Taking a moment to enjoy the familiar but always exhilarating rush of air as she kicked off the ground, Dessa let the crisp air wash over her before answering. The smell of autumn was all around them, infusing the air with one last great snap before it began to fade to the encroaching winter and its frosty, reaching fingers. It was a spicy scent that made her long for a warm drink and a good book, or perhaps a leave fight. "I'm thinking the Three Broomsticks for apple cider, or maybe butterbeer. How about you?"

As they soared behind Madam Hooch, she noticed the ease with which Teddy flew. She figured ruefully that he'd probably learned at home before coming to the school, and reminded herself, as she watched him bank a turn, to ask him for some pointers.

"Lexi." She said with a smile, wondering if since Noah was introducing himself, then maybe he had forgotten her name. She had remembered his after all. Hadn't she said it? With a short shake of her head, she followed Madam Hooch's example, kicking off the ground with more ease than she had before and lifting off into the air.

The air was cold and sharp, it's icy grip seizing hold of all and any exposed skin the students had to offer. For Lexi, this was mainly her cheeks and nose. The cold weather also meant she couldn't wear contacts while flying, meaning gold took over the synthetic green her classmates were accustomed to.

"Dessa!" Lexi shouted gleefully, "I'm freezing back here, what about you?"

Noah let out a small sigh of pleasure as he took to the air, sticking close to Lexi as he moved. He was much more relaxed now that it was coming more naturally. He looked over at the girl curiously, though remained quiet as she tried to grab the attention of her friend, not wanting to impose.

Kingside mounted his broom and kicked off, soaring rather gracefully, bringing up the rear of the small pack of firsties lead across the ground by Madame Hooch. Any who took a glance at their older schoolmate would note the absolute, absurd ease with which he flew; though he had not been raised on a broom, John Kingside had spent enough hours in his less recent youth - and, of course, late at night on the abandoned Quidditch pitch when he should have been doing his homework - to make up for it, and now any wizard or witch would be hard-pressed to put him as half Muggle-born.

As they blazed over the grounds, Kingside's eyes and attention wandered, briefly, as he surveyed the Forbidden Forest in the distance. A very formidable place that forest was - a trip above the canopy on broomstick might be quite a bit more interesting, though just as likely to be fatal.

The young Chaser's eyes darted once more towards the front of the pack, where Madame Hooche had spun about to keep tabs on her children. He shot her a thumbs up from behind the group; nobody had managed to go astray in the brief time they had been flying, luckily, though it was a smaller class than he had expected.

A positive signal from young Mr. Kingside and Hooch smiled, happy she could count on him.  She turned 180 again, and led the way.   For a bit of fun and practice she led the class down again, only a few feet off the ground so that they flew over the cobbled road.  As they approached the giant iron gates, flanked by winged, pig-faced gargoyles, she showed no sign of easing up.  The gates were still and very solid.

But just as she might have collided, they creaked open just in time, making way for the Flying class. 

"Thank you!" she called to the stone watchers, and the class continued down the wooded roadway to Hogsmeade.  Wouldn't be long now before the slate roofs and spindly chimneys came into view.

"Wimp!" Dessa called back to Lexi. She was on top of the world with adrenaline, even daring to twist her neck for a second and bring her fiery haired friend into view, although she quickly righted her posture when she felt the broom give a sharp dip rightward. "You've got to embrace the fall air!"

They shot through the gateway--Dessa had to exert maximum willpower in order to keep herself from braking as they had approached the heavy iron gates, sure that they wouldn't open in time--and she felt a thrill of excitement as the town of Hogsmeade began to show it's first markers below them.

Their journey to Hogsmeade was nearly complete, about 20 minutes elapsing.  It was probably more than the students had ever had insomuch as a sustained journey and she knew they'd be grateful to touch down soon.  She led the way, and soon they were flying by the first sparse scattering of cottages at the edge of town.  They passed the train station and the owl post office and finally Hooch lit down in a little cobbled square. 

Nearby was the Three Broomsticks, and across the way was Honeydukes.  Down High Street they'd find other shops and things like Zonko's Jokeshop, Gladrags, and Scrivenshafts.  (She certainly did not want them going anywhere near Signature, nor the Shrieking Shack.)

Madam Hooch removed her goggles and held her broom upright at her side as the students began to land. 

"You have one half hour.  Keep in pairs at least, and stay to High Street.  No side roads, understand?  Meet back here at the Three Broomsticks at one-thirty.  Don't be the one we have to come looking for."

She smiled at them even though her tone was stern.  "Go on then."

Noah rode rather comfortably along as the parade made their way through the Hogwarts grounds, his hair and cloak waving out at the environs as they flew. He looked over to Lexi a bit to make sure that there wasn't any negative waves coming from the girl. After a moment he nodded and closed his eyes for a moment, just letting the wind pass over him in enjoyment of the flight. "This is really nice~" he said.

After they had arrived he looked to the professor with a hint of confusion. He had no idea that they were going to have time in Hogsmeade... and honestly didn't have much in terms of idea in what he would do. "Er.." he stuttered, pausing for a moment, sure that one of the others would have a better idea than any blind guess he could make.

Many of the students eagerly scampered off in duos and trios, leaving their brooms at Madam Hooch's feet.   Although a couple of others looked like they'd entirely forgotten that they'd be getting to explore the town.  But that was all part of being eleven what with their young spongey brains and spurts of pre-pubescent amnesia. 

To those who looked lost, Hooch led the way into the nearby Three Broomsticks.  While many of the first years were blowing their savings on the exotic fair at Honeydukes and Zonko's, the ones with Hooch at the pub gorged on cheesy chips and spiced pumpkin juice. 

...

About thirty minutes later, the Hogsmeade Village clocktower chimed the hour, and Hooch went outside to meet the class who were supposed to be returning.  And oh, what luck! No one had perished and all returned more or less on time.  Brilliant!  Headmaster Reid would certainly like that.

The journey home was uneventful, and most students even showed improvement.  Once back at Hogwarts, she reminded them about their end-of-term skills test that would be upcoming, and how important it was to pass.

"Remember, you will not be allowed use of school brooms nor participation on your house Quidditch teams unless you pass Broomstick Flying.  There is a remedial class in the spring term, and as much as I'd love to spend more time with you, I'll reckon you'd much more enjoy passing this first time around.  Dismissed!"

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Thank you all!  Since the interest in the thread has been dying down, it's time to wrap up! Stay tuned for the Flying Final Examination that will take place in December! I shall post points earned shortly.