"That kid's a jerk," said Percy.

"What kid?" asked Harry, looking up from his Transfiguration homework.

"You know, that platinum-blond one- that one called Draco Malfoy." Percy looked over at Harry, ignoring the Potions homework that lay on the table.

"Oh, yes," Harry looked up and grimaced. "He just keeps going on about how good he's at flying, but I bet he's just boasting."

"Yeah, but we'll see how good he really is today," Percy grinned. It was Thursday, and a notice had been pinned up in the common room informing them that they had their first flying lessons today- with the Slytherins.

"Mmm-hmmm. At least he's had some experience. I haven't got my hands on a broomstick in my life," said Harry darkly.

"Cheer up," said Ron, "we don't know how good-or bad you'll be yet."

"Mmmm," said Harry and returned to his homework.

Ron turned to Percy and said with a grin, "Well, what about you? Also not so thrilled about flying?"

Percy pretended to think and then put on a gloomy expression. "Well, my last time didn't go that well, so..."

Ron looked dismayed. "Oh, that happens, it was your first time. We shouldn't have asked you to do it anyway-"

"No, wait. I said since last time didn't go that well, so let's make up for it this time!" Percy finished with a wide grin.

Ron looked stunned for a moment, then his face broke into a similar grin. "You're on!"

"Well, what are you all waiting for?" snapped Madam Hooch. "Just put your hand over your brooms and say 'UP'!"

Percy looked down. Several twigs were poking out at odd angles. He took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

"UP," he shouted. The broom quivered, moved up about an inch then flopped back to the ground. Percy let out an internal sigh, and glanced over at Harry.

He stared. Harry's broom was right in his hands, who himself looked unsure about how he had managed it.

"Wow," said Percy, staring. "Well, you aren't so bad, huh?"

Hermione's had simply done a roll and Neville's apparently had still not moved.

Madam Hooch walked down the rows, correcting their grips. And it was a sweet moment for Harry, Percy and Ron when she roundly told off Malfoy for his grip.

"Now, on my whistle, go," said Madam Hooch.

Percy adjusted his grip slightly. He couldn't deny that he was nervous, though riding a broom was far from the most dangerous thing he had done.

"One," Percy glanced over at Neville, who looked white and shaking, "two," Neville's grip slipped, "three," and Neville shot off. "NO!" shouted Percy but it was already too late, Neville was already several feet in the air and looked frightened for his life.

Neville glanced backwards- Percy saw his face turn dead white- saw him gasp- he slipped off his broom and slammed into the ground.

Shocked, Percy hurried forward. He and Harry were the first to reach him, along with Madam Hooch.

"Is he- he all right," Percy crouched next to a shellshocked Neville.

"Broken wrist," Madam Hooch muttered then stood up.

"None you are to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! Or- you'll be expelled," she flashed a warning look that clearly meant business.

"Come on, boy, come," said Madam Hooch and Neville hobbled off, tears glistening on his face.

There was a burst of laughter. Percy looked around and saw that boy- Malfoy laughing his head off.

"Did you see his face, the ugly great lump?", he rocked back and forth.

"Malfoy-" Parvati Patil began only to be interrupted by that same person.

"Look," he said, picking up something from the grass and holding it up. "It's that Remembrall thing he got today."

"Put it down, Malfoy," Harry glared at Malfoy, who leered.

"I think I'll leave it somewhere... hmmm what about- a tree," he smiled nastily.

"Give it HERE!" Harry yelled but Malfoy smile only grew wider as he grabbed his broom and shot off.

"Come get it, Potter!" shouted Malfoy from mid-air.

Harry stood still for a moment, then grabbed his broom.

"What? No!" said Percy and ran forward to try to stop him, but it was too late. He had already mounted.

"Well, I'm not gonna let you do this alone," and he grabbed his own broom. Hermione cried, "No!" but both of them were too caught up in the moment to care and did not heed her- admittedly sensible advice.

Percy kicked hard against the ground and then as he went up, savoured the feeling of the wind rushing through his hair and the sense of freedom. Gosh, I missed this.

Malfoy was twenty feet in front of them, but his sneer had gone. He was now looking definitely nervous. It was probably hard to keep calm when two people are chasing you in mid-air.

"Give it here, Malfoy, or else," shouted Harry. Malfoy tried to sneer, but failed enormously. He then appeared to think.

"Oh, yeah? Catch it, then!" he said and chucked it in the air, then turned his broom towards the ground.

Harry turned almost immediately and followed the ball. Percy tried to follow, but it was no good, he was just too good. He still kept trying, however.

The ground kept getting closer- some of the people screamed- Harry did a sharp turn- reached out his hand and then slammed into the ground.

"Good job, Harry-" said Percy, hovering and neglecting to look in front of him.

Harry turned and gave a weak smile, which suddenly changed to alarm as he looked at something behind Percy's shoulder.

"Why, what's the matter? You look like you saw-," he began, but never got the chance to finish his sentence.

A thud, a dull pain on the back of his head, and the world faded to black.

Sorry, it's been so long. Hope it won't take as much time for the next update.

Hope you're all doing good, and apologies again for this ultra-slow update!

Thanks for reading

-N.O.Y.E.S