"Audrey!"
"Audrey!"
Shouts of the crowd echoed through the Quidditch pitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the teams for today's match are Hufflepuff and Slytherin!"
"Audrey! Audrey!"
Lee Jordan's voice could barely compete with the audience's excitement, so he shouted: "Now, let's welcome both teams onto the field!"
This time, Audrey wasn't delayed by the house-elves. She Apparated directly from the locker room to the pitch, allowing her to join her teammates immediately.
Technically speaking, she hadn't even memorized all the team members' names yet…
As she soared out with the Slytherin team, the crowd's cheers grew even louder.
The Hufflepuff players felt disheartened. In previous matches against Slytherin, the spectators usually cheered for them. With Hufflepuff's natural charm and Slytherin's reputation for making enemies, the other three houses usually united to suppress Slytherin's momentum.
But today, everything was reversed. Everyone was cheering for Slytherin—or more precisely, for one individual.
Marcus Flint flew up to Audrey, exasperated. "Why haven't you come to any practice?"
Audrey rolled her eyes. "Practice? You expect me to coordinate with you for chasers and beaters? I'm already here for the match, isn't that enough?"
Flint tried to suppress his anger. "Coordination between chasers and beaters is essential! Many tactics require teamwork!"
Audrey waved her hand impatiently. "Teamwork? I can catch the Golden Snitch in one go anyway!"
Flint almost shouted: "We lost our first match to Gryffindor! And this is our last match! We need as many points as possible to secure an advantage if Hufflepuff beats Gryffindor!"
Audrey already knew the storyline. Gryffindor's match with Hufflepuff was after exams, and by then Harry Potter was unconscious—so Gryffindor lost. Flint's point was valid: Slytherin needed points. But did winning the championship matter to her personally?
Her agreement with Snape only required her to participate—not to guarantee Slytherin's victory.
Madam Hooch's whistle blew. The match officially began.
"Let the match begin!"
Lee Jordan's commentary exploded: "Hufflepuff starts strong! Their beaters are targeting Audrey aggressively!"
"Helga up! Godric up! Rowena up! What did I just see?"
The crowd erupted.
"Audrey Astrey caught the Bludger with her bare hands! Is her hand okay?"
"Oh yes, of course! Look, she's fine!"
Jordan shouted: "She's raised her right hand! And she's caught the Golden Snitch again—in just fifteen seconds!"
"If Hufflepuff hadn't delayed her with the Bludger, she might have set a new record!"
Marcus Flint clenched his fist in frustration—Audrey Astrey! But aside from him and the Slytherin team, everyone else was ecstatic. The entire stadium was on fire.
Not just students—professional players, coaches, and managers were astonished. Seeing her dive like a hawk and snatch the Snitch from the stands left them speechless.
The Kenmare Red Falcons' coach turned to their seeker, Vincent Stuart: "Vincent, did you see her movements clearly?"
Vincent shook his head. "Her dive was too fast. Her speed seems to exceed the theoretical maximum of the Firebolt 2000. She was born to fly."
The coach nodded. "That kind of talent comes from perfect broom affinity. In history, there was only one…"
"Yes, little Pockin in 1498 with the Wanderers. He could boost broom speed several times."
"Do you think Audrey can reach Pockin's level?"
"I think she'll surpass him," Vincent said.
"Their speed is one thing. She also has incredible physical strength."
"Exactly," the coach nodded. "Catching a Bludger barehanded is no ordinary feat!"
Vincent grinned. "And that's not the scariest part."
"Oh?" the coach asked.
"Her most terrifying ability is her perception."
"Perception?"
"Yes, coach," Vincent explained. "Before she caught the Golden Snitch, did you even see a trace of it?"
The coach went silent. He had been a famous seeker before retiring—but in those fifteen seconds, he hadn't even glimpsed the Snitch.
"We must recruit her, Vincent!"
"Yes, if she joins our team, I'd happily take a bench role!"
Similar conversations erupted across the stands. Everyone was amazed at this artistic girl's talent in Quidditch.
Yet the main focus, Audrey, was already preparing to sneak back to her dorm. Time was short!
The Goblin elder Moristo of Gringotts was present. Normally hard to find, his intentions were clear: it was early April, and compared to January, the value of Galleons had dropped by 70%! This meant goblins had lost most of their wealth—and by summer, it could reach 90%!
But Audrey had no interest in negotiating verbally. Contracts spoke louder than words.
Still, she underestimated how eager the goblins were to meet her.
"Audrey Astrey!"
Professor McGonagall's voice called out. "Please come to the main stands!"
Audrey waved at the cheering crowd, mounting her broom with a look of helplessness, and flew to the main stand.
Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, smiled and waved at her.
"Minister," Audrey said, descending. "We haven't met for months. Why have you summoned me this time?"
Fudge chuckled and glanced at McGonagall, signaling for private conversation.
McGonagall leaned back, feigning interest in the match stats—an obvious excuse, since besides Audrey and Hufflepuff's one hit, what stats were there?
"Miss Astrey, I'll be nearby. Call out if you need anything."
McGonagall's mistrust was like throwing a white glove in Fudge's face. The minister's expression tensed—after all, he was the Minister for Magic!
It wasn't without reason. Recently, Gringotts had repeatedly sent agents to Hogwarts seeking Audrey, all blocked by Dumbledore. Apparently, Audrey had profited from Gringotts' mismanagement. Goblins, greedy by nature, would do anything for their gain.
Today, the Ministry suddenly called an emergency meeting—but Fudge came to watch a Quidditch match. That was significant.
McGonagall didn't fully leave. Her attention remained on the scene.
"Ha ha," Fudge laughed awkwardly, praising Audrey. "Miss Astrey, your Quidditch talent is unparalleled. I'm certain you'll shine in the next World Cup!"
"Minister, you summoned me just to say that?" Audrey narrowed her eyes, her voice cold. "The Ministry wants me to pass all twelve OWL subjects this year. Do you know what that entails?"
Fudge froze. This polite young lady seemed unusually sharp today.
"It means my time is extremely limited! I must learn five years' worth in one! Every second is precious, Minister!"
Her time was indeed valuable. Losing even a second of leisure was a major loss. And this Minister, under the goblins' influence, irritated her greatly.
"Not… not… not, Miss Astrey," Fudge said, smiling with stiffened facial muscles. "I have a serious matter—concerning the entire British wizarding community!"
Audrey gestured for him to continue, her authoritative stance intimidating Fudge.
Dumbledore taught basic respect for the Ministry, but Audrey disagreed.
Why could Gringotts infiltrate and influence the Ministry?
Gold, of course.
Had Gringotts ever respected the Ministry? No.
So why should Audrey—richer than Gringotts by countless times—submit to this scheming Minister? She wouldn't even scold him openly!
Fudge, feeling embarrassed to be overpowered by a young witch, adjusted his tie and straightened his expression.
"As I understand, Gringotts is facing operational difficulties, nearing bankruptcy. If they fail, it would be an incalculable loss to the wizarding world."
"Therefore, on behalf of Elder Moristo of Gringotts, I am here as an intermediary to request you to repay early."
"For the sake of the wizarding community, Audrey, will you consider it?"