Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 25 still saw an unexpected turn of events.

In the sky, Harry discovered that flying was much simpler than he had imagined, almost like walking or running. After a few simple straight back-and-forths, he began to circle around his Gryffindor classmates.

Following Madam Hooch's instructions, Harry didn't move very fast, but he changed directions a lot, circling around his roommates.

"Ron, you're not as agile as me!" Harry teased cheerfully.

As for Loren and Neville, they can't even fly yet, only Ron is a little better.

Hermione watched with envy, and I knew he was very talented, the little witch thought to herself.

The flying broom doesn't hurt your bottom or any other part of your body; sitting on it feels like a force is acting on your whole body, supporting you from all directions.

Loren flew slowly on his broomstick, in the last group with Hermione. He was thinking that if he saved Neville, there would be no Remnant storyline, and Harry would have to wait a year to join the Quidditch team. But that wasn't a big loss.

This wasn't Malfoy's first time riding a flying broomstick, and he flew smoothly. He had been looking forward to flying lesson for a long time, hoping to amaze and impress everyone. But first, he was criticized by Madam Hooch, and now Harry had stolen his thunder; he was in a very bad mood.

Malfoy felt a surge of irritation at Harry's appearance, so he pressed down on the broom head with both hands and rammed it into Harry.

Harry was changing direction when the broom tail grazed past his hair. All he saw was a shadow flash by, making his heart skip a beat. This pointless provocation infuriated Harry, and he was about to yell at it.

Vincent Crabbe, the taller of Malfoy's two henchmen, saw Malfoy attack Harry and, with a sneer, charged at Harry, causing the surrounding Gryffindors to scream in alarm.

Harry dodged just in time, but he was even angrier. He gripped the broom head, raised it, accelerated, turned, and then kicked Crabbe at Malfoy.

"what!"

Crabbe and his broom were thrown towards Malfoy by the force of the impact, but fortunately the speed was not very fast, and the two of them only staggered a few times in the air.

The Gryffindors burst into laughter.

"How embarrassing, Malfoy," Harry said with a smile, his tone light.

Enraged, Malfoy charged at Harry at several times the speed he had before.

Harry had been watching him closely, quickly rising to avoid him, and then taunted, "I think Hedwig flies better than you!"

Malfoy didn't say anything, but turned around and quickly rammed into Harry again. Harry also accelerated to create distance, and the two changed speeds and directions in the air, their distance sometimes close and sometimes far.

Malfoy was experienced and could use his skills to close the distance. Harry was a little nervous at first, but he flew more and more smoothly, and could quickly close the distance again. He wouldn't fall for Malfoy's tricks a second time.

The two quickly flew out of the activity area designated by Mrs. Hooch, and their altitude had long exceeded the third floor.

Only then did Madam Hooch notice the two unruly individuals. She brandished her wand, enhanced her voice with a loud shout, and yelled, "Stop! Get down here right now!"

Malfoy didn't care about anything else; his father was a school board member, so there was nothing to worry about. He was determined to teach Harry a lesson.

Harry hesitated for a moment, but Malfoy's malicious gaze made his back ache.

Professor McGonagall, who was in her office, saw this scene through the window. Her eyes sparkled as if she had seen some kind of treasure.

Harry was on the broom, the wind whipping his hair into a mess, but he felt unusually clear-headed. If he slowed down, he'd definitely be knocked off and broken into pieces like Neville's broom. But he couldn't keep flying like this forever; he had to find a way to get rid of Malfoy.

Harry sped up, flying toward the clock tower, his speed increasing rapidly until he was about to crash into it.

Malfoy continued chasing, convinced he'd guessed Harry's plan: the scarred man assumed he wouldn't dare accelerate and crash into the bell tower, and by the time he slowed and turned, Harry would already be ready to swerve and head straight for Madam Hooch. It would take him time to regain his speed, making it impossible for him to catch up or teach Harry a lesson.

Malfoy smugly thought to himself, "How could I, a foolish Gryffindor, fall for such a trick?" He made up his mind: if this scarred man didn't change direction, he wouldn't change direction either; even if he crashed into the bell tower, Harry would be there to cushion his fall.

The two sped up faster and faster, and were about to crash into the clock tower.

People from both colleges gasped in surprise. Some girls covered their eyes, unable to bear watching what was about to happen.

Finally, Harry turned, almost vertically to the wall, and quickly climbed into the sky, finally turning back and stopping on the eaves.

Harry was panting heavily. He enjoyed the process of flying fast in the sky, enjoying every sharp turn, descent, and ascent. He loved the feeling of flying.

Malfoy didn't have time to react and crashed straight into the wall, falling downwards.

Some trees cushioned the fall, but the broom still broke into several pieces. Malfoy groaned a few times and passed out.

Harry landed, somewhat bewildered. He had only wanted to get rid of Malfoy, but things had turned out this way.

Madam Hooch rushed over quickly, and instead of blaming Harry, she immediately checked Malfoy's injuries.

Harry heard her whisper, "A broken hand, a leg, and a few ribs, but it's alright."

Lady Hooch told everyone to put the brooms back in their place and then dispersed. She then cast a levitation spell on Malfoy's robe, lifting him up to go find Lady Pomfrey.

Lady Hooch didn't blame Harry, but he was feeling terrible. Malfoy was injured and received his due punishment, so why did he feel guilty now, wondering if there might have been a better way to get out of that situation?

Ron rushed over and saw a dejected Harry. Without thinking much of it, he assumed Harry was just terrified. He reached out and patted Harry's shoulder: "Harry, are you alright?"

Harry looked up at his friends and forced a smile: "I'm fine, Malfoy is injured."

Hermione then interjected, "You might be in trouble. Professor McGonagall might expel you from Hogwarts."

Harry turned even paler upon hearing this, and Ron didn't know how to comfort her.

"Harry Potter!" Professor McGonagall ran toward them, and Harry felt his legs go weak.

Professor McGonagall stared intently at Harry: "In all my years at Hogwarts... I've never..."

Professor McGonagall was speechless with astonishment, her glasses flashing with anger: "How dare you...you'll break your neck..."

Professor McGonagall took Harry away, and Ron, Neville, and Seamus were all very sad. They thought Harry would definitely be expelled.

Only Loren wasn't worried at all; he watched the whole spectacle in disbelief.

Wow, does this have some kind of plot-correcting power?

(End of this chapter)