Mysti had decided the night before that she’d go and talk to Professor Tawse.  When she was in class, she wanted to approach him, but realized he’d have a class after.  So after her last class that day, Mysti would go see him.  She had known Didymus Tawse for quite a few years now.  He’d known her father from the ministry, and shared the love of quidditch with her entire family.  He’d even been over a few times for their traditional quidditch scrimmages.  So when Mysti found out he’d be joining the Hogwarts staff, she was quite happy.

Transfiguration had been her first class that day, which was what Professor Tawse taught.  That meant there was quite a ways to wait to go talk to him.  After History of Magic, the Hufflepuff girl made her way down the flight of stairs and towards the classroom.  Mysti and the professor had had tea on occasions before, and he had always been a help to her.  Today, two days before a rather big quidditch match against Slytherin, she was in need of advice, and confidence.

She’d made it almost the entire year now as Captain of the Hufflepuff team.  They’ve had their good games and bad ones.  Though for some reason, Mysti was a bit more nervous now. The team had a bit of a “makeover” and some new team members.  She was definitely more nervous when they all started training together, but was fairly proud of how they’d grown.  But a talk to her favorite professor was still very much needed now.

As she entered the room, she saw him standing behind his desk.  She smiled and approached him.

“Professor Tawse? Are you busy?  I was hoping we might be able to have a bit of a chat?”  Mysti was normally an outgoing girl, but something in her voice could convey her need for the talk.  She very much looked up to him and was hoping he’d be able to give her some help for the match, even though she wasn’t sure if teachers were allowed to.

Since joining Hogwarts Didymus had been much happier than he had in many years. Not that he was upset or depressed during those years but he had found the move from the Department of Mysteries to the school...uplifting. The main difference being he could speak about his work! And that was a plus to someone who could talk about the finer points of broom flight or the best colour to wear during the easter holidays for hours at once. Transfiguration, being the dangerous magic it was, however had to be taken seriously. And he had learned that he could not risk the student's safety by telling jokes during a very complicated spell.

Some of his lessons had been quite taxing today. Apart from his first class each of them had had a known trouble maker who wanted to push the new Professor. But he had kept his cool, and a bright smile on his face, and got through the day. With his last class gone the Professor decided to sort out his bookcase. Behind his desk, visible to all who enter the room, was a cornucopia of books  that belonged to the Professor. Most were naturally on Transfiguration but occasionally there was a book about another subject that interested Didymus.

He could of easily reorganized his books by magic; but he believed in using magic for only important reasons. Reaching out with his small arms he picked up a few books and moved them up, down, left and right until they were in an order that he liked. He did this often, after walking in the rain, swimming and gardening it was his favourite therapeutic activity.  As he looked down he saw that he had put on a bit of weight, it was not easy to keep the weight off when you enjoyed cakes and stood at 4'2''.

"Ooooh. Well that isn't good. I should probably do something about that..." He straightened out his robes, once again very colourful.  Today he had decided to wear a bright Green cloak, a yellow shirt, red pants and dark blue shoes. He was sure it looked awful to the passer by but the professor was quite happy with the result of deciding to wear a colour from  each house.

Before he could decide to go for a jog or some other boring activity a loud whistling filled the room. A smile crossed his face as his tea was ready. Not wanting to light a fire in his class room without permission he had charmed the tea pot to heat itself, after all tea was very important, he picked the tea pot, using both hands with a noticeable show of difficulty, and carried it to his desk where he allowed it to stew for a few minutes.

He then heard footsteps and turned around. It was someone he had known for a long time, her father was a good friend and former college. Mystique was a talented young witch, a skilled quiditch player, and to top things off, a Hufflepuff. Being called Professor Tawse by the students he had met outside school before taking his post was still strange. Out of Hogwarts everyone called his Didymus, Didy or Uncle Didymus. However he was sure it would be frowned upon to allow students to use his first name.

"Hello Myst..., ummm Ms.Ketteridge. No dear I am not busy, I was just about to have a cup of tea. Perhaps the only good thing about my new size is a cup of tea lasts longer, would you like a cup?" he smiled as he waved her in. He frowned when she said she wanted to chat. Genuine worry filled his voice, as it would with almost anyone who he thought may be in trouble, "Is there anything wrong? Is your health ok?"   

“Tea sounds wonderful.” She said as she walked closer towards his desk.  “And my health is fine. It’s just...”

Mysti sat down in a chair and paused a moment as she thought about the best way to start. Despite having almost all day having decided she’d come talk to him, she hadn’t figured out how to start. She thought it sounded silly to say it was nerves that brought her there.  But that really was what had caused her to seek out Didymus.  Saying she was scared sounded even worse, but she wasn’t that scared.  So nerves it was.

“Well, I’m a little nervous about Friday’s game. I don’t know if you’ve seen any of our recent practices, but there’s a couple new players.  They’ve been doing better, but I’m afraid come game time it’ll all turn to rubbish. Of course, it’s also Slytherin, and they don’t exactly make things easy.  Plus, this will probably be one of the last games of the season and I don’t want it to be so bad that they don’t let me back as captain.  I’ve really enjoyed it and have learned a lot. And I feel like a lot of people are looking to Hufflepuff to win the match and I’ve been feeling a lot of that pressure.”

It felt good to get that all out.  Though, Mysti hadn’t quite expected it to all come out at once.  But she couldn’t help it once the first part started.  She was fairly certain that through the past few months, Didymus had experienced her ‘thought outbursts’ more than once.  She still felt bad when they did happen, but he was always good with handling them.  He was very much like an uncle to her.  But also a friend.  Oddly enough, he was the one she’d been turning to lately for advice, instead of her housemates or classmates.  The fact that she’d known him longer probably helped.  Plus he’d been through similar situations before.  He’d lived and had more experience than her friends.  And Mysti was thankful that he was there.

“Sorry. I guess that had all been building up. I just... had to get it out.”  She then sat quietly and waited for his response. And some tea.  Tea always helped.

Didymus' hands moved quickly and he poured the tea. Fast reflexes were quite a common trait among Witches and Wizards who's Profession was all about wand work. After the tea had been poured he gave Mysti the cup. In front of her was a bowl of sugar, with a spoon sticking out from it, and a small jug of milk with just enough for a second cup.

Didymus remained silent as she spoke. It made sense really. The Hufflepuffs wanted a win, and although they didn't have the same sort of rivalry as Slytherin and Gryffindor, everyone liked to beat Slytherin. The team had a reputation for foul play and it was not rare for a person to get injured playing against people in green uniforms. Didymus loved Quiditch. But the thought of seeing a student harmed was terrible; infact he had not decided if he would go to the match tomorrow or not.

"Nervousness isn't all bad though. If you weren't nervous you could get cocky, and apart from the fact that few like show offs, it is easy to get comfortable when you think your untouchable.  Now, and I want you to listen carefully, if you lose you lose. Quiditch is, first and foremost, meant to be fun! Like so many things in life it has become about winning and beating others." He took another sip of his tea before he continued. "Now on the Slytherin matter. As you know I am a Hufflepuff," in his mind you never stopped being one, "and perhaps the house most unlike our own is Slyherin. They value ambition and we value fair play. They prefer cunning while we are known for our hard work. Neither ambition or cunningness are bad traits, but when they are mixed with the excitement of sport and the pressure they can turn...nasty."

"I can't promise that they won't try to play dirty, I hope they don't, but if they do they'll be penalised. But please put your safety first, and pass that message onto your team on my behalf. By Merlin's Beard don't jump infront of a bludger or fly into the stands trying to catch the quaffle."

"And I think you will remain captain, what ever the result. You have done very well and your team is young. I don't think a new captain is the best thing for the team. We need someone who can mould the youngsters."

Didymus  moved his hands under the desk as if searching for something. A few seconds latter his hand came back up with a box of Bertie Bots Every Flavour Beans, he liked sweets. "Do you want a sweet?" He said as he offered them to her.

Didymus was right.  Of course, he always had a way of being right.  As she listened to him talk, she realized how silly she’d been.  Nerves weren’t really that much of a bad thing, but she’d just been over-thinking everything.  Quidditch was fun, and had always been fun for Mysti.  That’s why she loved it so much.  Letting Slytherin that much into her head and worry her would make her weaker during the game, and she couldn’t let that happen.

“You’re right. Of course. And I don’t think I’d dive into the crowd for a quaffle.  Unless it’s in front of the Slytherin crowd.” She laughed, joking.

Other teams had lost horribly before and the captains hadn’t been asked to leave.  The only reason captains left is if they either resigned on their own or graduated.  And Mysti wasn’t likely to resign on her own.  Quidditch, and being a captain, had made this year better it seemed.  She enjoyed the responsibility.  And she enjoyed the distraction, as Didymus offered her some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.

“Yes please.” She said as she accepted the box and ate one.  Mysti started coughing, and hastily took a sip of her tea. “Pepper.”

She coughed a little more, drank a little more, then finally cleared her mouth and throat of the taste. “Thank you. I’m definitely feeling better about it. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.”

She sipped some more tea, then set the cup back down. “You’ll be at the match, right? Won’t be overburdened with papers to grade?”

“Thank you. I’m definitely feeling better about it. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.”

"Good, and thank you. How are your family?" He asked; with honest curiosity. He coughed, and appologised, before he spoke again. "There is something you may want to know, but I would prefer if it didn't become public knowledge. But Professor Snark has invited me to an interview - if successful I would be given the Head of Hufflepuff House." His voice was full of excitment, he loved Hufflepuff.

"Yes, yes I'll be at the match - without a doubt. But I'll be rather scared, I don't want any of you getting hurt." Quiditch was a dangerous sport, people had broken bones, people had lost teeth some had even died! He would have his wand ready incase one of the students fell from their brooms. He wouldn't interfere with the match of course but he wouldn't stand still and see a student fall to the ground and break their bones. Taking another sip of his tea. He took out his pipe and lit it, the tobacco substitute he had created himself, which harmed no one.

As he puffed bright orange smoke spiraled towards the top of the class room. Once there it morphed into small smoke quiditch players who began to fly around the class room.

"So, on a more academic level, how are things going with O.W.L study?"

“They’re all well. My brothers are still working on figuring out what they want to do. Parents both still working.” She waited for him to make his announcement then her face lit up with excitement for the professor. “That’s amazing! I know you’ll get it. I can definitely see you as the head of house. You’re the perfect candidate!”

“I don’t want anyone getting hurt either. Of course, that’s always a big risk in playing quidditch.  And part of the thrill of the game.” Mysti didn’t like getting hurt, but it gave her a rush when she nearly missed getting hit by a bludger.  It was exhilarating, and she enjoyed the adrenaline rush.

“I’ve been working on studying, though quidditch has taken over a little this week. But after the match I plan on doing a couple study sessions.  I’ve got friends who are good at different subjects, so I’m sure we’ll all find a way to get together to help each other.  I’m feeling better about some subjects than others, but I’m sure it’ll all turn out well.”

She then watched as the smokey quidditch players zoomed around as she sipped her tea.  It was altogether a quite calming effect. And for that, Mysti was thankful.