Oh, Rolanda. The boy can fly. You need not worry about that.

          I'm afraid this year's Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry may be starting even earlier than usual. It seems Harry Potter decided all by himself to retrieve something Draco Malfoy had taken, or is alleged to have taken, and proceeded to dash off after him when Mr Malfoy took to his heels—or broom, in this case. Of course it was quite wrong for him to try flying when you had given them all strict orders to remain grounded, but since when do children think about things like that?

          Well, I was in my office marking some third-year essays, when I just managed to catch a momentary blur from my window. I thought at first it was a rather large owl, then looked up again to see young Mr Potter hovering outside my window—yes, hovering! He leaned forward a bit, just as one does to accelerate a broom, nicely controlled, and then I lost sight of him when he immediately tilted down and out of my view. Of course I thought I would have to scoop him up and levitate him to the Infirmary in pieces, but when I ran to the window, what do you think the wretched boy was doing? Second cousin to a Wronski feint, if you please, hurtling head-first to the ground, and—you'll never believe this—holding on to the broom with one hand and a small round object (no, it wasn't a Snitch) tight in the other! He pulled up about a foot before he hit the ground, brought himself parallel to the grass with great panache but without wasted energy or flashiness, slid to a stop, jumped off his broom, and ran to his fellow students as if he hadn't done anything remarkable whatsoever. Perhaps that's just the way he saw it, too.

          Really, he should be punished for going against your orders, but how can I? Rolanda, the boy's a natural! Raw, of course, and he'll have to learn a great deal about flyer's etiquette and how to listen to his instructor—I'm sure you're perfectly able to deal with that—but he would make even Charlie Weasley sit up and take notice, and there hasn't been anyone in Mr Weasley's category for ages, not even his brothers. Regulations say Potter shouldn't have a broom, since he's First Year, but it would be such a colossal waste to keep him behind when he clearly has the ability. I'm going to purchase him a broom with my own funds, so there will be no questions about the suitability of the school providing one for him at his age.

          If only Gryffindor can field a proper Seeker this year, we've got such a chance at the Cup—Wood is a masterful captain, the Weasley boys are almost Bludgers in themselves, and the girls function like a clockwork team, but we've simply never been successful at getting anyone with the speed and reflexes to catch anything. I shouldn't say this, but it would be one in the eye for Severus if Gryffindor has a chance this year, as he's been positively gloating over his House's success. One can hardly blame him, I suppose, but it would be nice to turn the tables somewhat, just for once.

          Oh, Rolanda, I'm dancing on air, and I can't think of anything coherent right now. Would you like to join me for a congratulatory glass of sherry this evening? Then I can tell you in a bit more detail all that happened, and you can go ahead and relieve poor Wood of his suffering.

          I can't remember when I've felt so happy.

          Deliriously yours,

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Written by Teka Lynn
April 4, 2003

All rights to the characters and setting are held by J K Rowling and whoever else holds them, including, but not limited to, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, and Warner Bros. This fanwork was created solely for fun and has no legal or financial connection to the Harry Potter novels..