Neville's Tour of Europe

If there was any ability that could represent humanity's yearning for supernatural power, flight would certainly hold a significant place among them.

Thursday brought both good and bad news for the Gryffindor students.

The good news was that they would finally have their first flying lesson since entering Hogwarts.

The bad news was that they had to share the class with Slytherin.

The young wizards' anticipation for the flying lesson was undoubtedly at its peak. Malfoy boasted about how skilled he was at flying, recounting how he'd narrowly dodged a Muggle helicopter on his broom as a child.

Seamus Finnigan said he'd spent most of his childhood flying around the wilderness on a broom.

Ron mentioned that he'd once almost crashed into a hang glider on Charlie's old broom.

Horatio claimed that although he'd never flown himself, the flying broom he'd made had once led French Aurors on a merry chase.

Even though they all thought the others were bragging, sometimes the most outrageous stories turned out to be true.

Neville was nervous about the flying lesson. He said he'd never flown before because his grandmother wouldn't let him.

While helping Horatio tend to his Bouncing Bulbs, he asked, "Horatio, do you have any way I can avoid making a fool of myself in flying class?"

Horatio, who was applying Jin Ke La to a Venomous Tentacula, gave him a sidelong glance. "I could build you a flying broom that even your grandmother could fly smoothly on, but didn't Madam Hooch say we can only use the brooms provided by the school?"

He patted Neville's shoulder. "Don't worry, even if you fall, Madam Pomfrey can save you as long as you're still breathing. And if you die, I can bring you back."

Neville became even more frightened after hearing this and kept muttering to himself. Horatio's head was spinning, so he handed Neville a belt and explained how to use it.

In exchange, Neville and Horatio signed a series of unequal treaties.

On Thursday at noon, as everyone was enjoying lunch, Neville received a package. Inside was a glass ball filled with white smoke.

"It's a Remembrall!" he explained. "Grandma knows I'm always forgetful. It tells you if you've forgotten something. If you forget something, it turns red."

Just then, the Remembrall in Neville's hand turned red. Neville, startled, quickly checked his equipment.

"Horatio's belt? Got it.

Instructions? Written on my palm.

Horatio's Herbology homework? Done, I forgot to do it."

The Remembrall in Neville's hand instantly turned white, and Neville's face also turned pale. Looking at Horatio, who was flirting with Hermione, Neville broke out in a cold sweat.

At three in the afternoon, it was finally time for the flying lesson everyone had been looking forward to.

"Everyone stand next to a flying broom," Professor Madam Hooch instructed the young wizards.

"Then hold out your right hand above the broom handle and say, 'Up!'"

"Up!" everyone shouted.

The broom next to Harry instantly flew into his hand, but this happened to only a few. Horatio was not among them.

"Up!" Horatio shouted a second time, but the broom remained motionless.

"Damn it, get up!" Horatio shouted a third time, while Fiendfyre ignited in his left hand, glowing golden.

The broom immediately flew obediently into Horatio's hand, nuzzling his palm like a dog craving affection.

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"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

As the young wizards successfully summoned their brooms, Madam Hooch said, "Now, get on your brooms. When I blow my whistle, you'll push off with your legs and leave the ground. Push hard."

Neville, too nervous, left the ground before Madam Hooch even blew her whistle.

As he flew higher and higher, the broom's speed increased. The faster the broom went, the more nervous Neville became. The more nervous Neville became, the less control he had over the broom.

It finally went out of control, and the broom began to dart wildly through the sky with Neville. Just as Neville was about to slide off the broom, he finally remembered Horatio's belt.

He then pressed the button in the middle of the belt and shouted, "Transform!"

As golden and red metal extended and attached itself to Neville's entire body, a suit of alchemical armor identical to Iron Man's appeared.

Inside the armor, Neville shouted, "Activate automatic flight."

Flames shot from the armor's hands and feet, and it circled the Hogwarts grounds before landing steadily among the young wizards with a cool heroic entrance.

The Gryffindor students erupted in cheers: "So cool!! Neville!" Even Professor McGonagall applauded him.

Neville, inside the armor, said, "End transformation." The armor then began to retract slowly, eventually returning to a belt.

The Gryffindor students who witnessed this repeatedly chanted Neville's name.

Neville took off the belt and walked up to Horatio, returning it to him. "Horatio, thank you for your help. I don't know what I would have done today without this belt."

Horatio took the belt and said, "It's fine, as long as you remember to fulfill your promise to me."

"Uh, I'm really sorry, I forgot to do your Herbology homework."

The entire place fell silent. The young wizards looked at Neville with pity. Even Malfoy, who was initially annoyed by Neville stealing the spotlight, looked at him with compassion.

"It's okay," Horatio said, patting Neville's shoulder. He then turned to Professor McGonagall and said, "Professor, Neville's broom is damaged. I can sponsor a new one now."

Before Professor McGonagall could say anything, Horatio pulled a modified turbo-jet broom from his bag.

Seeing the giant turbo jet engine behind the broom, Neville swallowed and said, "Horatio, I was wrong. Can you give me another chance?"

"It's fine, it's fine. I'll add protective magic to it so you won't melt from air friction when flying at supersonic speeds. And didn't I say? Your grandmother could fly well on this, don't worry, I promise you won't fall."

"Supersonic?"

Horatio ignored Neville and pulled him onto the turbo broom. "Ready? Here we go."

The turbo broom instantly broke the sound barrier with Neville, charging towards the atmosphere. Neville's screams could be heard from the horizon a long time later.

Horatio looked at his watch and counted. Not long after, the turbo broom brought Neville back to the Hogwarts training grounds.

"Not bad, not bad. 18 seconds and 05 laps around Europe."

Neville, still on the turbo broom, was foaming at the mouth and had rolled his eyes back, having fainted.

Madam Hooch rushed up to check the situation. She found that Neville had only fainted from fright and glared fiercely at Horatio. "I'm taking this child to the hospital. None of you are allowed to move! Put the flying broom back where it belongs, or you'll be expelled. And Gryffindor loses 5 points." Horatio looked unconcerned.

Malfoy eventually picked up Neville's Remembrall, and Harry, as he wished, demonstrated his Seeker talent to Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall came to the training grounds and took Harry and Horatio away. She first introduced Harry to Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain, and then took Horatio into her office.

Horatio sat impatiently on the sofa in Professor McGonagall's office. "Should we get straight to it or follow the usual procedure? We're all familiar with each other, so I think we can just start."

Professor McGonagall was truly helpless against this little devil and had a headache.