Visit the Steven Pront and the Mighty Mystery Resource Page at http://cullmanfirst.nazonline.com/spatmm.html.

Just a note, this is a short chapter, shorter than the others. I guess I'll have to make up for that in the next one. :-D

Chapter 13 – Time Just Flies When You're Having Fun

Madam Hooch was waiting for Steven and his friends when they arrived on the grounds just outside the gate. "Welcome to Magical Flight, Ravenclaws. I am Madam Hooch and I will be teaching you. Well, let's get going then."

Madam Hooch led them across the grounds to a more open area where there were eight brooms laid out, four facing the other four. "Now then, girls on one side, boys on the other, chop chop. Everyone stand on the left side of your broom, put your right hand over it, and say 'up.'"

Steven noticed that Madam Hooch liked to get to the point and get there quick. Everyone was standing by their brooms, gave each other a glance, and then proceeded trying to get the brooms to comply. "UP!" Steven yelled at the broom. The broom by him gave a little shudder and jumped on the ground, but not much else. He looked around at the others and noticed mostly the same thing happening. But, some how, Megan already had her broom up in her hand.

"UP!" he said again. The same reaction came from the broom. Steven took a moment to stop and think. 'Nana always tells me that magic mostly deals with meaning.' He was just about to command the broom again when Madam Hooch said, "Say it with meaning."

He smiled and yelled, "UP!" again and this time the broom soared into his hand. The force of it threw Steven off but he remained upright. Once all of them had managed to get their brooms, their teacher continued, "Now, we're going to get you up on your brooms and you'll have your first lesson. Well, some of you will, others have probably flown already."

She gave them instructions on how to climb on, hold on, and take off. "Now then, I've already tried letting the whole class take off at the same time, but we had a minor accident. So, I'll let the girls go first while the boys look on, then we'll switch."

Steven and the other boys stepped to the side and sat down on the grass to watch Padma, Megan, Mandy, and Lisa take their shot at flying. They each did fairly well and Madam Hooch gave them all good marks. "Alright boys, your turn, just like the girls now. Except, of course, you probably won't ride side-saddle."

The guys didn't do as well as the girls, but they still received good marks. After a bit more of practice, Madam Hooch dismissed them to lunch. On the way back, they discussed the lesson. "I think flying is my favorite subject," Padma said.

"It's alright," Megan replied. "But I sorta fancy potions."

"Potions?" Fred snorted. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, hands down. What about you Steven?"

Steven thought for a second, "I like Charms the most."

"You should think about joining the Charms Club then," Victor said.

"I'll consider it."

Lunch rolled along while they discussed their next class, doubles. "So, what is our first doubles class?" Lisa asked.

"Intro to Magical Study," Padma said. "Flitwick said that we'd be doing a tour of the school and he'd answer any questions that we had."

The doubles class came and went and so did the next few weeks. Steven and his fellow Ravenclaws focused on their studies as they began to get a bit involved at the school. Steven joined the Charms Club with Fred and Megan.

As the time quickly passed, Quidditch season approached and the time finally came for the first match.