Through hoops five, six, seven and eight!

GOSH! They were making loads of progress here. Adi was impressed with Reptar and his flying abilities thought the dragon had not flown much better. Talk about awesomeness! "You're doing great, Reptar! Keep it up!'' Gotta encourage him right? YUP!

Adi cast the Fire Making Charm yet again to make his dragon go through the ninth hoop but this time its right right clipped the edge of a hoop. Uh oh! He stared up, hoping that Reptar was okay. And yesh! The baby seemed to be! It was still soaring so freely and happily towards the next hoop!

The third part of her training was to get her through those hoops. He wondered if Thumbelina would still listen to him now that she could fly on her own. She was doing so well thus far by following his guidance. Henric whistled for his dragonette, hopefully she could hear him down below. Thumbelina stopped and turned around, curious over the sound he made. He whistled again to further catch her attention and pointed towards the hoops."Thumbelina! Go through that hoops!"he called to her, grinning broadly. Thumbelina seemed to understand him perfectly because as soon as he made the signal by whistling, she immediately flew past her dragon friends and through six of the hoops within seconds. Oh merlin! Look at her go! Henric was so proud of her, he couldn't help but clap for her."Brilliant! Thumbelina!You got it!"he cried excitedly. He wished he had some dragon food treats right now, she absolutely deserved it! Henric turned to wave at llia, his dragonette was almost catching up with hers.

“Incendio!’’

Adi’s wand was yet again directed at Reptar’s tail while he jogged below, glancing up every two seconds or so to make sure everything was in tip top shape. Also, he was still worried about that little clip Reptar had had on the hoop. He couldn’t help it, okay?

It certainly didn’t help that the munchkin seemed to be slowing down. Adi’s worriedness made him forget for a while that Thompson had stated that towards the end the dragons would get tired. But the moment that bit of information reappeared in his brain, he brightened up. Soon you’ll have time to rest, Reptar.

Adi helped guide it through hoop ten then elven and then twelve.

“Three more to go, bud!’’

Just giving him an update. Hehe.

Ilia's plan seemed to be working and her winged partner flew through hoop thirteen smoothly, without flame prompting. The fourth year kept walking towards hoop fourteen and singing praises to her charge. She was certain that Henric would tease her later for it, but he sang just loud enough for Astrid to hear hopefully. The higher she sang though.......the more interested her little dragon seemed.

Astrid seemed to be getting tired, but she only had two more hoops to go. "Come on big girl, you can do it!" It wasn't about competition at this moment, which was different for Ilia. She was a very competitive sort of girl, but past the initial realization that if they could win in some form she got to see Astrid more.....it didn't even register to her this time. It wasn't about being the best or extra house points.......she just wanted her new friend to become stronger and truly get a feel for her wings. When she was bigger, to be able to soar and feel the wind carrying her.

"Incendio." She tickled her underside with flaming warmth once more for maternal encouragement. Number fourteen down! She saw Henric's wave and smiled at him, returning the gesture just slightly. Ilia did not want to exaggerate her hand movements and distract the adorable little ball of scales anymore than she already was.

Alright......this was it. The last silvery hoop was in their sights. Astrid seemed to be petering out as far as energy went though and started flying lower and more awkwardly once more. "This is the last one baby girl! You can do it!" She gave one more flame nudge and began to sing a little louder and higher. Her cheeks were blushing a bit pinker as she side glanced at Henric. He could probably hear her now and would probably tease her about how she sounded later. Still, she sang to her and gestured in hopes that she would do well through the last hoop.

She was tired, it was clear as she almost didn't seem like she would make the last hoop. She was so close to the bottom of it her left wing brushed the side and she tumbled forward a little. Ilia was waiting right beneath just in case though and the little dragon let her flight descend smoothly.

Oh, yeah.

Reptar was DEFINITELY moving super slowly now. Awwwwh, he was getting burned out. “You can do it, Reptar! You can do it!’’ All this Hufflepuff needed now were the pom poms to be a full time cheer leader though he wasn’t sure he could do those spinny tricks and stuff those girls did. Hehe.

The Dragon seemed to have heard his cheering and taken heart and with the aid of another Fire Making charm under the belly/ tail area, albeit its slow speed, it flewthrough hoops thirteen and fourteen. At fifteen, it seemed to barely make it through. Adi sped up so that he could be there to assist his friend to the tank but he was in for a surprise. It soared and landed heavily on his head.

The sixth year laughed. “I know you love it up there.’’ He reached up to pat the baby. He could totally see why Benny, Henric, Hady and Ilia adored them. “Alright, you need rest, okay? I’m going to help you into the tank. Thanks for being a great partner.’’ Without having to do the heavy work of coaxing Reptar down, Adi simply cast the Levitation Charm. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The appropriate wand movement allowed him to guide the dragon safely and gently in to the tank. “You’re an awesome fellow, Reptar.’’

Henric went to stand by llia's side as they monitored their dragon's progress. Her dragon seemed to be reluctant to move from its position until llia's started to sing in her native tongue again. She had found a way to lure her dragon back to her attention just like he did with his by whistling. Her voice certainly draw his attention away from Thumbelina for a moment. Woah...Henric couldn't help admire his bestfriend and her talent, he blinked. What...no no...not now...he needed to get back to his own dragon! Speaking of his dragon, where was she?
He caught Thumbelina momentarily distracted with a dragon fluttering beside her, not only that she was stirring off the course."Thumbelina, don't go back that way and stop flirting with that boy dragon!"he cried exasperatedly. He whistled again fro her attention.

"Incendio!"he cast at his dragon.Reluctantly, Thumbelina flew past more hoops as she was instructed. "Yeah...that's right... move on young lady,"he glared playfully at his little dragonette,wagging his finger at Thumbelina as he did so. Yes..yes..no boy for you until you're 21!!

As Astrid began to glide down slow, Ilia gave her a hand. "Wingardium Leviosa." She suspended her little charge comfortably and magically in the air and into her arms. She slowly walked with her towards the tank, though she didn't want to. "You did great little one! I'm so very proud of you!" She gently petted the scaly bronze head with her wandless hand. Big beautiful bronze eyes looked back up at her, not in begrudging or annoyance, but possibly understanding of some kind.

Ilia didn't think she truly understood the words themselves, but perhaps the intent or feeling behind them. "I love you little one." She whispered to Astrid while she cradled her and started quietly singing an old Norse lullaby that her mother had once taught her.

Sadly their time for today was coming to a close and she levitated her dragon into the tank. Ilia was certain, without a doubt in her mind, that putting the young dragon back was absolutely the hardest part of the lesson, or any lesson she had yet to date. "Have a good rest Astrid, you earned it!" She encouraged her little friend as she settled into the tank.

When she turned away to reclaim the seat in which she had begun the lesson she choked back the urge to let a tear or two fall. Young creatures were absolutely her soft spot and she never wanted to let go of them. As she sat down, she loosed her long braid so that her golden locks fell freely upon her back and shoulders once more. Also, it was a great way to 'accidently' let it fall into her face. Not that she would be upset or show it , you know, just in case.

They were lagging behind, it seemed. But no matter, they were going to get back in the game and this time they were going to do it with more fire power. “Alright Thumbelina, let’s catch up with the rest!” Pointing his wand at her, he cast the fire-making spell again. And there she went, his dragon racer, with her magnificent speed! Wooo! Thumbelina went through each hoop like a pro~ She was already on her tenth hoop and now heading towards her eleventh. “Great job! Four more to go, you can do it!” he cheered her on.

What did Professor Thompson just say? Norwegian Ridgebacks? Wow... And now they were each getting a little dragon to hold? Zhenya took the dragon that had been passed down to her with great caution. Uhhh... what if it fire sneezed on her? Fire laughed, fire coughed or just fire breathed on her? She didn't want to be charcoal... but the dragons were very awesome. And now Professor Thompson was advising them to encourage the dragon to breathe fire? Zhenya wasn't sure about that bit just yet, but now she had to name the little thing?

Zhenya felt the ridges on its back and looked around to compare the sharpness. It appeared that the ridges on this dragon weren't as severe looking as some of the other ones. Perhaps it was a male? Zhenya had a think about what she should name it. What should she name a male dragon? "Felix," she said, turning up one of the corners of her mouth. "Yes, how about Felix? Felix the Ridgeback?" she asked the dragon, feeling comfortable to stroke it under its neck, making sure it was facing away from her. Yum roasted marshmallow!



Zhenya watched as some silver hoops appeared in the air. They were going to be flying the dragons? THEY would be flying with the dragons? Zhenya immediately smoothed back her long hair into a bun, away from tangles and fire damage. She had used Incendio plenty of times, so she felt comfortable not practicing it. There was no need. It was almost as simple as scourgify. Zhenya watched Professor Thompson demonstrate everything. Incentive to win with points and a visit with the dragon? Zhenya wasn't particularly interested in dragons, not like many of her classmates. She knew some of them would love to work with dragons. So it wouldn't have bothered her if she won or not, it wouldn't have meant as much to her as it would to the others. However, she would have liked the chance to visit Vaska.

Zhenya first started by stroking the inner lines of their wings. Zhenya did this, with her index finger, giving Felix a gently stroke around his wings. He flapped them open and that was when Zhenya held him out, hoping he would take flight. Nope, he put his wings down and closed his eyes. Huh...

Angel listened to what the Professor was saying, okay now she was afraid she was very afraid, the Professor wanted her to actually fly the dragon, well not fly on it but she had to direct it.

"Nice Crazy!" Angel sighed as she looked at the dragon. "Yo....yo...you w...won't hur...hurt me r...right?" Angel thought she might as well ask the question. "Or run off?" Angel had a funny feeling her dragon would run off or try and hurt her whilst it was in the air.

Angel looked around and saw her friends already finishing or nearly finishing. Well she didn't care, she was going to be the last to finish, she wanted to take a month if the Professor let her, that way she knew the dragon wouldn't do anything.

Angel stroked the inner lines of crazy's wing and then she pointed to the air when she had the creatures attention, she watched as it took off, okay this was going to be very scary, the only nice dragon she knew was toothless and Spyro all the other dragons were really mean.

"Incendio!" Angel smiled as she watched as the dragon started to go in the direction she wanted it too fly in. Okay so this might be okay and was better than flying on the dragon, though she was still nervous of it doing something she didn't want it too.

Thumbelina went through the eleventh, twelfth , thirteenth....fourteenth hoop ..."One more to go, Thumbelina!" he cheered on, giving her a boost by casting the Incendio charm again. Henric couldn't be more prouder for his dragonette, she managed to push herself tirelessly to the end of the course by herself! Bravo! "You did it!!" It was like watching the muggle Olympics and he being the proud coach for his athlete. T.T

Angel was looking up into the air as she watched Crazy going through the first hoop maybe this wasn't going to be as bad as she thought it would be.

Angel looked away for a second to see how everyone else was doing and when she turned back Crazy was going to wrong way. Well that would teach her not to get interested in other students work wouldn't it.

"Incendio!" Angel smiled as she guided Crazy back along the course, seriously this was not cool, now she went through the first hoop again, what was the matter with the dragon, Angel followed to make sure she went through the second hoop no problem. Angel beamed when it did, well that was a bit better.

Huh?

Hady had been so entranced with watching Boo she'd hardly heard Professor Thompson speaking. It took her a few seconds to realize she should be listening to him and that he was moving the lesson along, now explaining what the task was going to be. Blinking a few times and stretching a little...carefully so as not to bother the dragon whom was comfortably perched on her shoulder she shifted her attention to where it needed to be.

Lifting her head upwards she was able to see the hoops, all fifteen of them. Which she was somehow supposed to coax Boo into flying through. Flying. Something her little friend didn't seem to want to do. She'd give it a go though just like always.

"Alright Boo, sorry to disturb your little nap here but we have a task to do." Carefully rising to her feet Hady collected the small dragon from her shoulder setting her down on her forearm. Using her free hand she lightly stroked one of her wings earning a snap at her finger. "Whoa easy there..." she muttered pulling her hand back just before she could get bitten. "It'll be fun, trust me Boo. You'll enjoy this." She hoped anyhow.

This time she wasn't going to be so bold. Rather she reached out and ran a finger down the ridges on Boo's back like she'd done earlier, Boo twisting her head to look at Hady a quiet but annoyed sound being heard.

Maybe this wouldn't be as easy as she'd thought.

DRAGONS!!!!!!!11

This was definitely turning out to be the best class of the term. The little one he had just got himself acquainted with was now named 'Nala'. Oh yes. Noel had checked her teeth like the professor had said and almost got bitten. ALMOST. So it was all good.

Noel was coo-ing and baby-ing and finger petting Nala as the professor spoke next. Despite the fact that they would get extra points, Noel groaned. Couldn't they just play with the little ones and do things later. BUT the summer visit made it all worth while, Noel supposed.

"Okay Nala, lets do this," he smiled and his fingers stroked the inner lines of her wings.

They were going to teach the dragons to fly. Janelle looked at Sparky and explained excitedly. Guess what Sparky? You are going to learn something new today......and you will LOVE it! You are a big boy dragon and big boys get to fly. Isn't that exciting." Sparky looked at Janelle with the dragon equivalent of a blank stare.

"Maybe I'd better show him". Janelle thought. Putting her arms out like an airplane, she pretended to fly around in front of her dragon. "It's super fun and you even get to go up into the air." Demonstration over, Janelle pulled a rubber band from her pocket and tied her hair back. Then she picked Sparky up and placed him in her hand. Now how was she going to get him started? She decided to go with stroking his wings.

Janell took her finger and gently ran it along the inner lines of Sparky's wings. Apparently that was not the most pleasant of sensations because the dragon suddenly spread his wings and gave Janell a look. "Sorry buddy, just trying to get you started." While Sparky had his wings spread out, Janelle decided to take advantage of the opportunity. She raised her hand as high as she could and waited. "Go on Sparky. You can do it. Just like I showed you." She waited, hoping the dragon would give flying a try

Just as Noel got little Nala's attention, he gingerly moved his hand toward the hoops. And just as he did, Nala flapped her wings and flew.

Noel grinned wide - "Atta girl," he cheered, before taking out his wand and clearing his throat before saying: "Incendio" He was slightly worried that the fire might vanish and she'd lose her direction but he had to try, didn't he? Almost everyone was easily getting their little ones through the hoops, he was one of the few who hadn't done that yet.

Determined, the fifth year moved along with Nala, with his wand pointed beneath her. "That's it ...." he whispered as she started moving in the direction he wanted her to. "Come on ..... "

... and .... in she goes through the first hoop. "YEAAAH!!!"

Such a proud daddy he was right now.

At first, Janelle thought Sparky was not going to fly. However after a few seconds, he cautiously took off. "Good boy Sparky", Janelle said as she quickly took out her wand. "Incendio", she said, and pointed the wand beneath the dragon. As he began to fly, Janelle held the wand steady and tried to get the hang of directing Sparky where she wanted him to go. With one eye on the dragon and one eye on the first hoop, she led him in that direction.

It was amazing how animals were just born with the ability to do certain things. Sparky was still testing his wings, but he was doing a pretty good job so far. They got close to the first hoop and Janelle carfelly guided Sparky through it. "You're doing great. Keep on going." Everyone liked to get a little encouragement when they were trying something new. One down, fourteen to go.

On they went, with Sparky flying and Janelle guiding, to the next hoop. She wasn't sure what was going to get tired first, Sparky's wings or here arms. Probably both. As hoop number two approached, Janelle positioned herself to get the dragon through it. Made it. They were rolling now and Sparking was getting better and better at flying.

Fortunately, hoop number three was not far from hoop number two. Sparky went through it like he had been flying forever. Janelle was sure to keep the flame right beneath him and looked around for the next hoop. "I see it Sparky. It's over there." Off they went.

Kate had barely gotten to know her little dragon when it was time to train it to fly. She just hoped she'd gotten to know him well enough to be able to coach him to fly without him getting mad. She'd figured out earlier she had chosen a male dragon. No way was she checking its teeth, but she did check the ridges on its back and determined they were less sharp than others, meaning he was likely a male.

Sparky, she decided to name him.

Kate approached Sparky again. "Ready to fly, Sparky?" she asked, because it was probably best to approach a dragon with politeness. She reached out her hand and stroked the inner line of his wings. Sparky seemed to like this, as he just stood there enjoying the back scratch-type attention for a while before turning toward Kate. "Hi there," she said.

Sparky spread his wings, and Kate looked at him with wide-eyes, realizing he was ready to fly. "You can do it," she encouraged him. She patiently waited a few moments for Sparky to decide to get going, until finally, he rose off the ground ready to fly.

So. SO. What Toby was gathering from that answer was that if one were to BORROW A TINY BABY DRAGON... it wouldn't just randomly get bigger when it was sleeping under one's bed, right? That was definitely how it sounded to him. Or... his friend. Yes. That friend he was totally asking on behalf of.

In any case, there were now other matters to attend to. When the professor called him over, Toby got right up and did so, his dragon back on his shoulder again where it appeared quite happy to stay. He held out his hand when it became obvious that that was what Thompson wanted to see him about, tried to stand as still as he could and said, "It's okay. It doesn't hurt or nothing." Which was a lie, but it only hurt because of the fire now, and that part had been his own fault. At the instruction to see him after class, Toby nodded. "Alrighty." It was much different from when Airey had asked him to do the same, because THAT time there had been yelling and pointing and the astronomer had gone a scary shade of red. This time Toby was pretty sure he wasn't in any trouble, AND he was all kinds of distracted by Sparky, so there was none of that emotional turmoil. NICE.

And back Toby went to his place, sitting down and listening to the instructions for the main activity while Sparky rooted around in his hair. Hey, COOL. Fire spells! Toby could totally DO those, he was a pro at them kinda sorta.

FIRST, though, Sparky had to get up in the air. Toby held out his hands again for him to step out onto, all the better to start the activity. The charm or the non-magic way? Usually Toby went with the non-magic way, but it looking like the wing-stroking method sort of riled the dragons up a little and made them fly that way. But... Toby always liked to work with animals without that Animalis Fidelis charm if he could help it, soooooo... non-magic method it was.

"Time to fly, Sparky!" he said to his little dragon friend, rubbing his neck one last time to see him spit flames - it was cool, okay? - before moving his hand to the creatures wings.

It occurred to Toby, as he ran his fingers over the inner linings of Sparky's wings which caused the dragon to automatically huff and spread them out, that this was like tickling them. In which case, no wonder they wanted to fly away when it happened. "C'mon boy, you need to-" At that moment, Sparky's head turned towards him, and Toby immediately stopped and held out his hand. The tiny dragon took flight. Rahhhhh. RAHHHHHHH.

EXCITING.

Two ... Three .. Four

Noel was feeling waaay proud. Nala was doing so WELL. It wasn't like others weren't either but his eyes were obviously only and only on her. Aas she progressed further, Noel felt the need to move and so he did. Holding his wand under her, the fire burning - he directed her through the fifth hoop. He wondered if he could do this and make her travel through the castle.

Moving forward and with so many little dragons flying around, Noel trip just enough to make Nala change her direction. "Noo .. not here, that way, Nalaa" steadied himself and again pointed the wand under her and directed her toward the next hoop.

The answer to Janelle's question was: her arm. Her arm was definitely getting tired and Sparky was still going strong. Making sure to maintain her concentration, Janelle switched her wand to her other hand to give her right arm a break. They were heading for hoop #four and Janelle did not want the dragon to miss it. Sparky seemed to be having a great time exercising his wings, at least Janelle thought he was.

Keeping her wand steady, Janelle led Sparky to the left and made a beeline for the next hoop. He was through it in a flash and on they went to the next one. "You are the best Sparky. You're doing a fantastic job for a rookie flier." Janelle felt a little sorry that her dragon was unable to live our in the wild. He couldn't be free, She guessed he had the next best thing though because he was being well cared for. And getting all of her special love and attention.

"Here comes the next one.", Janelle said as they approached the sixth hoop. They were almost halfway home. "Keep going." They could do this.

This was going to happen. Boo was going to get herself into the air AND she was going to fly. Even if Hady had to get herself bitten and burned once more she was making this happen.

Lifting Boo a bit higher Hady ran a finger slowly under the inner part of the smallish dragons wing causing Boo to stretch her wings out while giving the girl what she would consider a glare. At least it wasn't a bite. Repeating the action once more soon saw Boo puff a bit of fire in her direction before snapping her wings up and down taking flight into the air! "That's it! You got it....keep going!" Hady praised her friend.

Quickly removing her wand from it's holster Hady pointed her wand just below the dragon and cast a firm "Incendio" the flames from her wand reaching just underneath Boo's belly. Keeping her arm steady with her other hand she walked forward guiding Boo through the first hoop and then the second. "Atta girl, way to go." Her dragon was doing an awesome job.

Janelle and Sparky had a rhythm going now as they zipped along on the course. The dragon seemed to be enjoying his flying lesson and the second year was definitely having a good time. Every now and then there would be a little glitch in their coordination, but soon they were back on track again.

The middle part of the course didn't seem too bad. Sparky made it through hoops seven and eight without a problem. His confidence apparently growiing, the little dragon seemed to want to veer from the planned route. Janelle gave a little extra oomph to her steering and Sparky was directed to hoop number nine. By now, he knew what to do and sailed through hoop after his initial desire to go elsewhere.

All of a sudden, it was as if the dragon could sense the next hoop. This was good. Fortunately the closest hoop was the one that they should be heading for. Janelle just kept the fire burning and let him fly.

Nala was wavering. She certainly didn't completely want to go straight through the hoops. Twice she wavered but the fire was making her, or forcing her to stay on track. Well ... that wouldn't do.

Not guiding her as such anymore, the fifth year let Nala decide her own way and just moved with her. Smiling, and cheering on her - his wand close to her, still encouraging her to fly as she may. The dragon glided higher and Noel watched proudly. Knowing he had to make sure she wouldn't get tired before completing the hoops, Noel again moved his wand beneath her and guided her back to where the hoops were.

And Nala zooomed passed into the sixth hoop, roaring fire out. Noel loudly cheered as she proceeded enthusiastically toward the seventh hoop and spun round it and then through it too.

Norah was waaaaay ahead of Professor Thompson, uh huh. Way. Ahead. You know why? She was aaaalll over the wing-stroking thing. Did everybody KNOW how cool it felt? Because the whole entire thing was really, really cool. Like reallyreallyreally. The coolest ever. She only half-listened to the instructions because Posy was doing a little fidgety thing with her little feet and it was kind of the cutest thing she had ever seen. Sorry, dude, but she had priorities. Cuteness priorities. It was a thing. Totally.

Something with fire. Riiiiiight. And flying. Flying then fire. The Hufflepuff held her face close to Posy's, drawing back quickly when she bared her teeth. Had those little teeth always looked so sharp? Keeping her hands well away from the front of her dragon's little mouth, she ran a finger along the ridges on her little dragon spine. "Time to flyyyyyy, Posy. This is your MOMENT." The little dragon shifted on her hand but did nothing even kind of close to flying. Uh. Norah moved her finger to the inner lining of Posy's wings and petted her there too. "C'mon Posy, fly!" There was a very encouraging spreading of wings, then....nothing. Did dragons speak english?