uhhhhh.... what. Ash walked into the training grounds. "Professor." She nodded. Ash glanced at the pool. "Are we supposed to jump into that or are we supposed to avoid jumping into it?" Yay flying. Ash was reasonably good at it, but she didn't enjoy quidditch too much. She kneeled on the ground. "Hello," she said to nobody, not really noticing that she was the first one there. She had a very nice broom too. Not that she particularly wanted to fly, but if she wanted to and could afford it, might as well fly safely.

This was going to be fun, right? She hoped at least, but if she was honest she had no clue how to really ride a broom. All she really knew was what she learned in her lessons and she really wasn't that great at it. It wasn't something she cared to do or tried to do at all. So coming to flying made her extremely nervous.

"Hello professor" She said as she entered and read the board. Diving? They weren't really going to have to dive were they, because that was scary to even think about let alone do it. She gave Ash a little wave and found her seat to wait for class to start.

Avalon was particularly excited for today's flying lesson. With everything going on, she was itching to feel the brisk autumn wind in her hair. Flying was the one thing that still made her feel free, even though they were basically held captive at Hogwarts.

Her expression was puzzled, though, as she approached the training grounds, her own Nimbus 4000 in hand. A pool? Since when did flying class involve swimming and diving boards? If she had known they were going to get wet today, she would not have worn her thick socks. There was truly nothing worse than wet socks.

"Good day, Professor Aguilar," Avalon said with a nod as she took a seat on the ground, using the time before class to rub off a few smudges from her broomstick handle with her sleeve. Although her broom was a few years old now, she still was obsessed with keeping it in tip-top shape. That thing cost a bloody fortune, and she had saved up every penny for it. She was determined to keep it pretty.

Quinn walked to class decked out in his flying gear, but.... the pool in the middle of the training grounds made him think they might not be flying today. Quinn was fine with swimming—definitely more than flying—but he wasn't expecting to get wet today. And he didn't like getting wet in regular clothes.

"Hello, Professor," Quinn said as he passed the professor, picking a spot in the field and sitting down.

Flying..

What would normally be her favourite class was somehow making the fifth year dread it a little. She had no idea what to expect or what could possibly conspire, but decidedly put on a brave face as she properly prepared for today's lesson.

She would soon make her way down to the training grounds, broom in hand, seeing that she had been one of the early students to arrive. Faye's eyes immediately taking note of the giant inflatable pool in the middle of the lawn with diving boards of different heights. Raising an eyebrow already puzzled, wondering if this was going to be some form of a pirate situation where they might have to jump off or something. Trying to already piece it together in her mind as to how this is going to go as she neared the Professor and the other students that had already arrived.

"Good morning Professor", politely bowing her head in her usual fashion as she picked an area to to wait for the lesson to begin once everyone was present. It was then that her blue eyes had taken note of what was written on the blackboard in capitalized writing. Diving? What in Merlin's beard could that possibly have to do with flying?

The confusion continues.....

TODAY WAS THE DAY! Eden had been eagerly anticipating her first flying lesson ever since reading that line on her Hogwarts letter that said she wasn't allowed her own broom. She was DETERMINED to get good at it so she could play Quidditch and fulfill her sporty-witch fantasies. While avoiding further injury if/when the Inquisitorial Squad showed their hooded not-faces.

Appropriate flying attire? Eden didn't know exactly what that meant, but she arrived in a plain pink t-shirt, a pair of grey sweatpants, and some trainers. Broom? Check. The school broom wasn't the best, but Eden didn't know anything about brooms and was happy to be using one at all. So, feeling prepared as she could be, she walked onto the training grounds. "Hi, Professor Aguilar!"

There was a lot of unexpecteds right away. A pool, for starters. And ping pong balls. The combination of "diving" on the board and diving boards. What were they doing? She couldn't wait to find out. Eden sat near Quinn and Ash, figuring she should stay in her own age group for this one. She gave a little wave to both of them. She knew Quinn wasn't too keen on flying, but maybe he'd come to like it. She hoped so.

Um.

Uh.

Nope.

Emmerson began noping the MOMENT she walked out to the training grounds and saw the giant pool. As a general rule, Emm hated quidditch. She hated flying. She hated brooms. Her talents were in the sphere of dancing and gymnastics. Note, neither required maneuvering on a flimsy piece of wood with the chance of falling and breaking every bone in her body.

As it so happened, she ALSO didn't feel like getting wet today.

"Professor." The 12 year old said, moving to join the others. "I'm allergic to diving, and water and like I told you before, brooms." This would not have been the first time the Gryffindor made this clear but it became all the more important with this giant pool and diving board business.

Consider her unamused.

He wasn't great at flying on a broom, but he also wasn't terrible at it. He had always been somewhere in the middle. Good enough to not get himself in an accident but definitely not good enough to make it in to a Quidditch team.

Just average.

He didn't have his own broom either so before he walked to the class outside, the Hufflepuff had grabbed one of the school brooms. Did he know which type he got? Nope. it was a broom. It flew. Hopefully...

"Hey professor Aguilar" he greeted with a nod of his head as he joined the others, holding his broom over his shoulder and looked at the giant inflatable pool.

Aboli didn't have a broom, so she was hoping there would be some provided the veeeeery new Professor Aguilar. She couldn't figure out here feelings for the professor yet because it was still too soon to do so.

But here she was because flying would probably be a peaceful, relaxing class compared to her NEWT level ones, right?

RIGHT?

Aboli was terrible at flying.

"Hello, Professor!" she said with a wave in his direction. She knew he went by MR. AGUILAR but it felt soooOoooo weird calling him that that Aboli usually just said PROFESSOR out of habit and stuff.

Claudine wasn’t that into flying though she was passable at it. For this reason, she didn’t own her own broom and had to borrow one of the School’s ancient Nimbus’. Yes, she had remembered to dress appropriately. “Good afternoon, Professor,’’ she said, addressing the man whom she thought handsome. You read right. Claudine Blaze, for the first time ever, found a professor to be handsome. Mhmm. “Interesting set up you’ve got here.” Were they actually there for a flying lesson?

The fifth year chanced a glance at the man’s face once more before following his instructions. She pulled up a patch of grass away from the pool and next to Avalon. With the Nimbus beside her, the girl decided that she wouldn’t be telling Heath what she thought of Aguilar in case she hurt his feelings. Then she remembered… they weren’t exactly talking much.

“Hi, Avalon. That your own broomstick?’’

Given his family history, one might think that Apollo was naturally interested in quidditch and flying. Except Apollo wasn't sure about it. Sure the first lesson had happened as well as one could expect for his first official time on a broom, albeit the stinky school brooms. The professor seemed alright enough too, one he was sure his older cousins and probably mother would fawn over. Perhaps he should set them up?

Approaching the grounds for today's lesson was surprising though as he hadn't expected to see a swimming pool. At least he was wearing athletic attire, but was he meant to wear swimming trunks? He hadn't recalled seeing that addendum. Diving into a swimming pool, not into air? Weird. But if it meant not having to be on the school brooms for long, Apollo was all for it!

"Hello Professor. Is the pool heated?" you know, just curious cause fall weather was kind of chilly for a swim in Scotland and he didn't really know any warming spells yet.

This class always, without fail, made Bernie feel ill, and not just because she didn't like heights nor trust brooms.

Okay, actually, those were the two exact reasons.

She ALSO felt ill because now she was going to look SUPER Muggleborn in front of the cute new professor. AND what were the chances those hooded observers were going to show up too, to judge her and point their wands at her and laugh and/or curse her? Bernie leaned around her classmates, peeked in the pool, and then hid in the back of the group.

She just had a bad feeling about this lesson. It didn't help that the branches on her school broom were sticking out every which way as she dragged it around with her. She could almost place money on the fact that those hoodie wearers were going to pop out of the pool at any moment. If she had any money to bet, that was. That would be just like them, to ruin a kiddie pool with their creepy presence.

"Hello, sir," she dully greeted the professor, taking a seat where he told them to. It was a shame he was so cute and yet taught such a silly subject. Couldn't someone make him teach a cooking class or something? She could see him wearing an apron. He'd make the kitchens a real hot place to be. All puns fully, embarassingly intended.

Violet was still using one of the old school brooms--her grandfather said she didn't need one of her own until she showed more skill and interest in flying. She had pointed out to him that she was unlikely to develop either using a low-quality broom, but he was not impressed with her argument.

Violet hated flying, because being high up in the air scared her, but mostly because she wasn't much good at it and she hated to look stupid in front of others. When she arrived at class and saw the pool and the word on the blackboard, she hated flying class even more, because she also hated getting wet and was afraid that that was what was going to happen shortly. Sighing, she took her place with the other students.

Flying was the absolute worst subject on earth. Who wanted to go and get themselves all up in the air and potentially die? Yet she was trying to do everything in her power to not draw attention to herself in front of the new headmaster. No need to get liar or something worse scrawled across her forehead.

Broom in hand she finally got closer realizing there was water. This lesson went from bad to absolutely worse. Ugh why did this have to happen. Trying to change her demeanor she smiled “Hello professor.” she tried to find a familiar face to stand by.... but that was short supply yet.

The term had been very trying thus far, but Camryn hoped that today would be different. She was excited about flying. The thought of being in the air and hopefully away from any scary people mad her feel hopeful. If anything could make her feel free, this was it.

“Hello Professor”, she said as she arrived for class. When she saw the pool, she was a little confused. She wondered what it would have to do with their flying lesson. This could be a good thing or a bad thing and Cam wasn’t sure how it would work out. Choosing to be optimistic for a change, she sat down and waited to find out the plan for the day.

Kinsay didn't hate flying as much as Emmerson hated flying. Actually, Kinsay didn't hate flying at all. It was nice and fun and her dad was a quidditch LEGEND. Did Professor Aguilar know? Probably. Kinsay made it a point to remind people often when it came up. What? She's a proud kid, okay!

So Kinsay didn't hate flying, but she had to pretend to hate it just a little bit on principal. That stuffs important when you have a best friend to please. Exceeeeeeeeeept the moment she saw the pool any and all determination to pretend to hate flying went straight out the proverbial window.

"Hi Professor. Are we swimming today?" It would have been a silly question to ask any other time, but there was a POOL. A whole POOL. "I can hold my breath for longer than a minute." Was he impressed? Because it was one of Kinsay's most special talents (next to her round off triple back handspring).

Were they going to fly or swim? Or both?

Lilith eyed the inflatable pool with narrowed eyes. This term has brought on too many surprises already, she didn’t want any more. She cautiously made her way towards the group of gathering students. Pausing with her broom at her side, she checked her surroundings, making sure there were no hooded figures. She felt like a cat on edge. One of these days she was going to snap and claw someone.

Relieved she didn’t see any of them, Lilith greeted the professor while at the same time eyeing his arms. She bet they gave nice, warm hugs. Eh. “Hello, professor.”

She wanted a hug. Instead, she went to sit down. SIGH.

It was a beautiful day outside and the breeze was running through her light brown hair. She would have to tie it up later as to not get in her way. The fresh air was a nice change and Delany was taking big, gulping deep breaths of it; taking a chance to try and calm not only her nerves but the underlying fear that had seeped into her bones ever since the welcome feast.

She had her brother's old broom broom clutched tightly in her hand. He had never been very good at quidditch and only took it out flying a few times so it was in very good shape still. She was very excited to learn how to fly for real. But she did not have a very good feeling about the large pool "Good afternoon Professor! Do we need bathing suits today?" She did not remember that on the packing list...

School broom in hand and sneakers on her feet, Mamie made her way to flying class. She was both looking forward to it and terrified of making a fool of herself. So, a normal day at Hogwarts.

"Hello, Professor!" she said as she arrived.

She was definitely intrigued by the inflatable pool. She took a seat as instructed, plopping herself on the ground and propping the broom on her knees. She hoped it was a well behaved broom and wouldn't do anything to make her flying more embarrassing than it already was. It had been the best looking one left in the storage place, though she wasn't sure how picked over they already were. She also wasn't sure if appearance indicated whether a broom would try to buck her off or not.

Fiona made her way to the outdoor lesson, carrying her Jollyrocket 2200 broomstick in her hand and wearing the appropriate outfit. "Good afternoon, Professor!" she greeted the Flying instructor. The fifth year headed over to where Claudine was and sat near her.

Atlas was neither here nor there about flying, even if he grew up with a couple of quidditch icons - like Alice Odessa - as close family friends of sorts. Auntie Alice had mostly tried to teach the blonde the importance of biting and had taken him and Aries on a couple of flybys before...but nothing ever on his own.

So, school broom in hand and his Gryffindor tracksuit on, the Gryffindor hurried over to where class was taking place and was relieved to find that the Wannabe Dementor Squad was no where in sight. He also noticed Quinn several of his first year peers were localizing and that was therefore the direction he headed in.

But first.

"Hello, professor," he greeted the man with a wide grin and bounce to his step before scampering over to the flock of first years and plopping himself down riiiiiiiight beside Quinn and likewise greeted him with a grin as well before a chipper, "Hey!"

The diving board and ping pong balls was puzzling, especially in light of the class announcement not listing swimwear for the suggested attire. Atlas had to wonder if they would be jumping off on their brooms and into a nose dive and then trying to pull up at the last second to snatch a ball or...just canon balling into the pool to get used to the sensation of falling. Because falling off your broom was a really real thing. He knew. He had seen plenty of quidditch matches.

He was just about to voice some of this to Quinn when he noted another Ravenclaw girl on the opposite of his friend, perhaps the girl Quinn had mentioned to him. So he offered her a small smile as well before his attention was back to his fizzing popcorn friend. "It feels a lot like riding a rollercoaster," he offered by way of explanation. "Only instead of sitting with a bar across your lap and being a passenger ...you are in control of the journey."

He sounded like he knew what he was talking about. He only half did.

...and it was safe to talk like this here, right? It was just the professor and none of The Hoods™ present. And, thankfully, his polyjuice conspiracy theory was forgotten in the excitement of the moment for being outside.

The tiny first-year made her way out to the training pitch with her scratchy uniform and tatty school broom. She was particularly excited for this class, uncomfortable uniform and splintery broom aside. She was just annoyed she couldn't bring her own broom this year, stupid rule. "Afternoon, professor!" Professor? Mister? Regardless, she grinned toothily at the man and threw up a peace sign. He seemed nice enough, she observed, and she was thankful for it. After the particularly harrowing experience in Rosier's class earlier an adult who didn't look like he was about to hex everyone and their grandmother for even looking at him was a breath of fresh air.

She took a seat next to Ash, smiling in greeting and raising her eyebrows at the inflatable pool. Was she supposed to bring swimwear? "Are we...swimming?"

Flying… ugh! Aside from DADA, this was the class Heath dreaded most. It was nothing against Mr. Aguilar! He just… had a thing about heights. He didn't even like being on wires or catwalks for plays! Like the time he played Michael Banks in Mary Poppins (one of the first plays he ever did), and there was one scene where he was on wires… it still made him shudder to think about it. Nonetheless, he arrived at the training grounds, school broom in hand. "Hello, Professor," he greeted, nodding politely.

His dark eyes scanned his surroundings, and he spotted Avalon, Claudine, and Fiona. He almost beelined for them but stopped himself just in time. Sure, being near people he trusted would make him feel a lot less nervous about flying, but he worried it was only a matter of time before the hooded guys turned up. He didn't want to inadvertently give them something to write about! Besides, he was supposed to be staying away…

He sat down on a patch of grass where he'd be alone and out ofvthe way, staring intently at the pool. For once, he didn't even try to riddle out how it might fit into the lesson. Instead, he was strangely reminded of the inflatable pool in Professor Schmoe's class a couple of terms ago, back when he was just starting to… Never mind. Could they start soon, please? He needed a distraction!

This was her class.

...well okay, actually it was Professor Aguilar’s class, but she was made for it. She’d flew before she’d even walked and it was one of the best feelings she knew. For this reason and this reason only (given everything going on this term), Cece actually wore a smile as she joined her classmates, broom in hand. ”Hello Professor.” This was going to be fun, huh? She needed some fun.