Hogwarts: This holy light is righteously evil.

Before the duel even began, they frequently provoked the Hufflepuff students with an arrogant and overbearing attitude, displaying an extremely arrogant demeanor and adopting the posture of victors, confident that they could win the match.

Puni didn't seem to care much about this.

That day, standing in the common room in front of the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin, he finally confirmed his previous speculation.

Slytherin wizards have always placed great importance on the purity of their bloodline, and with a strong sense of factional exclusivity and obsession with inheritance, they would never leave behind only a single secret passage for their descendants.

Successors throughout history must have left behind secret and secure access routes for independent entry and exit, adapting to different entry and exit needs in various scenarios.

Based on the on-site investigations and tracing of magical traces over this period, Puni has figured out the complete logic of the pathway.

The hidden entrance to the girls' restroom on the second floor is the exclusive access passage for the basilisk inside the secret room, used only for the giant beast to move, sneak, and lie in wait, and is not an entrance for human use.

The lounge in front of us, which connects to the secret room, is the proper entrance and exit for human wizards.

At this point, he had completely figured out the two-way passage structure of the secret room.

All the exploration conditions, theoretical deductions, and field verifications have been completed. Everything is ready except for the final crucial step of preparation, which has temporarily put aside his idea of ​​exploring the secret chamber in depth.

As time goes by at the school, the semester's coursework is gradually coming to an end, and Hogwarts' new long holiday is approaching.

The school holiday schedule in the Wizarding World is very similar to the school system in Muggle society.

The UK education system does not have a winter break. The year is mainly divided into two major long holidays: the Christmas holiday at the end of the year and the Easter holiday in the spring.

The lively and heartwarming Christmas holidays of this semester have come to an end, and the Easter holidays, with temperatures gradually warming up, are just around the corner.

Hogwarts has a long Easter holiday, but many students are not very happy about the upcoming long break.

The reason for this is that the final exams of this semester will be held right after the end of the holiday.

In order to keep students engaged in their studies, consolidate what they have learned during the semester, and minimize the loss of knowledge due to relaxation during the holidays, all the professors have unanimously assigned a large amount of homework and practical exercises.

Piles of theoretical exercises, herbal observation records, practical debriefings on potions, and transmutation practice tasks were stacked together, densely covering the desk.

Looking at the heavy list of assignments in front of him, Puni was alright.

Marcos is going crazy.

Amidst his utter laziness, a thought of shirking his duties quietly took root in his mind.

He thought about his classmates and wondered if anyone could copy his homework and save him the trouble.

As his thoughts wandered, the images of Eddie and Puni were the first to come to mind.

Eddie is recognized as an all-around top student in the grade. He has a solid academic foundation, and his grades in all subjects are balanced and stable, with no weaknesses in any subject.

Since the start of the semester, Eddie's grades have consistently ranked among the top in the grade in every in-class quiz and periodic assessment.

Hogwarts' grading system is divided into multiple levels, and his answers almost always earned the highest grade, with no mistakes or oversights.

If we only consider talent and explosiveness in a single subject, Eddie's performance in Potions and Transfiguration is not as good as Puni's and Marcos's, who specializes in these subjects. However, considering all his subjects, his overall ranking is far superior to that of his peers, and his overall strength is outstanding, second only to Puni.

Marcos secretly considered that, given Eddie's gentle nature and helpful manner, as long as he politely asked for help, he would most likely be able to borrow Eddie's complete assignment reference.

As for why they didn't look for Puni...

That's because he knew he was sure to get a good scolding from Puni!

Of course, before their minds were completely occupied by holiday homework, extracurricular activities at school did not stop.

The final Quidditch match of the semester officially kicked off before the holidays, reigniting the enthusiasm of the entire school and becoming the most exciting event in the castle before the break.

Chapter 122 Cedric

Temperatures plummeted at Hogwarts Quidditch Stadium on Saturday, with a biting wind sweeping across the field. The air was frigid and thick, gray-white clouds blanketed the sky, blocking out the sunlight and shrouding the stadium in a cool, dim light.

On the tiered stands, many Hufflepuff students had already taken their seats. They wrapped their yellow and black scarves, representing the academy's colors, tightly around their collars to ward off the cold wind, and focused their attention on the center of the field, waiting for the team's training to begin, their eyes filled with genuine anticipation.

Above the stadium, the Hufflepuff team members were conducting intensive pre-match training on their brooms. The continuous high-speed sprints, sharp turns, dives, and climbs kept everyone in a state of extreme focus. The biting wind swept across the fuselage, lifting the edges of the wide wizard robes and making a continuous rustling sound. The long flight at high altitude and low temperature caused fine frost to condense on the tops of their hair, shoulders, and sleeves. Layers of white frost adhered to the fabric, adding a layer of cold white to the bright team uniforms.

Despite the freezing weather, the team remained focused and maintained a disciplined training rhythm, working hard to hone their pre-match form.

On the open ground beside the field, Fred and George stood side by side, gently pushing Puni's arm and leading him slowly to the outer area of ​​the training field, deliberately avoiding the flight paths inside the field so as not to disturb the players' training.

Fred spoke casually with a smile, "We're just here to do some simple market research; we won't be making any big moves."

George immediately chimed in, a sly smile in his eyes, and added, "It's also a good opportunity to observe the college team's professional training up close and learn their skills on the field. It's a win-win situation, isn't it? Aren't you a player from your college too?"

Puni raised his hand and handed over a neatly folded roll of parchment. This was a list he had secretly compiled in the Ravenclaw Tower during his spare time, following the twins' previous request. It contained information on potential classmates who were interested in trying the purchasing service.

The list wasn't huge, but Fred and George weren't disappointed. They knew perfectly well that any new business needed to proceed gradually, and it was difficult to scale up quickly in the initial stages. Besides, the purchasing agent was only a small part of their many business plans. In addition, they had a lot of novel plans that were yet to be implemented and were ready to be launched.

Just as the three were looking down at the list and discussing the plan in hushed tones, the training session in the air came to an end. The Hufflepuff team members landed smoothly on their brooms one after another. The moment their feet touched the ground, they relaxed their tense bodies. Everyone's breath was filled with thick white mist, and their foreheads and temples were covered with fine beads of sweat, mixed with the white frost that condensed in the air, sticking to their hair and skin. You could see the fatigue brought on by the high-intensity training, but everyone's eyes were still bright and determined.

Among the team, a tall and handsome player noticed three figures on the sidelines.

With a flick of his wrist, he skillfully maneuvered the broom into a swift and graceful turn in the air, his movements light and fluid, without the slightest hesitation, stopping in front of Fred, George, and Puni.

He landed lightly, stepped off the broom pedal, and a clean and gentle smile appeared on his face.

This gentle warmth is enough to dispel the chill of winter winds and make people feel warm without even realizing it.

He raised his hand and took off his fogged, slightly hazy flight goggles, revealing a pair of clear, bright gray eyes with a gentle and pure gaze.

"Fred, George, long time no see." The young man took the initiative to raise his hand and give the twins a high five in turn, his movements cheerful and generous.

"Judging from your training, you must be ready to face Slytherin," Fred said with a smile, his tone acknowledging his opponents.

Cedric raised his hand and gently wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his smile humble and composed: "I can only say that I did my best. Slytherin is very strong overall, and their fighting style is fierce and tricky. They are never easy opponents."

After speaking, his gaze naturally shifted to Puni, who was standing quietly to the side, with a friendly look in his eyes.

Seeing this, Fred immediately put his arm around Puni's shoulder and took the initiative to introduce him: "I'd like to introduce you to a new friend. This is Puni, a first-year student in Ravenclaw, and also our exclusive partner."

Upon hearing this, Cedric immediately extended his hand, his palm still warm from intense training, his handshake firm and sincere, displaying his gentlemanly demeanor.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Puni. I’m Cedric Diggory. You can just call me by my first name.”

He treated everyone with gentleness and equality, showing no airs of a senior main player and not caring at all about Puni's status as a junior.

"It's an honor to meet you, Diggory."

Penny responded politely, "Your whole team is in excellent training condition. I imagine that after this duel, if Slytherin loses, the battle for rankings between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff will be exceptionally exciting."

Cedric chuckled softly upon hearing this: "Thank you for your kind words. What we need most right now is this encouragement."

He then turned to the twins beside him and asked, "Speaking of which, did you come to the stadium today simply to cheer us on, or did you come to conduct research on new business ideas?"

“Perhaps both! We have a dual purpose today!” Fred blinked, deliberately lowered his voice, leaned closer, and spoke in a mysterious tone, “We are here specifically to research the specific needs of athletes. You see, in winter, the stadium is bitterly cold, and long-term high-altitude flight can easily cause stiff hands and feet, affecting performance. We are developing auxiliary tools and exclusive spells that can maintain hand temperature and keep limbs flexible.”

George then added, offering very attractive terms for cooperation: "We can provide exclusive pre-match discounts and even support post-match credit, which are perfectly suited to your training and match schedules. It's a benefit that we've tailored specifically for the college team."

Faced with their enthusiastic promotion, Cedric shook his head and smiled helplessly, politely but firmly declining their suggestion: "Thank you for your kindness, but in competition, the most reliable thing is always one's own strength and sufficient preparation. A cup of hot chocolate, plus day after day of training, is far more reliable than all kinds of unknown auxiliary items."

"Furthermore, neither Madam Hooch nor our captain would allow team members to use magical items of unknown origin before the competition. To be on the safe side, we can only politely decline your offer."

Just as the group was talking, the Hufflepuff captain's shouts came from afar, calling for everyone to gather together to review the pre-match tactics and adjust the battle plan.

Upon hearing this, Cedric gave the three an apologetic smile: "Sorry, I need to go back to the team to discuss tactics. Puni, it's nice to meet you. You're welcome to come and cheer us on the day of the match."

He quickly put on his flight goggles, swiftly and decisively striding onto the broom. With a gentle push off the ground, the broom steadily ascended into the air, flying rapidly toward the team members gathering not far away, his posture calm and composed.

Watching his departing figure, Fred slowly spoke, a calculating smile in his eyes: "See? This is the best breakthrough point we can plant in Hufflepuff, a person of upright character and excellent reputation."

“He’s just too rule-abiding and always has reservations about our new products.” George shrugged, but his tone was full of no regret. “But it’s okay, just because he doesn’t accept it doesn’t mean the other team members don’t need it.”

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with their regular studies, most students are willing to try more convenient assistance methods.” Fred and George exchanged a glance, their signature sly smiles appearing on their faces simultaneously. “After all, someone always needs a little external help, especially at this crucial moment when they are about to face Slytherin.”

Puni looked up at Cedric, who was focused on assembling the team high in the sky, and then turned to look at the twin brothers beside him, who were quick-witted and full of calculations. He had already figured out what the two were thinking.

He vaguely guessed that, in order to suppress the ever-arrogant Slytherin team, the twins would most likely take risks and devise some unexpected tricks before and after the match to deliberately cause trouble for the opponent.

After a brief moment of thought, Puni calmly shifted his focus away from the matter.

The glory and disgrace of Slytherin, the conflicts and battles on the field, have nothing to do with him, Ravenclaw.

He only needs to quietly observe the entire match and watch them compete in a lively manner.

......

As a brand new day dawns, the highly anticipated college-level Quidditch tournament officially begins.

The temperature at Hogwarts dropped again in the early morning, far exceeding the cold of yesterday, and the entire outdoor area of ​​the castle was shrouded in a biting chill.

The students, who had just stepped out of the warm breakfast hall, were instantly enveloped by the biting cold wind outside. The sudden temperature difference made many people tighten their clothes and shrink their necks, but no one had any intention of backing down. The students' enthusiasm for the Quidditch tournament far outweighed the discomfort caused by the low temperature. Everyone had prepared a full set of warm gear in advance. Thick woolen hats covered their heads, thick furry earmuffs protected their ears, and scarves were wrapped around their necks, making sure they didn't miss this exciting college tournament.

The environment at Quidditch pitches is extremely harsh.

A persistent cold wind swept across the entire stadium, freezing the wooden planks of the open-air stands hard and cold, with a layer of fine ice crystals on the surface.

The green lawn in the center has lost its former vibrancy, and the entire field is covered with a thin, even layer of white frost, making it somewhat slippery to walk on.

Thick, gloomy clouds piled up on the horizon, giving the entire sky a monotonous gray hue, and the light was dim and oppressive.

The Slytherin and Hufflepuff flags, fixed to either side of the field, were soaked through by the cold and dampness of the past few days. The thick, stiff fabric hung limply from the flagpoles, no longer able to flutter in the wind, and appeared exceptionally desolate.

The stands were packed with students from various colleges, who huddled together, relying on each other's body heat to ward off the cold.

Each person exhaled puffs of white mist, which were instantly dispersed and dissolved by the howling cold wind as soon as they appeared, leaving no trace.

Despite the harsh environment, the stands were still bustling with people, their voices rising and falling in anticipation.

As the stadium's loudspeaker blared, a clear announcement pierced the cold wind and resounded throughout the stadium: "Today's stadium temperature is low, and the environmental conditions are harsh, but the teams from both houses are ready to go! Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the Slytherin and Hufflepuff teams to their positions!"

The players from both teams entered the field in turn, their attire creating a striking visual contrast.

The Slytherin members wore their signature green and silver uniforms, their neat attire conveying a strong sense of unity. They all stood tall and straight, their expressions cold and solemn.

The captain at the front of the team had an arrogant expression, his gaze sweeping casually over the commentary stands to the side, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt, completely disregarding his opponents.

The Hufflepuff team members following closely behind were all wearing yellow and black team uniforms.

In the otherwise gloomy and desolate winter stadium, the bright and warm color scheme stood out, instantly dispelling the cold and oppressive atmosphere.

Compared to the flamboyant Slytherins, the Hufflepuff team's calm and reserved demeanor was more favored by the students watching, and cheers and shouts of encouragement rang out from all over the stands, far exceeding the momentum of the opposing team.

Following the rules of the competition, the two teams rode brooms around the field for a warm-up parade before landing and gathering in the center of the field. They quickly prepared themselves, adjusted their breathing, and waited for Mrs. Hock to blow the starting whistle.

Puni stood on the side of the stands, slowly scanning the crowd and open space around the stadium. He searched carefully but still couldn't find Professor Calder.

Based on the other party's usual aloof and quiet demeanor, Puni secretly judged that this new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor must have deliberately avoided this lively event.

A moment later, a sharp and clear starting whistle suddenly pierced the sky, officially announcing the start of the competition.

Mrs. Hodge raised her hand and tossed the Quaffle high into the air. The moment the ball rose and fell, both teams' chasers took to the air at the same time, instantly engaging in fierce positioning and scrambling for the ball, and the atmosphere in the arena became tense.