Flying Lessons

The following Thursday at three-thirty in the afternoon, every first year Slytherin and Gryffindor could be found outside on the smooth grass near the forbidden forest. It was a clear, slightly breezy day, a beautiful day to learn how to fly. The school brooms were lined up in two rows. The brooms looked quite frayed. Harry, Draco and Ron lined up behind brooms with their fellow Slytherins.

The flying teacher Madam Hooch came striding up between the rows then barked out orders to call the brooms up. Harry and Draco's shot to their hands at once and Ron managed his on the second try. It took a few minutes for everyone to get his or her broom but finally everyone did. Madam Hooch examined everyone's grip then explained the next step.

"When I blow my whistle you will kick off from the ground, hover for a moment then come right back down by leaning forward slightly. Ready? Three – two – " before she could finish, the clumsy Gryffindor Neville had already lifted off. He rose nearly thirty feet while Madam Hooch shouted for him to come back down. His broom drifted sideways and he fell off – right onto Blaise Zabini. Madam Hooch rushed over to their side, she examined them both and found Neville to be unharmed but Blaise was not so fortunate. Blaise had broken Neville's fall and Neville had broken Blaise's wrist.

"Alright, clear a path!" Madam Hooch cried. "I'm taking Mr. Zabini to the hospital wing. If I see anyone flying you'll be expelled before you can say Quidditch," She led Blaise carefully into the castle and out of sight.

"Poor guy," Ron muttered. "Think he'll be okay?"

"He'll be fine, I'm sure. Don't worry," Draco reassured him.

"Well what's this?" a voice came from behind them. A Gryffindor boy had picked up a chain from the ground. Draco recognized the round pendant hanging from it.

"That belongs to Blaise. Give it here," Draco commanded the Gryffindor, what was his name? Thomas? Sean? The boy frowned at him.

"No I don't think I will," he said

"Give it here!" Harry demanded.

"No. I think I'll leave it somewhere for him to find," The boy grabbed his broom and took off. Harry quickly grabbed his own broom.

"Wait! Harry you'll get us in trouble!" a Slytherin girl hissed at him. Harry didn't even hear it. He took off after the other boy.

"Give that here," Harry demanded again, "or I'll drop you on your head!"

"Naw. I think I'll leave it in the lake instead," the boy gave a nasty smile and tossed the chain and pendant in a high arc and shot back down to the ground.

Harry watched the chain as though it we're in slow motion. Then he burst into action leaning down and gripping his broom hard he streaked toward the falling chain. The wind whistled in Harry's ears and distantly he heard the shouting of people watching. Racing the chain he stretched out his hand and just before he hit the ground he caught it and barely managed to pull up and save himself.

Harry dismounted and ginning went to join the cheering Slytherins; the chain clutched tightly in his hand. Suddenly the cheering stopped.

"POTTER!"

Harry's smile vanished. Professor Snape was striding toward them. Snape said nothing more, scowling even more darkly than usual.

"Professor, Harry was—"

"Be quiet Miss Parkinson."

"But he was—"

"Enough Mr. Weasley. Potter, come with me."

Now feeling miserable and sure he was going to be expelled, Harry followed Professor Snape into the castle. Harry trudged along behind Professor Snape along corridors, up and down stairs until they reached a classroom door. Professor Snape opened it and stuck his head inside.

"Professor Binns, I must see Flint for a minute."

Harry was confused. Flint?

A burly sixth year joined them in the hall, looking at Snape in puzzlement.

"This way." Professor Snape commanded them. The two students followed him to any empty classroom in another hall. Snape turned to Flint,

"I've found a new seeker," Snape said to the sixth year.

Flint's face lit up. "Really?"

"Yes. He caught that thing in his hand in a fifty-foot dive. Was that your first time flying Potter?"

Harry nodded mutely.

"You've been saying you wanted to replace Higgs. I'll speak to Dumbledore about the first year's rule. Potter… Don't disappoint me or you will be serving detention," and with that Professor Snape marched out.

"Well Potter ever played a game?" Flint grinned at him showing off his rather crooked teeth.

"Erm, no but Draco explained the rules to me," Harry said, still trying to get over his surprise at the sudden turn of events.

"That's a start. You can meet the other players on our team at the first practice in two weeks. And you might want to watch out for Higgs, our last seeker. He won't be happy that he's been replaced but … too bad for him. He thinks he's so brilliant… glad to be rid of him."