Prof. McGonagall: Sorry for the delay. Getting rid of Wood is proving a bit more of a challenge than I had anticipated. The assurance that Potter would be provided a decent broom isn't enough for him; he wants to know about affordable models, when it will be available, when he can start training the boy, etc. I've dodged his questions as best as I could. Somehow I don't think you'd want the whole school to know you'll be financing this purchase, and Wood tends to gabble a little when he's excited. It's your business if you want to give the kid a broom, but I suspect Prof. Snape would see things differently.

          Oh dear, I can already see the look of his face—Prof. Snape's, I mean—if Potter is indeed as good as you claim. Flint told me Higgs will remain as the Slytherin Seeker this year, and despite his good performances last year, the lad lost a lot of speed and agility as he grew up. He'll be leaving Hogwarts next June, but whatever he decides to do with his life, professional Quidditch is not a path for him.

          I so hope you're right about Potter! Hogwarts hasn't contributed any new talent to England's talent-thirsty teams for so long! I'd like to see us win the World Cup again before the end of the millennium, thank you very much! I don't reckon I'll ever forgive Charlie Weasley for wasting his life playing babysitter to a bunch of dragons in Romania. Prof. Kettleburn shouldn't be allowed to put such silly ideas in the heads of our prodigies.

          I'll gladly take you on that offer of sherry, professor—but I warn you! Thanks to Wood, I've completely missed dinner. With liquor on an empty stomach, I can't be held responsible for my actions.

          Meet you in your quarters as soon as I convince Wood to give me some peace. I'm taking the latest Comet and Nimbus catalogues so you can take a look.