeye spell, Ron's vision became astonishingly sharp. Hermione's gaze was even more piercing. He lifted his eyes cautiously, trying to calm himself. "My goodness, this kind of vision can be terrifying."
Ron gripped his wand tightly, eyes locked on Snape. The moment Snape made a move, Ron immediately cast a Leg-Locking Charm, sending Snape sprawling and unable to attack Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore is here! Great, Harry's safe!" Ron shouted, seeing Dumbledore arrive to watch the match.
"Really, it's Professor Dumbledore. Harry's safe now. Snape can't harm him in front of Dumbledore," Hermione said, visibly relieved. Yet her caution made her add, "Still, be alert and prepared."
Seeing Snape's sullen face, it was clear he couldn't hurt Harry. Ron dismissed him, focusing fully on the match, confident Snape couldn't deceive Dumbledore.
Suddenly, someone tapped him on the back of the head. It was Malfoy.
"Oh, isn't this a Weasley? Waiting for Potter to fall so you can take him to the infirmary?" Malfoy sneered, accompanied by two lackeys.
Ron and Hermione ignored him, eyes glued to the field. Snape had already begun favoring Hufflepuff, awarding them a penalty shot.
Meanwhile, Harry soared like an eagle above the field, scanning for the Golden Snitch.
"How long will Potter stay on that broom? Want to bet, Weasley?" Malfoy shouted.
Perhaps Malfoy had been sent by Snape to distract them. Both Ron and Hermione considered this, all the more so given Malfoy's presence.
Snape's odd behavior was obvious—without reason, he awarded Hufflepuff a penalty shot.
"Does Gryffindor pick players based on pity? Potter has no parents, the Weasleys, poor ghosts… and then Neville Longbottom should join just because he's a bit slow?" Malfoy sneered, turning his attention to Neville when Ron and Hermione remained silent.
"I'm stronger than you, Malfoy," Neville stammered, face red.
Malfoy and his two followers jeered, "There's less gold in Longbottom's brain than in the Weasley family. That's the problem."
Ron didn't dare look away from the field. He encouraged Neville: "Neville, make him pay!"