Flying Lessons

After suffering through Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrell and taking a forty-minute nap during History of Magic, you and the other first year Slytherins dropped off your things in the common room then made your way out of the castle and went across the Clocktower Courtyard to the flying grounds. It was a large open courtyard at the back of the castle with an open, grassy field in the middle and the Herbology Greenhouses looming nearby. Twenty broomsticks had been laid on the field in neat rows.

The Gryffindors hadn’t arrived yet, they likely had a longer trek to the grounds from their tower. This, unfortunately, meant that Pansy Parkinson was free to continue the teasing she’d been heaping on you all afternoon.

“Say, Marvolo, do you think your new girlfriend is watching?” Pansy asked as she eyed the rear windows of the castle that overlooked the field.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” you insisted yet again. “She just taught me a spell. Nothing happened.”

“You keep saying that,” Pansy noted, “But I’m still not going to believe you.”

“You don’t blush that red from nothing,” Daphne chimed in. “Something happened.”

“Get that look off your face!” you warned her, “Find your mystery somewhere else, woman!”

“She didn’t kiss you… did she?” Millicent quietly questioned.

“OOOO!” Pansy squealed in delight while Daphne and Tracey giggled.

“MILLIE!” you snapped. “No! She didn’t! Nothing. Happened.”

“I stiiill dooon’t be-liieeeve yoouu!” Pansy called out a singsong voice.

“I’m getting real close to showing you exactly what she taught me,” you growled. “Keep pushing me, Parkinson, and you’ll see first hand how well I learned the Knockback Jinx.”

“You! Wouldn’t! Dare!” Pansy shrilly challenged you.

“Both of you shut up,” Draco suddenly ordered. “The Gryffindors are coming.”

You shot Parkinson one last annoyed glare, which she happily returned then you both turned your attention to the arrival of the eight Gryffindors for the sake of Slytherin Unity. You hadn’t even been at Hogwarts for two full weeks yet and there was already an air of hostility between your two houses. You had a bad feeling about this.

Your teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” she barked. “Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.”

There was a clear split between your two houses as the ten Slytherins went to brooms in one row while the eight Gryffindors went to the ones on the other. That meant there were two brooms left over.

You looked down at your broomstick. Like all the others, it was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles. You’d heard rumors about the poor quality of the school brooms.

“Stick your right hand over the broom,” called Madam Hooch at the front, “and say ‘Up!’”

“UP!” everyone shouted.

Your broom jumped into your hand at once but was one of the few that did. Harry’s broom had jumped right up into his hand and so had Malfoy’s. So did Seamus Finnigan’s. Hermione Granger’s had simply rolled over on the ground, and Neville Longbottom’s hadn’t moved at all. There was a quaver in Longbottom’s voice that said only too clearly that he wanted to keep his feet on the ground.

Eventually, after a few more calls of ‘UP’, the entire class was all holding their brooms.

Madam Hooch then showed you how to mount your broom without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips.

“Well done, Gaunt,” she said as you straddled the broomstick and used both hands to grip it with your knuckles pointing towards the ground. “Malfoy, your grip is all wrong. Hold it with your hands on top. Not underneath.”

“What? I’ve been doing it like this for years!” Draco sputtered.

“Then you’ve been doing it wrong for years,” Madam Hooch responded.

Harry and Ron looked delighted by this development. Once Madam Hooch confirmed that everyone had the proper grip, the lesson progressed.

“Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard,” said Madam Hooch. “Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle - three - two -”

But Longbottom, nervous and jumpy and probably frightened of being left on the ground, pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hooch’s lips.

“Come back, boy!” she shouted, but Neville was rising straight up like a cork shot out from a bottle - twelve feet - twenty feet.

Someone had to do something. “Well… I’m already on a broom…”.

You kicked off of the ground as hard as you could and shot up into the air after Longbottom. Your broom was acting fine and seemed to be going along with your motions as you rose up into the air. Maybe it was Longbottom’s fear that caused his broom to go wild?

You saw his scared white face look down at the ground falling away and at you racing up towards him, he gasped and slipped sideways off the broom and then started to fall.

“Longbottom!” you cried out as you urged your broom forward and locked your legs around it while you lunged off the front. You managed to snag one of the falling boy’s arms as he plummeted passed you. But he was too heavy for you to hold and you felt your arms nearly yanked out of their socket as your broom pitched forward and you hung nearly upside down in the air with only your locked legs supporting you.

“Waaah!” Longbottom wailed as he panicked and began to thrash and wiggle as he dangled in midair.

“Damn it, Longbottom, stop wiggling!” you snapped as you felt your hold on the terrified boy’s hand loosening. “UGH!” You felt something pop around your right shoulder and the other boy’s sweaty hand slipped out of yours. “NO!”

Longbottom plummeted towards the ground. WHAM!

He hit legs first and let out a high pitched yelp before he crumbled to the grass in a heap.

You winced from a pain in your shoulder as you regained your grip on your broom and dove after him. Madam Hooch came running and bent over Longbottom, her face as white as his.

“Broken ankle,” you heard her mutter as you hovered nearby. She looked up and her yellow, hawk-like gaze locked on you. “That’s enough for now, Gaunt. Land the broom and help me get this boy to the Hospital Wing.”

You landed and dropped the broomstick in the grass then rushed over to help Madam Hooch pull Longbottom off of the ground.

“Come on, boy - it’s alright, up you get.” You winced as you threw one of Longbottom’s arms over your shoulders while Madam Hooch did the same on his other side. “Grab his knee, Gaunt, the broken ankle is on your side - don’t let it touch the ground.”

You grimaced as you reached down and pulled Longbottom’s knee up so you could lift his foot. But in doing so you were granted an up-close look at Longbottom’s pale, tear-streaked face. You looked away towards the rest of the class and saw nine Slytherins as well as one green-eyed Gryffindor staring at you in confusion.

Madam Hooch addressed the rest of the class, “None of you is to move while Gaunt and I take this boy to the Hospital Wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you’ll be out of Hogwarts before you can say ‘Quidditch’. Come along now, boys.”

You and Madam Hooch supported Longbottom as you guided the injured Gryffindor away from the flying field and towards the Hospital Tower. In your opinion, leaving the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins alone together was a recipe for disaster. But you didn’t speak up against the teacher’s questionable decision.

“That was some good flying, Gaunt,” Madam Hooch commented. “It seems like you’re a natural. I’d suggest trying out for your house Quidditch team. Merlin knows that the Slytherin team could use someone with morals and good sportsmanship like yours.”

“I’d love to join,” you admitted. “But first years aren’t allowed to bring their own brooms.”

“Yes, the rules state that you can’t bring your own broom,” Madam Hooch agreed, “But there’s no rule against first years trying out for the team. You’ve just seen the school brooms - although I suspect we have one less now. I lost track of Longbottom’s once it cleared the courtyard.”

Longbottom let out a quiet whimper.

“If you perform well on one of those school brooms,” Madam Hooch continued, “It would likely make an even better impression. Whether or not you make it onto the team is entirely up to your team captain. That’s where your real issue will be. Marcus Flint is the new Slytherin Quidditch Captain this year. He likely has the same preference for larger players as Selwyn - the captain before him.”

You filed that important information away for use at a later date. Soon you reached the Hospital Tower and stopped at the base of it. “Bugger…” you complained as you eyed Longbottom’s broken ankle. “Why’s the hospital wing have to be on the fourth floor?”

There were two ways to get into the hospital wing. The first was through the outside entrance of the Hospital Tower and up four flights of stairs. The second entrance was inside the castle down the fourth-floor corridor off of the Grand Staircase. Both ways required going up stairs which was going to be extremely difficult when carrying someone.

“Has Professor Flitwick taught you the Levitation Charm yet?” Madam Hooch asked.

“Er… no…” you replied, “But he demonstrated it in class once.”

“You’ll most likely learn it in a month or two,” Madam Hooch reasoned. “Hold Longbottom steady and I’ll give you a practical demonstration.” She stepped back and you were left supporting Longbottom on your own as she produced her wand and gave it a swish and flick then recited the incantation - mostly for your benefit. “Wingardium Leviosa!”

“EEP!” Longbottom gave a startled yelp as he floated up into the air. You stepped back and massaged you sore shoulder for a moment before you followed after Madam Hooch as she levitated the other thirteen-year-old up four flights of steps to the Hospital Wing.

When you arrived, you were greeted by the Matron Poppy Pomfrey. “Are these the victims from this year’s first Flying Lesson, Rolanda?”

“Longbottom fell from his broom,” Madam Hooch recounted as she levitated Longbottom onto one of the beds. “He suffered a broken ankle despite Gaunt’s efforts to catch him.”

Madam Pomfrey glanced in your direction. “Looks like Gaunt’s got a dislocated shoulder.”

That explained the pain and soreness you were feeling. You were surprised that the matron had deduced it so quickly. Madam Pomfrey flicked her wand in your direction and you let out a yelp as your arm was magically shoved back into its socket. “AAH!”

“Good as new,” Madam Pomfrey stated. “Longbottom looks a bit shaken. I’ll give him a Calming Draught before I mend his ankle.”

Madam Hooch nodded and left her to her work. “Gaunt, take five points to Slytherin for helping another student and behaving honorably. In light of your injury and your excellent flying, you’re excused from the rest of the lesson.”

Five points. That was an entry for your ledger. It brought your personal total up to sixteen. But you paused when you had another thought. You had been rewarded for helping one student... but maybe there were more who might need help? You thought back to how nervous Millicent was at breakfast. “Er… if it’s all the same to you, Madam Hooch, some of my housemates are a little nervous about flying. I feel like I’d be more useful if I was there to offer support and advice.”

“Suit yourself, Gaunt,” Madam Hooch replied with a nod. “Let’s get going then.”

You cast a glance back at Neville Longbottom who was looking in your direction with a strange expression on his face. Maybe it was the Calming Draught? “Later, Longbottom.”

Madam Hooch led the way back down the stairs, through the Clocktower Courtyard and out onto the flying field. Pandemonium seemed to have erupted and there was arguing going on between the nine Slytherins and the six remaining Gryffindors. Six. One very famous student was missing. Something had clearly happened while you were gone.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle and everyone went quiet. “Patil, what happened?”

“Malfoy was flying, Madam Hooch!” Parvati Patil blurted out. “He took the Remembrall that Neville dropped and was threatening to throw it on the roof! Harry only went up to stop him!”

“She’s lying!” Pansy Parkinson protested. “She’s got some pathetic crush on Longbottom!”

“You’re the liar, Parkinson!” Ron snapped. “We all saw Malfoy flying!”

More arguing erupted from both sides until Madam Hooch blew her whistle again.

“Where’s Potter?” she asked once everyone was quiet.

“Malfoy threw the Remembrall and Harry caught it with a crazy dive!” Seamus Finnigan reported. “But McGonagall saw him and took him away.”

“Right then,” Madam Hooch resolved. “Malfoy, you’re barred from today’s lesson. Since Professor McGonagall is handling Potter’s punishment - I’ll leave yours up to Professor Snape. Remember that no one’s allowed to try out for their house Quidditch team without my approval.”

“WHAT!?” Draco exclaimed. “You can’t do that!”

“I’m the Hogwarts Flying Instructor,” Madam Hooch reminded him. “You’re grounded until I say otherwise. If your Head of House doesn’t expel you, you can attend my Remedial Flying Lesson next week. It’s open to all four houses for the students that need extra help.”

Ron started laughing while Malfoy’s face went pink as he stormed off. “My father will hear about this!”

“We’re down to fifteen and we don’t have much time left,” Madam Hooch noted as she surveyed the remaining students. “Hurry up. Everyone back to a broom.”

You rushed to join the other Slytherins and made sure you were standing beside Millicent. She was pale again and notably hadn’t taken part in the arguments over what had happened while you were gone.

“I don’t want to do this…” Millicent whispered quietly. “I’ll make a fool of myself like Longbottom did.”

“That’s what I’m here to prevent," you reassured her. “Madam Hooch said I already displayed excellent flying. She excused me from the lesson. I came back because I wanted to be sure you were alright.”

Millicent’s cheeks turned pink as she looked away. “Th-thanks…”

“On my whistle, everyone is to kick off of the ground, hard,” Madam Hooch instructed. “Three - two…” She paused and was pleased when no one else flew off out of control. “One!”

She blew her whistle and fifteen brooms rose up into the air. Some rose higher and faster than others. You made sure to stay level with Millicent.

“The trick is to not be afraid,” you advised your friend as you floated next to her. “Longbottom was scared and he wasn’t thinking straight. That’s what kept him from controlling the broom. Stay calm and you’ll be alright.”

Madam Hooch blew her whistle again. “Now everyone lean forward and come back down.”

The Flying Instructor led you through a series of drills that were designed to teach the basics. Once the class had those down, she released you to fly on your own while she mounted a broom in order to personally instruct the students that required extra help.

Millicent seemed to be doing alright but you noticed another student that was pale and nervous. You leaned forward and dove downward so your feet could scrape the grass as you flew under the rest of the group then you shot back up behind a certain bushy-haired girl.

“Having some trouble there, Granger?”

“Be quiet, please…” the pale and nervous muggleborn girl replied. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

“It’s not a matter of concentration, Granger,” you informed her as you guided your broom in a lazy loop around her. “You’ve got to push the broom and control it like you’re riding some kind of animal. I suppose there’s a difference between reading about something and finally doing it yourself, eh?”

You weren’t showing off… okay, maybe you were… just a little. But as far as lessons went, Granger had taken to magic like a fish to water. So it was rare to see her so far out of her element.

“Just… leave me alone…” Granger requested. She chanced a glance down and then shivered as she squeezed her eyes shut.

A wide grin spread across your face as you flew closer and whispered through her bushy hair. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights!”

Granger let out a squeak then her eyes flew open in horror when she spotted Pansy Parkinson flying towards you. “Don’t… don’t tell…”

As you had come to learn this afternoon, Pansy Parkinson was a shrewd harpy. When she spotted a weakness in someone she harped on it without mercy. What Granger failed to notice due to her unease with being in the air was that Parkinson’s eyes were locked on you.

That left you with two options for dealing with the Queen Bitch of Slytherin. You could throw Granger to wolves and save your own skin. If Pansy learned about Granger’s fear of heights, the muggleborn girl would never hear the end of it. Or… you could distract her and keep the vindictive pureblood girl’s attention on you.

“I told you, I’m not my family…” you whispered then called out loudly so Parkinson could hear. “Remember, it’s instinctive. Concentrating won’t do it. You’ve got to control the broom. Like you’re riding a horse, or driving some kind of muggle automobile.”

“Marvolo... are you helping Granger?” Pansy asked archly. “First you try to save Longbottom… now you’re helping a muggleborn. Where are your priorities?”

“Excuse me if I didn’t want Longbottom to end up like Blaise’s mother’s fourth husband,” you replied. “Madam Hooch seemed to think it was the right thing to do. She gave me five points for it. That brings my personal total up to sixteen. Tell me, Pansy, how many points have you earned at Hogwarts so far?”

Pansy glared at you as you flew away from Granger and circled around her. “I would have earned some in Charms if Flitwick wasn’t biased!”

“That might also have to do with the fact that he heard you and Draco call him an annoying little gnome while he was behind you trying to help Vincent and Gregory.”

“...” Pansy’s jaw dropped but no sound came out. You had finally done it. You had finally rendered Pansy Parkinson speechless!

“The truth of the matter is, I helped Longbottom because it was the right thing to do,” you said, “And I would’ve done the same thing for anyone that was falling from their broom. Be it Millicent, Granger, Longbottom… or even you, Parkinson. That’s just the type of person I am.”

“...” She was still quiet. Granger managed to slip away while you had Pansy distracted.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” you stated, “I’m off to make Weasley look stupid.”

You flew away and took one hand off of your broom so you could reach out and slap Ron on the back. “Tag. You’re it.” You shot off as fast as your broom could go. Which, admittedly, wasn’t that fast considering it was a school broom that looked like it was a century old. But when you looked back you saw that Ron was tailing you.

“Come on, Weasley,” you called back to him as you led him on a merry chase around the field. A number of the other students stopped to watch you. “You were talking our ears off about Quidditch on the train. I thought that meant you were a decent flier.”

You leaned to the side and veered around so you could avoid barrelling into the castle wall. You flew by Ron in the opposite direction and looked back to watch as Ron stopped short to avoid hitting the wall then roughly jerked his broomstick around before he shot after you.

You slowed down to taunt Ron. “Aren’t half your brothers amazing Quidditch players? Does this mean that the only hand-me-down that they didn’t give you was their Quidditch talent?”

Ron let out a low growl and you looked back to see that his face was bright red. He was gaining on you. You picked up speed as you flew towards the other students.

Suddenly a grinning Seamus Finnigan flew in front of you to bar your path. “Nail ‘im, Ron!”

You grinned back at Finnigan and didn’t bother slowing down as you barreled toward him. Instead, you tightened your hold on your broom with your hands and thighs then rolled to the side and executed the Sloth Grip Roll that you’d seen professional Quidditch players use. You hung upside down as you flew under the shocked Irish, half-blood then you rolled back upright on his other side.

Ron didn’t.

WHAM! Weasley and Finnigan collided and both boys crashed to the ground. Unlike Neville Longbottom, they only fell about ten feet. That meant the worst damage done to the two Gryffindors was their wounded pride.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle. “That’s enough. Everyone down. I’m ending the lesson before anything else happens. For those of you who would like more practice, my Remedial Flying Lesson is the same time next week and is open to all four houses.”

You were rather pleased with yourself as you led the rest of the Slytherins off of the flying field. After Harry and Draco had been removed from the class, you had easily been the best flier of the fifteen remaining students. But you couldn’t help but wonder how your skills would have compared to theirs.

You also couldn’t help wondering what had happened to Harry Potter.

Marvolo Gaunt House Point Ledger

Rolanda Hooch: +5

New Total: +16

Points awarded by: SS, RH