Chapter 11: First match and The Cloak
The buzz of anticipation filled the air as Slytherin and Gryffindor prepared to clash in their first Quidditch match of the season. The stands were packed with students from every house, eager to witness what had become one of the most hyped games in recent memory. Whispers about Harry Potter's prowess on the pitch had been circulating for weeks, and everyone was keen to see if the rumors were true.
As the teams assembled on the field, Toji stood among the Slytherin players, his broom resting casually by his side. He seemed relaxed, even bored, in contrast to the intense concentration on the faces of his teammates. The Slytherin captain, Marcus Flint, was barking orders and giving motivational speeches, but Toji barely paid attention. His eyes scanned the opposing team, focusing briefly on Oliver Wood, Gryffindor's captain and Keeper, before flicking to the Chasers and Beaters.
With a smirk, he mounted his broom.
Madam Hooch blew the whistle, and the match began in an explosion of movement. Toji immediately rocketed into the air, trailing behind the Chasers as they fought for possession of the Quaffle. As Gryffindor's Katie Bell managed to grab the ball, heading straight for the Slytherin goal, Toji's eyes narrowed.
In one swift motion, he dove down at breakneck speed, moving so fast that Katie barely saw him coming. In a blur of motion, he snatched the Quaffle right out of her hands as he passed her, leaving her stunned. Before she could react, Toji was already speeding towards Gryffindor's goal.
With ease, he scored the first point for Slytherin, much to the shock of the crowd. Cheers erupted from the Slytherin stands, while the Gryffindors stared in disbelief.
But Toji wasn't finished. Over the next several minutes, he continued to steal the Quaffle from the Gryffindor Chasers, intercepting their passes and scoring with an effortless precision that left everyone on the field bewildered. His agility and instincts were beyond what any of them had ever seen. He made a mockery of the game, weaving between players as though they were nothing more than training dummies.
At one point, he stood up on his broom, balancing perfectly as if gravity had no hold on him. He placed his hands in front of his face, forming the shape of binoculars, as if he were scanning the skies for the Golden Snitch. The crowd fell silent, unsure of what he was doing.
Suddenly, Toji vanished from sight, becoming invisible to the naked eye. Gasps echoed through the stands, and even the commentators were at a loss for words. For a brief moment, it was as if Harry Potter had disappeared from existence.
Then, without warning, he reappeared high above the pitch, his hand outstretched, holding the Golden Snitch. The game was over.
The Slytherin stands erupted in deafening cheers, their victory sealed in an astonishing display of skill. Gryffindor players hovered in shock, staring at Toji with a mixture of awe and frustration. Oliver Wood slumped on his broom, defeated.
Toji hovered in the air, holding the Snitch for all to see. His smirk was confident, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he basked in the attention. The Boy Who Lived had proven himself on the Quidditch field—and not just as a Seeker, but as a player of unparalleled talent.
Despite the excitement of the match, life at Hogwarts soon returned to its usual rhythm, and with that came a creeping sense of boredom for Toji. The classes were too easy, and the day-to-day activities were repetitive. Even the thrill of Quidditch victories started to lose its luster. He needed something more.
One evening, as he sat in the Slytherin common room, he considered an idea that had been on his mind for a while. Hermione Granger and Daphne Greengrass, his two closest companions, were eager learners, but they lacked the physical edge and speed that Toji had developed over his years of training. Maybe it was time to help them reach their potential.
The next morning, after breakfast, Toji approached the two girls with a proposal.
"How about we try something new?" he asked casually, leaning against a pillar. "You both have a lot of potential, but your spellcasting speed could use some work. A bit of physical training could help quicken your reflexes."
Hermione blinked at him, intrigued but cautious. "Physical training? Like... jogging?"
Toji smirked. "Exactly. Light jogging to build stamina, and some drills to speed up your spellcasting. It'll be tough, but I promise you'll see results."
Daphne raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for you, Harry? Or are you just doing this out of the goodness of your heart?"
"Maybe I enjoy a challenge," Toji said, shrugging. "Besides, I'd rather not be the only one improving around here."
The two girls exchanged glances, and after a moment, they both agreed to give it a try.
Over the next few weeks, Hermione and Daphne followed Toji's training regimen, incorporating morning jogs around the castle grounds and spellcasting drills that focused on speed and precision. At first, the workouts left them exhausted, but soon they began to see the benefits. Their reflexes improved, and their spellwork became faster and more accurate.
Hermione, in particular, became more focused during dueling practices, her once-methodical approach now infused with a newfound agility. Daphne, too, showed marked improvement, her confidence growing as her spells became sharper and quicker.
Toji watched their progress with satisfaction. He had always worked alone, but having two capable allies by his side gave him a sense of camaraderie he hadn't expected.
The weeks flew by, and soon it was Christmas morning. Toji woke up to find a small pile of gifts at the foot of his bed. He opened them one by one—some sweets, books, and a new set of robes. But one package, wrapped in shimmering silver paper, caught his attention. It had no name attached to it, just a note that said, "Use it wisely."
Curious, Toji unwrapped the package to reveal... an Invisibility Cloak. He recognized it immediately—one of the Deathly Hallows, an item of immense power and significance. A wicked grin spread across his face as he held the cloak in his hands. This would make things a lot more interesting.
He attached the cloak to his belt, concealing it within his robes, already planning his next move. The thought of sneaking into the Forbidden Forest had crossed his mind many times before, but now, with the Invisibility Cloak, it was more than just a thought—it was a certainty.
As night fell, Toji slipped on the cloak and vanished from sight, leaving the safety of the castle behind. The Forbidden Forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, but to Toji, it was nothing more than a playground.
With the moonlight casting eerie shadows through the trees, he dashed into the forest, unseen and unstoppable. The creatures within didn't even sense his presence as he moved silently, exploring the depths of the magical forest.
This was exactly what he needed. Adventure, danger, and power all lay ahead of him. And with his new toy, the world was his to explore.