Janelle's excitement had not waned one bit. She couldn't wait to take a ride on that broom, even if it wasn't the most impressive one she'd ever seen. It was still awesome and as long as it would keep her in the air, it was alright by Janelle.

Janelle had not expected a Q & A session in Flying class, but questions were a part of every class at Hogwarts it seemed. What was the most important rule of flying? She listened as her classmates began to answer the questions. They all made good points, but she thought of something a little more important. Raising her hand, Janelle gave her answer. "Try not to die. I think that would be the most important rule." Wouldn't it?

"No problem,'' Adi told Benny as they stood waiting for the others to catch up. Really... almost all of the students had to grab broom, right? It didn't exactly make sense that they bring their brooms when there was not much to do with it.

Okay, so the first question was up. Adi's hand went up. "Know the broom you're using. Learn how well they react to your touches for changing directions and so forth because old brooms and even maybe some new ones sometimes do not react properly.'' Ehem... these borrowed brooms weren't old and malfunctioning, right? Hehe.

Penelope had never been on a broom before because all flying lessons and quidditch had been cancelled when she was a first year. Why, after five years, had they suddenly decided that students should have a flying lesson? Penelope looked over at Yoongi, who was scared of heights. Interesting that he had decided to attend a flying lesson of all things. She wasn't very comfortable with the idea of flying on a broom either because she had never had so much as a single flying lesson in her first four years at Hogwarts.

Questions! Most important rule of flying? Safety. Safety was always the most important rule of any activity where there was a chance of getting injured. "Be safe." Being safe was the most important thing, and not dying was a result of following all the safety rules and not falling off your broom. It would not be good if anyone died or got hurt. They would need to know how to not die before getting on a broom for the first time.

Ellery, who was currently taking the plaits out of her hair in preparation for the unbeatable feeling of the wind rushing through it, wiggled her bum at Olly. THANK MERLIN they were about to fly! It had been TOO LONG. Waaay too long. She hadn't lasted this long without holding a quaffle in her hands…like...ever.

Advice? "HAVE FUN. Honestly, it's WAAAY easier if you relax, dude."

..... Uh no, there was definitely something Tanner missed here, Zander was sure of it. He wasn't in the beginner group to help assist less experienced flyers. He was one of the less experienced flyers that needed assistance. But he wasn't about to out himself now that she had said that in front of EVERYONE. Thanks for that by the way, Professor. Sigh. So he only nodded, feeling his entire face going pink in the process. Great.

Just great.

"For sure, Professor," he replied back in just as quiet of a voice, casually glancing over at the sixth year in mention. That's right, Yoongi was afraid of heights wasn't he? Well, this class was about to be a real nightmare for him. Especially now that Zander was the one asked to keep an eye out. LOL Yoongi let's hope that your fate doesn't rest in the hands of Zander Adair because this would be a very unfortunate way to go.

Ahem.

As for the question though, he thought about it for a moment, knowing clearly that the right answer had to be 'never let go', but Ethan basically already said that. "Uh, don't look down?" Maybe. He wasn't sure.

He remained by Maggie's side, still keeping his hands busy with his broom handle. Standing idle was just so hard!

He should have guessed they would still to the general chat about rules and advice and things, but when it actually happened he didn't have much of anything to say. Not really, cause what he'd just told Maggie a moment ago was repeated by others... and that was the extent of his advice.

Although....

"It's probably not advised to attempt to do magic from your broom when flying with groups of people... so we shouldn't do magic." Ahem. Like summoning charms... not that it wasn't amusing to do so.

Hearing that it would be 'okay' wasn't really helping.

Like, again, what was she even doing here??? Maggie sighed and caught the broomstick she'd just summoned. What was that look for, Zeke? HMM? "What?!" She SHOULDN'T be flying? What was that supposed to mean? Maggie gave him a confused look, laced with a little bit of irritation.

That wasn't exactly a vote of confidence there, Mr. Browne.

Maggie tried to listen to all the advice that was being given. None of which put her any less on edge, to be honest. Don't die being the LEAST helpful. Like. That was a ground rule anyway. For, like, LIFE.

Literally.

No magic on broomsticks. Really? But at least Zeke's suggestion was actually teaching her something she didn't know. Okay. Good. "Don't fall off." Would be her number one rule to flying. Yes. That.

It was probably related to the Don't Die one really.

Quote:

Tiara knew she would be asked this question at least once. "Wherever you feel most comfortable, my dear. If you feel you could do with the basics over again, join the beginners. If you want a challenge, join the experienced group." There was no wrong choice here. "Your choice is not permanent, either," she said with a wink.

Hady nodded her head with a small smile. "Thank you Professor," she answered quietly. Glancing back and forth once or twice between the two different groups she made her decision.

Gripping her broom lightly yet firmly in her hand she took the few steps to the side joining the experienced group. She DID know how to fly. It was Quidditch that she wasn't that great with even though she did enjoy the game a lot.

"Keep calm and try to remain focus," she added along with everyone else her hand raised in the air. Keeping focused was always best in any situation. Know what's happening around you. Staying calm though. Now that could save your life. Or someone elses.

No flying yet. Yeah she kinda forgot that she was an actual class. So she would have to wait just a little bit longer to be able to fly.

What was a few more minutes compared to like five years.

Advice? Welllll...... She listened to all of the other answers coming from both sides. Each was great advice and suggestions. "Have patience and don't give up. Keep trying. Just like in anything. Stick with it! " That was all she had to say about that.

And no her excitement still hadn't wore off yet. But don't worry Tanner, she was fine and wasn't to explode in excitement.

She wasn't as nervous as some of her peers. Tia was sure she understood the context behind flying and quidditch, but it was the actual doing that petrified her more than anything. And maybe the threat a few years ago that she'd read about did terrify her slightly because she'd never flown before. But she knew flyers and players, straight from her own family, which made her slightly more calm about this whole flying thing. Not to mention all the adults present also put her at ease because she was sure they wouldn't let any students die in a basic flying lesson.

She had taken notice of the fact that the head boy was in the beginner group as well, and was surprised that Tanner had thought he was just assisting the less experienced. Even SHE knew he was one of the lesser experienced - unless girlfriend had taught him over the summer, but she doubted that was high on their list of things to do together. But she wasn't about to out him, even if she couldn't date him.

Most important thing to remember when flying. The sixth year thought about that while some of her peers spoke up. "Vigilance. You need to be aware when flying especially, and your feet aren't securely planted to the ground." Cause otherwise they might end up in a tree or something; which hopefully wouldn't be the whomping willow.

Advice? HE HAD PLENTY!!! Loads. Mhm. Kid was a natural at this stuff except not really. He supposed he could share a few nuggets of wisdom. Also, how cool was it that Olly was in the same group? They could work together and everything!!!!

Blaise waited his turn like the good cookie he was then his hand shot waaaaay up there.

"No matter how much of a good idea it sounds like, DON'T try flying into someone else. Some people do for Quidditch but that's different and half the time they're faking to make the other person pull up." He didn't want anyone flying into him. The ground was a far way from the sky and unlike the playground, he didn't think this place had all the neat cushioning charms to prevent him from breaking anything.

If this went well, could they play Quidditch too? He'd have to work on his multi-tasking while in the air but it was the preferred alternative to reading his notes so....HE WAS GAME.

It seemed like so many students didn't have much experience in flying. Even most of them were OLDER. But.... never mind. It's gonna be fun, wasn't it? Come on, Professor! Just start it already!

But before they went flying.... what do you think is the most important rule of flying?

The young lioness put her hand up on the air and answered. "Keep focus. Because if you're not focus, you can hit a building or maybe get stuck on a tree." Especially whomping willow tree, that would be dangerous.

Well this was weird with a lot more first years in the experiences group then he realized. Unless they were all lying then whatever that was the Professor's problem not his. Advice he would give to beginners. Well first off why would you want advice from him and second off all he would say is common sense stuff that even a beginner could get.

"Just relax and have fun flying in the air"

See common sense stuff because why would you be flying if you have a fear of heights or were too scared to do it.

Though it a whole other matter entirely of you have never flown before.

Rather unfortunately, Benzi was in the experienced group. He did know how to fly and had flown multiple times in his lack, though definitely not for the lack of protest. He kind of hated flying as it involved something else which he was quite terrified of. Yes, little known fact, Benzi Rider was afraid of heights. He'd learn to master this fear when he was on top of buildings - for the most part - but brooms were NOT for him.

Unfortunately, again, they could not be avoided and this was why he was here, eyeing the school brooms warily as people around him talked. And then the professor talked too, and he listened out of habit. Advice, eh? Well, he had some advice, as he was going to apply it to himself today.

"Breathe and don't let the fear get to you." There. Copyright Prefect Benzi Rider the Wise.

Caleb was in the experienced group, obviously. One term of quidditch still counted as experience! He felt so bad for all the kids younger than him that didn't get to play the game. It was soooooo fun and some stupid threat had to go ruin it all. What was that about?!

He raised his hand in response to Tanner's question "Broomsticks can totally tell if you are nervous. Just breath and try to let go of your nerves and you'll be ok!" he told them. Easier said than done, yes, but it was doable.

It was interesting to see which group everyone went to - she wasn't actually surprised that Zander chose the other group, but there were a lot of young kids that were joining her group. Erm. She... wasn't going to ask, since Tanner wasn't saying anything about it. Still, she was WORRYING about these younger kids. Like, were they going to be able to keep up? Were they gonna spiral out right in front of her and cause wreckage when they're all supposed to be experienced and know how to do this? Were they gonna get someone hurt? Probably. Sigh.

Just another day at Hogwarts.

At the professor's question, Soph considered loads of nuggets of advice to offer up. It was all generally encompassing the same general ideas, so she offered up her piece, too, with a raised hand. "Trust yourself. Not just believe that you can do it - you've gotta trust yourself to be able to do this, and trust your broom, too. There's no room for doubting that you can do it, 'cause y'can. So trust your budding abilities to fly, and y'will." She would have been happy to demonstrate that kind of confidence and patience.

Feeling a pat on his shoulder, Yoongi looked beside him at the Professor’s reassuring smile. “Ah…y-yes…” Great now he had extra pressure because she thought he would do great. Not okay but GREAT. As he looked around again, he was very surprised to see that mostly older students had joined the beginners group. And that most of the first years were experienced flyers. Either they were all lying and all in the hospital beds later or they actually could fly. As he watched them, Yoongi saw Norah shooting him a worried look. He blushed a red color and had to look away. No playful winks, no smiles or waves because he was embarrassed.

While he was trying to look everywhere but Norah, he decided to check his own group which resulted in his making eye contact with Penelope as well. Oh Merlin we’re they all watching him?! He liked attention but not now. Maybe that was why it was a good thing that the Professor had whispered an instruction to Zander to look after him so that he couldn’t hear it. What he had heard was that Zander had volunteered to be in the beginner's class which was really nice of him. Cool guy Zander was.

Although he was scared, he had been training to get over his fear so he was sure that he wouldn’t be screaming like a mad person like at the prefect event last year …or In class at the beginning of the year… But he was still very nervous. Just the thought of being in the air on just a broom was terrifying. But what did he think is the most important rule in flying . “Not falling off” he laughed, though he wasn’t laughing.

Eyes sharp and brain ticking, Rooney was already overwhelmed. He had initially thought that being in a larger group would make him feel a little more at ease about it, but as more people joined the beginners group he realised that it was the amount of people that was making him feel sick. He gripped the broom with both hands, just out of nerves and listened to the answers provided by his fellow students, before offering his own. "Don't crash or fall, because you've got a lot to live for?" Or so...that's what his most important rule of flying was.

He had a lot to live for.

A future already planned out.

Angel looked at the Professor as she spoke, this was nothing like Arithmancy was it, with the Arithmancy Professor hosting it she thought that it would be cool if it had been but now she thought about it she could see why it wasn't. Angel raised her hand. "Make sure that your broom wants to do what you want it to do?" Angel wondered if they could go wrong and do something different.

Everybody out of the way! Bentley was done standing around the back. Now that the professor was asking questions he felt he needed to give his brilliant advice as well. So the he bustled his way through the throng of students to his cousin's side.

Of course he hadn't been to any fancy camps or played anywhere professionally BUT he was from a traditional magical family, which meant broom games was a common occurrence. Blaise was beating him to the punch with giving advice though.

His hand shot in the air. "Get over your fear of heights...otherwise you'll get really dizzy and fall off. If you're not too high up no one will use a cushion charm to break your fall." Bentley rubbed his bum as he remembered landed hard on the hot sand.

Well, she didn't know about all of them, but she was ready to get going. "Right. So first off, I am about to place a cushioning charm on the ground. No serious injuries should occur from hitting the ground if you happen to fall." From within her robes, she drew her wand in her right hand. Nonverbally, she thought the incantation in her mind and performed the necessary wrist movement.

Next, she turned to the beginners group. "So first step is mounting your broom." Tiara strode over to the wall of the stadium and retrieved her own Firebolt, laying it on the ground to her right. "Place the broom on the ground at your side, whichever side has your dominant hand." She was right-handed, hence the right. "In a firm voice, say 'up' to your broom. It will zoom into your hand slightly below waist level." Tiara demonstrated this, her broom doing as commanded. "If it doesn't work right away, just keep trying. I would like you each to practice this at least three times. Remember, confidence!" And if she saw anyone in the air at this point - before she had instructed them to mount their brooms - points would be flying faster than you could say 'quidditch.'

"Experienced group, you should know this already." And if they didn't, then why on earth had they chosen that group? "I would like you to spread out among the beginners to assist them, encourage them, and keep them safe." She couldn't be everywhere at once, and having an experienced flyer right there with you could be a big help and comfort. Plus, this left her free to be aware of their surroundings.

OOC: Please continue putting beginner/experienced group as your post title. I can't possibly remember you all, and it will help me calculate points way easier.

Benzi grinned when the professor laughed with him, suitably distracted from the prospect of flying for the time being. If they could do theory all lesson it would be GREAT. Unlikely, but great.

Sigh.

Oh now he's got to help the little ones? The irony. Such irony. Where was Suri, she was probably laughing her head off. Regardless, Benzi saluted with a smile at the professor and began meandering around everyone in the beginner's group. Mostly little kiddos but some older crowd too. "Anyone need help with anything? Or want me to hold them while they kick off?" he was tall, it could work. "Or I could stand underneath you, ready to play catch if you slip and don't want to test the cushioning charm. S'up to you really." Big smiles all around. Anyone?

Yep, he knew all that.

Though he certainly knew what it was like to deal with a temperamental school broom. Hopefully this time wouldn't be a troublesome experience. At Professor Tanner's instructions for them to spread out, Benny moved away from Adi with his broom through staying nearby so if needed, they could work together in assisting any of the younger or less experienced of the flyers. He couldn't for the life of him, know the reason for Zander remaining in the beginners group.

Oh well...to each their own.

Now to watch the others and see if anyone wanted or needed help. The seventh year's eyes flittering around the group nearest him.

OKAAAYY!!!

Note to self: Don't make terrible jokes when Maggie is distressed.

"No! You should! I mean... I was joking." He wrapped an arm around her to give her a quick squeeze. No freaking out was necessary. Not yet at least... he couldn't make any promises that she'd enjoy her flying experience, but it was safe to say that most did.



It had surprised him that she hadn't jumped at his answer. He thought it was better than the generic stuff everyone else had been saying about fear and things... AND he knew for a fact that it had been a school rule when his mum had attended. School rules did change though, he supposed... but it made sense not to. "So not unless we're under attack you mean, right?" Cause spells flying willy nilly from and at moving targets didn't sound like a good idea, not without training at least. And what reason would they have to anyway?

...

BUT...

This really was basic. So basic in fact, that he could do it in his sleep.

Placing his broom on the ground beside him, he held his hand above the handle and clearly commanded, "Up." The broom complied, just like it had every other time over the past few summers. Feeling it's slick handle under his touch, Zeke returned it to the ground, and repeated the process, was Maggie going to give this a go? She didn't need to worry about this step.

"Up."

So wait, they were not allowed to fly. Then why had Dante gone and got the broom if they were only just going to babysit. This was just sooo meh. He would leave all the 'calling out they would help if asked' to the older kids. Dante was just going to quietly walk around.

He was not in the mood for encouraging. So he would go with the keeping them safe. Though he was not really in the mood for that either. More in the mood to laugh at something. But there were teachers here. So he would have to keep them safe or whatever.Dante looked around for he guess the word would be trouble or pending disasters.

Though the second might to too dramatic and he was terrible at being dramatic.