Malfoy shot Harry a glance and twisted his lips into a cruel grin.
"You think I'll hand it over just because you told me to? Keep dreaming. I'm going to hide it and let Neville find it on his own!"
"Give it here!" Harry reached out to grab it, but Malfoy had already swung onto his broom and shot into the air.
He hadn't been bluffing earlier—he really was good. Malfoy circled the entire group once with effortless ease before stopping right in front of Harry. "How about the rooftop?"
With that, he soared upward. When Harry didn't move, Malfoy let out a taunting laugh. "What's wrong, Potter? Too high for you?"
He bounced the Remembrall lightly in his palm, gaze dripping with mockery.
Harry grabbed his broom.
"Harry, absolutely not!" Hermione Granger shouted. "Madam Hooch just said—besides, you don't even know how to fly yet!"
Harry ignored her. He swung a leg over his broom, pushed off the ground—
and shot upward.
A fierce rush of air slapped against his cheeks, his robes snapping wildly behind him.
He hadn't expected to succeed on the first try. It was his first time flying, after all.
But the feeling was intoxicating—pure, exhilarating freedom.
Maybe… maybe this really was talent.
Down below, Hermione stared after him, completely exasperated. "Utter idiot…"
Harry tipped the front of his broom upward and shot toward Malfoy.
The students on the ground gasped, then exploded into shouts and cheers.
Harry surged upward until he was level with Malfoy, staring him dead in the face.
Malfoy clearly hadn't expected that. Surprise flickered across his features.
"Hand it over!" Harry shouted. "Or I'll knock you off your broom!"
Malfoy tossed the Remembrall from hand to hand. "Such big words."
Harry darted forward to snatch it just as Malfoy flipped upside down in a smooth evasive roll.
Malfoy lifted the glass sphere, and a bad feeling stabbed through Harry's gut.
"Then catch it yourself!"
With a sharp flick, Malfoy hurled the Remembrall.
Harry watched the glass ball arc up and away, spinning toward the castle.
He whipped his broom around, body leaning low, and tore after it.
Wind screamed past his ears, mingling with the shrieks of the spectators below. At the very last second—just before it could smash through a window—he snatched the Remembrall out of the air.
Inside the office, Professor McGonagall nearly jumped out of her chair. A boy suddenly appeared outside her window. She hurried over, peered down—
Harry Potter hovering in midair, holding a glass ball.
McGonagall blinked, removed her glasses, and checked again as if worried her eyes were deceiving her.
Harry lifted the Remembrall high with a triumphant grin, showing it to the crowd below.
He began a slow descent as the students erupted, swarming around him the moment he landed.
"Brilliant, Harry!"
"That was amazing!"
"Absolutely wicked!"
Then—
a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Harry Potter!"
Harry's stomach dropped. A cold wave of dread washed over him.
Sure enough, Professor McGonagall was striding toward him from the castle doors, her face thunderous. Harry straightened instinctively, trembling inside.
"In all my years at Hogwarts—never—never—"
She was so stunned she could barely form words, her eyes blazing with anger.
"—How dare you—! You could have broken your neck—!"
"It wasn't his fault, Professor—"
"Enough, Miss Patil."
"But Malfoy—"
"Not another word, Mr. Weasley. Potter, come with me."
Ignoring the students' protests, McGonagall seized the situation and marched Harry toward the castle.
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle watched Harry's retreating figure, smug satisfaction spreading across their faces.
Harry's heart sank. Madam Hooch's warning echoed in his mind.
He was probably about to be expelled.
Professor McGonagall strode ahead without a single glance back; Harry had to jog to keep up.
It was over.
Barely a month at Hogwarts, and now he'd be packing his things, leaving the castle behind.
What would Dudley say when he heard? Probably mock him for it.
Harry followed McGonagall up the steps, into the castle.
She remained completely silent, which only tightened the knot in his stomach.
Through doors, down corridors—he had no idea where she was taking him.
Probably to Professor Dumbledore's office. They'd need the Headmaster's approval to expel a student.
Harry suddenly thought of Hagrid. Maybe Hagrid could take him on as an assistant…
Then at least he wouldn't have to leave Hogwarts. He could stay on the grounds, even if he wasn't a real student anymore.
He could almost picture it: Hagrid's helper, watching his classmates grow into powerful wizards while he stood on the sidelines.
The thought made his chest ache.
McGonagall finally stopped outside a classroom.
"Wait here," she ordered.
She stepped inside and addressed the startled Professor Quirrell.
"Apologies, Professor Quirrell—may I borrow Wood for a moment?"
/-\
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