The Fox In A Snake Pit!

A Bet Is A Bet ~Edited August 24, 2023

But Neville, nervous and jumpy and frightened of being left on the ground, pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hooch's lips. All the Slytherins, including Jade, burst into laughter as they watched Neville's misfortune. Their cruel amusement filled the air, echoing through the corridor. Even Jade, known for her sharp wit and cunning, couldn't resist joining in on the taunting. The sound of their laughter seemed to mock Neville's predicament, intensifying the humiliation he already felt.

Meanwhile, Professor Hooch, the flying instructor, desperately called out to Neville, urging him to return to safety. The urgency in her voice was palpable, but it was too late. Neville ascended into the sky, propelled upwards like a cork being forcefully ejected from a bottle. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying. Neville continued to rise with each passing second. His ascent was unstoppable, reaching heights that seemed unimaginable. Twelve feet, twenty feet, and still he soared higher. 

The onlookers stood in awe, momentarily forgetting their laughter as they watched this incredible feat. However, the spectacle quickly turned into a nightmare as Neville veered off course. With a sudden shift in direction, he began hurtling sideways, his trajectory becoming increasingly erratic. Panic filled the air as the spectators realized that Neville was no longer in control. In a horrifying twist of fate, Neville collided with a section of the building. The impact was jarring, resulting in a sickening crack that reverberated through the surroundings. 

His broomstick was still rising higher and higher and started to drift lazily towards the Forbidden Forest and out of sight. Madam Hooch was bending over Neville, her face as white as his. Jade couldn't hear what she'd just mumbled, but after glancing at Harry and Ron she could tell Harry had and it wasn't good. 

"Come on, boy, it's all right, up you go." She turned to the rest of the class. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear."

Neville, his face streaked with tears, gripped his injured wrist as he slowly limped away alongside Madam Hooch, who offered him comforting support by wrapping her arm around him. 

As they moved further away, Draco couldn't contain his amusement any longer and erupted into laughter. "Did you see his expression? He looked like such a fool," he taunted, provoking the other Slytherins to join in. 

Parvati Patil couldn't tolerate Draco's mockery and swiftly responded, "Shut up, Malfoy." 

Pansy, eager to add fuel to the fire, sneered, "Oh, defending Longbottom, are we? I never imagined you'd have a soft spot for chubby crybabies, Parvati."

Jade sighed, her face displaying an unmistakable boredom. "Besides, isn't he always holding your house back from getting any points?" she remarked, weariness evident in her voice.

"Look!" exclaimed Draco, swiftly advancing and seizing something from the verdant grass. 

Jade asked audibly enough for Draco to hear, "Is that the ridiculous thing Longbottom's grandmother sent him?" 

A smirk appeared on Draco's face as he held up the Remembrall, causing it to glisten in the sunlight.

Harry's voice cut through the air, barely audible. "Give that here, Malfoy." 

The class fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the confrontation unfolding before them.

Draco, with a malicious smile on his face, directed his attention towards Harry Potter. "I believe I will leave it somewhere for Longbottom to discover," Draco sneered. "How about up a tree?"