Within Expectations

Draco didn't distance himself from Gemini because of their bet; Slytherin's admiration for strength wasn't just a joke.

Although he was annoyed that Gemini seemed to favor a Muggle-born girl, it also made Draco more eager to prove himself in front of Gemini.

Essentially, Draco was an envious boy. His good upbringing had made him feel superior since childhood. When such a person encountered someone better than himself, jealousy would always arise.

But Gemini was different. The dimensional gap in their abilities meant Draco couldn't muster any jealousy, only a sense of powerlessness. Especially seeing Gemini's effortless handling of various classes every day, Draco's feeling of helplessness grew heavier. He could only look up to Gemini.

On the weekend, a notice was posted in the Slytherin common room stating that Slytherin first-years would have their flying lesson with Gryffindor the following Thursday. Draco immediately went to find Gemini, who never returned to the Slytherin dorms.

The second week of the new semester was when each house's Quidditch team selections took place, and also when the first-years began learning to ride broomsticks.

Gemini had grown up in a Muggle orphanage; he had never ridden a broomstick!

Draco was beside himself with excitement. He realized he finally had something he was better at than Gemini.

"Have you seen Gemini?"

He eagerly stopped a few Ravenclaw girls and asked.

"No." The Ravenclaw girls' faces turned pale, and they quickly moved away from Draco.

Generally speaking, in a Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, Gryffindor supported Hufflepuff, while Slytherin supported Ravenclaw.

And if it was a match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, then Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw would both support Gryffindor...

This was Slytherin's status at Hogwarts, let alone the fact that Draco, who had terrible social skills, was asking about the whereabouts of the notorious Gemini. Who would bother with him?

"Have you seen Gemini?"

"Do you know where Gemini is?"

"Excuse me, have you seen Gemini?"

"If you see Gemini, please tell me, I beg you—"

Draco didn't realize his tone of inquiry was becoming more polite.

Stiffly stopping Hermione, Draco awkwardly asked, "Do you know where Gemini is?... Please..."

"Oh..." Hermione opened her mouth slightly. She wondered if Draco had been possessed by someone – he actually said "please"?

"I saw him in the library this morning, and then he headed towards the Black Lake."

Draco's face stretched long. He tried to open his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing, just nodded stiffly and turned to leave.

Saying thank you to Hermione felt a bit too much for him. Being able to say "please" was already his limit.

Half an hour later, by the Black Lake.

Draco sat on a large rock by the lake, his expression blank.

In the distance, above the Black Lake, Gemini was flying freely on a broomstick.

He would sometimes circle the lake's surface, then soar into the sky.

When he flew nearly a hundred meters above the sky, Gemini would leap off the broomstick and plummet downwards. Then, mid-fall, a strand of webbing would shoot out, latching onto the broomstick in the sky. Following that, he would pull himself up with the webbing, eventually flipping and landing on the broomstick.

Draco saw that even when Gemini stood on the broomstick, it was as if he were standing on solid ground. He just stood there, like he was surfing, skimming across the lake's surface at high speed.

After a long while, Gemini finally noticed Draco sitting by the lake and descended from the sky.

"I found this broomstick in some forgotten corner. If possible, please keep it a secret for me."

Gemini said with a gentle smile.

"How... how did you..." Draco looked at Gemini, his face full of disbelief. "Is this your first time flying?"

"Yes, my first time," Gemini smiled.

In his previous life, he had worked as a delivery driver for a while. He felt that broomsticks were not much different from motorcycles, and broomsticks were much more agile than motorcycles.

With just a slight touch, the broomstick obeyed his commands as if it were an extension of his arm. Coupled with the enhanced dynamic vision and reaction speed from the Spider Serum, he could perform all sorts of tricks with the broomstick.

It was a shame that this thing didn't use gasoline and didn't require gear shifts, so he couldn't experience the power of an engine roaring in his ears.

However, there were flying motorcycles in the weapon shop, and you could even customize the models. He might be able to buy one if he had the chance in the future...

Draco looked at Gemini and couldn't help but swallow.

This was his first time witnessing true talent.

"Did you need something from me?"

"Ah, right." Draco finally snapped back to reality. "Next Thursday, we'll have our flying lesson with Gryffindor. I came to tell you."

"Thank you for the reminder." Gemini nodded slightly.

For the first-years, everyone was full of anticipation for their first flying lesson.

During these few days, whenever Gemini ate in the Great Hall, he could hear young wizards talking excitedly at the dining tables.

Take Draco, for instance. He had recounted his past broomstick riding experiences several times, each ending with him narrowly dodging a Muggle helicopter.

However, when Gemini appeared, he would wisely shut his mouth.

Finally, on Thursday afternoon at 3:30 PM.

The students gathered on a flat lawn, which was the practice area for the first-years' flying lessons. However, it was important to note that the Forbidden Forest was not far from the other side of the lawn. If they weren't careful, they might end up flying into it.

Legends say that dragons exist in the depths of the Forbidden Forest, but Gemini wasn't sure if the legend was true. According to wizarding secrecy laws, any dragons discovered in European countries were controlled by local Ministry of Magic wizards and then sent to Romania.

In Africa, they were sent to Egypt, and in Asia, to the Siberian plains of Russia. These places have specialized institutions for housing and raising dragons.

When the little lions of Gryffindor also arrived on the field, Madam Hooch, who was in charge of flying lessons, also came.

She had short, gray hair and sharp, hawk-like yellow eyes.

"Alright, what are you all waiting for?" she said sternly. "Everyone stand by a broomstick. Quickly, make haste."

Gemini looked at the broomstick at his feet. It was old and tattered, with some twigs sticking out haphazardly, which made Gemini feel disgusted.

"Extend your right hand over the broomstick handle and say, 'Up!'" Madam Hooch instructed.

Gemini reached out, his tone carrying an unquestionable command: "Up."

Whoosh—

The broomstick immediately flew into his hand.

Not many people could summon their broomsticks as smoothly as Gemini, but Harry and Draco both managed. Across from Gemini, Hermione's broomstick lazily rolled on the ground, as if to say, I just won't get up, what are you going to do about it, woman?

After a long while, everyone finally summoned their broomsticks. Madam Hooch walked between the two rows of students, demonstrating how to mount a broomstick without sliding off and constantly correcting their grip.

"Your grip is wrong. You're extending your arm so straight, are you trying to break them off?"

Madam Hooch sternly reprimanded Malfoy. Malfoy quickly and flusteredly adjusted his posture. Heaven help him, he just wanted to show off.

"Alright, when I whistle, you'll push off the ground with your legs. Push hard."

Madam Hooch said, "Hold the broomstick steady, rise a few feet, then lean forward slightly, and land vertically back on the ground. Listen for my whistle—three—two—"

A trembling cry came. Gemini turned to look; Neville was flying up on his broomstick, his face ashen.

Gemini: "..."

As expected, no need to panic.