Chapter 38 Flying Lesson
After Madam Hooch left, the students all put down their brooms.
They began discussing Malfoy's swift movements and accurate spellcasting.
Many said that they themselves probably wouldn't have been able to react in time.
But not everyone was self-aware.
Ron was particularly unconvinced.
"What's so great about it? It's just a curse."
Then she grinned, "Haha, will he get expelled for that? A curse, it's practically black magic, and the target is a classmate. Not to mention he's the son of a Death Eater, and his family isn't on the school board anymore!"
Hermione held up her index finger and shook it from side to side. "But according to Professor Flitwick, a curse is one of the simplest advanced spells. When we're in our senior years, we'll learn some curses in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Like the Obstacles Charm, [Obstacles Upon Obstacles]. Compared to the Ironclad Charm that Basil used last time, it's much simpler."
"This spell is interesting. When used on a living being, it produces a freezing effect. Miranda Gossack's Standard Spells says that this spell can freeze the attacker briefly (about 10 seconds), making it an essential weapon in duels."
"If used simply as a spell, or on air, as a shield, it will turn the area you want into an invisible 'swamp,' slowing down any life or attack that enters it."
Ron's face fell, and he drew his wand, aiming it at the grass.
"It's just a curse, anyone can do that."
"Worms in the stomach!"
A beam of green light shot straight towards the grass.
Harry instinctively took a step back. "What are you talking about!"
This reminded him of that green light.
Basil crouched down, observing the grass that had been struck.
On a blade of grass, a translucent slug appeared.
He asked with interest, "What kind of spell is this?"
Ron smugly replied, "The Slug Curse, makes you vomit until you vomit out shiny slugs."
Hermione pouted, "Yio, disgusting!"
Harry shook his head, "No, this spell is very effective."
"Especially the color." Basil and Harry exchanged a knowing smile.
Fifteen minutes later, Madam Hooch returned with a nonchalant-looking Malfoy.
Ron scoffed in disappointment.
Harry, however, felt a strange sense of relief.
Basil thought this was probably because Malfoy hadn't gone on a rampage like in the original story, instead being subjected to passive-aggressive behavior from his Slytherin classmates.
Draco returned to the line, and Goyle quickly changed positions, standing on the left rear side like a lackey.
Everything that followed went smoothly.
Madam Hooch taught them that when the broom was under their legs, a strong push from the ground would send them soaring into the air.
And to land back on the ground, a slight forward lean was all it took to bring them vertically back down.
Similarly, leaning left means leaning left, and leaning up means shifting your center of gravity backward.
The greater the lean, the greater the turning angle in the corresponding direction.
Basil discovered that this was actually like a more comfortable, more advanced skateboard.
He quickly mastered the trick and began to fly smoothly.
Although not as good as Harry, he was about the same as Ron.
As for Neville
, perhaps because Basil was watching this time, he was no longer afraid.
He took to the air smoothly.
Although he flew slowly and wobbly, it was already quite good.
The voice message in Basil's mind that he had received 300 gems further proved this.
Harry flew quite well.
He received praise from Madam Hooch, "I knew it! You're just as good as your father! There's even a trophy with 'James Potter' on it in the trophy room!"
Harry's smile immediately faded.
He managed a weak thank you.
After learning that his father was a combination of Dudley and the Weasley twins,
Harry didn't want to hear anything similar to his father.
So just now, he felt both proud and ashamed.
However, Draco Malfoy mistakenly thought this was just him showing off.
He flew to Harry's side in a very smooth arc, giving him a defiant look.
Ron, landing on the ground, instantly flew into a rage. "Give him a piece of his mind, Harry!"
Harry was reluctant to fight.
But the students below cheered.
"Teach that Slytherin a lesson!"
"The inherently evil Malfoy!"
"Let them see what Slytherin technique is!"
Malfoy, mistakenly thinking Harry had agreed
, leaned forward, sending his broom flying like a javelin at Harry.
Harry easily dodged, but seemed to be provoked as well.
He gripped his broom handle and charged back.
The two exchanged blows, showcasing their superb flying skills.
Surprisingly, Madam Hooch didn't interfere.
She simply said, "Be careful,"
and told the other students who were still flying to come down, saying their skills weren't up to par.
She gave Harry and Malfoy space.
Hermione was very unhappy about this.
She thought it was very unbecoming of a classroom.
Basil was doing this for her own purposes—delaying Harry's entry into the Quidditch team in order to obtain the gem.
Under Hermione's joyful gaze, she asked Madam Hooch, "Aren't you going to do anything about it? What if he gets hurt?"
Madam Hooch shook her head. "They're both good enough for the school team." (Basil's heart sank.) "
And Gryffindor and Slytherin. It's normal."
"The previous years were even more extreme."
"I tried to intervene before, but Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape didn't care, they barely even penalized him."
She pointed to the second-floor window. "You might not see it, but my eyes are much sharper than most. Professor McGonagall is standing by the window. She's very excited right now!"
"Believe it or not, after class, she'll definitely come knocking and make Potter join Quidditch training!"
Basil's heart sank.
He shook his head.
Madam Hooch was still too conservative.
She guessed Harry would join the Gryffindor Quidditch team directly, just like in the original story.
Hermione was equally dejected.
She felt like a little fan witnessing her idol's downfall.
She finally understood how permissive Professor McGonagall was in the Quidditch arena, as almost Headless Nick had described.
Sure enough, the bell rang as soon as class ended.
Harry and Malfoy were back on the ground.
Professor McGonagall hurried out of the castle,
accompanied by a tall, muscular upperclassman.
Harry, who had been smiling after his fierce battle with Malfoy, froze.
Ron was equally worried.
Only Basil and Hermione had heard Madam Hooch's words.
The other students were cheering.
However, Ron immediately recognized the upperclassman.
"That's Wood! Oliver Wood! Captain and goalkeeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. What's he doing here?"
He quickly observed Professor McGonagall's expression.
Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He nudged Harry with his elbow. "Don't be nervous! Didn't you see Madam Hooch didn't say anything? And Wood is here too."
"Maybe you'll be allowed to train with the Gryffindor Quidditch team!"
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(End of Chapter)