Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

Chapter 637: Chapter 28: Torrential Rain

In the earliest Quidditch World Cup, there was no Confidentiality Law; relations between wizards and Muggles were beginning to tense, but they hadn’t reached a point of open hostility.

Thus, occasionally a Muggle would accidentally wander onto a Quidditch pitch and see wizards on brooms engaged in fierce chases high in the sky. When they went home and told others about their experiences, they were often considered to have been dreaming or muddle-headed.

But sometimes, they also left behind some wonderful legends among the Muggles.

Nowadays, after hundreds of years of evolution, Quidditch has already developed a series of complex rules and procedures, and the game truly started almost a year ago.

During the qualifying matches, no game could exceed four hours, and even if the Golden Snitch wasn’t caught by the end, the outcome was determined by scores.

The semifinals were much more flexible, similar to the finals, ending when the Golden Snitch was caught. Because there were games that once lasted three to five days in succession, there was a three-day interval between each match.

On the second day of Vid’s arrival, Hermione and the Patil Sisters came to the stadium; she stayed in the room next to Harry’s, and in the evening, the group even went to a nearby creek to catch fish.

On the third day, Neville and his grandmother also arrived at the stadium. They were prepared to camp out this time, so they brought an old-fashioned, pine-scented Magic Tent, and Vid and others helped set it up.

Then came the match between Bulgaria and Egypt.

The luck wasn’t in favor for these two teams as it started raining at dusk, turning into a torrential downpour by match time. The brightest Magic Lamps couldn’t salvage the abysmal visibility.

One of the Quidditch World Cup rules is that the Atmospheri Charm can’t be used to change the weather during matches.

It’s believed that climate is also part of the match, and unless under extreme situations — like a volcanic eruption or hurricane — athletes must strive for victory even in adverse conditions.

The spectators in the stands could still use transparent Magic Barriers to block the rain, but the unfortunate teams could only wear Windshields, braving the wind and rain to compete.

In such weather, just two seconds of heavy rain could drench someone completely, with their mouth full of water. Luckily, the rules didn’t prohibit them from casting waterproof and water-repellent spells on their glasses — though it didn’t seem to help much.

Amidst the heavy rain, a shadow whizzed past. Not far away, it seemed that two figures collided with each other, but it was unclear which team they belonged to.

Harry widened his eyes, trying to see the action clearly. But Vid, only watching patiently for ten minutes, sat down and started flipping through books.

Now, Vid’s collection of books went far beyond those copied from the school library, with Magic Books from Black, Vorvillet, Grindelwald, Flamel, and others, innumerable in quantity and of high quality. Randomly opening one, Vid could read with great interest.

Lupin turned sideways, patting Vid on the shoulder.

”If you don’t want to watch the match, I can accompany you back to the tent?” Lupin said softly, ”At least it’s quieter there.”

He had long noticed Vid’s lukewarm interest in Quidditch, preferring to observe the spectators and the chaotic but intriguing environment of the camp before the matches rather than the intense competition.

Vid thought for a moment and closed the book, saying, ”I can go back by myself, you guys keep watching — I’m not a three-year-old, and I know the way back.”

”Alright then.” Lupin didn’t insist, chuckling, ”Be safe on your way, and get some rest when you get back.”

”Got it.”

Vid pushed open the door at the back of the box, walking down the lantern-lit passage to the lower level, occasionally hearing excited, complaining, or arguing voices from the passing boxes.

Other than a few people who rushed out to the bathroom, the spectators hadn’t left the stands due to the harsh weather, leaving the corridor empty, with only Vid heading back.

After all, such a downpour generally doesn’t last long and might stop in a few dozen minutes, allowing the audience to still enjoy an exciting match.

Vid reached the lowest level’s exit, then raised his Magic Wand, the wand tip releasing a barrier like an umbrella to block the torrential rain.

The tents in the camp were abundant, some like tall buildings, some like hills, others like overturned goblets. Looking at night, they were all shadowy, resembling numerous monsters standing silently in the dark.

Vid instinctively lightened his steps, silently threading through the tents.

Suddenly, something flickered in his vision as if a gaunt child was hiding behind a tent, waving a hand.

Vid felt a chill, his breath frozen in his throat, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as if a cold wind blew past, or a frigid snake slithered up his spine.

After a few seconds, he slowly exhaled, inhaled, forcibly maintaining his calm, and walked toward that direction.

Of course, he could have turned back and returned immediately to his dorm. But Vid felt that if he didn’t clarify the mystery of that strange, small shadow, his sleep would be restless tonight.

Outwardly, Vid only paused his steps briefly before continuing to walk over, seemingly unaffected.

As the distance gradually closed, Vid’s empty hand turned over, and he performed a silent, wandless Lighting Charm. His hand appeared to hold a ball of light, illuminating a few meters around him.

The shadow behind the tent revealed its true form — it was actually a small tree, appearing to be a Beech, with sparse leaves, its height not even reaching Vid’s chest.

Vid let out a long sigh of relief, then chuckled to himself, feeling like he’d been a bit too jumpy.

He went around the tent patched with animal pelts, with a tail hanging by the entrance, and quickened his steps to head back.

The sound of footsteps treading on water gradually faded, and the surroundings returned to silence, leaving only the continuous sound of falling rain.

Suddenly, there was a ”pop” sound in the darkness, like a large cork popping out of a bottle.

The young Beech pulled its roots out of the ground, shaking itself like a person, then pulled out the roots on the other side, giving a full-body shake, stretching its branches and leaves as if welcoming the rare stormy weather.

Then the Beech used its roots as feet, moving crab-like, swiftly but lightly towards the forest nearby. The leaves on its head swayed, like a child waving playfully.

In its path, a figure cloaked in black rain gear stood under a tree, looking up at a towering spruce ahead.