Professor McGonagall had been quietly observing everything.
Dissatisfaction showed in her eyes.
When Malfoy threatened a classmate again,
she finally lost her patience.
She spoke sternly.
"Draco Malfoy! This is the second time you've lost your temper in class!"
Professor McGonagall's voice was stern and decisive.
Her gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.
She fixed it on Malfoy.
Then said,
"Because you threatened a classmate, I'm taking another twenty points from Slytherin! And no matter who it is, nobody will get away with framing one of my students!"
The Slytherin students looked at one another.
They stared at Professor McGonagall in disbelief.
Today's incident had wiped out every point Slytherin had earned this week, big and small.
They were even in the negative now!
Although the incident had happened between Devero and Malfoy,
everyone knew who was really to blame...
Malfoy!!
The students could hardly hide how much they disliked him!
They no longer cared that his father was a School Governor.
They all glared at him.
Malfoy's face darkened even further.
He lowered his head.
He didn't dare meet Professor McGonagall's gaze.
Professor McGonagall continued.
"Malfoy, come with me to my office. Potter, you too."
Malfoy raised his head.
He shot Devero a vicious glare.
Devero smiled.
He waved goodbye to him.
In the end, Malfoy managed to get to his feet.
He followed Professor McGonagall toward the door.
Harry, who had been outside the storm all this time, only then realized he was involved too.
Looking uneasy, he followed the two of them.
Devero stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.
He gave Harry an encouraging look.
Harry managed a smile.
The others stayed behind, waiting for Madam Hooch to return and continue the lesson.
The students left on the field erupted into chatter!
They all began denouncing Malfoy.
And then something remarkable happened.
Slytherin and Gryffindor were suddenly in perfect agreement when it came to hating Malfoy!
The Slytherins and Gryffindors gleefully complained about how much Malfoy loved to brag.
And show off.
The Gryffindors were even more united in their outrage.
They brought up all of Malfoy's "achievements," from bullying Neville to insulting his classmates.
Thanks to Malfoy's outstanding contribution,
the two houses of lion and serpent had achieved a historic reconciliation!
Quite a few people even started becoming friends.
Lavender and Parvati were chatting happily with a girl named Millicent Bagnold, Adrian's younger sister.
Moxie was talking Quidditch with a tall, skinny boy.
Devero remembered his name was Theodore Nott.
In short,
everyone from both houses was having a great time today.
Except Malfoy.
Before long,
Madam Hooch returned.
Hermione told her what had happened with Harry and Malfoy being taken away by Professor McGonagall.
Madam Hooch flew into a rage.
But both instigators had already been taken away.
All she could do was fume helplessly.
In the end, she had no choice but to get the lesson started again.
This time, Devero got a new broom.
It was very cooperative.
The previous one had seemed to have social anxiety.
Whenever Devero spoke, it trembled.
This one was much more even-tempered.
The moment Devero called, "Up!",
it shot straight into his hand.
Adrian beside him was stunned.
Devero had just spent ages struggling to figure out the broom!
How could it come when called so easily now?
Had Devero suddenly become a Flight Prodigy?
That was right!
He had!
While Harry was still there, before Professor McGonagall took him away,
Devero had loaded Harry's [Flying Broom Prodigy] trait.
Now he was a bona fide flying prodigy!
Quite a few of the other students were still failing to summon their brooms on the second try!
Under Madam Hooch's instruction,
most of them finally managed to mount their brooms.
By then, Devero was already struggling to contain himself!
He felt as if he had been born to soar through the sky!
It was a completely different feeling from half an hour ago!
At Madam Hooch's command,
the whistle blew—
Devero kicked off with both legs.
With a sharp whoosh,
he felt as though an invisible force were pulling him skyward.
In the next moment, he was soaring steadily above the ground.
In the air,
Devero's movements were nearly flawless.
Every turn was perfectly timed.
Every ascent was swift and powerful.
Every descent was smooth and steady.
He was like a nimble eagle,
soaring freely through the air.
It was as if he had become one with his Flying Broom.
"Was this what it felt like for Harry earlier? This is amazing!"
There was no denying it.
Some things really did come naturally.
Devero felt that even if Harry had ridden the broom he'd started with,
he would still have flown it well!
Just as Devero was doing now!
The students watched Devero fly with ease through the air.
They couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
They started talking among themselves.
"I told you Devero was a flying ace! That earlier accident was entirely because his broom was no good!"
"Yeah, yeah! Look at that dive! He looks even cooler than Charlie!"
"Good heavens, he'll definitely be our house's Quidditch captain someday!"
Above the grass by the Forbidden Forest,
Devero's figure traced graceful arcs in the sunlight.
He dived, climbed, and circled, every movement effortless.
The wind roared past his ears.
It brushed across his face,
bringing a cool, liberating sensation.
Devero's heart swelled with pride and joy.
For the first time, he felt he truly understood the joy of flying.
"Good heavens, this is so addictive!"
If Madam Hooch hadn't finally ordered him to land,
Devero might have kept flying for another hour or so.
Devero landed smoothly.
The students around him looked at him with envy and admiration.
They crowded around him.
They asked Devero for flying tips.
But Devero was very modest.
"Thanks, everyone. I'm still learning too, so I don't really have much experience. It's mostly about confidence and focus, and building a rapport with your broom."
But the students from both houses were still buzzing with enthusiasm.
Devero was starting to feel a little overwhelmed.
At last,
Madam Hooch's whistle brought the lesson to an end.
After class,
Devero checked his watch.
Well,
it wasn't long until his appointment with Professor Quirrell.
He decided to visit the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office first.
He wanted to discuss taking classes meant for older students.
Just then,
Hermione called out to him.
"Devero! Are you all right?"
He turned around.
Hermione looked at Devero with concern.
"You rushed into the Forbidden Forest alone earlier. Were you hurt?"
Hearing Hermione's concern,
Devero smiled.
He stretched his limbs rather theatrically.
Then he jumped up and down,
to show that there was nothing wrong with him.
"You see? I'm fine. You saw me use Prior Incantato just now—I saved myself with magic."
But Hermione still shook her head, her expression serious.
"No, no, Devero. My mum told me that lots of injuries can't be seen with the naked eye. It's true of teeth, and it's true of the body, too. You should come with me to the hospital for a checkup."
Devero found it a little amusing.
He was just about to refuse.
But then his eyes shifted.
As if he'd remembered something.
He nodded at Hermione.
"All right, let's go. We can visit Neville while we're at it."
When Hermione saw that Devero agreed,
a smile immediately spread across her face.
Her eyes curved into crescent moons.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
She seemed delighted that Devero had taken her advice.
She turned and started walking.
Her steps were light and cheerful.
Devero smiled faintly, too.
Then he turned, picked up Eld, and set him on his shoulder.
And went with Hermione to the School Infirmary.
Before you continue