"What exactly happened here?" Madam Hooch's voice cut through the tension as she surveyed the assembled students, her gaze settling on Malfoy and Harry with particular intensity.
Both boys went pale under her scrutiny, but Adrian stepped forward smoothly before either could incriminate themselves.
"As you can see, Madam Hooch, they were just practicing their flying techniques together," he said with practiced innocence.
Malfoy's face cycled through several expressions, surprise, indignation, then calculation. He opened his mouth, probably to expose Adrian's use of the Petrificus Totalus, then seemed to remember the alternative. His mouth snapped shut.
After all, revealing the truth meant admitting to theft and rule-breaking first. Between facing punishment for "friendly flying practice" versus explaining why he'd stolen Neville's Remembrall and provoked the whole confrontation... well, even Malfoy could do that math.
But the Slytherin wasn't about to let Adrian escape consequences entirely.
"That's correct, Professor," Malfoy said with false sweetness, "though it wasn't just the two of us flying."
His pointed look at Adrian was loaded with threat. Madam Hooch's attention shifted accordingly.
"Fine," Adrian shrugged with apparent resignation, mentally cursing Malfoy's vindictive nature. "I admit I flew as well."
The silent exchange of glances between Adrian and Malfoy carried the weight of a temporary ceasefire, both had too much to lose by revealing the full truth. Malfoy feared Filch's rumored punishments, while Adrian had no desire to risk a Forbidden Forest detention with Quirrell lurking about.
Harry watched this wordless negotiation with complete bewilderment. When had his retrieval of Neville's Remembrall become a friendly flying practice session? But Adrian's meaningful looks convinced him to keep his mouth shut.
"I specifically ordered everyone to remain grounded until my return!" Madam Hooch's anger was palpable. She'd just dealt with one injured student, the last thing she needed was more accidents on her watch.
"We're truly sorry, Professor," Adrian said with apparent sincerity. "But I'm sure you understand how difficult it is for young wizards to resist the call of the sky. We all dream of playing Quidditch professionally someday, bringing glory to our school!"
He launched into an impassioned speech about the noble sport of Quidditch and the irresistible lure of flight, painting their rule-breaking as youthful enthusiasm rather than deliberate disobedience.
Madam Hooch's expression softened slightly, as a flying instructor and Quidditch enthusiast herself, she could hardly fault students for sharing her passion.
"Even so," she began sternly, "there must be consequences for violating school regulations..."
"Madam Hooch?" Professor McGonagall's crisp voice interrupted as she approached the group. "Might I borrow Mr. Potter for a moment?"
"Of course, Professor McGonagall," Hooch replied, clearly puzzled by the request.
Assuming Harry was in trouble for something else entirely, Madam Hooch briefly explained the unauthorized flying incident. McGonagall simply nodded and gestured for Harry to follow her.
Harry trailed after the stern professor with the look of a condemned man, still completely lost about what was happening.
Once they were gone, Madam Hooch turned back to her remaining troublemakers. "Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Malfoy, minus five points from each of your houses. Now, back to class!"
Adrian grimaced slightly at the point loss, though it hardly mattered in the long run. He'd earned ten points just from classroom participation this week. Still, the prospect of continuing flying lessons with his abysmal skills was far more concerning than any point deduction.
Unfortunately, the morning's incidents had made Madam Hooch cautious about group flying. She decided to evaluate students individually, and Malfoy had managed to ensure Adrian went first, probably hoping to watch him embarrass himself.
Adrian stared at the ancient school broom in his hands and sighed internally. He should have practiced more before this moment.
His first attempt was...well he guessed for a first time it could have been worst. The broom responded to his commands, if reluctantly, carrying him in a wobbly circuit around the practice area. The sensation was extraordinary, wind rushing past his ears, the ground falling away beneath him, freedom in three dimensions that no airplane could match.
When he landed, however, Madam Hooch's expression was distinctly unimpressed.
"Hmm," she said with pursed lips. "I had higher expectations after your earlier performance."
Adrian cleared his throat awkwardly, very aware of Malfoy's barely contained snickering in the background.
"I suspect this particular broom might be past its prime, Professor," he said. "It felt rather unstable in flight. I've had much better results with properly maintained equipment."
Malfoy's smirk faltered as Adrian continued smoothly, "I imagine you experienced something similar, Malfoy? That would explain your... sudden descent earlier."
The Slytherin's amusement evaporated entirely. After a long, uncomfortable pause, he managed to grind out, "Yes, well...these school brooms do seem to have...reliability issues."
What else could he say? Admitting his fall was due to petrification was off the table, and claiming poor flying skills would contradict his earlier boasting about nearly colliding with airplanes.
Adrian nodded sympathetically, successfully trapping Malfoy in his own web of lies. Sometimes the best revenge was simply letting people dig their own graves.
The rest of the lesson passed without incident, though Adrian made a mental note to practice flying in the Room of Requirement at his earliest opportunity. Natural talent only went so far, and he suspected he'd need aerial skills sooner rather than later.