Disclaimer: I'm so happy that J.K. Rowling lets us play in the world she created.

Chapter 1: Winds of Change

"Two pints of beer, anything else, boy?" said the pudgy bartender of the Broken Quill, Harry's number one pub in all of Gloucestershire.

"Thanks mate," answered Harry, dropping some coins. He took the glasses and turned back to the crowd, trying to lose as little beer as possible while making his way to his table.

"Oh hey, Harry! Good evening. May I get a signature if it's okay?" said a smiling girl about his height, dressed in jeans and a crop top. She was holding a blue pen but no paper.

"Sure thing… Where?" said Harry, lending the beer to the girl momentarily.

She dropped her eyes down and gestured to her waist. Harry didn't question the preferences of his fans, mostly. "Congrats for the win, by the way. It's always nice to have you guys around here," she continued, watching him kneel down and sign her.

"Thanks darling," Harry said. Seeing her not leaving, he thought for a second; but ultimately decided against it. He said evening to the girl and finally made his way to the table to see Lucas grinning.

"Cut it," said Harry, in a mock-stern voice.

"Good old Harry Potter, unable to make his way through a pub without having to go down on a girl-"

"Don't," said Harry, even though he was smiling. Being from the other side of the pond, Lucas had always found the adoration towards Harry a bit amusing. Harry handed out a glass to Lucas and sat down. "I am aware she is cute, but we can't spend the evening here if we are going to make it to Richard's meeting," said Harry, referring to the manager of Bembridge Bombers.

"You're right," said Lucas. "Why do we even have a team meeting 3 hours after a game though? We could have done this before leaving the stadium."

"I don't know," said Harry, "Maybe he has finally found a Chaser to replace Martin?" he offered, reminding himself of the glaring hole in the Bombers offence after their old teammate, Martin, had decided that possibility of being hit with an iron ball was starting to become too stressful for a middle-aged man who was expecting a baby.

"I hope so," said Lucas. "I was starting to think that 'Let-Harry-catch-the-Snitch-before-the-other-team-racks-up-15-goals' is not a sustainable strategy."

Harry thought Lucas was being a bit harsh on the team, but even he couldn't deny that the interim Chaser who started games in Martin's absence was nothing special. Bombers, in general, was having a roller-coaster of a season so far. Their Keeper, Juliet Carter was not exceptional but still solid with years of experience. Adam and Jo Hunter, a married couple who played as Beater and Chaser also had first league experience under their belt, but their performance fluctuated almost on a daily basis. The rookie Chaser, Simon Archer, had sparks of brilliance but his strong suit was setting up plays rather than scoring – which led to confidence issues, especially after Martin left. Harry and Lucas Taylor made up the rest of the starting lineup as the Seeker and Beater. As the Bombers were a newly-formed team, their fans in Bembridge were just happy to have a team to cheer for and didn't feel down about the occasional loss – but Harry knew they could do better.

"Well, I'm sure it makes for fun games to watch," said Harry. "But I don't like being under time pressure. It also ables other Seeker to play a blocking game rather than looking for the Snitch, for the entire match. No fun."

"I should send a Bludger your way when they try that," said Lucas thoughtfully. "It has 50-50 chance of freeing you up, and creates an even more exciting viewing experience."

"Yes, it would be fun unless it gives Richard a heart attack," laughed Harry. They kept talking and arguing about the win against Tornados, and how far they would go if they have a competent Chaser added to the mix. "Anyway, finish that drink and let's move," said Harry after seeing that it was quarter to nine. Lucas quaffed his beer and got up. They got out of the pub, entered the back alley, and Disapparated with a slight pop.

-ooo-

"You're leaving tomorrow? I thought you and Michel would wait for the result of the investigation," Gabrielle said, looking at Valerie as she sat on her bed.

"Michel is already sure that, at the very least, he will be banned in France for the season," Valerie said. "We don't expect anything worse, but he doesn't want to sit out. He says the English team really wanted him to play for them, pays as well as he is paid here, and it's just the other side of the channel. I don't know much else though," she added. "He will meet the team this evening."

"This is good, I guess," said Gabrielle. "But still, England? How do you feel about it?"

"I'm conflicted, Gabby," Valerie said as she also sat next to Gabrielle. "I love it here, you know it. But I want to be together with Michel, and if you recall, I already had plans for a trip to England sometime – broaden my horizons, so to speak. Hogwarts: A History and other books are very limited for my purposes, and there is nothing like seeing the real thing with your eye," she said.

Gabrielle could see the appeal of Hogwarts or Gringotts to Valerie. Being a fresh Magical Architect, Valerie often travelled to landmarks in France since they graduated from Beauxbatons a year ago. She could also definitely see that Valerie loved to be with Michel, and wouldn't oppose her following him to England for a year.

"I know," said Gabrielle. "And I'm happy for you. Still, I hate being away from you guys," she said with a resigned expression.

"Come on Gabby, you know you can always visit us," said Valerie. "Weren't you saying you needed material? Change of scenery might work well for you… You could even find your muse there," she added with a playful smile. Gabrielle thought Valerie had a point, she had come to learn that meeting new people and seeing new places was paramount to progress for an aspiring writer.

"Quidditch players are not really my type, Val," laughed Gabrielle. "You have to promise me that we'll travel when I visit."

"We will," Valerie nodded her head. "I have no intention of being a trophy wife, and Michel wouldn't want that too."

"Remove the 'trophy' part and he wouldn't have a problem," smiled Gabrielle. "Do you need help for packing? I don't have much to do tonight," she continued.

"It would be great!" said Valerie. "I'm used to packing luggage but this will be a big one, and I don't exactly know how long it will take before I can shop there," she wondered.

"Let's go," said Gabrielle. "I don't want to have you go there without a coat and get ill on the first week." They left Delacour mansion and stepped into the streets of Bordeaux as rays of sunlight started to disappear.

Author's Notes: This is my first attempt at writing fiction, and English is not my native language, so be gentle. Just kidding, these are true but criticize me (grammar, plot, anything) so that I can be better. Finally, I know this was too short, but I was eager to publish. I'm planning to post longer chapters.