Chapter 41: The Golden Snitch

Holy shit, so that’s the plan he had in mind—no wonder he stepped forward to speak up for me.

Then Ron threw Chuyang a knowing glance, and Harry just smiled shyly.

After everyone had left, Neville dashed up to Chuyang , his chubby face still streaked with tears: “ Chuyang , Itachi’ve helped me again—I don’t even know how to thank Itachi.”

Chuyang was about to say something polite when Neville sheepishly added: “If Itachi could teach me how to fly, I’d be even more grateful.”

Chuyang : “...”

Madam Hooch, returning to the teaching building to fetch something, bumped right into Professor McGonagall.

“Professor McGonagall, where are Itachi headed?”

“I was just about to find Itachi, Madam Hooch.”

Madam Hooch asked in surprise: “What do Itachi need me for?”

Professor McGonagall blurted out: “Just now, I noticed the flying lesson on the pitch—what’s with Chuyang ’s bizarre flying posture? Is it one of your latest inventions?”

Madam Hooch quickly waved her hands, denying: “It was an accident— Chuyang did it by mistake.”

Professor McGonagall shook her head: “He flew quite well up there. He controls the broom with great skill—it doesn’t look like a mere accident.”

Madam Hooch hesitated a moment, then smiled lightly: “Perhaps it’s just his natural talent. Some people are like that—the broom feels like a part of their body; they don’t need to learn deliberately, they just use it naturally.”

Professor McGonagall agreed with this explanation.

But she still felt Chuyang was even more exceptional than those examples—he’d already demonstrated many unusual traits.

After a while, Madam Hooch returned with a box, accompanied by Professor McGonagall, who said nothing but stood quietly watching Madam Hooch’s lesson.

Madam Hooch enjoyed the atmosphere at the start of the flying lesson—everyone was curious and eager—but as the lesson continued, many would give up and slack off.

Learning to fly has a threshold.

To fly well requires even greater talent and a huge investment of time.

Modern wizards don’t waste much energy on brooms, since they’re neither as low-barrier as Floo Powder nor as swift and convenient as Apparition.

As a mode of transport already obsolete in the magical world, the broom would’ve been tossed into history’s trash bin long ago—if not for the popularity of Quidditch.

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

Except for Chuyang , Hermione, and Harry—who’d never seen a match—all other students were wildly excited, including Ron and Neville.

Who as a child hadn’t dreamed of being a Seeker, soaked in their parents’ stories?

Though this wasn’t an official match, it was the closest these young witches and wizards had ever come to their dream.

That’s why everyone was so excited.

But then the tone turned strangely odd...

A group of first-years stood on their brooms, faces filled with eager anticipation, shouting: “Up! Up! Up!”

The brooms rose—only to dump every single one of them hard onto the grass, without exception.

Only then did they realize how difficult it was to balance on a broom!

“Itachi can actually stand on it and fly? That’s incredible!” Lavender Brown groaned, climbing up from the grass, clutching her rear, frowning at Chuyang and muttering nonstop.

“What kind of special training did Itachi go through? Or did Itachi used to work in a circus?” Dean Thomas stared blankly at his broom, utterly baffled.

“Hey! I don’t believe Itachi can fly a second time—Itachi’ll fall off just like us!” Pansy Parkinson sneered directly at Chuyang .

The Three-Point Deductors and Neville also crashed hard to the ground; Ron even rolled all the way to Chuyang ’s feet. When their eyes met, awkwardness spread through the air.

Chuyang cleared his throat, then stepped onto the broom. All eyes locked onto him; Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall stared at the broom beneath his feet, sensing the magical energy radiating from it.

The broom floated slowly upward, and Chuyang stood Wenwen on it, showing not the slightest sign of falling.

“He did it!” Daphne gasped in delight, but Pansy instantly clapped a hand over her mouth, glaring angrily at her.

“Mr. Chuyang , how on earth did Itachi manage that?” Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall stepped forward, stunned yet deeply puzzled.

Chuyang explained: “Maybe it’s because I’ve always had excellent balance—I don’t find standing on a broom difficult at all.”

Madam Hooch eyed the broom Chuyang stood on, then tossed her own broom beneath her feet, deciding to try it herself.

The next second, she stumbled off and immediately abandoned the idea—this wasn’t a posture anyone ordinary could attempt.

Madam Hooch shook her head at Professor McGonagall, who looked faintly disappointed.

Madam Hooch teased the students: “Everyone should stick to the standard posture—it seems standing on the broom has become Mr. Chuyang ’s exclusive privilege.”

After witnessing Chuyang ’s unusual flying posture, returning to the standard stance left the first-years with a strange, unsettled feeling.

But there was no choice—only those who’d tried knew how hard it was: Itachi had to maintain balance while constantly channeling magic into the broom.

Magic is part of your body—if your body isn’t stable, your magic will inevitably be disrupted.

Once they switched to the standard posture, Harry mounted his broom and instantly soared upward, gliding effortlessly through the air.

“Whoever catches the Golden Snitch gets it as a keepsake!” Madam Hooch released the Golden Snitch and made her promise.

With a *whoosh*, Harry shot off, leaving a blur in the air.

At the same time, Chuyang also shot forward!

Right behind Harry, chasing the Golden Snitch!

Chuyang didn’t care much about catching the little thing—he just wanted to test how fast he could fly like this.

While the other students were barely hovering, the two were already locked in a fierce chase for the Golden Snitch.

Whether Harry or Chuyang , both flew with flawless skill above Hogwarts, utterly unlike first-timers.

Professor McGonagall, who’d been about to leave, suddenly brightened, her expression excited— as Gryffindor’s Head of House, her eyes were mostly fixed on Harry.

Gryffindor desperately needed a qualified Seeker, and Harry’s performance showed tremendous potential.

(End of Chapter)