The New Seeker

They kept silent about what they had experienced on Halloween night. Professor McGonagall gave James and Sirius detention until the start of the Christmas holidays for "wandering around the castle after curfew," and Gryffindor lost 50 points from its hourglass.

For the first time, Lily had nothing to say about Potter losing points. Rose thought the Invisibility Cloak was probably responsible.

On a sunny morning in early November, the Quidditch Match between Gryffindor and Slytherin got underway. Rose was a substitute and did not play that day. Sitting on the substitutes' bench with her was Slytherin's new Seeker, Regulus Black.

Caradoc was shouting in her ears. James seemed to have scored, and the Gryffindor students in the stands erupted in cheers.

Amid the noise, Rose studied him. Little Black looked very much like his older brother. His black, medium-length hair fell elegantly on either side of his face, and his pale, handsome features had a noble refinement. His gray eyes were just like Sirius's, but there was a trace of composure deep within them.

As if sensing Rose's gaze, Regulus turned his head slightly, and their eyes met across the space between them. A few seconds later, he turned away without expression and focused on the match.

In the original story, Sirius undoubtedly held his "Death Eater" brother in contempt. He looked down on Regulus for his cowardice and obedience, and for his longing for power and strength. But he was equally unaware of Regulus's bravery and kindness. No one knew about those, except the lowly House-elf Kreacher, whom Sirius also despised, and Harry Potter fifteen years later.

The young Regulus Black had died in secret like that before justice arrived. Even after death, as an Inferius, he had been swallowed up by the lake and the endless darkness. Like Sirius, he was a forerunner in the war, a hero.

People usually sang the praises of glorious sacrifice, but no one celebrated the brave souls who stood in the shadows.

At the height of the match, both teams' Seekers spotted the Golden Snitch at the same time. Each took the lead in turn, neither giving way. In the end, Gryffindor's new Seeker was beaten, and Gryffindor lost to Slytherin by a score of 160 to 170.

Rose saw James jump off his broom, dejected. Even his hair seemed to droop in disappointment. But as he passed the new Seeker, fourth-year Billy Thomas, he made an effort to pull himself together, clapped him hard on the shoulder, and told him not to blame himself.

It did not seem to help much, though. Billy Thomas went to Alan Macmillan with red eyes and said he wanted to quit the Quidditch team. Alan comforted him for a long while, then announced that they would gather shortly to discuss strategy.

"It's not his fault," Rose said, walking over to James and taking his broom. "You all worked together really well. He just lacks a little confidence."

"But he obviously doesn't think so himself." James shrugged and headed for the boys' changing room. "We scored sixteen goals!" he said indignantly.

Sirius and Peter came over. They had intended to comfort their brother, but had not expected to see Rose outside the changing room.

"What are you doing here?" Sirius asked.

"Waiting for James," Rose said.

Sirius's expression turned strange. He repeated, "Waiting for James-here? Outside the boys' changing room?"

Rose rolled her eyes and asked in return, "Then where exactly should I wait for them? Should I walk straight in and say, 'Hello, please get changed quickly, because I'm waiting for you'?"

"You can wait in the Great Hall!" Sirius said loudly. Her description had made his ears turn red, as though Rose had said something outrageous.

"What difference does that make?" Rose was a little baffled by his attitude. "What on earth has gotten into you? And why are you always trying to control me?"

Sirius immediately fell silent, unable to say a word. He licked his lips awkwardly, then turned his head away and ignored her, his ears red.

James and several boys soon finished changing and came out. When he saw Sirius, he asked his brother in surprise whether he had drunk a Pepperup Potion and why his face was so red.

Rose gave Sirius a teasing look too. He glared at her and walked away with his head held high.

Alan then announced some changes. He made Rose the team's Seeker for the time being, while Billy Thomas took her place as the substitute Chaser.

"That's not fair!" Sparrow shouted, but no one paid him any attention.

"That's great, Rose!" James bumped her shoulder with his and said excitedly, "You'll get to play in the match after Christmas!"

Alan had given his decision careful thought, but Rose still said worriedly, "But I've never played Seeker."

"Well, you can't be any worse than me!" Billy said dejectedly. He had completely lost his confidence and believed Gryffindor had lost the match entirely because of him.

"Relax. Your build and flying skills are both very well suited to being a Seeker." Alan looked Rose over. "But you need a faster broom."

Rose shrugged and joked, "That's not a difficult problem for me to solve at all!"

"You can use mine for now," Billy volunteered. Like James, he used the latest model in the Nimbus Series. The Thomas family doted on their youngest son.

Rose did not think it was appropriate, but Alan thought it was a good solution for both of them, so she could only agree.

During the training sessions that followed, Rose took part as a Seeker several times. She could even spot the Golden Snitch at a glance after it had gone completely dark. On one occasion, she even performed a Wronski Feint by accident. Alan was overjoyed and declared that Rose was a born Seeker, but that big idiot McGu had completely failed to spot such a promising talent.

The weather grew colder and colder, and the first heavy snow of the year fell in mid-December. They had to trudge through thick snow and across the frozen grass to reach the edge of the Forbidden Forest for Care of Magical Creatures.

Although she had the scarf Sirius had given her in their first year wrapped around her neck, with its Warming Charm on it, Rose still felt chilled to the bone after the lesson. She returned to the Great Hall shivering, sat at the long table, and sipped hot Pumpkin Juice.

Rose had not signed up to stay at school for Christmas that year, because she had received a letter from Mrs. Bennett the day before last, saying that they hoped she would come home for Christmas.

For most people, Christmas was a holiday filled with love and hope. When Rose boarded the train home, her heart remained tight, and she felt nervous and excited.

She passed through the stone wall, through the steam and the bustling crowds, and came to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. They smiled and took Rose's luggage, and Mr. Bennett drove them back to the town of Frenshem.