After Madam Hooch left, the students put down their brooms.
A discussion erupted about Malfoy's swift reaction and precise spellcasting.
Many admitted that if it were them, they probably wouldn't have reacted in time.
But not everyone had self-awareness.
Ron was very unconvinced.
"What's so great about it? It's just a Jinx, isn't it?"
Then he grinned happily. "Haha, will he get expelled for this? A Jinx is technically borderline Dark Magic, and the target was a classmate. Not to mention he's the son of a Death Eater, and his family isn't on the Board of Governors anymore!"
Hermione wagged her index finger. "But according to Professor Flitwick, Jinxes count as the simplest form of 'Advanced Spells.' When we're in higher years, Defense Against the Dark Arts will teach some Jinxes. Like the Impediment Jinx, Impedimenta. Compared to the Shield Charm Basil used last time, it's much simpler."
"This spell is interesting. Used on a living being, it produces a freezing effect. Miranda Goshawk's Standard Book of Spells says this spell can briefly freeze an attacker (for about 10 seconds), making it an essential weapon in dueling."
"If used purely on a spell or the air as a shield, it turns the desired area into an invisible 'quagmire,' slowing down any life or attack that enters it."
Ron's face fell. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the grass.
"It's just a Jinx. Like anyone can't do it."
"Slugulus Eructo!"
A beam of green light shot straight at the grass.
Harry instinctively took a step back. "What kind of joke is this!"
It reminded him of that green light.
Basil squatted down, observing the blade of grass that was hit.
A translucent slug appeared on the leaf.
He asked with interest, "What spell is this?"
Ron looked smug. "Slug-Vomiting Charm. Makes people vomit slugs non-stop. Shiny, slimy slugs."
Hermione grimaced. "Eww, that's disgusting!"
Harry shook his head. "No, this spell is useful."
"Especially the color." Basil and Harry exchanged a knowing smile.
Fifteen minutes later, Madam Hooch returned with a nonchalant-looking Malfoy.
Ron made a disappointed tsk sound.
Harry, oddly enough, breathed a sigh of relief.
Basil thought this might be because Malfoy hadn't been frantically harassing him like in the original plot, but was instead being cold-shouldered by his Slytherin classmates.
Draco returned to the line. Goyle quickly switched positions to stand behind Draco's left shoulder, like a proper lackey.
Everything that followed went smoothly.
Madam Hooch taught them that once the broom was between their legs, they just had to kick off hard from the ground to hover.
To land, simply lean forward slightly to descend vertically.
Similarly, lean left to go left, lean back to go up.
The greater the lean, the sharper the turn.
Basil discovered this was basically like a more comfortable, advanced skateboard.
He quickly mastered the trick and flew smoothly.
Although not as good as Harry, he was on par with Ron.
As for Neville...
Maybe because Basil was watching over him and he wasn't as afraid, he managed to fly successfully.
Although he flew slowly and wobbled a bit, it was already very good.
The notification of 300 Gems received in Basil's mind confirmed this.
Harry still flew exceptionally well.
He received praise from Madam Hooch. "I knew it! You're just as great as your father! There's a trophy with the name 'James Potter' in the Trophy Room!"
The smile on Harry's face instantly collapsed.
He forced out a thank you.
Knowing his father was a combination of Dudley and the Weasley twins...
Harry wasn't keen on hearing about his similarities to him.
So just now, he felt both proud and ashamed.
However, Draco Malfoy mistook this for arrogance.
With a very smooth curve, he flew up to Harry and gave him a provocative look.
Ron, who had landed, instantly flared up. "Teach him a lesson, Harry!"
Harry didn't really want to fight.
But the students below started jeering.
"Teach that Slytherin a lesson!"
"Born-evil Malfoy!"
"Show them Slytherin skills!"
Malfoy also mistook Harry's silence for acceptance.
He leaned forward, shooting toward Harry like a javelin.
Harry dodged easily, but his temper seemed ignited too.
He gripped his broom handle and charged back.
The two went back and forth, displaying high-level flying skills.
Surprisingly, Madam Hooch didn't interfere.
She just said, "Be careful."
Then she told the other students still flying to come down, saying their skills weren't up to par yet, to clear the airspace for Harry and Malfoy.
Hermione was very dissatisfied with this.
She thought this was too unprofessional for a class.
Basil, for his own goal—delaying Harry's entry into the Quidditch team to earn Gems—asked Madam Hooch under Hermione's approving gaze:
"Shouldn't you stop them? What if they get hurt?"
Madam Hooch shook her head. "Both of their skills are good enough for the school team." (Basil's heart skipped a beat.)
"Besides, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin... this is normal."
"Previous years were even wilder."
"I tried to intervene before, but Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape didn't care. They barely even deducted points."
She pointed to a second-floor window. "You might not be able to see it, but my eyes are much sharper than average. Professor McGonagall is standing by the window. She is very excited right now!"
"Believe it or not, after class, she will definitely come down and ask Potter to join Quidditch training!"
Basil's heart went cold.
He shook his head.
Madam Hooch was still too conservative.
Harry would likely join the Gryffindor Quidditch team directly, just like in the original story.
Hermione was equally downcast.
She looked like a fan witnessing her idol's fall from grace.
She finally understood just how lenient Professor McGonagall was about Quidditch, as Nearly Headless Nick had said.
Sure enough, when the bell rang...
Harry and Malfoy had returned to the ground.
Professor McGonagall came striding hurriedly out of the castle.
Beside her was a tall, burly upperclassman.
Harry, who was smiling after venting his frustrations in the aerial duel, froze.
Ron was also very worried.
Only Basil and Hermione had heard Madam Hooch's earlier comment.
The other students had been cheering.
However, Ron recognized the upperclassman immediately.
"That's Wood! Oliver Wood! The Captain and Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Why is he here?"
He quickly observed McGonagall's expression.
Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He elbowed Harry. "Don't be nervous! Didn't you see Madam Hooch didn't say anything? And Wood is here."
"Maybe you'll be allowed to train with the team!"
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