HP: Pure-Blood Glory

Actually, the flying lessons starting so early was beyond Luke's expectations.

Luke had originally assumed that this class would begin mid-semester. However, to his surprise, just two weeks into the term—when the students were merely settling into their routines—the much-anticipated flying lessons were already underway.

Slytherin's flying class was held together with Gryffindor. Luke guessed that, due to his earlier interventions, the scenario where Malfoy mocked Neville was unlikely to happen.

If that were the case, it left Luke wondering how Harry's natural talent for flying would be displayed—or whether it would be displayed at all.

With this curiosity in mind, Luke stepped onto the Quidditch pitch.

Unlike his usual habit of arriving early, today Luke was among the last few to reach the field—though not the very last.

The students already on the field were practically drooling over the broomsticks lying on the ground.

If Madam Hooch wasn't watching them with her eagle eyes, some of them would likely have already tried showing off their exceptional flying skills.

Naturally, this included Ron and Malfoy. Harry, on the other hand, seemed genuinely intrigued, while Hermione… looked at the broomsticks with what appeared to be instinctive hesitation.

Taylor, walking calmly beside Luke, seemed unfazed. Unlike her peers, who talked a big game but lacked experience, Taylor had actually used magical brooms before and was quite adept with them.

"Is it difficult?"

After taking his place in line, Luke couldn't help but ask Taylor. The brooms reminded him of cars from his previous life, a connection that gave him an almost visceral discomfort, given the circumstances of his crossing into this world.

"Using them isn't hard at all. But mastering them? That's another story entirely"

Taylor replied matter-of-factly. "They're the most common mode of transportation for wizards, but reaching the level of a professional Quidditch player? Honestly, even hard work won't get you very far without talent."

Luke nodded, understanding.

The school's flying lessons were designed to give students just a basic introduction to flying. After teaching the essentials, the school didn't delve further. As a tradition, this class was only offered to first-years.

Madam Hooch swept her sharp gaze across the first-years from both houses.

Strangely, the usual rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin was entirely absent. Not only were there no insults being hurled, but even unfriendly glances were rare.

This surprised Madam Hooch. Then she remembered the Slytherin student the professors had been discussing recently.

Her gaze naturally shifted toward Luke.

The boy would undoubtedly grow up to charm countless young witches. With his looks and family background, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Luke could become the most sought-after eligible wizard in the magical world ten years from now.

As if sensing her gaze, Luke glanced her way and politely bowed in greeting.

Momentarily caught off guard by his formal manners, Madam Hooch quickly nodded and recovered. "Alright! What are you all waiting for?"

"Everyone, stand next to a broom. Hurry up!"

At her words, most of the students sprinted toward the brooms, heading straight for the ones they'd already mentally claimed.

Of course, since these claims were made through silent eyeing, more than a few students ended up fighting over the same desirable brooms.

Naturally, the scene devolved into chaos, with two, three, or even more students arguing over the same broom.

"I got here first!"

"I saw it first!"

Such exchanges filled the Quidditch pitch.

Luke, however, had no such concerns.

The Slytherin students, while not perfectly in order, were far from as chaotic as the lions. The broom that appeared the most intact and newest was left untouched, as if by tacit agreement.

Malfoy picked the second-newest broom and stood beside it, flanked by his two cronies. He even waved at Luke.

Not that it mattered—no other Slytherin student would have touched that broom even if Malfoy hadn't claimed it.

Luke didn't hesitate either. He walked over to the broom, thanked Malfoy, and stood beside it.

"Ahem! Quickly choose a broom and stand in place! You've got ten seconds left!"

Madam Hooch, familiar yet frustrated with the commotion, barked out the instructions. Though as her words initially seemed ineffective, she shifted her tone.

"Anyone still without a broom in ten seconds gets the rest of the lesson off!"

That worked.

The students gave up squabbling over broom quality, some grumbling and others smirking in triumph as they settled beside their brooms. But what remained unchanged on their faces was anticipation.

Taylor, picked the broom closest to Luke, naturally taking the one next to his. Though clearly old and worn, she didn't seem to mind.

Ron stood beside Harry, casting an envious glance in Luke's direction.

"Look, Harry. Malfoy might act all high and mighty in front of us, but in front of Luke, he's just a lackey."

Harry opened his mouth to respond but said nothing.

He wanted to point out that if Ron was over there, he'd probably act just like Malfoy. But he held back—after all, they were still friends.

Ron, unaware, moved on quickly, turning his attention to the broom beside him with a scornful comment.

"Seriously, this thing is so old and worn out."

His voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, including Madam Hooch. But she gave no reaction, And—it wasn't as if the school lacked funds.

But from her perspective, practicing on subpar broomsticks wasn't entirely a bad thing.

If a student could fly well on a poor broomstick, handling a better one would be a breeze.

"Place your right hand over your broom," Madam Hooch instructed from the front, "and say: 'Up!'"

Everyone followed her lead.

"Up!"

A chorus of uneven shouts filled the air.

Harry's broom shot into his hand the moment he spoke, almost as if it had been waiting for the command.

This surprised him very much, glancing around to see. Only a few brooms responded as promptly. Malfoy wasn't exactly bragging, his broom did jump into his hands on the first try too.

Catching Harry's gaze, Malfoy smirked smugly.

Harry rolled his eyes, deciding not to engage. He still disliked Malfoy, but they weren't exactly enemies at the moment. In fact, when Luke was nearby, the two could even hold a civil conversation.

Thinking of this, Harry's gaze naturally shifted toward Luke.

*****

Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-

patreon.com/ReduxMagister