...and suddenly the targets were moving, which put a whole new spin on things. Anna's jaw dropped open and she looked at Plym in disbelief. She hadn't actually expected him to hit the target the first go round, as he'd always been quiet..adventurous...in flying class, to say the least. "That was good, Plym," she commented, before reaching down and grabbing another tennis ball. She positioned her beater's bat to where the tip of it was pretty much even with the yellow circle, but....was it really even? The target was moving so fast that she really couldn't tell at all.

She put her beater's bat down and frowned at the target she had been attempting to hit. She glared at it, daring it to prove to be a problem to her. Lifting the bat into the air again, Anna tried as hard as she could to get the tip of it even with that blasted yellow circle. She tossed the tennis ball up into the air, swung the bat, and watched to see how well she'd done. Thud. The tennis ball had landed on the ground...without having ever touched the target...with a sickening thud. Anna winced, then turned to see if the professor had caught that shameful display. Maybe he hadn't noticed...

Satine had to admit that it was full time job avoidng everyone else and trying to hit the targets. She was pretty sure she was getting more pracitce avoiding everyone than she was actually aiming and hitting the targets...but, none the less, she continued on the assigned duty. She aimed at the moving targets and "BAM!" hit one right in the middle...this wasn't too hard she though.

The first time Lyra aimed at the target, it was standing still. She tossed the ball in the air and SMACK! Instead of hitting it dead in the center, it caught the edge of the ball and went flying towards the target, just not AT the target. "Beginners luck," she mumbled as she was just proud to HIT the thing.

And then they began to move. She rolled her eyes. It was hard the first time and now...this? She sighed as her eyes watched the targets to see if they followed some sort of pattern. "Darn!" Nothing! So here goes nothing! She threw the ball up in the air...

SMACK!

The ball went flying and at least this time she hit it dead center on the ball but...the target was now headed in the opposite direction of where she aimed. "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Dominic had never played beater before, so he was kind of psyched that he would be getting some experience in that position. Particularly since he doubted Rapunzel or Kaika would have approved since they probably wanted to keep him far from the bats as possible. Not like he needed a bat or bludger to injure them though . . .

As distracted as the sixth year had been though during the questions, he was more distracted when another certain sixth year had the nerve to flip her hair not far from him when she went to demonstrate the proper swing techniques. UGH! Did she have to do THAT so close to him? Hardly fair. Taking some deep breaths though, he was finally able to control himself enough to hold the bat steady.

Just toss the ball and hit it. For Merlin's sake, this should be easy - he could STOP quaffles from entering the hoops. He could SHOOT quaffles into the hoops. So getting a bulls eye shouldn't be too hard, right?

Except that the moment he had the yellow target fixated in his mind, tossed the ball upwards and then swung his bat . . . the yellow target moved!!

"What in Merlin's Canaries?!"

Uh oh . . . And the tennis ball was soaring through the sky and in the direction of a certain Ravenclaw captain . . .

Whoops!

Willow had been enjoying herself, to say the least. After all, hitting stuff with a bat was one of her favourite things to do; granted, she'd much rather to have a bludger as a target, but one of the muggle tennis round balls could do the job just fine for now.

And it even got more exciting when the targets started to move.

As the sixth year swung her bat, connecting it with the tennis balls, she spotted with the corner of her eye a tennis ball coming her way . . . a tennis ball that had most definitely came from the former Unspeakable, known as Dominic Denton . . . No, this was not the time to think about him. It was a time to focus.

Besides, that tennis ball wasn't really coming her way - not directly, right?

Wrong.

Automatically and as instinct, her arm moved practically on its own accord and instead of hitting the ball Willow had been meaning to, it connected with the blasted tennis ball that almost hit her side, and sent it right back to That Boy.

That prat. After all he had said . . . he wanted to INJURE her.

Narrowing her eyes and not even bothering to see whether the ball had hit him or not -Willow sort of hoped it had- the young Ravenclaw went back to do what she'd been doing.

. . . Which was what exactly, again? Ugh, that Hufflepuff had managed to distract her, as per usual.

Chris grabbed a tennis ball and nervously lined up his bat with the now moving target the best he could. He took a deep breath and hit it hard but controlled...

It landed about a foot away from where the target had just been. "Hey well I almost hit it." he said cheerfully.

Aaron was doing really well. Bullseye, bullseye, bullseye, bullseye. Then the targets started to move. Oh boy. Here we go. Surely this would be harder.

He threw another tennis ball into the air and swung hard. This time, he swung too early and it went soaring to the left hitting someone. He couldn't see who, though...

Oops.

Gahhh..... piece of cake. This was like flicking a fly compared to Quidditch Practices with ze Bone Crusher. With every swing, Livvy's bat made contact with the tennis ball that she had thrown into the air, and it went soaring towards the targets. And... BOO-YAH! It was almost just too easy. Hitting things period were her all around favorite thing to do.

Moving targets? Intriguing.

Livvy threw the ball into the air, and swung at it with her bat, aiming at the space a yard in front of the moving target. Sure enough, the target would come into the space and BINGO! Score. Her estimating skills were just too good.

As the fifth threw another ball into the air and as she was just in the middle of swinging her bat, some ball came flying at her from the right. And it hit her in the head, right when she hit the tennis ball. Livvy rubbed her head as she looked around for where the tennis ball had flown. Definitely not at the target. Oh well. She whistled as she glanced around casually, grabbing another ball. Now where's the prat that hit her in the head?

Uh oh, a fifth year. Hee hee, well, um... Aaron walked over to the fifth year nervous. "Um... Sorry." He then picked up another ball and hit it towards the target. This time hitting the target. it wasn't center, but it wasn't someone's head. "Yes!" he said. He then turned back to the fifth year. "Um, at least it wasn't your head. Heh, heh, heh." He didn't want to be hexed. AAAAH!!!

Oh no! Oh no!

That was all Dominic kept repeating in his mind as he saw the old tennis ball soaring right towards Willow's side. If he injured her; if she fell off her broom and got hurt, then he would only have himself to blame. And really, the sixteen year old couldn't bear to think about what the world would be like without Mystery Girl. Because the thought was just too painful for . . .

. . . . OHH!!! "Go Willow!" He unexpectedly cheered, as she swung her bat around and it connected with the tennis ball just moments before it hit her. Except one problem: it was coming fast towards HIM! Directly at him, so Dominic did the only feasible thing that one could do. His quidditch instincts and reflexes were quite handy in the modified version of tennis (because there was no net and they were using bats, not rackets).

Swinging his bat from low to high (*whistles*), the bat reconnected with the ball and sent it right back towards that Ravenclaw Captain. Squinting slightly, the Hufflepuff watched to see what Willow would do next. Which he really hoped she would hit it back.

Besides, able to keep a rally going was just as good as hitting the target, was it not? Maybe. Maybe not. Oh well.

Chris decided to try again. So he picked up one of the neon yellow-green balls and hit it with his bat. Not aiming as well as he had the first time. He got lucky. It floated through the air and hit the target as it moved into it's path.

"Yes!" he said smiling, even though it was more of luck than skill.

TWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT!


The targets vanished as did the tennis balls. "Now for the brooms. I want each of you to grab a school broom and line up along the red line," Vindictus called out and pulled out a strange looking broomstick that was hidden behind the broom rack. It was a normal magical broom but it had a harness of sorts attached to the broomstick along with a buckle, and a pair of training wheels attached an inch above where the tail twigs were attached to the broom handle.

He carried the strange looking broom over to two Ravenclaws. "Plymouth, try riding this today - it goes no higher than 3 feet off the ground," he said as he handed the broom to the Ravenclaw boy who was comforting a crying girl. "And Dani, what's wrong? Did someone hit you with a tennis ball?"

Lucy sighed as the targets disappeared along with her zooming tennis ball. But she smiled when the professor mentioned brooms. Grabbing one of the school's, Lucy made her to the red line and waited for Professor Vindictus to give further directions.

Aaron saw that the fifth year was ok and ignoring him so he wen and grabbeda broom. he then went over to where they were insstructed to go, and mounted it. he didn't take off, but he stood there waiting for further instructions.

What, a school brroom, thats lame Herminny thought as she left her brand new broom on the side lines and grabbed a school a broom and walked over to the red line thinking whatever atleast I'm gonna hit the open air today and thats all that matters.

Just as Anna had retrieved another tennis ball and given the moving targets a rather nasty glare, a loud whistle blew. The tennis ball in her hand suddenly disappeared and after staring in wonder at the hand that had held it, she turned to listen to Professor Vindictus' instructions. Ohh, broom time! Broom time! With a rather wide grin on her face, Anna headed off to retrieve a broom.

As she did this, she watched the professor out of the corner of her eye. What in Merlin's pink pants was he pulling out? It looked like...a broom, yeah...but a broom for a baby rather than a normal school broom. Didn't muggle toddlers ride something that looked similar to this...this...whatever it was? With her broom, Anna stepped up to the red line, but she kept her eyes on the professor and on Plym. Poor Plym. He would probably embrace the broom, though...as scared of flying as he was. She shrugged, then turned to face forward.

Aislynn grabbed a broom and stood on the red line. She wasn't a big fan of flying, she liked it better when her feet were on the ground, but she liked a challenge and was happy just to be outdoors.

A nice cool breeze went by. Her long black hair flowed in the wind. She didn't mind. The weather was so perfect. Maybe flying wouldn't be too bad.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plymouth Morgan had that CHRISTMAS MORNING glint to his eyes. "REALLY SIR? You.... Oh. I might cry!" Plymouth did HUG Professor Vindictus before he could too far away. "A broom with a seat belt! Oh Sir. Oh BOY!" Plymouth detangled from Professor V and GLADLY hopped onto his SAFE broom!

He buckled in as he waddled towards that red line. Not even crying girls could dampen this happy occasion! He offered high fives to EVERYONE he passed. "HEHE!"

Lyra grabbed a broom, thankful that the moving targets were over with. She knew that she would get it with just a few more practices but, she was fine. Making her way towards the red line, she waited for the next instructions,.

Jack had to contain his laughter as he saw the broom that Vindictus had gotten Plymouth. That had to be one of the most hysterical scenes Jack had witnessed all term, especially when Plymouth started hopping around like a little schoolboy with excitement. He grinned himself and high fived him as Plymouth walked by, headed for the red line.

Where was a camera when you needed one?!?

Grabbing one of the school brooms himself, he walked over to the line and stood next to Plymouth, again trying not to chuckle as he looked at the seatbelt attached to it. He examined his own broom for a few moments, immediately spotting a few spots on the wood that needed to be polished. But no matter, it didn't make a difference how pretty the broom was as long as it flew nicely.

All Vindictus could do was nod at Plymouth. The young man's enthusiasm caught him slightly off-guard and it took him a moment to remember that he needed to start the next part of the lesson.

"Tuck the bat securely under your arm and then mount your broom," he said and demonstrated for the visual learners. "Then take off. Once you're in the air and have gained control of your broomstick, you'll need to grasp the bat in one hand and keep the other on your broom handle. However, if you're not to sure about controlling a broomstick with one hand then rise no higher than five feet from the ground."

So he stood there and watched. Chaos was bound to happen sooner or later. It always did.

Okay, Aislynn thought, no more than five feet no problem. She mounted her broom very nervously. She didn't know if she could even open her eyes. "You can do this," she said to herself. "You're a witch. Riding a broom comes with the territory."

She stuck the bat firmly under her left arm. And took a deep breath and kicked off. The broom seemed to have jolted up in the air at amazing speed. She didn't realize she still had her eyes closed. When she opened them she realized she was up more than 5 feet for sure. "Oh my goodness! This is way more than five feet, this is more like twenty!" She kind of hugged the broom.

Aislynn froze. She didn't know what to do. Should she ask for help? She didn't want to be in another embarrassing situation.

As the professor talked, Anna did as he instructed. She'd never been a beater before, so this should be interesting. Truth be known, she sort of thought that maybe she might accidentally hit herself in the head with the bat or something. Nevertheless, with the bat tucked under her arm, she mounted her broom. Waittt....had she heard correctly? They could actually take off now? Ha! Without paying the idea another questioning thought, Anna took off. She first steadied herself on her broom. Falling off or losing her balance right about now wouldn't be one of her brightest ideas.

When she was well-balanced, Anna repositioned herself and moved to where one of her hands firmly held the bat. The other hand kept ahold of the broomstick. So...what now? Were they just supposed to hover, or were they supposed to fly around and test out the bat? She'd just listen carefully for any other directions.

Fyo was just [inwardly] celebrating having hit the target, right in its yellow centre, once more, when Professor Vindictus's voice brought him back to non-ecstatic earth. No more tennis balls and targets? Awww. But oooh, broom time!

This should be fun, too.

Once the flying instructor had told them what to do, Fyo made his way towards the pretty neat-looking broom rack, and grabbed himself one of the broomsticks it contained. Once this was done, he proceeded towards the red line, where he cheerfully queued up with the other students.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay again ^^

"Tuck the bat securely under your arm and then mount your broom," he said and demonstrated for the visual learners. "Then take off. Once you're in the air and have gained control of your broomstick, you'll need to grasp the bat in one hand and keep the other on your broom handle. However, if you're not to sure about controlling a broomstick with one hand then rise no higher than five feet from the ground."

So they were going to play beater? Awesome! Fyo did as told almost immediately, putting down the broomstick for a moment to firmly tuck the beater's bat under one of his arms. He then picked up the broom again, swinging one leg over it in order to mount the sorta SHINY! thing.

Now for the take off. Wheee!

Plymouth was supposed to rock his new broom, fly, AND carry a BAT? It was probably asking a little much of him, but he was TOO EXCITED to stop and ponder the possible outcomes. He'd lost his bat though, so Plymouth had to waddle back to where he'd left it.


It's possible that Plymouth would never take his broom and harness off. Ever.


So, he found his stick thing and hurried back to the line. "ONE TWO THREE LIFT OFF!" Plymouth took a LEAP up into the air - and took FLIGHT!


Momentous occasion.


The bat was tucked under his one arm and the other was DYING to go up into the air like he was riding a bull - since he was all strapped in safely for a change. But.. he didn't. Plymouth was still in the AIR, so he held on with BOTH hands, tight as he could. "WOoo!! Sign me up for Quidditch!" Plymouth shouted.


If only he could master not peddling his legs while in the air, Plymouth might have looked halfway normal on his broom. Baby steps though. Baby steps.

"Now I'm not crazy enough to subject everyone to a barrage of Bludgers coming at you from all angles," Vindictus started but it was obvious that he was serious about it. "I've a collection of normal Muggle items that I've placed unbreakable charms on for the duration of the class. Your job is to fly up to the various objects and whack them with your broom."

He pulled out his wand and the first two objects appeared and were floating above the center of the practice area.



"Piñatas! I'll remove the charms from them at the end of class so that all of you can help break them open and see what's inside." Now he was grinning like a schoolboy. "Have at it! Fly towards the object and give it a good whack with the bat!"