So the reason I'm getting to the Quidditch stuff now instead of earlier is because the Japanese School Year starts in the spring, whereas the school year in western countries like Britain and the US start in the fall. But since the Quidditch season is during the fall, I had to wait till the story got to that point time-wise. Hope that explains things.

Sixtieth Spell: School Pride

"Quidditch tryouts?" Rui exclaimed.

It was currently lunchtime and Haru had just told her about what happened that morning on the way to Charms.

"That's what Daizō said," Haru reiterated. "He apparently took Koi being put into detention personally, and thinks I'm to blame for that."

"Even though it was Koi's fault," Cheng said.

"Well, Koi and Daizō have been close friends since Primary School," Rui pointed out. "And since Koi's actions disgraced the Seiryu Clan, Daizō thinks he can reclaim that honor by challenging you to these tryouts."

"But what's the big deal about them?" Haru asked. "Because Daizō showed me a copy of the recent Maichi Yosoku which said Harry Potter is now the youngest Quidditch player in a century, and he seemed to imply the current tryouts are related to that news somehow."

Suddenly, the Mahoutokoro Headmistress Anzu Dōmeki appeared in the Student Dining Hall alongside Gōgu-Dono and Midorime-Sensei from a trail of floating water droplets via the Body Evaporation Spell.

"I wish to address some concerns you all may have regarding the Quidditch tryouts in relation to the recent news in the Maichi Yosoku," Dōmeki-Sama said. "First, it is true that Harry Potter, also known as the Boy Who Lived, was recently recruited for Gryffindor House's Quidditch team as their new Seeker. And because he is eleven years old, that does make him the youngest Quidditch player in a century."

A series of nervous whispers erupted throughout the room.

"Now since this school prides itself on producing some of the best Quidditch players in the world, we can't let this boy's fame blindside us!" declared Dōmeki. "That is why we are opening Quidditch tryouts to all the First-Year Secondary Students for the first time in our school's history."

"The reason this is a big deal is that normally, we don't start recruiting Secondary students for the Clan's Quidditch teams until their Second-Year," Gōgu-Dono explained. "But our plan is to put together a team of First-Year Secondary Students, regardless of which Clan they're a part of, and then hold an exhibition match next month to demonstrate our school's prowess in the sport of Quidditch to the world!"

While a few of the older students cheered, the younger students looked nervous.

"If you're concerned about your safety, children, we will do everything in our power to make sure no harm comes to any of you," Midorime assured. "Popuri-Dono shall be on standby during the tryouts and the exhibition match respectively."

"But who are we facing off against?" asked Hikari as she raised her hand from the Suzaku table. "I mean, we can't face off against ourselves, right?"

"You are correct, Genma-Chan," Dōmeki nodded. "The team you'll be facing during the exhibition match will consist of the best Quidditch players in all the Clans."

Nayu gulped nervously. "I hope they go easy on us."

Snickering, Gaane said, "You're so naive."

"Obviously, this whole thing is just an excuse to show off how great our school is compared to Hogwarts," Fuyou said. "So it wouldn't be fair to have the older Quidditch players deliberately lose the match just to make you guys look good."

"This whole thing doesn't seem right to me," Otoma said from near the back of the Byakko table. "Why would they put the First-Years in a match they have no hope of winning?"

"Pipe down, Wan!" Peri objected. "It's for the sake of our school's pride."

"Is there something you would like to share with the rest of us, Student Council Leader?" Dōmeki said as her sharp eyes focused on Peri.

"N-Nothing, Ma'am," Peri said as she bowed low. "Forgive my rudeness."

Satisfied, Dōmeki continued, "After the tryouts, the Quidditch team candidates will be put through a rigorous training program prior to the exhibition match. I hope all you First-Year Secondary Students consider attending the tryouts this Friday—not just for the sake of our school's reputation, but to show how much you care for this school."

After Dōmeki, Gōgu, and Midorime left using the Body Evaporation Spell, the students went to their classes with looks of determination and contemplation as they had the Quidditch tryouts first and foremost on their mind. It was especially bad among the First-Year Secondary Students, who could barely concentrate on their classes for the rest of the day. But Haru, who still didn't entirely understand Quidditch, was one of the few people that was strangely calm during all this fervor. Though what did occupy his mind was whether he should take Daizō's proposition or not since it was out of petty reasons and not school pride.

So after classes were over, Haru decided to go to the library and look up the basics on Quidditch. But as Inku was leading him to the shelf where the book Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp was kept, a glass trophy case caught Haru's attention. He noticed several trophies inside including golden plaques with names written on them. Among these names, he saw his birthmother's:

Kiku Tago, Best Seeker of the Byakko Quidditch Team

"Wow," Haru remarked. "I didn't know my real mother played Quidditch, and that she was in the same Clan as I am."

"Maybe it's fate," Inku remarked.

"Fate?" Haru was confused. "What do you mean?"

"That these unusual Quidditch tryouts should be happening the same year you came to our school," replied Inku. "It might be a sign that you're meant to play Quidditch, just like your mother did before you."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Haru said out of embarrassment. "I'm more worried about making a fool out of myself by getting involved in this Quidditch thing."

"It's not a 'thing'!" said an older female student wearing the red Suzaku sash with dirty-blonde hair, who abruptly stood up from her table in the library. "Quidditch is, like, the greatest sport in the entire Wizarding World!"

To be continued…