Chapter 25

Rigel and Draco were excited, it was Saturday morning, and that meant quidditch practice for them. They were trying out, even though they were warned, first years never made the team. They only had an opening for chaser and seeker, and Draco played keeper better than anything else. He planned to try out for reserve, Marcus would graduate in two years, and he could take his place. Rigel was a born seeker, he had the eyes, and the speed for the position. He wasn't bad at chaser, but he didn't have the same passion, or skill for it.

Rigel was a bit nervous about it he could admit. He was usually quite confident, and when it came to studies, he had no doubts. But he could admit he was worried, he knew he would be competing against older students, and the odds were against him.

Marcus looked at Rigel and motioned to him to come. "Your turn, but I remind you that first years have never made it."

Rigel shrugged and mounted his broom. "I'll settle for reserve if I have to. For now."

Adrian looked at Draco who had already tried out for keeper, and he didn't know, but had been chosen as reserve. "Cocky isn't he?"

Draco laughed and shook his head. "Not always, unless dealing with prats, like the red head. But he does it to hide nerves some times."

Marcus was watching Rigel fly and was amazed by it. "He definitely can fly. But he is a first year."

Adrian shrugged. "The only other real option is Sheldon, and he will graduate this year."

One of the other players said. "All the more reason to choose him, allow him to play a year, pick the new kid as reserve."

Draco took a chance and pointed out. "That is perhaps why you need try outs every year. If you chose some younger players, you wouldn't."

Marcus cut off any comment from the other beater. "He is right. And Rigel is definitely putting Sheldon to shame out there."

Just to make certain, they did a scrimmage, and played Sheldon and Rigel against each other. If there was any doubt about it, Rigel proved them wrong, when he caught the snitch all three times. He sealed it, when he managed to do a dive, the others were sure had to be at least forty feet, catching the snitch so close to the ground, they were sure he was going to crash. Draco was the only one not surprised, when Rigel pulled out, skimming the grass smoothly, instead of crashing into it.

Sheldon and the others landed with him, and the senior clapped the kid on the back. He had been trying out for years, and though it was his last chance, he could see the kid was better than he was. No one has seen a first year fly like that before.

Marcus looked at Sheldon. "I know it is your senior year…."

Sheldon cut him off. "Quidditch is a hobby, and I want our house to win. I'll cheer him on from the commentator box."

Rigel was surprised when he heard that. "Does that mean I am in?"

Marcus nodded. "It seems for the first time in a hundred years, there will be a first year, on the starting team. Of any house that is."

Adrian clapped Rigel on the back. "Good job."

The chaser who had spoken up nodded when he saw Sheldon was not insulted by it. "Welcome to the team."

Marcus looked at Draco, he had already named the new chaser. "You will be our new reserve keeper. Should take over for me in two years."

Draco beamed when he heard that. "From what I hear, I can't learn from anyone better."

Rigel could not believe this, he was over the moon, and could not wait to write his dads. He knew his training was important, especially with Brax, but he was also a normal child. Brax had encouraged him to try out, reminded him Uncle Luc had been on the team, and he got to have fun too. Sheldon had been one of the commentators for quidditch, he had to share the honors with a Gryffindor, but he enjoyed it. He was actually hoping to find work doing it when he was done school, so he truly meant his words.

Neville had been in the stands for the most part of the try outs. He may have been in another house, but he had come to watch, and cheer his friends on. He had made a few in his house, but Rigel and Draco were still his friends, especially after Rigel's support yesterday.

Neville came down when they were out of the change rooms. "I'm happy for you Rigel."

Rigel smiled. "Thanks. Thanks for coming and cheering me on as well."

Neville shrugged. "I know I am in another house, but except for the game against my team, I'll cheer for you."

They had been told Hufflepuff was not much of a team, and cheering would likely not be needed. They had a good seeker, but the team had not won the cup in decades. It seemed the reputation of the house spread often into their quidditch players as well.

Draco clapped Rigel on the back. "Got to go have some lunch, before you have to meet him."

Remus was acting as a decoy today, to allow Rigel to spend the afternoon with Abraxas. His relationship with the boys was known, he had tutored them both for years, and no one would be suspicious about it. He loved the boys, and knew how important the training was, especially to keep his cub safe. Both Sirius and James loved that boy, and not only for himself but them, he'd protect Rigel as best as he could.

Abraxas was happy when he heard, that his grandson and Rigel made the team. Severus had been surprised, when Rigel was chosen as a starter, but was proud. He was the head of house, but didn't have any real say in it, especially for his nephew.

Rigel appeared in his rooms with a big smile. "Hi Brax."

Abraxas smiled and motioned him into his rooms. He didn't tell Rigel that Severus had told him. "How did try outs go?"

Rigel beamed. "I made starting seeker. They said no first years have made it in a hundred years, but I was the best, and they picked me."

Abraxas handed him some tea. "I am sure you will do the team proud. Both you and my grandson are amazing on a broom."

Rigel beamed with pride. "Draco made reserve keeper. He's a bit sad, he can't be on the team as a starter for two years, but still."

Abraxas pointed out. "He perhaps could be reserve seeker, just in case."

Rigel nodded. "The team already decided that. But I don't plan on allowing him to play for me, I don't want to miss a game."

Abraxas laughed. " I doubt my grandson will be hurt if he doesn't have to take over for you. But there is always a chance."

Rigel knew he was right. "The seekers are the position that gets hurt the most. Beaters aim at them a lot, as much as chasers."

Abraxas didn't see it being an issue, he was sure Rigel would hold his own, even if he was young. He had always been quick on a broom, Abraxas had only seen him for the past year, but he had been told. He knew both Rigel and Draco had been flying and riding almost as soon as they could walk, and had been practicing quidditch, for years too. It was different being here, and having a team to play with, though.

Abraxas knew Rigel had sent an owl, but motioned to a two way journal he had, with back home. He knew Rigel wanted to tell his daddies right away, and this was the closest he could to telling them in person. Rigel happily began writing to them, and to no surprise, they were proud.

Rigel looked up when he was done. "They promise at least one of them will come for my first game. And probably Uncle Paddy too."

Abraxas was a bit surprised by that. "Your Uncle has to be careful, as no one knows of his link to you."

Rigel might not know the true risk of Albus but he knew about his Uncle. "Daddy said Padfoot will have to come, but he will."

Abraxas was reminded of the dog, which could come through the wards. "I am sure he will be the proudest, when he hears the news."

Rigel nodded. "Draco reminded me Uncle Paddy promised us brooms when we made the team. Maybe we'll get the new 2001 brooms?"

Abraxas had a secret smile on his face. "I remind you those ones don't come out till after Christmas for the general public."

Rigel was not buying the look for a moment. "I am sure Uncle Paddy will find a way."

Abraxas knew he would, he had offered, but Sirius had his own contacts. The boys already had the 2000, and they simply could be up graded, and would be. Sirius thought the boys deserved the best, and would use his contacts with the national team, to get them early for the boys. Sirius would never have kids of his own, but he loved his nephews, and spoiling them. Being the fun Uncle, was so much better than a dad, to him.

Abraxas motioned for Rigel to come into his second bedroom, which had been turned into a practice room for him. Abraxas would take the lesson easy, as Rigel had been at try outs for hours, but they would. Rigel would have refused, if Abraxas offered to let him out of it today.

Abraxas knew the answer but he always gave the option. "I thought we would work on your patronus, but if you are too tired…."

Rigel shook his head. "No. I barely have a corporeal one, and you promised to teach me to keep it longer, and how to send a message."

Abraxas agreed. "I know, I just thought on your first weekend, I'd give the option. I am somehow not surprised."

Rigel smiled. "I am never too tired to spend time with you Brax. You aren't going to start dating or something, and get too busy for me?"

Abraxas for a quick moment had an odd look on his face but it passed. "It will be me asking you that in a few years, you're the teen."

Rigel had not seen the look, and went to work, on his patronus. His patronus was a dog, a springer spaniel, which was the form his daddy took when he became an animagi. Rigel wondered, if he became one, if he would be a dog like Daddy and Uncle Paddy, or maybe a snake like Papa. Uncle Severus and Luc were ones too, snakes like Papa, though different kinds. Brax said he needed to wait until he was older, to learn.

Abraxas thought of the question when he watched Rigel practicing. 'There is only one person I will ever want to be with my little one.'

Author's Note: I am trying to decide if I should go ahead until Rigel is a bit older, romance age for Brax, in a chapter or two.