The Seeker & The Telepaths
When all the students were leaving the dining hall. Fi glimpsed the girl from potions class who had knocked her cauldron over. They glared at one another and Fi knew that an enemy had been made. She had overheard some of the other students address the girl as Tanya. Finally averting her glare and feeling petty, Fi walked away with her friends.
The next morning the ceiling was back to normal by breakfast. The teachers and prefects had somewhat managed to quell last night’s chaos. Last night rumors shot like lightning through the dorms about where the voice had came from and what it had meant. This morning however, hardly anyone was talking at the dining tables. At last the headmaster stood up. Silence gathered in the room, heavy like summer humidity, and his words filled the air.
“Students, I have good news about the incident last night.” The whole dining hall released a collective breath. Headmaster Weasley continued, “It was all a prank! Some misguided seventh years were “welcoming” the first years. They’ve all been found out and punished accordingly.” Something about his story seemed off, but all the students were relieved to have a rational explanation for last night’s events and soon dismissed the occurrence. “One more announcement. A small group of students will be chosen for, um, a special quest. We ask that interested groups of at least three members write down their names on a piece of parchment and place it over there. We will contact you if your group is selected to participate in this quest.”
The Headmaster pointed towards the door of the dining hall. Next to it was a massive silver goblet with a blue fire kindling inside of it. It was the same goblet the school used for the Triwizard tournament. When the students looked back at the tables, stacks of parchment had magically appeared all down the table, as well as quills. Dimitri snatched a piece of parchment and Kael managed to grab a quill. The group passed the parchment around, signing their names. When it reached Allie, she shook her head.
“Nah guys, I can’t. I’m barely keeping my head above water anyway with all this homework.” The group reassured her that they understood. On their way out of the dining hall that morning they tossed the parchment with their names into the fire.
Today was the first year’s initial flying lesson. All the first years could hardly wait to get out on the quidditch field. Flight was their last class and their most anticipated one. Kael had been practically jumping up and down all day and Fi had been anxious to get through all her other classes. When their already scuffed uniform shoes swooshed over the soft grass of the court yard, everyone was excited.
At last they were all lined up next to their broomsticks, Madame Yelain standing before them. She was a relatively new flying teacher, only having begun working at Hogwarts four years ago. Yelain was also very young-she was only twenty-two. Madame Yelain had short cropped, shiny brown hair. Her eyes were like large emeralds set into her dark face. Yelain smiled at the students, exposing brilliantly white teeth.
She said to them all, “Good afternoon, first years. Welcome to your first flying lesson at Hogwarts High.” The students murmured back good afternoons and hellos. Madame Yelain spoke up again, “I assume you’ve all had some flying experience?” The students murmured once again. Yelain yelled, “Have some spirit! Have you flown or haven’t you?” She was still grinning broadly. This time the students responded with fervor, all yelling “Yes!” at the top of their lungs. Fi knew that she was going to like this teacher.
Yelain had them all mount their broomsticks and elevate themselves several feet off the ground. Fi, Kael, Dimitri, and Neve were all practically asleep with boredom. They had all flown when they were at Hogwarts Low and levitating was something they had learned as mere children. Madame Yelain seemed to notice the apathy radiating from the students about their tedious task.
“You all want to really fly?” Yelain inquired. The students responded in the affirmative, hoping for an exciting assignment. “Well alright then! Follow me.” Madame Yelain suddenly leapt onto her broom and began to zoom towards the quidditch field. As all the students were awkwardly clamoring to follow her, Yelain turned back and called “Single file!” Usually, “single file” was a deliberately disobeyed order. Yet, all the students remained in a somewhat orderly line when flying after their professor. They reached the quidditch field, somewhat out of breath from the thrill of flying.
Before they had even stopped, Madame Yelain told them, “Eleven laps around the quidditch field, counterclockwise, as fast as you can while still remaining in control.” Fi pushed her broom forward, anxious to go even faster. She glanced around for her friends. Kael, as promised, was leading the pack, flying at warp speed around the field. Neve and Dimitri were almost next to Fi and she could see their wide smiles. Neve’s brunette hair was flying in the wind, it’s smooth waves cascading through the air. Dimitri was gaining on Fi, so she went even faster. She didn’t stop or look behind her, until she came up a few feet behind Kael. Only then did Fi look behind her. Dimitri was actually next to her! Neve was a ways back, seeming to enjoy coasting more than racing. Fi grinned, knowing Kael would tease Neve for not catching them, but Fi knew that Neve could catch them if she actually wanted to. Fi looked at Dimitri.
She inclined her head towards Kael and said, “Let’s pass him, eh?” Dimitri grinned mischievously and nodded. In unison, they pelted after Kael.
After several moments of hard flying, Fi and Dimitri pulled up next to Kael. Dimitri was to Kael’s right with Fi on Kael’s left. They looked at Kael and he looked back at them. It was unspoken but it was a challenge all the same: a race. With five more laps to go, whoever finished first would win.
Wind, air, racing air. Chapped lips, arched back, leg muscles burning. Rushing, running, flying. Freedom.
Fi was in love with flying. It intoxicated her. The air, the rush of the wind, but mostly the freedom. She was free of any contact with the earth. No one could stop her. She was unhindered and uncontrolled.
Fi pushed her broom forward to the point of it almost tipping. Dimitri, Kael, and she were neck and neck. The end of the last lap was mere feet away. Closer, closer, there it was and… Finished! They completed the competition with Kael a few inches ahead of Fi and Dimitri. Fi and Dimitri finished at the exact same time, a tie.
When they all dismounted their brooms, Kael, Fi, and Dimitri’s faces were red with exertion.
Kael teased them, “Aha! Told you.” He smirked playfully.
Fi countered, “Oh come on, we were inches behind you.” She motioned towards herself and Dimitri. Kael put a hand to his ear, as if he couldn’t hear them. “I’m sorry, did you say ‘Behind you’?” Everyone laughed, including Neve, who had just walked up. She looked refreshed and relaxed.
“That was fun!” Neve stated and they all silently agreed with her. Madame Yelain congratulated the students on what a “fabulous” job they had done and then she dismissed them.
As the students were leaving Yelain called out, “Wait, you three, hold on a moment.” She had pointed towards Fi, Kael, and Dimitri. Madame Yelain offered an apologetic smile to Neve, who would be walking away alone. Neve smiled genuinely back. She knew that she could dominate when flying if she wanted to.
“See you in Curses.” Neve told Fi, and Fi nodded. Curses was their last class after flying, ending their day at two o’clock. Wednesdays were short days, much to the student’s delight. Fi, Kael, and Dimitri all approached Madame Yelain.
Yelain smiled at them and said, “You all know that I’m Madame Yelain, but I don’t know your names…”
Fi spoke first, “I’m Fi. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand to Yelain which seemed to surprise the professor. Nonetheless, Yelain shook her hand and then looked towards Dimitri.
Dimitri was shy and he said quietly, “I’m Dimitri.” Yelain nodded towards him and shifted her glance towards Kael. Kael also introduced himself.
Madame Yelain said, “You all did very well today, are any of you interested in the quidditch team?” Fi thought, Well, she cuts to the point. Kael practically jumped at the offer and Fi felt a lurch of excitement as well. Stunned, they both remained quiet.
Dimitri, however, spoke up. “Maybe. I was thinking of taking up another History of Magic class though, so I might not have time. Perhaps I could be a back-up player? Thank you for the offer.”
Madame Yelain smiled at him, “Yes, I believe that would be very helpful. An interest in history, eh? You know, I minored in the History of Magic.” Dimitri and Madame Yelain chatted for a moment and Fi zoned out, daydreaming about books. Dimitri and Madame Yelain parted with well wishes to each other, and Yelain turned towards Kael and Fi.
“What about you guys, eh? Are you interested in quidditch?” Fi and Kael starting talking at the same time and Fi stopped, allowing Kael to continue.
He said, “Yes! I love to fly. It’s my dream to be on the quidditch team.” Madame Yelain nodded enthusiastically in response, then turned to Fi.
“And you?” Now that Fi was in the spotlight, her words clotted in her throat and she silently cursed her introvert side.
Kael stepped up next to Fi, lazily propping an elbow on her shoulder and stating, “Fi’s interested too.”
Fi nodded and the words finally worked their way up. “Yessss, I am!” She said, wiggling Kael’s arm off of her. “When are tryouts?”
Yelain informed the two of them, “This Saturday, can I expect to see you both there?” They nodded and she continued, “Great. I have brooms you can use. I’ll bring them. Wear whatever you like.” They thanked Madame Yelain and she dismissed them.
Kael and Fi parted ways in the main hallway; he was headed back to the Hufflepuff dorms, and she was headed to Curses class. Fi was late, badly so, but Yelain had handed her a tiny note with a late excuse.
Fi stepped into the curses classroom, a large turret area with massive windows the sun slanted through. Neve turned around and saw her immediately. She waved enthusiastically and Fi smiled back. Practically the whole class looked up, causing Fi’s face and neck to turn hot with the attention.
“Back to work, students.” Professor Patterson quipped. Fi liked Professor Patterson; he was kind and intelligent. He treated his students as equals and didn’t dismiss them if they were quiet. Fi walked to the front of the classroom, up to his cherrywood desk. The room smelled of wood, dust, and old books. Fi breathed in the scent, savoring it.
“Well hello, Miss Fia.” Professor Patterson smiled, his old blue eyes crinkling. “Good afternoon, Professor.” Patterson’s thick mustache twitched as he said, “What do we have here?” and took the note from my extended hand. Professor Patterson read the note, and his face lit up with surprise.
“Oh! Congratulations.” Fi must have looked confused, because he said, “New seeker, eh?”
“What? Er, what makes you think that?”
“This note!” The professor exclaimed, passing Madame Yelain’s note to Fi. She scanned it quickly,
Professor,
Please excuse Fi for being late. I stopped her after class to chat with her. Fi has greatly impressed me as a flyer and I have appointed her Gryffindor’s seeker.
Dearest Regards,
Madame Yelain Oaken
Fi was taken aback. Tryouts hadn’t even happened yet- why? Her? Seeker? She supposed she might the right body type for it, short as she was. A realization hit her- Kael had gotten a late note too. He’d undoubtedly thrown it away, having no use for it. Madame Yelain had probably appointed Kael to Gryffindor’s team also. Fi made a mental note to tell him after class to check his note.
Fi thanked Professor Patterson, shock still coursing through her. She walked silently to the seat Neve had saved next to her. The shock wore off after a few moments and joy seeped in. Seeker! Professor Patterson collected the worksheets the students had been filling.
Passing Fi to collect Neve’s, he said, “It’s quite alright Fi, just pick one up after class.”
“Yes sir, thank you.”
When Professor Patterson was again standing behind his desk, he said, “Today we’ll be learning about the telepathy curse.” Before he could say a word more, Neve’s hand shot up.
Professor Patterson called on her and Neve said, “But sir, why is telepathy a curse? I would think it’d be fun or helpful to be able to communicate with someone in your head.”
The professor seemed to relish in this question. He pointed at Neve, “Wonderful question Miss Wittle! See, there are two types of telepathy.” Professor Patterson held up his hands, one to each side, to demonstrate the two types. “One of them,” the professor shook his right hand, “is a gift, like you said. It allows people to choose when they want to communicate with someone. Let’s say that I was telepathic with Headmaster Weasley. We could go days without communication, then I could think something, with the intention of him hearing it, something like ‘What’s for dinner tonight?’ and he would hear me. Then he could choose- or not choose -to respond.” All the students nodded, showing they understood. The professor raised his eyebrows, “However, there is another type of telepathy.” Professor Patterson raised his left hand. “With the second type, the two people, or things, with telepathy cannot choose what thoughts the other person hears. Not only is this quite embarrassing at times, it can also cause-“ The professor paused, “insanity.” Neve cocked her head, silently asking Why? How? Professor Patterson continued, “Think of it as two songs, one for each person. The songs make sense and sound good when played individually. But when they’re played at the same time, they are dissonant. The songs collide and muddle. No longer do they sound like music.” Some “Oh”s rose from the desks. It made sense.
The professor shared the spell for the curse of the first type of telepathy, the harmless type.
“Only point your wand at the table, or another inanimate object, when practicing this spell. Once a telepathy curse has been cast, it is irreversible.” The spell was Elesium Therep (“E-lee-see-um Thehr-op”). The words echoed about the old turret room as all the students cast the curse on the table. Nothing happened, of course, but Professor Patterson walked all around. He corrected the students’ wand movements and pronunciations. Fi was casting the curse on the table again when Tanya walked by. She blatantly shoved Fi’s arm, causing Fi to cast the curse… On Neve! A small purple lightning bolt exited Fi’s wand. It touched Neve, but Neve didn’t flinch. The lightning bolt went back into the wand as fast as it had come out. Professor Patterson turned around and saw Fi’s wand pointed at Neve.
His eyes widened to the size of apples and he said, “Fia… What just happened?” Fi was stunned into silence and said nothing.
Neve turned around to face the Professor. “I believe, sir. That Fi accidentally cast the curse on me.”
“Accidentally?” The professor asked. The whole class was staring. A voice rose from the back of the class,
“Professor?” Professor Patterson turned towards the voice.
“Yes, Allifair? Did you see what happened?”
“Yes, professor. She-“ Allie pointed at Tanya, “shoved Fi’s arm as she was casting the curse. Fi didn’t have time to react and she, uh- cast it on Neve.” The professor turned towards Tanya, his a brilliant crimson. Professor Patterson stalked to his desk, scrawled a note on a piece of parchment, and handed it to Tanya.
“Take this to the headmaster. Now.”
“But, Professor-“
“NOW!” The professor bellowed. Tanya jogged out.
Professor Patterson turned to the class, “You are all dismissed.” Everyone jostled to gather their things and leave.
The professor turned back to Neve and Fi. “You two, stay please.”
When everyone had left the classroom, Professor Patterson addressed Fi and Neve, “I’m sorry this happened. I don’t blame either of you. However, as I said, the affects of the telepathy curse are permanent.” Fi’s stomach sunk. She wouldn’t mind communicating telepathically with Neve at all, but she felt awful, having cast a life-long curse on her friend.
Neve spoke up, “I don’t feel any different, at all.” The professor nodded.
“You have to intentionally try to communicate with the other person. All you have to do is think you want to say something to them, and it happens.” Fi was chewing on this thought. Suddenly, a voice came into her head- Neve’s voice.
It said, Guess what I did today? Fi startled, almost falling from her chair. Neve giggled.
She prodded Fi aloud, “Come on, respond.”
Fi thought, What did you do?
Neve’s voice entered her mind again, I got a job! Professor Julian recommended me for the summer position at the charms store in Hogsmeade. I got it! I’ll be be working there in the summer.
Fi responded, That’s great! The whole telepathy thing wasn’t so frightening once Fi realized that it was Neve in her head.
The professor looked at the girls, seeming torn between sadness and happiness. “So I guess that’s that, right?” He asked. They nodded.
“It’s not so bad.” Fi told him, “I wouldn't call it a ‘curse.’” The professor smiled and dismissed them.
Neve and Fi walked down the hall together, towards the common room to meet Dimitri and Kael. Fi still remembered that she had to tell Kael about his note.
Shall we tell Dimitri and Kael about this?
Fi responded, I don’t know, it might be a good secret to have.
Neve laughed aloud and said, “Yeah, it might be.”
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