[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wizard-war-at-hogwarts":3,"chapter-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-57":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wizard War at Hogwarts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2358030,4612,"Chapter 57: Quidditch Debut","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>The Saturday match was Gryffindor versus Slytherin, the first Quidditch game between the two teams this academic year, and also Harry’s debut on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood planned to use a conventional strategy in this match: Chasers and Seekers each focused on their own roles, with Beaters acting as the rhythm engine, constantly using the Bludgers to create openings, and the whole team flexibly adjusting tactics based on their effectiveness. Even so, Harry’s autonomy was still greater than what a Seeker normally had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Seeker position first appeared in matches, they merely drifted aimlessly around the field, observing the Snitch and attempting to catch it. But as tactics evolved, Seekers became required to participate in overall encirclements—partly because encirclements involving a Seeker were more cohesive and better at seizing the Quaffle, and partly because it made it harder for opponents to tell whether the Seeker was preparing to join the encirclement or using it as cover to catch the Snitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duel between Seekers heavily tests both sides’ attention to detail and control over their mindset; the psychological Boyi  can be extremely complex, yet the goal is simple: when you see the Snitch, make your opponent believe you don’t; when you don’t see it, occasionally make your opponent think you do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging solely from training match data, Harry lived up to his reputation as the youngest and most gifted Seeker on the team. Though still a novice with slightly immature awareness, in terms of the time taken to first spot the Snitch, Harry was nearly the fastest—on average, he locked onto the Snitch’s position in under four minutes, placing immense pressure on his opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, his opponent was Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, whose overall performance was mediocre, but he possessed one advantage no other Seeker had: the courage to act against Harry Potter. Whenever Cedric made a move, he would always pause his own action to try to stop Harry, whether Harry had genuinely found the Snitch or was merely feigning participation in an encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Draco was different—he sometimes judged that Harry hadn’t found the Snitch and would design tactical maneuvers to trade resources with him. To observers, Draco had occasional brilliant moments, but more often he was thoroughly outmaneuvered by Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This match was also Draco’s debut, and both Seekers knew that in a full-stakes official game, the results of their rookie debut would directly determine their tactical standing on the team for a long time to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start of the match, Harry and Draco immediately locked onto each other, flying side by side and executing dangerous aerial maneuvers. This opening clash was intensely fierce, as both aimed to gain psychological advantage in this phase to make their subsequent Snitch searches more composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-flight, Draco suddenly executed a left roll, startling Harry—he was about to respond with a sharp stop, when a Bludger flew toward him, narrowly missing his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Harry dodged the first Bludger strike, it looped back like a boomerang, hurtling toward him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation; as he had in training, he began moving toward the Weasley twins upon realizing the Bludger was targeting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t care whether the short-stick-wielding Beater beside him was Fred or George—he lowered his head slightly, and the Beater delivered a full-power strike. From the direction it flew, it would severely disrupt Slytherin’s formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Harry prepared to seize this opportunity and assist in a small-scale encirclement, he was astonished to see the Bludger reverse course midair and come hurtling back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beaters struck the Bludger a second time, aiming hastily without proper sight—so the Bludger merely flew far away from both teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll help you secure one, four-on-two,” Harry said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they adjusted their brooms to reposition, the distant Bludger surged back, completely disrupting Harry’s plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the third strike sent the Bludger flying, Harry realized something was wrong—and Fred and George noticed too: this Bludger was obsessively fixated on Harry. Now they could only guard Harry’s perimeter to prevent him from being injured and forced off the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twins had never felt Beating so frequent; initially, they could send the Bludgers far, causing some disruption to Slytherin, but soon they were forced to alternate strikes, reducing their power significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need a timeout,” Harry said. He could now see nothing but Fred and George’s constantly swinging arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood also noticed the Bludger’s anomaly; he kept glancing over, and when he saw George’s signal, he quickly raised his hand to signal Madam Hooch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the timeout, Wood rushed over: “What’s going on? Why does this Bludger seem to be targeting Harry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not ‘seems’—it’s definitely targeting Harry,” Fred gasped. “We’ve knocked it away from him at least a hundred times, and it’s useless. Slytherin must have jinxed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since the last training session, all the balls have been under Madam Hooch’s custody,” Wood frowned. “They shouldn’t have had the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen, Wood,” Harry said, gradually calming down from the chaos. “This is unquestionably a conspiracy against me. I don’t want us to forfeit because of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your plan?” In Wood’s mind, Harry’s safety was as important as victory—he decided to respect Harry’s own judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If things continue like this, I can’t hunt the Snitch. I suggest we shift to offense,” Harry said. “Only one Bludger is malfunctioning—the other is still flying wild. Slytherin’s Beaters are rigid; they’ll only chase the other Bludger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that the Bludger’s chasing me, though it makes flying harder for me, it effectively frees up Fred and George—on the front, we’ll have five against three, which benefits us. And if I keep this flying Bludger trailing me, always near Draco, it’ll interfere with both of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this Bludger chasing me becomes a neutral resource we can exploit,” Wood suddenly clapped his hands. “And if you spot the Snitch and accelerate, Draco won’t necessarily follow—he might still think you’re dodging the Bludger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In fact, as soon as play resumes, I’ll have to start evasive maneuvers,” Harry said helplessly. “Because I genuinely need to dodge the Bludger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ready to resume?” Madam Hooch asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Wood said, seeing Harry nod to him, and signaled to restart the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After regaining altitude, Harry noticed it had begun to rain. The Bludger still relentlessly pursued him. He gripped the slippery broomstick tightly, calculating his next moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry shot upward sharply, then veered diagonally far out. He estimated the Bludger’s speed, executed a left roll, then swiftly darted right, adjusting his course left and right as if chasing a Snitch ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Harry once again push his maneuvers to the limit, and unable to spot the Snitch through the light rain, Draco weighed his options and decided to follow Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You okay?” Draco shouted. To Harry, it was blatant mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine—I’m about to catch it!” Harry deliberately replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry kept accelerating—sometimes turning, sometimes diving—his broom never slowed. The motion made him dizzy; the wetness on the handle worried him further. But he knew his only chance to win was to endure—to hold on until Gryffindor built a decisive lead on the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draco still trailed behind Harry; the Bludger disturbed him too, but worse than the Bludger was the growing rain. Slytherin rarely trained in rain—he wasn’t accustomed to flying in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, by contrast, was somewhat used to it. Wood had dragged them out in the rain more than once; in George’s words, their robes hadn’t been dry since August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have to keep flying, keep flying,” Harry thought, then executed another dive and sharp pull-up. “Until they score enough points—or until a miracle happens—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the word “miracle” flashed in his mind, a glint of gold appeared before his eyes. Through his rain-smeared glasses, Harry caught sight of the Golden Snitch between the water droplets. He instantly realized: the opportunity was fleeting—no hesitation allowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry adjusted his position and dove toward the Snitch. But in that brief second of pause, the Bludger struck his right arm with full force, rendering his entire right hand useless. He clamped the broomstick desperately with his left hand alone—he didn’t think about how to catch the Snitch now, only about getting closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry sped forward, the Bludger charging after him. Draco was accustomed to this scene—he dodged the Bludger and casually followed behind Harry, completely unaware of Harry’s true intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry neared the Snitch and made a bold move: he clamped the broom between his legs and stretched out his uninjured left hand to grab it. But his left hand was less agile than his right—he missed. The speeding Snitch slammed into his face. In the chaos, Harry tumbled hard off his broom. Madam Hooch blew her whistle urgently, calling a timeout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone worried for his safety, Harry raised his left hand high, displaying the golden sphere coated in saliva, and with his last ounce of strength shouted: “I caught the Snitch!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1489,"2026-06-21T04:54:27.874Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4515ce1b0c6b7fbce078f5e19f01be712dca1a5ac113f9da1ba7f2b46853f238","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-58","wizard-war-at-hogwarts-chapter-56",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwizard-war-at-hogwarts-cover.jpg"]