Memory Orb

No matter what, Flying Class was clearly the big event everyone had been looking forward to. Throughout Thursday lunch, the Great Hall buzzed with first-years chattering about flying.

Not far from Ron and Li Mu, Hermione was also talking nonstop. Nervously clutching a thick copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, she lectured the others—mainly Neville Longbottom—about the Quidditch secrets she had "discovered" in the book. Her voice could be heard for nearly the entire lunch break—but clearly, she had never flown before and was scared stiff herself.

And what about Neville, who had grown up in the wizarding world? He looked even more frightened than Hermione. At home, his grandmother had never allowed him to touch a broomstick. Li Mu and the others thought that was indeed a wise decision, but they also felt sorry for him—born into a wizarding family, yet he had not touched a broomstick for more than ten years. Not that he had never ridden one; he had never even touched one!

No one would believe it if they heard.

But Neville did not seem to care. He might have hoped he would never need to fly in his life. As he listened to Hermione's explanation, he opened his package—the owl had dropped it in front of him at breakfast, and only now did he remember to open it.

Neville Longbottom's packages, like his "Strong sulfuric acid" potion in Potions, had already become legends throughout the school. On the first morning of term, Neville's grandmother had bundled up everything he had forgotten into a huge parcel and sent it over by owl. There had been so much stuff that everyone who saw it wondered how that owl had managed to carry it... And after that, Neville received something he had left behind almost every day, leaving everyone else thoroughly embarrassed.

As Neville opened the package, Hermione was explaining broomstick safety tips for the third time. "You have to take the broomstick's braking performance, climbing ability, and acceleration into account. In particular, you must accurately master the anti-lock braking charm invented by Horton-Keitch..."

She could not continue, because her only listener, Neville, suddenly cried out in delighted surprise. "Oh, it's a Memory Orb!" Neville held up a round glass ball to show his friends. "Gran knows I always forget things, so she gave me this! If I forget something, this ball will remind me. Look, as long as you hold it tightly, if it turns red... uh..."

He jumped in surprise. The Memory Orb had suddenly begun to glow a dazzling blood-red, casting its light over his face and eyes. With a troubled, puzzled expression spreading over his round face, he continued, "That means you've forgotten to do something..."

The sight made Li Mu and the others burst out laughing.

"Oh no... What did I forget?" Neville frowned and began thinking hard. Then, without warning, a hand shot out from the side and snatched the Memory Orb away.

Malfoy had appeared at the Gryffindor table at some point. Naturally, the huge Crabbe and Goyle followed behind him.

Ron and Harry immediately jumped to their feet. Over the past few days, Malfoy had mocked them plenty in all sorts of classes, and they had been holding back their anger for a long time.

Li Mu also disliked Malfoy's arrogant behavior, but he remained seated. He merely clenched his fists until they cracked and said coldly, "I don't want to fight. Give back the Memory Orb!"

Malfoy chuckled. Before he could say anything, Professor McGonagall came over from beside the teachers' table and asked with a frown, "What is going on?"

"Malfoy stole my Memory Orb!"

"Just having a look." Malfoy pulled a face, tossed the Memory Orb onto the table, and swaggered away. Goyle and Crabbe cast Li Mu somewhat frightened glances before hurriedly following Malfoy.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Professor McGonagall instructed Neville, "Longbottom, put your things away." Then she walked off again.

Harry and Ron silently sat down. Hermione finally let out a breath of relief, patted her chest, and snapped at them in displeasure, "What were you about to do just now? This is a school. Did you want to start a fight?"

No one paid attention to her. Ron said angrily to the others, "I'll make him regret it in Flying Class later!"

Li Mu neither agreed nor disagreed. But Harry and Neville both nodded. They all felt that Malfoy had been far too arrogant and smug these past few days.

Soon, it was finally half past two on Thursday afternoon. All the first-years eagerly ran out of the castle. They headed straight for the small field at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, ready for their first Flying Class.

The Slytherin students had arrived before them. More than twenty broomsticks lay neatly on the ground at their feet, marked with Slytherin's green serpent emblem. First-years from the other houses gradually arrived as well. As soon as anyone took their place on the field, a broomstick would soon appear at their feet. Most were Cleansweep Seven models, though a small number were even cheaper and older Comet 180s or Comet 140s.

"Fred and George often complain that the school's brooms are poor quality," Ron whispered to the companions beside him. Most of them, including Li Mu from another house, had heard the twins complain about it before. "These brooms aren't easy to control. We'll need to be careful later."

Madam Hooch, the Flying Class instructor, was already waiting for them. She had short gray hair and sharp eyes, and she looked like a rather strict teacher.

"Class has begun! Now, students from each of the four houses, take your places! Make sure each of you has a broomstick at your feet," Madam Hooch commanded. Li Mu shrugged, nodded farewell to his Gryffindor friends, then naturally took his place beside Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley. Most Hufflepuff students were slow-paced, and they had only just made it there themselves. Besides, by now, they had grown used to Li Mu, who often mingled with the Gryffindors.

Once everyone was in position, Madam Hooch called out again, "In today's lesson, we only need to gain a basic understanding of broomsticks and how to hold and ride them. It won't be difficult. You only need to follow my instructions—yes, I do not want to see any unnecessary movements from you! Next... hold your right hand over your broomsticks and say loudly, 'Up!'"

"Up!" all the students shouted. Li Mu naturally knew that broomsticks were not so obedient. They could not simply say "up" and be done with it. He guessed that while speaking, they also needed to release their magic to draw the broomsticks toward them. He did not know how to release magic, but years of meditation training helped him now. He decided to follow the methods of meditation, imagining magic moving through his body along a certain path, imagining that he could control that power...

In that instant, Li Mu suddenly felt a tremor within his body, as though a current of heat surged up from his dantian and shot out through his fingertips. Then the broomstick before him jumped steadily into his right palm. It was truly a wonderful feeling.

(End of Chapter)