The rest of the week went by in a blur, from learning basic wand moves in Charms to caring for extremely odd plants. Oliver and Albus sat in the Great Hall enjoying a Saturday breakfast. No classes and no schedules to follow, just learning to fly. Oliver piled scrambled eggs, sausage links, followed by several pieces of bacon. Just as he put a fork full of eggs in his mouth, Keaira walked into sit at the Ravenclaw table. Oliver pointed with his head, talking with his mouth full, "You said you were going to ask, here's your chance. No more excuses unless you're scared?"

Albus puffed out his chest, "I'm not scared," he said with a defensive tone. "I've had a lot of stuff to do." Albus glanced over to the Ravenclaw table, and back to Oliver. "Besides I'm not going to 'that' table either, people will think I like Ravenclaw."

Oliver smirked, "Yeah sure, I think you are scared of why she knows that Dragon's blood is used for human." Oliver saw that Albus was about to go into another rant and hurriedly continued, "Besides, I don't really care anymore, we have flying lessons today. You think we will do okay?"

Albus gave a noncommittal shrug, "I've been flying for a couple of years, but it's not a big deal anyway. You heard Professor Mcgonagall our first night, first years rarely make the team."

"Yeah, but I have never been on a broom and your dad was the youngest catcher in like a hundred years. I bet it's in your blood!"

Albus sat across from Oliver with a very confused look, "The youngest what?" adding emphasis on the what.

"Isn't it called a Catcher? The one that catches that winged thing?"

Albus burst out laughing, but when he saw Oliver's hurt expression, he tried to stop, "No, that is the Seeker, he 'seeks' the snitch, or as you called it, the winged thing." Albus was still fighting not to laugh, "Man, I have got to teach you quidditch again, before you talk to anyone else. They may really laugh at you," Albus added in a very serious tone.

Oliver rolled his eyes, "Like you just did?"

"Oh come on Ollie, you got to admit that was funny!"

Oliver smirked, "I guess so, so come on, explain the game to me again. When you told me about it at Diagon Alley, I was a little distracted."

Albus shoved one last bite of toast in his mouth and waved for Oliver to follow him as he left the bench. Oliver took a last drink of pumpkin juice, grabbed two pieces of bacon, and followed Albus out of the great hall. As they reached the entrance, Oliver heard someone call Albus. He yanked on Albus to get him to turn, as they did, Keira came running up, "Hi, you're Albus Potter, right?"

"Last time I checked," Albus replied.

Oliver thought Albus was trying to look cool, but the effect was lost on Keira. She shuffled from foot to foot, "My, ummm dad, knows your dad."

Albus looked to Oliver, Oliver tried to relay that he too, noticed the hesitation at calling her dad, dad. Oliver looked back to Kiara, "Yeah, that isn't any big deal, my dad is a muggle and knew Albus' dad."

Kiara didn't even glance toward Oliver, "My dad said you are named after two headmasters and one of them was a Slytherin?"

Albus looked lost, "So what…. why is your family sitting around talking about me?"

Kiara stepped around them, "Just thought you would be in Slytherin is all, see ya around!" she called over her shoulder as she went down the steps outside.

Both boys turned to look at each other to make sure the other was just as lost as the other. Then as if on cue, both shrugged and headed down the steps. Albus took Oliver to the quidditch field, Oliver couldn't take his eyes off the rings that had to be at least fifty feet in the air. There were three on each end of the fields. What amazed Oliver the most was that nothing, absolutely nothing was holding the rings up there.

As they sat in the bleachers as Albus began to explain. "Ok, listen up… there are seven players per team. There are three chasers, they are the ones that try to score with the quaffle." Albus held up his hand, "I'll explain the balls in a minute, let me get through the players first. Next, are the two beaters, they try to stop the chasers from scoring. Mainly by hitting bludgers at them. At each end of the field are keepers, they guard the goals. That is one of the hardest jobs, there are three rings and only one keeper. My uncle Ron told me when he was a keeper that the rings were attached to poles, but somebody came up with a spell to make them stationary without any help."

Albus sat up straighter, "The most important player of all is the seeker, that's what my dad was. The seeker has to watch for the snitch, and no matter where it is when they see it, they have to try to catch it. If you catch it, it ends the game and your team gets a hundred and fifty points. Most the time that is enough to win, but you have to be careful not to catch it if you are getting stomped."

"Man, this is confusing," Oliver groaned.

Albus smiled, "Don't worry, once you see it played it will make more sense."

"I hope so," Oliver said with a hint of doubt.

Albus patted him on the back, "Now for the balls, there are only four, one quaffle for scoring, two bludgers for the beaters to hit at the chasers," and with a smirk added, "and one snitch or winged thing."

Oliver let the jab slide, "So when is the first game?"

"They have to have the try outs, then a couple weeks to practice. Normally in November, and each team plays three times. Top two teams with the most points at the end of the season play for the quidditch cup. Most times whoever wins that, are sure to win the house cup too."

Oliver started down the bleachers to get a better look at the goals, "So there aren't invisible poles holding the goals up?"

Albus came down to join him, "Are you kidding, that would be pretty messed up to do to players that have to fly around there."

"Oh I didn't think about that, I guess that would be kind of messed up," Oliver said.

Albus took off down to the field, "Come on, we need to get back to the common room before Rose."

"How come," Oliver said as he caught up to Albus.

"Because she brags about her flying abilities, and we have to be there to save her when she makes people mad."

Oliver laughed as they broke into a run.

When they got back to the common room, Rose was just getting started, "I'm going to do the Finbourgh Flick, I've been practicing all summer."

Albus shook his head, "Too late," Albus called out to Rose, "Too bad you haven't ever been able to do it yet."

"Shut up, Al," Rose said as she glared at Albus, "I'll be able to do it when it counts." Rose turned back to her friends, "Al's just mad he's not as good as me and James."

Oliver and Albus dropped into two of the overstuffed chairs by the windows. Albus was sullen, sitting with his arms crossed, "She acts like I fall off a broom every time I get on one."

Oliver leaned forward, "No worries mate, I will be a lot worse than you so she will start harassing me soon enough."

James plopped down on the arm of Oliver's chair, "No way will you be as bad as Albus, that boy is hopeless."

"Screw you James," Albus muttered.

"Language Albus, I will have to tell Mom if you keep it up. Besides, I am just telling the truth," James laughed. "

Oliver wanted to defend his friend but had no clue how, he didn't know anything about brooms, much less how to fly one. So the best plan was to distract James, "What kind of broom do you have James?"

James stood up as Marcus Finnly came over. Marcus was a third year and was already on the team, "You guys talking about our team this year? James, you going to try out again?"

James nodded, with his chest bowed out, "Yep, got a Nimbus 3500 this year, I won't have to use a stupid school broom. This year Monica will see what I can really do!"

Oliver gave Albus a questioning look, "Who's Monica?"

Oliver didn't have a chance to answer before James spoke up, "She is a fifth year, and the captain of the team." He looked around the common room, then pointed to a tall girl with waist length, blond hair. Her fair skin had just a touch of bronze. As if she felt them looking at her, Monica flipped her hair over her shoulder, while she scanned the room. All four boys quickly looked away before they were caught staring.

Marcus smiled, "Yeah, I know, brains, beauty, and sports… perfect woman, but she is brutal on the field." Marcus motioned for James, "We need to head down to the field, I want to try out your Nimbus 3500. I'll let you take a spin on my Stargrazer, if you want," Marcus had a smug look that Oliver didn't understand until both Albus and James jumped up, "NO WAY!" They yelled in unison, drawing several people's attention.

Marcus smile, "Yes way, so you want to ride or not?"

An entire group of students left Albus just standing alone, the common room was over half empty. He turned and fell back into his chair, "Wish I could try it out," Albus said wistfully.

Oliver hated feeling so stupid, but he had to be a moron not to know that a Stargrazer must be one of the best brooms. "Maybe if you make the team you can?"

Albus looked abashed, "I won't make the team, I don't think I am even going to try out."

Percival Dumbledore joined them by the window, "I think quidditch is over rated, we are here to learn, so games are taking away from that."

Albus rolled his eyes, "Percival, that is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard, and I got James for a brother, so that is really saying something."

Percival looked hurt, "I just meant that it really doesn't teach anything."

"Yeah it does, it teaches teamwork, confidence, strategy… crap like that, or at least that's what Uncle Ron told Aunt Hermione when Rose told them she wanted to try out," Albus said matter of factly.

Percival shrugged, "I guess it is like football?"

Oliver finally knew something and excitedly leaned forward, "I thought the same thing when I saw the goals. If you make a goal you score points!"

Percival laughed, "Dude, that's soccer… football is… well, football." He gave Oliver and Albus a blank stare as if he were making all the since in the world.

"Umm ok, 'dude' but maybe in the states it's soccer but here it's football." Oliver turned back to Albus, "We may want to get down to the field too, flying lessons start in twenty minutes. I really hope James doesn't hang around for it… no offense."

"None taken, I was thinking the same thing," Albus said with a grin.

Percival followed Albus and Oliver to the field, staying right with them as the rest of the class started to trickle in. Keaira Dolohov came strolling up with an extremely pale, blond boy that looked very smug. Albus sighed, "Great, not only do we get to look like idiots period, we get to look like idiots in front of a Slytherin. What's he doing here anyway?"

Madam Johnson marched out onto the field blowing her whistle, "Over here ladies and gentlemen," she called. James and several other upper classmates ran over to watch the class. Madam Johnson gave them all a stern look, "This is a class, if you are not part of this class I suggest you move on about your way."

Oliver gave Madam Johnson a silent thank you, he was nervous enough. The others strolled off to spend the day however they chose, including the blond boy that had been with Keaira. A clap brought Oliver's attention back to Madam Johnson.

Oliver looked around at the others, there were both Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, but they all looked a little nervous, which made Oliver feel better. Madam Johnson was a tall, black woman with long dreadlocks that were secured behind her neck in a ponytail. She wore a whistle around her neck and carried a broom. "Okay everyone, my name is Madam Johnson, I am your instructor and expect your full attention. No one, and I do mean no one, will be allowed to fly without my permission. Anyone even touching a broom will receive detention, anyone that leaves the ground will be expelled."

Everyone took a step away from the pile of brooms laying on the ground. Madam Johnson went over the role and looked up, "Where is Rose and Albus?"

Albus looked to Oliver with fear in his eyes, but raised his hand when Rose did. Madam Johnson smiled, "I flew on Gryffindor's team when your parents did. Rose, I hope you didn't inherit your father's nervousness."

She looked at Albus, "Your brother was in my class last year, perhaps you will show move of your parents abilities. Your mother flew with the HolyHead Harpies, didn't she?"

Rose was blushing and Oliver could see why, but the look on Albus' face was odd, he looked scared when he nodded to answer Madam Johnson. As soon as Madam Johnson went to other students Oliver leaned over to Albus, "Why did you look scared?"

"She thinks that I should be great, like my parents. What if I'm not!" Albus said in a hushed tone.

Before Oliver could offer any reassurance Madam Johnson addressed the class. "Everyone pick a broom and lay it on the ground beside you, do nothing more."

Oliver watched what broom Albus picked and tried to get one like he chose, once they were all lined up Madam Johnson blew her whistle to regain silence. "I want everyone to think about which hand you write with, stand beside that side of the broom and hold out your arm over your broom."

Mentally Oliver picked up a quill to write and then moved to the left side of the broom and held out his arm as instructed. Once again the whistle was blown, "Now, at one time, focus on your broom and forcefully say UP, any questions?"

When there were no hands raised, Madam Johnson blew the whistle and the air filled with students yelling UP.

Rose was standing there, holding her broom waiting for the next instruction. Oliver looked to Albus to claim Rose was a show off, but his words were cut off when he saw Albus holding his as well.

Oliver tried again, looking down trying to concentrate, "UP...UP, UuuuPpppp!"

Nothing worked, the broom simply laid on the ground. Albus kicked the broom, Oliver looked to him, "I can't do it!" Oliver said in a panic.

Albus shrugged, "Johnson isn't looking, just grab it!"

Without thinking, Oliver soon had the broom in his hands. Madam Johnson turned back around to see everyone now holding their brooms, "Very good… Now everyone mount your broom. there are cushioning charms on all brooms, so do not be surprised if your 'seat' does not meet the seat."

A few of the students laughed, but not Oliver, he was terrified. What if they were really going to fly today? Would his broom just throw him off? Madam Johnson moved to each student showing proper hand position and how far to sit back on the broom according to weight. She had placed Oliver almost to the straw and told him to make sure to lean forward. He did everything she said and didn't move a muscle, praying that he would be able to do what was next.

Madam Johnson called out again, "On my whistle, everyone will kick off the ground and simply hover. If anyone does anymore than that, you will find yourself packing your bags before the rest of us have time to put our brooms away."

With that the whistle blew, and everyone kicked off the ground and hovered, that is everyone, but Oliver. Oliver's feet still stood resolutely on the ground. Madam Johnson came over, "Kickoff, Oliver… kick off and pull both feet off the ground, trust your broom."

Oliver swallowed hard and did as he was told, only to hit the ground, hard. The laughter was deafening, Madam Johnson knelt down, "Perhaps it's the broom, would you like me to get you a different one?"

Oliver could barely be heard over the laughter, "I would rather just be excused." Tears were threatening to spill over when Madam Johnson nodded. Oliver disappeared as fast as he could, but detoured away from the castle. He knew that word would travel fast, and he had no desire to face any of laughing people. Oliver found himself sitting under the tree by the lake, tears of humiliation streaming down his face.

"Here now, what is this?" came a gruff voice.

Oliver jumped, "Oh, hi Hagrid," Oliver sniffed, "I'm sorry, am I not supposed to be here?"

Hagrid threw bread out on the lake, "No, no, no, you can sit here all day, free country after all."

Hagrid lowered himself beside Oliver, "You want to talk about it?" Hagrid asked nonchalantly.

Oliver told him what happen in the flying class, Hagrid was a perfect listener, nodding in the right spots, sympathetic when needed.

"That sounds about as bad of a day as I can imagine. I bet you have never had such a bad day, huh?" Hagrid said knowingly, "Like, I don't know, like falling off a swing or maybe a merry-come-round?"

Oliver swallowed his tears, "You mean merry-go-round, and yeah I have fallen off them, but so did a lot of others. I was the only one that couldn't fly," he said miserably, then added, "I bet in the history of Hogwarts."

Hagrid gave a deep belly laugh, "Oliver, you do know I went to school here, right? Can you picture me on a broom? They didn't even let me try, Lord knows I didn't complain."

Oliver looked to Hagrid, "Really? You can't fly either?"

"Oh I can fly, just got to choose the right ride. It ain't a broom for me, nor you, but you will fly. I can show you if you want."

"How?" Oliver asked daring to believe Hagrid.

"There are several ways I can think of, my motorcycle for one, a thestral, but I don't think you would want to ride one of those, most don't. Then you have hippogriffs, that there would be the way I would go, if I was you."

Oliver sat up straight, wiping his eyes, "Why wouldn't I want to ride a thestral?"

"Thestral are a right smart creature, just people are scared of what they don't understand. Thestrals can't be seen lessing you seen someone," Hagrid paused and cleared his throat, "well, died." Seeing the look in Oliver's eyes he was quick to continue, "But that ain't no reason to think less of them, ain't their fault we ain't capable of seeing them."

"So when you fly… it's like you are just flying by yourself?" Oliver asked, "That would be freaky. Can you see them?"

Hagrid nodded, "Sorry to say I can, wish I couldn't."

Oliver watched as something rippled through the water, "Sorry, Mom says I ask things before I think. So could I maybe I could ride the motorcycle?"

Hagrid shook his head, "Not till you're older, I'd take ya myself, but I lost the sidecar a long time ago, and don't trust no one on the back. I can teach ya to ride a hippogriff if ya want, maybe tomorrow?"

Oliver smiled, "Can we do it today?"

Hagrid laughed, "Nah, can't today, Buckbeak is out hunting today. Come by tomorrow, bring Albus with you and we will have lunch too."

Oliver nodded, "Okay," then quickly added, "Thanks Hagrid."

Hagrid got up, holding a hand out to help Oliver up. Oliver was pulled two feet off the ground by the giant and landed hard on his feet. Hagrid steadied Oliver, "Sorry 'bout that, forget how big I am sometimes."

Oliver ran off to the castle, waving goodbye to Hagrid with promises to see him the next day.

I am having so much fun writing this, and hope you are enjoying reading! Please leave me reviews to let me know what you think. - Crystal W