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Erwin wasn't surprised by the question.
Harry had picked up a Remembrall and been immediately recruited to the Gryffindor Quidditch team by Professor McGonagall. Meanwhile, he'd caught a person mid-flight.
Thinking that Cho might join the Quidditch team this year, Erwin realized that being on the team would allow him to spend more time with her.
After all, they weren't in the same year and couldn't attend classes together.
So he nodded.
"Of course, Professor. I'm very interested. But is that permitted? I've heard that first-year students aren't allowed to join Quidditch teams."
"Don't worry, Mr. Gaunt. I'll handle the arrangements."
Hearing Erwin's affirmative answer, Professor Flitwick looked delighted and assured him not to worry about technicalities; he would take care of everything.
Professor Flitwick stood up, hopped down to the floor, and walked over to a large chest by the window.
Opening the lock, the professor bent over, withdrew a long package, and handed it to Erwin.
"Professor, what's this?"
Erwin was somewhat puzzled.
"This is a Nimbus 2000, the latest model this year. It was sent to me by one of my former students, who's now a designer at the Nimbus Racing Broom Company."
"I originally intended to give it to Roger Davies for him to use, but I believe you'll suit it better."
Erwin was momentarily speechless.
Professor McGonagall had purchased Harry's gift with her own money.
Unexpectedly, Professor Flitwick had received his as a gift directly from a former student.
'As expected of Ravenclaw, though it doesn't have as many pure-blood families as Slytherin, it certainly produces plenty of talented professionals.'
These people were distributed throughout various key positions in the wizarding world. Once mobilized, they would certainly wield considerable influence.
No wonder Slytherin had constantly competed with Gryffindor all these years without ever truly threatening Ravenclaw's position.
Erwin didn't stand on ceremony.
He accepted the Nimbus 2000 and held it carefully.
"Thank you, Professor. I'll make good use of it."
"So when do I start?" he then added.
"Next Wednesday. That's when we'll be holding tryouts for new players. Find Mr. Davies at that time, and he'll decide what position suits you best."
Professor Flitwick gave Erwin a few more instructions before dismissing him.
Erwin didn't delay, returning to the common room with the Nimbus 2000 in his arms.
In the common room, a group of young wizards spotted Erwin's return and immediately gathered around again.
Erwin could only answer a few questions at random before sending them away, finally achieving some peace and quiet.
Cho, who'd been sitting nearby, approached as well.
"What's that?"
She pointed to the package in Erwin's hands.
"A Nimbus 2000."
"From Professor Flitwick?"
Cho's mouth fell open in surprise.
"Yes. Professor Flitwick asked me to join the Quidditch team, though my position hasn't been decided yet."
Cho looked even more astonished.
"But first-year students aren't allowed to join Quidditch teams."
"What of it? Professor McGonagall called Harry to her office earlier. I expect he'll be joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well."
Erwin spoke with casual confidence.
"Professor Flitwick mentioned that next Wednesday will be the house tryouts. Cho, do you want to join too?"
"Of course! My goal this year is to become Ravenclaw's Seeker."
Speaking of this, Cho's enthusiasm became palpable.
Seeing her fighting spirit, Erwin considered for a moment.
"Anyway, our morning classes are finished. Why don't we find some open space and try out the Nimbus 2000?"
"Can I try it too?"
"Of course, it's just a broom."
After speaking, Erwin took Cho's hand and led her toward the door.
"Let's go to the Great Hall for lunch first, then head to the Black Lake and give it a proper test."
After the two finished their meal, they headed to the Black Lake for practice.
Watching Cho, radiantly happy, riding the Nimbus 2000 through the sky and executing various technical maneuvers with growing confidence, Erwin decided to buy her a Nimbus 2000 as a Christmas gift.
As for this one, since Professor Flitwick had given it to him personally, it wouldn't be quite right to give it away immediately.
****
Over the following week, the school gradually returned to its normal rhythm, and the first-year students began to find their footing. The castle no longer felt quite as overwhelming, and even the moving staircases seemed a little less mischievous once one got used to them. Bit by bit, they were becoming accustomed to life at Hogwarts.
The most obvious sign of this adjustment was the steadily increasing amount of homework. One afternoon in the library, Erwin happened to witness Harry and Ron pleading with Hermione to let them copy her Potions essay.
"The old bat is inhuman," Ron complained bitterly. "Three feet of parchment, and it has to be single-spaced!"
However, this posed no difficulty for Erwin. He'd written plenty of reports in his previous life, and dealing with homework was a trivial matter in comparison. He often finished early enough to stroll down to the Quidditch pitch with Cho to watch the upper years practice. When tryouts finally arrived, both of them decided to give it a shot, and, to their delight, both made the team.
In the end, Erwin chose the Beater position.
In his own words, he could better protect Cho that way.
"You just focus on catching the Golden Snitch," he told her with quiet confidence. "Leave everything else to me, I'll protect you."
The little witch had never heard such a declaration before. Her cheeks flushed a deep pink, and, acting on impulse, she leaned in and kissed Erwin on the cheek right there on the pitch. The rest of the Quidditch team erupted in laughter and applause, thoroughly fed on the generous helping of sweetness the pair had just served.