After the conflict ended, the atmosphere in the Great Hall gradually calmed down.
Harry walked up to Charlie, his eyes full of gratitude.
"Charlie, thank you."
"It's nothing."
"I don't like Malfoy either."
Neville, however, sat dejectedly to the side, completely deflated.
Malfoy's words still echoed in his mind, each one stinging his heart.
Ron quickly sat next to Neville and patted his shoulder.
"Neville, don't listen to Malfoy's nonsense."
Ron's tone was very serious:
"That guy is a jerk."
"You're much better than him, really."
But Neville remained dejected, lowering his head and saying softly:
"But he's right."
"I really am stupid; I haven't even learned a proper Spell yet."
"Even Seamus can cast magic; only I can't do anything."
Seamus: "?"
Buddy, if you weren't sad right now, I'd really get you.
Neville's voice grew softer and softer, and his eyes reddened.
Charlie couldn't stand it and sat down next to Neville.
"Neville, don't mind what others say."
Charlie's tone was calm:
"If someone bullies you, hit them back."
"I used to be bullied too, but I beat them all down, and then no one ever bullied me again."
Neville suddenly looked up, his eyes full of surprise.
"What? Charlie, you were bullied too?"
Neville could hardly believe it:
"But you're so strong, you can even defeat a Troll."
"Strength isn't innate; I also achieved my current power through hard work," Charlie said slowly:
"Later, I understood a principle."
"The more you fear trouble, the more trouble finds you. The tougher you are, the less others dare to provoke you."
Harry nodded, deeply agreeing. Dudley always bullied him; the more he tolerated Dudley, the more Dudley got carried away.
Neville was still very frustrated:
"But I'm really stupid, just like Malfoy said, I haven't learned a single Spell yet."
"I really have no talent in magic."
Charlie patted his shoulder.
"Whether you're stupid or not isn't for others to say. You always have things you're good at; you just haven't discovered them yet."
"Think about which class you perform best in."
Neville's eyes lit up.
"I'm pretty good at Herbology Class; Professor Sprout has praised me."
"She said I have a lot of talent with plants and can sense their needs."
"There you go."
"You're better than most people in Herbology; isn't that talent?"
"Spells are just one part of magic, not all of it."
"Even if your Spells aren't as good as his, you still have your fists."
"It's said that Gryffindor, the founder of your house, had a sword. He didn't even like to use Spells; he just went in with his sword."
"Courage is more important than magic."
These words completely re-energized Neville, his eyes shining.
"That's right, I can learn swordsmanship, or just use my fists."
He clenched his fists, and his whole demeanor changed, as if a switch had been activated.
Charlie looked at Neville's excited expression and felt a jolt in his heart.
It seems I've led someone astray. Professor McGonagall won't come looking for trouble with me, will she?
At this moment, Harry nervously leaned over and whispered.
"Charlie, I want to ask you something."
"Can you cast a Spell on my broom so Malfoy can't curse me?"
Charlie was stunned for a moment.
"Do you really think Malfoy is so powerful he can curse you?"
"He can only talk; if he really wanted to do something, he would have done it already."
But Harry was still worried and said anxiously:
"What if Malfoy asks Professor Snape to cast a curse?"
"His father is a school governor; Professor Snape will definitely listen to him."
Charlie rolled his eyes inwardly.
Professor Snape, with his contradictory personality, would listen to others? Nonsense.
"You still know too little about Professor Snape."
"Besides, I'm in the same year as you. Do you think I'd know such magic?"
Harry only then realized, scratching his head a bit awkwardly.
"Sorry, Charlie, it's just that you make it easy for people to overlook your age."
"It feels like you know everything."
Charlie shook his head.
"If you're really worried, go ask Professor McGonagall for help."
"Malfoy can go to the Dean; you can too."
Harry's eyes lit up.
"That's right, why didn't I think of that?"
After saying that, he thanked Charlie and ran off excitedly.
Charlie picked up a chicken leg from the table and started eating.
Harry jogged all the way to Professor McGonagall's office, stood outside the door for a while, took a few deep breaths, and then dared to knock.
He still had some awe for this serious Professor.
"Come in."
Harry pushed the door open. Professor McGonagall was correcting homework, her head still down.
Harry suddenly regretted not bringing Charlie with him.
"Mr. Potter, is there something you need?"
"Professor, I'd like to ask for your help," Harry said softly.
Professor McGonagall put down her quill and looked up at him.
"Speak."
"Professor, could you please cast a Spell on my broom to prevent anyone from cursing it?"
Professor McGonagall frowned.
"A curse? Mr. Potter, what are you worried about?"
"It's just... Malfoy said today he would curse me to fall off during the Quidditch match," Harry stammered an explanation.
"Nonsense," Professor McGonagall said sternly.
"No one in this school would curse a student."
Harry watched Professor McGonagall's unyielding expression and began to feel anxious.
Suddenly, he had an idea.
"Professor, actually, this was Charlie's idea!"
Professor McGonagall frowned. Harry might be mischievous, but Charlie wouldn't be. Why would he bring this up?
"Mr. White said this?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Harry nodded quickly.
"Charlie said that even though the Professors in the school are all upright, it's hard to guarantee that someone won't secretly interfere with the match."
"He suggested I come to you to cast a protective Spell on the broom."
Professor McGonagall fell into contemplation.
Charlie's words were not without reason. Although she wouldn't interfere with the match, certain Professors who liked to wear black robes might show favoritism towards students from their own houses.
Although she didn't believe Professor Snape would try to seriously harm a student, in matters of Quidditch, which involved house honor, who knew what tricks he might pull.
"Mr. White is very thoughtful," Professor McGonagall slowly nodded.
"It is indeed wise to take precautions."
She stood up and paced back and forth in her office.
"However, if only your broom is given a protective Spell, it would seem unfair."
Professor McGonagall stopped and looked at Harry.
"I've decided to cast a counter-curse Spell on the brooms of all participating players."
"That way, it will be impossible for anyone to successfully interfere with the match."
Harry's goal was achieved, and he left the office happily.
Professor McGonagall was very efficient.
Early the next morning, she found the Deans of the four houses and the Quidditch captains to discuss casting the protective Spell.
The Deans and captains all agreed, and so, all participating players' brooms were given protective Spells.
Professor Snape, however, felt very awkward while casting the Spell, and Professor McGonagall kept giving him strange looks.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"