"Thanks." Carter said taking the helmet. He secured it to his head. "Do you want me to ride in front he asked?" continuing to pet the thestral. Would she want to hold onto something invisible? Or would she rather hold on to something that she could see... like him? He didn't mind either way. He was excited to get on these things.

"You're welcome." Marie then put on her helmet. "Umm, I think I'll let you ride in the front since you can actually see the thing. At least if I am behind you I will be able to see what I am holding on to." She looked at the empty space in front of them....was that even where the thing was. "So how do you think we are supposed to get on it?" She didn't even know how big the thing was since she couldn't see it. For all she knew it could be 8 feet tall. She would need a ladder to get on that thing. Yes she would.

"Ummm..." Carter said looking around. It looked like nobody had mounted theirs yet. "I could get on first and then help you up... or I could help you up and then get on..." he said. He wasn't exactly sure what the best way was. Maybe she'd have a preference. Or maybe the Professors had an idea? He looked over at them.

Awww now Destiny was sad. Or...well not happy at the moment.

Hesitating for a moment, she gave an apologetic look to Josh and turned back to Destiny. "Are you sure?" she asked, a guilty expression on her face as she patted the thestrals back once more before moving closer to it.

"Unless you really do want to ride an invisible horse by yourself." Wait, could Josh see the thestrals? Gah! Dangit! Which one would be more scared...

Well she couldn't figure that one out. Maaayyybeee there was a slight chance that Destiny would be better off partnering with someone than Josh would. Although, Destiny was a pretty good flier, so she wouldn't have a problem with this would she? But Josh was too...

Ehhh....

Whatever. Whoever got on the thestral with her first was the one that she was partners with. So there! And if neither did, than that was fine too. More room for her. Petting the thestral's head for a second, she moved back a little before taking a running start and pushing herself up and onto the thestral, thanking Merlin that it wasn't so tall she couldn't do that. Good thing she got the smaller one...

"Uh-huh, and how do you plan on getting on first?" She still had no clue how big the thing was, she was still thinking 8 feet tall. She didn't want to see him falling while getting on the creature. "How about we ask one of the professors how we are supposed to get on this thing," she said pointing to the air. Yeah, he would totally have to get on first because well......she still didn't know where the thing was.

Walking over to Destiny, Marcus frowned slightly at the girl. "I don't know about that Destiny, you can't see the thestrals can you? Maybe you should partner up with Evelyn first and then when you get the feel of the thestral then you can have a go by yourself."

He looked over to Evelyn and frowned at her also, "And take that devious look off your face Evelyn, remember what I said about fooling around?" But he would soooo love to give those two a detention one day.

Eh, well if Lawsguini said Destiny should partner with her, than I guess she would have to right? Then Evelyn wouldn't have to feel so guilty about trying to choose between Destiny and Josh. Everyone wins! Except Josh.

Smiling a little to herself, she was just making herself comfy on the thestral when Lawsguini himself addressed her. What devious look? She had a devious look on? Unless it was just her natural expression, she didn't know. What he said about fooling around?

Now that she thought about it, she couldn't remember what he said about her and fooling around. "No." she answered in a mumble, before her eyes widened and clamping her mouth shut. She definitely didn't mean to say that aloud. But really, she couldn't.

Probably wasn't important enough to her, so it went through one ear and right out the other...oops.

Of course she hadn't heard what he had said, Marcus was sure that Evelyn could see his lips move when he spoke but no doubt all she heard was; BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

He watched as she got herself comfortable and he could tell that she had obviously been on a horse before. Marcus let out a small whistle and the nearest thestral came over to him. He hoisted himself up onto it and grinned at the young Slytherin.

"Alright Miss Flores, let's see what you got. Once around the paddock and the last one back has to do the winner's bidding for a day." He held out his hand towards her, "Agreed?"

How many times had he made this kind of offer to a student before and not one of them had taken him up on it. Somehow he had the feeling Evelyn just might.

Finally in a comfy spot for both of them, seeing as she thought the thestral wouldn't want her legs to be in the way of her wings, Evelyn turned to look at Lawsguini for a moment when he whistled. Why did he whistle?

Raising a brow, she shook her head before seeing another thestral come over to them. A, much larger, thestral. And he was going to ride it? She did NOT like that grin Lawsguini was giving her.

With both eyebrows raised now, she stared at the Professor in shock and amusment. A bet. Well this wasn't such a fair bet now was it. His thestral was larger than hers, plus it might move faster. But than again, if she were to relate this to quidditch, the seekers were usually the smallest on the team. Hmm... Staring at his hand that was held out towards her, she hesitated to take it, still weighing the bet in her mind. Winner's biddings for a day. She was, in no way, going to be doing Lawsguini's bidding for a day.

"Alright. But on one condition." she said, pulling back her hand before they could shake on it. "The first half around the paddock, we stay on the ground. The second half... you have to fly. And no cheating by taking off like ten feet before the halfway point either." Only she could do that.

Now there was definitely a devious expression on her face.

Gah, there was always a condition. Could no one just have a simple bet anymore?

Marcus chewed on his bottom lip for a moment while he considered her 'condition.' Did she know that he really hated flying? And that he never backed down from a challenge which had got him into so much trouble when he had been younger and could possibly again.

He looked over his shoulder at his wife and knew she was probably going to kill him for this but he couldn't himself. So Marcus found himself turning back to look at Evelyn and nodded, "You. Are. On."

He gave the thestral a gentle nudge and moved up beside Evelyn, "Oh and if you cheat the bet is void." He flicked his wand at the halfway point and then re-holstered it, "A bell will sound as soon as your thestral hits the halfway mark and only then can you take to the air."

Marcus stuck out his hand again and raised his eyebrows, "Are we agreed, now?"

Evelyn saw him glance over his shoulder to someone, or something, before taking her bet. Good. This will be mighty interesting.

But of course, her happy expression fell when he told her what he did to the halfway point. Now she couldn't cheat. Well, at least now she could know if he cheated or not. Although, how was she supposed to know if he somehow jinxed the halfway point to make her thestral trip or become confused, or made it so the bell would go off sooner for him?! This Professor was a sneaky one, and she had to keep all possibilities open. Then again, Professor Morgan seemed to be really protective of her animals and creatures and would surely have his head if he hurt one of the thestrals, husband or not. Unless he blamed it on her...

"Yes, agreed." she said with a slightly nod, although she wasn't going to shake his hand. That was way too close to her personal space and she didn't want Lawsguini germs to be clouding her breathing air either. Too late though. He already scooted his thestral closer to hers.

Smirking at Destiny, having confidence that she would win the race, although slightly nervous too about the possibility of losing, Evelyn cleared her throat and looked back over to Lawson. Well, now here was a problem..."Who's going to count down?"

HA! He knew she would agree in the end. What kid was going to pass up the chance of having their Professor do their bidding for the day? Marcus could only imagine what Evelyn would make him do but then he had some pretty awesome ideas himself.

And since he hadn't stated when this day would actually take place, he was thinking he might wait until after the baby is born and he could get her to change the dirty diapers because that was one job he wasn't looking forward to.

Marcus was chuckling to himself at the thought of that when Evelyn's voice broke through his reverie and he shook himself, "You may" he answered knowing full well that he was crazy to trust her.

Hmm...someone was dreaming up in the clouds now weren't they?

Though, Lawson's lack of concentration on the race did not soothe Evelyn's anxious nerves. But it all went away when he said she could count down. Really? He, was trusting her, to count down...

Well whatever floats his boat! She wasn't complaining. With a small nod, Evelyn glanced forward and around the paddock before speaking. "On the count of three then." she said, looking down at the thestral she would be racing with. Come on! Small but speedy!

"...1..."

What would she do if she won the race anyways? She hadn't even thought of that.

"...2..."

Perhaps make Lawson cook that pie Destiny wanted and make him wear a funny apron. Cooking was complicated stuff...

"......"

OR did this bet also include the fact that she could make him do her homework? Because if he was still teaching next year, then that would mean she could practically get a perfect score on an assignment if she were to hold off this 'do the loser's bidding' thing until then if she won. Surely he wouldn't give a dreadful score on a paper he himself wrote right?

"...3!!"

And off she went! with a now bigger smile on her face then ever before.

Oh and not only would he make Evelyn change the diapers, he would make her wash them too...by hand. Mwhahaha. He could totally see her face as she was doing it.

Annnnd she could polish his awards that he had won when he had been in the band. She could do those by hand as well, she would stink of polish for days.

Oh crap!

She had started the count down already. Marcus bent down, his face next to the thestral's ear. "Once around the paddock, really fast" he whispered, because you only need to tell a thestral where you want to go and they will do the rest.

And there it was!

Marcus gave the thestral a another nudge as soon as he heard her say '3.' She managed to get the jump on him but he wasn't worried...yet. His thestral took off and was almost along side Evelyn after the first 20 metres but she was still ahead of him as they took the first turn.

Kay was having so much fun she didn't realize that the Professor was racing One of the Devilyns. Oh this should be good.' she thought turning her thestral. "GO PROFESSOR LAWSON!! YOU CAN BIT HER!!" Kay yelled out. This had been the better class yet. Having wanted to ask a question she turned to Mrs. Lawson while still keeping an eye on the race. "Mrs. Professor Lawson Have there ever been Thestrals keep for pets or Have wizards ever keep them to test them. I think that would be sad if they did." She asked still watching the race.

Aaand, wow, these things were fast. She was already coming up to the first turn when she realized...the thestral wasn't turning. ACK!

"Around to the halfway point, and then up in the air to the finish at the beginning." she said hurriedly, lowering herself down closer to the black winged horse so she wasn't so wind resistant. Straight afterward, her thestral turned, making her sigh in relief for only a moment. Surely the thestral was hearing what they were discussing earlier about the bell at the halfway point right? Hopefully. Otherwise, well, she would be ready.

By now though, her little mistake cost her some lead time, making her practically neck to neck with Lawson. Great. She was hoping she could have kept the distance, but no matter, there was still a lot of race to do.

Coming up close to the second turn, her ears picked up someone yelling, and of course, they were cheering on the Professor. Glancing quickly back to whoever it was, she rolled her eyes before turning her attention back forward. She needed to concentrate! Not become annoyed by Kay...

Bloody hell!

Thestrals were certainly faster than Abraxans weren't they? Marcus saw Evelyn lean down over her thestral and he copied her actions. Ah that was better, at least now he didn't feel like he was going to get blown off.

They were still neck and neck as they hit the second turn. Okay so halfway up this straight and they would have to go in the air. Something he really was not looking forward to at all.

And it didn't take long before he was hearing the bell to mark the halfway point, "Up in the air" he yelled to the thestral. He had forgotten to tell it that part.

Marcus closed his eyes as he felt the thestral leave the ground and he could hear the flapping of its wings. Crap! Why did he agree to this part? He really hated flying.

At this point, Marcus didn't care whether he won or not he just wanted to get back down on the ground. "Hurry. Pleeeeeeease huuuuurrryyy."

Closing her eyes as they neared the halfway point, she heard what seemed like two bells at once going off, maybe one slightly before the other, but she didn't know who was ahead of who since her eyes were shut and all. And then...

She was in the air! She could feel the thestral take off after the bell, making her smile. So it was listening to her! Oh good. Evelyn heard Lawson yell out to his though, making her smile turn into a smirk. Pfft. Her thestral was way better then his.

Opening her eyes, she smiled again when she saw how fast they were going in the air, enjoying the cool wind blowing through her hair and on her face. For now, she didn't mind who won. This, right now, was just an experience she was happy to have.

Leaning closer to the thestral so she was practically hugging it's neck, she kept her legs tight around the thestral's back/stomach as she slightly moved so she could see where they were going. Glancing at Lawson, she noticed that he did not seem like he was having a good time. Either he didn't like flying, or he totally knew she was going to WIN!

And here was the next turn! Wait...Oh boy...

"Turn turn TURN!" she yelled out frantically, once again, not expecting to have to turn so quickly. And, it was a really sharp turn too, enough to make her heart start to pound that is. Squeezing her eyes shut once again, she held onto the thestral's neck with practically a death grip until they straightened out again.

Okay, she wasn't going to be re-living THAT part again.

Kay saw Evelyn look back at her. hehehehe Kay loved it when she made Evelyn mad. Giving her an evil little smiled Kay yelled again. "GO PROFESSOR YOU CAN DO IT!" heheheheh

Kay held on to her Thestral and watched the Professor. He was doing great. Kay saw the half way point and Did the Professor just close his eyes? Hoping that he wouldn't fall off. "COME ON PROFESSOR YOU CAN DO IT!" she called out to him. "JUST LOOK FORWARD! It WILL BE OK!" Kay yelled. She had seen people who were scaried before.

Here's a lesson for all you kids out there.

Don't fly on the back of a thestral with your eyes closed.

Marcus couldn't do it. He just couldn't open his eyes while he was in the air. He had only managed to fly once and that he did for Iliana but it seemed that it wasn't going to be a regular thing for him.

So with his eyes firmly shut, they hit the third turn and it was a sharp one and he was quite unprepared for it. Perhaps if he had of had his eyes open he probably would have saw it coming. As it was he didn't and so he was about to pay the price for it.

Because the turn was so sharp the thestral tilted downwards and Marcus felt himself slipping sideways. He made a grab for the thestrals mane but it slipped through his fingers. His hands flailed around him but it was no use he was sliding off before the thestral could right itself.

There was a few seconds there where he felt like he was suspended in mid air and then the air was rushing passed him before he hit the ground. Lucky he had placed a cushioning charm on the field otherwise that would have hurt.

His body bounced a couple of times and he had enough time to look up and see Evelyn cross the finish line. Marcus laid back down and groaned loudly, he was never going to live this down.

Dylan was shocked. It looked weird with Lawson riding on nothing. But then he slid off the nothing. "You lost?" he said, shaking his head, "Professor Lawson. You are meant to stay on the horse to win. That is generally how it works."

She felt the thestral finally slow down, making another looooong turn around before the feeling of landing made her open her eyes.

Her strong grip on the black horse did not loosen until they came to a complete stop and she was sure that they were not moving. With her shaky breathes, she slowly sat up, staring down at the neck of the thestral with complete awe and shock. That...was...

AMAZING!

A smile inched it's way onto her face, as a bubble of laughter started to fill her. No broom in the world could compare with flying a thestral! Wait wait wait. Who won!? Looking around, she saw Lawsguini's thestral walking around in front of her, but no Lawsguini. Was he already off the horse? Eh, he was probably going over to celebrate with Professor Morgan and Kay or something. She lost didn't she... Looking back to the frightening turn, shaking her head slightly since she could still feel her heart pounding in her chest, her laughing would now definitely have to wait for the moment.

Evelyn suddenly spotted something, or someone, laying on the ground, and it looked a lot like Lawsguini. And he was waaay over there. Which meant...SHE WON!

"WOOOO!" she cheered, suddenly holding her hands up in the air as the realization finally struck her. TAKE THAT KAY! Pffft, forget Lawson and the fact that he could be hurt...she WON! No, no wait. That was wrong. She had to go and be nice and see if he was okay didn't she? Ugh. But it was so boring compared to celebrating and planning what she would make the Professor do for a day. Lowering her arms, she sighed and directed the thestral to go over to the Professor, but her smile continued to grow until it really was the biggest smile she ever had worn. Which wasn't much, but it was still something.

And finally the giggling and laughter started when she stopped next to the relaxing Professor on the ground. Sliding off the thestral, she stood there next to him, her breathing still a little shaky, and she was trembling, but..still, she just stood there over Lawson for a few moments; smiling and taking in the victory. Until she had to speak of course. "You don't like to fly, do you."

It was more of a statement than anything. Yea, she had seen his eyes closed while in the air.

Josh watched every moment of the event with utmost attention as Evelyn and the male Lawson aka Lawsonator raced on nothing. Well...Thestrals but he could see nothing. He wanted to ride a nothing by himself too. It looked pretty cool, as Evelyn rode it of course male Lawson seemed not to be enjoying the flying part. (He should have been the Flying professor then not Muggle Studies) But how was he going to it when he was not even able to see where the Testral things were?

'Pfff...anyway keep watching the race' Evelyn seemed to be doing a good job, no she was doing a great job. And she won! SHE WON! Despite that annoying girl who was cheering against her, more for Lawson. ''WOOHOOO!'' he yelled too incredibly loudly and clapped his hands as fast as he could till he looked around to see the professor's expression which made him burst into laughter ''BAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!''

As Kay watched the race she saw Professor Lawson falling from is Thestral. "NO! HANG ON!" She yelled. But no he was down. Kay run over to Him. "Are you ok Sir?" She asked knowing that Evelyn would love this.

Looking at Evelyn. She knew that she would never hear the end of this.

Stepping over to Arya, Iliana laced her fingers together and held them out next to the winged-horse. "Okay honey, reach forward and grab his mane and then step into my hands and I'll hoist you up."
"Of course, Ivory. Just PLEASE be careful." She smiled at the little Ravenclaw and started towards her, just in case she too needed assistance.

"Can you get on?"
"No Patroclus. They take off just like the Abraxans do. Just a step or two forward and then UP! in the air."
Iliana watched as her husband (the one that HATED to fly even with her) attempted to race. She took a deep breath as he began to fall (whether it was from fear, or the pain slicing through her, you'd never know) and pulled out her wand to slow his descent.

She flinched when he hit the ground and quickly waddled over next to him. Smiling down, she rolled her eyes, shook her head and asked, "What in heaven's name did you think you were doing?"

Her hand found its way to her stomach again but she quickly played it off by brushing away some imaginary dust. Then she leaned forward to help Marcus up.