The Flow of Our Years

February 23rd, 1975

There was a feeling of frenzy going around at Hogwarts. Students were running around, some were still in class, but unable to focus. Today was a very special day as Ravenclaw was playing against Slytherin for the second Quidditch match of the season. It was cold outside, and the wind made the temperature feel lower than it actually was. Fortunately, it wasn't raining but everyone had prepared thick coats over their uniforms.

Agnes was still in Potions when she heard a group of 3rd Years run through the corridors, screaming in excitement. Professor Slughorn seemed so focused on his own speech he had not notice the Slytherin students already packing their bags to leave as soon as possible once the class was over.
Agnes was sitting next to Hassan Shafiq, the prefect of Ravenclaw's house. They had become close friends as Hassan also attended the duel club. They were completing a Herbicide potion and were careful not to spill any on them.

A few minutes later, Slughorn was announcing the end of class and the flow of students disappeared in the corridors, Agnes included. Hassan grabbed her hand and they sprinted together to the Quidditch stadium. She still remembered last summer when she had attended the Quidditch World Cup with the Dunbars. It was such a good memory and she had gained interest in the spot after that. She could now understand the craze surrounding Quidditch.

They had found the best seats possible, right in the middle. On their left was the Professors booth, where all the Houses representent were already seated, waiting for the match to begin. Slughorn arrived later than the others, and professor McGonagall scolded him for almost missing the kick-off.

Hassan was making sure the first years from Ravenclaw were in the right seats, and that the older students weren't misbehaving or planning to jinx the Slytherin players. Ravenclaw needed to win that year's House Cup. The prefect explained to Agnes how they had lost to Slythering that previous year, so this match HAD to be won by the Ravenclaws.

A few minutes later, the match began. Supporters were shouting in all directions, and some had brought binoculars to look for the snitch by themselves. Agnes felt a hand on her shoulder and when she turned around, Joshua Dunbar was here.

- hey big sis'! How is it going? We just finished classes! said the young wizard.

Behind him, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and another shorter boy Agnes had seen a few times were looking at the match, all excited.

- Are you here to support Ravenclaw? Agnes asked.

- Anything for Slytherin to lose!! Sirus Black shouted, so that the young witch could hear him over the supporters yelling. By the way, nice to meet you, I'm Sirius! I heard you came over to Grimmauld Place last year, sorry I wasn't there to save you from my mother and cold-blooded cousins.

- Nice to finally meet you properly, Sirius. I'm Agnes Lenoir, Joshua's... sister!

Her brother seemed glad she had mentioned their blood-relation. He put his arm over her shoulders affectively and they all turned their head towards the pitch at once when the first points were won by Ravenclaw. The crowd was screaming loudly to support the players who were flying around the pitch, ready to win more points. 

James Potter was looking very carefully at both teams' seeker, trying to detect their every move and was sometimes randomly shouting some Quidditch lingo Agnes was not familiar with. Remus came to seat next to the young woman, and they shared a smile to salute each other. 

Sirius was yelling some insults towards the Slytherins while the shorter kid was repeating what James was saying with much more fervor. According to Remus, that kid named Peter Pettigrew was James' biggest fan, but also one of his closest friends. 

The excitement of watching Slytherin lose a Quidditch match was a the fuel for their enthusiasm, but Slytherin was now leading the game, with fourty points above the Ravenclaws. James had borrowed some binoculars from a 2nd year and was looking thoroughly for the golden snitch. The thick clouds in the sky were announcing heavy rain incoming. Students were still eagerly supporting their house players, but a few professors had already left, wanting to go back to the warmth of the castle. Professor McGonagall was holding on to the front barrier as one the chaser from Slytherin had almost scored one more time. She really was invested in the game, thought Agnes. 

Next to the young woman, Remus Lupin was shaking his legs, starting to get cold. he was not wearing any winter coat. Agnes grabbed her own blue scarf and tied it around his neck. He seemed shock by hest kind gesture, and stared at her in confusion.

- You don't mind being a Ravenclaw for a minute, do you? She asked, pointing at the House scarf. 

- Thanks. He said, touching the thick cloth falling on his shoulders. 

The others weren't paying attention to them and Joshua was pairing with Hassan to sing some rather unflattering songs they had made up against Slytherin, which made Agnes and Remus laugh. 

Ravenclaw were now back in the game and their scores were tightening with their opponents'. The stadium's atmosphere had heated up as the teams' seekers were now chasing the snitch actively. James and Sirius were staring at the pitch, mouth open and eyebrows frowned. There was no time for joking now that the match was about to end.

Both seekers dived down towards the grass, trying to reach for the snitch, but no one could see who was closer. In the last moment, the Slytherin player refracted and flew right back up to avoid crushing onto the ground. 

At last, the game finished, and the referent called for the players to stop playing, announcing that the golden snitch has been caught. Laying down on the field, the Ravenclaw's seeker was holding proudly the little golden flying ball. His leg was in a weird position and AGnes could swear it was broken. But they had won. And at Quidditch, winning was everything. 

The crowd screamed, shouted, cried in happiness (including the little group where Agnes was seating) while the Slytherin supporters were leaving the stadium, obviously disappointed.

Back at the Ravenclaw common room, the atmosphere was ecstatic. People were jumping around, dancing and singing to celebrate their victory. Some had brought sweets and all sorts of candies from Honeydukes. Today was a day of celebration. Hassan Shafiq himself had forgotten about his prefect duties and was moving his hips on one of the tables, encouraged by his housemates. 

Agnes was singing and dancing as well, her cheeks reddened by the heat of the room. 

***

March 13th, 1975

Agnes was sitting down in the headmaster Albus Dumbledore's office. She was holding an expensive-looking tea cup where she sipped a few mouthfuls of warm black tea. Dumbledore walked down the stairs, a beautiful red bird staying on his shoulder. 

- Fawkes always wanders around the school. I wonder why he honors us of his presence today, the old wizard said, petting the bird's beak.

Agnes had been invited to share the daily tea time with the headmaster, who seemed eager to get to know more about her elemental powers. She had not practiced for a long time, now that she knew someone at school had discovered her powers. She meant to be careful as for anyone else could know about it. 

The beautiful red bird flew from the old wizard shoulder to Agnes' laps, almost spilling her tea. Fawkes was looking at her curiously, and seemed to ask for some pets. She carefully lowered her hand and touched his feathers, which were surprisingly warm and soft. 

- Fawkes is very affectionate to those who value the gift of mother nature. He must know you are connected to the elements just like he is. Fawkes' a phoenix, you see. Now, which elements have you practiced so far? Dumbledore asked, sitting down at his desk and serving himself some tea.

- Only water and air for now, professor. 

- I believe you might be able to master other elements as well. Let us try, would you? Have no fear, I will be here in case you lose control. 

Professor Dumbledore and Agnes had discussed the potential of her elemental powers and how she could practice to enhance her skills to use this magic safely. As she had once seen back at Beauxbatons when her and her friends had been in a critical situation at the river, when Agnes had lost control of the water power.

Have no fear.

As she was stroking Fawkes' head, she felt a stronger heat under her palm. A moment later, both her hand and the bird were on fire. 

Agnes screamed and stood up, making the phoenix bird fly away. Strangely, it wasn't burning or anything, it was just warm and... comforting. 

She had made fire, and she could control it.