For the last class of the day, Bran and Edna split off from us in the hallway.

"Where are you two going?" I asked.

"We have History of Magic, with Professor Hawthorne," Edna said.

My heart spazzed for a moment. "Oh, right," I cleared my throat.

"We'll let you know how it goes. See you for dinner?"

"Sounds good," Daphne smiled.

I was frozen with silence before Daphne strolled towards an exit door, I had to catch up with her as we made our way outside towards Care of Magical Creatures.

As we stepped along the castle grounds, we approached a cottage, a snug size for a half-giant.

"You okay?" I asked Daphne, noticing that she hadn't said much since Charms.

"Yeah," she said.

"I've only known you for a full twenty-four hours, but I feel like something is bringing you down."

"Did you see what happened earlier in Flitwick's class? I don't want another year of being second to Layla Moors in both academics and Quidditch!"

"Who's keeping score? Why do you care? You're a champion potions maker, right? In your age group? Plus, you're the only person who completed the Draught of Peace today. I don't know, if you ask me, that's pretty impressive."

Daphne didn't respond. We walked silently until we were outside Hagrid's cottage, who came out to greet everyone with a broad smile underneath his scraggly beard. I wish I was smiling like him, but the sight of Oliver a few yards away from me made it impossible.

"Hello, Gryffindors an' Hufflepuffs! I'm very happy ter be teaching this class once again, even though I've bin doin' it fer years, but I'm especially this year because, we're abou' ter get some very rare, magical creatures ter Hogwarts very soon. Hopefully, within the month! Fer now, we have much ter get ter, such as bowtruckle's!

"With the recent behavior o' the forest, we've seen an influx in bowtruckle's, but they've bin rather violent, whereas before they were jus small, insect-eating, plant-like, creatures tha' guarded trees.

"You're gonna really wan' ter stay away from 'em, an' we'll take a look at a normal one's behavior an' a newer one from the current state o' the forest."

Hagrid showed us a creature that resembled a completely green dilapidated plant, with claw-like arms coming from its branches. The all-green critter stared at us blankly from its cage. Another one in a cell that was all purple, rattling the iron bars and gnawing at them with rabid, jumpy eyes. The sight of it made my skin crawl.

Bran and I met up in the courtyard after our classes finished up, and we walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"How was Professor Hawthorne? He's all I've been thinking about since you told me," I said quietly.

"Uh, he seemed alright. Not the friendliest guy, but not the meanest guy either. Monotone and a little boring, actually."

"Phew!" I blurted. "So he must be different now ‘cuz I'm tellin' ya, back in the day he was a ruthless prick. Even on the first day of class, he was irritated about something. You didn't get that vibe at all, though? Nothing hostile?"

"I promise, there was nothing like that at all, and I was listening closely too," Bran chortled. "In fact, it was the most I've ever paid attention to that subject. Magic of History is dull. But I'd say he was rather comatose, ask Edna yourself. She'd probably say the same thing."

"Okay, that's good, that's very good to hear. I'm much more relieved," I took a deep breath. We had just made it outside Professor Shacklebolt's classroom.

"I'll be out here, Rollie. Good luck."

"Thanks again for doing this," I smiled before opening the thick oak door and walking inside.

Professor Shacklebolt was reading a textbook and looked up as soon as I stepped in.

"Rollie, thank you for coming in," he nodded.

"Do you want me to close the door?" I gulped. Students were still walking by, laughing and talking.

"No, that's okay, this shouldn't be very long," Professor Shacklebolt waved me over and got up from his desk.

Both of us stood a few feet apart. I was trembling.

"Don't worry, Rollie, you're not in any trouble. I just wanted to ask you a few questions. No need to be nervous," Professor Shacklebolt smiled.

I nodded.

"Who all knows you're here in Hogwarts? Anyone close to you?"

"Uh, just my parents, and my grandpa, I think," I shrugged.

"Anyone else outside of those people? Can you think of anyone at all?"

"I don't know... What's this about?"

"Earlier in class today, you suggested invasive voices in your head as a sign of a land curse. Have you had personal experience with this?"

I took a deep breath. "I don't know, I think so? When I uh, first arrived at Hogwarts, and I was on the train platform, some voice started talking to me."

Professor Shacklebolt rubbed his chin. "Do you want me to close the door?"

"No, that's okay. I don't think anyone can hear us anyway," I turned my attention back to him. "But there was a voice that wanted me to go inside the forest. It said, 'Come in the forest Rollieee, it's the way to Hogwarts.'"

"Hm. It knew your name," Professor Shacklebolt folded his arms." See, this is the first incident of this nature. There's no report like this in regards to the forest, so I'm wondering if we're dealing with something more complicated than a land curse. Anyone close to your family you may have met that would know you're here?"

"I do remember meeting a man my grandpa was friends with, Zane Thumblebatch, and the thought of him chills my spine. He didn't say anything out of the ordinary when I met him, but that was the thing, he didn't say much at all. Just wore a cloak, with his hood up the whole time. I could barely see his eyes… Ever heard of a Zane Thumblebatch?"

Professor Shacklebolt shook his head. "I'm afraid not. But maybe we should look more into this wizard. Anyone else you might be able to think of?"

"Uh, Professor Hawthorne had me in his class back at Huntshrow."

"Hm… good to know. I think we have enough, for now, to look into things. If you can find out more information about Zane, that might be helpful. I'll do what I can on my end. You may go now, Rollie. Let's meet a few weeks down the line unless one of us finds something out sooner."

I had dinner with Daphne, Bran, and Edna in the Great Hall. I told them all about my meeting with Professor Shacklebolt.

"How come you didn't tell us you heard your name when you stepped off the train?" Daphne asked.

"I don't know, I was in a bit of a strange headspace, I guess. It almost didn't feel real. I was, like, hypnotically drawn to it. I'm just wondering, though, about my grandpa's friend and who he is."

"That name, Zane Thumblebatch," Bran scrunched his brow in between bites of potatoes. "I'm afraid that name doesn't sound familiar to me."

Edna frowned. "I'm sorry, Rollie, I wish I could be more help, but it doesn't ring a bell."

"We can try and look him up. There's a book in the library that talks about some of the Azkaban prisoners," Daphne shrugged. "I've always wanted to check it out, but I've never been able to since you have to be at least a fifth-year student to read it."

"Azkaban…" I snapped my fingers. "Isn't that the prison that shut down a while ago?"

"Well, they opened it back up a year ago. They've found it's the best place to put neo-death eaters and other criminal wizards and witches," Daphne said.

"I could just ask my grandpa more about him. I'll write to him and see what he has to say too."

We spent some time in silence, scarfing down our meal.

"So, how was everyone's first day back?" Edna grinned. "Mine was wonderful!"

"Can't complain either, should be a good year for us," Bran chimed.

"Yeah, I'm hoping to do something substantial," Daphne said, looking down and poking at her food.

"Oh, not this again," Bran moaned.

"Cram it, Bran! Leave her alone," Edna said.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"I-It's nothing, really. I'd rather not talk about it, just want to focus on the school year and what I might be able to accomplish," Daphne smiled, but there was something about it that screamed it was fake. "How was your first day, Rollie? What do you think of Hogwarts?"

"Honestly, it's better than I expected. I still have a lot to review and focus on, I'm not quite a natural talent at this stuff, but I think I can get the hang of it and do alright with some hard work. The one thing that bothered me today was that prick, Oliver, 'the hell was his problem?"

"Whoa, hey, I feel your anger, Rollie, but you should watch the language. Never know who is listening," Bran wagged his finger.

"That's true, Mr. Magpie," a chubby bald-headed ghost floated out from the table's center. "Sorry we haven't made acquaintance, but I am the Friar of Hufflepuff! But I'm known colloquially as 'The Fat Friar,' call me what you wish, but I'm sure you know what I prefer." he tipped his head. "Pleasure," he beamed as he floated up until he stood at the table. "Watch your tongue, even when you're talking about that ill-mannered Mr. Oliver."

The Friar floated up towards the magical sky of the Great Hall.

"Whatever. Point stands, Oliver is a jerk. He left a sour taste in my mouth," I scoffed.

"Yeah, it's even worse that he's a Quidditch god," Daphne stabbed her food and took a few irritated bites. "Sorry, you had to deal with that."

"It's alright, nothin' that can't be handled out on the field."

Daphne, Bran, and Edna froze in place.

"You think you might try out for Quidditch next week?" Daphne beamed.

"Uh, maybe, definitely thinking about it," I nodded and took a drink of juice. "I brought my broom just in case," the corner of my lip curled up.

The week flew by, and before I had time to fully settle in and get a healthy sleep rhythm going, Quidditch tryouts were held between the four houses. It took place on Saturday, each team was given two hours. Us Hufflepuffs had the field from 4pm-6pm to hold tryouts. The last ones, since we finished last the year before.

"Whoa, Rollie, what kind of broomstick is that?" Bran asked. He and Edna were sitting on the field's grass, watching all the other people getting ready.

"One of the best American-made 'sticks around, there are two highly coveted brands in the US. The Blackbird, known for its dark wood finish, and this one, made of purple heart wood, the Eagle Feather."

"Wow," Edna's jaw dropped. "That looks amazing."

"Thank you," I nodded. "You two aren't trying out?"

"I am!" Edna bounced up. "I'm not very good, but I've been practicing over the summer with Bran, so I think I might be a good chaser!"

"Nice, what about you, Bran?"

"Eh, I'm not good at all," Bran laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "What position are you trying out for?"

"I'm hoping to be a seeker, but I'm willing to do whatever. What does Daphne play?" I glanced over at her a few yards away. She was talking to some second years.

"Oh! She plays a mean keeper. If we had the Hogwarts all-star team, she would definitely be the keeper for the school. Followed by Oliver being seeker… Then a mix of Ravenclaws and Slytherins as beaters and chasers. She's all that we have."

A group of Slytherins was still clearing out from the field, most notably, Sable, their lanky friend, and Leon walking together.

"Hey, good luck with tryouts, Loserpuffs!" the lanky guy howled.

"They could just pull out names from a hat and call it a day. No need to waste two hours!" Sable cracked up.

Leon was snickering too, and he was on the verge of saying something, but he silently smirked instead.

No one said a word to them. I had a lot on my mind while I clenched my fists, I marched forward a couple of steps, but Edna grabbed my arm.

"It's just best to ignore them," she said.

"Right… You're right, Edna," I glared ahead as they strode back to the castle. "Who's that scrawny kid?"

"That's Johnny. He's a pretty stellar beater. The team will have to watch out for him when we play Slytherin."

"Alright, everyone!" Daphne called out. "Now that the rude kids have left the field, we can take over. We'll start with keeper, which I plan on playing again. Since I'm captain and played the position last season, does anyone have an interest in challenging me? If not, my position remains."

No one responded to the absurd concept.

"Good, that makes things a little easier for us. Let's go with the next defensive position, the beaters, let's see what you all got!"

The students were grouped by years and stepped forward for positions they wanted to play.

Daphne stepped over to a chest, unleashed two bludgers, hopped up on her broom, and observed the tryouts from the sky.

For the chasers, most of the Hufflepuffs tried out for the position with ten other kids. As I analyzed from the ground, no one, in particular, impressed me, except Edna. She was able to perform pivots, spins, all while keeping considerable speed. I had no doubt she'd make the team.

Daphne hovered back on the ground and smiled at all of us. "Things are going well. I like what I see so far. Let's see the seekers!"

Five of us stepped forward. Clark, the prefect, was the only one I really knew also trying out for seeker.

"All five of you take the air, and I'll release the snitch!" Daphne beamed.

Getting on my broomstick was like riding a bike after a long break. It was foreign for a second, but it all felt natural again. All of the other students soared up in the air first, straining their eyes for the golden twinkle as two bludgers made their rounds.

I finally flew ahead and took flight for the first time in a while. The wind pushed against my mohawk gently. Levitating up with the other Hufflepuffs, I smiled so full that I was drunk with happiness. I glided through open pockets and even took some time, relishing in the glory of the breeze and the field's expanse.

Time to get serious now.

My attention fixed towards the ground and scanned up and down the field. I saw it buzzing around like an erratic fly that doesn't want to leave your house even though you have all of the windows open. Pushing forward on the broom, my descent was like a hot samurai sword swung through butter. I dodged a bludger on my way down with a gentle barrel roll, which took me right behind the snitch, in arm's reach. My hand shot out like a frog's tongue, my fingers wrapped around the tiny orb. I continued my descent until I was next to Daphne, at which point I lobbed the golden sphere in her palm like a lifeless rock.

"What was that?" Daphne uttered, wide-eyed.

"Just trying out for the seeker position," I said.

"No. That was over way too fast for me to think that was real and not just some insane fluke. I'm going to activate the snitch one more time," Daphne squeezed the golden ball, and the wings sprouted. "Sorry, everyone, keep trying! We're not done yet!" she shouted.

I chuckled and flew back up to join my peers. When I was high enough in the air, Daphne tossed up the snitch, and it zig-zagged low on the field for a few moments before jolting upwards. The move was lost on everyone, but the golden sheen remained in my sight.

As soon as I dived, everyone else followed after me. A bludger came at my head, but I avoided getting knocked off my broomstick with a swift duck, but Clark, who was behind me, got pelted off. He plummeted towards the ground, and without having time to think, I caught his astray broomstick and dove after him. In the heat of the moment, it didn't occur to me that Madame Hooch was on the field to prevent any serious accidents from happening, so I sped off and abandoned the snitch for Clark. Before Madame Hooch put a spell on him to float gracefully to the ground, I grabbed the back of his uniform and shoved his broomstick back in his palms, and he regained control of his flight.

"Th-thanks!" Clark squealed.

I scanned the field and saw a golden glimmer not far from the three towering rings. The group of students stopped their flights and craned their necks in every direction. One of them had eyes on me. I rocketed over to the hoops on the other side, and they all filed in line behind me. The snitch tried to buzz away with its randomized flight pattern, but I seemed to have a synergy since I opened my palm, and it effortlessly flew right into my grasp.

When I landed back on the ground, I gave the snitch to Daphne. She stared at me while her face was void of any expression.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Rollie, what the hell was that?" she whispered. "Am I in a dream?"

All of the other kids landed back to the ground and hopped off their broomsticks. Daphne turned her attention to all of them.

"Good work today everyone, I'm going to go over our options tomorrow, and you should find out who made the team on Sunday evening. Thank you all!" Daphne beamed, then stared back at me and stepped closer. "We need to talk. Meet me outside the locker room."