Chin up, well done, don't let us down

"But Madam Hooch said..." Harry hesitated instead.

Normally, Hermione would have tried to stop him, while Harry insisted on going.

Now that Hermione was urging him to go for it, however, Harry had calmed down.

He wasn't an outstanding student like Hermione, who could break a few rules and still be easily forgiven.

What if he really got expelled?

Having tasted the joys of the magical world, he couldn't bear to return to a miserable life at his aunt's house.

Meanwhile, seeing that Harry still hadn't moved, Malfoy mocked him from above. "Ha! I knew you wouldn't dare. Looks like Longbottom will have to find his Remembrall himself!"

Looking at Malfoy's provocative expression, Hermione felt the urge to punch a brat for the first time.

At that moment, she was grateful she hadn't been sorted into Slytherin. If she had to watch little punks like him strutting around in front of her every day, beating them up eight times a day would barely be enough.

Exasperated with him, Hermione said, "Go on! What are you scared of? It's only expulsion! You took down the Dark Lord, but you can't handle one measly Malfoy? Don't tell anyone you know me from now on. I can't live with that embarrassment."

Hermione kept fanning the flames.

Harry was still a child, after all. With Hermione putting him on the spot and everyone around him watching expectantly, he steeled himself and swung a leg over his broomstick.

In his eyes, Malfoy's figure seemed to merge with that of his cousin Dudley, who had always bullied him. He kicked off the ground and soared into the air, burning with anger.

"Harry, you survived the Dark Lord! You came out alive at the other end of his wand! Don't let us down!" Hermione shouted.

"Yeah! Chin up! Well done!" the Gryffindors chorused.

Seeing Harry coming after him, Malfoy turned and flew away.

There was no denying Harry's talent on a broomstick. He quickly caught up with Malfoy.

Rather than panic, Malfoy curled his lips into a sinister smile.

He hurled the Remembrall straight toward Professor McGonagall's Office!

Without thinking, Harry accelerated past Malfoy and chased the Remembrall.

He finally intercepted it in front of Professor McGonagall's window, even pulling off a difficult, gymnast-like spinning stop.

Holy shit?!

The Cat Professor was stunned on the spot.

Seeing this, Malfoy didn't panic at all. Instead, he quietly landed.

That was right. Malfoy had planned this whole scene in advance.

After hearing Madam Hooch's warning about expulsion, he had decided to use this trick to get Potter, who had repeatedly snubbed him, kicked out of school.

He would deliberately provoke Potter, lure him into a chase, then let the professors see him flying with their own eyes.

Even if that wasn't enough to get him expelled, it would still earn him a severe punishment.

That Weasley is useless. If Granger loses Potter, her Chosen One sidekick, it'll be like me losing Crabbe and Goyle, my two capable henchmen. That should hurt her for a good while!

As for Malfoy himself, his father was a Hogwarts School Governor. He wouldn't be expelled. At most, he'd get a scolding.

Malfoy laughed inwardly, congratulating himself on his perfect plan.

Sure enough, everything went as he had expected. Professor McGonagall immediately came out onto the lawn, her expression stern.

"Harry Potter!"

At that familiar voice, Harry's boiling blood instantly ran cold.

I'm done for!

Professor McGonagall kept a stern face. "Mr. Potter, come with me."

Malfoy smirked in gleeful delight.

I'm really going to be expelled this time... Harry was filled with fear and despair. What am I going to do now? I'm definitely not going back to Aunt Petunia's house. Will I have to live with Hagrid and rely on him...?

Seeing Hermione whistling and gazing at the sky as though none of this concerned her, his countless emotions finally condensed into a single thought:

Hermione's screwed me over!

Noticing Harry's gaze, Professor McGonagall looked at Hermione and suddenly said, "I nearly forgot you, Miss Granger. You come along too."

*???*

What?

Hermione was momentarily dumbfounded.

She knew McGonagall had spotted Harry's talent for Quidditch and intended to recommend him to the team, but what did she want with her?

Could she possibly be getting credit for stirring things up and helping discover a promising player?

Though puzzled, she wasn't worried. She followed Professor McGonagall away at a leisurely pace.

The three soon arrived outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Unable to stand the resentful stare boring into her from behind any longer, Hermione turned and said quietly, "You're not getting expelled. Look how scared you are, you chicken."

Harry realized it too. If she really intended to expel him, she would have taken him to Headmaster Dumbledore, not the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

That eased his mind a little, and he finally had the presence of mind to see what Professor McGonagall was planning.

Professor McGonagall leaned her head inside and addressed Voldy Quirrell, who was teaching. "Sorry to interrupt your lesson, Professor Quirrell. Could I borrow Wood for a moment?"

Quirrell nodded meekly.

Hermione also poked her head in for a look.

It wasn't every day that you got to see Voldemort personally teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.

As Hermione was quietly enjoying the irony, Quirrell's gaze suddenly passed over McGonagall and landed on her.

It lingered for only half a second.

But in that half second, Hermione clearly saw the back of the Purple Turban shift ever so slightly.

As though something inside had turned its head.

Hermione withdrew her gaze without any change in expression.

Soon, a handsome young man stepped outside.

"Potter, this is Oliver Wood," Professor McGonagall said excitedly. "Wood, I've found you a Seeker!"

Harry held his broomstick, utterly bewildered.

Seeing his confused expression, Hermione smacked him on the head. "You've made the Gryffindor Quidditch Team! Hurry up and thank the Cat... Professor McGonagall!"

That was close. I nearly let it slip.

Harry's eyes widened with delight.

Before he could speak, McGonagall continued, "I've also found you a Beater!"

As she spoke, she looked at Hermione.

*...?*

Hermione was stunned.

Wait, are you serious?

What have I done to deserve that?

This time, she genuinely had no idea what was going on.

Hermione knew that the longer she spent at Hogwarts, the more changes she could cause.

But, but, BUT!

No matter how she looked at it, this was a little too absurd. She had been enjoying the show, only to find herself dragged into it.

Had she demonstrated any special talent for Quidditch?

Seeing Hermione's incredulous expression, Professor McGonagall smiled.

"Actually, I saw everything quite clearly from my window," Professor McGonagall said. "When Mr. Longbottom fell, everyone was screaming. You were the only one who acted immediately, and your spell was both fast and accurate."

She paused, giving Hermione a meaningful look.

"As for who shouted the loudest down below afterward and sent Mr. Potter into the sky... Miss Granger, you look innocent, but you're ruthless underneath. You know how to turn a situation to your advantage, and you strike straight at the weak point. That's exactly what a Beater needs."

Hermione's face darkened.

Are you sure that's a compliment?

What do you mean, innocent-looking but ruthless? Slander! It's all slander!

Still, so this is how the professors see me.

Looks like I made Slytherin suffer a little too much lately. I'd better go easier on them from now on.

"Well? Isn't this twice the good news?"

Professor McGonagall rubbed her hands together happily, apparently delighted to have found two promising players.

Twice the good news?

Wood's face fell, looking as though the sky had come crashing down.