Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

patréon/emperordragon

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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Highs and Lows

The crisp morning air was filled with nervous chatter as the Gryffindor and Slytherin first-years gathered on the grassy Quidditch pitch. A neat line of school brooms lay waiting for them, each as old and battered as the next. Madam Hooch, her sharp yellow eyes glinting in the sunlight, stood before the group with her whistle hanging around her neck.

"Welcome to your first flying lesson," she began briskly. "Stick out your right hand over the broom and say, Up!"

The students scrambled to obey. A chorus of Up! filled the air, though most brooms merely twitched or rolled over. Rose's broom shot into her hand immediately, as did Harry's, though the latter did it with a practiced ease that earned him a few envious looks.

"Well done, Miss Potter, Mr. Potter," Madam Hooch said. "The rest of you, try again!"

As the students struggled with their brooms, Harry glanced around, keeping an eye on his sister. Rose was grinning, clearly enjoying the challenge. Her natural talent with a broom reminded him of their father, and he felt a swell of pride.

Once everyone had managed to summon their brooms—more or less—Madam Hooch demonstrated how to mount them properly. She walked along the line, correcting grips and postures, before instructing them to kick off gently and hover.

"Keep it steady, and don't go too high," she warned.

Most of the students managed to hover a foot or two above the ground, though a few wobbled precariously. Neville Longbottom, however, looked pale and anxious, clutching his broom as if it might bite him.

"Alright, Mr. Longbottom, gently now," Madam Hooch said encouragingly.

Neville kicked off, but his fear got the better of him. The broom shot into the air, climbing higher and higher as Neville clung to it, screaming.

"Help! I can't—oh no—"

Harry's eyes widened as he watched Neville ascend, his grip slipping. The other students gasped, and Madam Hooch shouted, "Stay where you are!" before mounting her own broom. But before she could take off, Neville's broom bucked violently, and he began to plummet.

Harry didn't think—he acted. His wand was in his hand in an instant, and with a flick, he cast a softening charm on the ground below Neville. Another wave of his wand slowed Neville's descent just enough to avoid injury.

Neville landed with a thud, unconscious but unharmed. Madam Hooch dismounted, rushing to his side.

"Potter, help me get him to the infirmary," she ordered, and Harry nodded, his heart still pounding.

The two of them carried Neville to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey fussed over the boy, muttering about the dangers of flying lessons. Harry stood by, guilt gnawing at him. He should have acted faster.

When Madam Hooch assured him Neville would be fine, they headed back to the pitch. As they approached, Harry heard shouts and gasps from the students.

"What now?" Madam Hooch muttered, quickening her pace.

Harry's stomach dropped as he reached the edge of the pitch and saw Rose soaring through the air. She was chasing after something small and shiny—the Remembrall Neville had dropped in his fall.

"Rose!" Harry shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the cheers of their classmates.

He watched, frozen, as Rose urged her broom faster. The Remembrall darted higher, then suddenly plummeted toward the ground. To Harry's horror, Rose dived after it, her broom a blur.

The world seemed to slow as she executed a perfect Wronski Feint, pulling out of the dive mere inches from the ground with the Remembrall in her hand. She hovered there, grinning triumphantly as the Gryffindors and even some of the Slytherins broke into applause.

But Harry couldn't move. His chest felt tight, his legs rooted to the spot. He'd faced Death Eaters, dementors, and Voldemort himself without flinching, but watching his sister's reckless stunt left him paralyzed.

When Rose landed, her face lit up with excitement, she ran over to Harry, holding up the Remembrall.

"Did you see that, Harry? I caught it!"

Harry looked at her, torn between pride and sheer terror. His mouth was dry as he forced himself to speak.

"That was incredible, Rose," he said, his voice strained. "But don't ever do that again."

Rose's smile faltered. "Why not? I was fine."

"Because you scared the life out of me!" Harry snapped, his emotions spilling over. "Do you have any idea what could've happened if you'd mistimed that dive?"

Rose blinked, surprised by his tone. "But I didn't. I knew what I was doing."

"That's not the point!" Harry ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself. "I just... I can't watch you put yourself in danger like that. You're my sister, Rose."

Rose's expression softened, and she reached out to take his hand. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to help Neville."

Harry sighed, squeezing her hand. "I know. And you were amazing out there. But promise me you'll be more careful."

"I promise," Rose said, smiling again.

Madam Hooch's sharp whistle brought them back to the present.

"That's enough excitement for one lesson," she barked. "Everyone back on the ground, now!"

As the students regrouped, Harry's thoughts swirled. For the first time, he truly understood how his friends and family must have felt every time he'd recklessly charged into danger. The fear of losing someone you love was a weight he hadn't fully appreciated until now.

As they walked back to the castle, Rose chatting animatedly with Ron and Hermione, Harry fell silent. He glanced at his sister, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and felt a swell of pride. But beneath it lay a deep resolve—he would do everything in his power to protect her, no matter what.