Chapter 9 - First week at Hogwarts part 4 (2/2)

While every House books Quidditch stadium for the practice, individuals can practice here and take lessons from Madam Hooch from time to time.

The class went smoothly with the usual Harry, Ron, and Draco quarrel. At first, Madam Hooch put it aside but as the class time is going to end, she whistled, ”everybody. Line up”. While Ron asked, ”is the class already over?”, everyone lined up as she ordered.

She spoke out, ”listen carefully. you can see those flags on the wall, right?” as she pointed out the four flags planted on the wall around Quidditch Training grounds

She continued, ”one by one. You go and return with your House flag. The shortest time will receive 10 points”. Draco replied, ”how about a race, instead, Professor?. The result can be shown very quickly. We go, pick up the flag and return”.

As Madam Hooch agreed, Neal raised his hand, ”can I not participate in the race?”. Ron sneered, ”why? Are you scared to lose?”. Neal replied, ”it's for you that I'm quitting. Win or lose, Slytherin will win the House Cup anyways.

So, I'm not in desperate need of points, unlike you Gryffindor who lost too many points because of you. Moreover, I only fly to enjoy the feeling, not for Quidditch like you guys”. While his comment offended the Gryffindors, Madam Hooch replied, ”fine. Are there any others?”.

At first, only a few Ravenclaw students raised their hands as they weren't interested in flying. But later Madam Hooch used her wand to speak loudly so that everyone in the surroundings hears and not come in their way.

Meanwhile, the Ravenclaw team who is practicing in Quidditch training grounds didn't care about it and continue what they are doing as they have no intention of changing the players.

As passerby older students stopped and became spectators, Hermoine then raised her hand, ”I don't think I'm good at flying. I'll drag others. Moreover, there is only one flag for each house. It will turn chaotic”.

Followed by her, everyone started to think they'll embarrass themselves dropped out of the race in an instant which made Madam Hooch embarrassed.

After thinking for a while, she thought of an idea and changed the rules. ”Okay, two people from each house. One from each house starts at the same time. After pulling out the flag, you return the flag to your partner.

Your partner will replant the flag in the same position and return to the starting point. The winner will get House points. Sounds good?”.

From the Slytherin, Draco, and Daphne; Ron and Harry from Gryffindor; Justin, and Hannah from Hufflepuff; Padma Patil and Anthony from Ravenclaw;

But Harry who started last of them easily passed Justin, passed Padma, almost caught up with Draco when he was planting the flag. Instead of planting the flag, Draco pulled out the wand which made others frown while Slytherins laughed as there wasn't any mention of restriction of usage of wands.

He pointed out at Harry ”Petrificus Totalus”. He fired a Body binding curse at Harry which will paralyze a person temporarily. It's considered dangerous in this situation as paralyze in the air will make him fall from the broom if it's him.

But Draco underestimated Harry's reflexes. He easily evaded the spell while changing his direction but the spell froze Padma who is right behind him and tried to overtake him.

As he missed the attack and wasted a couple of seconds, Draco scolded himself and planted the flag. Right after him, Harry planted it and then Justin. Just then, Padma began to fall from the broom. The three of them didn't have the time to turn and see others. So, while they didn't notice her fall, Parvati screamed.

Immediately, Neal climbs on the broomstick and flew fast like a lightning bolt. Before they even reached the goal, Neal almost reached her and jumped off the broomstick and rolled on the ground as it accelerated too fast and became uncontrollable.

As she's falling at a high speed, he took out his wand and pointed at her, ”Arresto Momentum”. As the charm hit her, she began to fall in slow motion. At the same time, The race finished with Harry as the winner but no one cared as everyone was shocked at Neal's act earlier.

While they run towards him, he caught her. After putting her down, he pointed his wand, ”Finite Incantatem”. He fired a general counterspell which undone the paralysis.