The Practice Pitch - Flying Lessons
 

There's a large grassy area outside of the Quidditch Stadium that's void of any obstacles whatsoever. At the center of the vast expanse of grass are two rows of school brooms lined up neatly. But standing guard over the brooms is Professor Vindictus who has positioned himself so that no one can even get near or touch a broom without his permission.

If you're here for your first-ever flying lesson or are a non-Quidditch player who never mastered flying for whatever reason and feel the need for a refresher basic course, then have a seat on the grass in front of the professor.

Dani skipped over to Professor Vindictus, excited to be at her first flying lesson ever. She had wanted to learn how to fly forever but she was scared of heights. "Hello Professor." She said, smiling. The day had been a good one so far. "Is your friend feeling better?" She had wondered often about that crazy man ever since that day in the office.

"Hello!" Vindictus greeted cheerfully. "It's fine weather for flying today, don't you think?" He laughed at Dani's remark. "He's fine - probably playing with Roma down by the Lake."

Dani smiled. "That's good. I've always wanted to learn how to fly." She looked up at the sky and thought about the wind whipping through her hair. "But I'm terrified of heights so I've never tried it." She blushed slightly and looked down embarrassed.

Broccoli squinted as he looked up into the sky. "Seems like it. Not too much wind." Should be easy steer in.

He looked over at the girl who had asked about the professor's friend. Hey, there weren't a lot of people around, it was as good a spot as any to ask the head of house a question. Nobody else had been helpful. Broccoli didn't hold high hopes that Professor Vindictus would be any more helpful, but he asked anyway. "Professor, any idea if we have Jimson weed growing anywhere on the grounds?"

"I don't think so," Vindictus replied in response to Aden's question. "I didn't realize you're terrified of heights, Dani. In fact, why don't both of you tell me exactly what you hope to learn today?"

Dani looked up. "I'm not sure what I want to learn Professor. I guess I'd like to learn how to fly. The birds make it look so fun." She looked at the brooms. "And I heard that the school brooms are not so ummm..." She let her sentence trail off. "I guess I just really wanted to see if I had the guts to fly, or at least try it."

Vindictus scribbled down what both of them said. "Well, why don't you come stand on the right side of a broom." He stepped out of the way.

Celandine eyed her head of house curiously for a moment before raising her hand, "Sir? I can fly... I just... don't very much. And I'm not so good at stopping so I usually just... jump off."

"That's perfectly fine, Cela. Go stand on the right side of a broom," Vindictus said and added her name to his list of attendees.

Dani timidly walked over to the right side of a broom as the professor had said. She looked down at it and whispered, "You been nice to me and I'll be nice to you." She could do this. At least she was telling herself she could. She suddenly wished that Nate was there to encourage her. No, she could do this on her own.

"Okay." Celandine agreed, cheerfully. She took a broom from the rack and placed it on the ground, stepping over it and standing on the right side of it. Hmmm the clouds were pretty today.

Vindictus watched as the students selected the brooms and stood by them. And he could feel the tension in the air. "I want everyone to take three deep breaths. Nice and slow. In and out. Just breathe. Today we're going to learn the basics of flying - nothing crazy or fast or too high." He sounded like he was comforting a five-year old child as he spoke. "I've already placed numerous protective charms on the grass as well as a height restricting charm. Your safety is my first priority. Now, I would like each of you to place your right hand over your broom and in a firm voice say 'Up!' "

It was obvious with that statement that Celandine was disappointed. The thing was her first flying lessons had been with Wystan and therefore she hadn't really been taught the basics all that well. By the next term it was like she was running before walking. Still, this part she could manage.

"Up!" She told the broom firmly, catching it neatly as it practically jumped into her hand.

Dani looked at the professor, unsure whether or not she could do it. This was it, the moment of truth. She held her hand out over her chosen broom and said in as firm a voice as she could manage, "Up!" Her voice wavered slightly and the broom stayed where it was on the ground. "Professor, it didn't work." She frowned slightly at her broom.

"Try it again, Dani, but in a firm voice," Vindictus said in a fatherly voice. "I know you can do it."

Ouch! That must've hurt. "Are you okay, Aden?"

Dani looked down at her broom again. "Up!" She said again, a little stronger than the last time, attempting to fake confidence. The broom flew up into her hand. With a surprised "Oof." She dropped it back to the ground. "Oops." She wasn't very good at this so far.

Raising her hand over the broom once more she said, "UP!" She felt more confident this time, having already done it once. It popped up into her hand. She smiled. "I did it!!" She wiggled in a little happy dance with a big grin on her face.

"Huh?" He was busy rubbing his ear. Did hear someone say "Eaten?" He blinked and shook his head again. "Who!" He called out loudly. His ear was ringing. "I haven't eaten anything since lunch!"

Vindictus looked at Aden and laughed. "Let me know if you're still having trouble hearing me at the end of class, Aden," he grinned and clapped his hands together. "Next step is to mount your broom - none of this riding sideways on a broom like a buffoon. Place both hands on the broomstick - not too tight, but a nice firm grip. Keep both feet planted firmly on the ground."