The First Classes of the Year
The first week back at Hogwarts always had a buzz to it—the kind of restless energy that came from students getting their schedules, meeting new professors, and trying to find their rhythm again after a long summer. Vi wasn’t sure how anyone was supposed to focus on classes when all she could think about was Quidditch tryouts coming up that weekend.
She and Caitlyn sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, their schedules freshly handed out by Professor McGonagall. Mylo and Claggor had already started groaning over the amount of work they’d have to do, while Caitlyn carefully examined her parchment with the perfect mix of excitement and calculation.
"Charms first, then Defense Against the Dark Arts," Caitlyn noted, tapping the schedule with her finger. "Lunch, then Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon."
Vi grinned. “Ooh Defense!”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. "You’re excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"Of course I am. Professor Potter actually teaches us how to do stuff instead of making us read boring theory." Vi stretched her arms behind her head, rocking back in her seat. "Plus, I get to prove that I’m the best duelist in this school."
Caitlyn hummed in amusement. "You do remember that I won our last duel, right?"
Vi scoffed. "That was a fluke. I let you win."
Mylo snorted. "Right. Because losing spectacularly is all part of your grand strategy."
Vi shoved a piece of toast in her mouth instead of answering, and Caitlyn smirked in victory.
The morning classes flew by. Charms was uneventful—Caitlyn easily mastered the spell they were learning, while Vi spent most of the period getting distracted and flicking tiny bits of parchment at Claggor when the professor wasn’t looking. Defense Against the Dark Arts, as expected, was Vi’s favorite class of the day.
Professor Potter wasted no time getting into practical work. They started with disarming spells, something Vi took great joy in practicing. The moment she successfully blasted Mylo’s wand across the room, she turned to Caitlyn, grinning smugly.
"Did you see that?" Vi asked, bouncing on her heels.
Caitlyn, who had been paired with Claggor, didn’t look up as she effortlessly flicked her wand and sent Claggor’s flying. "Yes, Vi," she said, unimpressed. "You finally managed to do something correctly."
Vi scowled. "Alright, you and me next round, Kiramman. Let’s see how well you do when you actually have competition."
"Gladly."
Naturally, they took it too seriously. Their ‘duel’ had way too much movement, both of them dodging and throwing spells faster than necessary. The rest of the class had definitely started watching them instead of doing their own work, and Professor Potter eventually had to step in before they completely forgot they were supposed to be learning and not trying to win a tournament.
After lunch, Care of Magical Creatures was exactly what Vi expected—Caitlyn was completely in her element, answering every single one of Professor Hagrid’s questions before anyone else even had a chance to speak. Meanwhile, Vi was too focused on keeping her Bowtruckle calm to pay attention.
"You really have to be gentler," Caitlyn said, watching as Vi tried to keep her Bowtruckle from climbing onto her head.
Vi huffed. "It hates me."
"It doesn’t hate you," Caitlyn corrected. "It just… doesn’t trust you."
Vi narrowed her eyes at the tiny, leafy creature currently latched onto her sleeve. "Well, it’s doing a great job of making it personal."
Caitlyn sighed but was definitely holding back laughter as she pried the Bowtruckle off Vi’s robes and handled it with perfect ease.
Vi muttered something about show-offs, but watching Caitlyn work with the creatures so easily was kind of impressive. She couldn’t help but watch.
***
By the time dinner rolled around, Vi was starving, and the Great Hall was buzzing with students speculating about the upcoming Quidditch tryouts. The announcement had been pinned to the Gryffindor notice board, and Vi had wasted no time dragging Caitlyn over to sign up.
"You know," Caitlyn said as they sat down at the table, "most people don’t force their friends into major sports competitions without asking first."
Vi grinned. "And yet, here you are. Signed up and everything."
Caitlyn sighed. "And why, exactly, do you think I’d make a good Seeker?"
"Because you’re obnoxiously good at flying," Vi said. "And let’s be real, you’re already a massive nerd about strategy. Seekers have to be calm and calculating. It’s perfect for you."
Caitlyn considered this for a moment before taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. "And you?"
Vi smirked. "I was born to be a Beater."
Mylo, sitting across from them, snorted. Vi tossed a bread roll at him.
"Whatever," Vi said, leaning back in her chair. "All I know is that both of us are making the team."
Caitlyn shook her head with mock exasperation, but Vi could see the small, excited smile on her face.
That night, after lights-out, Vi found herself, once again, too restless to sleep. She tossed and turned for a while before finally huffing and sitting up. She glanced toward Caitlyn’s bed across the room and saw that she, too, was still awake, staring up at the ceiling.
"You’re thinking about tryouts, aren’t you?" Vi whispered.
Caitlyn turned her head, eyebrows raised. "You aren’t?"
Vi grinned. "Wanna go steal some snacks from the kitchens and talk about it?"
Caitlyn hesitated for only a second before sitting up and pulling on her cloak.
"Let’s go."