When her father's class ended, Tabitha quickly packed her stuff up, not hearing her father's request that she stay after class to talk to him, and bolted for the door. She looked at her schedule again and found herself heading for the quidditch pitch to learn flying. She dropped off her books and headed out onto the pitch where brooms were waiting.

She heard footsteps behind her and froze upon hearing her father speak. "Would you get back here and talk to me?" he asked. She hunched her shoulders in on herself before turning toward him, hoping she could keep her shame at bay long enough to get through the conversation, preferably until lunch, when she could snarf down her food and find a place to hide out until her next classes. "Look at me, Tabitha." She squished her eyes shut then looked up at him. "Why the sour expression? Is it because you think I'm disappointed in you?" She hung her head and nodded. "Oh. C'mere." He beckoned her forward and they stepped into a little nook out of view from most people. He knelt down to look in her eyes. "Listen to me, okay? You're my little badger. I wouldn't trade you for the world. While I would have preferred you were in a different House, that wouldn't be you. Not to hurt your feelings, but you're not the bravest of souls. And you don't have the pretentiousness of Ravenclaw, nor are you a particularly good liar." She couldn't help but giggle at that. "Hufflepuff is where you are, and it doesn't matter what anyone else says. You're still my daughter. Nothing will change that."

Tears began flowing down her cheeks and he pulled her in for a hug. "I needed that-" She paused. "While at school do I call you Professor, or Dad?"

"When we're alone or with Albus, you can call me Dad. But in front of others, it wouldn't be a bad idea to call me Professor, so no one gets jealous," he said. He held her at arms length. "Now. Remember what I told you. You're still part of my family, and no one can take that away from you. Kay?"

"Okay, Dad," she said quietly, a smile forming on her lips.

He smiled back at her. "Now, you go learn to fly. I've gotta get back to teaching, alright, Tabby?" he said. She chuckled and nodded. They left the nook and went their separate ways.

She scrubbed her face of tears and rejoined her class. They went through the basics and lifted off without too much hassle. Then, about three feet off the ground, Hosier flew in and landed on her shoulder, making her lose her concentration. As a result, she flipped upside down and slowly sank to the ground. "Hosier!" she hissed as the Merlin falcon, who fluttered about without a care in the world. "What are you doing?! Buzz off. I'm learning." She got to her feet and sighed when he flew around, braiding her hair with wildflowers. "Stupid bird," she laughed. When he finished he swooped around to get a look at his handiwork before landing on her shoulder, chest puffed out with pride. "Sorry for the interruption. He was quite excited when I mentioned I'd be learning to fly like him."

"Very nice. Perhaps you could get him off the pitch so we can resume the lesson?" said Henry, the same boy from Potions who'd sassed her.

"Of course. Hosier, watch me. Don't land on me. I'm still learning," she said to her bird. He blinked twice then took off, circling overhead to watch the spectacle. They remounted their brooms and hopped off the ground. "You'll tip me over, Hosier, don't even think about it!" She pointed at the bird who had dipped down to scope her out.

They landed after another hour and a half, Henry making the occasional jab at her, which she ignored, letting the teacher handle him when she finally heard his comments, and they all went to their next class after receiving their homework.