The centuries-old stained-glass window that adorned the infirmary shattered as Thess burst through it on her broomstick, followed shortly by Scorpius Malfoy.
One thing many people don't know about broomsticks (because the manufacturers like to keep it a secret) is that they don't have a maximum speed. The maximum speed of a broom is as much as the wood can withstand. This means that even a modest Cleansweep like Thess's could, theoretically, exceed the speed of sound—or even more. That limit, if it exists, has never been reached.
"So, what's the difference between a cheap broom and a New Silver Arrow like Scorpius's?" a curious consumer might ask. There's no simple answer. Various elements come into play: design, comfort, technology, maneuverability, aerodynamics (a controversial point we'll discuss later), but mainly acceleration.
A Cleansweep can go from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour in eight seconds, while a New Silver Arrow does it in seven. "Only that?" a novice player might ask. It may seem little, but it's the difference between victory and defeat in the world of Quidditch.
So, when Thess sped toward the Quidditch pitch, flying as if her life depended on it, even though she had a good lead over Malfoy, that advantage decreased with every fraction of a second.
As soon as she sighted the pitch, she also saw the unmistakable golden glint of the Snitch. It hovered at the highest point of the stadium, right in the center of the field, as if waiting for her. In truth, it was stationary because it hadn't detected the presence of any Seekers on the field. It wouldn't expend energy fleeing or hiding. The good part was that Thess wouldn't need to waste time searching; the bad part was that Scorpius could see it too, nullifying her only advantage.
So Thess did the only thing she could: she accelerated even more.
The wind stung her eyes, especially her sensitive nose. Her hair was pulled back like a sail desperately trying to escape from her head, and many strands succeeded. The blood pressure in her head began to drop; she felt dizzy and nauseous, her vision narrowing into a tunnel with dark edges. But at the center of that tunnel was the Snitch, so she pushed herself even harder.
The stadium crowd spotted them from afar but only truly understood what happened after it was over.
Besides an expensive broomstick, Scorpius Malfoy possessed something Thess didn't: common sense. This common sense, and the value he placed on his own life, made Malfoy decelerate. And thus, Thess caught the Snitch.
"Protego Maxima!" someone shouted from the stands.
Thess streaked through the stadium like a falling star and carved a crater at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"What was that?" was the question most heard in the stands.
I'll tell you what that was, ladies and gentlemen: that was a VICTORY FOR GRYFFINDOR!
Those on broomsticks were the first to reach the crater where Thess had landed, but the crowd followed close behind.
Dust and debris hung thick in the air when they arrived.
"Ventus!" Rosie conjured.
And as the wind swept the dust away, they saw the protective shield around Thess dissipate, leaving the girl kneeling but with her fist raised high, the Snitch fluttering within.
Rose ran to embrace her friend, followed by the entire team, who lifted the heroine onto their shoulders as the crowd cheered.
Thess couldn't remember ever smiling so much; she grinned until her face hurt, though perhaps that was due to her broken nose.
Even the Slytherin team celebrated that victory. Even Albus Potter clapped, though it took a friendly pat on the back from his mate before he began.
"Rosie, Rosie..." Thess called when they finally set her down.
"What is it?" her friend asked, concerned.
"I need to know..."
"What?"
"About my nose..."
"I'm so sorry..."
"Please, be honest."
"Of course."
"Is it still sexy?"
Rosie was speechless.
"Seriously?" said Scorpius Malfoy. "Now more than ever."
Rosie limited herself to fixing Malfoy with a reproachful stare.
"What?"
"Honestly," said Albus, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"What did I do?"