The storms of late winter lashed a remote portion of the western coast of Scotland and roiled the surface of a normally placid loch. If Muggles had looked upon the scene, they would have seen nothing more than a ruined heap of stone perched on a rocky tidal island. Had the watchers been wizards, however, they would have seen a fortress fading in and out of the curtains of wet snow, seen lights in the windows in every tower. They would have seen dark shapes gliding to the water's edge, bowing in greeting to the tall, impossibly slender figure that crossed the island's causeway at low tide. The watchers would not, however, have come close enough to hear the words that the figure spoke.

"It begins now."

The late-summer sunlight streamed through the tower's windows and showered gold across the carpeted floor of the Headmaster's office. Albus Dumbledore, newly appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was speaking.

"And in conclusion, we have located, with Professor Tiresia's kind assistance, an individual who may be available to fill the positions of flying teacher and Quidditch coach for the coming year. She is a professional Quidditch player, currently on medical leave, who comes highly recommended by the Quidditch Federation."

Professor Minerva McGonagall, head of Transfiguration, sniffed dismissively, for she already knew the identity of the "individual" that Tiresia had found for them. "I certainly hope she's learned to comport herself with a bit more dignity since she was here last, Professor, although I expect that I would be disappointed were I to expect it. I've heard dreadful stories about the wild things she and the rest of those...those women get up to; she's not the sort of person that one would wish to have in charge of impressionable young witches and wizards..."

"She would be a valuable addition to our number, Minerva, and I have every reason to believe that she will be entirely professional. Her experience, not to mention her enthusiasm for the game, will be a significant improvement over recent years."

Professor McGonagall nodded in reluctant agreement. She disapproved of Quidditch on principle, but even she had to accept that the excess energies of youth required a physical outlet, however frivolous it might be. There was also a desperate need for a more organized program for the flying lessons. Both subjects were in an appalling state compared to how it had been even five years previously.

The last few years of Armando Dippet's administration had been marked by a similar rapid decline in most of the teaching facilities at Hogwarts. A number of professors had departed to seek other employment, leaving them desperately short of staff. When the Board of Governors had appointed Dumbledore Headmaster during the previous spring, they had particularly charged him with returning the school to its former prominence in the fastest manner possible. Still, she had insisted repeatedly that the positions of flying instructor and Quidditch coach cried out for a respectable witch or wizard, an honorable person who would be a proper role model for the students. The sort of hoyden one found playing professional Quidditch was completely unsuitable in a proper academic atmosphere, she had contended. Especially one with the history that this particular young woman had; the school's discipline would suffer tremendously should the students decide to emulate her, which they almost certainly would.

"She is currently immured in St Mungo's, recovering from the injuries she sustained in the spring. If she consents to join us, she will arrive at the start of the term."

Light from the same sun slanted in through the windows of an office on the topmost floor of St. Mungo's Hospital in London, bouncing from the glass fronts of the cases lining the walls before finally coming to rest on the bust of Paracelsus above the door.

"I am pleased that you have chosen to follow my advice."

"There wasn't much of a choice, was there? Once my captain learned of the 'danger' if I continued to play, she forced me to apply for leave at wand-point."

"Continuing to play was never an option. You absolutely must not risk another accident of such severity until you are fully recovered. At least a year, preferably longer. Another injury, so soon after the recent ones, would almost certainly result in permanent impairment. We Healers may command magic, but miracles are still rather beyond our capabilities. You are also well aware that you need to rebuild lost muscle gradually or else risk further injuries when you return to the field."

"I've an offer for a teaching position for the coming year that I have decided to accept. Hogwarts should be safe enough and I will have all the time and facilities that I need to recondition."

"Indeed, teaching will be a far less hazardous way to spend your leave time. I will look forward to seeing you again early next summer, then. Best of luck to you, Miss Hooch."