Chapter 64
(AN: Leave a comment and a review, your feedback helps me a lot.)
If you want to support me and read ahead!
Patrë-on.com/Se7enX
Wow! Here's the new chapter!
________________________________________________________________________________________
"How did you know Mr. Potter joined the Quidditch team?" Professor McGonagall asked me in surprise. And as she spoke, I could see Professor Snape staring at her and growling.
"Well Professor, news travels fast around Hogwarts. And Gryffindors aren't known for subtlety, so it was only a matter of time before someone from there opened their mouths" I started to say, "Besides, if the rumor hadn't been confirmed before, Potter receiving an oddly broom-like package for breakfast must have made it clear that the rumor is true"
As soon as I finished speaking, Professor McGonagall started to look down in embarrassment, realizing that asking a Gryffindor to keep a secret is like asking a duck to do a somersault. And it didn't help that she was the one who sent Potter the package with the broom.
"What's this, Dumbledore? Potter is already getting favoritism? He was already arrogant like his father, and now that he's got everything he wants he's going to start thinking he owns the castle," Professor Snape barked.
"Calm down Severus, Mr. Potter's situation was special" Dumbledore said to calm the cranky bat, who started muttering curses at the two Potters.
"Um, I understand why Filius and Minerva are here, but why were Professor Snape and I also called?" the chubby Hufflepuff teacher asked confused.
"Yeah, why was I called here? I don't think you need me to settle the matter of some brats wanting to participate in some dumb sport" Professor Snape snapped, still irritated with Potter.
"Well that's because I thought to be fair, ALL first years should be allowed to take the tests, and that includes the first years of Slytherin and Hufflepuff" I answered that question calmly, and as soon as I said it, Professor Snape started looking at me analytically.
"Hmm, I see" Headmaster Dumbledore said, folding his hands and leaning his elbows on the table, "But you know the rules, right? That first years can't have brooms" he asked me, looking into my eyes.
"Well, the rule says they can't have broomsticks, but it doesn't say anything about borrowing it from some older student. And there's no rule that says first years can't make the Quidditch teams," I replied, looking into your eyes without fear, curious as to whether he's going to try to use legilimency on me.
'Hmm, no legilimency... It looks like those fanfics are a bit exaggerated'
"Besides, what about Potter? He has a broom. Isn't that against the rules?" I asked him with a smirk on his face. And Dumbledore responded with his own smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
While I was looking into the Headmaster's eyes, Professor McGonagall, who had been quiet all this time, decided to speak.
"Mr. Potter's case was different. And besides, how are you so sure the older students are going to lend you a broom?" she asked me, causing me to turn to her.
"Didn't you say our house would be like our family?" I asked her with a smile. A smile that grew even wider when I saw her lips twitch, "And let's say Hypothetically a first year student gives a trusted older student a new broom. And that same first year decides to borrow that broom to use in your Quidditch games. Hypothetically speaking, this doesn't count as having a broom of your own, so it's not against the rules. And that's all hypothetical, of course." I finished with an 'innocent' smile.
"Of course...hypothetical" Professor McGonagall said slowly.
"And what makes you so sure you're going to pass the tests and make the Quidditch team? There are students older and more experienced than you taking the tests too," Professor Snape said mockingly.
"Sorry sir, but I never said I wanted to be on the Quidditch team" I replied to him with a raised eyebrow.
"You do not want?" this time it was Professor Flitwick who asked me.
"I've never played Quidditch and I don't even know the sport very well. How would I know if I want to play or not?" I asked back.
'This feels more like an interrogation than a meeting' I snorted inwardly.
"Well, Rolanda says you're very good on a broom," Professor McGonagall said, looking at me quizzically.
"Cough... It could be that I got too carried away in Flight class, and I confess that I enjoyed the feeling of flying. But that doesn't mean I want to or will join the Ravenclaw Quidditch team," I replied.
'Well, Quidditch might end up taking up a portion of my time that I could use for training, but on the other hand it can be a lot of fun and give me even more reason to fly' I reflected to myself.
"But at least you could try, right?" Professor Flitwick asked me with hopeful eyes.
"Sigh...Maybe I'll try" I said.
'Well at least it can be fun'
"Well" Headmaster Dumbledore started to say, bringing our attention to him, "Since you seem to have thought of everything, I don't see any problem with letting the first years do the tests"
"What about brooms? Will we have to use the hypothetical solution or will we be able to use our own brooms?" I asked.
"Since Mr. Potter was allowed to have his own broom, I have no problem allowing the other first years to use their own brooms. But you will only be allowed to use them for tests, and after that, only who passing the tests can keep your broom, the others will have to send the brooms back home" Dumbledore said. And as soon as I heard the first part I was immediately happy, but when he finished speaking I slumped in my chair.
'Damn it! Now if I want to fly I'll have to make the Quidditch team' I cursed in my mind, 'Well it's not like I haven't already planned on joining anyway'
"That is all?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked me, to which I nodded, "Good! So it's settled! I will announce at dinner that all first years will be allowed to audition for their home Quidditch teams," he finished, smiling happily with her eyes shining above her half-moon glasses.
"That's great! I'm sure my badgers will love the news" Professor Sprout said happily. She then turned to me, "And I would like to thank you, Mr. Night, for including my house in this agreement" she finished with a gentle smile.
"No need to thank me, I just did what I thought was right. And besides, didn't I say before that you can call me Ethan?" I said to Professor Sprout, and the smile she had on her face grew.
"Even if you only did it because you thought it was right, we can't help but repay your kindness and humility" Headmaster Dumbledore started to say with a smile, "And if so, 30 points to Ravenclaw!" he finished with a slightly bigger smile.
"It looks like Ethan, if you keep earning points like that, Ravenclaw might end up winning the House Cup because of you," the half-goblin professor said wryly, and I could only smile innocently at him.
End.
________________________________________________________________________________________
(End AN: Hey my wonderful readers!
These last two chapters were difficult for me as I don't know if I managed to incorporate the canonical characters' personalities, but I tried as hard as I could.
I hope you like this chapter!)