Chapter 16

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Headmaster's office, casting long shadows on the ancient stone floor. The room was filled with the soft ticking of numerous magical instruments, their gentle hum adding a layer of mystique to the atmosphere. Albus Dumbledore, with his long silver beard and twinkling blue eyes, sat behind his grand desk, adorned with trinkets and artifacts of great value and history. His attention was fixed on Rolanda Hooch, the flying instructor and Quidditch referee at Hogwarts, who stood before him with a determined expression.

"Madam Hooch, are you sure about this?" Dumbledore's voice, calm yet inquisitive, broke the silence.

"I am positive, sir," Madam Hooch replied with conviction. "That kid is a natural and fearless as well."

Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully. He was aware that the matter Rolanda Hooch wanted to discuss could stir quite a commotion among both students and teachers. But his curiosity was piqued. "Very well then, you may proceed," he said, a smile playing on his lips.

Madam Hooch's face lit up with delight. "Thank you, Headmaster." She nodded respectfully, then turned and left the room, her heart racing with excitement.

As the door closed behind her, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and gazed out of the window. Hooch had told him about William Dawkins, a first-year student who had displayed exceptional skills during her flight class. She believed the boy had immense potential in Quidditch. While Dumbledore wanted to refute her enthusiasm, he couldn't help but be curious. When he first looked at William, he felt something unique about the boy, as if he was destined for something great, whether good or bad, he couldn't tell. But the boy had undeniably piqued his curiosity. He sighed loudly and looked at his phoenix companion, Fawkes, who seemed equally intrigued. It had been a long time since Dumbledore had felt this curious.

---

William Dawkins awoke early as usual. His routine was precise: exercise, meditation, a shower, and then a walk to the Great Hall for breakfast. Today was no different, except for a lingering sense of excitement he couldn't quite place. As he entered the hall, he noticed his friends, Chris and Minny, deep in conversation over a Herbology book. An impish idea crossed his mind, and with a grin, he stealthily sneaked up behind them.

"Boo!" William shouted, startling them so badly that they jumped from their seats.

"Ahhhh!"

"Kyaaa!"

Their screams echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of everyone present. William laughed heartily, but his amusement was short-lived as he realized the entire hall was now staring at them. Chris and Minny glared at him with a ferocity that made him gulp. Emilia, the Ravenclaw prefect, approached with her arms crossed, her expression stern.

"William," she said, her voice firm, "you need to control yourself."

William nodded sheepishly. "Sorry, Emilia," he mumbled, knowing he had overstepped.

---

The morning classes included History of Magic and Herbology. As they walked towards their first class, the mood was tense. Chris and Minny were still angry with William and hadn't spoken a word to him since the incident in the Great Hall. The History of Magic class, taught by the ghostly Professor Cuthbert Binns, was a dull recounting of the Goblin Rebellion of the 17th century. Normally, William enjoyed history, but today's lesson was overshadowed by the morning's events.

Finally, the lunch break arrived. William, Chris, and Minny were just about to sit down when Professor McGonagall approached them. Her stern expression made William's stomach drop.

"Mr. Dawkins, come with me," she instructed.

William's friends gave him sympathetic looks as he followed Professor McGonagall. He assumed it was about the morning incident. But as they walked, she took a different turn, leading him to a part of the castle he rarely visited. They arrived at a room where Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick were waiting.

"Hello, dear," Madam Hooch greeted warmly.

"Hello, Mr. Dawkins," Professor Flitwick added with a kind smile.

William looked at McGonagall, his eyes filled with confusion. "What's going on?" they seemed to ask.

"William, do you know what Quidditch is?" Madam Hooch inquired.

"Yes, ma'am," William replied. "My friend Chris has explained it to me many times."

"Do you have any liking for it?" she asked further.

"Yes, ma'am. The sport really fascinates me, and I would love to play for the Ravenclaw team in the near future."

"Wonderful!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Madam Hooch nodded in agreement.

William felt a wave of realization wash over him. This scene felt eerily familiar. His eyes widened as the truth dawned on him.

"No way," he thought. "Could it be?"

"William," Professor Flitwick began, "would you like to play for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team?"

William's jaw dropped. He had to mentally pick it up off the floor. "What?" he exclaimed inwardly, barely able to contain his shock.