Chapter 54 - Quidditch Practice game (1/2)

The next day after Christmas, Edward, Dulcie, Neal, and Tracey traveled to Ireland. While Dulcie and Tracey were touring around, Edward and Neal went to the Quidditch Association of Ireland to report directly.

When Kylan Twigs saw Neal, he was taken back in surprise, ”there must be some kind of mistake. Excuse me for a minute”. He immediately called the scout, who was working in his cabin. When he entered the office, he was surprised to see Neal there. Instead of addressing the head, he walked towards Neal and Edward, who were waiting for him.

He raised his hand for a handshake, ”can't believe we met, at last, Mr. Neal. Steve Twigs”. As Neal took his hand, Kylan shouted, ”oi, Steve, you are ignoring me again”. Only then Steve looked towards him, ”oops, sorry Brother, I forgot you were there for a second in excitement to meet this genius”.

Kylan then said, ”so, you didn't make a mistake? Is this really the boy? When I heard you said a Hogwarts student, I thought he might be a sixth or seventh-year student like that popular seeker Victor Krum. I didn't know that he was this young”.

Then Kylan looked at Neal, ”your name is Neal, right?”. As Neal nodded, Kylan asked, ”what is your age? 14-15?”. Neal replied, ”13, sir. I will be 14 in the upcoming June”. Kylan almost screamed, ”What! You aren't even 14 yet?”. Steve replied, ”well, he is tall for his age, isn't he?”. Kylan nodded, ”yes, it is true. Wait. That's not the point. Steve, did you forget that the minimum age is 14 to even participate in games?”.

Steve then replied, ”well, we can always make exceptions”. Kylan then shouted, ”you idiot. Do you think rules are like clothes or something that you can change whenever it is convenient for you?” Hearing their conversation made Neal disappointed and angry as he expected a different scenario. He looked at Edward who was ready to blow up in anger at any time, ”what should we do now?”.

Before he opened his mouth, Steve argued with him, ”how about you see Mr. Slytherin's skills now and check whether he is suitable for the team or not”. Kylan stepped back in surprise, ”Mr. Slytherin? Who is that?”.

Steve replied, ”who else but him”. As Steve pointed Neal, Kylan looked at him and asked, ”you are Neal Slytherin?”. As Edward and Neal nodded, Kylan stood there like a statue and his back started to sweat while he's thinking, ”dammit. What have I done? How did I miss this? Those people from the House of Avery are lunatics. I can't believe I offended this guy but I also can't give him a spot”.

Kylan cleared his throat and replied politely, ”Mr. Slytherin, I extremely apologize for his actions. I'll write an apology notice in Daily Prophet for the mistake. I can't change the rules, you see”. Neal stood up and said, ”no need. It would make a laughing stock. I'll just say that I wasn't interested and rejected the invitation”.

As Kylan is feeling relieved, Neal continued, ”But, since I came all the way, I will play a small practice game with the National team members”. Kylan nodded with a big smile on his face, ”sure, thank you”. Neal and Edward followed Kylan and Steve on a broom to their practice grounds.

As they went inside, Kylan was embarrassed to see there are no main players except Aidan Lynch, a 21-year-old Ireland team seeker, and captain. Spotting Kylan, Aidan immediately landed and greeted him.

Kylan nodded and asked, ”where are the others?”. Aidan replied, ”well, everyone else is a bit busy today. I'm training the reserve players, right now”. Kylan turned towards Neal and said, ”Mr. Neal, I'm sorry but...”.