Chapter 60: Skipping Class? So Exciting!

Harry was furious, and this was the first time he had been so angry in his entire life. It had reached an unbearable point.

Yesterday, he had an argument with Malfoy, and he didn't win.

However, a piece of good news from Ron slightly eased his anger.

This afternoon, flying class was about to begin.

Flying, at any time, was something humans dreamed of, except for those with a fear of heights.

He had to perform well in class and outshine Malfoy.

Even if he heard Malfoy boasting about his flying skills, claiming to have tried various types of brooms.

But Harry knew Malfoy was just bragging.

Initially, he believed it, but it wasn't until Malfoy boasted about a flying incident where he skillfully dodged a Muggle helicopter with extraordinary flying techniques and no danger at all.

Malfoy claimed he was on top of the helicopter, evading it with a difficult flying maneuver.

Harry didn't know the specific difficult flying maneuver, but he knew the top of a helicopter had propellers, and trying to evade by skimming over it would result in being shredded into countless pieces.

No matter how magical, it was impossible to assemble a pile of human body parts.

"Dudley, today's flying class is combined for our two houses."

In the morning, while reading in the library, Hermione mumbled anxiously.

"What should I do? I'm not prepared at all. No matter how many books I read, I can't learn to fly."

Flying, especially riding a broomstick, could only be learned through practice. Trying to learn flying from a textbook was wishful thinking.

"What if I can't learn it?"

Hermione looked dejected, as if she had already seen everyone flying in the air while she couldn't ride a broomstick. It would be too embarrassing.

"I'll stay on the ground with you."

Dudley answered without hesitation.

"But what if I fall off the broomstick?"

Hermione asked.

"I'll catch you from below."

Dudley patted his chest, indicating that he could catch her.

Hermione: Although it sounds comforting, something feels off.

At half-past three in the afternoon, first-year Slytherins and Gryffindors gathered on a lawn outside the castle, eagerly anticipating the flying class. Both wizarding families and Muggle-borns were full of expectations for the experience of flying.

Dudley, bored, yawned lazily. He wasn't very interested in this practical course that focused on flying. He was well aware of his limitations and knew he couldn't fly. Moreover, he preferred using his own strength to fly rather than relying on tools. Additionally, it was a clear and breezy day, perfect for a nap.

Across the lawn were continuous black trees, marking the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Dozens, even hundreds, of broomsticks were neatly arranged on the ground, and both sides were filled with eager young wizards.

Soon, Professor Hooch arrived.

"What are you all waiting for?" she exclaimed, more excited than the young wizards. "Everyone stands next to a broomstick and make it quick."

"Extend your right hand above the broom handle, then say, 'Up!'"

Well, it was a simple and straightforward spell.

"Up!"

Harry shouted once, and the broomstick obediently jumped into his hand, making him the first among all the young wizards to succeed.

Even if others shouted several times, their broomsticks only rolled on the ground a few times.

It had to be said that Harry had a talent for riding broomsticks.

Soon, other young wizards' broomsticks also responded, bouncing into their hands from the ground.

Of course, there were some broomsticks that didn't react much, like Hermione's, which mischievously rolled around a few times but didn't take off.

As expected, Dudley's broomstick, without any surprises, remained unresponsive.

For him, a flying broomstick was just an ordinary broomstick.

So, Dudley, unnoticed by the teacher, used his foot to hook and lift it effortlessly, then held it casually.

Curious about flying broomsticks, Dudley began examining it. Although it looked like a bunch of sticks put together, there was an invisible cushion on top. Otherwise, flying for a long time on a wooden stick could be uncomfortable on the buttocks. Supposedly, it was to maintain the traditional image of wizards riding broomsticks, so the cushion was invisibly concealed.

Dudley's final evaluation: Not as good as a magic carpet.

Soon, one by one, young wizards began flying.

Among those still standing on the ground were Hermione and Dudley.

Hermione tried several times, but her broomstick stubbornly refused to cooperate. Eventually, she gave up.

After all, flying class wasn't a significant subject, and it wasn't even included in the O.W.L.S exams.

Watching Dudley, who had a broomstick in his hands but showed no intention of flying, Hermione's face blushed slightly.

" Actually, you don't need to stay with me."

Obviously, Hermione misunderstood, thinking that Dudley's broomstick was brought up by her spell and that he stayed for her.

"Huh? Huh."

A scream came from above, interrupting their thoughts.

The little fat Neville lost control of his broomstick due to his bad skills, caused his broomstick to go out of control, and he fell from the sky. Fortunately, it wasn't too high, and he only broke his arm. Professor Hooch helped him walk to the school infirmary.

"What a fool, that crybaby fell to the bottom this time."

"Mr. Bottom truly hit rock bottom this time."

As Professor Hooch escorted Neville away, some students whispered.

On the other side, Harry and Malfoy faced each other again, continuing the unfinished argument from last night. They flew into the air, and Dudley, fed up with their constant quarreling, ignored them.

"Doesn't this mean the class is over?"

Observing the chaos and disorderly activities of the young wizards, Dudley pinched his chin, lost in thought.

Although Professor Hooch said she would be back soon, she probably wouldn't have the mood for teaching after a student got injured.

Dudley suddenly had a bold idea.

He had been at Hogwarts for so long and had never done it before.

"Hermione."

Dudley turned to Hermione.

Hermione, who had been staring at Dudley, unexpectedly blushed when he suddenly turned around, quickly shifting her gaze away.

"What's up?"

She answered softly.

"Do you want to go to the Forbidden Forest?"

Dudley whispered to her.

"?!"

Hermione was stunned by Dudley's suggestion, covering her mouth in a low voice.

"Now?"

"Of course, take advantage of the time now. We can come back in time for dinner."

First, they would explore near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, check the routes, and see if there was anything they needed.

"But we're still in class right now."

Hermione, rejecting Dudley's suggestion verbally, betrayed herself with her inner excitement.

"Escaping... skipping class? With Dudley?"

"So exciting?"

"Skipping is nothing new."

The two of them had already skipped class together back in Oxford's Little Dragon Primary School.

(End of this chapter)