Chapter 2
"Alright Ron, riding a broom is actually very simple," Charlie started, "The most important thing is to keep your grip and make sure you stay balanced. The last thing you want to do is fall off your broom, right Bill?" he said while chuckling at Bill.
"Yeah, definitely do not fall off. Mum would have our heads."
Charlie handed Ron the broom and Ron grabbed it with a timid hand. "This is it. Maybe I'll actually be good at flying. Everyone's going to think I'm so cool," Ron thought hopefully.
Ron slowly examined his broom. Bill and Charlie stood back and gave him as much time as he needed, which Ron was really thankful for. The end of the broom had sticks sticking out at every direction and it resembled some sort of bushy brown tail. He ran his fingers up the shaft of the broom carefully and avoided all areas that looked like they would cause splinters. Finally he gripped the handle and straddled the broom. His palms got sweaty quick because of the death grip he had. Not even the most agile carnish pixie could escape his grasp. He took one last look down at the broom, gulped, and then looked up to his brothers. "Alright, what now?" Ron asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"Well, next thing you need to do is just kick off the ground. It's going to feel like you're losing control, but don't worry about that. Just stay within arms' reach of Bill and me."
"Okay, Ron. You can do this," Ron reassured himself.
Mustering up all the courage he could, Ron puffed out his chest, and kicked off. The next thing he felt was unbelievable. He was flying, well, hovering. He felt weightless and free. Nothing was off limits anymore. Nothing could hold him back. Ron imagined himself soaring faster than anyone had ever seen. The trees around him turned into a stadium and he imagined himself in the Quidditch World Cup playing for the Chudley Canons, and not only was he just playing, he was catching the snitch that won the game. The crowd went wild, chanting his name. "Ron! Ron! Ron!" their voices echoed throughout the whole stadium.
"Ron!"
He snapped back to reality just in time to feel himself land in his brother Bill's arms. "Wotcher, there, Ron. Didn't we tell you not to fall off?" Bill said setting down his little brother.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry, just… wow" Ron stuttered out. His head was still in the clouds. "Can I go again? Please?"
"Maybe tomorrow, tyke," Charlie said, "Mum's coming over here."
"Now, I know you two aren't letting Ronald on that broom! He's far too young, he could fall off and break his neck!"
Mrs. Weasley glared at the three of them and then turned to walk back to the other side of the house to continue pulling weeds with Ginny.
"How does mum always know everything?" Bill said laughing while he picked up the broom and the remaining softballs off of the ground.
Just then they all heard an owl screeching. They looked up and saw a brown barn owl carrying a stack of letters in its beak. It flew out of sight and into the open window of the kitchen.
"Hogwarts letters!" everyone shouted in unison.