Is That Right, Malfoy?

"Can someone please explain what in Merlin's name happened here?" Madam Hooch's eyes swept over the assembly of young wizards, eventually settling on Malfoy and Harry.

Both Harry and Malfoy paled, but Evan jumped in with an explanation.

"Madam Hooch, as you can see, they were merely practicing their flying skills."

A flicker of conflict crossed Malfoy's face, his mouth opening to reveal Evan's attack with the Body-Bind Curse, but he shut it, deciding against it.

After all, Malfoy knew if he spilled the beans, Evan would certainly retort with the account of him stealing Neville's crystal ball and his provocation. Malfoy was well aware which offense would carry the heavier penalty.

To avoid being strung up by Filch for a whipping, Malfoy reluctantly agreed to the narrative that he and Harry were "amicably" practicing flying.

But Malfoy wasn't about to let the irritating Evan off the hook and quickly added his own spin.

"Yes, but it wasn't just the two of us flying," Malfoy said, his eyebrow raised in Evan's direction, the threat on his face unmistakable. Madam Hooch's attention shifted from Malfoy and Harry to Evan.

"Alright, I admit it..." Evan shrugged nonchalantly, inwardly cursing Malfoy's bratty inclination to drag others down with him.

Evan and Malfoy exchanged a look of mutual disdain, but amidst their gaze, there was an unspoken agreement to not expose each other... a truce, for now!

Malfoy was spooked by the punishment Evan mentioned, and Evan was worried about being assigned to patrol the Forbidden Forest.

With his current stature, Evan was not ready to risk such an adventure...

Harry, who had been listening quietly, wore a look of utter confusion. Wasn't it Malfoy who took Neville's crystal ball, and hadn't he retrieved it?

When had it turned into a friendly flying practice with Evan and Malfoy?

Nevertheless, taking cues from Evan's subtle hints, Harry wisely opted to remain silent.

"I believe I made myself clear before I left. No one was to fly on a broom until my return!" Madam Hooch was livid upon learning that three students had flown in her absence.

Neville had just been sent to the hospital, for Merlin's sake—what if another accident had occurred?

"I'm very sorry, Professor!" Evan apologized politely, then quickly added,

"But I believe no young wizard can resist the allure of free flight on a broom. Who wouldn't want to become a glorious Quidditch player and bring honor to their country after graduation?"

"The incident with Malfoy and Neville was an accident, fortunately mitigated by our adept use of the Levitation Charm, leaving no one injured."

Evan went on about his love for Quidditch, barely stopping short of declaring his destiny as a future Quidditch champion!

Madam Hooch's expression softened a bit. As the instructor for the flying lessons and a Quidditch enthusiast herself, she could understand the longing.

"Even so, you must face consequences for breaking the rules..."

Although less angry than before, Madam Hooch was about to mete out punishment when she was interrupted by Professor McGonagall, who had arrived just in time.

"Madam Hooch, may I have a word with Mr. Potter, please?"

"Of course..." Madam Hooch was initially surprised but then nodded in agreement.

She hadn't seen Harry's flying and assumed he had committed some other infraction to warrant Professor McGonagall's attention, so she briefly mentioned Harry's unauthorized broom flight during class.

Professor McGonagall simply nodded, then gestured for Harry to follow her.

Harry's mind was a muddle, still uncertain about what had transpired, and he followed Professor McGonagall apprehensively.

After watching the two depart, Madam Hooch turned back to the remaining students. "Evan, Malfoy, your actions will cost your respective houses five points each. Now, let's continue with the lesson!"

Evan grimaced. Losing points wasn't a concern—he had earned a dozen or so for his house by answering questions in class. Losing five wouldn't land him in hot water.

But continuing with the flying lesson was a plight for Evan, who silently prayed for it to end quickly. Wouldn't his cover be blown otherwise?

For now, Evan pretended to assume the flying stance with his broom, trying to minimize his presence and slack off without being noticed.

However, fate was not in his favor. Due to the earlier chaos in class, Madam Hooch was not about to let the students fly willy-nilly and decided to supervise them one by one. Malfoy's scheme landed Evan, unfortunately, in the first spot.

Evan looked at the broom in his hand and sighed, regretting not admitting earlier that his flying skills were subpar.

Now, thanks to Malfoy's trap, he couldn't even claim incompetence.

Reluctantly, Evan gave it a try, and this time the broom gave him a bit of grace, wobbling shakily into the air under his control.

Despite the shaky start, Evan was thrilled with his first flight experience. As he picked up speed, the brisk wind whistled past his ears, the rooftops zipping by below—a sense of freedom far more exhilarating than any airplane ride.

After a while, Evan landed smoothly,

Madam Hooch pursed her lips, clearly not entirely satisfied. Evan's previous display had raised her expectations, and now his wobbly flight seemed...

Evan cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment. "Ahem, Professor, I think this broom might be a bit old... It felt a tad unstable in flight... I flew much better before."

Malfoy was smirking, amused that Evan's flying skills were so poor, no wonder he had stayed on the ground rather than taking to the air like Harry.

But Evan caught him off guard with a retort.

"Is that right, Malfoy? That would explain why you suddenly fell off your broom..."

Malfoy's smirk vanished, replaced by a resentful glare. It took him a while to muster a response.

"Of course, I too suspect there might be something wrong with these brooms..."

What else could he say? Admit to his own incompetence?

Malfoy felt equally frustrated. To avoid punishment, the truth was not an option—otherwise, how could he admit that he fell because of his own lack of skill?