Everything was so incredibly easy. Madam Hooch barely had them lift off the ground and circle around for a bit. That was child's play for a "seasoned flyer" such as Teddy. Not that this was unexpected. Teddy had come up with what he affectionately referred to as a rather cunning plan.

'Keep together!' ordered Hooch. 'Now I'm going to get you to go two by two in a straight line.'

This was perfect. Teddy was already at the front next to Reneus Gudgeon, who he suspected was in the same boat as him. As soon as Hooch gave the signal, they were both off like the wind.

Reneus was playing it safe. Teddy was lightyears ahead, ready to use his slight of hand once again.

Verdimillious

The back of his broom crackled and he swerved out of control. Up, up and away he went, zooming and swirling all over the place. Teddy feigned screaming for dramatic effect, but was actually just biding his time. Once he felt like he'd gained enough altitude, he griped further up on his broom and make a very convenient nosedive just outside of the courtyard perimeters.

The corridors were deserted, so Teddy zoomed around with concern of crashing into people. His manouevers were impressive if they could actually be visualised. His control was way beyond that of an average first year. He was on fire, he was living his moment, he was…

Immobilus!

A Ravenclaw boy had swooped in front of him on his broom and launched a Freezing Charm at Teddy's Comet. The stop was so immediate that he flew forwards on his own and would have crashed on the ground if the same boy hadn't swooped down to catch him in his arms. Teddy was carried back to the courtyard to humiliating sound of clapping classmates.

'Not to worry, old chap. You're safe now,' beamed the boy. Teddy noticed then that he was wearing dark sunglasses and had gelled his hair to the side as per the latest fashion of the time. He'd been saved by that kind of kid.

'Lazarus Peakes, I must say I'm impressed with your quick wit under pressure,' commended Hooch. 'Not many first students can take flight immediately like that and come back in one piece. I think Mr Lupin here can attest to that.'

Excuse her? Teddy was easily a better flyer than this show-off! He'd just been deprived of the chance to demonstrate. Finally, Lazarus let him down and he scuttered off to the side before the class could mob his "saviour."

'No, need for that, my friends. All in a day's work,' he chuckled like a cartoon superhero. Such a façade was not helping the fact that he had just "saved someone" whilst flying. But everyone lapped it up like sheep, with the exception of Saffie, who came to check on him.

'Are you okay?' she asked.

'I'm fine,' Teddy sulked.

…

The news that first year Lazarus Peakes had pulled off such an impressive feat. It was even reported in the new school newspaper 'The Hogwarts Herald'. The picture of Teddy moved out of frame as quickly a real version wanted to disappear. Friday came and went and Teddy vanished into the common room for the weekend.

'Oh, chin up, Teddy. By the weekend everyone will have forgotten about it,' assured Castor.

'People will move on quickly, no one will care,' added Harvey.

'You two haven't heard, have you?' sulked Teddy.

'Heard what?' chorused the other two.

'McGonagall caught wind of the event and passed in onto Flitwick. Lazarus will be playing in the Ravenclaw Quidditch team in a week's time.'

'Blimey!' exclaimed Harvey. That'll make him the youngest player since –'

'Harry Potter, yes. I'm well aware. Won't that be an ego boost to the little git.'

'Might not be the okay one with a bit of an ego,' muttered Castor.

'Shut up!' snapped Teddy. 'I don't want to hear any more!'