HP: Pure-Blood Glory

Professor McGonagall, upon witnessing the scene from the window, instinctively prepared to intervene and save Neville.

But when she saw Harry hurtling forward with such speed, she paused, deciding to observe how things would unfold.

What she saw next left her stunned. Neville's broom went completely out of control, zigzagging wildly through the air at a speed reminiscent of a giant Golden Snitch.

Harry, however, managed to keep up, matching Neville's chaotic trajectory almost perfectly. He was gradually closing the gap, now only a body's length away from the hem of Neville's flapping robes.

"Neville! Hold onto your broom! I'm coming to save you!"

Harry shouted loudly, lowering his body and urging his broom to accelerate once more.

It was unclear if Neville heard him amidst his terrified screams, but despite his cries, he clung tightly to his broom.

"Harry's flying skills… they're quite something. Has he practiced before?"

Taylor asked, astonished, as she watched the aerial pursuit. If Neville seemed like the broom was controlling him, then Harry's precision and speed felt far beyond what a beginner should be capable of.

Especially someone supposedly riding a magic broom for the first time.

"Unlikely, This is probably his first time. His flying talent is just exceptional," Luke remarked with a wry smile.

Luke had refrained from stepping in himself because he knew full well his own flying skills were unlikely to match Neville's erratic flight path.

It was best to let someone more capable to take the lead—and he was prepared to rescue them both if necessary.

Madam Hooch, observing Harry's maneuvers, was equally astounded.

'Has this kid... been practicing since he was old enough to walk?'

"Harry lied to me!"

Ron let out a dramatic wail. Beside him, Hermione furrowed her brows and shifted slightly to take Neville's original spot.

"How did he lie to you?" she asked.

"He told me he'd never ridden a broom before!"

Ron's face was a picture of betrayal, as though Harry was riding off with his beloved Scabbers instead of a school broom.

Hermione opened her mouth to say Harry wasn't the type to lie.

But she couldn't get the words out. After all, Harry's precise and near-instant turns in the air were nothing like what a first-timer could pull off.

"He must have his reasons"

She finally said, albeit unconvincingly.

Ron looked utterly unconvinced.

Meanwhile, Harry felt nothing but the rush of wind roaring past his ears. His focus was entirely on Neville, the rest of the world reduced to a blur of retreating colors.

Reaching out, Harry extended his hand toward Neville's collar.

The distance between them shrank. Harry felt calmer and calmer, everything around him slowing as his concentration deepened.

Then, at last, he grasped Neville's collar.

But Neville was heavier than Harry expected.

Or perhaps Harry's strength had already run out.

As soon as he grabbed hold, the two began sliding off their brooms together.

Harry vaguely heard someone screaming, but the sound felt distant, like it was coming from the ground—or perhaps from some forgotten memory.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" ×2

Luke and Hermione's voice rang out in unison.

Neville and Harry, mid-fall, instantly came to a gentle halt in the air, with Neville suspended just slightly higher than Harry.

Luke glanced at Hermione with some surprise. In the original timeline, Hermione hadn't cast the Levitation Charm to save Neville. He'd assumed she didn't know the spell at this point.

Apparently, she did.

It now seemed that Hermione hadn't acted that time simply because she couldn't react in time.

Hermione, however, was even more astonished as she looked at Luke. 'Luke's Levitation Charm can hold two people at once?'

Madam Hooch, seeing that the situation was finally under control, let out a sigh of relief.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the class had thankfully ended without any real harm.

Thinking this, she wasted no time mounting her broom and flying up to retrieve the two boys.

When they landed, Neville stood rigidly, gasping for air. Then, as if his strength suddenly gave out, he collapsed onto the ground.

Harry, on the other hand, seemed a little dazed and out of sorts.

As soon as Harry touched down, Ron rushed to him and enveloped him in a bear hug.

"You're okay! That's such a relief!"

Still dazed, Harry slowly returned to his senses and hugged Ron back with a laugh.

"I'm okay! Really!"

Suddenly, applause broke out, starting with a single clap, then another, until it erupted into cheers from the entire class.

The applause was for Harry's bravery and exceptional flying skills, as well as for Luke and Hermione, who had stepped up to protect their classmate.

Hermione's dormmates clapped while nudging her with their shoulders, occasionally giving her and Luke teasing looks.

Hermione's cheeks turned bright red, but she didn't let their teasing distract her too much.

Meanwhile, Malfoy stood to the side, clapping so hard his hands were turning red.

'A true leader who steps up in critical moments! A real Noble!'

Luke, amidst the applause, slowly approached Neville. His warm smile radiated reassurance as he extended a hand toward him.

"Are you alright, Longbottom?"

Hearing someone address him by his surname finally brought Neville back to reality. He exhaled deeply, his face regaining some of its color.

"Thank you for saving me, Luke"

Neville said earnestly as he grasped Luke's hand.

"Helping each other is only natural"

Luke replied, firmly pulling Neville to his feet.

Unbeknownst to him, the applause grew even more enthusiastic.

"Mr. Potter! Harry Potter!"

Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the jubilant atmosphere like a knife.

Everyone turned nervously toward her.

Draped in her deep green robes, Professor McGonagall's piercing gaze was fixed on Harry.

Harry instinctively shrank back, his shoulders hunching like a scolded child.

"I'm here, Professor…"

His voice was timid, barely above a whisper, like a quail.

McGonagall ignored Harry's reaction for now and turned to Madam Hooch.

"Rolanda, I need to borrow Harry for a moment," she said briskly.

Madam Hooch waved her hand generously.

"Of course, Minerva!"

And so, under the watchful eyes of the entire class, Harry was led away by Professor McGonagall.

Before leaving, Harry cast a pleading look toward Luke, who responded with a smile full of encouragement.

"Is Potter… getting expelled?"

Malfoy asked Luke, his voice tinged with surprise.

Luke was silent for a moment before replying calmly.

"I don't think it's anything bad. In any case…"

He patted Malfoy on the shoulder.

"Stay strong, Draco."

*****

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