Nicholai stood aside as other students made their broom choices and when it was his turn he only took a cursory glance before selecting one. He doubted that the professor would have provided any inferior brooms; particularly in the interest of fairness. Though he did attempt to select the cleanest of them and quickly noted that though well-used, it was obviously well cared for and the tail twigs had been recently trimmed.

He took his place on the edge of the pitch, not yet mounting the broom and waited for further instructions.