Chapter 39: The Correct Way to Use a Flying Broomstick

“Let me correct you first: I wasn't bullying them, they were bullying me. I was merely acting in self-defense.”

Chu Yang did not flinch at Snape's anger. His eyes remained fixed on the man as he retorted with poise and composure, “When they pick up their wands, I will naturally pick up mine to fight back. We are all wizards; are they the only ones who can use magic?”

Snape sneered, “Can you guarantee that your spells are as effective as your fists?”

Chu Yang shrugged, his face full of ease. “We’ll find out when the time comes, won't we? Don't worry, Professor, once the results are in, I will report to you immediately.”

Snape knew why Chu Yang was so fearless. Professor McGonagall had already explained to him that any retaliatory actions Chu Yang took within Slytherin were tacitly approved by Headmaster Dumbledore.

“If you are serious, then I admire your courage.” Snape turned away indifferently and walked toward the podium, announcing loudly, “Talking back to a professor and showing a lack of respect for elders—five points from Slytherin!”

Chu Yang was stunned.

Good grief, Snape was actually losing his temper. This was the first time he had seen him deduct points from his own house!

In a single day, Slytherin had lost 10 points because of Chu Yang!

When it came to losing points, he was already ahead of the Golden Trio.

*Am I going to become the new king of point deductions?*

As everyone knew, the Golden Trio usually consisted of three people, and the Four Great Kings usually consisted of five...

But when it came to deducting points, Chu Yang had no desire to stand side-by-side with those three.

The first Potions class of the semester was unusually heavy. Snape, who already had a bad temper, paced around the first-years like a Grim Reaper while teaching, the sound of his leather boots clicking against the floor exceptionally clear.

Throughout the entire lesson, Snape never once spared Chu Yang a glance.

He thought this might put some pressure on Chu Yang, but he had underestimated the boy's psychological maturity.

Snape's ability to intimidate students was far inferior to Chu Yang's high school homeroom teacher, and even less so than a PE teacher.

Every student who had gone through compulsory education could adapt well to the academic intensity of Hogwarts.

Only locals from the UK would find it overwhelming.

As soon as class ended, all the first-years scrambled to flee the classroom. In contrast, Chu Yang—the one who had clashed with Snape—leisurely packed his books, arriving last.

“Thank you for today's lesson, Professor Snape. I learned many things that aren't in the textbooks.” Chu Yang bowed slightly and then turned to leave.

Watching Chu Yang's retreating figure, Snape's frost-like expression gradually softened.

Snape's gaze grew vacant as he murmured, “If only I had been as brave as him back then, Lily might have...”

In the empty classroom, only Snape's voice echoed for a long time.

Lunchtime arrived. After a morning of mental torment, the first-year students finally had time to buffer their turbulent young souls.

In the Great Hall, the new students instinctively sat far away from Chu Yang. After learning that he had single-handedly taken down so many boys, he had already left a somewhat questionable impression in everyone's minds.

As for the feat of non-purebloods confronting purebloods, that wouldn't be labeled as "heroic" here.

Even if one set aside the concepts of pureblood and non-pureblood, no one wanted to be associated with Chu Yang because he had offended too many people this time!

One had to realize that every student entering Slytherin came from a background of significant influence; it was the cradle of pureblood wizards!

Chu Yang was well aware of this. He wasn't so naive as to hold a grudge against those who avoided him; avoiding trouble and seeking luck was human instinct.

However, to Chu Yang's surprise, someone suddenly sat down directly opposite him.

It wasn't Hermione, nor was it Harry or Ron.

It was Neville Longbottom!

Neville, holding some food and wearing a goofy smile, said, “I didn't get a chance to thank you when we were at the lake, so now is a good opportunity.”

“Don't mention it.” Chu Yang rested his chin on one hand while his other hand lightly tapped the table. “Are you sure you want to sit here?”

Neville said flusteredly, “I'm sorry! If you don't like me sitting here, I can move somewhere else.”

“That's not what I meant.” Chu Yang waved his hand in explanation. “If you sit this close to me, aren't you afraid they'll isolate you just like they're isolating me?”

Neville scratched his head and said, “They won't. They just don't understand you yet. After a while, they'll realize they misunderstood you.”

Chu Yang chuckled. From his tone, it sounded as if this guy thought he knew him very well.

Suddenly, more young wizards appeared next to Chu Yang's seat.

Unsurprisingly, it was the "Point Deduction Trio."

“There are some parts of this book I don't understand. Can you teach me?” Hermione placed a very thick book in front of Chu Yang. Although she was ostensibly asking for help, her attitude suggested otherwise.

Harry and Ron also sat naturally diagonally across from Chu Yang, fooling around and occasionally asking him about the "details of the battle" from last night.

“I heard from Goyle that you kicked Blaise right into the air!” Ron asked excitedly. “Did you really not use a spell?”

Chu Yang smiled. “My wand was in my trunk; I didn't even have a chance to grab it. Of course I didn't use a spell.”

Ron sighed in admiration. “You're so strong!”

Once the three of them sat down and started chatting, it wasn't long before Ron's older brothers also sat nearby, and the area around Chu Yang began to become "normal" again.

Fred and George winked at Chu Yang.

Clearly having heard of his "feat," the two kept pestering him with questions, making the area instantly lively.

Shortly after, a series of crisp cries rang out above the Great Hall. Countless owls flew in through the skylights, carrying things in their beaks and on their talons.

“Hey! The mail is here!”

The joyful shouts made Chu Yang realize that the students' home deliveries had arrived. Come to think of it, starting a delivery company using owls to specialize in lightweight parcels would probably be very profitable, wouldn't it?

A newspaper landed on Ron and Harry's table. After asking a few questions, Harry impatiently opened it.

Chu Yang vaguely remembered... this newspaper reported the news of the theft at Gringotts. The vault that originally held the Philosopher's Stone, which could grant immortality, had been removed in advance by Hagrid under Dumbledore's orders.

The attention of the Point Deduction Trio was entirely captured by that newspaper, but they had no idea that the object inside was quietly lying right there in Hogwarts.

The first class of the afternoon was Madam Hooch's flying lesson, and the new students could hardly contain their excitement.

Flying was the ultimate dream of humanity; both wizards and Muggles were fascinated by it.

Madam Hooch strode through the middle of the new students and said loudly, “Welcome to your first flying lesson.”

“Everyone, please place your right hand above your broom, then say 'Up!' to make the broom fly into your hand. This is the first step in establishing a connection with your broomstick.”

As she spoke, Madam Hooch felt something was wrong, because one student had jumped directly onto his broom, standing on it with both feet in a bizarre posture.

Under her horrified gaze, the boy with East Asian features let out a shout!

“Up!”

The good news

The broom actually flew up!

The bad news

The boy was flying while standing on it!!!