Chapter 18: Flying Lessons Part Two

"Now when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch after showing everyone how to mount their brooms. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle-three-two."

Phoenix noticed Neville squirm beside her and pushed away before Madam Hooch went to one.

"Come back, boy!" Madam Hooch yelled, though Neville was fast out of hearing distance.

He kept getting higher and higher. Phoenix could see Neville's frightened white face. When he looked down, he gasped and slipped sideways, falling off the broom.

Followed by a loud thud and crack, Neville ended up facedown on the grass. His broomstick continued to rise higher, changing its route to the forbidden forest before it went out of site.

Madam Hooch ran over towards Neville. Her face was just as white as his.

"Broken wrist," Phoenix heard. "Come on, boy- it's all right, up you get."

Turning to the rest of the class, Phoenix saw Neville's tear-streaked face as Madam Hooch said, "None of you are to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'! Come on, dear."

The moment they were out of earshot, Phoenix heard Malfoy burst into laughter.

"Did you see his face, the great lump?" The other Slytherins joined in the laughter. Phoenix's jaw clenched. Boy, did she hate the Slytherin house!

"Shut up, Malfoy!" snapped Parvati Patil.

"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" said Pansy Parkinson. "Never thought 'you'd' like fat little crybabies Parvati."

"Yeah!? Well, who would like you with a face that looks like a troll?!" yelled Phoenix.

Pansy was on her way with another comeback, when everyone heard Harry say,

"Give that here, Malfoy." Then everyone turned and watched the scene before them unfold.

"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find - how about - up a tree?"

"Give it here!" Harry yelled, but Malfoy already leapt onto his broomstick and took off. When he reached the top of a tree he yelled,

"Come and get it Potter!"

Phoenix ran over to Harry at the same time Hermione was warning him not to go after him.

"Hey, wait, Harry! Let me come with you!"

Both Harry and Phoenix mounted the one broom. Phoenix, behind Harry, held on tight as he kicked hard against the ground and up they went. Phoenix felt the wind rush through her hair and robes. She pulled her face further away from Harry's shoulder to fell the fresh air.

'This feels great!' At that moment, she knew she would enjoy flying on brooms.

Everyone below them screamed, gasped, or an admiring whoop from what sounded from Ron. Harry turned his broomstick sharply to face Malfoy in midair. Phoenix smirked from seeing the stunned Malfoy.

"Give it here," Harry called "or I'll knock you off that broom!"

"Oh, yeah?" Said Malfoy trying to sneer but failed. He looked behind Harry to see a smirking Phoenix.

Phoenix felt Harry lean forward as they shot towards Malfoy like a bull. But like the teaser, Malfoy moved away just in time as Harry turned back around to face him.

"No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save you, Malfoy!" Phoenix yelled.

"No, but Potter brought you! What are you his girlfriend?" Malfoy said with the pleasure of seeing Phoenix's face flush. "Catch it if you can then!" He shouted.

Malfoy threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back towards the ground.

'Yeah, run like a scaredy-cat!'

"Go Harry, it's right over there!" Phoenix whispered in Harry's ear.

Harry leaned forward and pointed his broom handle down - next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive, racing the ball. Phoenix just held on tight, resting her chin hard into Harry's shoulder so she wouldn't miss all the action.

"Faster, Harry! You almost have it!"

Harry stretched his hand- a foot from the ground he caught it, just in time to pull his broom straight, and he toppled gently onto the grass with the Remebrall clutched safely in his fist.

Phoenix hopped off the broom, feeling the adrenaline rush.

"That was amazing Harry!" They both smiled at each other, but the moment ended when they heard,

"HARRY POTTER!"

Harry got to his feet, trembling.

"Never- in all my time at Hogwarts-" Professor McGonagall was almost speechless with shock, and her glasses flashed furiously, "-how dare you- might have broken yours and Miss Matthew's neck-"

"It wasn't his fault Professor-"

"Be quiet, Miss Matthews-"

"But Malfoy-"

"That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Potter follow me, now."

As Professor McGonagall and Harry went to the castle, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had triumphant looks on their faces.

"Well, Potter won't be here tomorrow, that's for sure." said Malfoy.

"Oh, is that right?" said Phoenix as she went up to Malfoy. "Let's not forget that you were flying. The whole Gryffindor class can see that you can get into trouble or expelled."

Malfoy didn't flinch. In fact, his triumphant look grew even bigger.

"You must not know who my father is. There is no way they can kick me out of Hogwarts. And If I am not mistaken Matthews, but you went on Potter's broom. I can ruin your time at Hogwarts, while my father can ruin your entire family!"

"Oh, I doubt that. Cause you don't know what My Family and I are capable of."

Malfoy came right up to Phoenix's face. She could feel his breath.

"You do not scare me, Malfoy."

"I will make sure you will not have another day in Hogwarts!"

As soon as Malfoy reached for his wand, Phoenix, not knowing what spell he was going to use, flicked her hands and froze Malfoy.