#19 - Mystery Door

Xavier wasn't sure what he was expecting when entering the room. It definitely wasn't this. As he closed the door behind him and stepped inside his mouth hung open slightly in surprise as he tried to wrap his brain around everything he saw. The room was gigantic, and even though he was inside the castle it felt oddly...airy.

A line of stumps started at his end and went single-file towards the opposite side. Each had a candle atop them; was this supposed to lead him somewhere? His adventurous side sparked within him as he continued forward. Noticing a broom and a Quidditch box beside a plaque. What was this?

"It's not the challenges that define skill, but the way they're overcome. Can you weather any condition to achieve your goals? Look up."

Glancing up Xavier let out and audible gasp. There was no ceiling! At least none that he could see. How was that possible? He was in the castle! Although he shouldn't have been surprised, with all t he magic he had already witnessed in his first year here. It still blew his young mind regardless.

Understanding the test he reached down, unlocking the clasp of the box and grabbing the Quaffle. As a Keeper on his house team he would be dealing with Quaffles more than bludgers....he hoped. Although he wouldn't handle them as much as a Chaser would, he still needed to practice throwing and handling it in general and he felt this test was perfect for that.

Tucking the Quaffle under his right arm he picked the broom up with his left and looked it over quickly. It was beautiful, not that he didn't love his own broom but this one felt special. Mounting it he kicked off from the ground and hovered up. Part of him was curious and wanted to see how high he could go, but once he noticed the glowing goal post before him he knew he had to focus. Though with how high he already was, and still no sign of a ceiling, he was still so curious! Did it just go on forever?

"Xavier, focus." He whispered to himself as he centered himself and lined up perfectly across from the goal post hoop. He hadn't had a ton of practice since joining the team, but he was confident. Back at his muggle school he had been on the basketball team. Although this sport was vastly different, it still had the concept of throwing a ball into a hoop!

Holding the Quaffle firmly in his hand he focused his eyes on the hoop and with one hard and confident throw he chucked it and waited to see the result!

The Quaffle soared straight through the hoop. "Yes!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air. It seemed this test might be easier than he thought!

Perhaps he had celebrated too soon. Though as soon as the Quaffle magically reappeared in his hand the room went from calm to chaos in seconds. The sudden gust of wind nearly knocked him from the broom but he held on tightly and was glad that the broom was stable against the gust. Magic. It had to be magic. This kind of weather wasn't normal indoors!

Squinting his eyes against the wind he took his time to get his balance back. This time it wouldn't be as easy. The wind was a bit unpredictable but he lightly licked his index finger -- holding it up above him to try to feel which way the wind was blowing at the moment. It seemed to be blowing a bit more from above and that gave him an idea.

This time when he threw the Quaffle at the goal he threw it a bit higher than normal. Hoping that as it flew threw the air, the wind would push it down and through the goal. He hoped it would work!

The Quaffle failed to make it through the goal, instead bouncing off the edge and falling before disappearing and reappearing in his hand. Xavier growled in disappointment, but let out a sigh of relief as the wind died down.

Only to be replaced with a downpour of rain. Rain? Okay this was definitely magic rain. Either that or this room was open to the skies above. The Gryffindor didn't have much time to think on the matter as he still had more goals to make. It was a bit deflating missing the second one but he still had more chances to succeed. He wouldn't give up just yet.

His robes clung to him, wet and heavy. It was uncomfortable but he ignored it. Instead flipping up his hood to try and shield his eyes from the rain. It was hard but he could still make out the shape of the hoop ahead of him, and ignored the onslaught of rain best he could. It was just some water after all.

Inching a bit closer, he pulled his arm back and threw the Quaffle hard and fast. Hoping this time it would hit it's mark.

Before he could even celebrate making his second goal the room changed yet again. This time into a billowing snowstorm. It chilled Xavier to the bone almost instantly, and he could swear his hair was freezing to his face. He had to make this one quick before he turned into a popsicle. 

Tucking the returned Quaffle under his arm, he quickly blew into his hands and rubbed them together to warm up his fingers. Eyes narrowed to shield from the unrelenting snow he made his next throw. The goal was harder to see now but he was still facing it from the previous throw so he hoped it would go through. Again he threw it hard and quick. Hoping for the best, but also hoping that the goal whether made or missed would make this snowstorm stop!

Xavier let out a sigh of relief as the snowstorm stopped. He had missed this goal which was a bummer, but he was glad the freezing cold was gone. Although he could still feel the frost melting from his robes. He definitely needed to heat up by the fireplace in the common room after this!

Suddenly his vision shifted and everything disappeared. For a moment the boy panicked thinking he had gone blind. Until he saw the faint image of the goalpost before him. He could see, but it was heavily masked by fog. Out of all the obstacles this one seemed the least uncomfortable, but it was unnerving not being able to see much at all. On top of that the silence it brought was creepy.

He only had one more chance though. Two goals made, two missed, and only one last try to go. This was make it or break it. So he took his time. Now that he wasn't freezing or being soaked by rain, or buffeted by wind he waited. Taking a deep breath and thinking. He could see the goalpost before him, or at least what he hoped was the goalpost. There had to be something...

Aha!

Remembering the stump path from the beginning he gazed downwards. It was hard to see through the fog but the single candles atop each stump still let out a warm glow. Just enough that directed him straight towards where the goal would be. Lining himself up perfectly with the glowing path he stared forward. Focusing on the faint hoop before him, focusing so hard he could probably see it with his eyes closed now. Though he wouldn't go that far!

Taking a deep slow breath he centered himself. This was it. His final chance. Raising his throwing arm he took another inhale of breath and with the exhale he swung his arm as hard as his young body would allow. Holding his breath until he found out if it went in or missed. Xavier hoped beyond hope that it would hit it's mark!