Chapter 17: Flying Lessons

Hermione didn't have the chance to continue her research. Monday came, and Phoenix and Hermione noticed a note pinned on the Common Room board. They had flying lessons starting on Thursday. But it wouldn't just be the Gryffindors; the Slytherins would join them.

"Flying lessons! And with the Slytherins! You have got to be joking! What on earth do we need flying lessons for?" Phoenix asked, looking at Hermione.

"Apparently, each house in the first year is being paired for lessons. And you can not fly a broom unless you know how to fly it."

"Ookay, so the whole flying broomstick thing is not a joke?"

"No."

"What joy will we have when we have flying lessons with the Slytherins?" Phoenix dramatically said, placing the back of her hand on her forehead and falling on one of the chairs. Hermione sat next to her, rolling her eyes at her.

"Hey… um… Phoenix?" A voice from behind her asked after she sat down.

"Yes, Ron?" Phoenix shifted to see both Ron and Harry standing behind her.

"Do you have that transfiguration homework done?"

Phoenix gave both Ron and Harry an evil smirk, receiving two in return. Hermione gave a look of disapproval.

"I have everything done but potions. Homework is in my bag." She said as she pulled out two binders full of homework and notes. "I want it back though. I worked hard to transfer the notes from parchment to notebook paper. And try not to copy it word for word."

"Thanks!" Ron said as Harry grabbed the binders, and both boys went to their dormitory.

"I can't believe you did that!" yelled Hermione.

"Did what?" asked an innocent Phoenix.

"Give Ron and Harry your homework!"

Phoenix gave Hermione a huge grin and went on with her potions homework.

Thursday came, and everyone was nervous about the flying lessons. Phoenix had to calm down a very nervous Neville, as he had never been on a broom before. She surprisingly had to calm down Hermione, who kept referring to a book she read called Quidditch Through the Ages.

During lunch, Hermione was going over what she read. Phoenix took the information with interest as Neville, beside her, was drinking in every word he could. Phoenix's attempt to calm him down worked somewhat, but not completely. Hermione was in the middle of her lecture when the mail came. Everyone around her was happy for the interruption, but Neville was not happy. He wanted as much information as he could.

Phoenix got her usual mail: one from home and one from each of her friends. Neville received a package from his grandmother.

"Hey, Neville, what did you get?" asked Phoenix.

Neville opened his package and showed Phoenix. It was a marble-sized ball filled with white smoke.

"Okay, what is it?"

"It's a Remembrall!"

"A Reme what?"

"A Remebrall. Gran knows I forget things- this tells you if there is something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this and if it turns red-oh…" As Neville was explaining, his face fell. Phoenix watched the smoke turn a scarlet red. "… you've forgotten something."

"Well, it looks as if you forgot something."

"But the problem is, I don't know what I could have forgotten!"

While Neville was pondering, Draco snatched the Remembrall out of his hand while passing the Gryffindor table.

Immediately, Phoenix, Harry, and Ron jumped to their feet. Harry and Ron were hoping to fight Malfoy, but Professor McGonagall was there in a flash.

'Man! She can smell trouble a mile away!' Phoenix thought as she sat back down.

"What's going on?"

"Malfoy's got my Remembrall, Professor."

Scowling, Malfoy quickly dropped the Remembrall back on the table.

"Just looking," he said, and he sloped away with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.

When three-thirty came around, Phoenix, Hermione, and Neville came hurrying down the stairs along with the other Gryffindors. It was their first flying lesson. Phoenix looked around. It was a wonderful cloudless day. The grass was rippling with the wind and under their feet as they walked to the opposite side of the grounds to the forbidden forest.

When they got there, the Slytherins were already there along with twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the ground. Then Madam Hooch arrived. Phoenix looked closely at her. She had short, gray hair and yellow eyes that were hawk like.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she barked, looking at everyone. "Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."

Phoenix walked between Hermione and Neville looking at her broom. The broom was old and battered. 'I still can't believe I am having flying lessons on a broom!'

"Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say 'up'!"

"Up!" everyone shouted.

Phoenix's broom flew into her hand at once. Then suddenly it gave her a little shocking jolt.

"Ouch!" she yelled, dropping the broom to look at her hand.

Madam Hooch came rushing over, reached for Phoenix's hand, and pulled it towards her.

"What happened?"

"The broom shocked me, Madam Hooch."

"Shocked you?" Madam Hooch looked at Phoenix, then down at the broom, and back at her. She squinted her eyes as if she was looking deep within her. Then, she shook her head as if she was reassuring herself, grabbed the broom, and shoved it into Phoenix's hand.

"Impossible. You must have been overly excited by getting the broom your first time." Then she walked away, taking one more glance in Phoenix's direction.