Hermione Granger, known for her intelligence, understood the gravity of the situation she found herself in. After confiding in Professor McGonagall, she felt the sting of being misunderstood, which led to a fallout with her friends. Seeking solace, she initially headed towards the library but was soon distracted by the sight of Crookshanks, her pet cat, playfully chasing after a fellow creature. The sight of their carefree frolic stirred a sense of envy in Hermione, prompting her to abandon her original plan and follow them instead.
Her pursuit led her to the Quidditch pitch, a place that, during the Christmas season, was unusually deserted. There, she stumbled upon John, a fellow student not known for his involvement in Quidditch, who appeared deeply engrossed in examining a mysteriously wrapped gift box. Curiosity piqued, Hermione approached him, asking, "John, what brings you here?"
John, caught off guard by her presence, saw an opportunity. With a wave and a smile, he invited her to join him, saying, "Hermione, your timing couldn't be better. Help me try this out." Without waiting for her response, he eagerly unwrapped the package, revealing a brand-new Firebolt broomstick. Hermione was momentarily taken aback, recognizing the broomstick as identical to the one Harry had received earlier that day. The craftsmanship of the Firebolt, from its gleaming handle adorned with a gold registration number to its streamlined tail made of birch twigs, was nothing short of artistry.
"Firebolt? Where did you get this?" Hermione inquired, her concern evident. She feared that, like Harry, John might not know the identity of the sender.
John, surprised by her question, responded with a hint of confusion, "I bought it myself. Who else would give it to me?" He couldn't hide the slight grimace at the mention of the purchase; the Firebolt's hefty price tag of 5,000 Galleons was a painful reminder of its extravagance. Despite his family's wealth and successful business ventures, John's personal expenses, including maintaining social connections, alchemy, book purchases, and salaries, meant that his disposable income was limited.
He explained that he had ordered the Firebolt before Christmas, partly as a whimsical purchase and partly to test the speed of some experimental shoes. To John, owning a Firebolt was akin to a Muggle owning a sports car—a luxury item with significant collection value, something to be admired even if not frequently used.
However, John faced a dilemma. An injury to his right hand made controlling the Firebolt a challenge, and the risk of falling was not one he was willing to take lightly. With a look of genuine distress, he handed the broomstick to Hermione, asking her to test its speed on his behalf.
Hermione was taken aback by John's casual display of wealth. The Firebolt's reputation as the fastest broomstick in existence was well-known, and its price was beyond the reach of many, including Harry, who could only dream of owning one. The fact that John, who came from a Muggle family, could afford such a luxury was bewildering to her.
John mistook Hermione's hesitation for fear of flying the high-speed broomstick. He reassured her, emphasizing the Firebolt's unparalleled speed and handling capabilities. Despite her reservations, Hermione couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity at the prospect of flying such an esteemed broomstick. Ordinary people indeed struggle to control it. "Looking for Heinrich? I don't recall seeing him on a broomstick," John said, furrowing his brow in thought. He considered his options: either find Harry himself or bring Malfoy back. "If you're flying around, I can do it too," Hermione interjected, looking at John with a hint of nervousness. "Which hand did you injure?" she asked.
John raised his right hand, which trembled uncontrollably. "I had a bit of an accident while practicing magic. It'll take some time to heal, but it's nothing serious," he explained, trying to downplay the severity of his injury. Despite his reassurance, Hermione couldn't help but worry. Eventually, John convinced her that he would recover in no more than two months, which brought her some relief.
Mounting the Firebolt with a certain awkwardness, Hermione felt tense. Her nervousness was palpable, especially when compared to Harry's proficiency in flying. If John hadn't been there, she might have backed out. A whimsical thought crossed her mind: how envious Harry and Ron would be if they saw her mastering the Firebolt. With a deep breath and a determined kick, Hermione launched herself forward. The Firebolt shot out like an arrow from a bow.
"What--!" Hermione screamed, the world blurring past her at an alarming speed. A door frame loomed ahead, and in a panic, she yanked hard, sending the Firebolt soaring upwards. Realizing she was losing control, John leapt into action, propelling himself forward with a gust of wind beneath his feet. Wings sprouted from his shoes, aiding his pursuit.
As he chased after Hermione, John calculated their speed, marveling at the Firebolt's capabilities as the fastest broom in the world. His shoe wings expanded, flapping vigorously as he accelerated, closing the distance between them. Spotting a ball frame in Hermione's path, John didn't hesitate to cast a shattering spell, obliterating it just in time to prevent a disastrous collision. The debris smeared across Hermione's face, a far better outcome than the potential danger she faced.
"Accelerate," John urged himself, the patterns on his shoes lighting up as he surged forward, leaving a trail of clouds in his wake. He reached out, grabbing Hermione by the back of her collar, and shouted, "Let go!" Hermione, clinging to the Firebolt like a lifeline, finally heard John's command. Trusting him implicitly, she released her grip, and John caught her, holding her close as the Firebolt veered off course and began to descend.
John raised his trembling right hand, channeling his magic to safely retrieve the falling Firebolt, which landed softly on the ground. The wings on his shoes fluttered weakly as they descended, and upon touching the ground, Hermione stood, albeit unsteadily, and apologized, "I'm sorry, John, I thought..."
"It's fine," John reassured her, wiping away his sweat. He resolved never to let Hermione use the Firebolt again; it was too dangerous. However, the experience had proven the meteor shoes' capability to match the Firebolt's speed, even revealing a super-acceleration mode that John was hesitant to use due to its high energy consumption.
Following the ordeal, Hermione's spirits lifted significantly. She suddenly yelled out in realization, causing John to wince and cover his ears, puzzled by her outburst. Initially, Hermione rushed towards the location where the Firebolt had fallen, her heart heavy with concern. Harry and Ron had already expressed their frustration when Professor McGonagall took the Firebolt for inspection. Hermione couldn't even begin to fathom the extent of their anger if the Firebolt had been damaged. Upon reaching the Firebolt, she found it lying there, unscathed and as pristine as if it were brand new. As her panic subsided, Hermione realized something was amiss. How had John managed to fly beside her, and more puzzlingly, why was the Firebolt in perfect condition?
She turned her attention to John, who was amusingly holding Crookshanks by his hind legs. The sight momentarily distracted her from her swirling thoughts. Despite John's enigmatic nature, Hermione decided it was best not to pry too much. Considering Ron's aversion to Crookshanks and her own preoccupation with Buckbeak's case, she saw an opportunity. "John, could you look after Crookshanks for me?" she asked hopefully.
"Look after Crookshanks? Of course," John replied, effortlessly lifting Crookshanks and gently scratching his belly, his smile warm and reassuring. Hermione's spirits lifted at his response. Remembering Crookshanks' reluctance to leave the Gryffindor common room, she added, "I'll give you the Gryffindor password."
John's laughter filled the air, light and carefree. Hermione quickly scribbled down the password for him. Though she framed it as a favor, in reality, it meant John would simply pick up Crookshanks daily and ensure he spent his nights comfortably in the Gryffindor common room.
Upon her return, Hermione noticed Ron's lingering irritation, while Harry's anger seemed to have mostly dissipated. Harry's curiosity was piqued when he saw Hermione, leading him to ask, "Hermione, what happened to your hair?"
The wind from the Quidditch pitch had transformed Hermione's usually bushy hair into a wild, afro-like mane. Realizing this, she hurried back to her bedroom to confront her reflection in the mirror. The memory of John struggling to hold back his laughter, his amusement barely concealed, made her clench her teeth in frustration, much like an angry lion ready to roar.
_________
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge