“Wow, congratulations,” Lily said, her eyes wide.

Kashan smiled. “Thanks,” she said, not letting go of Lily; she was feeling ecstatic, for some reason she could herself not comprehend. “I’ll need to rearrange tryouts, though,” she added, her face brightening up even more. “We’re one chaser short, now that Victoria’s left, you know.”

Lily suddenly laughed. “Tell me about it,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I mean, come to think of it, only a fortnight ago, Quidditch didn’t matter to you at all. Now you’re the team captain. That’s what is called a miracle, I suppose.”

“No,” Kashan said, correcting Lily. “That’s what is called falling in love.”


Friday. The first word that popped into Kashan’s mind, as the bell announced that school was over, was tryouts, which were scheduled for that day. As she shouldered her firebolt, waiting until the school had almost cleared of students, Lily made her way over to her.

“Good luck, Captain,” she said, clapping Kashan on the back. Kashan beamed. “I’ll be back in a minute, just getting myself something to eat while you sweat it out.”

As Kashan stepped out into the grounds, though, she was surprised to see the Goldam team already there, apparently making ready for a practice session. Kashan frowned; but she had booked the pitch today. Her eyes instantly found Tanzeel, standing not far off, talking to – David.

“Excuse me,” she said to the nearest player. “I think Greensoph booked the pitch for today.”

The boy looked surprise. “Really?” he asked, politely. “You’d better talk to Tanzeel then.”

That was exactly what Kashan did not want to do. However, glancing at her watch, she realized the rest of the team would be there any minute. Mustering up all her courage, she made her way over to where Tanzeel stood. He did not even both to glance up as she approached.

“Umm, Tanzeel?” she said, trying not to sound tentative. He looked up, his hair messier than she had ever seen it before; of course she fell in love with it all over again. Keeping back a slight smile, she plowed on. “I booked the pitch for Greensoph tryouts today.”

Without a word, he drew a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it over to her. Kashan glanced at it; it was obviously a note from the Goldam Head of House. “So what?” Kashan said finally, looking up. “I still booked the pitch.”

“So you can get going,” Tanzeel replied dryly, turning away. It was then Kashan nearly threw a fit. “I booked the pitch for today last week so, technically, a note date just yesterday can’t do anything about it,” she told him, more coldly than she had herself intended to. “You can get going.”

Tanzeel turned around. “Are you sure you want to fight with me?” he asked, his tone icy. Before Kashan could even think of a reply, he was already beckoning to his team. Half a minute later, the pitch was empty except for her.

“You okay?” a voice asked, shaking her out of her stunned condition. Blinking, Kashan realized it was Lily, a bag of biscuits dangling from her right hand. Shaking her head, as if trying to get rid of a particularly irksome fly, Kashan forced herself to nod.

“Never better.”