Today, the winds still howled around Hogwarts Castle.
The final Quidditch match of the semester officially began.
It was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw.
To prevent her hair from obstructing her vision, Harley even borrowed a hair tie from another girl and pulled her hair into a ponytail for today's match.
Harley Potter stood on the Quidditch Pitch, holding her Nimbus 2000, dressed in the scarlet Gryffindor Quidditch uniform, her gaze focused on the Ravenclaw Quidditch players, her eyes intent, her demeanor heroic and spirited, her long hair flowing.
With no danger present, Snape would not usurp Madam Hooch's role, so Madam Hooch remained the referee.
On the Quidditch Pitch, both teams were in position, awaiting Madam Hooch's command.
"Harley Potter!"
"Harley Potter!"
"Harley Potter!"
In the stands, students from all three Houses except Slytherin loudly cheered Harley Potter's name.
Chen Yu looked at the boisterous scene and couldn't help but marvel at Harley's popularity.
Ron was no longer in the mood to set up a stall with him; Chen Yu was now a person worth hundreds of billions, not like before.
Mainly, without Ron, his helper, setting up a stall alone wasn't much fun.
Chen Yu had lost the joy of earning Galleons.
Although US dollars couldn't be exchanged for Galleons, gold could.
Because he chose not to set up a stall, some Hufflepuff students were puzzled, and some even came to ask what was going on.
Facing eyes full of longing for snacks, Chen Yu could only find an excuse to send his old customers away.
Chen Yu looked around and saw that Gryffindor and Hufflepuff Houses were cheering the loudest.
Even in Ravenclaw, many Little Wizards followed others in shouting Harley Potter's name.
For the students of Ravenclaw, winning this match wasn't the most important thing.
Everyone was hoping Slytherin would lose the House Cup.
As long as they could beat Slytherin House and prevent them from winning their seventh consecutive House Cup, everyone's goal would be achieved.
But even with the same goal, the Ravenclaw Quidditch players still hadn't given up the match or planned to hand victory to Gryffindor House.
Chen Yu took out some snacks from his Serenitea Pot and distributed them to Hermione and Ron.
He watched Madam Hooch stand in the center of the pitch with her flying broom and begin to speak.
"This is the last Quidditch match of the semester, and I hope it will be another exciting game. Everyone, please mount your flying brooms."
At her command, all the Quidditch players mounted their brooms, waiting for Madam Hooch to blow her silver whistle.
"Peeep--!"
The silver whistle blew, and fifteen flying brooms shot up from the ground, soaring into the sky.
As Madam Hooch opened the box containing the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Golden Snitch, the Quidditch match officially began.
Chen Yu saw that in less than two minutes, Harley Potter instantly swooped down from high above.
It seemed the Ring of Contracts had improved Harley's dynamic vision; otherwise, she wouldn't have found the Golden Snitch so quickly.
"Look, our Harley Potter is moving! What has she discovered? The Golden Snitch! It's the Golden Snitch! I must say, Harley Potter's current appearance is truly captivating; her figure chasing the Golden Snitch is mesmerizing, truly worthy of being Gryffindor's future Lion Queen!"
"Jordan, focus on the commentary!"
"Sorry, Professor! Ahem... Getting back on track, our Seeker, Harley, is approaching the Golden Snitch at an astonishing speed. Is she going to break her own record for the fastest capture of the Golden Snitch in a match?"
"The Ravenclaw players have also noticed Harley's movements and have sent two players to intercept her."
Harley ignored the commentator's rambling and remained focused on the Golden Snitch ahead.
Harley expertly maneuvered her flying broom, easily dodging the two Seekers' interception attempts.
Ravenclaw's Seeker kept a close eye on Harley's movements, and after spotting the Golden Snitch's position, followed closely behind Harley.
The Golden Snitch nimbly evaded Harley's pursuit, giving Ravenclaw's Seeker a chance to catch up.
When she saw her opponent about to catch up, Harley had to take a risky move.
The Ring of Contracts not only granted her powerful magic but also endowed her with unparalleled balance.
Harley no longer rode her Nimbus 2000 but gradually adjusted her posture, standing on her flying broom like a cat.
Aiming for the opportune moment to catch the Golden Snitch, she bent at the waist, pushed off with her legs, and lunged forward, directly catching the Golden Snitch.
Then, she performed a two-and-a-half somersault in the air, hooked her leg around the Nimbus 2000, which continued to fly forward due to inertia.
With a slight flex of Harley's flexible waist, she easily adjusted her body and sat up, holding the Golden Snitch high, winning the victory for Gryffindor.
"Wow! Harley successfully caught the Golden Snitch! The match is over, and Gryffindor has won the final victory!" Jordan exclaimed loudly, "What amazing waistwork, I even want to pursue her!"
Hearing Jordan's commentary, the audience in the stands erupted in cheers.
But upon hearing Jordan's subsequent remarks, a chorus of boos immediately rose against him.
Professor McGonagall quickly and loudly stopped Jordan's audacious comments.
Professor Snape looked at Jordan Lee with eyes like those of a dead man.
Chen Yu couldn't help but marvel at Jordan's audacity and fearless spirit.
To dare to say such a thing directly, I salute you as a brave warrior.
Amidst the cheers, Snape glanced at Harley, who was surrounded by people, and left the Quidditch Pitch, returning to his office.
Severus Snape's office was located in the dungeons of Hogwarts Castle.
The space was cramped and dim.
Even during the day, no sunlight ever reached it.
Shelves lining the walls held many large glass jars, in which various slimy, disgusting Potion Class ingredients floated.
The air was filled with a peculiar aroma, as if a mixture of refreshing herbal scents.
This was a vanilla scent Snape had specially brewed to help him relax.
Sitting at his black desk, he caressed the grade he had given Harry for Potion Class and murmured to himself.
"So alike, Harley's appearance now is truly so alike..."
"But why is this child not at all like her mother in Potion Class?"
Looking at the large 'D' on Harry's report card, Snape couldn't help but frown deeply.
"Was I too strict with Harley?"
"I remember that when she was making the Forgetfulness Potion, although she missed the best time to add valerian due to trembling hands, and the mistletoe berry powder wasn't particularly ideal, her final product's quality was still acceptable. Giving her a 'D' was indeed a bit inappropriate..."
Snape gently waved his wand, changing Harry's name to Harley and the final grade from 'D' to 'E'.
"Although the quality of the work couldn't reach an 'O', I must admit that giving her a 'D' at the time was indeed a bit impulsive."
He put down the parchment, inhaling the refreshing herbal scent he had prepared, and his previously tense expression softened slightly.
Snape admitted that ever since Harry became Harley, he didn't know how to face the current Harley Potter.
He also regretted the bad impression he had left on her this semester.
Who knew fate would play such a huge joke on him, that Harry could even become Harley? This was something no one had expected.
If Harry had been Harley fifteen years ago, how wonderful that would have been.
Then perhaps Lily wouldn't have died because of the prophecy, and the annoying James might have lived.
Perhaps Lord Voldemort would still be at the height of his power, and he would still be one of the Death Eater... Snape fantasized a lot, imagining Lily still alive.
If only Lily were alive, how wonderful that would be... Snape felt a wetness in the corners of his eyes, his vision began to blur, and Lily's image gradually faded, merging with the current Harley.
Harley Potter, even though she had become a girl, and her appearance increasingly resembled the one he longed for day and night, Snape knew that Harley was Harley, not Lily.
Thinking of Harley's adventurous actions in today's Quidditch match, Snape also felt a pang of anxiety in his heart.
"Well, even if she is Lily's child, I must point out that this little one has an unparalleled talent for getting into danger, far surpassing her father..."
Professor Snape felt a shiver of fear when he thought that the trial Professor Dumbledore had arranged for him was actually Professor Quirrell, possessed by Lord Voldemort.
Although the outcome was good, due to an unexpected factor, Harry had turned into Harley.
But if Harley had suffered an accident in the subsequent trials arranged by Dumbledore, and he could no longer see those green eyes, Professor Snape felt his heart constrict.
"Now, I must honestly face myself. I truly don't know how to face such familiar eyes and such a face..."
"But fortunately, what needs to be done hasn't changed; it's merely added a little bit of resolve, a little bit of courage, and a little bit of sacrifice."
"And this is what I've always dreamed of..."
