Violet was itching to try real magic with her own wand, but given her track record on a broom, she decided not to risk the damage--her grandfather could afford to replace it, but she'd become rather attached to her wand. So she took off with a fake wand in her hand, feeling a little naked without a real one.

Falling--surely this was a lesson she could manage, goodness knows she'd fallen enough by accident. She went up a reasonable distance--she wanted time enough to practice the spell--and when she was ready, tipped herself to one side and off the broom. It was harder than she'd expected, letting herself overbalance on purpose, but she steeled herself to letting go and concentrated on holding her wand.

"Arresto momentum! she called, waving the useless stick in her hand in the familiar movements. She was pretty sure she'd done it correctly, but of course, it did nothing, and she continued downward into the net, landing with a bounce.