Chapter 10 : A Small Favor
This Herbology class was one of the few classes in this academic year that Hufflepuff and Gryffindor took together. Although there might be changes in the next academic year, it was the most suitable time for Macka to get closer to the trio of Harry.
Speaking of Harry, the boy who survived many dangers was currently vigorously battling with Floo beetles on the stems and leaves! Yes, that's right, those Floo beetles that Michael Corner swallowed when he was a child. They especially liked lettuce, but generally, they ate anything as long as it was a plant.
When Ron squeezed over to ask Macka about how he dealt with Snape in Potions class before, Macka was thinking about these beetles! These creatures were about 10 inches long, not much shorter than Macka's wand. Heaven knows how Michael managed to swallow it when he was a child!
"Did he bite it before eating?" Macka pondered, suddenly feeling a chill.
"...What did you say about biting it before eating? Are you thinking about lunch?" Ron looked at Macka with confusion, then continued, "Never mind about lunch, tell me! How did you provoke Professor Snape? We're going to start his class tomorrow, and I've heard from the seniors that he always favors students from his own house, but I don't know if it's true."
Only then did Macka come back to his senses, shaking his head helplessly.
"Who told you I provoked Professor Snape? That's just asking for trouble." He briefly explained the situation, but it also drew Hermione's attention.
"Hey! Did Professor Snape really say that?" Hermione asked excitedly, "That's Arsenius Jigger's pharmacological formula, it's authoritative! How can he casually say it's a mistake?"
Then, Hermione calmed down and looked at Macka apologetically.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to question authority, but..." She hesitated for a moment, somewhat skeptical, "I mean, is that quantitative constant really unnecessary?"
"It should be." Macka nodded, then explained quietly to Hermione. She listened and interjected a few times, seeming to be somewhat persuaded.
"What are they talking about?" Ron turned to Harry and asked.
"Probably about the content of Potions class." Harry, who had just finished his task, held a Floo beetle struggling in his gloved right hand, unable to escape the evil clutches that hindered its meal.
"So, are we going to learn those... I mean, the content they're discussing?" Ron hesitated, leaning over to listen for a few more sentences before turning back to Harry.
Harry shook his head; he didn't understand it at all. "I guess... not?"
Upon hearing this, Ron looked at Macka and Hermione discussing quietly, then gave up and continued to focus on fertilizing the herbs.
"The always tidy Macka and the always messy Hermione, this combination is rare." He muttered quietly, puzzled.
"And the Macka who always lies in bed and can't get up is actually an excellent student."
Before school started, Macka lived in the shabby house for quite some time. Ron thought he was quite familiar with him, although he seemed intelligent and calm, fundamentally lazy, and even liked to lie in bed! As a result, it seemed that he wasn't the person Ron had imagined, and he once thought he had found a good companion similar to himself!
"...Maybe I can ask him for help with homework that I can't handle in the future?" Ron suddenly came up with this idea, thinking it was a great idea at least.
Following the Herbology practical class was the much-anticipated Flying class, a class that Macka took with Ravenclaw.
Naturally, Macka was also looking forward to this course that allowed people to freely fly in mid-air, but he wasn't sure if he would encounter any difficulties. Honestly, he wasn't very good with directions in normal circumstances, so would he really be able to find his way if he flew up into the sky?
The first Flying class was held near the main entrance of Hogwarts castle, where there was a slightly concave flat ground, and the green grass swayed gently in the breeze, looking lively.
Looking eastward, you could see the dark edge of the forest, and the tall tree canopies swayed with the wind, making a rustling sound.
The badgers of Hufflepuff were already standing on the field, watching the Ravenclaw students coming over slowly. Madam Hooch, the Flying instructor, was urging them to hurry up.
"Alright, what are you waiting for?" she shouted sternly, "Everyone stand next to a broomstick. Hurry up, hurry up, make it quick."
Madam Hooch's short gray hair stood up like steel needles, unaffected even by the wind; her eyes were yellow, resembling an eagle sternly urging its fledglings.
Macka chose a broomstick that looked pleasing to the eye from the neatly arranged ones on the ground and stood quietly next to it, watching other students hurriedly find their positions.
"Extend your right hand and place it above the broomstick handle," Madam Hooch shouted, "then say, 'Up!'"
"Up!" Under Madam Hooch's strict tone, everyone seemed to be influenced, and even their shouts became particularly neat.
The broomstick obediently jumped into Macka's hand, and he felt the strange and fresh sensation, feeling that it wasn't too bad.
But for other students, it might not be so smooth. Some broomsticks just jumped in place, and some even rolled on the ground. Ernie's broomstick even leaped into the air, leaving his palm red.
It seemed that this thing was related to talent after all, as there were only a few people who could catch it normally.
Next, Madam Hooch demonstrated how to mount the broomstick without sliding off from the top. She walked among the students, correcting their grip on the broomsticks from time to time and occasionally criticizing those who couldn't do it properly.
"Alright, when I whistle, you'll kick off with both legs and leave the ground. Push hard," Madam Hooch said, "hold the broomstick steady, rise a few feet, then lean slightly forward and descend vertically to the ground. Listen to my whistle—three—two—"
"Wow!" Macka exclaimed as he watched the ground getting farther and farther away, feeling amazed by this unprecedentedly interesting sensation.
Madam Hooch walked back and forth observing each student's situation. Of course, there were still many students who couldn't fly, and those broomsticks didn't seem to listen to them, but there were no special situations.
"Mr. McLain, you exceeded the height I mentioned." Madam Hooch shouted loudly to Macka, "Come down, be careful!."
Macka was stunned, realizing that he seemed to have flown higher than everyone else. He quickly followed Madam Hooch's instructions and slightly leaned forward, and the broomstick obediently descended.
"Not bad," Madam Hooch patted Macka's shoulder, "safety is the first thing newbies need to pay attention to, and gradual progress is the most correct choice."
Macka nodded, but he was thinking to himself, "Next week, you'll see Neville and Harry soaring into the sky! Of course, the former is in a literal sense, whoosh—"
"Madam Hooch, I was thinking, if a beginner accidentally falls off the broomstick, what should be done to remedy it?" Macka suddenly changed his mind and asked.
He still had some good feelings towards Neville, who was always nervous. Maybe if he warned Madam Hooch in advance, she would be mentally prepared and his arm wouldn't break.
It must be painful; otherwise, Macka wouldn't still vividly remember that scene.
"Just use the Levitation Charm, don't worry," Madam Hooch replied, thinking that Macka was worried about his own safety, "if it's too late, Madame Pomfrey in the infirmary will heal them. Her potions are always effective."
"Oh! Thank you for your answer." Macka pretended to be relieved and politely expressed his gratitude.
Of course, this was just a small episode in his learning life. For Macka, it was just a casual matter, and he soon forgot about it.
"Wow! This feels amazing!"
With Madam Hooch's permission, Macka got the opportunity for a low-altitude flight. This was something he had applied for after a lot of effort, and now he was enjoying it!
The strong wind blew against him, whistling in his ears, making his robes rustle. Under Macka's control, the broomstick darted left and right, resembling a shark sprinting in water.
Although this shark seemed to be a bit too close to the "seabed."
"Be careful! Slow down! Slow down! Quickly, do as I said—!" Madam Hooch shouted from below, but Macka's ears were full of wind, and he couldn't hear anything.
After a while, having had his fill of excitement, Macka finally slowed down. He suddenly pulled the broomstick handle, turned around in mid-air, and drew a beautiful arc.
Before landing, Macka noticed that Madam Hooch's expression didn't look quite right. He immediately understood where the problem was—his speed seemed too fast in the latter part of the flight.
Although these broomsticks were just practice brooms with some minor issues, they were still legitimate products, not children's toys.
"Sorry, Madam Hooch," Macka immediately apologized as he landed, "I got a little carried away. I didn't expect flying to feel so amazing, and I didn't pay attention for a moment."
Madam Hooch stared at Macka for a moment, then sighed, "I just said, take it step by step... but you did well. After studying 'Quidditch Safety Precautions,' maybe I'll let you fly a few more times."
"...I believe you will find that falling in love with Quidditch is such a right choice!"
This was Madam Hooch, treating everyone and everything with such strictness, fairness, and responsibility, but most importantly—she genuinely loved Quidditch from the bottom of her heart.