What adult would get angry with a child?

Madam Hooch was a woman with hawklike eyes.

Her neat, short hair and golden eyes reflected the sharpness of her character.

She was not only Hogwarts' flying class professor, but also the referee for Quidditch matches.

"Good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Madam Hooch."

Madam Hooch strode through the Slytherin and Gryffindor crowds.

"We'll now begin our first lesson."

"What are you waiting for? Everyone, stand to the left of your broomstick."

"Move! Hurry up!"

Most of the first years were encountering broomsticks for the first time, and they stood to the left as Madam Hooch instructed, full of curiosity.

Even now, Argus could not understand why Hogwarts made flying classes compulsory.

It would have been understandable a few hundred years ago, before technology had developed.

But now they even had magical buses, and the Ministry of Magic knew enough to use lifts.

Why insist on flying around on a broom?

Unfortunately, most students were very enthusiastic about broomsticks. Even if Argus disliked them, he could not make the school change for him.

Once everyone was in position, Madam Hooch spoke again.

"Hold your hand above and to the right of your broom, then say 'up'!"

"Up!"

"Up!"

"..."

Cries of "up" filled the lawn.

Harry was the first to make his broom rise. He called out just once, and it flew into his palm.

Draco followed close behind.

Argus suddenly realized...

His system's talent allocation did not seem to include a flying talent!

No matter how much he shouted, until his throat was nearly raw, the broom at his feet did not budge.

Watching his classmates rouse their brooms one after another, Argus had to accept a fact.

He might be the first student in Hogwarts' history who could not use a broomstick.

Still, that was fine too. Now he would have an excuse to skip classes and spend more time in the library.

"Mr. Grindelwald, you..."

Madam Hooch wore an odd expression.

She seemed not to have expected this brilliant student, praised by countless professors, to end up like this in front of her.

"As you can see, Madam Hooch."

Argus spread his hands, indicating that he had done his best.

"I don't seem to have any talent for flying."

"You poor child!"

"Don't be discouraged. There have been several such cases in Britain before."

Madam Hooch sighed and patted Argus's head pityingly.

"If you don't mind, rest on the lawn for now."

"I'll discuss it with Professor Snape later and arrange for you to attend other lessons during flying classes."

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam Hooch."

Argus looked composed, with even a trace of disappointment visible.

Inside, he was actually overjoyed.

A blessing in disguise!

He had been wondering how to ask Madam Hooch about skipping class, only for her to offer it herself.

"Ah!"

"Go and rest over there for now."

Madam Hooch's long sigh drew countless sympathetic looks toward Argus.

For most students, life without being able to use a broomstick was simply unimaginable.

Argus did not care at all.

He happily ran over to the lawn and lay down, taking out a fifth-year Potions textbook and basking in the warm sunshine.

"Everyone! Quiet!"

"Now, grip your brooms and mount them."

"Hold tight, and don't slide off. When I blow my whistle, kick hard off the ground!"

With no accident involving Neville, and no quarrel between Draco and Harry, the flying lesson went unusually smoothly.

Madam Hooch watched the young witches and wizards circling in midair with satisfaction.

"Class, I'm going into the castle to fetch something. You may freely enjoy flying over this lawn."

"Remember, this lawn only!"

"If anyone dares to fly beyond the castle, they'll answer to me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, quite a few young witches and wizards enthusiastically began all sorts of flying races.

Parvati and her sister wobbled about on their brooms not far from Argus.

Worry showed in their eyes.

"Argus, are... are you all right?"

Argus looked up from his book toward the two of them at the sound.

As though suddenly remembering something, they hurriedly jumped off their brooms.

"Slow down. Be careful not to fall."

Argus closed his book and cast a Levitation Charm on them to help steady them.

"I'm fine. If I can't ride a broomstick, so be it. At worst, I'll just learn Apparition earlier."

"Surely Hogwarts won't make me leave just because I can't ride a broomstick!"

"Pfft!"

The two girls were amused by Argus's joke.

"You're the professors' darling. They'd never bear to let you go."

Parvati's eyes sparkled.

At an age when romantic feelings were first budding, Argus's perfect image had become deeply imprinted in the young girl's mind.

Meanwhile, many others recalled the help Argus had given them that morning.

They thought of how he was now upset because he could not use a broomstick, while they flew about without restraint right in front of him.

A sense of guilt welled up.

They quietly lowered their altitude and flew toward Argus.

"Argus, not being able to ride a broomstick is no big deal. There's Floo Powder for long distances and Apparition for short ones. It won't interfere with your daily life."

"Exactly. Besides, broomsticks can't shelter you from wind or rain. If it suddenly pours while you're up in the sky, you won't even have a chance to take cover."

"A friend of my uncle's ran into that last time. He was almost struck down by lightning!"

"..."

Everyone comforted Argus in their own way.

They offered him their goodwill.

The sight left Ron almost mad with jealousy!

Why!

Why did I get complaints and accusations when I made a mistake this morning!

But when it's your turn, all these people comfort you!

What he found even harder to accept was that a large number of them were Gryffindors.

He could not help cursing under his breath.

"Traitors, a bunch of Gryffindor traitors!"

"What potion did that evil Slytherin feed you all!"

"Weasley! What did you say!"

Draco flared up on the spot when he heard that. He tossed aside his broom and walked toward Ron.

"Am I not telling the truth!"

Ron's temper rose too.

His conflict with Argus had begun on the train.

They were both first years, yet Argus attracted countless people's attention and respect, while he could only trail after Harry.

Whenever anyone mentioned him, their first thought was that he was Harry's friend.

Especially after the contrast between their classmates' attitudes toward the two of them in class that day.

His jealousy had reached its peak.

Now that he finally had a chance to mock Argus, how could he let it pass?

What Ron had not expected was that his words, rather than winning anyone's agreement, drew countless looks of disgust.

Even Harry stepped in front of him in displeasure.

"Ron, Argus is a friend to Gryffindor! He saved our classmates!"

"Who knows if he deliberately stepped forward just to play the good guy!"

Argus smiled faintly and ignored him entirely.

He soothed the other angry young witches and wizards.

What adult would get angry with a child?

He was just a little brat seeking attention. Argus did not have that much time to bother with him or straighten him out.

He would leave that headache to Dumbledore and Harry.

Argus's calm gaze did not dispel Ron's resentment. Instead, it stirred his sense of inferiority!

His flushed face was almost the same color as his hair.

His expression twisted with jealousy.

Ignoring Harry's attempts to stop him, he mounted his broom and charged straight at Argus!