Chapter 43: Gift

Both men flew at incredible speeds while chasing the Golden Snitch, but in Madam Hooch’s eyes, Chu Yang, trailing Harry by just one body length, flew with far greater ease.

Her eyes were filled with awe.

For a beginner on their first flight, reaching Harry’s level was already genius-level, but Chu Yang’s talent was even more extraordinary.

Because he was flying standing up…

A flying broom requires precise control; every movement Itachi make while soaring at high speed could cause drastic deviations in direction.

Second is observational skill—the faster Itachi fly, the blurrier the surroundings become, demanding exceptional dynamic vision to track teammates and opponents.

Most important of all is mindset!

Only with sufficient calm and composure can Itachi make the right choices in a fiercely competitive match.

In all three aspects, Chu Yang surpassed Harry by more than a little.

“If Harry Potter represents Gryffindor in a Quidditch match, he will surely bring the trophy back for the house,” Professor McGonagall couldn’t help saying, her eyes fixed on Harry.

“Professor McGonagall, I mean no disrespect, but if Chu Yang were to compete in Quidditch, he would outperform Mr. Potter,” Madam Hooch said proudly, lifting her head. “In this, I am a professional.”

Professor McGonagall fell silent.

Madam Hooch wasn’t just the Quidditch referee at Hogwarts; she occasionally served as an official referee for professional Quidditch matches.

So when she said she was a professional, it wasn’t boasting.

Professor McGonagall muttered under her breath: “Headmaster Dumbledore shouldn’t have sent Chu Yang to Slytherin. If he’d come to Gryffindor instead, he and Harry Potter would have secured us the Quidditch championship for many years in a row.”

While Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall were arguing, Harry, too absorbed in chasing the Golden Snitch, flew past the pitch and sped straight toward the Whomping Willow.

“Hey! Harry, don’t go that way—it’s dangerous!”

Chu Yang realized something was wrong and shouted to stop Harry.

Harry, utterly focused, saw only the Golden Snitch—he couldn’t hear Chu Yang at all!

With no response, Chu Yang had no choice but to follow Harry out of the pitch.

Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch were still arguing over who would perform better in a Quidditch match—Chu Yang or Harry.

Finally, Hermione couldn’t bear it anymore and shouted: “Chu Yang and Harry are gone, Professors! They flew toward the Whomping Willow!”

Professor McGonagall looked up in shock, confirmed the two students were no longer visible above the pitch, turned pale, and sprinted outside, her emerald-green robe flaring behind her.

Madam Hooch did the same, even more panicked—if anything happened to them during her class, she would bear full responsibility.

The Whomping Willow was no gentle magical plant; over the years, many Hogwarts students had been injured by it, and the school strictly forbade anyone from approaching it.

No one had expected Harry to venture near it just to chase the Golden Snitch.

Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch led a frantic sprint, followed by a large crowd of students—the scene was spectacular; anyone unaware might have thought Hogwarts was hosting a sports competition!

When Professor McGonagall arrived, Harry, Chu Yang, and the Golden Snitch were swirling around the Whomping Willow like flies, while the tree, like the endlessly furious Monkey King from A Chinese Odyssey, wildly lashed out its branches, trying to crush the annoying “flies.”

The Whomping Willow stood as tall as a three-story building; even a single branch it swung was thicker than an adult man’s thigh.

As it thrashed wildly, the whistling sound of its branches made heads ache.

“Mr. Potter, Mr. Chu Yang, get down immediately! Stop chasing the Golden Snitch—it’s far too dangerous!” Professor McGonagall shouted, her face tense—Harry was the Seeker she had just chosen.

“This is far too dangerous! Get down!” Madam Hooch’s face was pale; she raised her broom, ready to fly up—but the Whomping Willow’s branches moved so densely she couldn’t get close.

“It’s not up to me, Madam Hooch!” Harry shouted back, dodging branches from all directions, his expression terrified.

Where was the Golden Snitch now?

It was probably shattered by the Whomping Willow’s blows!

The more Harry thought about it, the more miserable he felt—he hadn’t wanted this outcome. He’d only wanted to catch that flying golden ball.

Professor McGonagall suddenly remembered something and cried: “The knot! If Itachi touch the knot on the Whomping Willow, it will calm down immediately!”

Hermione was near tears. “Professor, we can’t even get close to the willow, let alone touch its knot!”

Professor McGonagall stared at the twenty-year-old Whomping Willow and sighed—if things continued like this, she’d have to destroy the tree with magic; student safety came first.

Just as Professor McGonagall hesitated, Harry, exhausted of magic and strength, slowed his flight—until the Whomping Willow struck his broom with a brutal blow.

Harry screamed and was flung through the air.

Hermione covered her eyes and shrieked; Ron yelled Harry’s name in panic.

Other students instinctively covered their eyes amid the cries.

Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch’s hearts leapt into their throats.

Another figure in midair circled from the opposite direction and snatched Harry’s robe just in time, saving him.

“Hold on tight!”

Harry looked up and saw Chu Yang gripping him—Chu Yang smiled at him, and Harry immediately relaxed. Then he noticed the golden ball in Chu Yang’s hand.

“Itachi caught it?!” Harry’s face lit up with joy, then dimmed with disappointment—joy because Chu Yang was his friend and he was happy for him; disappointment because it wasn’t him who caught it.

“It’s yours,” Chu Yang tossed the Golden Snitch to Harry. “Consider it your birthday gift. Itachi’ll become an excellent Seeker—when Itachi win the championship, give me one just like it.”

Harry held the Golden Snitch, and a glimmer of light seemed to shine in his eyes.

The brooms landed slowly on the grass as Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch led the students over.

“That was recklessly stupid! Mr. Chu Yang, Mr. Potter—Itachi had no idea how serious this was!” Professor McGonagall scolded them sternly, yet her eyes held unusual tenderness.

Madam Hooch, finally breathing again, stared intently at Chu Yang—she was certain his performance just now was more than enough to compete in official matches.

And Harry Potter also possessed extraordinary potential.

Whoever it was, they would become a brilliant new star player at Hogwarts!

(End of Chapter)