Chapter 22: Quidditch Temporary Selection Test
The sun was slowly setting, faintly visible through the swirling mist. Golden rays pierced through the gaps in the clouds, casting long shafts of light onto the distant mountain range. The scene was grand and majestic, yet it carried a quiet melancholy—like watching an old man fade into twilight.
The weather was still bitterly cold. The wind howled relentlessly across the Quidditch pitch, and from the direction of the Forbidden Forest came the occasional rustle of movement.
Maca arrived at the pitch with Charlotte. He quickly noticed that the grass had clearly been enchanted—it was still a lush green despite the chill of winter.
"You're here? Good, get warmed up—the test is about to begin," Darren greeted him with a cheerful smile as Maca approached.
While Maca stretched his arms and legs to loosen up, Darren introduced him to the official players of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. It turned out that one of the older players was about to graduate. After hearing about Maca's talent, that player had decided to retire early and focus on post-graduation plans—leaving an opening on the team.
After exchanging greetings with the players, Maca noticed that he wasn't the only one trying out. Another fourth-year student had also been invited to this temporary selection. Whether that student benefited from Maca's reputation, or the other way around—who could say? Perhaps a bit of both.
"Alright, let's begin!" Darren smiled again, then shifted to a more serious expression as he began explaining the test.
This impromptu selection was for a new Chaser.
In a Quidditch team, there are three Chasers. Their job is to pass the Quaffle between them and attempt to score by throwing it through one of the opponent's three goal hoops. Each successful shot earns the team ten points.
Chasers need excellent coordination, awareness, and the ability to dodge Bludgers—heavy enchanted balls that Beaters knock toward opposing players. It was clear this position required solid flying skills.
Until the Seeker catches the Golden Snitch, the Chasers must keep scoring to rack up points.
The player who recently retired had been a Chaser, which is why the test followed traditional selection format—three stages.
Stage One: Coordination and Passing
Candidates would fly with the two existing Chasers and be evaluated on their reaction speed and passing accuracy using the Quaffle—the only Quidditch ball that doesn't move on its own.
While sitting on his broom, Maca watched the other fourth-year student stiffly perform some aerial maneuvers. For the first time, he thought—Maybe I really have a shot.
"Not bad, but your reaction speed is too slow. Always be aware of your surroundings!" said Charlotte beside him, smiling as she watched the other student.
Charlotte was Hufflepuff's Seeker and reportedly quite skilled.
"Go on, little junior! I'm calling it now—this spot is yours!" she laughed, giving Maca such a hearty slap on the back that he nearly fell off his broom.
"Whoa! Easy, senior—"
"Stop whining and get going!"
Maca felt like one of those creatures from a Poké Ball, tossed into battle by his enthusiastic trainer. Reluctantly, he flew into the air.
"Let's begin!" shouted Christine, the fifth-year female Chaser, as she passed the Quaffle toward Maca.
Maca immediately sped up and intercepted the ball at the perfect moment. From the sideline, Darren shouted, "Move! Keep moving!" urging him to fly in unpredictable patterns.
"Over here!" another Chaser, Charles, called out from behind him.
Maca, diving slightly downward, didn't even look—he simply tossed the Quaffle over his shoulder. He'd already predicted Charles's position.
"Oh! Beautiful no-look pass!" Darren shouted excitedly from the sidelines.
Maca's observational skills were indeed impressive. He kept track of both teammates' locations while watching the Quaffle's every movement.
"Here!" Christine zipped by underneath him, the gap between them barely ten inches.
Still, Maca didn't miss a beat. In the split second she passed beneath him, he handed off the Quaffle with perfect timing.
Players on the sidelines couldn't help but cheer, and the two experienced Chasers exchanged an excited glance.
That last high-speed maneuver? Christine hadn't even intended to make it—but Maca had completed it flawlessly.
The two senior players decided to push things further, signaling Maca to follow without explanation. Then they sped ahead, flying shoulder to shoulder.
"Keep twenty feet apart and weave forward—high-frequency passing!" Charles shouted.
Maca immediately understood. It was a mid-level technique from The Quidditch Classic Moves Handbook—the Trident Formation.
He quickly took the left wing, and the three of them began weaving tightly together while flying forward at high speed. The Quaffle was passed rapidly among them, creating a mesmerizing rhythm. Even the players watching from the sideline held their breath.
At the final moment, the three split apart in synchronized dives, each charging toward a different goal hoop. Then they gradually slowed to a stop.
Charles glanced sheepishly at Maca. He'd missed the final catch—the Quaffle slipped right through his hands.
"Charles! This is exactly why we never dare use advanced techniques during official matches! And now, look—Maca's a first-year, and he nailed it!" Christine shouted, pointing at Charles with a mix of frustration and teasing.
Maca looked at the sharp, short-haired girl and recalled the exhilaration of their teamwork. It felt incredible.
"Ack—okay, okay! I swear I'll work harder and set a good example for Maca!" Charles laughed, rubbing his head.
It was clear Maca had already impressed the team—in just the first stage.
"Captain, I say we wrap this up! He's the one, no doubt!" Christine shouted to Darren.
Maca saw Darren nod in agreement. Then, glancing at the discouraged fourth-year student nearby, he suddenly felt uneasy about just accepting the win.
It didn't sit well with the image he was trying to build—one of fairness and hard work.
After a moment's thought, he turned to Darren and said,
"I think we should finish the full test. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to the other candidate."
Darren looked at the fourth-year student beside Charlotte, then nodded.
"You're right," he said. "We'll continue with Stage Two—Goal Shooting."