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Harry was furious.
It was the first time in his life he had ever felt this angry, to the point where it was almost unbearable.
The day before, he had argued with Malfoy… and lost.
Still, a piece of good news from Ron helped calm him down a little.
That afternoon, they would finally have their flying lesson.
Flying, no matter the era, had always been something humans dreamed of… except for those afraid of heights.
He had to perform well.
He had to completely beat Malfoy.
Even after hearing Malfoy brag about how good he was at flying and how many different broomsticks he had used…
Harry knew one thing.
Malfoy was full of it.
At first, he had believed him.
Until Malfoy claimed that during one flight, thanks to his incredible skills, he had narrowly avoided a Muggle helicopter.
According to him, he had skimmed right over the top of it with an extremely difficult maneuver.
Harry didn't know what kind of maneuver that was supposed to be.
But he knew one thing.
The top of a helicopter had spinning blades.
And "skimming over it" would only result in being shredded into pieces.
No matter how magical magic was…
There was no putting a human body back together after that.
"Dudley, today's flying lesson is with both houses together."
That morning in the library, Hermione couldn't sit still and kept talking nonstop.
"What should I do? I didn't prepare at all. No matter how many books I read, I can't learn how to fly."
Flying, especially riding a broomstick, was something that could only be learned through practice.
There was no way to learn it just from books.
Without actually trying it, it was impossible to master.
"What if I can't learn?"
Hermione looked discouraged.
As if she could already imagine everyone flying in the sky while she stayed stuck on the ground.
It would be humiliating.
"I'll stay on the ground with you."
Dudley answered without hesitation.
"And what if I fall off the broom?"
Hermione asked again.
"I'll catch you."
Dudley patted his chest confidently.
Hermione: …
It sounded reassuring.
But somehow… also a little strange.
At three thirty in the afternoon, the first-year students from Slytherin and Gryffindor gathered on a field outside the castle.
Whether they were from wizarding families or Muggle-born, everyone was excited.
Except Dudley, who yawned lazily.
To be honest, he had no real interest in a class that relied entirely on practice.
He knew very well that he wouldn't be able to fly.
And if he were going to fly using something, he'd rather do it with his own power.
On top of that, it was a bright day with a gentle breeze.
Perfect for a nap.
On the other side of the field stood a dense line of dark trees.
That was the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Dozens, maybe hundreds of broomsticks lay neatly arranged on the ground.
The students stood beside them, full of anticipation.
Soon, Professor Hooch arrived.
"What are you waiting for?" she called out, even more excited than the students. "Everyone stand next to a broom, quickly."
"Stretch out your right hand above the broom and say, 'Up!'"
Simple. Direct. No finesse at all.
"Up!"
Harry said it once.
His broom immediately jumped into his hand.
He was the first to succeed.
The others, even after shouting multiple times, could only make their brooms roll around on the ground.
There was no denying it.
Harry had talent for flying.
Soon, one after another, the brooms began to respond.
But some still didn't move much.
Like Hermione's, which rolled a few times before stopping again.
As for Dudley…
As expected, his broom didn't react any more than hers.
To him, it was just a normal broom.
Taking advantage of a moment when the teacher wasn't looking, he hooked it up with his foot and grabbed it easily.
Since he couldn't use it…
He might as well study it.
At first glance, the broom looked like nothing more than a bundle of sticks tied together.
But in reality, there was an invisible cushion along the handle.
Otherwise, no one could sit on a wooden stick for long while flying.
It was said that this was to preserve the traditional image of witches and wizards riding broomsticks.
So the cushion had been made invisible.
Dudley's conclusion was simple.
Inferior to a flying carpet.
Soon, students began rising into the air one after another.
Only a few remained on the ground.
Among them were Hermione and Dudley.
Hermione tried a few more times.
Her broom still just twitched in place.
So she gave up.
Flying wasn't an important subject anyway.
It wasn't even part of the O.W.L.s.
Looking at Dudley beside her, calmly studying his broom with no intention of flying, Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly.
"You don't have to stay here with me."
She had misunderstood.
She thought Dudley had successfully lifted his broom and was staying for her sake.
"Hm? Oh…"
A scream from the sky interrupted them.
Neville, the chubby boy, had lost control of his broom.
And fell.
Fortunately, he hadn't been very high up.
He only broke his arm.
Professor Hooch led him toward the hospital wing.
"What an idiot… that crybaby."
"Longbottom really hit rock bottom this time."
Some students whispered while she was gone.
Meanwhile, Harry and Malfoy had started arguing again.
Continuing the fight from the day before.
Whatever they said…
They both ended up flying into the air.
Dudley was already tired of dealing with them.
Lately, every time they met, they argued.
"Doesn't that mean class is basically over?"
Dudley thought, watching the chaotic scene around him.
Even if the professor said she would come back…
With a student injured, it was unlikely she would continue the lesson.
Then suddenly…
Dudley had a bold idea.
Something he hadn't done since arriving at Hogwarts.
"Hermione."
He turned toward her.
Hermione, who had been looking at him, didn't expect that.
Their eyes met, and her face turned red again as she quickly looked away.
"What?"
She replied softly.
"Want to go to the Forbidden Forest?"
Dudley leaned closer and whispered.
"?!"
Hermione was shocked.
She covered her mouth and whispered:
"Now?"
"Of course. There's still time. We can be back before dinner."
First, he wanted to check the edge of the forest.
Scout the area a bit.
And see if there was anything useful.
"But… we're still in class."
Even though she refused with words…
Her heart was already racing.
'S-skipping class? With Dudley?'
'That's… kind of exciting?'
"We've done it before."
"It's not like it's the first time."
Back in primary school…
Dudley had already taken Hermione out to skip class before.
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