Chapter 279. Cho Chang
In the end, Adrian Wesson moved into the little house. There were three rooms in all; Harry and Hermione each picked one.
The Quidditch World Cup wouldn't begin until evening, and the wait during the day felt especially long. To pass the time, Harry and Hermione decided to wander the nearby market and buy a few souvenirs.
It was the best day of business for the hawkers—people could always find some fairly useless magical gadgets at those stalls.
While Harry and the others browsed the market, Adrian idly watered the two sunflowers by the door with a flask.
For some reason, the two sunflowers withered at once.
Perhaps it was because they'd been in the suitcase for a few days?
Just as Adrian was pondering the reason—
"Professor Wesson?" A gentle voice came from behind him, one that sounded faintly familiar.
Adrian turned and found Cho Chang standing there, a small bulging bag in her hand that looked like newly bought souvenirs.
Cho Chang was a Ravenclaw, a year above Harry. She was a pretty East Asian girl with long black hair and a dusting of freckles across her nose—very likeable.
Adrian had a good impression of her as well, because she had chosen Care of Magical Creatures and did very well in it.
"Good morning, Cho." Adrian smiled. "Ah, I didn't expect to bump into one of my students here."
Cho looked a little nervous. "Good morning, Professor Wesson—I thought I'd mistaken you. In fact, it's not just me,
a lot of Hogwarts students are here."
"Are they?" Adrian said casually. "I've only run into you so far."
"The entire Ravenclaw Quidditch team is here—just a bit to the east," Cho said, full of enthusiasm. "Ireland versus Bulgaria—no one would miss this match."
Only then did Adrian remember that Cho Chang was a Quidditch enthusiast; she was also the Seeker for the Ravenclaw team at Hogwarts.
He noticed the Ireland badge peeking out of her bag. "Looks like you're supporting Ireland?"
"Yes," Cho nodded, excited. "Their Chaser line-up is so strong. But—"
She lowered her voice. "I secretly bought a Krum badge as well. His Wronski Feint is practically miraculous..."
Cho then launched into an enthusiastic rundown of the two teams, especially Bulgaria with Viktor Krum—she had clearly done her homework in advance.
Adrian didn't really understand professional Quidditch, but he followed some of it.
Cho mentioned that Bulgaria's typical match flow went something like this:
Bulgaria starts poorly,
Bulgaria plays one blunder after another,
Bulgaria falls into a hard fight,
Bulgaria struggles on the brink,
Krum catches the Golden Snitch! Bulgaria gives the acceptance speech!
Mm. Properly twisty.
After chatting about Quidditch for a while, Cho belatedly noticed the wooden hut behind Adrian and asked, puzzled, "Is that...?"
"My tent," Adrian said, pushing the door open and inviting her in. "Come have a cup of tea, Cho."
Naturally, Cho wouldn't refuse the invitation—after so long talking, her throat was parched.
Once inside, she looked around with curiosity. "Did you come to watch the match on your own, Professor?"
"Harry and Hermione are here too," Adrian poured her a cup of floral tea. "They've gone out with Ron. The Weasleys are just next door."
"Harry Potter?" Cho's tone turned a shade complicated. "He's here as well? I was hoping to talk Quidditch with him.
You know, I lost to him last time."
"You sound a bit unconvinced."
"Of course!"
Perhaps because she was in front of a professor, Cho was willing to reveal a bit more of her thoughts.
She pulled a face. "Potter has a Firebolt; my broom couldn't possibly catch him."
"You could always ask for a fair match," Adrian said with a slight smile. "If it isn't Slytherin, Harry will most likely agree."
Cho's eyes lit up, as if she were genuinely considering the suggestion.
If Harry Potter beat her while flying the same broom as hers, she would accept it. She thought this to herself in silence.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Accompanied by the sound of conversation, Harry came in first, followed by Ron and Hermione. The three of them seemed to be in the middle of a discussion.
"I still think Ireland—"
Harry's words cut off abruptly. His gaze fell on Cho sitting in the sitting room, and his eyes opened slightly wider.
"Hello," Cho greeted them warmly. "We were just talking about Quidditch."
Harry hovered awkwardly by the door, clutching the newly purchased Ireland badge. Ron gave him a push from behind before he came to and stepped into the room.
"Er... hi, Cho," Harry said stiffly.
"Are you here to watch Quidditch as well?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Of course," Cho said with a smile. "I imagine we're all gathered here for the same reason—to watch the Quidditch World Cup."
She stood, her gaze lingering on Harry for a moment before shifting to Hermione's and Ron's chests. "You bought Ireland badges? Looks like we're supporting the same team."
Ron scratched his head, a little self-conscious. "I actually prefer Bulgaria, but Fred and George bet on Ireland to win, so..."
Hermione immediately jabbed Ron with her elbow, and Ron shut his mouth at once—they mustn't mention betting in front of an adult (Adrian).
Of course, Adrian didn't actually mind.
Harry felt his palms grow slightly sweaty. "Ah... yes, I'm supporting Ireland—are you too, Cho?"
"Seems we're on the same side," Cho said cheerfully.
Harry didn't know how to keep the conversation going; he felt sure his face must be very red right now. He tried hard to steady himself, but it didn't seem to work.
Adrian watched the scene with smiling eyes.
Young people... truly amusing...
Knock, knock—
Someone rapped on the door.
"Come in," Adrian called towards the entrance.
He didn't know who it would be—the Weasleys probably wouldn't knock.
Sure enough, someone unexpected appeared.
"Sorry to intrude." Cedric stood at the door, still holding a bag.
"Come over, Cedric," Adrian said in some surprise. "How did you know we were here?"
"I was just about to buy a few souvenirs," Cedric explained. "The window was open, and I saw you. So...
as it happens, I've got something for you."
Cedric took several finely made binoculars out of the bag and handed one to everyone present.
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