Flying Class - Lesson #1
 

You enter a classroom that hasn't been used in years - several days before, it was a dusty, musty, cobwebbed mess of old benches and desks scattered about, but after a thorough cleaning the room has been restored to it's former glory.

All along the right wall, are sparkling windows that offer an unobstructed view of the Quidditch Pitch, Broomshed and the area that will be used for basic Flying instruction. The desks and benches gleam from a good polishing and are lined up neatly, facing the front of the classroom. Off to one side of the enormous chalk board, sits Professor Vindictus behind a solid desk of mahogany. He looks up at the ceiling and smiles - it has been enchanted to resemble the blue skies outside with several broomsticks flying around slowly. It was all an illusion, but well worth the effort.

With a single flick of his wand, the topic of the first lesson appears on the board:
Lesson 1: History of Flying & Safety Regulations

Erinelle walked, well half skipped, in to the classroom. Her bag swung over her shoulder, her black hair tied up into two plaits and a smile on her pale pretty face. She beamed out of pure excitement, her first lesson!

She walked to a desk right at the front of the class. Then settled herself, making sure she was comfortable, she was going to pay the utmost attention to this class. She eagerly wanted to learn how to fly.

She took out her quill, ink and parchment and waited for her friends to come in and for the lesson to start.

Jay was so excited for her first class. She walked in happily skipping to her seat. She was thinking of all the wonderful things she would learn. "Hey sis you excited too?" she whispered to her sister dez, who was sitting right in front of her.

Dez quietly sliped inside and saw a couple other girls there. She took a seat close to the front to take as many notes as possibe. She took oit her things and aranged them in a manner so that everything in reach. "Jay not now" she wispered back

Jay rolled her eyes and ploped back in her seat. She pulled a book about flying her mother (Slpendora Gold) had givien her and her sister.

Sana walked into the room and wished Professor Vindictus with a hearty Smile. Being excited as it was going tobe all about Quidditch and also she has applied for the seeker post, Sana took the convenient seat on the second row and looking for someone who she knows and the weather outside.

Mich walked into the room, she looked around but didnt see any of her friends here yet. She made her way between the tables and found an empty seat near the back. She sat down and got out her quill and parchment from her bag. She placed them on the table, ready to begin taking notes.

Tas walked into the classroom accompanied by Max, her Hufflepuff cousin.

"You sure you're not gonna faint?" she asked sarcastically. It was their first flying class this term and definitely Max was going to be very attentive for an obvious reason.

Erinelle smiled warmly at the girl who came in after her, she had seen her about a lot, just had never got a chance to talk to her. She picked up her quill, and dipped it into the small pot of black ink.

She took her parchment and began to write her name in neat itallic handwriting on the fresh sheet, along with the title of the lesson.

Kay walked in and sat down at an empty desk and pulled out her quill and a bottle of ink and wrote her name and the lesson on the peice of parchment so it looked somethink like this


LESSON:1
HISTORY OF FLYING AND SAFETY REGULATION
KAY HUFFLEPUFF

And waved at Mich when she saw her

Vivi walked in, sat down at a table, and took her quill, bottle of ink, and parchement out and started writing:

Lesson: 1,
History of Flying and Safety Regulation
Vivianna Granger

Vivi smiled when she saw a Hogwarts classroom again, and whispered under her breath, I missed you.

mich waved back and also wrote on her parchement

History of flying and safety regulation

Tas raised her hand. "You must hold onto the broomstick, so you don't fall off."

She turned to her cousin and stuck out her tongue at him seeing he couldn't even manage to raise his arm.

Davina thought about the professor's question.She rubbed the back of her neck,she should know this after all she has been flying four years now.

A smile burst onto Erinelle's face as the class began, she sat up a little straighter and got her quill ready again.
She thought deeply for a moment, before sticking her hand in the air and spoke her rule in her clear happy voice.
"To not dive at other fliers Proffesor" She said clearly, "Unless it is a strategic move in a game of Quidditch" she finished, and jotted down the rule as she said it.

Kay raised her hand and was called on so she said "mount it right or else you'l fall off"

Davina raised her hand."Hmm,I think I good kick off and sitting position on the broom is important."

Mich raised her hand and said "No showing off

Erinelle also began to write down the other saftey points that other people were saying, they we're all good and they were some good points to remember while on a broom. These tips would help her.

She smoothed her black glossy hair back, dipped her quill in the ink once more, and waited for the professors reply.

Kay relized they were supposssed to werite down the rules so she began to jot them down from memory

Dez took down the rules given so far. She was having a total brain freeze on flying rules. She brushed the hair out of her face and listened intently.

"Ah, yes. A very basic concept thus 2 points to Slytherin," Professor Vindictus said and frowned. "However 2 points from Slytherin for not paying attention."

"True, very true," he said and pondered the Hufflepuff's answer. "However, you can still fall off a broomstick even if you mount it properly."

"That is correct," smiled Professor Vindictus. "Two points to Hufflepuff."

"My question did not involve the sport of Quidditch," he said sternly and looked at the Gryffindor girl. "However, you are correct in stating that one should not dive at other fliers. Two points to Gryffindor."


"That is common sense, but there are those who try to show off and perform such an idiotic stunt. Two points to Slytherin," said Professor Vindictus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane Delacour Vivi giggled at Mich's answer, but she continued to write down the rules.

"Do you think safety is something to laugh at? Two points from Gryffindor," Professor Vindictus said sternly.

"Come now, is that all of the safety about flying that everyone knows?" He began to tap the lectern slowly with his right index finger.

Max narrowed his eyes at Tas and raised his arm. "First of all, we need to look around and in front of us and be really careful", he said feeling his ears go red.

Erinelle blushed at hearing the Professors stern tone at her, she lowered her eyes in slight embaressment. Yet she smiled as she heard she had earnt her house two points. She continued to think deeply about broom saftey, and not the sport Quidditch to come up with another answer.

She raised her hand once more, "No attempting to perform tricks on your broom if you're not a confident flier." She said not to sure of herself.

"Excellent! Did you all hear that? Four points to Hufflepuff," Professor Vindictus said loudly, hoping to wake the class up. "Anyone else?"

Kay said again but worging it a bit different "if you mount your broom right then you have less of a chance that you fall off the end." she looked around see what everyone was doing when she said that

Tas smiled as she heard Max earn points and raised her hand again. "I'm sorry for turning around, Professor, can I answer the question again? I think for safety you should never fly in bad weather conditions."

Vivi sat up quickly when the Professor said those words. Still wide-eyed, Vivi buried her face in her arms when Professor Vindictus said two points from Gryffindor are taken away.

Dez quietly raised her hand "never attempt thing above your skill level" she said wondering if that was correct

Miley was enjoying flying classes very much. She raised her hand and said, "It's important to make sure that your broom is in working order before flying it," she said a bit embarressed.

Professor Vindictus looked at the Slytherin girl and smiled."Your answer is correct, however you have already answered the question once before."

"At last someone mentions the answer I was hoping to hear - five points to Ravenclaw!" he said gleefully. "A poorly functioning broomstick will result in a disasterous ride."

"Another excellent observation," Professor Vindictus said. "A beginner should never attempt to ride a broomstick without assistance from an experienced flyer. Three points to Ravenclaw."

Kay looked down at what she had written it was in beutiful handwriting just like her mum

"Two points to Gryffindor for such an insightful question which will be discussed in a future lesson," Professor Vindictus smiled and noticed another hand shoot up into the air.

"That is quite observant, Miss Agoobwah. Five points to Ravenclaw," he said and moved away from the lecturn. "Are there any other answers before we move on?"

' good fliers dont play in extrem weather like sunames or hurricanes" kay said although she didnt know if it was right

As Kat sat listening to the rest of the class answer the professor's question, she took detailed notes. Unfortunantly she could not think of her own to give. But it was only the first lesson so there was plenty of time to contribute.

"Yes," Erinelle said nervously, "How do you grip a broom properly? Just so we know what to check for when mounting it."

Chanel was listening tentatively, writing down everyone's question and answers. She looked down. Already half a page was filled. She too was wondering how to grip a broom correctly, just in case.

Tag raised his hand, remembering a recent fiasco in London. "Professor, we also have to be careful not to be seen by muggles," he replied, fidgeting under the desk. He couldn't wait to get on a broom. "It's a big rule. We can't mess with the muggle world, if they see us flying around on broomsticks, it would be a disaster."

"Good answer," Professor Vindictus said and nodded his head. "Flying with dangerous creatures around is certainly not safe for both the flier and the creature. Three points to Hufflepuff."


"That is correct, Mr. Sevens. Strict observation of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy should always be observed. Five points to Ravenclaw for leading us into the second part of our lesson," Professor Vindictus smiled. "The History of Flying."

His blue eyes scanned the room and he smiled. "There is no spell that enables wizards to fly unaided in their present human form. It is true that levitation is used, but is it truly exciting to hover no more than five feet over the ground? Of course not! Our ancestors wanted more and the dream of soaring through the sky like a bird in flight drove ambitious wizards to discover ways of accomplishing that feat without growing feathers."

"Why is it then, that us wizards use broomsticks?"

Mia thought for a moment, "We use them if we can't apperate"(sp)

Tas raised her arm. "Because they're easy to transport, they're used by muggles as a cleaning device and so they are also easy to hide."

Erinelle thought very hard about this for a moment, she had read this somewhere, only, where...? She thought hard again for amoment before her hand shot up in the air.

"Wizards fly broom sticks because they are easy to hide in the presense of muggles, It would be easier to fly a broom stick than an armchair for instance because they are more aerodynamic." She said clearly, but then, Erinelle also realised this could be very wrong.

Chanel thought for a moment, but the answer was taken. She decided that she agreed with Tas. She prepared to write down more and listened to what the girl said. That girl is pretty smart.

Mia listened to the others anwsers. She was slightly embarrassed by her own. She smiled to her self as she thought she'd much rather fly in an armchair, you may be seen but at least its more comfy.

Tag heckled to himself. Because they make an easy weapon at a moment's notice when you really need to smack someone. At least, his mother always thought so.

Everyone was answering so fast that Athena was having to write as fast as she could to keep up with the her notes. She was hoping to be able to catch up with her notes so that she could answer some questions as well.

"That is correct," smiled Professor Vindictus. "Three points to Slytherin."

"Another good point," he grinned. "Two points to Ravencalw."


"Why do you think witches and wizards have kept this so-called 'secret' of magical broomsticks hidden from their Muggle neighbors before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy came into effect?"

Mia raised her hand "Sir?" she asked shyly "Is it true what they say that a broomstick ismuch like a horse in the sence if your scared it kinda sences it?" she asked blushing slightly it was a silly qustion but she had always been corious about it.

Chanel looked up. She began to write again. Hmph, what about the cost? Of course, Chanel was always wondering about the broom's costs, but of course, she wrote more down. Anything she wrote on this piece of parchment would be important.

Athena raised her hand, "I think they kept them secret because not only did they want to be accused of being a witch in that time period, but also becuase if their neighbors knew they were witches and wizards they would want magical answers to help with all of their problems." She said, hoping her answer was correct.

Mich raised her hand uuncertainley
Because they didnt want to be seen as "different" and be persecuted by everyone. Even being burned at the stake if it was taken too far by the muggles

Mia nodded in agreence with Erinelle, and made notes.

Tas's arm flew up into the air again. "I think the reason is in our common sense. I mean, why should we give away our secrets? Let those muggles use their brooms for cleaning, we have our charmed ones and Merlin knows what would happen if a muggle mounted a charmed broom", she rolled her eyes still smiling. "I'm sure there were accidents, but warlocks around the world need a mean of transportation and broomsticks are very convenient." She stopped for a few seconds and frowned. "I believe if we were shouting about our world on every corner it would be a disaster... that includes our broomsticks."

Dez raised her hand "During that time they could be burned or used for the muggles own good"

Chanel raised her hand. "Because muggles would want to have powers. However, at that time, they wouldn't want muggles to know that they had magical powers, so they would hide it. People all around would want to question on the magic."

Mia gigled slightly as she got a mental picture of a muggle on a broom.

Professor Vindictus walked over to the Gryffindor girl's desk. "Are we discussing the behavior of broomsticks in this lesson? Two points from Gryffindor for not paying attention," he said sternly and walked away.

"Good point - two points to Hufflepuff," he said as he walked down the aisle.

Professor Vindictus turned around and paced back up the aisle. "Another good reason - one point to Gryffindor."

"Exploitation - a very big and powerful word. Two points to Gryffindor," he said firmly and returned to his lectern.

"Now that we have that basic understanding behind us, look at the drawbacks of bewitching brooms for flying purposes. But first, according to surviving historical records, when were witches and wizards in Europe using flying broomsticks?"

"Well, hell-o!" Tag said loudly, rolling his eyes at the others' answers. "It's so the muggles don't find our broomsticks and go for joyrides!" Duh. How obvious is that?

Tas raised her hand again. "I read that the first flight on enchanted broomstick happened around 962 AD."

"Is this class hilarious? Five points from Gryffindor," he said sternly and frowned. "Leave your giggles to the corridors and common room."

"I never thought of that one, Mr. Sevens - two points to Ravenclaw," Professor Vindictus smiled, quite amused with the boy's response.


"That is correct - Three points to Slytherin for a complete answer. How do we know this? Simple. There is a German illuminated manuscript that has been dated from the Medieval Period that clearly shows three warlocks dismounting their broomsticks with looks of extreme discomfort on their faces." He looked about at the students scribbling this information down and continued.

"Another historical document from the Medieval Period, dated AD 1107, was written by a wizard. Who was he and what did he speak of?"

Mia gasped she had just lost 7 points for nothing. She was enraged but kept her temper. She glareed at the proffesor. 'I thought lessons where supposed to be fun' she thought. She went back to making notes.

Dez raised her hand "around 960 AD"

Remembering something she had read in a book, Katerina held up her hand and answered, " Well there is a German illustrated manyscript from the 10th century that shows wizards dismounting brooms."

Miley looked at Mia and sent her a mental note. Chill. Don't make Gryffindor lose anymore points. If you have any anger, let it out after class, but it's better to not let it out at all. She hopped Mia understood it. Then Miley looked back at the Proffecer.

Serena's hand shot up. "I believe that was Guthrie Lochrin of Scotland who wrote of the discomfort of riding broomsticks."

Tas raised her hand yet again. "I agree, it was Guthrie Lochrin of Scotland who wrote of the discomfort of riding broomsticks. Exactly he talked about suffering 'splinter-filled buttocks and bulging piles' as a result of riding a broomstick." She winced. "Excuse me, Professor Vindictus, for saying the words like 'buttocks'. That's how it's written in the book."

"That is correct - two points to Gryffindor," Professor Vindictus said and continued lecturing. "His exact words that illustrated his discomfort were 'splinter-filled buttocks and bulging piles.' This happened after a short ride from Montrose to Abroath."

"Where can one view a medieval broomstick?"

Ouch! Tag glared at Kemma, tempted to kick her back. It was a good point! And see? He liked it. Two points. He hadn't, however, counted on the Professor taking points from the Griffies for laughing. He made it a point not to giggle aloud. . . but Tag had a feeling that it had more to do with which House you were in. He settled down in his chair, suddenly feeling bad for Mia.

"I read somthing once,I can't remeber who wrote the article but they were takling about the discomfort of the broom and possible ways of making it more pleasent to ride." said Mia really wanting to regain some points.