17 November, 2009
Tuesday, 1:00pm

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The class met at their usual location in the large courtyard near the castle.  Now that it was late November, everyone was properly bundled up against the damp and chill.  Hooch had reminded them last week to dress even more warmly because today they were going on a long broom trip. 

The students were already gathered, and Hooch stood before them.  She had on a fuzzy white earflap hat, a heavy black cloak, and thick gloves.    At her side was an older student from Gryffindor, John Kingside.  To ensure the trip would be safe and enjoyable for all, she'd split the classes by house and enlisted the aide of another student.  The extra pair of eyes (and hands) would be most welcome.  First Years always managed to find trouble even when there was none about.

"Today we will be taking a broom ride to Hogsmeade Village.  Do you remember what we talked about last week? What were our rules for this trip?"

Hooch put her fists on her hips and looked out at this promising group - promising, but troublesome.

Clad in a thick Gryffindor sweater and scarf, and a pair of old jeans, Kingside looked rather unprepared for any rigorous flying - at least, he did when compared to Madame Hooch standing next to him. A rather expensive and lovely looking broom was slung over Kingside's right shoulder, a pair of brown leather gloves pulled across either hand - y'know, to maintain a sense of feel in the ever looming chill of November! However warm it felt on the ground, you could always rely on it to be a few solid degrees colder whilst soaring through the air, the wind whipping at any inch of exposed flesh you left to it.

"Ooo, they're adorable, they are," Kingside coo'd beside Hooch, grinning. "Remember when I was a firstie meself - 'ardly set buttock on a broomstick a'for yer class, either. 'member tha' red-'aired boy I smooshed?" Running a hand through his hair, the vague imprint of a frown warped his features momentarily; "Didn' realize ye could do tha' many somersaults on a broomstick in one go, at the time."

His moment of self-deprecating humor was interrupted by Madame Hooch's loud and fierce instructions. He had always felt, since year one at Hogwarts, that - though she was not unnecessarily harsh or foul - Xiomara Hooch had a way about her that simply inspired fear and terror-driven respect in those within earshot. She gave off a powerful no-nonsense authority, and Kingside had been all to eager to comply with her rules and avoid facing any wrath one might earn by scorning the imposing Quidditch instructor.

Lexi couldn't help but shiver as the cold November air bit at her cheeks, turning them a bright and rosy red. She wrapped her Gryffindor scarf tighter around her neck, her glove clad fingers gripping her broom tightly. She was absolutely ecstatic about today's trip to Hogsmeade.

It was different having the class split in half, so that their were just Griffies and Ravens today, it was weird not having her Hufflepuff buddies by her side. She smiled brightly though, her teeth threatening to start chattering. There was one good side to it, no Slytherins, but the houses were getting along better lately... maybe it would have been fun with them.

Hooch's words brought her back to reality. Rules... Oh they had just gone over these, what were they?

"Stick with the group!" Lexi said, "Otherwise we'll get hopelessly lost, and once we get found, we'll be in loads of trouble." She added, amending her own little part to what they had gone over last week.

Dessa skipped merrily along beside Lexi, marveling over the icy blue sky and the way the frosty grass crunched beneath her feet. She was so distracted, in fact, that when Madam Hooch called for them to recite the rules, she absentmindedly began listing Gibbs's rules under her breath, before realizing that these were not, in fact, the right set.

"Erm...don't take mysterious candy from mysterious people. Or nice people. It's probably got poison in it that'll make you turn purple and croak. So don't take it." she considered for a moment, then added, "Even if it's got nougat."

Hooch nodded sharply when the two Gryffindor girls piped up with the answers she was looking for.  "Excellent.  Did everyone hear?  Stay with the group always.  And do not interact with strangers no matter how nice they seem.  I think we should all be learning by now never to trust appearances, especially in the magical world.  Hogsmeade is a small place, but we should be mindful.  Two points each, ladies.[1]

"What else? What about Mr. Kingside here? What did we talk about concerning our Seventh Year teaching assistant?"  Hooch nodded her head in John Kingside's direction. 

1.	+2 Gryffindor; Dessa Share.  +2 Gryffidor; Lexi McGee"; answering well

Ted leaned on his broom, peering up at their so-called assistant from under a knit cap and a head of overgrown, silvery-blue hair. "That we're supposed to listen to him, yeah? Like a prefect. He's here to back to you up so we gotta show him respect and do what he says."

He nodded in an exaggerated sagely fashion, the way Uncle George always did when dispensing 'wisdom' from the shop.  "Also: Don't load up on so much Honeydukes stuff that you can't fly straight. That goes for shopping bags as well as upset tummies. And if we even think 'bout going to the Hog's Head, you'll drag us half-way back to school by our ears."

Maybe it'd been Gran who made that particular threat, but Ted wouldn't put it past Madame Hooch to do the same if they managed to rile her temper.

"And we're not allowed to annoy him, like to an excess. I mean, I guess it's assumed all first-years are annoying and of course there is some annoyance going on here, but no annoying the older Griffies!" She said excitedly, bouncing back and forth as she tried to warm herself up.

"Oh! And even though he's a fantastic Quidditch player, we aren't allowed to try to knock him off of his broom. That also means no surprise Quidditch drills." Lexi added, somewhat quieter than before. She and Dessa had been talking about testing the upper-year, you know, just for the heck of it. They were little kids! They had to goof off at some point.

But not now, Lexi reminded herself. This was a trip for big kids. And if she couldn't be a big kid, then she'd be stuck here probably writing a paper on brooms and how to properly care for one or something like that... She shuddered, she hated papers and busywork. Be a good big kid Lexi, you are a big girl, you can handle this.

Dessa frowned, "But Lex," she whined, gesturing at the older Gryffindor, "Weren't we going to...er I mean yes most definitely that is true." A quick change of tack mid-sentence hopefully saved her from the discerning Madam Hooch. The last thing she wanted was to end up stuck at the castle. It was lovely to get outside, and she was excited to see Hogsmeade--she'd been jealous of the third years and their weekend trips ever since the first time she'd gotten in line and narrowly escaped a flogging by an irate Argus Filch.

She shot an apologetic look Lexi's way, hoping she wouldn't be too annoyed with the slip. The excitement in  her was making her careless, and she only hoped that this willy-nilly behavior wouldn't translate to her work on a broom. She'd been practicing with Madam Hooch, and she had improved to the point where almost everything was muscle memory. Every time she was up in the air she was exhilarated, and the satisfaction of knowing that she came down a little better was a high she could ride all day.

"Well put, Mr. Lupin," Hooch acknowledged, a tiny smile appearing on her lips.  "Two points."[1]  He had it just about exactly right.  If any of them wandered near a place like the Hog's Head, it'd be their ears and her head on a platter. 

Alexandra McGee spoke up next and Hooch turned her chin just a titch - they were getting creative now with their answers, but at least they were thinking about the proper behavior.  "Thank you, Miss McGee.  Two points for you as well.  And another point for you all if you manage to not harm or hex Mr Kingside at all during the trip."[2]

"And one more thing before we go - wands out."  Hooch did the same.

"Red sparks[3] is one of the most basic spells a witch or wizard should know.  It indicates an emergency or distress call.  I think you might have gone over this in Charms, but let's practice once before we go, yes?  Aim straight in the air to cast.  Go!"

A volly of shooting red lights filled the courtyard for a moment and when all had had their go, Hooch followed up with a blue bolt of light to signal the all clear. 

"And let's make ready!"  With the rules out of the way, Hooch brought her whistle to her lips and gave a short tweet.  "Find your partner. Secure your gloves, hats and scarfs.  Get your brooms up and get aboard.  I shall lead the way, you all will follow in pairs, and Mr Kingside will bring up the rear, understand?

"Ready all?"  Hooch was mounted now and looked over her shoulder and the bundled up little ducklings behind her.  She tweeted her whistle and pushed off the ground into the air.

1.	+2 Gryffindor; Ted Lupin; answering well
2.	+2 Gryffindor; Alexandra McGee; answering well
3.	The Red Sparks Charm

Noah watched quietly from the sidelines, arms crossed as he listened to the instructions. He took a bit of pride in his higher resilience to colder weather, the only bit of extra clothing he had brought being a cloak for riding.  He lifted his wand and let sparks fly at the order, but soon after was met with one of the most horrifying requests that could be given to him academically.

Find your partner..

His heart felt like it sunk a meter at the idea, his eyes going through the crowd of his classmates. Oddly enough, he was a bit more familiar with the Gryffindors than his fellow Ravenclaws, barely able to talk with many at all within the confines of the house tower. His eyes flit to the few familiar faces with a note of paranoia. They'd likely have closer friends they would want to fly with rather than him. He remained quiet, mounting the broom and waiting. If he was lucky he'd slip under the radar and be able to just stick to the edge of the group

Lexi rocked back on her heels, eager gold eyes scanning the crowd of first years. She noticed Noah, looking a bit down and by himself towards the edge of the group. With determination, she walked over to him, "Hey Noah." She greeted, smiling at the Ravenclaw.

"Care to be my partner?" She asked, trying to not be overbearing, yet also trying to be as friendly and easy going as she could manage. Her friends had told her time and time again that she needed to relax on the energy.

Dessa whirled toward Lexi at the command to find a partner, frenetic energy and excitement already surging through her. She therefore felt a brief pang of hurt when she saw her fellow Gryffindor instead linking up with Noah, but she got over it quickly, offering them a wave. She should have known that Noah wouldn't be assertive enough to walk up to someone, that had been sweet of Lexi.

However, she herself still needed a partner, and after a brief perusal of her surroundings, she shuffled over next to Teddy--trying to avoid accidentally walloping anyone with her broom--and bumped his shoulder with hers. "Hiya, want to be my partner?"

The class first had to navigate out of the castle proper.  Hooch led the way up and out of the courtyard, and instead of climbing to heights perhaps unsafe, she led them under a row of arches.  They cleared the castle and she led them out northeast, past the Greenhouses but well clear of the Whomping Willow.  The Forbidden Forest was nearby, so she checked to make sure that no one decided to get bold and venture too close.

Soon, they were passing overhead the Healer's Hut and the nearby pumpkin patch which was brimming with a few purple and blue varieties.  Up ahead were Hogwarts's impressive gates. 

She turned around so that she was flying backwards and did a quick head-count. 

A map for reference... link

Noah blinked a bit, genuinely surprised at the girl's attention. "Er... sure~ Sounds fun~" he said, forcing a grin. His face still held signs of confusion However, he remained friendly and kept a grin as he started to rise in order to follow the professor. "I'm Noah, by the way~"

Ted had initially turned towards Noah for a partner, but got beaten to the punch by Lexi, which was surprising -- he'd expected her to pair up with Dessa. Instead, Dessa saddled up next to him, bumped his shoulder, and asked him to buddy up. Ted gave his curly-haired housemate a grin. "Sure! C'mon, let's hit the air."

He kicked off in time with her, they the first pair to swooped up behind Madam Hooch as they ducked the arches and rounded a wide path between the greenhouses and the Whomping Willow. Out of the corner of his eye, Ted saw the plant waving its branches and took his hand from the broom a moment to wave back. He'd always liked that tree, though unlike certain other classmates, he had the sense to keep his distance.

"Good day for the flight!" he called to Dessa as Madame Hooch turned back to count heads. "What're you planning on in the village?"