Chapter I - The Mysterious Ad

For the third time that day, Harry stopped in front of the Quality Quidditch Supplies to gawk at the new racing broom on display, the Firebolt. He had been staying at the Leaky Cauldron for over a week now. He took regular strolls down Diagon Alley and it had become a habit for him to stop in front of this same shop every time he passed it.

"Nice broom, isn't it?" a boy's voice said to his shoulder.

Harry looked over and saw a boy about his age gazing at the racing broom. He was a little taller than Harry, had dark brown eyes, and a strong, rigid chin. He wore rectangle-framed glasses that hung off halfway down his nose; he was looking over the spectacles rather than through them. His hair, like Harry's, was black, though not jet black; it had dark brown highlights where the light touched it. Also like Harry, he had a sleek build... He could probably pass for a good seeker.

Harry wasn't quite sure if the question was directed at him, but since he was the only one who could've heard it, he decided it would be best to respond so as to not be rude.

"Err, yes, I think so too."

"I envy the lucky bloke that'll win that," the boy said "Could be me if I can thwart the competition..."

"A competition?" asked Harry, "For a Firebolt!"

The boy was looking at Harry now. "Why yes... haven't you heard?"

"Not really..." responded Harry, "All I hear about right now are rumors about that escaped convict, Sirius Black."

"Ah... well that's understandable..." the boy reached into his robe's pockets, "now where is it...? Ah! Here..." He took out a piece of folded parchment and handed it to Harry.

Harry unfolded it. On it was an advertisement for the competition. There was a picture of a spinning firebolt on the top of the parchment, and below that read words that changed with rainbow colors across the page:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Firebolt Giveaway

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

WIN A FIREBOLT

THE MOST ADVANCED

RACING BROOM

IN EXISTENCE

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Do you think you have enough skills on a broomstick?

Do you think that you were born to fly? Would you

like to use those skills to win a brand-new firebolt?

Then participate in the Broomstick Competition held

at Knockturn Alley.

We'll be waiting to see if you are capable.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"You can keep that..." said the boy, indicating the parchment, "I don't really need it anymore."

"Thanks." said Harry. A competition for a firebolt... This should be interesting...

"Oh, yes... my name is Livis... Livis Liveami Markevon... Nice to meet you"

But before Harry could introduce himself, Markevon turned and moved away.

"I'll be seeing you," he said while walking, "Harry Potter."

……

Harry walked back to the Leaky Cauldron a bit shaky. Livis Markevon was friendly enough, but Harry would be lying to himself if he didn't find the boy a bit spooky. It's not exactly unusual for anybody to know Harry's name when they first glance at him... But Markevon didn't quite give the same reaction as every other wizard or witch that lay their eyes upon him.

Usually, people in the wizard world immediately recognized Harry with a glance at his lightning-shaped scar... And after moments of gawking, they'd finally acknowledge the existence of the rest of him. Well, there were exceptions... But those exceptions usually turned into Harry's worst enemies, such as his archrival, Draco Mayfoy and his Potions teacher, Professor Severus Snape.

He greeted Tom, the innkeeper as he made his way up to his room. When he reached it, he shut the door as soon as he got in and made his way to a chair and sat down. He looked at the piece of parchment once again... He couldn't help but stare at the spinning picture of the firebolt. He closed his eyes and could just imagine himself riding in it... Flying through the skies faster than he'd ever had, and with more control as he made sharp turns and rolls. The wind blowing through his hair as he made a dive… He ended up falling on the floor after completely losing himself just then.

He got up and shook his head while dusting his robes off with his hands. At this point, he didn't care about how spooky Markevon was... He only cared for what he strange boy had said. He looked at the parchment that was given to him once again.

A chance to win a Firebolt, Harry thought in amazement. But another thought hit him just then... Markevon didn't mention just when this competition would take place and Harry just noticed that the flyer said nothing about the day of the event either... He would have to find out if he wanted a shot at that prize Firebolt. And that meant that he would have to have a look around Knockturn Alley.

After a few minutes of deliberating, Harry finally got up and snatched up his invisibility cloak – he would need it to mangle around in Knockturn Alley... He'd been there once and he would feel more comfortable knowing that the shopkeepers there couldn't see him. He was about to make his way down the stairs, but then—

"Yeah, I just went..." Harry heard a man's voice say behind a door he was passing, "They told me it would take place in five days..."

Harry paused, went closer to the door, and then listened in on what the man was saying.

"Are you sure you want to enter it?" the man asked.

"Of course, dad." said a girl's voice, "It's my only chance of ever owning a Firebolt!"

Sounded interesting... Looks like Harry won't have to go into Knockturn Aley to find out about the day, then. Harry got in closer. Now if they could only talk about how this competition would be held...

"It's not like the it's dangerous or anything..." the girl continued, "Well, maybe a little, but I'll only be away for one day!"

"Well, ok..." the man sighed, "Your mother would kill me if she finds out I were letting you participate in such a thing..."

That was the end of that... They moved on to a different subject.

So it was in five days, then... Now to figure out how he was going to get into Knockturn Alley at the day of the competition and make an excuse for a one-day absence...

……

Later on that week, the day of the competition arrived, and as unexpected as it was, Harry met up with his Hogwarts friends, Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger. They greeted each other and immediately conversed about Sirius Black. When the subject died down, he immediately told them about the advertisement he had gotten from Markevon and the competition for the Firebolt.

"Well that competition sounds a bit strange and that Livis person seems a bit scary..." said Hermione, "You're not thinking about going... Are you Harry?"

"Of course he's not," Ron said at the same time Harry responded, "Wouldn't think of it."

They looked at each other then back at Hermione, whose face showed uncertainty, and tried their best not to grin.

End Chapter I