The next Tuesday the Ravenclaws had their first flying lesson together with the Hufflepuffs. Harry hoped he would manage to get the okay from Madam Hooch to go to the try-outs. The school brooms didn't look that promising. They had twigs standing out at the tails and from some older Ravens the first-years had heard that some tended to sway off course. They took places next to the brooms and waited for Madam Hooch to start explaining what she wanted them to do.
"Good afternoon and welcome to your first flying lesson. Well, let's not twiddle our thumbs; this is a completely practical lesson. Hold out your hands over your brooms and say 'Up'." Madam Hooch instructed.
Shouts of up were heard. Harry's broom immediately jumped into his hand.
Terry rolled his eyes.
"That proves it; there is nothing Harry Potter isn't good at." He mumbled.
"There is, Terry, he is absolutely incapable at getting control over his hair." Michael whispered back.
Harry's untameable hair was the one point the Ravenclaw first-years could mock Harry with. Otherwise he was just too nice a guy to not like. They all knew he didn't have any real friends yet, but he treated all of them friendly, was always helpful and had explained why he just couldn't just make friends and first needed to get to know people. He just had made too many bad experiences in his childhood to trust easily.
Especially the girls of all houses liked him. Even the Slytherins. Harry Potter was the perfect gentleman, he was witty and without ever needing to result to shouting or insults he could handle all verbal attacks that had been thrown at him so far. Harry was a bit uncomfortable when he heard that even the older girls giggled when he passed by. But he would have to deal with it; he was after all trying to leave a good impression.
"My hair falls in the category of force majeure." Harry said grumbling.
"You keep telling yourself that, Harry." Terry replied.
"Enough bickering, Mr Boot, Mr Corner and Mr Potter. Now that you all have your brooms in your hands mount them and make sure you have good hold to not slide of the broom when you're in the air." Madam Hooch said.
They all did that and she went around, looking at their grips and positions and correcting it here and there.
"Now, on my whistle I want you to kick off, hover three feet above the ground, then lean forward and come down again." She blew her whistle and the whole class rose into the air, hovering more or less precisely three feet over the ground.
Harry felt great. This felt like he had always known how to do it. For his other skills he had worked hard and studied hours to remember facts, practiced techniques, ran to build up his speed, or trained shooting goals. This he didn't need to learn he just knew it. Then Madam Hooch let them fly around the field. Ten minutes before the lesson was up, she offered those who felt safe enough a race around the Quidditch pitch. Harry jumped at the opportunity. Seven others also did. When Madam Hooch blew her whistle to start the race, Harry leaned down on his broom and shot forward. He instinctively knew how to shift position on the broom to take a turn, how he could gain speed and how to break once he had passed the finish line.
The students that hadn't participated in the race cheered and clapped for him. He waved down to them smiling brightly.
"Damn, Harry, didn't you say this would be your first real flying lesson?" Tony asked.
"It is. This is the first time I'm flying on a real broom. Hagrid told me that I had a toy broom as a baby. Obviously I once nearly killed Mum's cat while flying on it which Dad found hilarious. But since then I never again sat on a broom. But this is so easy." Harry said laughing.
The Ravenclaws discovered a new, carefree side of Harry Potter that day. As long as he was on a broom he truly behaved like a little child. Normally he was collected and gave a good impression, but here in the air he was just a normal boy who had fun. He challenged them to a game of tag, which only ended with nobody being able to catch him when Madam Hooch called them down. He was still grinning like a loon after landing.
"Very good. I know that Professor Flitwick lets those that are interested try out for the house team as long as I give the go ahead. While I can say that most of you will be ready to do normal flights at the end of the month I would only agree to Mr Potter, Mr Goldstein and Miss Turpin trying out for the team. The others should train a bit more and if they want try out next year." She said.
Harry and Lisa nodded at wanting to try out, but Tony declined.
"I'm too busy getting used to the classes at the moment. When I have a better grip on them next year I will possibly try my hand at Quidditch, but I can't really see myself being good enough to play for the team, as much as I like watching." Tony explained.
The others accepted the explanation.
.....
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