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Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

"Up!"

My broom jumped obediently into my hand, the familiar weight settling into my palm with ease. Around me, my classmates were still struggling to coax their brooms into the air.

Rose's broom floated up gracefully on her first try, responding as if it sensed her confidence. Typical. She made it look so easy. Hermione's broom, after a few moments of hesitation, wobbled a bit before finally rising into her outstretched hand.

"Up! Come on, you useless piece of wood!" Ron grumbled beside me, his frustration evident as his broom barely twitched.

"Try whispering sweet nothings to it," I quipped, flashing him a grin.

Ron shot me a glare, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Across the field, Malfoy's broom soared into his hand immediately, eager to obey. Of course. He cast a smug glance toward us, his lips curling into that familiar, irritating smirk.

"Having trouble, Weasley?" Draco drawled, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Maybe your broom's too scared to listen to you."

Ron's ears turned red, but before he could retort—

"Everyone mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch's sharp command rang out. "On my whistle, kick off and hover a few feet before coming back down. Nice and steady!"

I swung my leg over my broom, feeling a strange sense of familiarity settle over me. It was… natural. Despite not having flown in this life yet, my balance was perfect, and the broom responded to my slightest shift in weight.

"Easy enough," I murmured under my breath, glancing toward Rose. She gave me a confident nod, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

But just as Madam Hooch raised her whistle to her lips—

WHOOSH!

"NEVILLE!"

My head snapped up just in time to see Neville's broom shoot into the air like a rocket.

"Come back down, Mr. Longbottom!" Madam Hooch barked, her eyes narrowing in alarm.

But Neville had no control. His broom zigzagged wildly, taking him higher and higher. His face was pale with terror, his knuckles white as he clutched the broom desperately.

"Hold on, Neville!" Rose's voice echoed across the field, her tone laced with worry.

I gritted my teeth, gripping my own broom tighter, every fiber of my being screaming at me to take off and help. I could catch him—I knew I could.

But—

"Stay on the ground!" Madam Hooch's sharp command froze me in place.

I clenched my jaw, frustration gnawing at me as I watched helplessly.

Neville's broom twisted and bucked—

And then—

THUD.

Neville hit the ground hard, a painful grunt escaping his lips as he rolled several feet before coming to a stop.

"NEVILLE!"

I was at his side in an instant, my heart pounding.

"Is he alright?" Hermione's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with concern.

"Broken wrist," I murmured, noticing the awkward angle of Neville's arm.

Madam Hooch knelt beside him, her expression unreadable.

"Everyone stay put," she instructed firmly. "I'm taking Mr. Longbottom to the hospital wing."

Neville's face was pale as Madam Hooch helped him to his feet, guiding him toward the castle.

"Don't worry, Nev," I said softly. "You'll be alright."

Neville gave a weak, shaky nod before disappearing with Madam Hooch.

A heavy silence settled over the group.

That could've been a lot worse.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. But just as I was about to relax—

The Remembrall.

It lay a few feet away, glinting softly in the sunlight where Neville had dropped it.

I took a step toward it—

Too late.

A familiar figure swept in and snatched it up.

Malfoy.

"Look what we've got here," Draco drawled, a smug grin spreading across his face as he twirled the glass orb between his fingers.

"Give it back, Malfoy," I said calmly, though I could feel the dangerous edge creeping into my tone.

Draco's grin widened. "Why should I? Longbottom's not here to miss it."

"Afraid you'll drop it, Malfoy?" Ron snapped, his tone sharp. "You might break something that's actually worth more than your ego."

"Or maybe," Seamus added with a grin, "he just wants to see if the Remembrall can tell him what he's forgotten. Like his manners."

Blaise Zabini chuckled softly, though he quickly masked it when Draco shot him a glare.

"Careful, Malfoy," I said smoothly, stepping forward. "Wouldn't want your daddy finding out you lost to a Muggle-born trinket, would you?"

Draco's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.

"Relax, Carter," Draco sneered, his grip on the Remembrall tightening. "I was just going to leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find… up there."

"Malfoy," my tone dropped, but Draco had already mounted his broom.

Whoosh!

The wind carried Draco higher, the Remembrall gleaming in his hand like a prize.

"Come and get it, Carter!" Draco taunted, his voice echoing across the field.

My grip on my broom tightened, my mind racing.

This is the moment.

A memory surged forward.

Harry.

In this exact scene from my past life, Harry had shown his incredible flying skills and earned a spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as Seeker. That moment had defined his path at Hogwarts, catapulting him into the limelight.

But now…

This should be Rose's moment.

My eyes flickered to Rose, who stood with her jaw clenched, her expression a mixture of frustration and restraint.

She's the one who deserves this.

I knew how much she loved flying—how natural she was on a broom. And if things went the way they should… this was her chance.

Let her do it.

"Rose," I said quietly, stepping back slightly.

Her eyes snapped to mine, surprise flickering across her face.

"Go," I whispered softly.

A moment of hesitation.

But then—

Her expression hardened with determination.

Without another word, Rose mounted her broom, her movements fluid and confident.

Good.

"Where do you think you're going, Potter?" Draco sneered from above, clearly unimpressed.

Rose didn't answer. She didn't need to.

Whoosh.

In an instant, she kicked off the ground, her broom cutting through the air like a knife.

"Whoa…" Ron breathed, his eyes wide.

"Show him how it's done, Rose!" I called out, my grin widening.

Blaise, still watching from the ground, muttered under his breath. "This should be good."

"Don't get your hopes up, Zabini," Pansy Parkinson sneered. "Potter's probably just as useless on a broom as Longbottom."

"Wanna bet?" I murmured, but my eyes never left Rose.

Draco's smirk faltered as he realized Rose was gaining on him.

"Not so tough now, are you, Malfoy?" Rose's voice echoed confidently as she closed the distance.

"Bet Malfoy's trying to figure out how to land without crying," Seamus muttered with a grin.

"Maybe he should ask the Remembrall," Dean added, smirking. "See if it reminds him how not to make a fool of himself."

Draco's eyes narrowed, but panic flashed across his face.

"Let's see if you can catch this!" Draco tossed the Remembrall high into the air, a wicked grin tugging at his lips.

Big mistake.

Rose's eyes locked onto the falling orb.

Focus.

Time seemed to slow as she leaned forward, her body perfectly aligned with her broom. The wind rushed past her ears, but she tuned everything out—

Everything except the Remembrall.

Almost…

With a final burst of speed—

SNATCH!

Her fingers closed around the glass orb just inches from the ground.

A perfect dive.

The Gryffindors erupted in cheers as Rose pulled out of the dive gracefully, landing with ease.

"Bloody brilliant!" Ron shouted, his voice filled with awe.

"Absolutely stunning!" Hermione gasped, clapping enthusiastically.

"Not bad, Potter," Blaise muttered under his breath, though I caught the faint trace of respect in his tone.

Pansy, on the other hand, looked like she'd swallowed a lemon.

My heart swelled with pride as I watched Rose, her face flushed with exhilaration, a triumphant smile lighting up her features.

That's how it should've been.

As Draco landed a moment later, his face flushed with embarrassment, the usual Slytherin jeers filled the air.

"Can't even beat a Gryffindor first-year, Malfoy?" Blaise drawled, his tone dripping with amusement.

"Enjoy the flight, Malfoy?" I quipped, my tone light but with an undeniable edge.

"Shut up, Carter," Draco muttered, his jaw clenched tightly.

But just as the excitement settled—

AHEM.

My stomach dropped as I turned to see—

Professor McGonagall.

Her lips were pursed tightly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group.

"Miss Potter," her tone was cool and precise. "With me, please."

A hush fell over the crowd.

Rose glanced at me, her eyes wide, but I gave her a subtle nod of encouragement.

This is her moment.

As Rose followed Professor McGonagall toward the castle, I couldn't help but smile.

She earned this.

And somehow…

Everything felt right.

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For every 10 power stones there would be a bonus chapter.

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