Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE IN THIS STORY AS IT WAS CREATED BY THE WONDERFUL J.K ROWLING! Duh.

Chapter Eight: Flying Lessons

James and Sirius took it upon themselves to use the free time to teach Lily and Jenna how to fly. On broomsticks, of course, but the thought of leaving the ground terrified and excited Jenna. Lily was just excited.

They had to use school brooms, because first years weren't allowed to have their own. Sirius took great pains to assure the girls that, under normal circumstances, he would have brought his anyway, but as he had wrecked it just days before the start of term, he couldn't. He also showed off the large scrapes and bruises on various body parts that were souvenirs of the crash.

James was teaching Lily and Jenna the basics, because Sirius was too busy goofing off in the sky. "Stick your hand out over the broomstick, like this," he demonstrated, and say 'up!'" His broom jumped to his hand immediately. Lily's came up, too, after a moment. Jenna's rose halfway, decided it preferred the ground, and fell back down.

"Do it again, but more forcefully." Jenna did as instructed and was not very surprised when it simply rolled over and played dead. Very well. Nothing James suggested worked, as the broom apparently did not like to fly. Finally, James called Sirius down so he could help Jenna, while Sirius instructed Lily on mounting the broom and taking off.

Lily was flying quite well by the time Jenna managed to get the broom off the ground. James showed her how to hold the broom correctly and took her a little off the ground. And it's a good thing it was just a little, because Jenna promptly fell off.

"Try it again." James landed next to where Jenna sat, glaring at the broom. "Only this time..." He showed her what she was doing wrong and a few tricks to staying on the broom. Then he rose with her, one hand on her back to steady her. This time James stayed with Jenna, though he clearly wanted to be off playing with Sirius and Lily, who was a natural on the broom.

Jenna was getting more confidant on the broom and James was even taking her a little higher, when an owl landed on the front of her broom. It surprised her so much that she jumped and would have fallen, except James grabbed the back of her robes and kept her on the broom. He took a note from the owl and said "Here, I'll show you how to land."

They landed, and Jenna opened the note.

Miss Jenna Smith,

I request that you please spend a few minutes with me to discuss your introduction into Hogwarts. Please report tomy office promptly.

Professor McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Hey, what's up?" Sirius and Lily landed on the grass. "Ooh, sent to McGonagall's office already, Jenna Grace? I'm impressed."

"I haven't done anything, though."

"That's what they all say. See you later, then." Sirius kicked off into the sky again.

"Have fun. I'll be back later." Jenna watched James and Lily take into the air after Sirius before setting off for the castle. She didn't know why she was singled out, above her three friends. Lily was Muggle-born as well. What she didn't know was that just minutes later, Lily got the same note. And went to the same fifteen minute meeting. With the same person.

When Jenna returned, only James and Sirius were flying over the immense lawn. They explained that Lily had been called to Professor McGonagall's office and they still had no idea how she could handle meeting all the new students, even only the Muggle-born ones. When Lily arrived just a few minute later, she didn't have an explanation, either, though she could have sworn she saw Professor McGonagall going the other direction in the hall.

There was time for more flying before dinner, and Jenna was able to get her broom up on the third try this time. And could fly alone, though slowly. One of the other three was always there to catch her if she fell, though. James and Sirius decided that since she couldn't fly very well, she probably shouldn't try to play on the House Quidditch team. Lily, on the other hand, might actually be in the running for that Catcher position, after a little more work. And first years usually didn't get on the teams. It had been more than ninety years since the last first year on any house team.