Chapter 130: Failed Attempt
It was nearly two o'clock, and the field had grown noisy.
Despite the commotion, all students strictly followed Madam Hooch's instructions—no one dared touch a broom.
The Ravenclaws gathered, discussing whether the phenomenon that occurred earlier with Dudley had ever appeared in a book. The Hufflepuffs, curious and friendly, crowded around Dudley, asking what it felt like and how he managed it.
It was harmonious… and dull.
Alexander Smith drooped his head and sighed. Once again, he regretted ending up in Ravenclaw. If Gryffindors or Slytherins had been present, things would've turned chaotic—and far more entertaining. Imagine a brawl breaking out over a broken broomstick. Now that would've been fun.
But here was Dudley, the notorious schoolyard bully, fitting in perfectly with Hufflepuff, patiently answering embarrassing questions about his broom-snapping stunt without a hint of shame.
Was Hufflepuff truly this wholesome? Or had Dudley only been horrible to Harry and actually decent to everyone else?
Alexander shook his head. No, in the original timeline, Dudley had been a menace to everyone—smashing playground equipment, chain-smoking on corners, throwing stones at cars and children alike. He hadn't spared anyone, not even strangers.
Still, this Dudley was acting... different. Could Lily Potter's sacrificial protection have left a magical residue on Dudley too? Alexander wondered. Now that Dudley had magic, maybe some of that positive emotional shielding applied to him as well—making him less prone to hatred and anger. More positive. More... Hufflepuff.
"I heard my aunt, Amelia Bones, mention that Dudley Dursley only awakened his magic after arriving at Hogwarts—on the evening of the third day of school," said Susan Bones, her long hair braided down her back.
"You think that's why the broom won't accept him?" she added thoughtfully.
"What?! Your aunt is Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?!" exclaimed Anthony Goldstein, flushing slightly.
Clearly embarrassed, he must've been thinking of how often he'd boasted about being related to Newt Scamander's wife, while Susan had never once name-dropped her influential aunt.
"Did your aunt ever say what happened to Barty Crouch Jr.?" asked Terry Boot, his dark skin gleaming under the sun as he leaned in. "I heard he and his dad never even went to Azkaban—just got locked up at home or something."
And with that, the group's attention shifted completely to Susan and her politically powerful aunt.
Alexander, however, was still lost in thought. Amelia Bones was no ordinary witch. In the original timeline, she was one of the few capable of resisting Lord Voldemort—but he murdered her personally in her own home.
It said a lot about the imbalance in that world. Voldemort had decades on her and still chose to ambush her rather than fight fair. A full-grown serpent preying on lions. No wonder Fudge had been so helpless in the end. A sheep trying to lead a pride of lions, desperately hoping they'd eat tofu instead of meat.
"Alexander, are you saying that the Prewett brothers—Molly Weasley's brothers who were killed by Voldemort—would've been like Dumbledore if they lived longer?" Penelope Clearwater interrupted his inner monologue through their magical mind connection.
"I mean they studied magic nonstop," Alexander replied silently. "If they'd lived as long as Dumbledore, their strength would've rivaled his by now."
He paused and thought again.
If Amelia Bones abandoned her ministry work now and focused solely on magical training, she could become a key player in the war to come.
"But that's unlikely," Alexander sighed inwardly. "Not every witch can walk away from daily life to pursue mastery."
Then, the atmosphere shifted again. The chatter died down.
Madam Hooch had returned with a new broom in hand.
"Well, let's see if this one works," she said with a resigned sigh. "Dudley, give it another go."
"Alright," Dudley said as he reached for the broom.
CRACK.
Another broom snapped in half, and Dudley hit the ground like a sack of flour.
It was even more impressive than before.
Alexander narrowed his eyes—Dudley's technique was improving. He was genuinely learning how to use his weight as a weapon. If he fell on someone from a height… forget magical shields. That person would be flattened.
"Mr. Dursley," Madam Hooch said with forced patience, "I'm afraid you'll have to stay grounded for the rest of this class. I can't delay flying lessons for everyone else."
"If this continues, there may be cause to change—"
"Change what?" Dudley scratched his head, clearly confused.
Madam Hooch's cheeks pinked, but she didn't reply.
"What a shame," Ron muttered. "If Dudley had broken all the brooms, they'd have to replace them with new ones."
He seemed oblivious to what Madam Hooch had actually been implying.
The others weren't. They understood.
"Mrs. Hooch! I'm willing to lend my broom to Dudley!" one Hufflepuff blurted.
"Don't abandon your housemates!"
"Solidarity and support—that's what Hufflepuff stands for! Take mine, Dudley!"
Madam Hooch looked visibly touched but held firm.
"Alright, enough. Back to class, everyone!"
"Grip your brooms. Rise a few feet. Turn left."
"Now turn right. Left again. Lean back."
The flying lesson resumed.
Alexander tuned them out, his focus inward. But from what he did notice, Harry Potter stood out like a comet in the night sky.
While the rest struggled, Harry followed every instruction with ease—and then some. He wasn't just flying. He was flight incarnate.
Madam Hooch had the others descend so they could watch Harry soar.
Higher and higher he went, robes billowing, wind rushing past. The girls screamed. Ron cheered. Even Madam Hooch was stunned.
"I've never seen anything like this," she murmured. "You wait after class, Mr. Potter. I must speak with Professor Flitwick about getting you on the house team."
"Mrs. Hooch, Harry did exactly as you told us," Ron added, obliviously trying to defend Harry.
Madam Hooch smiled gently.
"No, no. It's not about punishment, Mr. Weasley," she said. "I just want to make sure he gets the opportunity he deserves."
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