They were starting? All righty. He was left-handed so as Professor Tanner instructed, Owen placed the broom down at his left, took a deep breath and said, "Up."

He blinked.

And blinked again.

Then blinked some more.

Yup. Nothing happened. Of course not. He didn't know the first thing about flying but he was willing to practice so in a firmer voice, the Hufflepuff went at it again. "Up!"

The broom levitated...somewhat...like some 3 inches above ground. Hah! Progress! A little, but still progress.

Janelle still thought that her rule was most important, but the others were good too. She felt rather confident, even though she had no idea what she was doing. She definitely planned to have fun, no matter what. Besides, there were plenty of experienced classmates who could help her out with this flying thing.

Then they were ready to get started. They weren't allowed to fly yet, but they were getting there. Janelle listened carefully to Professor Tanner, taking in every word. She held onto her broom for a moment, trying to summon all of the positive vibes that she could. Finally, Janelle placed the broom next to her on the ground.

Concentrating as hard as she could, Janelle held her arm out from her side, leaving her hand open to receive the broom. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Up". Nothing. Janelle said, "Up", this time trying to make her voice sound more confident. The broom began to rise, sort of, but it didn't make it all the way up to her hand. Janelle stopped and tried to re-focus. She would do it this time, for sure. Positioning her hand once again, she said, "UP". Finally, it worked and the broom rose just enough to touch her waiting palm. Quickly, Janelle closed her hand around the broom handle, feeling a huge sense of accomplishment. She had to do it one more time, to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Hand out, Janelle repeated, "Up". Again, the broom rose and she grasped it in her right hand. She had done it, twice. Was she ready for the next step? Janelle hoped so.

Cinna gave Tanner a small smile in reply to what she added to her answer. That was one thing that he dad had told her about flying and life in general. It was a a good piece of advice that her dad had given her.

Were they flying now, yeah?

Or not. Though she was wondering if maybe she could help out some of the beginners. There were a lot and honestly she was surprised to see so many of the younger students in the experienced group. Maybe someone should keep an eye out for them too. Also there was a few older in the beginners group. That was exactly what Tanner wanted him to do.

She nodded at professor Tanner weather she seen it or not she didn't know. Moving to the other group she looked around and watched. "If you don't get it the first time try it again." She said out loud to the group with an encouraging smile. She knew it wouldn't be easy the first time or few times were the hardest.

Okay people, what was with the looks? It's not like he was the only Seventh Year in the beginner's group. Ethan was here too. He wasn't in this alone, okay? So thanks, but also no thanks. Now if everyone could just ignore the fact that the head boy was in the starters group that'd be just dandy.

As for the help bit, he may have stood in the beginners group, but he wasn't about to lower himself even further. See, today was all about learning to not be a beginner anymore. And he couldn't possibly do that with the help of someone else. So thanks, but no thanks. He had this.

Carefully he set down his broom and stepped over to the other side so that he could hold his dominant hand over it. "Up!" HA. The broom went up almost instantly. SEE he was going to be GREAT.

Why had he even been worried about this? Ridiculous. He practiced a few more times. "Up!"

Gwen was excited to fly, to say the least. She had been to the Quidditch World Cup when America played Mongolia, and even though Mongolia had won, it was amazing. She'd always dreamed of flying herself, maybe even playing Quidditch. She looked at the broom. "Up!" She said. The broom shot up into her hands. She decided it must've been her will to learn the game. Looking at the people around her, she grinned.

Beatrice nodded and said hello to her fellow beginner group, happy to be surrounded by students of all ages. Having listened to both groups give their advice and thoughts on flying. They were all good points, in her opinion, and she took the advice of the experienced group. It was in brain storage for later.

And her relief was absolutely palpable at hearing that Tiara was placing a cushioning charm on the ground. Beatrice's fear was falling, having had a falling accident whilst flying many years previously. At least she didn't have to worry about that now. And if she did fall, there would be a soft ground to break her fall, not a hard one. Following Tiara's instructions, it having been many years since she even picked a broom up, she placed the broom on her right side, hovering the same hand over the broom. "UP!" she said firmly, and after the second go, she had a broom in her hand.

Well, so far it felt like riding a bike.

Encourage and keep the beginners' safe? That sounded like a job for Adi! Hehe. After Benny went off on his own, the Hufflepuff happily bounded off, watching out for his younger friends. First to catch his eyes was the big guy. "Good start, Owen! Remember to not be afraid and fully confident in yourself. Think of the broomstick as a sandwich that you really want to catch in your hands.'' Hehe. Hey, food was great motivation.

Janelle and Gwen were next. Adi was SUPER proud of these three. "Good job, Janelle, Gwen!'' He flashed them both a thumbs up. Sooo, he would stick close by these two Puffers and one Claw. Yup. He sort of felt it like he owed it to Janelle mostly. After all, he had promised Jasmine three years ago that he would take care of her sister.

The Professor had been silent after his answer but he didn't mind for once. Usually he disliked it when that happened but he was too focused on keeping his feelings intact. He did however hear one of the students saying 'get over your fear of heights' He didn't know who had said that but if he had that person would have received a glare. Why'd they think he was here? Huh?

Placing the broom down on the ground on his right hand side, Yoongi took a deep breath before he held his hand above it. Confidence was the key and it was probably that why it went horribly wrong. Because of his natural overflowing confidence combined with his fear right now, the broom sped up after he had said "Up!" and had HIT him right in the face. A second later it fell back down. "oww ow ow!" if this was leaving a bruise...

Oh! Adi. Weeee. The older Hufflepuff was once again to his rescue, it seemed. And it was helping, really. Especially since food once now involved. He could do this. I am Owen Thyago Montezor and I am not afraid. I am Owen Thyago Montezor and I am confident. I am Owen Thyago Montezor and the broom is a sandwich that I terribly want to get a hold of.

Taking a deep breath, Owen eyed his broom in concentration. "Up!"

Lo and behold, the broom latched onto his waiting hand. Ohohoho. Good job, self! With a wide grin, he turned towards his superior and beamed. "It worked! Thanks, Adi!"

Coolness, right?

No, not even if he’s an advanced flyer already, he’d still have both of his hands tied to his broom. Maybe when he’s really really good at it will he try that ‘trick’.

Moving on now, he got his school issued broom, and placed it on his right side. Ethan opened and closed his right hand, ready to catch the broom once he gives the command. Breathing in and out first, he calmed himself and basically convinced himself that he can actually get through the first step.

“Up!” Professor Tanner said to say the word in a firm way, like commanding a soldier to get up. But instead of his broom zooming up to his hand, the thing stood beside him, as if waiting for another barked order. “Not that kind of up, Boomie.” Yes. He actually named his broom that. Ethan pushed the broom back, and it fell like a dead tree.

Holding his hand over the broom, he gave the command once more. “Up!” and the broom was now in his hand.

EEEEEEPPPPP!!! And now they're gonna start flying!!

And maybe, Tanner should have an intermediate group: Yeah, the ones who doesn't have very much experience but not really a beginner because she might be in that team. Why suddenly she thought like this? Because she knew how to mount the broomstick. Like the instructor had said, Ava then step at the left side of the broom since she's left-handed. In her firm voice, she commanded the broom. "Up!"

The broom now had levitated, but not really high enough. She tried to command it once again. "UP!" And now the broom was on her hand. Yay! The young lioness did watch Yoongi got hit by the broom and she tried not to laugh....

But it failed. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Ah so that was all? Getting the broom to rise on the command of up was probably the easiest part of flying. She could accomplish this in her sleep but it wasn't what she was supposed to be doing. No. Being a part of the experienced group meant she got to help anyone that needed it.

So with her broom held lovingly in her grasp she made her way over to the beginner group. Did anyone still need help or was everyone already getting the general idea of how this task worked. "Would anyone like some help?," She asked softly walking back and forth slowly near the beginners. If she noticed anyone having trouble she would gladly stop to assist them or they could pull her aside if they choose to do that as well.

Wait, the Professor wanted them helping the beginners? See.....the thing was......he was only TECHNICALLY not a beginner and and stuff....and didn't want to go ahead and give someone shoddy advice that only really worked for him. It wasn't like he'd been flying on his own for ages or anything.

He'd just help his cousin. That seemed reasonable enough and Bentley wasn't all THAT great at it on account of that fear of broom heights Grand Auntie Sophia instilled in him.

No worries mate, your cousin's got you but first his own broom. Blaise placed it on his right, held out in hand then very firmly went, "Up!" As he did, he remembered all those times his father made him try and how much he pretended he wasn't crying every time it DIDN'T work. That had been an exceptionally long weekend of father-son bonding but it wasn't for nothing as evidenced by the broom that smacked against his palm within seconds.

"Yes!" Eyes on his cousin. "Your turn."

Oliver had purposefully chosen not to answer that last question. Many members of the beginner group were older than him. Who was he to try and give them advice? If only there was a middle group, not just beginner and advanced. He was a first year, so he didn't feel comfortable trying to help older kids, but he had flown before so there was no way he was going to join the beginner group.

"Up." He held out his hand and the broom flew right into it. That might be something he could help with. It was a fairly easy task. He glanced around at the beginner group, but so far they all looked like they were doing well. Good.

Assist, encourage and keep the beginners safe? Yeah well, she never really good with encouraging people. Actually she was BAD like really bad at it. So she just gonna stand here and watched the beginner people in case someone need her help especially the firstie. It counted as keep them safe right?

She saw some of the beginners managed to mount their broomsticks except Yoongi apparently. He managed to get his face smacked by the broom. Ouch! That must've hurt. Poor guy. She hoped he's okay.

Candice placed her right hand over, when she was sure that her palm was centered on the broom handle "UP!" she said firmly. The broom instantly flew into her hand.

It was nice that there was a cushioning charm on the ground. That would no-doubt help with building the kids' confidences because then they didn't even have to worry about getting hurt if they DID fall, so all would be well, right?

Curiously, Soph watched Tanner demonstrate the simple steps of mounting a broom to the beginners group and tried to look attentive, even if she was bored. She was bound to be bored during this part, though, but she didn't let it discourage her too much because SOON ENOUGH they were gonna get to FLY AGAIN. She'd be flying on her OWN BROOM.

Assisting the beginners group wasn't as fun as flying right away, but Soph nodded at the instructions to help them out and started moseying around the beginners group. Janelle was doing nicely and got a, "Nice job, Janelle," out of Soph, and Zander nearby also got an encouragement of, "You've got this." Because he did, of course. Still moseying along, Soph's gaze snapped in the direction of Yoongi's broomstick colliding with his face, and Soph let out a noise of sympathetic displeasure.

Rough luck there, Yoongi.

Angel now had to try and figure out how to get this going, she was hoping that this would go great and that she would be able to do this after all she loved football and this was going to be like that right but on a broom and she would be flying right.

Angel put her broom down to the side of her and then she held out he hand. "Up!" Angel did what the Professor told her to say and she waited but nothing happened. "UP!" Angel said again trying to be positive but after waiting a while she realised that this might just be hopeless.

Angel looked at her broom and sighed. "UP!" Angel tried for a third time to get the broom up in the air but once again nothing happened and now she was upset and really wound up she wasn't used to things going this wrong for her.

Rubbing his forehead where the broom had hit him the hardest, Yoongi reached for his bag and pulled out a small mirror about the size of his palm. Checking if any bruisings had started to appear and seeing nothing, he placed it back. Maybe it was a sign? That he SHOULDN'T be doing this? But he wanted to, perhaps this was why the hat sorted him in Gryffindor? His stubborn behaviour to do stuff despite being afraid.

Not knowing if he should feel proud or stupid, Yoongi held his hand over the broom again "Up!" he shouted, trying to sound comfident. Nothing this time... "Up! Up up up up!" After MANY times of trying, the sixth year finally managed to get the broom in his hand. Great...one step closer to his doom.

"Of course. Please defend yourself should you find yourself under attack." Though if it was from a classmate, there was a whole separate issue there.

She happened to be near the boy when he successfully got his broom into his hand. "Well done!" she said enthusiastically.


Well, that was certainly better than nothing. "That's the idea, Mister Montezor! Keep trying, now."


Tiara noticed Janelle had several good attempts under her belt. "Well done, Miss Guidry!" Her sister had been a quick study as well.


Like she had said, he was really there to assist the others in the group. "Truly excellent, Mister Adair." She resisted the urge to throw an 'I told you so' in there.


She would be happy if she had gotten those results her first try as well. "Oh, well done, Miss Rose!"


Tiara had thought that her colleague was in the beginner group simply to help supervise, but it turned out that was not the case. However, she did manage to pick up on the skill pretty quickly. Tiara caught the woman's eyes and nodded her approval.


Now that was one she hadn't heard before. However, given the results.. "I will have to remember that one, Mister Rehman!" Perhaps with a small modification for chocolate truffles, though.


OH... that one had to hurt. She walked over to the poor boy to check on him. "Wow, your broom was very enthusiastic, wasn't it? You alright?" she asked sympathetically. Then, leaning over, she whispered, "That's what happened to me my first time too, just in the shoulder instead of the head. Knocked me straight to the ground."


Alright! "Success! Keep it up." She flashed the boy a smile.


Yes, it was funny, but.. "I advise you to keep your laughter to a minimum, Miss Burton. You may find the tables can turn very quickly in this field."


Hmm. Angel seemed to be struggling. Who would be good for her? "Miss Brown, could you come assist over here?" That personality match should work well. Then, turning to Angel, she explained. "Sophie Brown should be able to help you out, she is a very skilled flyer."

OOC: Another few hours and then we'll move on.

Soph had spotted Angel's troubles across the way, but she'd been all the way at the other side of the group when she first took notice, and she planned on moseying over there if none of the other experienced flyers nearby helped--

But Tanner was enlisting her assistance. WHAT AN HONOR.

"Coming, professor," Soph swerved around a few people to reach Angel, her face bright with confidence. In the next moment, she was settling herself at Angel's side, placing her own broomstick on the ground to help demonstrate further what Angel wanted to do. "I saw you struggling, 'n I think y'just need to relax. Brooms are super sensitive, a lot like wands are, y'know? With your wand, you're not gonna put all your might into doing magic with it - you're gonna be cool, confident, and just... let it happen. Doesn't require TOO much strenuous thought, y'know? I mean, y'need to focus your intent, but y'can't let your emotions take control. It's magic, very sensitive, and it's gonna respond to every bit of energy you're giving off. So if you're giving off too much negative energy, it's gonna respond negatively - in this case, by not giving you what you want."

Clearing her throat, Soph stuck out her hand over her broom and gestured for Angel to do the same to her broomstick. "Just relax. Cool, confident, but firm. Y'gotta want it, envision it, and just... let yourself have it. Concentrate, but don't overthink it." Soph took a deep, cleansing breath, then demonstrated. "Up," Soph coolly ordered her broomstick, and up it went into her hand.

Not too hard, eh? "Just trust yourself. You've got this." She believed in her.

See this wasn't the hard part. The hard part was the actual flying bit. Zander knew that from the little experience he had back in the day. aka first couple terms at Hogwarts. aka forever ago. Yeah, this was gonna get real rough, real soon. But thankfully his broom made contact with his hand yet again and things were smooth sailing right now at least.

LOL.

The same could not be said about Yoongi.

Zander tried not to laugh out loud, but come on!? All the years of being the butt of the joke himself and now someone else took that job? It was only his RIGHT to laugh a little bit okay? But he stifled the laughter knowing very well that he'd be the one to be laughed at later if karma worked out like it normally did.

He did chuckle a little seeing Ava's reaction though.

LOL.

This was too good.

Ugh, they had to spread out and make fools of themselves now. Rooney was certain that he was very much so going to get a broom to the face and a broken nose, and therefore moved a little further away than Miss Charlotte and Miss Sophie and actually anyone that he'd had a conversation with for longer than ten seconds. No thank you. No one was expecting him to get hit though, right? Because then they'd be watching him very intently, and he wasn't sure that he would know from a feeling if he was already full of the jitters.

With his broom to his side, the Ravenclaw looked at it curiously and his mouth tightened before he sighed. Might as well get the failure over now, right? He was never meant to be a talented flyer. He was never meant to excel in anything but pure brilliance. Acting had been an accident that he'd been good at. Or he had a pushy mother. But he did enjoy it more than anything. Maybe not as much as pure brilliance, but..it was questionable. HAND OUT. Hand out, yes. Focus, yes. Deep breath, yes.

"Up!"

A little wiggle..?

Was that it?

Had he not focussed enough? Was he supposed to say please?

Okay. Another try... Rooney took an even bigger deep breath, closed his eyes and willed himself to do this right before opening them again. "UP!" The broom left the ground almost immediately and crashed into his palm as his fingers closed around it.

Pure brilliance was looking like it had competition, ey?

Gwen loved learning. Honestly, she could've been a Ravenclaw. Not that she hadn't dreamed and dreamed of being a Hufflepuff. Hogwarts was the most well-known wizarding school, after all, and of course she had read Hogwarts, A History many times.
She grabbed the broom and said, once again, "UP!" The broom rose about two inches. Well, that was enough. She figured mounting a broom would be like mounting a horse. Obviously, not exactly, but enough. She knew, at least, which end was up for the broom. Gwen wished there was a intermediate group and wondered if any of the other first years felt the same way. Maybe they could talk to Professor Tanner about this.

Adi watched with pride as Owen tried again. And his tactic worked! Of course it did. He had figured out it was best to encourage students by playing to their strengths and likes during those times at coaching at his cricket club. With Owen, one of his passions was food soooo, that's why his broomstick had become a sandwich. Hehe. "No problem, Owen! Keep your focus and if necessary, use food as motivation.'' Adi winked just as Tanner got his attention.

"It works like magic every time, Professor!'' Ehem... was this a hint for her to have food sometime during her classes? Maybe. Sooo, who else needed some help and motivation? "You alright?'' he called to Yoongi. Adi had seen the forehead rub but had missed the epic bang from earlier. Pity.

Angel was just thinking about giving it another go when the Professor spoke, she was about to say something when the Professor called for the head girl to show he how to do it, well this was awesome, she hoped that Sophie would be able to help her.

Angel watched as Sophie moved around some people and then she told her she had seen her struggling, had she been that bad, now this was making her sad, where was a football she wanted to kick one. Let her play that any day and she was exceptional.

Angel listened to everything that Sophie told her, this head girl was amazing and must seriously love flying, she was talking about it like how she would take about football. "Okay, I'll try." Angel was still scared all there was between being successful and falling out of the sky was one little broom and she had read stories of people falling off them.

"Up!" Angel held her hand out but once again the broom did nothing, this was embarrassing her now, Sophie's broom had shoot straight up the first time of asking.

Angel decided to try and think positivity, she thought about it and she concentrated hard on it being in her hand, she was trying to keep the negative thoughts out of her head.

"Up!" Angel watched her broom it did nothing for a few seconds before it started to shake and then it went into her hand. "Thanks Sophie." Angel gave a weak smile to the head girl.