On Saturday, November 3rd, Lindy headed for the Quidditch Pitch, nervous beyond all reason. Today was tryouts and she was aiming to be chosen as seeker. Lonni walked with her as far as the pitch, but would be heading for the stands to watch once they got there. Jacob stayed behind to do some studying for their test on Monday. He wasn't exactly top of the class so Lindy and Lonni decided not to stop him.

The sky was cloudy, and Lindy was cold underneath her bright red robe. She could hear Lonni humming a tune to some song. Why couldn't Lonni feel nervous with her? Her hand started to drum lightly against her side to no particular rhythm.

"Ready?" asked Lonni.

They'd reached the Pitch and Lindy hadn't even noticed.

"Yeah," she replied uncertainly.

"You'll be fine; Good luck!" Lonni told her encouragingly before heading towards one of the stands to join all the other students who'd come to watch.

Gulping, she trudged over to the huddled group of people who were trying out. Most of them were third and fourth years, but there was one other first year besides herself. Nick Riddle.

Her heart started to race as he noticed she was there. He edged toward her with a big grin on his face.

"I'm glad I'm not the only first year trying out," he said coolly.

"Yeah," replied Lindy dumbly.

"All right," called Melissa Wood, rather loudly in order to ensure she had everyone's attention. Melissa was a tall, Gryffindor fifth year with long, wavy light brown hair and hazel brown eyes. She was the current captain of the team.

"We're going to start the tryouts. If someone signed up and hasn't come on time, they will not be permitted to tryout. So you can tell any of your friends who ask why. First up: Kiara Smith. Position: Chaser."

A blonde headed fourth year took the field, mounting a broom provided for her. Lindy couldn't help but gape as she watched Kiara, who was graceful and had an accurate aim. She put the quaffle past Melissa every time. There was no doubt she was going to make the team.
Next up was a third year named Allie Fren, who didn't do very well. Then Brian Andrews took his turn, doing reasonably well but not spectacularly. After that was Rebecca Mathews.

The list went on and on and she was deep in thought until she heard, "Lindy Potter!" Quickly, she snapped out of the trance she was in and looked over at Melissa to verify it. Melissa smiled and winked in confirmation. It was her turn.

"Good luck Potter," Nick said before patting her on the back. She couldn't help blushing a dark crimson shade of red as she walked over to where the school broom was.

As she mounted it, she could hear Lonni from the stands shouting, "GO LINDY!"

She laughed quietly to herself. Then she nodded her head at Melissa to let her know she was ready. Melissa threw a medium sized tennis ball into the air and Lindy took off.

She soared through the air and snatched the ball. However, as she stopped, the broom suddenly pointed downward. With the tennis ball in her right hand, she clasped the handle with her left and leaned back slightly, trying to steady it. It didn't help any.

Instead of steadying, the broom suddenly shot straight for the ground. She was completely helpless and was going to crash. Yet, just as she was about two feet away from hitting the ground, someone shouted, "Windgardium Leviosa!"

She and the broom stopped and hovered in midair. She blinked and looked around to see who'd saved her. Turning towards him, she saw that Nick was poised in a balanced position with his wand out. He'd done it. Slowly, he placed her and the broom on the ground.

"Right, good job Lindy. You may go," said Melissa, still a bit overwhelmed. "Who's next?"

The waiting group looked a bit scared after the incident. Some even left. Lindy walked over to Nick, not sure how to thank him.

"Thanks for that," she mumbled.

"I'm sure you would have done the same for me," he replied casually, pocketing his wand. "Good job by the way."

"Thanks and good luck," she said, starring into his emerald green eyes.

For a second they turned red, but then turned back to green. Lindy said, "Good bye" before taking off to join Lonni, who was waiting for her on the path back to the castle. She couldn't help but look a little freaked.

"Lindy, what's wrong?" Lonni asked, looking very concerned.

"I heard a hissing noise as the broom pointed downwards, and it got even louder once I started rushing toward the ground," Lindy answered her shakily.

"Well, it was obvious that someone jinxed the broom-"

"That's not all," interrupted Lindy. "When I looked into Nick's eyes, they turned red."

"Let's wait and discuss this with Jacob," said Lonni after pausing to think for a second. "He may not be the brightest person we know, but he can be helpful when solving hard problems."

Lindy nodded and felt a wave of relief sweep over her. It was obvious Lonni had been trying to befriend Jacob these last few weeks, and saw this as an opportunity. The two raced up to the Gryffindor Common Room where they found Jacob at one of the tables, pouring over at least four books.

"Jacob, we're back," said Lonni.

His head snapped up to look at them.

They both sat down on either side of him. Fumbling, he began to close his books and pile up his papers. Lonni didn't wait till he was done to inform him that, "Lindy did an excellent job."

Their friend nodded his head while straightening his finished pile of parchment and papers.

"However, something went wrong after I caught the ball," Lindy continued for Lonni.

It took the next 15 minutes for the two girls to explain exactly what had happened, to him. His look was sincere and a bit concerned when they finished.

"Is this the first time you've heard that hissing sound?" asked Jacob.

"No. I heard it that night you hexed Malfoy," said Lindy, thoughtfully. The mention of it caused Jacob to blush slightly.

"Hey, didn't you mention the other day that you could understand what animals were saying?" asked Lonni suddenly.

Lindy hadn't thought about that. Why couldn't she understand the hissing sound? It was obvious it was a snake making it.

"I'm not sure," she replied, looking down at the table.

"Oh Potter, don't be down on yourself," said Lonni. "Yes, you have special gifts, but you're not able to do everything. It's not your fault all this is happening. I bet those two men jinxed the broom somehow. Wouldn't be surprised if one of them was Snape, the git."

"Yeah, and besides, I've just thought of something," Jacob added.

"Maybe you had too many distractions to focus on the sound. If you try to focus next time you hear it, perhaps you'll be able to understand."

"Maybe!"

Even though it wasn't very comforting, it gave her some hope.

The very next morning, Lindy woke up in a groggy, but well rested state. Ever since she'd first been in the dorm, she hadn't had one single dream. Just pitch black sleep. Lonni was already up, shrugging on her robe.

"Hurry up Lindy! Today's Sunday, and we need to see how you did," she cried excitedly, tossing one of her pillows at Lindy, who couldn't help but laugh as it hit the side of her head.

As if lighting had struck her, Lindy quickly hopped out of bed; throwing on her blue jeans and red hoody, and placing her glasses erectly on her nose. Her hair, she combed quickly and tied in a ponytail. Last but not least, she slipped on her red and white sneakers. She was ready.

Well, almost ready. Unfortunately, she'd forgotten her wand and had to dash back to her bed to get it, before joining Lonni outside the door. Down the stairs they ran, both eager to see if she'd made the team.
At an even step they walked over to the notice board.

"You look," said Lindy, shutting her eyes.

"Yeah, good idea," agreed Lonni.

"Why?" Lindy asked in confusion.

Her eyes darted to the list that read, GRYFFINDOR HOUSE QUIDDITCH TEAM, except the "dor" at the end had a "k" added so it read GRYFFINDORK. Underneath, it read as follows:

Keeper- Melissa Wood (CPT)

Beater- Alexandra Gwennor

Beater- Felix Turner

Chaser- Kiara Smith

Chaser- Ted Angora

Chaser- Nicolas Riddle

Seeker- Lindy Pothead

Lindy gaped at her name. Actually, her first name with Pothead attached to it instead of Potter. How could someone write that?

"Lindy," said Lonni sympathetically.

She was mad. She scratched the parchment with her finger to get rid of the "head" so that it was just her name again. Yet, that didn't satisfy her. An enormous wave of anger engulfed her, wanting to plummet to the ceiling. Once again she heard a hissing sound, echoing off the walls.

"Concentrate," she told herself, shutting out all other sounds.

Potter hears…

Her eyes suddenly opened and blinked several times. Was she awake? Must be, because Lonni was starting to wave her hand in front of her face.

"Lindy! Earth to Lindy," said Lonni.

"What? Oops, sorry," said Lindy, as she blinked and came back to herself. "Listen, I'm going to run down to the library and pick up a book, alright? Yes, I promise to come straight back."

Lonni looked a bit concerned, but nodded. Grateful that she didn't argue, Lindy took off.

She really was intending to go to the library, but she was also trying to figure out were the snake was. It was in the castle, but she still hadn't figured out where.

"It might be small," she told herself. "Or it might be big." Despite her concentration, she didn't hear the hissing again till she was almost at the library door.

She's alone..…

Suddenly, she ran into someone, not looking where she was going. A firm hand grasped her arm, stopping her from falling. It was Nick.

"You might want to be more careful, Potter," he grinned, a bit amused.

"Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks," replied Lindy, about to start blushing. "Congratulations to you, too."

She watched him go, wishing she could think of something else to say; something that would sound intelligent, but she couldn't. After he turned and walked off she heard the hissing sound again.

Follow...follow..

And with that, she dashed into the library, got her book, and hurried back up to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Later in November, those who wished to stay for Christmas were asked to sign up. Naturally, the three signed up to stay.

There was another snowfall in early December and they got out of class for a whole day due to a virus which was taking the castle by storm. However, Lindy, Lonni, and Jacob were some of the lucky few who remained healthy that day and they were able to enjoy the snow.

The Gryffindor Team had practiced three days a week since the beginning of December. When Lindy wasn't busy catching the tennis balls that Felix Turner, a fifth year (and a beater), threw to her, she was gawking at Nick as he practiced passing and shooting with Kiara and Ted Angora (a seventh year).

Overall, things had been going pretty well for the trio. That was, until the last Quidditch match before the holidays. So far Slytherin and Ravenclaw had played (Ravenclaw thumping them), and next now it was the turn of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

The three decided to head down to Hagrid's before the match. Hagrid greeted them with a warm smile and walked with them up to the stands. Even though he was a teacher, he always sat with the students.

They found Hermione waiting for them with cups of hot cocoa. She grinned and clutched at her cloak as they sat down and grabbed a cup.

"Hi, Mrs. Potter," said Lonni and Jacob.

"Hullo Mum," greeted Lindy.

"What brings you here?" asked Hagrid curiously. "The last time you sat with the students was your seventh year."

"Seeing as it is almost time to head back home for Christmas," chattered Hermione, "I thought I'd spend the day with Lindy before I leave. She's staying here for Christmas this year."

The weather was cold, but other than that the conditions were good for a Quidditch match. Lena Kienor of Hufflepuff was commentating.

"Decent day for quidditch! Let's hope today is a good, clean match and good luck to both teams."

Madame Everglade strode onto the field, wisps of hair falling down from her ponytail. She opened the box containing all the balls. First she released the snitch, which was quick to disappear. Then she released the two bludgers. Finally, she tossed the quaffle up into the air. With that the game officially began.

"Lindy," whispered a voice in her ear. She looked around to find Nick standing behind her, wearing a gray hoody and jeans, his black hair spiked up. "Can I talk to you for a second, in private?"

Lindy looked at Lonni, who winked back. The others were oblivious to the fact that Nick was there, hovering in between the two girls. Carefully, Lindy got out of her seat and followed Nick down the stairs and back onto the grounds.

"So, what's up?" asked Lindy, while still avidly watching the game.

"Well, I…er…" started Nick hesitantly. However, before he could find the right words, something whooshed by them, flying right between them. It was a bludger.

There was something weird about this bludger. It made a u-turn and pelted toward them again. Nick leaped and knocked Lindy down to the ground with him. The bludger narrowly missed them.

"Quick, before it-"

He was interrupted by a loud crack. The bludger hit the side of the stands. Luckily, it didn't cause it any real damage, but it then headed straight for Nick's head. He barely moved in time.

"Run!" shouted Lindy to Nick. Her legs carried her away from the Pitch and the bludger followed, leaving Nick.

"Lindy, NO!"

She stopped, and as soon as she did, crack. The bludger hit her straight in the face. Things went dark and she blacked out.

Author's Note: I would like to add a special thanks to MargaretLane for proofreading. Thank you!