Flying Class

After class, Skylar and Daphne were chatting and laughing as they headed toward the Great Hall for lunch when he caught sight of several people gathered in small groups on the other side of the corridor. Through a gap in the crowd, he saw that the person backed against the wall was Meredith. She was surrounded by Pansy and several other Slytherin girls.

Daphne saw Meredith as well, and she looked somewhat worried. She muttered softly, "Oh no... Parkinson and her lot are definitely going to give her a terrible time."

Skylar was a little puzzled. "Meredith is from the Shafiq Family, isn't she? Isn't that one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight?"

"Skylar, you're talented at magic, but you really don't know much about the current state of wizarding families, do you? The Sacred Twenty-Eight was compiled by Cantankerus Nott in the thirties. Over the following sixty-odd years, after the Second Wizarding War and all the infighting between wizarding families, many pure-blood families gradually declined and faded away—the Shafiq Family was one of them. The once enormous Shafiq Family, with its many branches, now has only her left." Daphne's tone grew somewhat subdued as she spoke.

"As far as I know, the Crouch Family is much the same. After Barty Crouch Jr. was sentenced to prison, Barty Crouch Sr.'s wife was so grief-stricken that she fell seriously ill and died. Once Barty Crouch Sr. dies too, the Crouch Family probably won't last much longer. House of Goyle and House of Crabbe have also greatly declined, which is why they've become your House of Malfoy's vassals, trying to survive under the Malfoys' protection and preserve their family bloodline and former glory..."

"So that's how it is." Skylar nodded. "As far as I know, Hannah Abbott of Hufflepuff is a half-blood witch. Maybe the Abbott Family was forced by circumstances, as you said, to withdraw from the ranks of pure-blood families. But even so, they probably haven't fallen as far as Meredith has..."

Having learned of Meredith's predicament, Skylar sighed and stepped forward anyway. He had no desire to draw attention to himself, but he couldn't stand watching so many people gang up on one girl.

Daphne followed closely behind him. As they approached Pansy's group, they heard Pansy's voice. "The young lady of the Shafiq Family? Oh my, I never would have guessed!" In a shrill voice, she pinned Meredith against the damp stone wall and cried exaggeratedly, "But just look at the potion you brewed! You have absolutely, no, talent, whatsoever! You got me scolded by Professor Snape too!"

By the time Skylar and Daphne reached them, Pansy was practically pressing her face against Meredith's. She sneered, "Wow, look at that arrogant expression, Miss Shafiq! Hahaha, now you're the one and only Shafiq!"

Through the crowd, Skylar could see Meredith's face had turned red. He could not tell whether it was from anger or humiliation. She was clearly doing her utmost to restrain her emotions, her fists clenched so tightly that her fingertips had swollen from the blood rushing into them. Yet she still held her head high, maintaining that peculiar, distinctive pride of hers.

Skylar's voice was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly. "Hey, Pansy. We're all Slytherins. Is it really interesting for so many of you to bully one little girl? Instead of blaming others here, why not spend the time improving your Potions? Earn points and glory for our House, and show the other Houses what we're capable of. Don't you think?"

Seeing that it was Skylar stepping in, Pansy had no desire to clash with someone of equally distinguished background and astonishing magical talent. She could only snort coldly before turning and leaving with the other girls.

After Pansy's group left, only the three of them remained in the corridor, and the atmosphere abruptly fell silent.

Meredith had already prepared herself to endure Pansy and the others' humiliation. She had no friends at school, and she knew no one would help her.

Ever since the Shafiq Family had been left with only her, she still remembered her parents' hopes for her before they died. It seemed as though the honor of the entire family rested on her shoulders. After that, she had wanted to cause trouble and play around with children her own age, but the heavy responsibility of preserving the family's honor bound her like shackles. Over time, she became increasingly solitary and gradually lost the ability to communicate with others.

When Skylar and Daphne stood in front of her, the tears came flooding in. Even when she had received news of her mother's death, she had never wanted to cry this badly. But she clenched her teeth and desperately held back her tears. She still kept her chin raised, maintaining her usual proud posture. For some reason, she simply did not want these two to see her cry.

"Um... would you like to have dinner with us?" Skylar scratched his head and asked Meredith softly. For some reason, seeing an eleven-year-old girl looking as though she were about to cry made him feel awkward too, and he did not know what to say. Daphne also looked hopefully at this former childhood playmate, revealing a rare, sincere smile.

Meredith's face turned even redder than before. With her head raised, she refused to look at Skylar or Daphne. Her fists remained tightly clenched, as though she were gripping some precious treasure that could not be let go.

Her body trembled slightly, and her voice shook, though she was clearly trying hard to control herself. She opened her mouth, her tone strange, as if she were trying desperately to conceal the sob in her voice. "You... you two... are really... meddlesome!"

After pausing for a long time, she suddenly could not hold it in anymore. The last word nearly burst out with tears. Then she hugged her textbooks to her chest, shoved hard between Skylar and Daphne, and ran up the stairs.

Life afterward returned to its dull, repetitive rhythm of classes.

Since he had already decided on his future path, Skylar chose to focus selectively on certain subjects. Practical classes like Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration were his priorities, and he resolved to study them with twice the effort. As for Astronomy, Professor Quirrell's Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Flying Class, he merely went through the motions.

The only exception was History of Magic. Out of pure personal interest, Skylar decided to study that subject seriously. As for O.W.L.s, N.E.W.T.s, and future employment? He was going to defeat the Dark Lord. To hell with exams!

One benefit of being a top student was that teachers granted certain privileges, such as not having to do homework—something Draco envied intensely. Then there was the admiration of his classmates. It was important to stay on good terms with a top student, and while doing homework, people often came to Skylar with all sorts of questions.

When he had time, Skylar did not mind offering some guidance. However, he lent his homework to Daphne alone—something that made Daphne smug, but left Draco somewhat unhappy.

But Skylar merely coaxed his brother with a few words, telling him it was for the honor of House Malfoy and also to give him more practice so he could grow stronger faster. Draco was promptly delighted.

At the same time, Skylar received challenges from certain people—for example, a certain bushy-haired little lion.

Hermione seemed to have realized that Skylar was the greatest obstacle standing between her and first place in their year. Determined to surpass him, she not only answered questions more actively in class, but also observed how he studied so well outside of class. Whenever Skylar sat reading in the library, she would secretly watch how he studied.

However, it was useless. Skylar's theoretical knowledge was already highly refined. What he lacked was practical experience, as well as enough magical power to cast stronger spells. Both could only be accumulated gradually over time; there was no rushing them.

As for Meredith, ever since that incident, Skylar had occasionally invited her to eat with them or do homework together. Meredith seemed extremely surprised by this. She had thought that after refusing them last time, Skylar and Daphne would never speak to her again.

In the end, after Meredith replied, "You're so annoying. If we're eating, then hurry up," Skylar and Daphne's little circle gained another member: Meredith, who kept her chin raised and her face cold every day. They became a trio.

Although Meredith wore a cold expression every day, the corners of her mouth would always rise unconsciously. Once she noticed it herself, she would force them back down. Daphne had already secretly laughed at her more than once because of it.

Flying Class was set to begin on Thursday—and it would be held together with Gryffindor.

The Flying Class instructor was Madam Hooch. She had short gray hair and yellow eyes like an eagle's. Once everyone had taken hold of their Broomsticks, she barked, "All right, when I blow my whistle, you push off hard with both feet and leave the ground. Hold your Broomstick steady, rise a few feet, then lean forward slightly and come straight back down. On my whistle. Three, two—"

However, Neville was too nervous. He was afraid of being left on the ground, or perhaps he was desperate to prove himself. Before the whistle even reached Madam Hooch's lips, he pushed off hard and shot upward.

"Come back, child!" Madam Hooch shouted, but Neville kept rising straight up like a cork blasting out of a bottle—twelve feet—twenty feet. His terrified face stared down at the ground racing away beneath him. He gasped with his mouth wide open, feeling all the strength drain from his body as he slipped sideways off the Broomstick...

Skylar promptly cast the Levitation Charm. Neville came to a stop just before he hit the ground, then burst into tears. His Broomstick continued rising higher and higher before slowly drifting toward the Forbidden Forest.

Madam Hooch bent over Neville, her face as pale as his. Turning to the rest of the class, she said, "I'm taking this child to the hospital wing for a checkup. None of you move! Put your Broomsticks back where they were, or you'll be out of the Hogwarts gates before you can say 'Quidditch.' Also, twenty points to Slytherin, in thanks for Mr. Malfoy's spell. Come along, dear."

After Madam Hooch and Neville had left, Draco picked up Neville's Remembrall from the grass. He held it up, and it glittered in the sunlight.

"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry said quietly. Everyone stopped talking and watched.

Draco grinned maliciously. "I think I'll put it somewhere for Longbottom to fetch—up in a tree, perhaps. What do you think?"

"Give it here!" Harry shouted, but Draco had already mounted his Broomstick and taken off. Draco really was a good flier—he hovered level with the top of an oak tree and called loudly, "Come and get it, Potter!"

Harry grabbed his Broomstick.

"No!" Hermione Granger cried. "Madam Hooch told us not to move—you'll get us all into trouble."

Harry ignored her. Blood pounded so hard in his ears that they roared. He mounted his Broomstick and pushed hard off the ground. He soared upward, wind whipping through his hair and his robes flapping behind him—then a sudden surge of wild joy rose in his heart as he realized he had discovered a skill he could master without being taught. It was so easy, so wonderful.

Just as Harry was about to charge at Draco, someone shouted, "Neville's Remembrall, come here!" The Remembrall in Draco's hand somehow flew into Skylar's. Skylar said calmly, "Who is Neville's roommate? Could you return this Remembrall to him for me?"

Ron stepped forward with an angry face. "I am! Harry and I both are!"

Skylar lightly tossed the Remembrall to him. Ron had not expected Skylar to return it so easily, and he was too slow to react. He fumbled clumsily before finally catching it. Laughter immediately broke out from the sidelines, and Ron's entire face turned bright red.

Ignoring Ron's embarrassment, Skylar looked at the two still in the air and said calmly, "Aren't you two coming down? I can see Professor McGonagall heading this way..."

When Professor McGonagall arrived and saw Draco and Harry flying without permission, she deducted ten points from each of their Houses. But after hearing how Skylar had handled the matter, she fairly awarded Slytherin ten points. This made the Gryffindor students—especially rule-abiding Hermione—look displeased with Harry's behavior.

Unlike in the original story, no one knew that Harry had thus lost his chance to become the youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history.