Madam Hooch strode among the students, correcting their broomstick grips, when she suddenly stopped in front of Harry.
"Potter, you must know that first-years aren't permitted to bring broomsticks to school!" she said sternly.
"Madam Hooch, Professor Dumbledore actually took me to see this broomstick himself," Harry said, a half-truth that immediately softened Madam Hooch's expression.
"Since it was Dumbledore... I'll verify that... no points deducted for now. But you must be exceptionally careful with it. I'll be watching you closely." Madam Hooch, unable to believe a first-year could master a Nimbus Two Thousand, resolved to keep a hawk-like eye on Harry.
Ron and Seamus edged closer, marveling at the broom. "My goodness, that looks like a Nimbus Two Thousand!" they exclaimed. Hermione shook her head in disapproval, but said nothing.
Once airborne, Harry showily performed all sorts of complicated maneuvers, while Hermione, clutching her broomstick, shivered with fright. Meanwhile, Malfoy watched Harry with a dark scowl. He was supposed to be the one showing off today.
Suddenly, Malfoy's eyes landed on Longbottom. Bang! Neville hit the grass with a thud, and Malfoy burst into laughter. Madam Hooch bent down to check Neville's injuries, her face as pale as his. She had been so focused on Harry that she hadn't reacted in time.
"Everyone off your broomsticks immediately! I'm taking Longbottom to the hospital wing. If anyone dares to fly up there without permission, they won't be flying for the rest of the term!" Madam Hooch declared, then hastily used a Levitation Charm to carry Neville away.
Malfoy seemed to spot something. He bent down and picked up a small sphere.
"Give that back, Malfoy!" Parvati Patil snapped.
Pansy Parkinson sneered, "Oh, I never knew you had a thing for that type."
"Potter, look what I've found! Clumsy Longbottom seems to have dropped his Remembrall!" Malfoy held up the sphere, and the Slytherin students burst into laughter.
"You just said it was Longbottom's. Why are you asking me, then?" Harry replied coolly.
Malfoy's smile vanished. He yelled at Harry, "Potter! You're Gryffindor's 'Boy Who Lived'! Shouldn't you stand up for Longbottom?"
"Idiot."
Harry's disdainful tone sent Malfoy into a rage. He pulled out his wand. "Sectumse—"
But Harry merely waved his hand dismissively, and Malfoy floated backward and upward, the Remembrall tumbling to the grass. Seeing Malfoy's comical predicament, the Gryffindor students roared with laughter. Ron seized the opportunity to dash forward and snatch the Remembrall back.
The Slytherin students quickly closed ranks, Crabbe and Goyle cracking their knuckles menacingly. The Gryffindors, not to be outdone, stood firmly behind Harry. Hermione even pulled out her wand.
"What are you all doing?!"
It was Professor McGonagall's shout. From a distance, she pointed her wand, and Malfoy dropped ungainly to the ground.
"Miss Granger, put that wand away!"
"It wasn't his fault, Professor—"
"Silence, Miss Patil. Potter, Malfoy, ten points from each of you! Both of you, with me."
"But Malfoy started it!"
"Mr. Weasley, I saw the entire thing!"
Harry subtly tossed his Nimbus Two Thousand to Hermione before following Professor McGonagall. She led them toward Hagrid's hut. Hagrid looked surprised to see the unusual trio approaching.
"Hagrid, these two have been fighting again. I'm giving them detention, they'll be patrolling the Forbidden Forest with you," Professor McGonagall stated simply.
"Er, alright, but I don't think Harry should—"
Professor McGonagall quickly fixed Hagrid with a stern gaze. "Hagrid, I trust you won't show favoritism."
"Alright, alright! Harry, Malfoy, you two be here at eleven o'clock tonight."
Malfoy suddenly blurted out, "Potter brought a broomstick to school without permission!"
"Professor Dumbledore knows about this broomstick," Harry said calmly, not missing a beat.
Professor McGonagall glanced at Harry, surprised, then said, "I will verify that with Albus."
After Professor McGonagall left, Hagrid eagerly turned to Harry.
"Harry, you must come see this! Just got my hands on—oh, Malfoy, you can head back to the castle on your own." Harry, curious, followed Hagrid into his hut. All the windows were heavily draped, and a roaring fire blazed in the fireplace, revealing a dark, leathery egg nestled within.
"Harry, I just got this dragon egg from that bloke, 'Uncle Fried Chicken'!" Hagrid said with a hint of pride.
Upon returning to the castle, Professor McGonagall went straight to the Headmaster's office.
"Albus, Potter says you allowed him to bring a broomstick?" Professor McGonagall asked as soon as she entered.
Dumbledore visibly paused, then began to rack his brain, trying to recall if he had indeed given Harry permission for a broomstick.
"Albus—"
"Ah, yes, I remember now. I did take Harry to Quality Quidditch Supplies, but I certainly didn't tell him to buy a Nimbus Two Thousand."
"So Potter was lying?!"
"Minerva, don't be so hasty. Tell me exactly what happened." Dumbledore took a cup of tea and settled onto his sofa, taking a sip.
Minerva quickly recounted Harry's exact words.
"Ah, I see," Dumbledore mused, taking a bite of a Cockroach Cluster. "Harry said, 'Professor Dumbledore knows about this broomstick,' not that I allowed him to bring it."
"Potter was playing with words? Then he's still broken school rules and must be punished!"
"Minerva, you must be lenient with Harry. He's lived in the Muggle world his whole life, so it's understandable that he has a fondness for broomsticks." Dumbledore seemed a bit surprised by Minerva's unusual persistence today.
"So, will you allow him to join the Quidditch team, then?" Professor McGonagall finally revealed her true objective.
"Ah, if Harry agrees, of course."
Professor McGonagall left, looking quite satisfied.
Harry was hurrying back to the common room, eager to share the news about the dragon egg with Hermione.
"Potter, wait just a moment." Professor McGonagall, accompanied by a tall, solidly built boy, intercepted Harry.
The boy gesticulated excitedly. "I'm Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain! Professor McGonagall says your flying is absolutely brilliant—"
Professor McGonagall had to interrupt the overly enthusiastic Wood. "Wood! Not so loud!"
"I know, I know! Harry's our secret weapon!" Wood looked at Harry with an intense gaze, as if Harry were his ultimate dream.
Professor McGonagall explained the situation to Harry, then looked at him with equally eager eyes.
"So, if I join the team, my broomstick will be allowed?" Harry asked.
"Precisely. But I hope you'll join willingly," Professor McGonagall replied.
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