Ryze wasn't entirely sure when, according to the original timeline, Penelope Clearwater and Percy Weasley would officially become a couple. He only vaguely remembered that their relationship didn't last until the end. That fragment of memory, however, was enough to shape his impression of Percy.
Among the Weasley siblings of this generation, Percy was arguably the most awkward in terms of personality. Above him were two exceptionally talented older brothers, whose accomplishments cast long shadows. Below him were the notoriously mischievous twins, along with Ron, who rarely stood out, and Ginny, the cherished youngest child of the family.
Caught in the middle, Percy constantly felt the need to prove himself. Yet no matter what he achieved—even becoming a Prefect—his presence within the family only seemed marginally more noticeable than Ron's. This subtle but persistent lack of recognition had shaped Percy into someone far more sensitive than he appeared on the surface.
Ryze didn't particularly dislike Percy. If anything, he felt a quiet sense of sympathy. Living under such circumstances would exhaust anyone.
Penelope nodded after listening to Ryze's thoughts. However, from the way she spoke, it was clear that she already harbored some affection for Percy.
"After all," she said gently, "he just wants to succeed. There's nothing inherently wrong with being ambitious, is there?"
Ryze didn't argue. Instead, he simply smiled, choosing not to push the topic further.
Noticing his lack of interest, Penelope smoothly changed the subject. She pointed toward the Great Hall and said, "We should head there. Afterward, I'll lend you another set of potion notes. They'll help you understand fourth-year concepts much faster."
Ryze immediately thanked her. The two of them walked together, their conversation shifting naturally to potion theory.
These topics were typically introduced starting from the third year. In contrast, the first two years of potion classes were largely foundational. Students simply followed instructions written on the board, and as long as they adhered to the steps, the differences in performance were minimal.
It wasn't until the third year that true talent in potions began to emerge.
Although Ryze had gained a noticeable boost in practical skill thanks to the "Juicer" ability, his theoretical foundation still lagged behind. If he wanted to refine his brewing process and avoid the frantic, trial-and-error approach he'd relied on before, he needed to strengthen that knowledge base.
By the time they reached the Great Hall, the atmosphere had already become lively.
In less than an hour, the Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor would begin.
Although each house only played a limited number of matches each year, and Hogwarts competitions couldn't compare to professional leagues in terms of technical quality, the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor elevated their matches to something far more intense.
This wasn't just a game—it was an outlet.
Years of accumulated tension between the two houses were unleashed on the Quidditch pitch. Even referees tended to relax their standards during these matches, allowing a more aggressive style of play.
Students from both houses had already gathered around their respective tables, finishing their meals quickly so they could head to the pitch early and secure good viewing spots.
On the Gryffindor side, a massive banner made from a bedsheet had been unfurled. Painted across it was a roaring lion—the house symbol—accompanied by bold words proclaiming: "Harry Potter Must Win."
The letters shimmered under an enchantment, shifting colors depending on the angle from which they were viewed. Several older students proudly declared that they would charm the banner to float above the Gryffindor stands throughout the entire match.
Their confidence was unmistakable.
But Slytherin wasn't about to be outdone.
Traditionally, Slytherin students preferred subtlety over flamboyance. However, this year had been particularly difficult for them.
Before the term had even fully begun, they had already been overshadowed. Ryze, a Ravenclaw, had earned over a hundred house points in just two months, allowing Ravenclaw to surpass Slytherin in the standings.
To make matters worse, Draco Malfoy—Slytherin's first-year pride—had managed to embarrass the house twice within a short span. Once, he had been decisively dealt with by Ryze. The other time, he had avoided a duel with Harry Potter, which didn't sit well with anyone.
If not for Malfoy's family wealth—providing magical items, rare notes, and leveraging influence to curry favor with older students—his position within Slytherin might have become precarious.
Given all this, the upcoming Quidditch match had taken on additional significance. It wasn't just about winning—it was about reclaiming pride.
The Slytherin team had trained intensively for an entire month. They had even used Professor Snape's authority to seize Gryffindor's practice slots on several occasions.
Now, seeing Gryffindor's extravagant banner, Slytherin students quickly responded.
They brought out a length of dark green silk and used magic to paint a massive serpent across it. The snake was depicted coiling around a trembling lion, its forked tongue flicking in and out as if preparing to strike.
The animation charm made the scene disturbingly vivid.
Laughter erupted from the Slytherin side as they displayed their banner. The provocation was immediate and effective.
A few hot-headed Gryffindor students stood up, clearly ready to confront them. Voices began to rise, and the tension in the hall thickened.
Fortunately, the presence of professors seated at the staff table kept things from escalating further.
Even so, the atmosphere had already turned sharp.
Penelope glanced around and sighed. "Every time Slytherin and Gryffindor face off, it turns into this. The losing side won't be able to hold their heads up for at least a month. I honestly don't understand why people get so worked up over Quidditch."
She shrugged, clearly indifferent to the sport.
Ryze, however, smiled faintly. "Probably because the wizarding world doesn't have many forms of entertainment. And Quidditch, for all its chaos, is exciting enough. Even if you don't fully understand the rules, you can still get caught up in the atmosphere."
He wasn't speaking casually—he had actually looked into the matter.
At Hogwarts, Quidditch was undeniably the most popular activity. After that came Wizard's Chess, a strategic game that rewarded intelligence and foresight.
Beyond those, however, things became… questionable.
There was Exploding Snap, a card game where the cards could suddenly detonate mid-play. Burns and singed eyebrows were considered part of the experience.
Then there was Gobstones—a magical variation of marbles. Whenever a player lost a point, the stones would spray foul-smelling liquid onto their face. The stench was notoriously difficult to remove.
Strange as these games might seem, they were surprisingly popular.
Exploding Snap rivaled Wizard's Chess in terms of widespread appeal, while Gobstones even had its own club and school team. Hogwarts students regularly traveled abroad to compete against other magical institutions, sometimes participating in more matches per year than Quidditch teams.
Against this backdrop, Quidditch almost appeared reasonable.
Watching the students argue passionately in the Great Hall, Ryze couldn't help but murmur to himself, "Once I learn some alchemy, maybe I'll recreate something like a Teamfight Tactics board…"
He paused briefly, imagining the possibilities.
"…and let these young wizards experience what real strategy games feel like."
The thought amused him.
After all, compared to the limited and often hazardous forms of entertainment currently available, introducing something new—something intellectually engaging yet accessible—might completely reshape how students spent their free time.
For now, however, the roar of anticipation surrounding the Quidditch match continued to build.
And whether one understood the rules or not, it was impossible to deny the energy in the air.
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