Chapter 10: Quidditch selection

  The sun hung low over Arcanmere Castle, painting the stone corridors gold as Daniel, Tom, and Scarlett walked beside Headmaster Albus Christ. The atmosphere was calm—until a sudden burst of noise echoed down the hallway.

  They turned the corner and saw a group of students gathered near the courtyard stairs. A tall fifth-year from Dracorus stood at the center, handing out scarlet-colored papers.

  Tom squinted. “What’s going on over there?”

  Scarlett peeked over a few shoulders. “Looks like… Quidditch tryouts?”

  The Headmaster stopped beside them, his gaze calm but sharp. “Ah, yes. The Quidditch selections. I suppose it’s that time of the year again.” He looked at Daniel and Tom. “You two—go on. Clear your minds for now. Take the forms and participate. I’ll handle the rest here.”

  Daniel blinked. “But sir—”

  “No ‘buts,’ Mr. Cruse,” the Headmaster said with a faint smile. “A bit of fresh air and competition might help you more than you think.”

  Tom grinned, nudging Daniel. “You heard the man. Let’s go catch some glory.”

  They pushed through the crowd, grabbed the forms, and filled them out quickly. Before long, all first-years and hopefuls were ordered to gather at the Quidditch field.

  ---

  At the Quidditch Field

  The green expanse of the Quidditch pitch shimmered under the afternoon sun. Banners of each house fluttered high above the stands, and the crisp wind carried the faint scent of grass and excitement.

  Fredrick Wood, the fifth-year captain of Dracorus, stood at the center, arms crossed, his broom slung casually over his shoulder. He had an air of confidence and authority that made even the older students fall silent.

  “hello, everyone,” Wood announced. “Welcome to Dracorus Quidditch tryouts. Today we’re looking for speed, reflexes, and courage. Especially for our Seeker position.”

  Fredrick Wood stood in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, clipboard in hand, scanning the group of nervous new players. The wind tugged at his green-and-gold captain’s cloak as he called out. After that Fredrick walked over, carrying a wooden chest. “Before we begin,” he said, unlatching it, “let me show you what you’ll be up against.”

  He released a bright red ball. “This is the Quaffle. Chasers use it to score goals.”

  Then, with a flick of his wand, two heavy, iron balls rattled inside the chest. “These are the Bludgers. They’ll do their best to knock you off your broom — so keep your eyes open.”

  Finally, he lifted a tiny golden ball with silver wings that fluttered wildly. It shimmered in the sunlight. “And this,” he said with a grin, “is the Golden Snitch. Catch this, and your team wins the game.”

  “Alright, first-years! We’re testing for Seeker now. Let’s see who’s got what it takes to catch the Snitch.”

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  He glanced at the list. “First up — Ronan Black and Ethan Crest. You two, mount your brooms.”

  The two boys stepped forward, trying to look confident. The crowd in the stands murmured with excitement.

  Fredrick pointed at the golden sphere trembling in his hand. “Remember — once I release the Snitch, you have two minutes to catch it. Eyes open, and whatever you do… don’t flinch.”

  He threw the Snitch high into the air. The tiny golden ball shot off like lightning.

  “GO!”

  Ronan kicked off first, zooming upward in a rush of wind. Ethan followed, wobbling slightly on his broom. The crowd cheered as they darted after the Snitch, which danced between them in blinding flashes of gold.

  “Come on, come on!” Ethan shouted, reaching out — but before his fingers could even brush it, a Bludger came roaring toward him.

  Fredrick shouted, “Watch out!”

  Ethan ducked just in time, but lost control. His broom spun sideways and sent him tumbling into the safety net. The crowd gasped.

  Fredrick groaned. “That’s why you never lose focus.”

  Ronan was still chasing the Snitch, eyes blazing. He leaned forward, pushing his broom to its limit. For a moment, it looked like he might actually do it — until the Snitch darted upward In a sudden burst of speed.

  “Come back here, you stupid ball!” Ronan yelled, trying to follow — but a Bludger slammed into the tail of his broom, throwing him off balance.

  He barely managed to stay on as his broom dropped toward the ground. Fredrick blew his whistle. “Enough! Down, both of you.”

  Ronan landed, panting hard, his hair a mess. “It’s impossible to catch that thing!” he growled.

  Fredrick shook his head. “Not impossible. Just not for everyone.”

  Ethan rubbed his shoulder. “Those Bludgers nearly killed me!”

  Fredrick crossed his arms. “Quidditch isn’t for the faint-hearted. You both have spirit — but being a Seeker isn’t about shouting or rushing. It’s about control, instinct, and courage under pressure.”

  He looked down at his clipboard, then called out, “Next… Daniel Cruse.”

  Daniel’s heart raced as he picked up a broom. He could feel the excitement coursing through him.

  “Mount your brooms!” Fredrick ordered.

  Daniel gripped the handle of his broom tightly. “Up!” he said — but the broom didn’t move.

  A few students chuckled. Tom shouted from the stands, “Focus, Daniel!”

  Daniel took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and said firmly, “Up!”

  The broom shot into his hand.

  Fredrick nodded approvingly. “That’s better. Now, let’s see what you can do.”

  With a sharp whistle, Daniel kicked off the ground. The wind rushed past his face as he soared upward — unsteady at first, wobbling slightly.

  “Balance, Cruse! Find your center!” Wood shouted.

  Daniel adjusted his grip, straightened his posture, and within seconds, he was gliding smoothly. A smile broke across his face. He leaned forward — faster, faster — until the pitch blurred below him.

  Scarlett gasped. “He’s… flying like he’s done it all his life!”

  Wood tossed the Golden Snitch into the air. “Catch it!”

  Daniel’s eyes locked onto the glimmering sphere. The Snitch darted left, then up, then vanished in a flash of gold. Without hesitation, Daniel leaned down and sped after it, weaving through the air, his broom cutting through the wind like an arrow.

  The crowd cheered as he performed a sharp dive, barely missing a Bludger that whooshed past his shoulder.

  “Merlin’s beard,” Wood muttered, eyes wide. “He’s got the reflexes of a natural!”

  Daniel reached out, his fingers brushing the Snitch’s wing — and then, with one last push, he caught it. The crowd erupted into cheers.

  He landed smoothly, holding the Snitch in his palm. It struggled for a second before falling still.

  Fredrick clapped him on the back. “Congratulations, Cruse! You’re our new Seeker. That was bloody brilliant!”

  Daniel grinned, still catching his breath. “Thanks, Captain. Guess I’ve found my game.”

  Scarlett and Tom rushed to the field. Scarlett laughed, “I knew you’d do it!”

  Tom smirked, “Yeah, but next time, try not to give us a heart attack when you dive like that.”

  Daniel laughed, glancing up at the sky — the same sky that once terrified him in his dreams. But now, it felt different. Free.

  ---

  Later That Night

  As Daniel lay in bed, the Snitch gleaming faintly on his bedside table, he couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in weeks, he felt alive — not as the boy with the curse, but as the boy who could fly.

  But as he drifted to sleep, the faint whisper of wind outside carried a single word into his mind —

  “Fly… before the moon calls again.”