Chapter Two

There was nothing Kendra loved more than flying– the wind in her hair, the rush of speed as she urged her broomstick forward– it was a thrill unlike anything else. It was hard at times to believe that only a few years ago she had been terrified of the idea, but now she bolted about through the air like it was second nature.

"Sorenson, heads up!"

Kendra glanced to her left, in time to see a red blur coming at her. She raised a hand, snatching the Quaffle out of the air as it came racing towards her, before urging her broom to put on a burst of speed. Within seconds she was speeding across the pitch, swooping towards the goals on the other side.

Her goal unfortunately was blocked by the keeper, but since this was just simply a practice match it wasn't something to beat herself up over. Still she couldn't help but cringe slightly as the Quaffle was tossed back into play– she couldn't afford to be sloppy now because that could lead to her being sloppy in an actual match.

Kendra had a love for soccer when she was younger, and so when she and Seth had learned about the magical world sports had been one of the things she was eager to learn about. At first Quidditch had just looked like a frightening and chaotic mess to her– racing about on brooms a hundred feet in the air, four balls in play– two of which were made of iron that attacked players– and finally the Golden Snitch that the entire game hinged on.

Seth had been the one to beg for a broomstick, and it had been their grandparents that had answered the call. Of course the idea of flying was exciting, but she had refused to go higher than a few feet when she had first begun to zip around on that old broomstick.

It hadn't been until her first year at Hogwarts that she had truly fallen in love with Quidditch, able to finally witness it in person. After watching one game... well, it was chaotic like she had originally thought, but muggle sports most certainly could never match the thrill. That summer she had actually begun putting effort into learning to ride a broomstick, and in her second year she had been accepted onto the Ravenclaw team as a Chaser.

Of course she could only practice in the summer at her grandparents home, since she couldn't exactly race around on a broomstick in front of muggles.

Her family's connection to the magical world and muggle world was... confusing to say the least. With neither of her parents having magical abilities she was technically a 'muggleborn', but technically her parents weren't muggles, but rather squibs– all four of her grandparents having been powerful witches and wizards. Of course growing up Kendra hadn't known a thing about this, her Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson having seemed somewhat distant from her family, and the Larsens having passed away.

Growing up in a magical community without magic definitely wasn't easy, which was why her parents had joined the muggle world once they were married. They had no plans of rejoining the magical world, until of course Kendra had began to show her first signs of magic, soon followed by Seth– which was when they had been told the truth of their heritage.

"Kendra, is everything okay?"

A gentle voice snapped Kendra out of her thoughts– and that's when she realized she was just hovering on her broom, staring off into space with her entire team around her. She blinked a few times as she snapped herself back to reality.

"Um– oh!" Kendra wasn't quite sure of what she should say. "I'm sorry guys, I just..."

One of her teammates drifted closer, concern in his green eyes. Easily the smallest member of the team, Raxtus Drake was both Quidditch captain and the team Seeker. The pure worry in his gaze only made Kendra feel bad for having interrupted the practice, all this concern over her merely being lost in thought.

"Is something wrong?" Raxtus asked. "Do you need to sit out for a few minutes, or–"

"No, I'm fine," She swiftly replied. "I zoned out there for a moment. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"Are you sure?" Raxtus asked, giving a quick wave to the rest of the team to get back into positions, though he lingered near Kendra. "Because if something's wrong we can–"

She smiled. "I'm really fine, Raxtus."

He watched her for a moment longer, before giving a small nod. He turned his broom about, rising up into the air so he could watch the entire team. Though younger than most of his teammates, there was no doubt that the fifth year was the best flyer on the whole team. That combined with his passionate nature made him the best captain the team had ever had– and he had only held that title for a few months now, having only been named captain since their previous one had graduated last year.

Raxtus was definitely her best friend here at Hogwarts, and her studymate when it came to homework. The fact that they were in different years actually helping their study sessions more than one would think. She helped prepared him for the courses and tests she had to take last year, and having grown up in the wizarding world Raxtus had value insight that she wouldn't have thought of herself. He had also been the one to have given her the broomstick she now raced on– which was a savor since the one she had before was an outdated Nimbus 2000 from the early nineties.

She noticed her teammates glancing at her as they all joined the practice match, but she pretended not to notice, eyes immediately locking on the Quaffle as the game resumed. She couldn't afford to get distracted again.

But as Raxtus flew by her with his silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, Kendra couldn't help but think of another silver haired boy, one that she would be meeting up with tomorrow...

"I wasn't keeping you waiting, right?" Kendra asked worriedly as she entered the Room of Requirement– having walked in to see Bracken leaning against the wall, a book hovering in front of him as he read. They had agreed on an hour before dinner, right?

He seemed to have been engrossed in his book, it taking him a moment to look up. Once he did though he smiled, and with a wave of his wand it flew onto one of the shelves of the enchanted room. Kendra couldn't help but notice that there was a few more bookshelves in here than last time, though it still generally resembled the classrooms around Hogwarts.

"I was just hanging out in here because me and the others were in here earlier," Bracken said, slipping his wand away into a pocket. "Figured there was no point in leaving if I was going to be back here, so I just did a bit of reading."

"What were you reading?" Kendra asked, eyes scanning the shelves for the book he had.

"Just a potions book, it's my N.E.W.T.S. year and as nice as Professor Dufu is, he doesn't grade lightly," Bracken said with a shrug. "Don't want to fall too behind."

"I'm not taking up any of your study time, right?" She checked. "Because I don't want–"

"You worry too much," Bracken said. "Seth's right, it would do some good to relax a bit."

"I do relax, but we can't ignore the fact that we're here to get our education," This wasn't an uncommon topic between her and Seth. They were in a magical castle as he always said, and they should take advantage of it. But if they didn't actually focus on their classes they wouldn't have any way to progress in the magical world.

"And educate ourselves we shall," Bracken replied, grabbing his wand and twirling it between his fingers. "So, shall we continue with the Patronus charm?"

"Are you going to show me your Patronus?" She tried to ask casually, but she failed to keep the excitement out of her voice. While it was what the Patronus could do that drew her to the spell in the first place, the idea of an animal guardian just sounded amazing in itself. She had read plenty of descriptions of them, she still had yet to see one.

Bracken's hand tightened around his wand. "Well, I did promise you that I would, did I?"

The bright gleam that was usually in his blue eyes seemed to have faded, his small smile having faded to what seemed to be a neutral expression. But before Kendra could say a word he turned towards the center of the classroom, his back to her, raising his wand. For a few moments he didn't move, taking in a deep breath, and before casting the spell.

"Expecto Patronum," He said quietly as he waved his wand. And even though in Kendra's experience quieter voices seemed to result in a weaker reaction, a bright dome of silver erupted from the end of his wand. The light flared up as it morphed into a larger shape, the creature trotting around the room as it took on a solid form.

The horse was beautiful, every detail visible on the animal despite having been made of light. The hairs of its mane shook as it tossed its head, hooves silent as it turned to face its caster. Despite moving as if it were walking on solid ground, the Patronus was moving through the air. Soft eyes locked onto Bracken, the Patronus completely silent as it drew to a stop in front of him.

It was then that Kendra noticed the large horn that adorned the creature's forehead, and she took in a soft breath. "A unicorn."

Bracken glanced back at her for a moment, before once again looking up at his Patronus. "Yes."

There was a shift in his tone, a far off look in his eyes, but Kendra was too focused on the unicorn to notice in that moment. She approached Bracken's side, and the silver guardian shifted its head in her direction. She reached out for a moment, before hesitating.

"Can I touch it?"

"Yes, you can touch him," Bracken said, and the unicorn returned its gaze Bracken. She reached out towards the equine, a warmth running over her as she drew closer to its glowing form. It wasn't a heat she was feeling though, like drawing close to a fire, but rather a warmth in her chest– a feeling of joy pulsing through her as her fingers touched the Patronus.

The unicorn closed its eyes, before slowly fading away.

She had seen a unicorn once before, in Care of Magical creatures. Their professor Mara Tabares had shown the class one from a distance, as it panicked if anyone other than the professor came too close. And even though the Patronus wasn't a real animal, it had still been just as stunning.

"He was beautiful," Kendra breathed, the joy of the Patronus radiated lingering in her even though it was now gone. The room around them seemed just a bit duller with the guardian now gone, and she turned to face Bracken. "That was amazing."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't go talking about him," Bracken said carefully. "...You see, magical creatures are very rare for a Patronus, and..."

"I understand, I won't say anything," Kendra promised. "Does he have a name?"

He blinked. "His name?"

The peaceful feeling the Patronus had left her with was starting to fade, and she felt her nervousness slowly beginning to return. Was it a weird idea to name a Patronus? If it was supposed to be a guardian it made sense that you'd name it, but she could see how that question could just seem childish–

He closed his eyes. "...Yes, he has a name."

"What is it?"

Bracken slipped his wand back into his pocket. "I think we're supposed to be focusing on getting you to cast a Patronus– not on mine."

"You just can't not tell me his name."

He let out a sigh, but when he looked up at her there was a gentle smile on his face. "How about this– once you're able to summon a Patronus I'll tell you what mine is named– deal?"

"So you're going to make me wait?" She grinned, crossing her arms, and his smile turned into a small smirk.

"Well if you want to know that badly... then it looks like you now have some more motivation to summon your Patronus now."

Seeing as she wasn't going to get her answer, Kendra pulled out her wand. The sooner they got started, and the sooner she'd be able to pull off a Patronus of her own. She thought back on the beautiful unicorn, and tried to imagine doing the same herself.

"If a Patronus like yours is rare, what shape do they usually take?" She asked.

"Dogs and cats seem to be the most common," Bracken replied. "Horses as well– animals heavily connected to humans. The more wild or magical it is, the rarer it will be. There's no guarantee to what form your Patronus will be, they can represent many things. An animal you have a personal connection to, or a passion you're pursuing, or even the love towards another."

There was something about the way he talked that seemed to draw Kendra in. The softness of his voice combined with the sincerity in everything he said.

"Someone's Patronus can even change, shifting to match a Patronus of a lover, or becoming something new as we change who we are as a person," He continued. "Some people say that's why it's such a complex spell to master, because recognizing who we are isn't a simple task."

"...What do you think my Patronus will be?"

Bracken studied her for a moment, and Kendra couldn't help but shift with his eyes locked on her. He pressed his lips together as he thought on the question. "I would say... a swan."

"A swan?"

"Yes," He said with a nod, agreeing with himself. "A swan. They're beautiful and graceful, but they are far from fragile. They're a powerful bird, and loyal," The light in his eyes seemed to return, his features softening. "I think that represents you well."

"W-well I'm not sure about the beautiful part."

"You underestimate yourself too much," Was his reply, and before Kendra could say anything else he gestured to her wand. "Now, why don't you cast the charm, and let's see what we could work on."

The two of them ended up being late for dinner– not having realized the time that was slipping away. By the time they realized how late it was they had bolted out of the Room of Requirement and to the great hall, but by then the only food left on the trays were a variety of desserts.

It hadn't even been them working on the spell that had kept them so late, their conversation having somehow shifted elsewhere in the middle of it all. It hadn't even been anything special– just talking about their classes and the castle, but it was just so easy to talk to Bracken. And it was strange because there was no ice that needed to be broken or any topic forced, they just spoke as if they had been friends for the longest time.

"Ah, Mr. Faye," A deep voice said as made their way through the great hall, the two having yet to part ways to go to their house tables. Bracken noticeably paled as he heard the voice, and Kendra glanced behind them to find Professor Dufu approaching them. He was a large Samoan man, head of the Hufflepuff house, and easily the nicest teacher in the school– which was why she couldn't help but give Bracken a strange glance at his reaction.

"Hello, Professor," Bracken said warmly, though there was still a slight trace of nervousness in his face.

"I was wondering where you were, you didn't show up to class today," The potion master said. "And I didn't see you at dinner either, I was wondering if something had happened, but you seem to be doing well."

"I'm so sorry sir," Bracken said. "You see I fell asleep in the library and that's why I missed class. Probably would have missed all of dinner as well if Kendra hadn't found me and woken me up," He gestured to her, while Kendra did her best not to give him a completely confused look. "But because of me she's missed it as well– is there any way she can get some food? It wouldn't be fair for her not to have dinner because of me."

"Yes, I can get a house elf to send some food up to your dormitories," The professor said with a nod, and his gaze turned towards Kendra. "Thank you for waking Mr. Faye here, though in the future you don't need to let your Prefect duties get in the way of your meals."

"Of course, sir," Kendra said, shifting. Even if Bracken wanted the Room of Requirement to be kept a secret, she still didn't want to lie to a teacher.

"As for you, Faye, I normally don't let absences slide without a proper excusal, but as it seems you were attempting to study I can make an exception. We covered chapter twenty-four today, and next time we have an essay due on the same chapter," Professor Dufu said.

Bracken smiled and nodded. "I'll be sure to get it done. Thank you, sir."

With that the professor nodded, and headed to exit the hall. Bracken flashed her a grin, while the pieces fell into place. A frown crossed her face, and she leaned towards him.

"Please don't tell me you skipped a class just so we could meet up."

"My potions class falls before dinner," He replied, and her stomach twisted. "Between our different classes and your practice schedules for Quidditch I figured we wouldn't have much free time that would match up... so I decided to bite the bullet."

"You're in your N.E.W.T.S year, you shouldn't be skipping classes because of me!" Kendra hissed, not wanting to raise her voice in case another professor overheard them. "If we meet again I refuse to do it during any class times!"

"Yes," Bracken agreed. "I don't think the professor will buy another excuse. What's your practice schedule for next week?"

They headed out of the great hall– with the promise of an actual dinner being up in their dorms there was no point in staying. They discussed their schedules as they wandered through the halls, before finally deciding on Wednesday night.

Kendra had always been frustrated how different houses and years didn't have much overlap in their schedules– it made it hard for her to find time to even talk to her brother– and now that frustration seemed to grow with her struggle to find a time to meet with Bracken. But at the very least there was times that did work.

Though Kendra wished they could meet up more often.

I actually think that Raxtus would be a Hufflepuff or maybe a Gryffindor, but I really wanted him to be on the same Quidditch team as Kendra... so he's a Ravenclaw in this fic.