Another week had come and gone since Neville's accident during flying lessons and Malfoy hadn't made any more remarks towards Bella to her equal relief and worry. As a pick-me-up, the first years decided to watch the Gryffindor Quidditch team during their practise one chilly September evening. The Weasley children had grown up around Quidditch. Charlie was the Gryffindor Captain in his time at Hogwarts, Fred and George were the Gryffindor Beaters on the team and Ron was the Chudley Cannons biggest fan.

"Fancy a go?" Fred yelled over to the small group sat in the Gryffindor section of the stands.

"We don't have brooms." Ron called back.

"Just take them from the broom cupboard, come on it'll be fun." George replied.

Hermione outright refused to get aboard a broom and Freya and Emily opted to stay on solid ground with her. Bella, Ron and Harry found some rickety old brooms in the broom cupboard and flew up to join the others. After their training was finished, Fred and George decided to play a game. They would hit the Bludgers as hard as they possibly could and the trio would chase after them, Harry outstripping Ron and Bella, even on the old school brooms.

"I think we might have found a new team player." Oliver Wood, Team Captain, chuckled having watched Harry zooming around the pitch.

"But first years don't play on the house teams." Bella cried.

"Well I'll have to have a word with Professor McGonagall then. We're in need of a new seeker and that was exceptional!" Oliver beamed.

"He's right you know, that was wicked!" Ron gushed.

"Do you think they would ever put you on the team?" Emily asked as they reached the Entrance Hall.

"I don't know. They never put first years on the team." Harry sighed.

"We'll just have to wait and see won't we." Freya smiled, trying to lighten the mood.


Oliver had indeed spoken with Professor McGonagall and after a gruelling trial overseen by her and Professor Dumbledore, Harry was appointed the new seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

"Have you heard? Harry Potter's the new Gryffindor Seeker. I always knew he'd do well." The voice of Sir Nick said overhead as they walked through the corridors.

"I can't believe my best friend is the new seeker! You must be the youngest Quidditch player in -" Ron exclaimed excitedly.

"A century, according to McGonagall." Harry beamed proudly.

"Hey, well done Harry, Wood's just told us the good news!" Fred said, appearing next to them.

"What we do during a normal Quidditch match is make sure that you don't get bloodied up too bad." George said, prodding Harry in the arm. "Can't make any promises, of course. Rough game, Quidditch."

"Brutal. But no one's died in years. Someone will vanish occasionally -" Fred added. They broke away from the group as they stepped out into the courtyard.

"But they'll turn up in a month or two!" George yelled as they disappeared around the corner and out of sight.

"Oh, go on, Harry, Quidditch is great. Best game there is! And you'll be great, too!" Emily said heartily.

Hermione, who had been sat in the courtyard doing some work, jumped up from where she sat and hurried to catch up with them.

"But I've never even played Quidditch. What if I make a fool of myself?" Harry groaned.

"You won't make a fool of yourself. It's in your blood." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"What are you talking about?" Freya asked.

"Follow me." Hermione huffed. She stalked off towards the castle and the remaining first years all shared a confused look at her strange behaviour. they followed quickly after her through the empty corridors and Bella ran into Hermione's back when she stopped abruptly in front of large trophy case. She moved to the side and pointed to a plaque sat at the front of the trophy case. 'Gryffindor Quidditch Team 1977' was emblazoned on the top and Hermione pointed to some words written further down. 'James Potter - Chaser'

"Whoa. Harry, you never told us your father played Quidditch." Ron gasped.

"I-I didn't know." Harry breathed.

"Let's go back to the common room." Freya said, leading the way from the trophy room.

"So many stairs." Bella groaned.

"I'm telling you, it's spooky. She knows more about you than you do." Ron muttered quietly to Harry.

"Who doesn't?" Harry replied.

Just before they reached the landing the staircase shuddered violently and tore away from the landing, pulling the six of them along with it. Ron squealed, grabbing onto the side of the stairway tightly. Bella steadied herself with both hands as the staircase joined a new platform, shaking violently into place.

"What's happened there?" Harry asked.

"The staircases change, remember?" Emily said.

"Let's go this way." Bella pointed up the way, grabbing Ron's arm and pulling him off the staircase behind her.

"Before the staircase moves again." Ron groaned, following quickly after Bella.

"Does anyone feel like - like we shouldn't be here?" Freya asked, stepping onto the landing.

"We're not supposed to be here. This is the third floor. It's forbidden."