Chapter 58. Flying Class
The treatment recorded in Newt's notes was very effective.
After the first dose, Mori's spirits improved a great deal.
Duncan's mood also brightened, and he threw himself wholeheartedly into school life.
In Monday's Charms class, he raised his hand again and again to answer, earning quite a few points for Hufflepuff.
In the afternoon's Herbology class, he performed excellently and won praise from their Head of House, Professor Sprout.
Only Defence Against the Dark Arts was the same as ever.
Professor Quirrell acted as a merciless reading machine, and Duncan had no chance to show anything.
One could only say that Professor Quirrell's awareness was a step ahead of his time.
Before the Internet had even become widespread, he let students experience the charm of machine reading and writing in advance.
Human joys and sorrows are not connected.
As Duncan enjoyed himself in comfort, Neville felt unspeakable pain.
When the bell for Defence Against the Dark Arts rang, Neville only rose—under the urging of Duncan and the others—reluctantly, inching his backside off the stool.
Neville wore a tragic expression and took a hard step forward, as if he were not going to class but being sent to the scaffold.
The group matched Neville's speed, inching down the corridor like snails.
Hannah sighed.
"Neville, it's only flying class.
There's nothing difficult about it."
Neville nodded nervously.
Ever since he saw the notice that flying classes would begin, his heart had never settled.
Mrs Longbottom never allowed him to touch brooms, because he kept having accidents even on the ground.
If he went up, wouldn't it be worse?
Neville firmly believed that too.
From childhood to now, he had kept far away from flying brooms, with no thought of taking a spin in the sky.
"Right.
Madam Hooch is a very professional teacher.
She'll make sure we're safe," Ellie added, trying to reassure him.
After a few days together, Ellie had gradually grown familiar with Duncan and the others, no longer as shy as before.
"Yes, Madam Hooch is very professional—we can vouch for that!"
"The first lesson she only had us practise the Wronski Feint a few times."
"It's nothing hard, Neville.
With your ability you can definitely do it!"
Fred and George popped out from who-knows-where, grinning as they spoke.
"And even if something does happen, there's still Madam Pomfrey.
You've got to trust her healing!"
"Look at our arms and legs.
They've all been broken in flying class before."
"But Madam Pomfrey set them all right for us.
See—aren't they the same as before?"
Fred and George stuck their hands under Neville's nose and showed them off over and over.
"Ah?"
Neville's face went a shade paler, and even his feet nearly refused to lift.
Clearly, what the twins said was not comfort but another kind of fright.
"Fred, George!"
Hannah roared, full of menace, and rudely chased the twins off.
"Go, Neville!"
Fred and George shouted as they backed away under Hannah's raised fist.
"Neville, don't listen to them.
I already asked others.
Very few people get injured in flying class," Hannah comforted him.
Neville's head moved stiffly.
He probably only heard the words "people get injured in flying class."
"Can't you think of a way to help Neville relax a bit?" Ellie lowered her voice to Duncan.
"Don't worry," Duncan said with complete confidence.
"Neville's only afraid now.
Once class starts, he'll be brave."
The three all looked at Duncan, not knowing where he got the confidence to say that.
Especially Neville, whose eyes went round.
He himself didn't believe he'd relax once class began.
After a tortoise-paced trek, the lawn for flying lessons finally came into view.
Several battered brooms lay on the ground, and quite a few Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were picking through them.
"Duncan…"
Neville halted and looked at Duncan expectantly.
He felt not a spark of courage rising in his heart.
Duncan's hand, hidden in his sleeve, came to rest on Neville's shoulder, and he took the chance to let the Hero Statue make contact with Neville.
"Actually, you're not afraid of flying class at all, are you, Neville?" Duncan asked with a smile.
"That's right!" Neville threw his chest out and raised his head, speaking with great force.
"A mere flying class—what's there to fear?"
"Just wait and watch me perform.
Isn't it just the Wronski Feint?
I'll do dozens for you to see!"
Neville thumped his fist against his chest and strode forward with confidence.
His sudden change left Hannah and Ellie gaping.
They looked at each other and saw bewilderment in each other's eyes.
Good grief—he changed completely in the blink of an eye.
Neville, it's a pity you don't go be a stage actor!
"Why are you still standing there?
Hurry up, or we won't get good brooms!"
Seeing the three hadn't followed, Neville frowned and urged them.
"Oh—oh, coming, coming…"
Hannah came back to herself and trotted after Neville.
Walking beside Duncan, Ellie asked curiously in a low voice, "How did you do that?"
"What?
Neville's brave by nature," Duncan replied with a smile.
In the future he could wield the Sword of Gryffindor and cleave Nagini in one stroke.
How could he lack courage?
It was just that, given his upbringing and the forceful Mrs Longbottom, he had grown a little timid.
So Duncan did not hand over the statue, but merely brushed it against Neville to grant him a brief courage.
He believed that as long as Neville could take the first step and see he could succeed on his own, he would truly grow brave.
Once everyone had chosen a broom and taken their places, Madam Hooch came striding up.
She had a short crop of grey hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, and she looked brisk and competent overall.
"What are you waiting for?"
She had barely planted her feet when Madam Hooch loudly urged everyone to pick up their brooms.
"Up!"
Neville barked the command with a stern face, and his broom leapt into his hand with almost no resistance.
Madam Hooch was standing right in front of Neville, and the shout left her eardrums buzzing.
She gave Neville a second look and praised him.
"Very good.
Nice spirit!"
"Thank you for the praise, Professor!" Neville bellowed, head high.
Madam Hooch felt her eardrums buzz again and, without changing her expression, shifted her feet a little to the side.
"Now do as I say," Madam Hooch began, teaching everyone how to mount and ride, correcting them one by one.
"When I blow the whistle, push off with both legs and leave the ground.
Remember to push hard!"
Neville nodded solemnly.
When the whistle sounded, he shot into the air like the wind.
His excellent performance earned more loud praise from Madam Hooch and five points for Hufflepuff.
He had not been in the air long when the effect of the Hero Statue ended.
Neville looked at the distant ground below and started in fright.
It was as if everything just now had been a dream, and now the dream had ended.
He opened his eyes and found the scene from the dream had become reality.
"How is it?
Flying isn't so scary, is it?"
Duncan flew his broom alongside Neville and smiled as he spoke.
"Neville, you were amazing!
Did you hear?
You won five points for Hufflepuff!" Hannah and Ellie flew over too, cheering with enthusiasm.
"I suppose so…"
Neville let out two light breaths, straightened a little, and smiled as he felt the breeze at his ears.
"Come on, let's go have a look over there," Duncan called, and flew off into the distance.
"Wait—slow down!"
Hannah and Ellie hurried to follow.
"Neville, come on!"
"Coming!"
Neville, still a bit unsteady, guided his broom after them.
He watched the figure in front and said in his heart, "Thank you, Duncan…"
He did not know what had just happened, but he knew it must have had something to do with the person ahead.
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