Having finally overcome her hesitation, Cho Chang happily admired the Firebolt in front of her, examining every detail—from the golden serial number engraved at the very top to the perfectly smooth, streamlined handle.
At last, she carefully handed it back to Lewis.
"Can you hold onto it for me for now?" she asked reluctantly. "I really want to carry it around, but that would attract far too much attention. Give it back to me once we're back in the common room, okay?"
"No need to make it that complicated."
Lewis handed her a small handbag.
"One of my own creations. It can hold roughly one cubic meter of space. More than enough for a Firebolt."
Seeing the astonishment on her face, he explained,
"Don't let the size fool you. It doesn't cost nearly as much as you'd think. For me, it's just a matter of casting a spell. I can make as many as I want."
"So…"
"Take it."
Cho accepted the bag numbly before placing the Firebolt inside, along with everything else she'd bought that day.
For the first time, she realized…
She had never truly understood the boy beside her.
At first, she'd been attracted by his appearance.
Then she'd fallen for him because of their perfect chemistry on the Quidditch pitch and the way he'd risked his life to protect her.
But her understanding of him ended there.
She knew he was powerful.
She knew his legendary accomplishments.
Yet she had no idea how he could casually create an expansion bag this large…
Or why he was so unimaginably wealthy…
She had always believed she was the one giving more in this relationship.
But now…
It seemed the only thing she truly had to offer him was her feelings.
Between them lay an invisible gulf that suddenly felt impossibly wide.
Lewis seemed to see through her confusion.
He gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Don't overthink it, Cho."
"This is simply how I live."
"There's no need to compare yourself to me."
"You wouldn't compare yourself to Dumbledore or the Dark Lord either."
"If you really feel uneasy…"
"Then study hard."
"The girlfriend I hope for isn't just someone I can rely on emotionally."
"I want someone who can also become my partner in everything I accomplish."
"I will."
Cho nodded obediently.
She thought of Ciri.
Then Hermione.
Both had contributed to Lewis's many legendary exploits.
If they can do it…
Then I won't lose to them.
Determined to become a woman worthy of Lewis Green, Cho silently encouraged herself.
The two continued strolling through Hogsmeade together.
Lewis accompanied Cho to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop for a while before finally heading toward Honeydukes.
The owners of both establishments tactfully pretended not to notice that Lewis had already visited with another girl earlier that day.
"It looks like we'd better hurry."
Cho pointed toward a notice posted behind Honeydukes' entrance.
Ministry of Magic Notice
Attention Customers:
Until further notice, Dementors will patrol the streets of Hogsmeade from sunset onward each day.
This measure has been implemented to ensure the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will remain in effect until Sirius Black has been captured.
All customers are requested to complete their shopping before sunset.
The notice hadn't been there when Lewis visited earlier.
It had probably been posted after Fudge left the Three Broomsticks.
The two exchanged glances.
Time to speed up.
Earlier, Lewis had deliberately refrained from buying many sweets while shopping with Hermione.
He'd saved this visit specifically for Cho.
After all…
Of the three girls, Cho loved sweets the most.
Lewis generously purchased entire boxes of candy and also ordered a large shipment of candied fruit to be delivered directly to Hogwarts by Honeydukes.
Finally, they met up with Ciri and Penelope in the central square of Hogsmeade.
Both girls were slightly surprised to discover that Lewis's companion had changed.
Still…
As fellow Ravenclaws, they knew Cho well.
They had long been aware of her feelings for Lewis.
Each harbored their own thoughts, yet all four outwardly maintained cheerful smiles as they returned together to Hogwarts.
Soon afterward came Ravenclaw's next Quidditch practice.
When the team discovered that Ravenclaw now possessed three Firebolts, everyone nearly went insane.
"I can't believe it!"
Roger Davies forced his way through the crowd, his voice trembling.
Firebolts…
They were every young witch and wizard's dream broomstick.
Yet Lewis, Ciri, and Cho each owned one.
"C-Can I hold one?"
Roger asked excitedly.
The moment Lewis handed him the broom…
Roger cradled it as though he were holding the world's greatest treasure.
From that day onward, the Firebolts seemed to ignite every ounce of passion inside Roger Davies.
He drove the team through increasingly brutal training sessions despite relentless wind and rain.
Not a single player complained.
Every time they watched a Firebolt streak across the sky…
They could almost see the Quidditch Cup waiting for Ravenclaw.
Even after practice, Lewis, Ciri, and Cho were escorted all the way back to the castle by crowds of admiring Ravenclaws.
Everyone agreed…
Firebolts deserved that level of respect.
Once news spread…
The other Houses exploded.
Draco Malfoy's face turned pale.
His father would never buy seven Firebolts for Slytherin.
A single Firebolt cost more than all of Slytherin's broomsticks combined.
Gryffindor suffered an even greater blow.
Ever since Lewis had joined Ravenclaw, the gap between the two Houses had grown wider and wider.
The Firebolts soon revealed their true value.
The first Quidditch match of the season was Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff.
The morning of the match brought howling winds and torrential rain unlike anything they'd seen before.
The corridors and Great Hall were so dark that additional torches and lanterns had to be lit.
Conditions on the pitch were even worse.
The players staggered against the gale as they walked onto the field.
The captains tried to rally their teammates several times, but every word was swallowed by the wind.
Thunder rolled overhead.
Even the spectators couldn't hear one another cheering.
But Quidditch wasn't canceled over something as trivial as thunder and rain.
As Gryffindor and Hufflepuff mounted their broomsticks…
They looked like soldiers marching to certain death.
It was destined to be a brutal match.
The roaring wind prevented the audience from hearing the commentary.
Sheets of rain obscured nearly the entire field.
Only the occasional flash of lightning revealed glimpses of the action.
If the spectators had it this bad…
The players had it even worse.
Their bodies grew numb from the freezing cold.
Even gripping their broomsticks became increasingly difficult.
Aside from Lewis…
Everyone sincerely hoped someone would catch the Golden Snitch as quickly as possible and end the ordeal.
Thanks to Hawk's Eye and Darkvision, Lewis alone could effortlessly see through the rain and darkness, watching the extraordinary match as though the weather didn't exist.
Another crack of thunder.
Then a fork of lightning split the sky.
Conditions were becoming increasingly dangerous.
The next flash illuminated the opposite grandstand.
Lewis spotted an unexpected figure.
A massive black dog covered in shaggy fur.
Its silhouette stood out clearly against the storm clouds as it sat motionless in the highest row of otherwise empty seats.
"They've spotted the Snitch!"
Cho cried excitedly.
Then…
Something strange happened.
A fearful silence swept through the stadium.
The wind still blew just as fiercely…
Yet somehow…
It seemed to have forgotten how to roar.
It was as though someone had muted the storm itself.
The next instant…
An all-too-familiar icy chill washed over Lewis.
He immediately realized what had happened.
The Dementors had arrived.
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