Flying classes Thursday. With Slytherin.

Harry had enjoyed coming to Hogwarts. Most of the teachers were pretty good and he had made new friends. They had just had their first House meeting and one announcement had been that the first years would be taking flying lessons.

Harry both looked forward to the chance to fly again and dreaded the stilted interaction he had with the members of Slytherin house.

His efforts on the train had borne fruit. The first year Slytherin and first year Gryffindor students were studiously polite to each other. He had had to hold Ron back from making a comment or two, but all in all the traditional tensions had reduced, according to their older house mates.

However, maintaining such a polite tone had been wearing at times.

One thing that had been decided at the meeting was that first years could be trained as reserves on the quiddich team. McGonagall had seen Harry flying during the party at the Burrow and really wanted to see him on the team, but Dumbledore had requested that every effort be taken to find an older student.

As a result, Percy Weasley had been designated the seeker. He wasn't flashy but he was a Weasley – and that meant he hadn't quite escaped his quiddich-man family sessions. He promised to have his father send him the Nimbus 1700. He had brought the Cleansweep Seven with him, but the 1700 was a bit better for the seeker position. Percy didn't want to even attempt to borrow his sister's Nimbus 2000.

In exchange, Harry promised to practice as a reserve that year so that he could take over as starting seeker the next. Ron would practice as reserve keeper. McGonagall had nixed the twins' suggestion of allowing their brooms to be sent. They would practice with school brooms and, should they need to come in, would use the broom of whomever they were replacing. Oliver and Percy both agreed to that.

Oliver had brought up the age of the school brooms. This expense had once again been nixed by the Hogwarts Board of Governers. McGonagall would bring it up to the Headmaster before she retired for the night.

Severus Snape looked out toward his snakes.

"Have any of you noticed anything that might effect our House?"

One of the third years lit his wand. To Slytherin, doing something as Muggle as raising your hand to get attention seemed ridiculous. Out among the other Houses, they followed such conventions, but in the Pit – magic was used for everything.

Snape nodded toward the third year. "I've noticed that the first-year Gryffindors seem less abrasive toward ours."

Malfoy lit his wand and Snape nodded toward him. "When I met Potter on the train, he made an effort to keep civil. He has stressed to the other Gryffindorks and the other houses the value of manners. Of course, we as Purebloods are much better than those as we have been learning manners since we were children. Ignoring proper protocol is so … Muggle."

Snape nodded his head in acknowledgement to his godson. "Yes. You might have noticed that I have made no statement regarding Mr. Malfoy's use of 'Gryffindork.' Within the Pit, we can speak as we like among ourselves. However, Hogwarts is changing. It would not be wise to challenge the Headmaster's sense of decorum at this time."

One of the older students, Flint, said angrily, "We have a right to establish our prerogatives! The mudbloods and blood traitors act as though they are superior!"

Snape pinned the burly sixth-year with his eyes. When Flint finally seemed to back down, the Slytherin Head-of-House said quietly, "Are we not Slytherin? Have we no guile? No cunning?"

Those that contained the least amount of such qualities began to look mutinous. Those that were true Slytherins took on a blank look as they considered the words of Severus Snape.

Severus noticed. He said, "Everyone freeze their facial expressions now!"

Some faces changed, but most followed this direction.

"Look here," he pointed toward one sneering Fourth Year, "and then here." He pointed toward another Fourth Year – who had a stoic and unreadable expression.

"Who can guess the thoughts behind their expressions? What would this one's face tell an enemy or ally?" The sneering face was gradually losing his expression but the House had seen it. "And what of this one's face?" The other maintained his expression – and calmly looked back at his house mates.

Snape nodded. "You both shall receive five points for helping me to demonstrate my point. We are within our own halls for the nonce, and your opinions spoken and demonstrated here shall not be fodder for gossip." The two boys nodded at their Head of House.

Snape looked at his snakes. "We shall be returning to basic principles. Slytherin is not the house of thugs and criminals as the other Houses paint us. Slytherin is house for the cunning, the ambitious. It is the House for the future leaders of our world."

He sighed. "It is … unpleasant … of course, maintaining such calmness in the face of the aggression that may be heaped upon is. I do not require you to be victims or lambs ripe for slaughter. I DO require you to show the traits that helped to establish this, the finest House within Hogwarts. While I have enjoyed a free hand in recent years, the Headmaster has recently decided to become more involved."

Several sneering faces appeared. Snape carefully noted each one and then pointed to them. "Each of those I just pointed to, stand up."

Looking at each other each of them slowly stood up and faced their Head of House.

He considered the students in front of him. "Tell me, do any of you feel that you could magically challenge Albus Dumbledore?" All looked nervously at each other and back to Snape.

"Your faces, once again, provided me your thoughts. When I mentioned the Headmaster, all of your faces … to the last … showed disapproval of the man. Now, perhaps you have cause. Perhaps you feel his values pollute our world? Maybe he has been a power for too long and you feel him senile? Perhaps you feel it would be better for our world if he would just quietly retire and become a recluse."

The faces of those standing began to consider the words being spoken and all became quite cheerful at the ideas being expressed. Until Snape spoke again."

"You are all fools."

Their faces became mutinous again.

"Albus Dumbledore is 110 years old. He has maintained a position of authority of one type or another within our world for over 60 years. He holds three positions which give him influence within our world. And while none of them are particularly overly influential on an immediate basis, together they ensure that he may act pretty much as he pleases with very little concern for the things that your might consider proper and correct. He has recently taken steps, even, to set aside his laid-back ways and to become directly involved again."

Snape paused then. "Does this sound like a man in his dotage? Or a man who would capitulate under pressure?" The sneering faces suddenly looked nervous or disappointed. "Given his widely acknowledge magical ability and magical level, he could easily live another forty years without losing any of his acumen. The oldest wizard on record is, if memory serves me properly, turning 755 this year. Make no mistake, Albus Dumbledore shall be a factor in Magical Britain for much of your lives. Making an enemy of him would show a distinct lack of cunning."

Snape nodded. "So. We shall listen to young Mr. Malfoy here and take his advice," Draco's face took on a distinctly pleased look, "and we shall practice manners and decorum. And if a Gryffindor or another student become trouble, I have seen evidence that such matters shall no longer be allowed." He turned to a particular student. "Mr. Vaisey, please relay your experiences on Thursday last as regards what occurred earlier that day."

Vaisey stood and described the meeting he had been brought to and what had been said and done. Snape nodded. "Now, Mr. Montague, explain your experiences please."

Much more reluctantly, Montague told everyone what happened and what had been said and done. He also described exactly how unpleasant the detention with Hagrid was.

Snape nodded again when he was finished. "Two guilty parties. Both punished. Mr. Montague started that unfortunate chain of events. Professor McGonagall used magical means to determine the events and assigned punishments. Albus Dumbledore changed those to punishments that were vastly less … convenient."

Snape then described the progression of penalties that the Headmaster had outlined. That a third offense could cause suspension surprised the students – especially those that had been at Hogwarts for years. That another offense could be even worse was very worrying to them. The Headmaster had never been so involved.

When all of the students were suitably nervous Snape asked, "Do you all understand what I am trying to tell you?"

Albus Dumbledore stood at the front door of Hogwarts.. Hagrid was performing his Keeper of the Keys duties, allowing entrance at the gates. Dumbledore would be joined, shortly thereafter, by all twelve members of the Board of Governers.

Suddenly, four Hogwarts coaches appeared from around the bend. He had sent them so that the Governors could flue to the Three Broomsticks and be comfortably brought.

When some of them had complained about not being able to floo directly, Dumbledore pointed out that current policies only allowed that under emergency circumstances. Those that complained were not happy, but Dumbledore was not very accommodating.

When all four coaches stopped and those within exited the coaches, the Headmaster welcomed them.

Lucius Malfoy sneered. "What is so important that we must be called away from our busy schedules?"

Dumbledore calmly replied, "An issue that was brought up in the summer sessions was resolved in a manner I disagree with. However, as you are the Board, there isn't much I can say. I wish for you to see the results of your decision."

Lucius sneered. "If it was so important, you should have brought it up then."

Albus shrugged slightly. "Well, you are all here." He performed a tempus spell and then said, "Come this way."

Instead of being brought inside, the twelve were brought to a nearby field. Dumbledore conjured several comfortable chairs and then performed a masking charm so that those observing would not be seen.

Soon, Rolanda Hooch led several students out and they all stood in lines. The Governors noticed that the students included sons, daughters, grandchildren, or grand-nephews/nieces to all of them. They were a mixture of all age groups.

Rolanda magically removed a covering and suddenly the students and the Governors all saw several brooms laying on the ground.

"As was explained, each of you shall receive a flying lesson. For some, this is your first. For others, this is an old lesson. The purpose of this lesson is for the Staff to work out kinks in the curriculum. As all of you are related to those who run the school, it was decided that your words to your families shall carry more weight than random comments."

Draco Malfoy sneered and said, "Why are we using such horrible brooms?"

The Flying instructor said, "You will retain a respectful tone! As to the brooms, they are the Board-approved brooms for flying lessons. Now, each of you line up next to a broom!"

The flying instructor then began the standard lesson. Each of the students succeeded in calling the brooms to their hands. Madam Hooch went down and inspected each broom. She took two of them and showed the class bent bristles that were present and explained how that should be avoided. Those two brooms were replaced with two others that were marginally better.

The watching Governors were nervous. They did appreciate that the Flying instructor made an effort to ensure that the brooms used were the best available.

The lesson proceeded – and disaster struck. Draco Malfoy, a boy who had grown up on brooms, kicked off properly and the broom beneath him went crazy. Before anyone else could take steps, the Headmaster moved quickly to snatch the boy out of the air and slowly bring him to the ground.

Everyone saw the broom that he had been on continue moving until it made its way over the Forbidden Forest and was lost to sight.

Dumbledore quickly moved to ensure his student was okay before removing the masking magic he had employed. All of the students could now see the Board of Governors rooted in their chairs with chalk-white faces.

Dumbledore turned to the students and said, "Please move over to the doors to Hogwarts. Your family members shall join you in the Great Hall before dinner for conversation after I have spoken briefly with them."

The students moved off. When they were out of earshot, the Headmaster turned to the wizards and witches, who were still rooted in their spots. If he had used magic to ensure they didn't move? Well, he was keeping them from disturbing the lesson.

Finally he waved his wand and asked them all to rise. He banished their chairs and then said, "I hope that I have made my point. Flying lessons proper for the first years are scheduled to begin Thursday. Your family members are waiting to speak with you at the entrance to the school."

Dumbledore approached the students waiting for their elders. He looked at Draco and ensured the boy was not too damaged. "My apologies to you, Mr. Malfoy. I did not anticipate that the broom you would use was defective – just old." He turned to the other students and said, "I will require that all of you maintain decorum on what occurred there."

Dumbledore considered the ability of information to pass through Hogwarts at the speed of gossip. "As you just heard, Mr. Malfoy's mishap was NOT of his own making but of ours and the Boards. Students insulting other students due to our error will be punished – and I will track down who began such comments. Civility and proper decorum shall be enforced."

The Board, who had followed behind the Headmaster more slowly, were both feeling relieved and guilty at the same time, especially after hearing the Headmaster defend Malfoy's son so vehemently.

Albus made his way inside.

After an hour, he was summoned back to speak with the Board. Their suggestion that the first years be allowed to receive brooms was nixed. He allowed that if a first year became a member of the quiddich team that they would allowed their own broom, but he refused to allow the average student to be handled differently due to their background.

In the end, the Board capitulated. Each had pledged a certain amount from the fees they received as Board members toward buying decent brooms for the lessons. After the parchment was signed, the Board members left by coach and Albus made his way to his office. He would send the message to the Quiddich Store in Diagon Alley to send the thirty brooms he had asked them to gather just that morning.

As a bulk sale, he had negotiated a cheaper price per broom. The Authorizing letter from the Board would allow the payment to be disbursed upon delivery.

Draco reflected upon what had happened to him earlier that day. As he made his way into his common room that night, many students were waiting to ask him what happened. Being the attention-deserving person that he was (in his own mind), he was quite free with details.

He did have one comment which reinforced the lesson that Professor Snape had passed on in the House meeting: "Dumbledore is much more cunning than our families told us. And he was very serious about proper manners."

Harry and his friends made their way out to the field where Madam Hooch would be giving lessons. All were a bit nervous as they had heard rumours that there had been an accident just two days before due to a defective broom.

After the Gryffindors had coolly greeted their Slytherin Counterparts, the Flying instructor appeared.

"Okay, chaps! Each of you grab a broom and line up!" She pointed to a large stack of brooms that she had just uncovered.

The students noticed that the brooms looked to be in great condition. In fact, they looked brand new.

Most of them were Comet 260s, but there were a few Cleansweep Fives as well. Madam Hooch ensured that anyone who had never been on a broom was on a Comet 260. Those that felt they were experienced were allowed to use the Cleansweeps.

In the end, only Harry, Ron, and Seamus among the Gryffindors and Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini among the Slytherins were allowed (or wanted) to use the faster brooms. (Hermione and Neville both had admitted to having flown, but neither particularly wanted a fast broom.)

The lesson had been pretty tame for Harry. Once everyone seemed comfortable, those that wanted were allowed a bit of leeway. Madam Hooch had been quite nervous that a first year seemed so pull tricky maneuvers so easily and had asked him to take it easier. She didn't want those that felt too competitive to try to follow his example.

Harry understood – but it was much more fun flying completely by instinct.

Madam Hooch DID give several students permission to join their House teams as reserves only.

All in all, Harry had a grand time with the lessons.

And because so many asked:

OMAKE

Wulfric watched the screens. He really wished he himself had done some of the things which the thief accomplished. He could have done so much with that influence …

"OUCH!"

The damn chair he was strapped to began heating up if his thoughts went in certain directions. He didn't like it much.