Draco Malfoy felt an overwhelming sense of frustration watching Dana bask in the limelight.
But even he had to admit—grudgingly—that this criminal's flying skills were remarkable. Almost as good as Archie Hipworth, the Seeker for the Ballycastle Bats.
Well, he was from the Avery family. Even if he had abandoned them, the pure-blood lineage was still in his veins. Perhaps his talent wasn't so surprising after all.
For a brief moment, Malfoy considered the unthinkable—maybe this Emrys fellow wasn't completely insufferable.
Then he immediately shook his head, as if physically expelling the thought.
What was he thinking? This guy was his enemy! He had cursed him!
"Yes, he's the enemy!" Malfoy muttered under his breath.
"Draco, what are you saying?" Crabbe asked, confused.
Malfoy blinked, realizing that he could speak again.
"Uh… nothing."
He quickly decided to stop thinking about Dana altogether. Dwelling on it just put him in a bad mood.
There were better things to focus on—like Harry Potter getting caught red-handed by the Deputy Headmistress.
Potter was finished!
Meanwhile, in Professor McGonagall's office, the Deputy Headmistress was facing an entirely different predicament.
Madam Hooch had rushed in after class, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Listen, Minerva, Dana Emrys is a flying genius! He performed maneuvers on the school's old broom that even professional players would struggle with!"
Professor McGonagall arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes! That child just needs a little training, and he could definitely play professionally!"
"That is impressive," McGonagall admitted. "But, Rolanda, why exactly are you telling me this?"
Madam Hooch gave her a look, as if the answer should be obvious. "Minerva, such a talent shouldn't go to waste! Aren't you going to recruit him for Gryffindor's Quidditch team?"
McGonagall hesitated.
"But I just introduced Harry Potter to Wood… We've never had a first-year on the team before. I already made an exception once. If I make another…"
Madam Hooch scoffed. "Oh, come on, Minerva! You've already broken tradition. What's the harm in doing it again?"
McGonagall sighed, rubbing her temples.
"You know as well as I do that Dana's situation is… complicated." Her expression grew troubled. "Because of what happened to him, the other students are ostracizing him. If I add him to the team, he might face even more resentment. He's already spent a month in isolation."
Madam Hooch waved a hand dismissively. "You're overthinking it! Fred, George, and Harry Potter all like him. He won't be alone."
McGonagall shook her head. "Yes, but Chasers require teamwork. If Dana replaces any of them, the other two will resent him. And resentment leads to disaster on the pitch."
Madam Hooch fell silent. She knew McGonagall was right.
"Such a shame," she muttered after a pause. "He's got so much potential…"
Across the castle, at dinner, Ron was nearly choking on his pumpkin pie.
"But—but first-years never—wait, you're on the House team?!"
Harry grinned. "Wood told me. Apparently, I'm the youngest House team player in a century!"
Dana entered the Great Hall just in time to hear that.
Harry spotted him immediately and practically bounced over. "Dana! Guess what? I made the Quidditch team!"
Dana smiled. "Then congratulations, Harry. I have no doubt you'll lead Gryffindor to victory."
Harry beamed. "They say I'll go down in Hogwarts: A History! The youngest Seeker in a century!"
Dana chuckled. "That is impressive. Your name will definitely be recorded in the Hall of Fame."
Harry swelled with pride. The past few days of awkwardness between them faded instantly.
Beans should be with beans. Cabbage should be with cabbage. Everything was as it should be.
But, of course, Malfoy had to ruin the moment.
"Enjoy your glory while it lasts, Potter," Malfoy sneered. "I suppose we'll see just how brave you are. Midnight. Trophy Room. A duel. Unless you're too scared?"
Harry, still basking in his newfound confidence, wasn't about to back down.
"You're on, Malfoy!"
Ron cheered. "Yeah! Let's teach him a lesson!"
Then Malfoy smirked. "Oh, but one condition—Potter, you can't bring Emrys. If you let a criminal fight for you, you'll lose all honor."
Harry stiffened. "Dana is not a criminal!"
"Then prove it," Malfoy said smoothly. "Fight me alone."
And just like that, Harry himself blocked any chance of asking Dana for help.
Instead, he went to Ron.
And Hermione overheard.
Dana, watching from the sidelines, simply sighed. Here we go.
Right on schedule, Harry and the others would sneak out, run into Filch, and end up stumbling into the forbidden corridor.
But it had nothing to do with Dana.
While they went off on their midnight adventure, he would be in the library, soaking up the vast wealth of knowledge the magical world had to offer.
His days were full—attending classes, reading for hours, and receiving extra tutoring from Professor McGonagall.
The more he learned, the more he realized just how deeply bloodline mattered in the wizarding world.
Dumbledore could preach about unity and equality all he wanted, but reality spoke differently.
Look at the Order of the Phoenix—how many Muggle-borns held high-ranking positions?
Almost none.
And yet, despite the clear advantages pure-bloods had, Hermione Granger still managed to rise to the top.
That, in itself, was remarkable.
Dana dedicated himself to a variety of studies—astronomy, alchemy, potions, ancient runes, herbology…
For a while, he became particularly fascinated with Herbology.
In Hogwarts Legacy, he had loved throwing Chinese Chomping Cabbages at his enemies.
Unfortunately, they had since become a controlled species.
Thanks to certain incidents a hundred years ago, Chinese Chomping Cabbages were no longer available in regular herbology shops.
Dana found that deeply disappointing.
Time passed, and Halloween arrived.
Dana knew that something would happen—trouble always brewed on Halloween.
This year, it would be Professor Quirrell—or rather, Voldemort—letting a troll into the castle.
The Gryffindor Trio would fight it off. Points would be lost.
Dana wanted no part of it.
He had no interest in rescuing anyone, especially when he already knew they would be fine.
Dumbledore was watching. If anything went wrong, he would intervene.
Besides, the fact that Ron managed to knock out a full-grown mountain troll with a Levitation Charm?
That was highly suspicious.
A first-year who could barely get the spell to work in class suddenly used it perfectly in a life-or-death situation?
Ridiculous.
The only logical explanation?
Dumbledore helped.
Knowing all of this, Dana didn't even bother going to the Halloween feast.
Instead, he smuggled some apple pie back to his dormitory, just in case Harry got the brilliant idea of dragging him into the mess.
Sure enough—
"Ron, we have to find Hermione!"
"What? Why?"
"She doesn't know!"
"Doesn't know what?"
"She doesn't know about the troll!"
Ron sighed. "Fine. But if we get caught, I'm blaming you."
"We should find Dana!"
Ron scowled. "Why?"
"Because he's strong!"
Ron crossed his arms. "Harry, you don't need him. You're the youngest Seeker in a century!"
Harry blinked.
...That was true.
And besides—what were the odds they would actually run into the troll?
Dana, cozy in his dorm, bit into his apple pie.
He was going to sleep peacefully tonight.
End of the Chapter.
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