Chapter 41: A Once-in-a-Millennium Talent

Chapter 41: A Once-in-a-Millennium Talent

Indeed, the wire was George's secret weapon for controlling the broomstick.

The quality of a wizard's broomstick flight largely depends on their proficiency in handling it.

By wrapping a wire around the broomstick, George could not only control it with magic but also make finer adjustments using his magnetic abilities—a double guarantee.

In reality, with his doppelgänger's weight of just a few dozen pounds, his magnetic powers alone could allow him to fly, though not as fast as a broomstick.

He had applied the same technique to his wand. A wire was coiled around the end of his wand so that if it were ever disarmed, he could instantly summon it back.

"Hold your broomsticks steady, rise a few feet, then lean forward slightly and descend vertically to the ground.

Listen for my whistle: 3-2-1!"

As Madam Hooch's whistle sounded, the young wizards kicked off the ground and rose into the air on their broomsticks.

Most of them were unsteady in the air, cautiously maintaining their balance, but a few, like Ginny, who had prior experience, flew with ease and speed.

"Ginny, excellent! You're doing wonderfully!"

Ginny's outstanding performance quickly caught Madam Hooch's attention, prompting her to praise her loudly and prepare to award points to Gryffindor. However, her words were soon interrupted by a wave of gasps.

Turning her head to the Slytherin side, her face immediately showed an expression of disbelief.

"Oh, Merlin! That's the Starfish and Stick, the Wronski Feint, the Sloth Grip Roll, and the Double Eight Loop! This can't be!"

What she saw was George, the star of Slytherin, performing advanced Quidditch maneuvers that only world-class players could master.

The Starfish and Stick, for instance, was a move used by top-tier goalkeepers. When the Quaffle was about to score and there was no time to block it, the keeper would hang upside down from the broomstick, spreading their limbs to stop the Quaffle.

The Wronski Feint was a high-speed zigzagging technique used by Chasers to confuse opposing players.

The Sloth Grip Roll was an incredibly difficult move where, when a Bludger approached, the player would hang from the broomstick, gripping it tightly with both hands and feet, and spin rapidly like a drill to deflect the Bludger.

The Double Eight Loop was a Seeker's move, pretending to spot the Snitch far below and diving toward the ground to trick the opposing Seeker into following. Just before hitting the ground, the diver would pull up, causing the opponent to crash and faint.

This move required absolute mastery of the broomstick.

Mastering even one of these moves would guarantee a spot on any national Quidditch team as a Seeker, Chaser, Beater, or Keeper.

Even Madam Hooch couldn't perform all four moves flawlessly, let alone on the school's outdated Cleansweep broomsticks.

The school's Cleansweep broomsticks, decades old, were fine for basic flying lessons, but at high speeds, they would shake and become difficult to control.

Yet George not only controlled his broomstick but also executed these four highly difficult classic moves.

"Slytherin earns twenty points! Everyone, practice freely. George, come with me!"

Once George landed smoothly, Madam Hooch shouted excitedly, grabbing him and heading toward the castle.

"Are you really riding a broomstick for the first time?"

As they walked, she asked in disbelief.

George pretended to be shy and nodded:

"I couldn't ride where I lived, but I've read some books and guides about Quidditch."

He knew his plan had succeeded.

With his physical strength and the magnetic control over the broomstick, not only could he perform those four moves, but he could also do ballet on the broomstick or even a few Thomas spins without issue.

"Oh, you really... This is unbelievable..."

Hearing George's response, Madam Hooch was almost speechless.

In the Slytherin Head of House's office, Snape was sitting at his desk, writing notes on his latest potion research, when he was interrupted by urgent knocking. Frowning, he waved his wand to open the door.

"Madam Hooch, is there something so important that it requires such haste?"

Seeing it was the flying instructor and his most outstanding student, his frown eased slightly.

Madam Hooch excitedly pushed George in front of Snape:

"Professor Snape, Slytherin has produced a once-in-a-millennium Quidditch prodigy. You won't believe it, but on his first time riding a broomstick, he performed..."

"Are you saying all this is true?"

Hearing Madam Hooch's words, even the usually stoic Snape was visibly shaken.

As the head of Slytherin, he had deep affection for his house. Last year's loss to Gryffindor, especially to a Gryffindor team with Harry, had left him bitter.

If George truly had such extraordinary broomstick talent, Slytherin wouldn't lose for the next seven years.

"I'm not at the age where my eyes deceive me, and many of your house's students witnessed it too."

Madam Hooch seemed offended by Snape's skepticism.

Snape quickly clarified:

"I'm not doubting you, just surprised."

He turned to George, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace:

"George, you've always been exceptional.

This Saturday, I'll personally arrange for you to join the Slytherin Quidditch team. If Gryffindor can make exceptions, so can Slytherin!"

"Um... Professor, I don't really want to join the Quidditch team."

George feigned embarrassment as he replied.

Hearing this, both Madam Hooch and Snape were stunned and asked almost simultaneously:

"Why?"

Joining the Quidditch team was every young wizard's dream, and with George's exceptional broomstick skills, he seemed like a natural Quidditch player.

George glanced at Snape and coughed lightly:

"Well, compared to Quidditch, I prefer studying magic, especially Defense Against the Dark Arts. And since Professor Lockhart's classes are... well, I need more time to study on my own.

But joining the Quidditch team would mean frequent training, which would cut into my study time... Self-study is already challenging enough."

"That's a fair point. Compared to Quidditch, mastering magic is more fundamental, and Lockhart is indeed a fool... Hmm..."

Snape fell into deep thought.

In his view, studying magic was far more important than Quidditch. He had little interest in Quidditch himself, but as the head of Slytherin, he naturally wanted his house to win the Quidditch Cup.

"Very well, you'll join the Slytherin team, but I'll ensure they don't demand too much training from you. Every weekend, I'll dedicate half a day to personally tutor you in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

(End of Chapter)