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[Professor Llwellyn]

Ahh January. Bitterly cold winds, several feet of snow on the ground and therefore the ideal time to introduce some of the more dangerous or delicate aspects of flying. So cheerful was Professor Llwellyn feeling that he melted a path through the snow so that his students could reach the quidditch pitch without drowning. Once there he climbed onto his broom and floated lazily a yard above the ground, warming himself on a magical fire which hung in the air alongside him. Such decadence was not his normal style, but it was one of the undeniable perks of being a wizard. Besides, it was only a matter of time until the students arrived.

[Mary Lynn Wilkins]

Although she might not have chosen it or even taken the idea seriously before she came to Hogwarts, Mary had to admit to herself that broomstick flying wasn't at all as unpleasant as her brother considered it to be. She was not quite as set in her ways as Joe, so she did not automatically shrug the whole business of as unnatural. It seemed to be a useful skill to learn and so far not all that difficult. She had even thought about the possibility of buying herself a broom over the summer holidays, for then the ban on first years using their own would no longer apply to her.

It was with a degree of excitement that she headed out towards the quidditch pitch for her next flying lesson, wondering to herself what kinds of techniques she was going to be shown today. It was particularly thoughtful of the professor in her mind to go out of his way to clear a path through the snow, even though it was clear to her that once they were airborne they wouldn't need to concern themselves about the dusting of white on the ground all that much.

Arriving at the pitch, Mary noted that the professor was already riding on his own broom. "Hello Professor" she called up to him, the glanced around to see if there was a supply of school brooms laid nearby. Surely the professor wasn't the only person who would get his feet off the ground, she only hoped that the professor hadn't buried them under the snow somwwhere and that their first task wouldn't be to dig them out.

[Emmanuelle Armand]

Emmanuelle trudged through the mountains of snow until she finally reached the path the headmaster had made to the Quidditch pitch. In her mind, this class was a huge waste of her time; her father had taught her to fly a broom when she was six. If it weren't for the rumor she'd heard that Llwellyn wouldn't allow anyone who hadn't finished the course to join the Quidditch team, she'd be lounging by the fire in the Slytherin Common room. But she desperately wanted to make the house team.

She reached the pitch at last, huffing all the way. The professor was in the air already warming his hands by a floating fire. Em rolled her eyes, the sight making her miss the common room a thousandfold more. She looked around at the students who'd already arrived and noticed the scrawny little Hufflepuff girl. Something about her filled Emmy's heart with pity and annoyance. Suddenly, she felt someone bump into her, nearly knocking her to the ground.

"Mon dieu!" she exclaimed, regaining her balance. "If you are zat unsteady on land, I'd 'ate to see you awn a broom."

[Meghan Morris]

It was only a matter of time until Spring was upon them. At least, that's what Meghan kept telling herself. She had been enchanted by the snow when it first came, but now she was sick of it. How could anybody enjoy Winter? All it brought were colds and wet stockings. Meghan was cheered at the thought of flying though. Even if her first time did not go as planned Meghan was determined to show she was not some airhead klutz.

Caught up in her own thoughts Meghan did not realize until too late that she had walked straight into Emmy. Meghan felt flustered and apologetic, that is until Emmy spoke. When ever it came to Meghan it seemed Emmy could only talk venomously about her. Meghan felt her self esteem drop as Emmy once again struck a nerve.

"I apologize for running into you, Emmanuelle. It was not my attention. As for my lack of balance, well I'd prefer that any day to the lack of manners you have. Now if you will excuse me." Meghan spoke coldly and she hurried off from the snide girl. Emmy simply irked her to no end! One could compare her to Luka! Who was worse? That was yet to be decided.

[Elisabet la Barre]

Elisabet scurried out into the cold. She wasn't as fond of flying as she thought she would be.
She was cold, miserable and worst of all she spotted Emmanuelle ranting on Meghan as she approached.
Just great, she's gonna make fun of me for sure if I fall, since it looks like she is already in a bad mood. Elisabet thought.

Hello, Professor! Meghan, Mary and Emmanuelle." she called to them as she reached the edge of the pitch. Elisabet hoped her forced cheerfulness covered her nervousness, she didn't want to look like she was still afraid to hop on a broom. " I shouldn't be afraid! Look at all the things you've done since before winter break. You can do this she told herself.

Elisabet headed over to Meghan, So, what was all that about? she asked once she was close enough to Meghan that she could whisper.

Edited by Elisabet la Barre, 07 December 2011 - 07:20 AM.

[Alexander Sowerby]

There was a decent number of students congregating on the Quidditch pitch as Alexander made his way out onto it, he saw the small Hufflepuff Mary Wilkins, Emmanuelle, Meghan and Elisabet. He walked slowly on the frozen ground toward the group, looking up at the stands imagining what it must look like during game time with a 'million' faces and a 'million' voices showing emotion and shouting themselves hoarse.

He came to a stop near Elisabet and seemingly as they had not noticed his arrival, for if anyone but him would look now it would have been as if he apparated (although that's impossible in the Hogwarts grounds).

"Hello Elisabet, Meghan" he said, smiling; wondering if his sudden appearance would take them completely off surprise.

[Professor Llwellyn]

As the last student joined the group the headmaster landed his broom swiftly and tidly. "Good afternoon everyone. You all made excellent progress last term so today we are going to attempt something more complicated - that is to fly as a group. Now this will require all of you to pay close attention to where everyone else is, as well as to where you are going. You will also have to listen carefully to instructions. Anyone who has any difficulties should write on their hands which is the left and which is the right"

He waved his wand and the brooms came soaring out of the broom shed, depositing themselves in a neat row on the snow. "Right mount up, kick off and get into a line in front of the goal posts at this end, facing down the pitch"

[Emmanuelle Armand]

Emmanuelle heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes at the little group that had formed a few feet away. Cleary house loyalty meant nothing to Alexander, though she could hardly think of him as a Slytherin anyway. Unless you took his arrogance into account.

"Watch where you're going, rosbif," she snapped as a tiny Gryffindor boy tripped and bumped into her.

Watching him shrink to the outside of the pitch, she smirked. A part of her truly enjoyed the fear she evoked in some people. Finally, the headmaster spoke. It was the usual, incredibly boring speech every professor gave at the beginning of a new lesson. She gave a small, fake yawn and grinned at the sniggers she received.

Llwellyn sent the broomsticks floating lazily to the students, and she grabbed the nicest one (which wasn't that great). Mounting it, she kicked against the ground and swiftly took off toward the goalposts nearest the group. This was the feeling she loved the most; zooming around through the air, the wind blowing coolly around her. Flying was one of the few good memories she had, and it was the only thing that made her feel at home.

Edited by Emmanuelle Armand, 13 December 2011 - 09:59 PM.

[Meghan Morris]

Elisabet meant well, but the brief encounter had left Meghan in a sour mood. Replying in a slightly bitter tone of voice, Meghan said, "The usual drama. I cannot get a break when it comes to her. She nitpicks everything I do, and demonstrates how she is so much better. I am just not sure how much more of her I can take."


With an irritated huff Meghan took note of the Professor's instructions, grabbed a broom, and took off to the sky. Flying soothed her temper and Meghan felt at peace for the first time since school had started up again. When flying Meghan was in her element, she zoomed off to goalposts with a grace that she did not possess on solid ground. Laughing in merriment she nodded to her fellow fliers as they got in line and turned her back to the goalposts.

Edited by Meghan Morris, 13 December 2011 - 11:43 PM.

[Elisabet la Barre]

Before Elisabet could reply to Meghan's terse answer the girl had jumped onto her broom and flew off with a dignity she did not possess on the ground. Amazed, Elisabet just stared at her for a moment and wishing she could be as fearless as Meghan was on her broom. Feeling discourged, Betta just stared at hers. After falling off last time and breaking her arm she wasn't to eager to start again.

So.... Alex, how do you like flying?she asked her friend. I'm not too excited to hop back on a broom after what happened last time.

Edited by Elisabet la Barre, 14 December 2011 - 12:28 AM.

[Mary Lynn Wilkins]

[b"Hello Elisabet"[/b] Mary called to the one person around who appeared to have acknowledged her, some of the other people she knew too but they appeared to be engrossed in their own little conversations and she didn't care to interupt them. Most of the students seemed reasonable enough, but one of the Slytherin girls appeared to have such a chip on her shoulder that she could happily wrap her in newspaper and soak her in vinegar but she was far too polite to voice that out loud. What she'd seen of Emmanuelle in lessons she didn't really like all that much, but she avoided this problem by keeping out of the other girl's way as much as possible.

Now the professor had started the lesson, and Mary dutifully mounted one of the brooms that he had summoned and rose into the air. Unlike her brother, she actually enjoyed flying and was finding it relatively easy. She was even considering getting her own broom over the summer which she could bring to school next year. Revelling in the feeling of being back in the air, she flew over to join the group of students who were forming the line that the professor had requested.

She felt that the idea of learning to fly as a group would be a useful skill to acquire, not that she was at this point considering any group activities of sorts where it might apply other than what everyday life was going to throuw at her. Then again, who knew what the future might bring?

[Alexander Sowerby]

Alexander watched as Emmanuelle cast a warning to a Gryffindor, calling him a Roast beef. A pang of annoyance swam over him, I mean, she should probably realise that insulting everyone by calling them a Roast Beef wasn't going to make you popular, especially when she resided in Britain he thought savagely.

I mean, France wasn't exactly a bastion of peaceful living since it was now involved in wars. he pondered further on.

Shaking his head he heard Elisabet speak. "So.... Alex, how do you like flying?" he heard a note of apprehension and knew that he ought to make her feel better. "I'm not too excited to hop back on a broom after what happened last time.", Alexander looked at her and said "Why, what happen last time?"

Edited by Alexander Sowerby, 14 December 2011 - 01:06 PM.

[Elisabet la Barre]

"Hello Elisabet"
Elisabet turned when she heard her name, smiled and waved hello to her new friend, Mary.

Turning back to Alex she began to explain.
I...uh...Elisabet stumbled, slightly embarrassed.I fell off my broom and broke my arm finishing her sentence hurriedly.
I've been afraid to get on ever since, Z tried helping me at home during Hols, but I would only get about a yard off of the ground before freaking out.

Edited by Elisabet la Barre, 18 December 2011 - 04:13 AM.

[Alexander Sowerby]

"I...uh..."Elisabet paused seemingly embarrassed by the revelation"I fell off my broom and broke my arm He gave her a sympathetic look but she ploughed on before he could say anything else. "I've been afraid to get on ever since, Z tried helping me at home during Hols, but I would only get about a yard off of the ground before freaking out."

"If you don't want to fly, I understand and I'll stay with you." Alexander said with a smile. "However, I can promise you that if you do want to give it a try, nothing bad will happen to you as I'll be sure to catch you in case you fall." he said with sincerely brushing his blonde fringe out of his eyes. He hadn't realised how long his hair was now getting.

Edited by Alexander Sowerby, 17 December 2011 - 12:02 AM.

[Evilina Stoneheart]

School had just started and Evilina was already late for her first class of the semester. Embarrassed and half in tears. Evilina ran towards the Quidditch pitch as she arrived, she was out of breath. Hoping no one had seen her, she gave the whole class a quick glance before slipping towards the group quietly. From the back of the group Evilina then, took a deep breath. She knew she'd get in trouble for being late, Evilina sighed. She spotted Mary who had gone off, she smiled remembering that she'd bumped into her during Christmas break.

Class had already started Evilina Sneaked off to get a broom and mounted it. She kicked off Evilina clumsily flew around she loved flying loved it since the first time she had mounted a broom, her clumsiness always scared her since she'd seen the other Ravenclaw girl fall off her broom last semester. Just thinking of falling off made Evilina shake, before anything happened she got her senses together and flew a bit more. After a few minutes of flying she then landed softly. Evilina smiled to herself looking down at her broom, she'd gotten a lot better since last trimester.

[Professor Llwellyn]

The students closed up into a line, some of them more smoothly than others. "Miss Wilkins, Miss Morris, Miss Armand you all did that extremely well, very smooth indeed. Miss Stoneheart do not try sneaking onto my lessons, two poinsst from Hufflepuff for trying to sneak past me like that".

He looked at them, noting that some seemed far more comfortable than others. "Now I should like you all to fly the length of the pitch and at the far end turn right so that you end up circling the pitch in single file in the clockwise direction" If they couldn't manage this bit there wasn'tmuch hope for them.

[Elisabet la Barre]

Elisabet turned toward the Professor when he addressed the class, and not wanting to get Alex in trouble by keeping him on the ground, she turned back to Alex and asked, "You promise?",pausing for a bit before she hopped on her broom and tentatively rose about 5cm above the ground, scared to go any higher. " If I fall and you don't catch me I might not talk to you anymore, she warned him.

Not that, that is true at all she thought,but maybe he'd be more wary if she did start to fall. Not that she was worried, okay, she was worried, but Alex was a good friend and she could trust him. Couldn't she?

After waiting for Alex, she rose slowly into the air. Before long, Elisabet felt her panic rising and needed to stop, she could feel her heart pounding through her body and needed time to calm down before she became dizzy.

[Alexander Sowerby]

Alexander watched Elisabet as she listened to the Profesor, the rest of the class had risen up in the air and the two of them were still on the ground. "You promise?" the girl asked to his statement prior. "I solemnly swear that I shall not let you fall" he said with a vague smile on his lips.

The girl got on her broom and rose in the air only a an inch or two above the ground. Alexander similarly got on the broom and hovered above the ground. She seemed to lack the confidence and she was scared of going any higher. "If I fall and you don't catch me I might not talk to you anymore".

"Fair enough" Alexander said thoughtfully. Deciding that it was good to help the girl regain a sense of confidence he chose a few simple words of encouragement. "That's a good start Betta," noting the hint of panic on her face he continued, "You're sitting properly on your broom, unlike Cartwright over there," he nodded whispering toward one of the Gryffindor first year boys. "That's half the battle, getting properly positioned on your broom; a lot of those who have been flying for years don't sit properly on their brooms"

Elisabet rose in the air but looked on the verge of both tears and reintroducing the rest of the class to the contents of her breakfast. Alexander noticing this, rose up to meet her and said, "All you really have to be worried about now is avoiding any birds." he smiled and laughed winking at the girl.

[Mary Lynn Wilkins]

Mary was perfectly content on her broon as by her slightest whim she seemed to be able to direct the thing without even having to work out how to do so. She wasn't even aware of the tiny nuances of movement with which she silently communicated with it.

She heard her name being given a special mention by the headmaster, and was a little disappointed that one of her housemates had turned up late and thus lost a couple of points for Hufflepuff house. As she looked around at her agemates though, the person she was most concerned about was Elisabet who seemed to be so nervous about flying that she reminded her of her own dear brother. She would have gone down to offer her some support if Alexander wasn't with her already.

Instead she concentrated on her flying and following the professor's instructions. She stayed behind the person directly in front of her, keeping a natural safe distance between them but at the same time controlling her own broom expertly. She continued to the end of the pitch as instructed then turned to her right and continued her journey.

[Emmanuelle Armand]

Emmanuelle smirked a bit smugly as the professor praised her skills, choosing to ignore the fact that she was put in the same category as "Miss Morris" and the little Hufflepuff girl. Resting slightly on her broom, she looked to the ground and saw that Alexander and the Ravenclaw twin were still there; what was taking them so long? The Ravenclaw looked anxious, however, so Em assumed she was just frightened of being suspended in midair.

"Ah, 'ow noble of eem," she noted of Alexander, turning to a snickering housemate.

The professor ordered them to fly in formation to the furthest goalposts, then around the entire pitch. Without hesitation, Emmy smoothly took off, the third person in the line the class had now made. She breathed in the cool, fresh air and longed to speed up, but stayed a few feet behind the student in front of her, rounding the corner at the end of the pitch without fault.