The autumn wind blew through Hogwarts, bringing the smells of fallen leaves and approaching winter. It was time for the freshmen to learn a new kind of magic - flying on a broomstick.
Itachi, watched the students excitedly gathering on the practice field.
The lesson was led by Madame Hooch, a strict and experienced flying teacher. She explained the basics of broom control to the students, showing them how to get into the air properly and perform simple maneuvers. Itachi listened intently, trying to memorize every detail.
"One... two... three!" - she commanded, and the students began to raise their brooms.
Most were having difficulty. The brooms were spinning, flying from side to side, and some didn't move at all. Itachi, on the other hand, lifted his broom easily into the air the first time, showing that he was in complete control of it.
When it came time to get on the brooms, Itachi, like most, hesitated a bit. He, used to relying solely on his legs, felt a strange sense of uncertainty sitting on the shaft. But he quickly pulled himself together, remembering that control and concentration were his specialty.
He carefully lowered himself onto the broom and felt it obey him as if it were an extension of his own body. He flew easily into the air, demonstrating flawless technique. Madam Hooch seemed a little surprised by his abilities.
Most of the students, including Draco Malfoy, rose into the air with difficulty and clumsiness. Some of them would fall to the ground after failing to control themselves, causing laughter and ridicule from those around them.
He, on the other hand, floated calmly in the air, controlling his broom with ease, his movements smooth and graceful, as if he was born to fly. Madame Hooch watched him with interest.
Noticing Itachi's progress, Draco Malfoy, without hiding his envy, exclaimed:
"Look at him! His muggle father must have taught him how to fly his vacuum cleaners!"
Some of the Slytherins laughed, but he didn't react to this provocation in any way. He just concentrated on flying, continuing to perform the maneuvers as if he hadn't heard the words.
He continued practicing, his movements becoming more confident and faster. He began to master more complex maneuvers, surprising Madame Hooch and the rest of the students with his abilities.
Theodore, while not as adept at flying as Itachi, was also doing quite well with the broom.
After Madame Hooch did a few exercises with the broom, she gave the students a chance to practice on their own.
Itachi watched them, trying not to lose sight of Harry and his unusual abilities.
Suddenly there was a scream, full of terror.
He turned around and saw Neville Longbottom, a clumsy and absent-minded boy, lose control of his broom. It spun haphazardly in the air as if confused, and Neville, clearly terrified, could do nothing, his eyes widened with terror. In the next instant, he flew off his broom and fell to the ground with a deafening crack that could be heard even from a distance.
"Neville!" - exclaimed Madam Hooch, running up to the fallen boy. She quickly examined him, and, shaking her head, pronounced:
"Your wrist is broken. I will take you to the hospital wing immediately."
Her voice was stern, but there was a sense of sympathy for the boy in it.
She helped Neville up and they left the grounds together, taking their time. Before leaving, Madame Hooch gave a stern warning, looking around at all the students:
"I forbid everyone to fly until I return! Violation of this rule will result in serious punishment!"
Her voice was stern and allowed no objections.
As soon as Madam Hooch was out of sight, Draco Malfoy, with a smug smirk on his face, walked over to where Neville had fallen. He bent down, picked up something from the ground and, holding it high above his head, proclaimed:
"Look, it's Longbottom's reminder! He must have forgotten how to fly!"
Draco waved the glass ball that Neville had probably lost during the fall like a trophy. He smirked and began to mock Neville, parodying his frightened voice with his whole body and trembling lips.
Most of the Slytherins, especially Crabbe and Goyle, laughed at Draco's antics, trying to please their leader, but Harry Potter scowled and watched the spectacle with disdain, clenching his fists.
"Give it back, Draco," Harry muttered, his voice full of anger and contained rage.
"Or else what?" - Draco replied with a mocking smirk.
"Are you going to attack me, Potter? Maybe you want to lose control of your broom too and break your bones like that loser?"
"Just give it back to him!" - shouted Harry, rage flashing in his eyes: he could no longer bear to mock a boy who was already in pain. He was ready to take action.
Draco continued to taunt, and Harry, unable to stand it, snatched the reminder card sharply out of his hands. Draco, having lost his trophy, was angry and lunged at Harry, and a scuffle ensued that lasted only a moment.
Forgetting Madam Hooch's prohibition, both of them, as if on cue, jumped up on their brooms and flew into the air to work things out. Draco, unwilling to back down, chased after Harry and the maneuvers and turns began, as if they were in a Quidditch match.
Itachi watched as Harry seemed to transform completely in the air. He flew with grace and agility, easily dodging Draco's attacks like he was a professional. He was in his element. It was.... mesmerizing.
He, like the others, couldn't take his eyes off the sight.
"Well, if you want that trinket so badly, try to catch it, Potter!"
...And when did He have time to get it?
The reminder flew upwards, and Harry lunged after it like a true catcher.
His movements were swift and precise, and without taking his eyes off the balloon, he pursued it with agility and grace.
Maneuvering through the air, Harry deftly caught up with the balloon and returned to the field with it.
Suddenly, a stern voice rang through the air like a roll of thunder:
"Harry Potter! Draco Malfoy! Come down to the ground immediately!"
It was Professor McGonagall, who had probably heard the commotion and decided to check out what was going on.
Fixing her glasses on the bridge of her nose, she looked at Harry and Draco with a serious and judgmental look, ready to administer severe punishment.
"I will escort you both to my office immediately!" - she uttered and with a wave of her wand, she directed them both like naughty puppies into her office.
Watching what was happening, Itachi frowned.
He could see that Harry was willing to take risks for his friend, and it gave him respect. That trait, the willingness to sacrifice himself for others, was close to him and echoed from his past life.
But at the same time, he disapproved of the swiftness with which Harry had rushed to get the reminder. He realized that it was unwise and reckless to put himself in danger over such a small thing. He felt that a more rational way of dealing with the problem could have been found.
time skip
The next day the whole of Hogwarts was buzzing like a disturbed beehive. News of the incident at the flying lesson and its aftermath spread through the castle like lightning. Students were whispering in the corridors, in the Great Hall, and in classes, discussing what had happened.
Itachi, as always, tried not to draw attention to himself, but listened carefully to the conversations, gathering information.
The main topic of discussion was that Gryffindor and Slytherin had suffered serious losses. Professor McGonagall, as Dean of Gryffindor, was furious at Harry's disobedience and had removed as many as 50 points from the faculty, not counting the points removed from Slytherin because of Draco. It was a serious punishment that could affect the outcome of the entire year.
"I heard McGonagall was just furious," one of the Cogtevran students recounted during a break between classes.
"She was yelling at Potter like she'd never yelled at him before."
"And Snape, they say, was generally pleased that Gryffindor got their glasses taken off," his friend answered him.
"Though he himself lost fifty points because of Malfoy's behavior."
Itachi noticed how differently students from different faculties reacted to the news. The Gryffindors were disappointed and outraged, the Slytherins gloated, and the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were curiously discussing what had happened.
But the hottest topic was the news that Harry Potter was the new catcher for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
It was said that after McGonagall saw his talent, she couldn't help but take him on the team.
"Can you believe Potter is going to play for Gryffindor!" - exclaimed one of the freshman girls, barely containing her excitement.
"He flies so magnificently! He's a born catcher!"
He had heard many students, especially Gryffindors, admire Harry. They spoke of his agility, speed, and skill with a broom. He was well aware that for many, Harry was not just a student, but a true hero.
He didn't share their enthusiasm.
He, too, had become a topic of discussion.
After flying lessons, where he had demonstrated his extraordinary abilities, his name had become a topic of conversation among the upperclassmen, especially those who were into Quidditch.
Team captains keeping an eye out for promising players couldn't help but notice the talented freshman who flew like he was born on a broomstick.
The team captain, Marcus Flint, approached him after class and, with an expression of arrogance clearly readable on his face, asked him to join the team. He explained that the Slytherin team had always been known for their talented players, and Itachi could be their new, as yet unrecognized 'asset'.
"I hear you're not a bad flier for a mudblood," Flint said, his lips curled into a contemptuous smirk.
"Of course, you're a long way from our pureblood talents, but I will admit that you have speed and agility. Consider my offer and don't miss your chance while we're here."
Listening carefully to Flint's words, Itachi didn't show the slightest interest in the offer.
He wasn't interested in a game that had nothing to do with his main goal.
"Thank you for the offer, Captain Flint," Itachi replied calmly and politely, keeping his tone neutral.
"But Quidditch isn't really my thing. I'm more interested in studying magic."
Flint, surprised and clearly offended by his refusal, snorted contemptuously.
"What a fool you are, mudblood. Missed your chance. I give you my word, you'll regret it."
Itachi didn't bother to respond to the insults, but simply turned around and went on his way. He wasn't going to waste time on idle talk, he needed to focus on his development. He also realized that Flint, like many other purebloods, was fixated on his origins, and there was no point in trying to get through to his mind.
Rumors of the freshman's refusal to play Quidditch quickly spread around the school. Many students were baffled, as most of them had dreamed of making the team.