The newly-minted Captain was eager to start his reign of terror duties. Notices were up in the common room and people were already beginning to put their names down. But nerves had begun to set in. Keefer had never been Captain of anything, much less Quidditch. How do you hold tryouts, how often should there be practices, how do you know which players to put in which positions, when are rosters due...?

All this and more and more was swirling through the poor Puff's head as he approached Vindictus's office. He raised his hand and knocked once, twice, three times upon the wooden door, anxiously awaiting an answer from within.

Alyssa walked up to the Deputy Headmaster and Quidditch Professor. She was there to ask the Professor whether he needed help cleaning and polishing the broomsticks or the locker rooms. Alyssa made sure that her shoes were clean before she reached up to knock on the office door.

KNOCK! KNOCK!. Then she waited patiently for an answer.

Even though she thought that talking to her head of house wasn’t the best idea, Gwendolyn decided to follow her friend’s advice. At least if I do something stupid, I have someone to blame!, she thought and hoped that it wouldn’t be the case. When approaching Professor Vindictus’ office, Gwen started to realize what her friend kept telling her. Indeed, her head of house was probably the best person to give her advice.

*knock -knock*

Taking a deep breath, the Ravenclaw waited for the door to open.

Professor Vindictus was deeply engrossed in creating the schedule for the upcoming Hogwarts Quidditch season and sincerely hoped that the students would get the hint that he didn't want to be bothered by the fact that he had his door locked.

But the knocking proved him wrong.

Taking a deep sigh of resignation, he laid his quill down and used his wand to unlock his door.

"Come on in!" he called out rather loudly and sat back in his office chair. Hopefully those who were knocking weren't going to waste his time.

"Good morning Professor, I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule. I just stopped in to ask you whether you needed any chores to be done, like help polish and clean the brooms and cleaning out the locker rooms. I know that they tend to get dirty after flying lessons and especially after Quidditch tryouts, practices and the games. I know that chances are you are very busy working on the schedules and other important stuff you do, and may not have the time to do that. I would be most happy to assist you."Alyssa hoped that he wouldn't take her offer as an insult.

Is it too late to back out?!, the Ravenclaw asked herself and glimpsed back at the castle. Suddenly, the door opened and Professor Vindictus’ voice could be heard. Probably even from the common room…

Now it is definitely too late to go back, the girl told herself. ‘Hello Professor’, Gwendolyn said as she walked in. If this goes wrong, I’ll definitely have who to blame for it!, the third year thought, really awaiting for Vindictus’ reaction to what she was going to say.

Vindictus blinked twice.

Twitch.

"Are you insinuating that my immaculate locker rooms are in dire need of scrubbing and that I place filthy brooms into storage at the end of the term?" he asked cooly as he leaned forward on his desk.

Deep breath.

Keep calm. Don't raise your voice. Try to be polite. That's right . . . keep calm.

"I thank you for your eagerness to help, but when I am in need of student assistance, I always make it a point to post an announcement in all common rooms so that all students have the same opportunity to earn extra points for their extra work. Thus said, I must decline your offer of assistance, Alyssa."


"Gwendolyn. Is there something I can help you with?" he asked calmly.

Vindictus looked quite busy, so the third year decided it would be best to just say everything as quick as possible. ‘Well…’, she began saying, not knowing how exactly she should start. Just straight to the point…., Gwen told herself, trying to actually do so. ‘I realized what job I’d like to have after I graduate’ Hmph. Maybe it is too soon to think about it, but what is the point in postponing it if I am sure NOW. ‘I would like to become a healer’, the girl finally sad, expecting the Professor either to laugh or to be mind-blown.

Well, perhaps I should have turned to the healer for help, Gwen thought. But Vindictus was still her head of house… Hmm.. ‘But I don’t actually know what is necessary to be done in order to become a healer. This is why I came to talk to you’, the Ravenclaw said, waiting for a reaction.

.

Alyssa was taken aback when she heard the Professor's reply to her question. She had not meant to offend the Professor or imply that he would leave his office or the lockers or even the broomsticks in bad condition. She had only to help him just in case he had other important things to do. Thanks goodness he hadn't deducted house points from her. When she heard the Professor decline her offer assistance, Alyssa quickly said,"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Professor. I do check the Common Room boards everyday, so I will look out for your notice for assistance, if any." She then quickly took a few steps backwards and turned around and exited his office.

Keefer took a tentative step inside. Vinductus sounds... There was no other word for it. ...vindictive. Now he was nervous.

"Hullo, Professor. I hope you're doing well." He looked at the massive stack of parchment on the desk. "Er, actually I can see you're rather busy, so I'll make this quick." Super quick, so as not to be yelled at.

"I was just wondering if you had any advice or tips for me. I've never been in charge of anything, much less been a Quidditch Captain. I don't have any idea how to choose my team or hold practices." Or do anything related to Captaincy. "But if you don't have time, I can come back later..." Or not at all.

"And I'm thrilled that you came to me for career advice," replied Vindictus and he opened one of his desk drawers. He reached inside the file marked 'careers' and pulled out a brochure. "This should be a bit of light reading for you, but the basic core classes for those pursuing a career in healing are pretty basic - potions, herbology, charms, and transfiguration. If this pamphlet doesn't answer all of your questions, you might want to arrange a meeting with our school healer."

He handed the pamphlet to Gwen. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"



"You're underestimating your abilities, Keefer. Every captain tends to copy what captains before them did. Some captains hold tryouts for each position while others try to run a game," Vindictus explained. "Sometimes, you go with your gut instinct. The same goes for selecting your team - you're going to be playing with them so make sure you pick athletes that you trust in the air. Make sure the Beaters can hit the Bludger and not throw their bats at you, that the Chasers can throw the Quaffle with accuracy while flying at a high rate of speed, and the Seeker should be quick and agile and able to catch a tiny object. Oh, and make sure the Keeper isn't scared of having objects thrown at them. The absolute worst is to have a Keeper who's scared on game day and keeps on falling off their broom each time the Quaffle is headed directly at them. "

Underestimating? Doubt it. He suppressed a tiny smile. So far he was copying what others had done. But what he wanted to know was how to go above and beyond, to raise the bar.

"Well, yes, those are the essential qualities of each position," he admitted. He did actually know a bit about Quidditch, after all. "But what do you do when you have five great people for 3 positions? How do you narrow it down? It just seems like you're blindly guessing who'll be good and improve the most."

Huh?!? Thrilled?, Gwendolyn repeated in her head. Did he just say ‘thrilled’? Out of all the reactions she thought Professor Vindictus might have, she wouldn’t have guessed he would say that. ‘Thank you’, the Ravenclaw replied as she took the brochure. Looking at it, Gwen read the main headings and realized it could be really helpful.

As she listened to the Professor talk, Gwen nodded. The thing about the classes wasn’t something new to her. And it wasn’t a problem either. Potions was her favorite subject… Charms and Transfiguration were also all right aaand Herbology—Meh, she'll have time to work on her skills.

After glimpsing back at the brochure, the third year decided to get it all out now. ‘I find this very useful… but… ummm… I was also thinking about the practical part. I have only practiced a few healing charms so far, actually. And I’m not sure what I should do’ There.

"You might want to ask the other professors about what spells you're allowed to practice," suggested Vindictus.

He's delayed this long enough. And it didn't matter if he had to wait forever until he could finally speak to Vindictus. He needed to. The Hufflepuff and Head Boy in him was begging him to come here.

So, here he was Vindictus. And yes, he was going to apologize.

Knock, knock. Be there.

"Come in!" Vindictus replied rather loudly as he continued to read the sports section in the Daily Prophet. One article in particular made him frown and he entertained a thought of writing to the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. If England was to have a fighting chance in the World Cup in two years, they needed to make changes immediately. Losing to Lichtenstein in a European Cup qualifying game wasn't encouraging.

As soon as he heard his voice he got nervous. What a ridiculous thing, honestly. Vindictus couldn't have such power over him. Yet he proved he did back when he'd yelled at the Head Boy.

Nice.

Either way, the boy stepped inside, "Professor," and the man was frowning...AWESOME. Just what he needed. Not. "I...trust you're having a good day," it was extremely clear that some news had upset him, but it was probably nothing to be so concerned about, right? After all, what news could upset Vindictus? Some team losing? They'd win, eventually. Or disappear. Whatever.

"I came to apologize for leaving the Pitch so abruptly after our game." Nod. He could probably sit, but this wasn't going to take much time, anyway, "Though I still think it was very unreasonable on your behalf to make such accusations." VERY unreasonable, considering he had no proof.

Vindictus put his paper down and looked at the Hufflepuff. "What gives you the illusion that I'm having a bad day? My goddaughter refuses to play for England as long as they have that idiot coach. But enough about that. Sit down and calm your mind," he said. "A blow to the head during a game can give one the effect of having a wrackspurt infestation, Dominic. And you did hear about the Ravenclaw captain, didn't you? She got hit with a Bludger during practice. Now what accusations are you speaking of?"

O_O

Perhaps the grounds was the worst place for a Professor to keep an office. All this time he thought Williamson had overreacted without a reason...

It was obvious Treyen was NOT sitting down. The less time he could have with Vindictus the better. Plus, if the grounds were the ones that made you crazy, then he'd rather stay in the Castle, with...Scabior? That other option wasn't too appealing, but at least the man didn't talk much.

Er...wait, what? "I'm not Dominic." What Dominic was he talking about, though? He didn't know any Dominic at Hogwarts, by the way. At least not in Hufflepuff, and he was wearing Hufflepuff robes, mind you. Maybe it wasn't the grounds, but WWW was getting to Vindictus. Either that, or his age. Poor man.

No wonder Simon wanted to give him a walking stick.

OUCH. That hurt. The Ravenclaw Captain part. Soft spot, no doubt. "Mmhmm, I heard." And then he forgot everything. Whatever he'd come here for. Plus, he knew Vindictus had said something else but his mind didn't process it. "Er, what did you say?"

"Ellie took a Bludger during practice and is now resting in the hospital wing," replied Vindictus. "Do you think she'd purposely miss a game? The entire team is still shaken over the incident. I'm surprised you didn't know about it. Perhaps the stress of being Head Boy and preparing for your NEWTs made you forget, Mr. Denton."

He leaned back in his chair. "Tell me, have you noticed your head of house acting rather, ahem, fidgety, in these past few weeks?"

Geez. SERIOUSLY? Was he still going to mention that? He should stop. He knew it, okay? Hadn't he been the one to stay by her side until she woke up. Of course, he was free to leave once she did. And the best thing he'd come up with was to come to Vindictus?

Well, yes, he supposed the man would be glad that his team made it to Championships, therefore...in a better mood? He seemed to be in need of a Healer himself, truth be told. "I know." HE KNEW, Vindictus. But...wait, what??? "No, she'd never miss a game on purpose," he started to say, and started to frown too, "Quidditch means everything to her." Something Vindictus probably already knew but simply forgot? Because he was forgetting a lot of things, it seemed.

And his frown deepened. "I'm not Mr. Denton, EITHER." Nor was he going to say his name.

WAIT. Denton? Dominic? Wasn't he--?

He'd been the Head Boy that belonged in Hufflepuff. Before him, that is. The one that came to school with his sister.

"My Head of House? Which one? Mr. Masterson?" Because Merlin knew in which time his mind was working on.

Vindictus shook his head. "There is only one head of each house. You should know that," he said matter-of-factly. "At least you know not to snog your sweetie behind the Broomshed when you think no one is looking."

Wink.

"Perhaps it is I who should remind your head of house about proper decorum. If you happen to catch her with the groundskeeper snogging behind his hut, please alert me. I've already warned her once."

Awkward pause.

"Ahem, forget that I said that. She's going to box my ears if she gets word that I let that slip in front of a student. Now if you'll excuse me, Dominic, I should get things ready for tea. Valon prefers a specific blend and Annie won't be satisfied unless there are some chocolate treats," Vindictus said as he stood up.

"No? Then off with you. Make sure you bring Ellie some daisies to cheer her up. Girls always like receiving flowers."

And he didn't answer. Why, yes, Treyen knew they only had one, he just wasn't sure IF Vindictus was aware of it. Or if he knew they were currently in 2077.

Was...Vindictus talking about snogging? That was...so, incredibly, awkward. Now Treyen was completely regretting coming here in the first place. Yes, it wasn't until NOW that he regretted it. Granted, Treyen said ABSOLUTELY nothing. He barely even moved. He was being extra careful with this particular Ravenclaw now.

Also...Hadley and the groundskeeper? Man, Treyen shook his head, that was some information he'd rather not have.

Valon? Annie? Yeah, he was sure he had no idea who any of those were. Not that it matter. He was free to leave Vindictus' office right now, and he was going to, no doubt. "Yeah, sure. I'll see you, Professor." He was blaming WWW for this, somehow.

Lockhart out. NOT Denton.

Vindictus watched as Treyen left his office. Now that was . . . weird. Perhaps Treyen is stressed out from studying, but talking back is NOT acceptable! Maybe I should speak with Tate regarding the seventh years snapping at their elders.

But there were things to do outdoors and the newspaper lay forgotten on his desk. Vindictus walked out of his office and locked the door.