July 17, 1989
Maisie spotted the Snitch only moments after her brother, but her dive was steeper and faster, and she snatched it out of the air inches from Oliver's grasping fingers.
"Oi!" Oliver pulled his broom up sharply to keep from crashing into the ground. "Watch it!"
Maisie laughed, waving the captive Snitch triumphantly. "You have to be faster than that, Ollie!"
"You got me there," Oliver conceded. "Put that away, will you? I want to practice penalty shots."
Oliver would be returning to Hogwarts for his third year at the end of the summer, and he was anxious to do well at Quidditch tryouts. A Keeper by trade, he insisted on practicing for all four positions with his younger sister "just in case." Maisie thought Ollie would be a shoo-in for Keeper; he'd been the reserve the year before, and the Gryffindor Keeper had been a seventh year. The position was vacant, and it was Oliver's to take.
Maisie carefully cupped the struggling Snitch against her body as she unlocked the box holding the family's Quidditch balls. She'd spent hours chasing this particular Snitch, and it was growing old and tired. Perhaps Mum would buy her a new one for Christmas, but Snitches were expensive. They were lucky to have the balls that they did.
The Bludgers strained against their bonds when Maisie opened the lid. She grinned and waved cheekily at them. "Hello, kids." She and Oliver had named the Bludgers after each other, and it was not uncommon to find a Wood sibling in the garden beating the other's namesake with a wooden bat.
As Maisie gently slipped the Snitch back into its space, her mother opened the back door, grinning from ear to ear. In one hand she dangled a thick envelope with a distinct seal.
"Look what just arrived by owl, Maisie."
Maisie squealed, which startled the Snitch and Bludgers. The box rattled. She slammed the lid shut and -locked it securely. "Oh, Mum, is it really? Give me!"
Oliver landed his broom and jogged across the lawn. "Is that it, Mum?"
"I don't know why you're both so excited," said Mum, laughing. "It isn't as if there were a question of Maisie's acceptance-!"
"Still!" Maisie reverently broke the seal and unfolded the letter, which was written in emerald green ink.
"'Dear Ms. Wood,'" Maisie read aloud, "'we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed' and blah blah blah. Oh, Mum! It's really happening!"
"I told you it would," said Mum gently. She engulfed Maisie in a hug. "We're very proud. I have a day off from work next week; why don't we go to Diagon Alley then?"
Maisie grinned. "That sounds amazing!"