Callum’s father had sent him an owl about coming up for the next Hogsmeade weekend in May. The last one before exams. Admittedly, the Slytherin had been a little agitated by the news- he was expecting to spend it with his friends, relaxing before exams, but his dad informed him that they were meeting for lunch at Signature and for him to not only be on his best behavior but to be well dressed. He had no desire to anger his father so close to summer holidays. So he obeyed.

He got up early, put on a pair of his nicer wizards robes, and went with the rest of the kids down to Hogsmeade. He had fun early in the day- spending money, goofing off with the guys, flirting with pretty girls- but soon it was time for lunch, and he had to make his way over to Signature to have lunch with his father.

Fitzgerald Knight was very much the intimidating wizard. He stood just over six feet tall, and had the same build as his son- thick and muscled. He wore delicately tailored robes of expensive material, his dark hair slicked to one side. Mr. Knight looked every bit the wealthy, upstanding, pureblood wizard that he was. His posture was stiff, and when he saw his son he gave half a smile- shaking the boy’s hand instead of embracing him in a hug.

Callum returned the gesture, standing still as his father inspected him. Fitzgerald adjusted his son’s tie, and used his wand to smooth out the few wrinkles that Callum’s robes had acquired from their lack of use. “You look presentable,” was his response as he opened the door, guiding his son inside.

The Slytherin was bursting with questions. He wondered why his father had randomly come up to Hogwarts for lunch. It wasn’t like him. The only answer that Callum could provide was to encourage (or  scare him) into performing well on his OWLs which were coming up far too soon.  They were led to a table, and offered menus. His father spoke quietly to the Signature employee, pressing a few coins into his hand as he walked away.

“We’re expecting another,” Fitzgerald informed his son. “And you are not to have any of the wine which I am ordering…” He continued on, instructing Callum on the things he wasn’t to do. He wasn’t to curse, he wasn’t to be sarcastic, he wasn’t to order cheaply- in fact, Fitzgerald informed Callum exactly what meal he was going to order. Callum had no idea what was going on at this point- this lunch, quite obviously, had absolutely nothing to do with his OWLs which left Callum clueless and agitated. He didn’t like being treated like a child, and did not like being left in the dark of whatever his father was planning.

About fifteen minutes later another well dressed wizard was led to their table. He took the empty seat, and shook hands with Fitzgerald, throwing Callum a very toothy smile. “And you must be Callum Knight!”

Callum blinked. What in the hell was going on here? “I am.” Was his only response.

“Good, good! I’m Jackson Knowlton- pleasure to meet you, Callum!” Callum just stared blankly, and gave his father a very confused expression. His dad did not offer further explanation, and neither did this new person.

“Pleasure is mine, Mr. Knowlton.” That was the appropriate response. But Callum had no clue who this guy was.

“Let’s save business for later. It always spoils my appetite,” Fitzgerald said with a laugh. Then the wine was brought to the table- and the new man complimented the choice.

Fitzgerald ordered appetizers. He talked about the state of the country with Knowlton. They discussed the minister, those on the wizengamot, what was going on in the news- mostly about Dugan MacDuff, his father attempting to dodge questions about how closely he was related to the MacDuff family. (The Knights were purebloods, which tied them to most- if not all other pureblood families in the wizard world.) They discussed what steps the aurors were taking to combat the threat- if any. All things that Callum had no opinion about, and only heard about via the prophet while he was at Hogwarts rounding out his magical education.

They ordered their lunch, his father assuring Mr. Knowlton that money was not an issue when he began to closely inspect the menu. Then Fitzgerald suggested some of the finer dishes, raving about how delicious they were. Eventually all three had ordered, received their lunch, and had finished. Fitzgerald then ordered coffee and dessert. Callum could tell that his father was schmoozing. He was trying to get something out of this man. Fitzgerald was not normally so charming or kind. He was usually short tempered and no nonsense. Small talk was not something that Callum’s father participated in because he enjoyed it.

“So, Callum my boy, I think it’s time we got down to business!” Knowlton said, turning his attention to the Slytherin.

“Business?” Callum asked.

“Yes, yes! Business! I saw the last quidditch game you played in. Was impressed to see the way you bounced back after taking that beater’s bat to the face. That was some real dedication there! The kind of dedication that they look for in the pro league.”

Callum coughed on his water, eyes growing wide. Pro league? Was this guy really on about what Callum thought he was on about? “It wasn’t too awful,” was Callum’s response. “I’ve been hit harder.”

“So modest!” Knowlton laughed. Fitzgerald chuckled too, reaching over to clap his son on the back.

“Mr. Knowlton is a quidditch agent,” Fitzgerald finally explained. “He thinks you have what it takes to go pro. There are a couple of teams that wouldn’t mind having you- but since you’re underage until October, they’ve had to come through me. I’ve hired Mr. Knowlton to help get you a decent contract and make sure that you don’t ruin your future by going pro. If you wanted to, that is.”

Callum couldn’t help the broad smile that crossed his face. Him- going pro! Before he graduated Hogwarts, even. Now that was exciting! He knew he had been working hard at the game, but didn’t realize he had performed so well at the last game. Then again, he knew any team that picked him up so young would drop him on the second string- and he wouldn’t see much play for at least a couple of years. Even so, it sounded exciting. “Do you think it’s a good idea to leave Hogwarts to play quidditch?” he asked his father.

“Well- you’re young. And once Imogen graduates you’re going to be getting married. So that only gives you four years to get most of the… growing up and other things out of your system. I presume that quidditch would be a very quick and very effective way to get all of that out of your system. Besides, your contract would have a clause about you having tutors so that you could still sit your NEWTs in two years. That way when the quidditch bug is done biting you can get a real career.”

Callum could tell that his father had already made the decision for him. He had hired an agent, had thought through everything, and Callum wouldn’t be surprised if his dad had already signed a contract or two without telling his son. That was something Fitzgerald would do- capitalize on the last few months his son would be underage.

“It’s a dream come true!” Knowlton added. “You’re quidditch captain, put on a good show, good at what you do. Professional quidditch is a great way to make good money and make it fast. And with you joining so young, you’ll have a lot of good years in you.” Obviously Knowlton didn’t think Callum would quit the game after just a few years to get married and settle down. “I bet we can find you a team you’d fit in with, and a good one too. There are already a couple of semi-pro teams who have given your da’ a call. And at least one professional team looking for a second string beater who want to train you right.”

A professional team- wow. Callum was floored. He looked to his dad, in disbelief. “You’d really let me leave Hogwarts to play quidditch?”

“After you get your OWLs you’re legally allowed to leave,” Fitzgerald reminded him. “And in October you’ll be a legal adult. So I don’t see why it would hurt. Besides, it would be a great opportunity to see you pass it up.”

Callum had a feeling his father was also going to capitalize on this in some way or another- but wasn’t sure exactly how. Even so, Callum wasn’t sure this was a decision he should make off the cuff. But he didn’t have any other plans for his future. “I don’t know what to say.”

Knowlton grinned. “Think about it! You’ve got the summer to decide before you go back to Hogwarts. But the faster you give us the green light, the quicker we can make arrangements and the faster you can start the career of a lifetime.”

He looked to his father. “Take time to decide, Son. But I thought I would let you know. A little extra incentive to do even better with your owls. Of course Knowlton and I have some finer details to iron out. You can go on now and spend the rest of the day with your friends if you’d like. I’m sure the rest of what we have to talk about would be particularly boring for you.”

Callum blinked. Wow. That was sudden and… weird. He slowly stood up, still giving his father a confused expression. “I… will think about it.” Fitzgerald rose as well- excusing himself for a couple of minutes to walk his son to the door.

They paused by the doorway when Callum felt his father’s hand rest on his shoulder. “I am hoping you will take advantage of this, Callum. It will be great for the Knight family, and is going to be the only freedom you will have before you get married. I know that you’re going to need to get other women out of your system, as well as the goofing off and partying. This way you can do it away from Hogwarts without Imogen finding out- so long as you are careful. It’s imperative that you marry the Marsh girl- it will be good for our family, but if you don’t get this out of your system first then the marriage won’t last and you’ll make a fool of us all.”
 
Callum wasn’t surprised that was his father’s motivation. It would look better for everyone, would make this whole arranged marriage thing run more smoothly. “I’ll think about it, Father.”

“You do that,” Fitzgerald said. “Just make sure that you make correct decision.”

Callum left the restaurant, unsure of what he wanted to do with this newfound information. He didn’t know if he wanted to play professional quidditch. He had always thought that there would be more for him after Hogwarts than sports. But his dad was right- it would give him a hell of a lot of freedom over the next four or five years, which he would regret giving up if he didn’t do it. He was definitely going to have weigh this one very carefully. There was the chance if he said no that his father would be very angry with him, but saying yes could also ruin his future if he didn’t manage to keep up with studies and sit his NEWTs in just two years time- and if that happened, what would he do after quidditch? Be a washed up quidditch star? That didn’t sound promising.

He was only sixteen. Callum wasn’t sure how fair it was to expect him to make a decision about the rest of his life in the matter of only a few weeks. (He knew his father was going to demand an answer shortly after he returned home from Hogwarts- that was just how his father was.) But he didn’t seem to have an option. Maybe he should thank Fauna for hitting him in the face- he had a feeling, were it not for that display, this meeting wouldn’t have taken place.