The trio followed Professor McGonagall's steps closely, their hurried footsteps and the rustle of their robes echoing in the corridor.
Draco glimpsed Harry's tense profile and tightly pressed lips, and couldn't help but ask in a hushed voice, "Harry? What's wrong?"
Hearing Draco's question, Harry also lowered his voice: "You think... will Professor McGonagall expel us?"
Draco scoffed, "Expel us? If she really wanted to expel us, she would have announced it on the lawn. Why bother bringing us here?"
Although Draco's words were reasonable, they did not alleviate Harry's worries at all.
Just then, Nios interjected, "It's fine. If we really get expelled, we can find an uninhabited forest together and live there."
Harry and Draco looked at him with stunned expressions.
"What would we do living in a forest?" Harry blurted out, feeling like he couldn't keep up with Nios's train of thought.
Nios spread his hands and said as a matter of course, "Come on, we're Wizards! Shouldn't we occupy a forest as a base, and then occasionally sneak into the Muggle world to curse their princes or princesses or something?"
"By then, to lift the curse, they'll surely send a large army to attack us. With all due respect, is there any place in this world that can better leverage a Wizard's advantages than a forest?"
Harry and Draco were completely choked by this bizarre line of thinking, and for a moment didn't know how to refute, only exchanging a helpless look of "He's at it again" before silently following Professor McGonagall.
Not long after, Professor McGonagall led them to Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch team captain, who were currently in class.
When Harry saw Flint's face, he couldn't help but whisper to Draco, "His face... what happened?"
Draco immediately nudged him with his elbow and whispered, "Be polite, Harry!" After saying that, he subconsciously glanced at Flint: "...Although what you said is true, it's best to keep such things to yourself!"
Professor McGonagall's steps were exceptionally light today, and there was even a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips.
Not only did she discover a talented Seeker and a talented Chaser for Gryffindor, but she also found a good Seeker for Slytherin.
She had witnessed Harry and Draco's thrilling and exciting dogfight from her office window, and Nios's precise throws were an unexpected bonus.
Gryffindor hadn't lifted the Quidditch Cup in too long, and although the rules stated that only second-years could participate in tryouts, as Deputy Principal, she was fully capable of making an exception for the trio.
Moreover, giving Slytherin a Draco could effectively silence Snape and various gossips, and it also seemed fairer.
The group arrived at an empty classroom.
As soon as they pushed open the door, they saw Peeves squatting, scribbling curses on the blackboard with chalk.
Professor McGonagall's face instantly darkened, and she sharply commanded, "Out! Peeves!"
Peeves grumbled discontentedly, but under Professor McGonagall's extremely intimidating gaze, he made a face and reluctantly floated through the wall and away.
Professor McGonagall turned to Wood and Flint, getting straight to the point: "Oliver, I've found you a Seeker," she pointed to Harry, then her gaze swept over Flint, "Marcus, I've also found you a Seeker," she pointed to Draco, and finally her gaze returned to Wood, "Additionally, I've found you a Chaser." She looked at Nios.
Seeing the confusion on the two captains' faces, Professor McGonagall briefly recounted everything that had just happened on the lawn.
Neville's accidental takeoff, Nios's rescue, Harry and Draco's brilliant and audacious aerial duel, and Nios's second heroic act of "catching" the two brave boys.
As she spoke, Wood and Flint's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and their gazes towards their new housemates were filled with excitement and eagerness, while not forgetting to glare fiercely at each other.
Harry and Draco finally understood Professor McGonagall's intention, and their hearts thumped with excitement!
Becoming a Quidditch player in their first year?
This was an unprecedented honor in Hogwarts's history!
And from Professor McGonagall's words, they were to play crucial positions that could sway the game—Seekers!
Draco could almost imagine his father's proud expression when he received the letter.
Although Harry was still a little apprehensive about his own abilities, the feeling of effortless control in the air had given him unprecedented confidence.
Their gazes met again, and their eyes seemed to burn with fire!
The undecided match from earlier would continue on the Quidditch pitch!
However, Nios slowly raised his hand, his calm tone breaking the fiery atmosphere:
"Uh... Professor? Can I not participate?"
At his words, the entire classroom instantly fell silent.
The excitement on Wood and Flint's faces froze, and Harry and Draco also looked at him in surprise.
After a week of getting to know him, Professor McGonagall had somewhat grasped Nios's nature of "never getting involved if he's not interested," but she hadn't expected him to refuse so directly, not even bothering to find a decent excuse.
Seeing Nios refuse, Draco inexplicably felt relieved.
He was confident in himself, but he really didn't want to be enemies with Nios, not even on the field.
Although Flint didn't show it on his face, his gaze also softened a bit.
At this moment, Wood grew anxious; he stepped forward, his tone earnest: "Chaos! You have amazing talent! This is an excellent opportunity! If you're willing, I guarantee I can train you into a top-notch Chaser in a month!"
Nios just scratched his head: "But I'm really not interested in chasing a ball on a broom."
Even Flint couldn't help himself now; he said gruffly, "Chaos, I need to remind you, no matter how good the talent, it will be wasted without training!"
Professor McGonagall also tried to persuade him again: "Mr. Chaos, your talent is indeed rare. Burying it, you might regret it in the future."
Nios shook his head, his tone becoming serious: "Professor McGonagall, rather than chasing a ball on the field, I'd prefer to ensure that the students chasing them land safely."
"What do you mean?" Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"I want to participate in Quidditch, but not as a player for any team." Nios pulled out the translucent little pink gem from his robe, "I want to be the on-field safety support. You've seen its effect firsthand."
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, gesturing for him to continue.
"Although inter-school matches aren't as dangerous as professional ones, there are still considerable risks."
"Although Madam Pomfrey's medical skills are superb, I hope my presence can lighten her burden and also allow my classmates to play without worries on the field." Nios's tone was firm, "Rather than soaring on the field, I'd rather protect their safety from the sidelines. This is my choice."
Professor McGonagall fell into thought. Nios's words did make sense. With him and his "little pink," the safety of inter-school matches could indeed be greatly improved, and players could also perform their skills more boldly.
"Since your mind is made up, I won't force you," Professor McGonagall finally said. "Your suggestion is very valuable, and I will discuss it seriously with Headmaster Dumbledore."
Finally, Wood and Flint arranged the time for their first training session with Harry and Draco.
Professor McGonagall sent the two captains back to class and then turned, heading towards the Headmaster's office on the eighth floor, preparing to discuss Nios's "on-field safety officer" proposal with Dumbledore.
Nios returned to the lawn alone.
Harry and Draco, meanwhile, walked towards the Hospital Wing with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
After all, they now needed some of Madam Pomfrey's hair-growing Potion to save their image.
At dinner, when Harry and Draco appeared in the Great Hall with hair that had grown back but was still a bit sparse, Hermione and Ron immediately gathered around them.
Although they had already heard whispers from Nios, given Nios's usual "track record," they felt it was safer to confirm it themselves.
"Merlin's beard! What Nios said was true!" Ron's eyes were wide, and his voice rose with excitement, "You two really became Seekers in your first year?! You are absolutely the youngest Seekers in Hogwarts's history!"
Harry and Draco, however, seemed a bit downcast and unenthusiastic.
Clearly, the experience of being stared at by numerous classmates with bald heads that morning had left a deep "mark" on their young minds.
When Neville saw them in the Hospital Wing, he even felt that his own hair, eaten by little pink, wasn't so sad anymore.
After all, he had company, and their situation was much more spectacular than his!
"So when do you start training?" Hermione asked curiously.
Harry poked the broccoli on his plate with his fork: "I'm next week. What about you, Draco?"
Draco sat up straight, trying to regain some aristocratic composure: "Me too, next week!"
After saying that, he even shot Harry a challenging look.
Harry glared back, not to be outdone, and the tension between them instantly thickened again.
"What about Nios," Ron turned to the person in question, who was leisurely drinking pumpkin juice, a puzzled look on his face, "Why did you refuse? What a great opportunity!"
Nios put down his cup, grinned, revealing his shark teeth: "Rather than becoming a Quidditch player, I prefer watching Quidditch players turn bald."
This light remark made Harry, Draco, and even Neville next to them subconsciously touch their heads, as if they felt a chill there again.