Rules Can Be Broken

Wizet thought back over yesterday's flying lesson. He felt that if he took part in the tryouts himself, he would at least be able to make it into the second round.

The second round of tryouts began, and the first position being tested was Beater.

This position had certain requirements in both accuracy and strength.

The dozen or so people taking part in the tryouts mounted their Flying Broomsticks, hung balloons in front of their chests, and split into two groups for the test.

They paired off in teams of two, protecting the balloons on their chests while striking at the Bludgers that might appear at any moment.

"Made it just in time!" a male voice came from behind him. It was Oliver Wood, whom Wizet had met once before.

Cho Chang clearly knew Wood. She asked, a little puzzled, "Why did you come to Ravenclaw's tryouts?"

Wood lowered his clipboard, glanced at Wizet, and said with a slightly evasive look, "Just came over to have a look. I'm a captain, after all!"

"Looks like you're scouting for information!" Cho Chang smiled. "I've heard Roger mention you. He said you're a Quidditch fanatic, the kind who'd give his life for Quidditch."

Wood lifted his head and puffed out his chest, looking proud. "That would be my honor!"

The Beater tryouts were still going on, and Wizet discovered that wanting to become a Beater seemed to mean taking on some risk.

The Bludgers were extremely aggressive. If they failed to knock them away, the Bludgers would slam hard into the tryout candidates' chests.

They were knocked off their Flying Broomsticks, not only smashing their mouths against the ground but also breaking their teeth. Even the word "miserable" was hardly enough to cover it all.

After accidents like that happened, quite a few people were scared off. Using the excuse of taking the injured to the hospital wing, they slunk away from the pitch.

"That's why I say Ravenclaws are too delicate," Wood muttered. He noticed Cho Chang turning to look at him and immediately tried to make up for it.

"Actually, there are brave ones too... actually, these two lads aren't bad. Their reactions are pretty quick, and they're fairly agile too... they just need more polishing."

The two who earned the spots were both third-years, named Jason Samuels and Duncan Ingleby.

Once the Beater tryouts were done, Cho Chang suddenly stood up with a whoosh and walked forward, her body a little stiff.

"Fred and the others told me about her. A second-year... seems Cedric is interested in her..." Wood muttered quietly, writing something on his clipboard.

"Her flying posture is very professional... she wore a Tutshill Tornados uniform before, so it looks like she's loved Quidditch since she was little. She'll probably be the Seeker!"

For a moment, Wizet was at a loss for words. "You're actually pretty professional..."

"I'm just interested in Quidditch," Wood said with a nod. "Anything related to Quidditch can't escape my eyes... including you!"

"Me?" Wizet instinctively shrank a little to the side. "That shouldn't have anything to do with me, right?"

Wood said very seriously, "I saw Harry's flying level last night. Honestly... though he's outstanding enough, compared with you, he's still a little lacking."

"If his talent for flying is excellent, then you're like someone born knowing how to fly! You were actually able to use an antique like the Shooting Star and unleash astonishing speed. Unbelievable..."

He lowered his voice and asked Wizet, "Interested in transferring to Gryffindor? I can risk my life to apply to Professor McGonagall."

Wizet shook his head without thinking. "I'm very happy in Ravenclaw. Every day I'm doing what I like, and I really like the atmosphere here too."

"That really is a pity!" Wood's voice carried a trace of regret. He did not continue speaking, instead throwing his energy into the pitch and evaluating the Seeker candidates.

The most important thing for a Seeker was flying speed; only then could they catch up with the Golden Snitch. Cho Chang had a slender build, and when she flew, she was somewhat faster than the others, which basically established her advantage.

Roger tossed Marbles from different angles, and she could also spot them very quickly, catching them before they hit the ground.

Being able to do these things with relative ease showed that her powers of observation and reactions were both quite good.

Just as Wood had said, Cho Chang's level was far above the others, and she very smoothly secured the Seeker position.

"What a promising future!" Wood said with feeling. "At least for the Seeker position, Ravenclaw has found a good prospect."

Cho Chang, who had obtained the Seeker position, was radiant with happiness. Hearing Wood's comments made her smile even more broadly.

"What's left are the Chasers..." Wood wrote and sketched on the board. "After this, I can go back and draw up tactics."

Just as he was muttering away, a voice came from beside them. "Mr. Lovegood, so this is where you are!"

It was Ravenclaw's Head of House, Professor Flitwick. Beside him was Professor McGonagall, dressed in green robes.

"Could it be..." Wood's eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something bad.

He sighed deeply and smiled bitterly as he murmured to himself, "Professor McGonagall, you really are far too fair! Could you give some of that overflowing fairness to Professor Snape?"

Professor Flitwick was very tiny, and his two short little legs ran extremely fast.

In the blink of an eye, he arrived in front of Wizet. "Professor McGonagall told me that you have a great talent for flying. Would you like to take part in the tryouts?"

Wizet asked, "I remember the notice board said that only second-years and above could take part in the tryouts, didn't it?"

"Rules can be broken," Professor Flitwick said cheerfully. "We thought that new students, having only just joined Hogwarts, needed time to adapt, so we added that rule."

"But you don't have that problem at all. Whether in class performance or after-class assignments, your performance has been outstanding! That's something we've all seen."

Wizet nodded. "Since Professor Flitwick has put it that way, of course I'm willing to try."

Flitwick immediately sprang into action. "Then come with me. I'll speak to Arsenal and the others!"

Cho Chang smiled and made an encouraging gesture. "Good luck! You'll definitely be fine!"

Anthony and Michael also stood up, desperately expressing their support with their eyes, but with Cho Chang standing beside them, their movements were relatively restrained.

"Wizet! Good luck!" Several more people cheered him on.

Only then did Wizet notice that quite a few Hufflepuff students had also come here.

Wherever there seemed to be excitement to watch, these lovers of gossip would appear.

Vice-captain Roger was in charge of deciding on the Chasers, so the first round of screening had to be handed to someone else.

Arsenal Vincent was the team captain. Tall and powerfully built, he played Keeper and was also a seventh-year student.

As a seventh-year, he had to prepare for his N.E.W.T.s, so he did not have that much time to spare.

From the start of this school year, he had handed most team matters over to Roger while he sat off to the side, reading and revising.

Barring any surprises, Roger would officially take over after Arsenal graduated.

"Seeing Wood's face look that awful makes me happy." Arsenal smiled. "He came over yesterday at noon to show off, saying Gryffindor had some genius player..."

He patted Wizet on the shoulder. "Professor Flitwick said your talent's good too? Then get on a Flying Broomstick and let me see what you can do!"