~The Big Five at Hogwarts~

Chapter 5

Merida~

        Finally, after hours of teachers jabbering on and on about spells and charms and curses, I am free. The minute we are all dismissed, I run to the Quidditch pitch for practice. After changing into my Gryffindor uniform as quickly as possible, I grab my Firebolt and immediately take to the sky above the field. I race through the goalposts, making laps around the pitch for a few minutes before the other players start to show up. I land in front of the crowd of players that is already forming on the ground. There are Gryffindor students as well as Slytherin, because today is a special private match between the two Houses. As the captain, I will be choosing the newest members for this year based on this game.

The captain of the Slytherin team, Dirk Slumo, (or as I like to call him, Dork Slomo) struts up to the goal and glares at me.

“So, DunBroch, are you ready to lose?” I smirk at him when he challenges me.

“Not really, so I hope you are,” I reply. I turn to my team and tell the new players to be ready to try out. We will need a new Beater and Keeper, since our previous ones have graduated. The Gryffindor Chaser and a friend of mine, a blond girl named Astrid, comes up to me and says,

“It doesn’t matter what they do, you’re the best Seeker in the school. I don’t think we’re getting beaten today.” She stands with her arms crossed and studies the students hoping to become Quidditch players.

“Me neither,” I say. Now that our team is ready, we can both mount our brooms and take to the sky. The two teams hover about fifty feet above the grass, waiting in silence for the Quaffle to be released. When it is, all of the players spring into action. While Astrid works with the other two Chasers, Lisa and Eli to get the Quaffle into the goalpost, I scan the air around me for the familiar fluttering gold sphere with wings.

Suddenly, there it is: the Golden Snitch hovering high above Astrid’s head. But before I can get farther than a few inches, a blur of white and green speeds past me. I react quickly, catching up to the figure, reaching out for the Snitch as we both race towards it neck-in-neck. The guy faces me and gives a triumphant smile before pushing past me and grabbing the Snitch between his fingers. His silvery hair is ruffling in the wind and his blue eyes are silently mocking my defeat. I just hover there for a while, flabbergasted that someone has finally beaten me while he basks in the Slytherins’ victory. Well, I’m pretty sure he was basking. I’m not sure what basking looks like. Finally I alight onto the ground and approach the newcomer.

“That was some pretty impressive flying you did up there. Where did you learn to be such a great Seeker?” He smiles a little and shrugs.

“Honestly? This is only my second time on a broom. Then again, you weren’t so bad yourself.”

“Gee, thanks,” I say sarcastically, “my name’s Merida.”

“I’m Jack. I’m uh…new,” he introduces. I raise an eyebrow, before remembering that McGonagall had introduced a new Slytherin student last night. We start to walk back inside while talking about our lives before Hogwarts. I wave goodbye to him when we reach the grand stone staircase. It is late at night, and the hallway is already dark. Before I start towards the Gryffindor common room, a harsh whisper catches my attention. I can’t help but move towards the source of the voices: two adults standing in the shadows of the staircase murmuring to each other.  One of them is Headmistress McGonagall, and the other one is none other than the Minister of Magic. His small brown beard and almost bald head define his soft, round features. I have no idea what reason he would have for being here, but what comes next doesn’t clear it up a whole lot.

“But Minister, you cannot relent to him! I am doing perfectly fine here, but if you give him any control we will all suffer.” There is a pause before I hear the Minister’s deep voice in return.

“Minerva, I’m not sure what else to do. He’s brought up some interesting points concerning your teaching; I think you’re overreacting. I’m left with no other choice. I will be back in a few days.” Without another word his dark figure exits the Hall in a few strides. With slumped shoulders and wilting posture, McGonagall trudges away as well. I feel kind of bad for her; whatever is happening to her job, it’s not good. I sneak up the stairs, confused about what I’ve just heard.