The moment Madam Hooch blew her whistle, everyone was still preparing to take off— Except Neville.
Overwhelmed by nerves, he kicked off too hard and shot straight into the air.
“Mr.
Longbottom!” Watching Neville wobble wildly up and down on his broomstick, Madam Hooch felt her heart sink.
This is going to end badly…
“Down!
Down!” Neville cried in panic.
Unfortunately, his broom had no intention of obeying him.
Instead, it climbed even higher into the sky.
Like an untamed horse, the broom began spinning wildly around the castle walls, smashing toward the stonework as though trying to throw its rider off.
Neville clung desperately to the handle with all his strength.
He might not have been the quickest thinker…
But he knew perfectly well what would happen if he fell from this height.
The Hogwarts lawn was no cushion.
Suddenly, the broom dove toward the ground, racing directly at the gathered students.
“Mr.
Longbottom!” Madam Hooch immediately drew her wand and aimed at the incoming broom.
But…
Her spellcasting was slower than the broom itself.
1 A split second before Neville reached her, she abandoned the spell entirely and threw herself sideways.
The students reacted just as quickly.
Everyone scattered in opposite directions, clearing a path.
Whoosh!
The powerful gust brushed across Wade’s face.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He had always assumed Hogwarts professors represented the elite of the magical world.
But Madam Hooch’s desperate dive had completely shattered that impression.
Compared with professors like McGonagall or Snape…
She seemed little stronger than an ordinary witch.
He even suspected that if he stopped hiding his abilities…
He might actually defeat her in a fair fight.
So not every professor possesses the strength of a Head of House.
At that moment, Neville flew above the castle.
Passing a stone statue, his robes snagged on the spear it was holding.
The broom flew away.
But Neville was now hanging more than twenty feet above the ground.
Even worse…
The spear was tearing through his robes.
Rip!
The fabric gave way.
Neville fell.
Fortunately, halfway down he struck one of the wall-mounted braziers.
The impact slowed his fall enough that he landed only a few meters above the ground.
His injuries weren’t life-threatening.
Curled into a ball on the grass, Neville groaned in pain.
Madam Hooch hurried over, helping him to his feet while examining his injuries.
“A broken wrist.” “You poor boy.” “Come along.” She helped him stand.
“While I take Mr.
Longbottom to the Hospital Wing…” “You are all to remain firmly on the ground.” “Do you understand?” “If I see even one broom in the air…” “…you’ll be expelled before you ever get near a Quidditch team.” After she left, something shimmering silver remained lying on the grass.
Draco walked over and picked it up.
It was Neville’s Remembrall.
“Did you see the look on his face?” Draco laughed.
“If he’d been holding this…” “…maybe he’d have remembered to land on his backside.” “Give it back.” Harry stepped forward.
“No.” Draco smirked.
“I think I’ll hide it…” “…and let Longbottom look for it.” With that, he mounted his broom, circled above the students once, and flew higher into the sky.
“How about hiding it on the roof?” He hovered overhead.
“What’s wrong, Potter?” “Can’t reach me?” Harry inhaled sharply and immediately mounted his broom.
“Harry, don’t!” Hermione shouted.
“Think about what Madam Hooch said!” “And you don’t even know how to fly yet!” Harry ignored her completely.
With one push off the ground, he shot into the air.
“What an idiot.” Hermione muttered.
“I warned you.” Wade chuckled softly.
“Trouble is Gryffindor’s natural state.” “But don’t worry.” “They won’t be expelled.” “What?” Hermione blinked.
“You probably don’t know this…” “But Draco’s father sits on Hogwarts’ Board of Governors.” “His influence isn’t much less than Professor Dumbledore’s.” The moment those words fell…
Crabbe and Goyle exchanged amused grins.
Several nearby Slytherins smiled knowingly as well.
“What about Harry?” Ron asked.
“He is the Boy Who Lived.” Wade shrugged.
“I imagine Headmaster Dumbledore will be willing to overlook this.” “Besides…” “If Draco Malfoy stays while Harry Potter gets expelled…” “Hogwarts wouldn’t exactly look very fair.” “You’re remarkably consistent.” Hermione sighed.
“Your attempts at comforting people never actually help.” “Thank you.” Wade accepted the criticism with a smile.
Meanwhile, Harry had already caught up to Draco.
“Give it back.” “Or I’ll knock you off your broom.” “Is that the best you’ve got?” Draco casually tossed the Remembrall from hand to hand.
His expression was openly mocking.
Harry leaned forward and rammed his broom directly toward him.
Startled, Draco barely managed to twist aside in time.
For the first time…
He genuinely panicked.
He clearly hadn’t expected Harry to actually charge him.
Either Potter knew exactly what he was doing…
Or he’d completely lost his mind.
In Draco’s opinion…
The second explanation was far more likely.
“Crabbe and Goyle aren’t here to help you.” Harry reminded him.
Draco’s expression stiffened.
“Then go get it yourself!” He hurled the Remembrall with all his strength before diving back toward the ground.
Harry accelerated instantly.
Just before the glass sphere smashed through Professor McGonagall’s office window…
He caught it cleanly.
Holding the Remembrall high above his head, he flew triumphantly back toward the field.
The Gryffindors erupted into cheers.
“Great catch, Harry!” “That was brilliant!” So this is probably Harry’s greatest talent…
Flying.
Wade’s thoughts stirred.
Then he murmured almost to himself, “So…” “It begins.” “What begins?” Daphne asked curiously.
“The wheels of history.” “They never stop turning.” “But every era has one or two pivotal moments.” “Today…” “Just now…” “The Boy Who Lived has taken his first real step into the spotlight.” “And Young Master Malfoy…” “…has just met the greatest rival he’ll face during his next seven years at Hogwarts.” “Him?” Draco snorted.
“I don’t buy it.” “Potter?” Pansy sneered.
“He only has a little talent for flying.” “Every other class has been a complete disaster.” “How could he possibly compare with Draco?” “Besides…” She smirked.
“Flying isn’t even part of the exams.” “We’ll see.” Wade smiled faintly.
“I’m certain…” “He’ll accomplish great things someday.” “You’re certain?” Theodore Nott finally spoke.
“And who exactly are you?” “A prophet?” “Watch your tone, Nott.” Daphne said coldly.
“Ahem…” Seeing Daphne immediately come to his defense left Wade with rather mixed feelings.
He cleared his throat.
“I’m not a prophet.” “But I am a diviner.” “If any of you ever need a reading…” “I’m available.” “Only ten Galleons.” “Oh…” “And that’s the current price.” “It’ll only go up from here.” “Ten Galleons?” Nott’s eyes widened.
He slowly turned toward Daphne.
“You didn’t actually pay him that much…” “…did you?” “None of your business.” Daphne replied without the slightest hesitation.