[Revisions: Wednesday, July 17, 2024]

It had been two weeks since Basil sent a letter to his Aunt about his time at Hogwarts, his younger brother's rude behavior towards him, and Headmaster Dumbledore's creepy interaction with him.

With Remus's help, Petunia responded to the letter and informed her eldest nephew to be careful around Headmaster Dumbledore and not to be alone with him. If Headmaster Dumbledore wanted to speak with him, Basil needed to have his Head of House, Professor Snape, with him.

Petunia also advised her eldest nephew to ignore his younger brother and continue learning and having fun. If Harry continued to misbehave and didn't leave Basil alone, Basil could teach him a lesson by using his wrestling moves.

After reading the letter, Basil felt touched that his Aunt gave him a basket of Muggle sweets to share with his close friends. He found it amusing that only Draco and Theodore were amazed by Muggle's sweets, while Blaise, Cordelia, and Daphne already had them growing up but still loved to eat them nonetheless.

Feeling the love, comfort, and reassurance from his Aunt's letter, Basil focused on his studies and having fun. He helped Slytherin earn plenty of points over the two weeks by turning in his work on time, answering questions correctly, and assisting other students in understanding how to perform spells accurately.

It was Tuesday, September 17, 1991. Basil was excited because today was his first day of flying lessons. Last night, in the Common Room, he heard from a 5th-year Slytherin student named Marcus Flint that the flying instructor, Madam Hooch, had returned to Hogwarts after recovering from Dragon Pox.

Basil left his dorm room with Draco, Theodore, and Blaise. They entered the Common Room and saw Marcus speaking with the Slytherin Prefect, Adrian Pucey.

"Marcus!" Basil called out, causing Marcus to turn to him.

"Yeah?" Marcus responded.

"What kind of instructor is Madam Hooch?" Basil asked, looking curious.

Marcus and Adrian exchanged glances when Basil mentioned Madam Hooch.

"Madam Hooch is known and respected by her students because she believes in good sportsmanship, fairness, and clean games of Quidditch," Adrian explained.

"She is a madwoman," Marcus muttered.

"That's because you don't play by the books, you idiot," Adrian snickered.

Marcus shot an annoyed glare at Adrian.

"That's because Gryffindor also doesn't play by the books," Marcus defended.

"Quidditch?" Basil looked at the two older students and then at his friends.

"Quidditch is a Wizarding sport played on broomsticks," Adrian explained. "It is the most popular and well-known game throughout the Wizarding World."

"The passion for this sport is similar to Muggles' passion for soccer/futbol," Blaise added.

"I love playing soccer!" Basil beamed. "I mean, I grew up playing sports all my life. But my passion has always been wrestling and soccer," he smiled.

Marcus eyed Basil from head to toe, which Draco noticed. "Why are you looking at Basil like that?" he asked.

Basil's bright green eyes blinked as he turned his gaze to Marcus.

"You have a Quidditch player's physique," Marcus commented. "Potter, right?" he looked at Basil.

"Yes," Basil nodded.

"No wonder. Your father was a well-known Quidditch player at Hogwarts despite being a Gryffindor," Marcus smiled. "My dad said your father was the best Chaser he had ever seen. And he was a Slytherin Chaser himself," he nodded.

Basil's smile brightened when he heard that his father was athletic like himself.

"It's too bad that you are currently a first-year. Only second-years and up can participate in the upcoming Quidditch tryouts. It would have been cool if you participated now that Madam Hooch has returned. The Slytherin team needs a third Chaser," Marcus groaned.

"It would have been cool if I participated in the upcoming Quidditch tryouts. Don't worry. When I become a second-year, I will try out," Basil warmly smiled.

"I will look forward to that," Marcus said, affectionately ruffling Basil's combed red hair.

"Not the hair," Basil adorably pouted.

Marcus chuckled. "We should all get going. We need to get to the Great Hall for breakfast," he and Adrian escorted the first-years out of the Common Room.

"Hey, guys! I need your help," Blaise spoke up while walking beside Basil and Draco, heading up the stairs with them.

"What's wrong?" Basil looked at Blaise with concern.

"Hermione's twelfth birthday is in two days, and I don't even know what to get her," Blaise frowned.

Basil's bright green eyes widened at the news that his Ravenclaw friend Hermione Granger's birthday was coming up in two days.

"Ah! We have to do something for her birthday," Basil said, looking at his friends.

"We can throw her a birthday party," Daphne suggested while leaving the Common Room and walking up the stairs with Cordelia.

"A birthday party! That's a wonderful idea. But where can we throw a birthday party for her?" Blaise asked.

"Basil, you are Hogwarts Champion. Maybe there is a place we can go to throw a surprise birthday party for Hermione," Draco suggested, looking at Basil.

"We can be your look-outs if you decide to throw a party. You need some adults," Adrian said while Marcus nodded.

"We can also have Professor Snape watching over us. I know he wouldn't mind if we ask him," Cordelia added.

"Having our Head of House aware would be good for us so we wouldn't get in trouble," Daphne agreed.

Basil nodded. "Hogwarts, can you call Helena Ravenclaw for me, please?" he kindly asked.

Everyone fell silent when they felt the castle briefly shake as though it responded to Basil. A few seconds later, Helena Ravenclaw appeared before Basil and his friends.

"What can I do for you, My Champion?" Helena warmly smiled.

Adrian and Marcus looked at Helena and Basil in awe, still unable to believe that Basil was Hogwarts Champion despite being a first-year student.

"My friend Hermione Granger's birthday is coming up in two days. Is there a place within Hogwarts that we can use to host a party in her honor?" Basil asked.

"There is such a room that you can use to host your friend's birthday party. Not many know of its location," Helena explained. "My mother's dear friend, Helga Hufflepuff, created this room so students can use it for their heart's desire. Like a study room or a place that reminds them of home," she looked at Basil and his friends.

"Lady Hufflepuff called it the Come and Go Room. I can show you and your friends when you have the time," Helena warmly smiled.

"What do you guys say? Want to come with Helena and me to the Come and Go Room during study time before dinner?" Basil asked, looking at his friends.

"Not all of us, so we can keep it a secret from Hermione since it needs to be a surprise," Daphne suggested.

"Daphne, Cordelia, Theodore, and I can stay with Hermione at the Library since we all know she will be there during study time," Blaise said.

"Then that settles it. Draco, Marcus, and Prefect Adrian will come with me to check out the Come and Go Room," Basil nodded.

"Let us know what it's like when you see it," Daphne said excitedly.

"Of course!" Basil warmly smiled and turned his gaze to Helena. "I will see you this afternoon near the Library," he told the female ghost.

Helena nodded and disappeared.

"Let's get going! I am getting hungry," Blaise said.

"You only say that because you want to see Hermione first thing in the morning," Theodore teased, causing everyone to snicker while Blaise blushed and glared at his friends.

"Blaise is right. Let's get going," Basil said, turning and walking up the stairs to the Great Hall with his friends following him.