As soon as the bell rang, Ron rushed over, grabbed Harry, and asked curiously:
"You two are amazing! Especially Hermione, when did you become such a good flyer?"
"And Harry, you're practically born to fly! My heart was pounding when you were rescuing them, and you guys were so steady!"
"Actually... it's just that we practiced a few times before, it's not that exaggerated," Hermione said.
Harry scratched his head. "I didn't think too much about it at the time. I just went for it when I saw Neville was in danger. I didn't expect it to go so smoothly. Maybe I was just lucky."
Before the two could say anything more, Draco walked straight over, casually put his arm around Hermione's shoulder, and boasted:
"Of course, you have to see who taught him. With someone patiently guiding him step by step, his talent for flying naturally couldn't be hidden."
His gesture of embracing her and asserting his dominance was so unabashed that several students passing by turned to look.
Lavender glanced at the two's intimate posture and her aunt smiled:
"I knew it, Malfoy, you really did secretly give Granger extra lessons, no wonder she's improving so fast."
Hermione gently nudged Draco's arm, protesting, "Don't talk nonsense, it's just normal practice."
The group chatted and laughed as they walked towards the castle. Just as they reached the entrance to the stadium, they saw Professor McGonagall standing not far away, clearly waiting for them.
She looked at Harry and Hermione and stated her purpose directly:
" Potter, Granger, just a moment."
" Madam Hooch and I just watched your flight performance. Your balance, control, and adaptability far surpass those of ordinary freshmen, making you very well-suited for Quidditch."
"I hope that both of you will try out for Quidditch and play for Gryffindor."
"I believe you will be an excellent team."
After Professor McGonagall finished speaking, Draco asked, "Professor, Gryffindor First Team is full now, there are no vacancies, what should we do?"
Professor McGonagall had already considered this.
She said, "I will consult with Wood and Madam Hooch to prepare for the formation of a Gryffindor Quidditch Second Team."
"Then the first and second teams will have a formal match, and the stronger team will represent the academy."
From her eyes, Draco could tell that the headmaster was genuinely eager for Gryffindor to win the Quidditch Cup.
Upon hearing that the Quidditch trial would include the second team, Ron, without waiting for Harry and Hermione to speak, immediately made the decision for them:
"Professor! They're definitely going! Absolutely! I've promised them!"
He was so excited he almost jumped up, and said to Harry and Hermione...
"You two fly so well, it would be a waste if you didn't go! Gryffindor needs geniuses like you!"
Harry paused for a moment, then laughed, his eyes filled with anticipation:
"I... I'm willing to give it a try, Professor. I want to contribute to Gryffindor."
Hermione glanced furtively at Draco beside her, then at Professor McGonagall who looked on expectantly, and agreed:
"If it can really help the academy, I'll give it a try. I'll try my best to balance my studies and training."
Professor McGonagall smiled gently, a rare occurrence on her face.
"That's settled then. I'll discuss the specific trial dates and arrangements with Wood second Madam Hooch as soon as possible, and then I'll let you know."
After she finished speaking, she earnestly added, "During this time, focus on improving your flying skills, don't let your guard down, but also avoid injury."
"Yes, Professor," the group replied in unison.
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned around, picked up the dossier, and walked steadily toward the main building of the castle. Her figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Only after the professor had completely disappeared from sight did the group breathe a sigh of relief, exchange glances, and the suppressed excitement they had just felt surge up again.
Draco turned to look at Hermione beside him, a smile playing on his lips, "Well, now you can't escape, can you, Granger?"
Hermione sighed softly, "I didn't expect... you were right."
Draco raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Of course, when have I ever misjudged someone?"
Upon hearing this, the reactions of the people nearby immediately became quite interesting.
Ron exclaimed "Wow!" on the spot. "You two planned this all along, didn't you! I knew something was off between you two!"
Lavender and the other girls exchanged smiles and said:
"No wonder Draco was tutoring Hermione in private; he had this planned all along."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, and she quickly retorted, "Don't listen to his nonsense, I just... I just didn't want to disappoint the school."
Draco laughed. He had no intention of letting Hermione off the hook. He said, "It's alright, even if it's for my sake, it's not shameful."
A chorus of soft laughter immediately erupted around them, and Ron exaggeratedly clutched his chest, exclaiming, "Ouch, my heart hurts!"
As the group chatted and laughed, they entered the Great Hall. They had just found their seats and hadn't even had time to set out their plates when they heard a series of hurried and excited footsteps in the distance.
" Harry! Hermione!"
Wood practically rushed over, clutching a rolled-up training schedule in his hand.
His hair was a mess. He grabbed Harry's arm, then turned to Hermione, his voice cracking with excitement:
" Professor McGonagall just told me! They're going to form Gryffindor Quidditch Second Team! You two will both have to try out! That's great! That's great!"
He immediately spread the training schedule on the table and tapped away rapidly with his fingers:
"Meet at the court tomorrow night! No lateness allowed! Extra practice the day after tomorrow evening!"
Ron looked completely bewildered and couldn't help but interject:
" Wood, wait... isn't team one already full? Everyone's here, why are you still so excited?"
"All ready? That's only temporary! With a second team, we'll have competition, substitutes, and reserves! The strong will play, the weak will train, and the overall level of the academy will rise!"
With that, Wood slammed his hand on the table, his eyes gleaming with the light of the Quidditch Cup.
"This year—this year we must take the trophy back from Slytherin! With the three of you helping us, we're in luck!"
The Gryffindor students eating nearby all looked over; some laughed, some jeering, and one even whistled.
Wood spoke with such fervor that he seemed eager to drag everyone to the stadium immediately.
Draco suddenly reminded him, "Captain, watch your words. The veteran players are important too."
One sentence made the excited Wood pause slightly, and also made a few of the older players who had been somewhat neglected at the dinner quietly raise their heads and glance at Draco.
Wood paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly:
"You're right, Malfoy, I was too hasty. The veteran players are important, of course, but I just... wanted to win too much."
Wood took a deep breath and rallied his spirits:
"Alright! Let's do as the professor says, build a second team and hold a selection tournament! A competition between the strong and the weak, the best will play! It doesn't matter if it's the first team or the second team, as long as it helps Gryffindor the Quidditch Cup, I'll accept it!"