When Friday morning's Potions class ended, Breeze and Hermione used their lunch break to finish their Potions essays, then went downstairs together to eat.
That afternoon, many young wizards gathered around the tables in the Hogwarts Castle hall, talking about Saturday's Quidditch tryouts. Only second-years were allowed to participate, though, leaving the first-years to watch enviously from the sidelines.
"Those rules are obviously made for the mediocre," Malfoy said with a scowl, prodding the steak on his plate with his knife. "Hogwarts ought to make an exception for flying prodigies like us..."
Pansy consoled him. "You'll definitely make the Quidditch team next year, Draco."
Breeze ate his apple pie, unconcerned by all this. He had to earn House Points in Astronomy Class later, which wouldn't be easy, since Professor Aurora Sinistra wasn't particularly keen on awarding them.
Before long, Breeze had finished eating. He was about to leave for the greenhouses when he saw Headmaster Dumbledore approach the High Table, accompanied by McGonagall, who was barely containing her excitement, and Snape, who looked displeased.
Dumbledore cleared his throat twice before speaking. "Quiet, everyone. We have an announcement to make about tomorrow's Quidditch tryouts..."
Sure enough, the young wizards soon fell silent at Dumbledore's words and fixed their eager eyes on him. Malfoy stared at him just as intently, as though he sensed what was coming and was waiting to hear the words he wanted.
"Oh, of course, of course. I shouldn't keep you in suspense." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "We'll have to change the rules for this year's Quidditch tryouts. So many young wizards have shown considerable talent, and with a little more practice, they could help their Houses."
"So I've decided to let first-years try out as well. Anyone from any House can take part, as long as they volunteer. But be sensible about your abilities..."
"Oh!"
"That's brilliant! I'm definitely going to try out!"
"This is a reform! My mother will be so proud of me. I was there when it happened..."
"Can first-years really do that?"
Dumbledore's announcement delighted many of the first-years, while the older students were skeptical. No one said anything aloud, though, since the team captains and Heads of House still had the final say over who was selected.
"Hmph, I'm sure to make it!" Malfoy said, raising his brows smugly. But then he suddenly glared toward Gryffindor, where Ron had leapt to his feet and was enthusiastically gesturing as he spoke to Harry. It looked like Harry was going to try out too.
Malfoy had to admit that Harry Potter had a talent for flying. And that Muggle-born girl, Hermione Granger, did too.
"You're sure to make the team, Draco. Your flying impressed everyone that day, so that must be why they're letting first-years try out..."
"Hmph, of course. Malfoys are the best. And if we win the Quidditch Cup, we'll get a hundred and fifty House Points..."
A hundred and fifty points!
Someone's eyes lit up as he considered the costs and benefits.
Gradually, his expression returned to normal.
"A sport that wastes time. A hundred and fifty points isn't nearly enough."
Breeze ignored the commotion in the hall and went straight out. He was going to ask Professor Sprout about the Four-Leaf Vine. The weather would turn cold in a few days, and he didn't want to spend his time freezing in the wind.
In the greenhouse, Sprout was watering Devil's Snare and some other plants. She wouldn't go to eat until she'd finished tending to them, or she'd miss the right time to care for them.
"Professor."
"Oh, Mr. Order. Come in."
He hadn't visited the greenhouses as often these past few days, since other things had kept him busy, but Breeze still felt right at home. Before long, he had helped Professor Sprout finish tending to the plants.
"What brings you here this time? Don't tell me you have another strange question."
Breeze scratched his head and chuckled. "It's about the Four-Leaf Vine. I was wondering if you had any."
Sprout thought for a moment. "That's a plant you'll study in a few years. It's kept in Greenhouse Two. It isn't dangerous, so I can give you some."
"But the plants are still very young. They'll need a year or two to grow, so you'll have to be patient."
With that, Professor Sprout led Breeze to Greenhouse Two, where he hadn't been before.
"Greenhouse Two is full of seedlings. We don't use it for lessons, because some plants are fragile at this stage."
"Here, this is the Four-Leaf Vine. It's very docile. It may be related to Devil's Snare, but its temperament is completely different."
Taking the Four-Leaf Vine, Breeze said sincerely, "Thank you, Professor. I'll take good care of it."
Professor Sprout nodded. "I believe you. If you want to grow plants, you can always come to me. I'm sure you have the talent to look after them. But there's nothing I can do for you if they're dangerous or endangered."
"Of course. Thank you for trusting me. I'm a student, so I'm happy just to grow a few easy, harmless plants."
"I'm glad you understand. Just don't take any risks." Professor Sprout cautioned him.
Breeze smiled but didn't reply. Professor Sprout could only shrug. "I can't force you, but do be careful."
She ruffled Breeze's black hair, then led him out of the greenhouse.
As the crowds left the hall, Breeze slipped away from the others and returned to the Owlery. He planted the Four-Leaf Vine beside the lush tree outside.
"Grow, grow!"
Breeze waved his wand and cast the special Growth Charm he'd found in his notes. With the support of his powerful Natural Magic, the charm soon became much stronger, making the Four-Leaf Vine grow at a rapid pace.
The vines climbed the tree and kept spreading until, guided by Breeze's magic, they stretched around the Owlery's windows, forming transparent screens that blocked out the cold and the view from outside.
"This magic should last for a few months."
Breeze went inside and climbed to the second floor. There, he spotted Faner picking at the leaves by the window. He put down his essays and Potions textbook, then picked up the telescope and book he'd set out for Astronomy Class.
"Faner, stop teasing the Four-Leaf Vine with sparks."
"I know, I know. Go to class," Faner replied, not sounding particularly sincere.
Breeze sighed. He could only hope the little fellow would listen. Otherwise, given the Four-Leaf Vine's weakness to fire, Faner would play with it until it withered.
During Astronomy Class that night, Breeze carefully observed the stars. Lessons with Hufflepuff were peaceful; the Little Snakes couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the Hufflepuffs.
Aurora Sinistra was generous, too. It seemed she knew Breeze had been waiting for this.
"Can anyone tell me what that star is? It's in your textbook, though I haven't introduced it yet."
Breeze answered without hesitation. "It's Sirius, the brightest star in the sky after the Sun."
"Excellent. Ten points to Mr. Order."
After earning his House Points and finishing class, Breeze returned to the Owlery.
The next day was Saturday, and it began beautifully: no one woke him, and he opened his eyes naturally. Breeze rolled comfortably around in bed before slowly opening them.
"Good morning... Faner?"
Faner came out of the washroom with a paper servant's skirt wrapped around his snake-like waist and a matching paper hat on his head. When he saw Breeze was awake, he said, "I was cleaning. Since you're up, I can make your bed. I've already tidied the books outside... It's a shame I can't cook here. I wouldn't know how, anyway..."
Breeze stared at him, hesitated, and finally asked, "Are you male or female?"
"I was male before I was made into a Bronze Snake. Why?"
Faner glanced at his own body, then added, "I don't have a gender now."
"Nothing. I'll get up first. Do you want some lamp oil?"
"Oh, no need. Go wash up."
Breeze washed up with a blank expression. When he came out, the bed had already been made, and Faner had laid out the clothes he was supposed to wear that day.
Breeze looked at Faner, who was cleaning with an excited expression, and said, "I think I know what to get you for Christmas this year."
Faner looked up at him, flustered. He'd never received a present before.
"A House-elf Kit with all the tools a house-elf needs, plus a fancy little dress?"
Faner's face turned bright red. With a disgruntled huff, he burned all the paper clothes he was wearing. If the contract hadn't compelled him to, he never would have squeezed out every last drop of lamp oil trying to please Breeze!
Seeing that Faner didn't answer, Breeze didn't tease him any further.
After getting ready, Breeze went downstairs to eat. His task that day was to write up his own reflections on The Secrets of Transfiguration, which Professor McGonagall had let him borrow, and then return the book.
Carrying the book and a new notebook he'd bought, Breeze went downstairs. As he passed the Ravenclaw Common Room, he heard Cho Chang speaking.
Cho: "I hope I'm lucky enough to make the team today!"
Cho's friend: "You can do it, Cho. The team already approved of you before."
Cho: "But first-years are allowed to try out this year. I'm going for Seeker, the most popular position and the only one open on our team. If there's a student better than me, I'll have to try for a reserve spot instead."
Cho's friend: "Believe in yourself. Come on, let's go downstairs!"
So the Quidditch tryouts were today. Breeze had absolutely no interest in watching. He had things to do, and studying magic was more interesting than Quidditch, wasn't it?
Soon after arriving at the library, Breeze found a place to sit and began filling in his reflections on Transfiguration in his notebook. Just then...
"There you are! Come with me!"
Hermione entered the library looking thrilled, grabbed Breeze, and dragged him out without giving him a chance to object.
With Madam Pince watching, Breeze didn't dare question Hermione in the library.
"What's going on?"
As they walked, Breeze hugged his stack of books and asked Hermione, "What's got into you today? You look so happy."
Hermione was holding a copy of The History of Quidditch. She looked up at Breeze's question, her face alight with excitement. "I'm going to try out! I've studied the rules of Quidditch thoroughly, and it's so cool! I'm going to be a Beater!"
A Beater?
Breeze stared at Hermione in disbelief, as if trying to make sure she was serious.
Before you continue