Chapter 41: The Golden Snitch

So that was their game, I thought. No wonder they stepped up to speak for me.

Ron shot Chu Yang a knowing look, and Harry just offered a shy smile. Once the others had dispersed, Neville hurried over to Chu Yang, tear streaks still visible on his chubby cheeks. "Chu Yang, you helped me again. I don't even know how to thank you."

Just as Chu Yang was about to offer some polite pleasantries, Neville added sheepishly, "If you could teach me how to fly, I’d be even more grateful."

Chu Yang: "..."

Madam Hooch, who had returned to the teaching building to retrieve some items, ran straight into Professor McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall, where are you headed?"

"I was just on my way to find you, Madam Hooch."

Madam Hooch asked, quite surprised, "Is something the matter?"

"I couldn't help but notice the flying lesson on the pitch just now," McGonagall asked impatiently. "What was that strange flying posture Chu Yang was using? Is that some new technique of yours?"

Madam Hooch hurriedly waved her hand in denial. "It was an accident; it happened quite unintentionally."

McGonagall shook her head. "I saw him flying quite well. He controlled his broomstick with such skill; it didn't look like a mere accident."

Madam Hooch hesitated for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Perhaps he simply has a gift. Some people are just like that—a broomstick becomes like an extension of their own body, and they use it naturally without needing any deliberate practice."

McGonagall agreed with this sentiment, yet she felt Chu Yang was something more unique than those examples. After all, he had already displayed many extraordinary traits.

A while later, Madam Hooch returned carrying a box, accompanied by Professor McGonagall. The professor didn't say anything, choosing instead to stand aside and observe the lesson quietly.

Madam Hooch enjoyed the atmosphere at the start of a flying lesson—everyone was filled with curiosity and ambition—but as the course progressed, many would inevitably give up and lose interest. Learning to fly had a barrier to entry, and flying well required even higher natural talent and a massive investment of time. Modern wizards did not waste much energy on broomsticks; after all, they were neither as accessible as Floo powder nor as swift and convenient as Apparition.

As a mode of transport already being phased out by the magical world, broomsticks would have long since been swept into the dustbin of history were it not for the popularity of Quidditch.

Once everyone had mastered the basics, Madam Hooch prepared to release the Golden Snitch, reminding the students that they could try to chase it down later. Aside from Chu Yang, Hermione, and Harry—who had never seen a match—the other students were exceptionally excited, including Ron and Neville. Who, in their childhood, hadn't dreamed of becoming a Seeker, influenced by their parents? While this wasn't an official match, it was the closest these young wizards had ever been to their dreams.

But then, the scene took a very strange turn.

A group of first-years stood on their respective broomsticks, their faces filled with eager anticipation, shouting, "Up! Up! Up!"

The brooms did indeed rise, but they promptly tossed every single student off in a chaotic heap. It was only then that everyone realized how difficult it was to maintain balance while standing on a broomstick!

"How could you possibly fly standing up? It’s unbelievable!" Lavender Brown climbed up from the grass, clutching her bottom, looking at Chu Yang with a pained expression while muttering to herself.

"What kind of special training have you had? Or did you work in a circus before this?" Dean Thomas couldn't comprehend it, staring blankly at the broom in his hand.

"Hey! I don't believe you can fly a second time. You'll fall off just like the rest of us!" Pansy Parkinson, spoiled and willful, mocked Chu Yang directly.

The trio of troublemakers and Neville had also landed hard on the ground like everyone else. Ron even rolled right to Chu Yang's feet. As their eyes met, an awkward silence filled the air.

Chu Yang coughed a few times and stepped onto his broom. Everyone turned their focus toward him, while Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall watched the broom beneath his feet, sensing the fluctuations of magic emanating from it.

The broom rose slowly, and Chu Yang stood steadily upon it, not showing the slightest sign of losing his balance.

"He did it!" Daphne exclaimed in surprise, only to have her mouth quickly covered by Pansy, who glared at her in annoyance.

"Mr. Chu, how on earth did you manage that?" Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall stepped forward, both shocked and deeply puzzled.

Chu Yang explained, "It might just be that I have a natural sense of balance. I don't find standing on a broomstick particularly difficult."

Madam Hooch looked skeptically at the broom Chu Yang was using, then threw her own onto the ground, intending to try it herself.

The next second, she stumbled and fell off the broom, promptly abandoning the idea; it was not a posture for the average person to attempt. Madam Hooch shook her head at the equally curious Professor McGonagall, who wore a faint look of disappointment.

Madam Hooch reminded the students in a teasing tone, "It is better for everyone to stick to the conventional posture. Flying while standing on a broom seems to be a privilege reserved for Mr. Chu."

Having witnessed Chu Yang's unique flying style, reverting to the standard method felt somewhat lackluster for the first-years. But there was no help for it; only those who had tried knew how hard it was. You had to maintain balance while constantly ensuring your magic influenced the broomstick. Magic was a part of the body; if the body could not maintain a stable state, the magic would naturally be affected.

Once they switched to the standard posture, Harry mounted his broom and immediately soared into the air, zipping around with ease.

"Whoever can catch this Golden Snitch, I shall give it to them as a souvenir!" Madam Hooch released the Snitch, making a promise.

With a "whoosh," Harry shot out, his speed leaving a blur in the air. At the same time, Chu Yang surged forward as well, tailing Harry in pursuit of the Snitch!

Chu Yang didn't care much about catching the little trinket; he just wanted to test how fast he could fly this way. While the other students were still struggling to stay airborne, the two of them had already begun a fierce chase.

Whether it was Harry or Chu Yang, they both flew across the Hogwarts grounds with such proficiency that they didn't look like novices at all.

Professor McGonagall, who had intended to leave, found her eyes lighting up, her expression filled with excitement. As the head of Gryffindor, her gaze remained fixed on Harry most of the time. Gryffindor was in need of a qualified Seeker, and Harry's performance showed immense potential.