Chapter 44: "Rules can be broken"
Vizet still had yesterday's flying lesson fresh in his mind. If he were to join the trials, he figured he could at least make it past the first round.
The second round of selections had just begun, with Beater trials up first.
This position required precision, raw strength, and a certain level of fearlessness.
A dozen students mounted their brooms, balloons strapped to their chests as they were divided into two groups. Their task? Defend their own balloons while fending off the rogue Bludgers that would come hurtling their way.
The moment the trial began, the air filled with the sharp whack of wooden bats meeting Bludgers.
"Just in time!" A familiar voice called from behind.
Vizet turned to see Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, making his way toward them.
Cho Chang raised an eyebrow. "Wood? Why are you at Ravenclaw's trials?"
Oliver set his clipboard down, casting a quick glance at Vizet before answering with an innocent shrug. "Just watching. As a captain, I should know my competition."
Cho Chang smirked. "Spying, then?"
"Strategic observation," Oliver corrected proudly.
She chuckled. "Roger told me about you — how you're some Quidditch-obsessed lunatic who'd probably sell his soul for a good game."
Oliver lifted his chin, chest puffed out. "An honor, truly."
The selection continued, and Vizet quickly realized that playing Beater was not for the faint of heart.
The Bludgers were vicious. If a player missed a deflection, the enchanted ball would slam straight into their chest, sending them spiraling off their broom. Some hit the ground so hard that their teeth rattled, their groans of pain echoing across the field.
More than a few players, looking pale, muttered about needing to escort the injured to the Hospital Wing — before making a swift exit themselves.
"Ravenclaw's looking a little rough," Wood muttered, scribbling something on his clipboard.
He glanced up, catching Cho Chang's disapproving look, and quickly cleared his throat.
"I mean — uh, actually, there are some brave ones," he backpedaled. "Those two — Jason Samuels and Duncan Inglebee — they're decent. Quick reflexes, good bat work… They just need more training."
With the Beater trials done, the focus shifted to the Seeker position.
Cho Chang stood abruptly, her movements a little stiff as she made her way forward.
Oliver watched her go, still jotting notes. "Fred and George told me that Cedric Diggory — he's a third-year, right? — might be interested in her."
He wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, just mumbling to himself as he analyzed her flying posture.
"Very professional," he noted. "She used to wear Tuthill Tornadoes jerseys when she was younger. She's probably been training since she was a kid. Bet she's aiming for Seeker."
Vizet raised an eyebrow. "You're surprisingly thorough."
"Quidditch is my life," Wood declared proudly. "Nothing about it escapes my notice. Including you."
"Me?" Vizet instinctively took a step back. "I have nothing to do with this."
Wood turned, leveling him with a serious expression.
"I watched Harry fly yesterday. He's good, don't get me wrong — but you? You're on another level."
Vizet blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I mean it," Wood insisted. "The way you handled that old Meteor broom? That wasn't just skill. That was natural talent. You were born to fly."
He lowered his voice, leaning in conspiratorially. "Listen — have you ever considered transferring to Gryffindor? I could personally petition McGonagall. Risk my life for it, even."
Vizet didn't hesitate. "No thanks. I like Ravenclaw. I get to study magic, do what I love, and the environment suits me."
Wood sighed dramatically, scribbling something down. "What a waste of potential."
Vizet chuckled but didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention back to the field, where Cho Chang was already weaving through the next trial.
For a Seeker, speed and reaction time were everything. The ability to anticipate the Snitch's erratic movements was crucial.
Roger Davies, the vice-captain, tested the candidates by tossing marbles at random angles. The goal? Catch them before they hit the ground.
Cho Chang moved like a blur. Every marble that left Roger's hand was caught effortlessly.
"Impressive," Wood murmured. "Her reaction speed is miles ahead of the others."
As expected, she secured the Seeker position without much competition.
"The future's looking bright for Ravenclaw," Wood admitted, scribbling more notes. "At least in the Seeker department."
Cho Chang, still grinning from ear to ear, caught his words and beamed even more.
"That just leaves the Chasers," Wood muttered, flipping a page on his clipboard. "Time to start planning counter-strategies."
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As Wood muttered to himself, a voice suddenly called out from the side.
"Mr. Lovegood, so this is where you are!"
Vizet turned to see Professor Flitwick, the head of Ravenclaw, hurrying toward him. Beside him, in flowing green robes, was none other than Professor McGonagall.
Wood's eyes flickered with realization, as if he had just seen disaster unfold before him.
"Oh no…" he whispered under his breath, rubbing his forehead. "Professor McGonagall, I know you're all about fairness, but this... this could set Gryffindor right back to square one."
Flitwick, small yet quick on his feet, practically dashed toward Vizet. Despite his stature, the enthusiasm in his movements made him appear larger than life.
"Professor McGonagall tells me you have an incredible talent for flying," he said eagerly. "Would you be interested in trying out for the team?"
Vizet hesitated. "But… I thought the rules said only second-years and up could participate?"
Flitwick waved a tiny hand dismissively, his eyes twinkling. "Rules can be broken."
He continued, voice brimming with pride. "The rule exists because we want first-years to have time to adjust to Hogwarts. But you? You've already proven yourself. Your classwork is excellent, your assignments are meticulous, and your magical talent is undeniable. There's no reason to hold you back."
McGonagall, standing tall beside him, gave a small nod of agreement, her lips pressed into a firm but approving line.
Vizet took a breath, glancing at his friends. He could see the anticipation in their eyes.
Finally, he nodded. "If Professor Flitwick believes I'm ready, then I'd love to give it a shot."
Flitwick clapped his hands together. "Splendid! Come with me — I'll introduce you to Mr. Egwu and the others."
As Vizet moved toward the field, Cho Chang smiled and made an encouraging gesture.
"You'll do great! I heard from some first-years how you saved Anthony. You just have to fly like how you did back then."
Michael, and especially Anthony, despite their usual confidence, looked a little more reserved standing next to Cho Chang. But their eyes shone with encouragement nonetheless.
"Vizet! You got this!"
More voices chimed in from the crowd. He turned, surprised to see a group of Hufflepuff students gathered near the stands.
It seemed that wherever something interesting was happening, the Hufflepuffs would show up — always eager to witness a good story unfold.
As he reached the team, Vizet spotted Roger Davies discussing the Chaser trials. But standing at the center of it all was the team's true leader: Andre Egwu.
Egwu, tall and broad-shouldered, was the team captain and their Keeper. Being a seventh-year, he was already deep into preparations for the N.E.W.T.s, which meant most of the team's responsibilities had fallen to Roger. It was practically guaranteed that Roger would take over as captain after Egwu graduated.
Egwu glanced at Vizet, then turned his gaze to Wood.
"Seeing the look on Wood's face right now is making my day," he said with a smirk. "He came bragging to me just yesterday — going on and on about some Quidditch prodigy Gryffindor just picked up."
Wood scowled but said nothing.
Egwu then turned his attention back to Vizet, clapping a large hand on his shoulder.
"Now, Professor Flitwick says you're some kind of natural talent." His grin widened. "Let's see if he's right. Grab a broom, Lovegood, and show me what you've got!"