Chapter 41: The Golden Thief

Holy crap, so that was his angle. No wonder he stood up for me.

Then Ron gave Chu Yang a knowing look, while Harry just gave a shy smile.

Once everyone had left, Neville scurried up to Chu Yang, his chubby face still streaked with tears. "Chu Yang, you helped me again. I don't even know how to thank you."

Just as Chu Yang was about to offer some polite platitudes, Neville said bashfully, "If you could teach me how to fly, I would be even more grateful."

Chu Yang: "..."

Madam Hooch, who was returning to the teaching building to fetch something, happened to run into Professor McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall, where are you headed?"

"I was just on my way to find you, Madam Hooch."

Madam Hooch asked, somewhat surprised, "Is there something you need?"

Professor McGonagall asked impatiently, "I noticed the flying lesson on the pitch just now. What was with Chu Yang's strange flying posture? Is it your latest invention?"

Madam Hooch waved her hands dismissively, denying it. "That was an accident, caused by Chu Yang's clumsiness."

Professor McGonagall shook her head. "He looked quite good flying up there. He controlled the broomstick very skillfully; it didn't seem like a mere accident."

Madam Hooch hesitated for a moment, then chuckled. "Perhaps it's because he's talented. Some people are just like that; a broomstick feels like an extension of their own body. They can use it naturally without having to study it deliberately."

Professor McGonagall agreed with this sentiment.

However, she felt that Chu Yang was a more special existence than those examples, especially since he had already demonstrated many unusual traits.

After a while, Madam Hooch returned carrying a trunk, accompanied by Professor McGonagall. But Professor McGonagall didn't say anything; instead, she stood aside quietly to observe Madam Hooch's teaching.

Madam Hooch enjoyed the atmosphere at the start of a flying lesson; everyone was full of curiosity and desire. But as the lesson progressed, many would eventually give up and slack off.

Learning to fly had a threshold.

And to fly well required higher talent and a massive investment of time.

Modern wizards didn't waste too much energy on broomsticks; after all, they weren't as low-threshold as Floo Powder, nor as fast and convenient as Apparition.

As a mode of transport that had already been phased out by the wizarding world, broomsticks would have long been swept into the dustbin of history if it weren't for the popularity of Quidditch.

Once everyone had gradually grasped the basics, Madam Hooch prepared to release the Golden Snitch, reminding the students that they could try to chase it down later.

Aside from Chu Yang, Hermione, and Harry—who had never seen a single match—the other students seemed exceptionally excited, including Ron and Neville.

Who among them hadn't dreamed of being a Seeker under the influence of their parents?

Although this wasn't an official match, it was the closest these young wizards would ever get to their dreams.

That was why everyone was so excited.

But the scene that followed became very strange...

A group of first-years sat atop their broomsticks, faces filled with earnest anticipation, shouting "Up! Up! Up!" in unison.

As a result, the broomsticks did indeed go up, but they sent everyone tumbling head over heels, without exception.

It was only then that everyone realized how difficult it was to maintain balance while standing on a broomstick!

"You can actually fly while standing on it? That's incredible!" Lavender Brown climbed up from the grass, clutching her backside, looking at Chu Yang with a distressed face while muttering incessantly.

"What kind of special training did you go through? Did you used to work in a circus or something?" Dean Thomas couldn't understand it at all, looking blankly at the broom in his hand.

"Hah! I don't believe you'll be able to fly a second time. You'll fall off just like the rest of us!" The willful and temperamental Pansy Parkinson mocked Chu Yang directly.

The "House Point Deductors" trio and Neville also fell heavily to the ground like the others. Ron even rolled all the way to Chu Yang's feet. The moment their eyes met, an awkward tension filled the air.

Chu Yang coughed a few times, then stepped onto his broom. Everyone's gaze focused on him, while Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall stared at the broomstick beneath his feet, sensing the magical fluctuations emanating from it.

The broom slowly rose into the air. Chu Yang stood steadily upon it, showing no sign of falling.

"He did it!" Daphne cried out in pleasant surprise, only to be quickly silenced by Pansy, who glared at her angrily.

"Mr. Chu Yang, how on earth did you do that?" Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall stepped forward, shocked and deeply puzzled.

Chu Yang explained, "It might be because I have a naturally good sense of balance. I don't find standing on a broom to be particularly strenuous."

Madam Hooch looked suspiciously at the broom Chu Yang was standing on, then tossed her own broom at her feet, intending to try it herself.

In the next second, she stumbled off the broom. She decisively abandoned the idea; this was not a posture an ordinary person could attempt.

Madam Hooch shook her head toward the equally curious Professor McGonagall, the latter's face showing a hint of slight disappointment.

Madam Hooch reminded the students in a teasing tone, "It's probably best if everyone sticks to the conventional posture. Flying while standing on the broom seems to have become Mr. Chu Yang's private privilege."

Having witnessed Chu Yang's unique flying style, returning to the conventional posture felt somewhat unsatisfying to the first-year students.

But there was no helping it; only those who had tried it knew how difficult it was. You not only had to maintain balance, but you also had to ensure your magic constantly influenced the broomstick.

Magic is a part of the body; if the body cannot maintain a stable state, the magic will naturally be affected.

After switching back to the conventional posture, Harry successfully took off the moment he mounted his broom, weaving through the air with ease.

"Whoever can catch this Golden Snitch, I will give it to them as a souvenir!" Madam Hooch took the opportunity to release the Golden Snitch and made her promise!

With a "whoosh," Harry shot forward, leaving a blur in the air due to his speed.

At the same time, Chu Yang also shot out!

Following closely behind Harry, chasing the Golden Snitch!

Chu Yang didn't care much about whether he could catch this little thing; he just wanted to see how fast he could go flying like this.

While other classmates were still struggling to stay airborne, the two had already begun a fierce chase for the Golden Snitch.

Whether it was Harry or Chu Yang, they were both flying quite skillfully over Hogwarts, looking nothing like novices attempting to fly for the first time.

Professor McGonagall, who had intended to leave, felt her eyes light up, her expression turning excited. As the Head of Gryffindor, her attention was mostly on Harry.

Gryffindor happened to be lacking a qualified Seeker, and Harry's performance looked very promising.

(End of Chapter)