At three-thirty in the afternoon, Harry and other Hufflepuff students hurried downstairs and down the steps to the field in front of the gate of Hogwarts Castle, ready to take their first flying lesson.
The little wizards were already chattering loudly. The news that Harry brought a Nimbus 2000 to the school somehow got out, and Harry, who became the center of the topic, became the target of onlookers.
"We swear it wasn't us who spilled the beans."
Rolf, Neville, and Justin spoke with certainty. They were not big talkers.
"I believe you, but it doesn't matter. People will know it sooner or later anyway. It's a matter of sooner or later. Even if everyone doesn't know, I will show it in the flying class today, right?"
Harry waved his hand, saying it didn't matter. He was a dormitory friend whom he trusted, and besides, it wasn't a big deal. Although it was a little embarrassing to be surrounded by a group of curious people, Harry couldn't help being so thick-skinned. , who likes to play extreme sports and is often surrounded by hundreds of people watching boxing matches, he has become immune to this.
If he felt nervous and uncomfortable even with this kind of thing, he would have fallen off while climbing. Many things he had done did not allow for any distraction.
When he came to the lawn where the class was held, Harry generously took out the Nimbus 2000. Riding it was not enough, although many young wizards had previously boasted that they almost hit a helicopter and almost hit a Muggle while riding their rocket at home. Airships, and even twelve years of eleven years of life are spent on them, but just listen to this kind of words, which boy doesn't brag.
But it’s not bad to appreciate it at such a close range and even reach out and touch it. Nimbus 2000 is a bit expensive for ordinary wizards, so most people can only enjoy it outside the window. Just like the Muggle world, The income of the wizarding world also shows two extremes. The wizarding families that account for less than 10% of the population (not just pure-blood families) occupy at least 50% of the wealth of the entire wizarding world, while the other 100% Thirty of them are occupied by large unofficial institutions with profound foundations like Hogwarts. The remaining 90% of the population divides the remaining 20%. The gap between the rich and the poor in the wizarding world is also extremely huge. .
Two hundred and thirty gold galleons, equivalent to the income of an ordinary wizard without eating or drinking for four to five months, Nimbus 2000 is an absolute luxury item among Quidditch props.
Not long after, a witch with short silver-white hair, sharp yellow eyes like a falcon, and wearing a short robe with sleeves strode toward them in stride.
"Class begins."
Mrs. Hooch spoke loudly. Her voice was a bit loud, and her voice carried far and clear. This was a skill she had developed when she served as a Quidditch referee. On a wide field, the referee's voice needed to be accurately transmitted. out.
"Okay, everyone, don't hang around here. I know Nimbus 2000 makes you very excited, but not now."
She clapped her hands and asked the little wizards to stand in front of her. "Now, everyone is standing next to a rocket. Although it is a bit old, it has a complete range of models, whether it is a side sweep or a comet, or basically any rocket on the market. All the silver arrows you can’t find are here.”
She pointed at the grass next to her. There were dozens of old rockets of different styles lying quietly on the ground. Compared with the bright and beautiful Nimbus 2000 floating in the air, these guys lying on the ground were all dilapidated. Some even have a missing piece of the tail fin, or the paint is loose and peeling, which makes them look miserable.
"Don't think they are old, but old ones have their own advantages." Mrs. Huo Qi waved her hand indifferently, "Although some of you have been exposed to this, almost none of you have correctly learned how to ride safely. They, I don’t want you to fly to tens of hundreds of feet all at once, and then be so frightened that you become stiff and fall from the sky.”
"Hogwarts has stopped using new rockets for teaching since several tragedies happened decades ago. This is for your own good. Falling ten or twenty feet high and breaking an arm or leg is better than breaking an arm or a leg." It would be better to die."
When she said this, some fear appeared on the little wizard's face. They had never thought about falling off the broom. Many people who were afraid of heights suddenly turned a little pale on their faces.
"I think you should understand now, right? Then hurry up and everyone should go to their place."
"Harry Potter." Mrs. Hooch called Harry's name. "Professor Sprout told me that you flew on it during the holidays, and you flew pretty well?"
"Yes Professor, I think I fly very well." Harry nodded and said matter-of-factly.
"Really? Flying without instruction is very dangerous. As a real competition prop, Nimbus 2000 is not easy to control."
Mrs. Hooch looked at Harry meaningfully, as if she wanted to see his guilty conscience, but unfortunately she didn't see anything.
"I have skydived and tried everything from 3,000 meters to 7,000 meters in the air. My best result in free climbing was climbing a 116-meter-high cliff, which is about two Hogwarts castles. height, if I hadn’t been too young, I should have learned to use a paraglider, flew down from Ben Nevis, and passed over the town of Fort William to see the scenery of Scotland.”
"Believe me, Professor, although I have not professionally learned how to fly on it, I will be able to do it soon. As long as you are willing to teach me, I have carefully read books about Quidditch and how to fly on a rocket." I’ve seen it, I like adventure and extreme sports, but I don’t like reckless pursuits of death.”
Mrs. Hooch was stunned by what Harry said. Although she didn't know what Muggle extreme sports were, some of the numbers were very intuitive.
"Then take your Nimbus 2000 and listen to my explanation carefully. Basic knowledge is always the most important. Even if it's just your sitting posture, it also affects whether you can stay stable in the sky and not fall down."
She nodded slightly, and a senior student ran over and stood beside her. The strange boy smiled at Harry, and then his eyes fell on Nimbus 2000.
"Now everyone hold out your right hand and place it over your rocket."
Mrs. Huo Qi, who officially started class, did not delay at all. She gave straightforward orders. Practice is often the most efficient way to learn.
"Then say 'Get up!' loudly and let your rocket know that you need to ride it now!"
"Hurry up!"
She spoke urgently, decisively.
