Chapter 610: Turn Away and Deny the Cat (Edited)

On Wednesday morning, the professors and students of Hogwarts were having breakfast in the Great Hall.

But Fish wasn't focused on the food as usual; instead, he absentmindedly ate his breakfast while occasionally stretching his neck and looking outside.

When the first messenger owl flew into the hall, Fish simply set down his knife and fork and eagerly watched the owls that kept arriving from outside.

Fish's peculiar behavior naturally drew the attention of others, who unconsciously followed his gaze and looked outside.

In a matter of moments, four owls flew in with a long package strapped to their backs.

"Haven't I seen this scene before?" Ron asked, briefly turning his head towards Harry.

And Angelina Johnson, who had become the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, became excited.

"Is Fish joining the Quidditch team?"

Even the professors at the staff table looked on curiously, and Dumbledore whispered to Professor McGonagall, "If Fish is going to play in the tournament, then the Quidditch Cup shouldn't be in doubt this year."

Professor McGonagall curiously said, "But... he didn't mention it to me. Johnson didn't come to inform me either..."

The four owls flew over Fish's head and gently placed the package in front of him...

Hermione glanced at the copy of the Daily Prophet that the owls had just dropped almost into the soup she was holding and couldn't help but twist her lips.

"Minerva~"

?(ΦωΦ)?

Without even opening the package, Fish jumped onto the professor's desk with a broomstick in hand and handed it over.

"Happy birthday nya!"

"For me?" Professor McGonagall was surprised and delighted.

Of course, she hadn't forgotten it was her birthday and had been looking forward to the birthday party Fish had planned for her later that afternoon, but she hadn't actually expected Fish to give her a broomstick as a gift.

Professor McGonagall couldn't contain her joy as she smiled and grumbled, "Why buy such an expensive thing? I don't ride broomsticks much anymore."

Having said that, she didn't hesitate to open the package.

"Firebolt, the Firebolt!"

Miss Hooch, who was not far away, was the first to exclaim.

The students below her stood up startled, stretching their necks to see the broomstick that Professor McGonagall held in her hand.

Even though it was two years old, the Firebolt was still the perfect broomstick for tournaments, the broomstick chosen for all official Quidditch matches, and one that any Quidditch player could only dream of!

It represents the highest level of craftsmanship available, with a sleek and beautifully crafted handle made of ash wood, finished with a diamond-hard polish and hand-engraved registration numbers, each one unique.

Each bristle on the end has been selected for its aerodynamic shape, ensuring unparalleled balance and precision.

The handle can be made of polished ebony, birch, or hazel, according to personal preferences; Fish personally preferred the more powerful birch handle, but considering Professor McGonagall's situation, he chose the more responsive hazel handle.

The goblins manufactured the iron components to enhance the Firebolt's stability and resistance in adverse weather conditions, especially the anti-slip stirrups, which were particularly important for Quidditch players.

At the long Gryffindor table, Ron's eyes welled up with envy, and suddenly the Nimbus 2000 his brothers had bought him didn't seem so great anymore.

"George, Fred, and Angelina are graduating next year... I'm doing well in my flying classes, I should be able to make the team," Ginny said quietly, scanning the twins and Ron from side to side.

The three pretended not to hear her, whistling and examining the decorations in the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall caressed the broomstick as if it were a work of art in her hands, and only after a few moments, she asked, "Where did you get all this money from?"

It had been two years, and the price of the Firebolt, which remained the best on the market, was unlikely to decrease.

"It's the prize money from last semester's competition!"

Fish lifted his head triumphantly and said, "When Fish learned about this broomstick, he wanted to give it to you, but there wasn't enough money, nya, and it would take centuries to save up for George and Fred's sale... Thank God for that competition!"

Professor McGonagall was so moved that she excitedly grabbed Fish in her arms, lifted his head, and gave him several kisses on the cheek.

Then, she happily complained, "It's a waste, I don't even ride my broomstick anymore..."

"Well, you can hang it in your room," said Fish, who still didn't have a good grasp of money, "It looks very nice anyway."

And Madam Hooch, who was teaching flying lessons to the students, approached at some point and timidly said, "Or you could lend me the broom for a few days."

Professor McGonagall glanced at her sideways and then used her body to shield the covetous eyes from her broomstick. The meaning of the refusal was quite obvious.

Dumbledore pierced the fried egg on the plate with a depressed fork, it was very difficult for him to ask for a birthday gift, but for the sake of giving the Firebolt to Professor McGonagall, Fish worked for the Weasley twins and participated in the Triwizard Tournament...

If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have given Fish to Professor McGonagall to raise!

Professor McGonagall happily finished her breakfast, with envy from the other professors, and returned to her office with the Firebolt in her hand. She hung it in a prominent place, just as Fish had suggested...

She no longer felt like riding the broom, partly because she didn't want to and partly because it would be too painful to accidentally scratch or break the broom.

After staring at the Firebolt on the wall for a while, Professor McGonagall left her office and went to teach her students.

As usual, Fish slept through most of the classes during the day and, after dinner, went to Professor McGonagall's office to work on his assignment under her supervision.

"Minerva, can Fish use the quill now?"

(?ω?)

Fish looked at Professor McGonagall with big, teary eyes, pleadingly.

He wanted to take advantage of Professor McGonagall's good mood today to reclaim his right to use his magical tool for homework...

When Ron had received the Nimbus 2000, he had behaved very well for days, even when the Slytherins teased him.

Partly, that was why Fish had given a birthday gift to Professor McGonagall in front of the whole school that morning.

To Fish's surprise, Professor McGonagall had turned her back on him!

"No," she said firmly.

"Minerva, you wicked villain! Fish is starting to hate you again, nya!"

∑(`Д')