October 28, 2008
Tuesday, 2:30pm




This is the ninth session of flying classes.  So far they have spent a great deal of time flying out on the grounds.  They're now practiced in turning, stopping, falling and reversing.  They've changed their altitude, they've discussed Quidditch, to a point, as well.  But mostly they have spent a great deal of time practicing, discussing safety and doing drills.  This week they are taking a field trip to Diagon Ally to go to Quality Quidditch Supplies to learn about brooms, broom-making and broom care.  They will have gathered immediately after Defense class in the Great Hall, where they used the enormous hearth to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron, where they are now. 

---

In a flourish of green fire and sage-colored smoke, Xiomara Hooch appeared in the Leaky Cauldron.  She stepped onto the cobbles and stood back to catch the first years as they came through and move them out of the way.  As they came popping out at 10 to 15 second intervals (another professor was back in the Great Hall with the first years, helping them in and spacing them out), Madam Hooch was wrangling them.

Most, if not all, of the first years should have been to the Leaky Cauldron before, if at least only the one time.  But that didn't make it a place any less fascinating.  The old tavern was all warm dark woods, mismatched chairs, many different nooks, crannies and corners.  Even on a weekday afternoon, in a bright well-lit pub, there were unsavories in the dimmer corners around the bar.

"There we go, you're fine.  The dizziness is common.  Sit down if you need to," she coached.  "And stay close.  Once we've got everyone we'll set out for Quality Quidditch."

They'd have the whole afternoon to spend making their way to the shop, having a look at the brooms and watching the twigger work in his workshop.  Of course, every moment would be needed.  Wrangling children would take more time than anything else.  But it was important for the kids to get out of the castle and stretch their legs.

Flying was, officially, the best class Hogwarts had invented and it was the one class in her schedule Mairead was excelling in. She'd picked up flying easily and each lesson her skills grew tremendously.  Her extra lessons with Grace and the broom the seventh year was letting Mairead use were also helping, immensely.  She loved flying - she loved her new broom and what she'd learned of quidditch so far, she was quickly falling in love with. 

And, today - today was just proving to be icing on one big fantastic cake!  They were going to Diagon Alley - to the broom store!  Mairead remembered strolling by that shop a few months ago and scoffing at the overpriced cleaning equipment.  Oh how naive she'd been back then.  If she'd only better appreciated what it was she'd been looking at.  But, now she did - and now she was getting to go see! 

Mairead was careful to make sure she was close to the front of the line and hurried up to the fireplace and, with a puff of green powder, stepped through the Leaky Cauldron. 

"This is so exciting!" Mairead exclaimed as she hopped in place, dislodging the few pieces of ash clinging to her robes.  She was eager to learn about caring for the broom Grace was giving her. 

“Ew ew, EW ew ew,” Eirene’s voice could be heard through the fire, complaining already about the soot she expected to find on her clothes. The moment she stepped through the fireplace and into the tavern, she coughed a few times and cast Scourgify on her uniform. But this was exciting! A smile lit up her face as she looked around the Leaky Cauldron, a place she’d been to before when she was with her parents.

“I know! Isn’t it?” Eirene replied, before she realized who she was responding to. The smile faltered on her face and she gave Mairead an accusing look, as if the Gryffindor had tricked her somehow.

Eirene stepped away from the fireplace but kept peering into it, afraid that someone had heard her agree with Mairead. Then she stepped near Madam Hooch, preparing to impress her with what she’d learned about the history of brooms last night. Today was her day, Eirene thought, secretly very happy that they’d be talking about brooms instead of actually using them.

“In the Quidditch World Cup of 1994, both teams used the Firebolt,” she told her in a hushed, enthusiastic voice, though she was sure the instructor already knew this. She needed to know that Eirene knew this! “And Harry Potter had one when he was at school.”

She searched Madam Hooch’s face. The lady seemed to have heard and seen it all, and Eirene supposed she had, being so old!

"And that's the last of them!" As the final student popped through the fireplace, and although a few were still a bit tippy, they were ready to go.

Turning to take a second headcount, Madam Hooch nearly trod atop Eirene Antonopoulos who was grinning and bushy-tailed.  Xiomara raised her thin eyebrows and the corners of her mouth tightened into her usual tiny smile.

"Absolutely right, Miss Antonopoulos!" she said, mirroring Eirene's exicted hushed tone.  For the first time, it seemed, Eirene had bloomed.  As soon as they were off the pitch and away from brooms, apparently this little one was in her element.

"A point for Ravenclaw," she said with a wink.

She then straightend up and extended her arms out to her sides, her black and white robes billowing out like magpie wings.  She lifted her chin and announced to her students.

"Follow me out into the Ally and stay close! No wandering off, and no speaking with strangers! Straight to Quality Quidditch we'll go and then straight inside, understand?"

She paused for a few eager, bobbing nods.  Then she blew the little silver whistle around her neck and thrust her arm forward. "Let's be off!"

Tall Madam Hooch led the flock of little witches and wizards out of the tavern and into the Ally.  She tapped the proper bricks and began the short walk up to the broom shop.

It had taken most of Noriko's willpower to go through with stepping into the flickering flames and flooing to Diagon.  In fact, it had taken most of Noriko's willpower to go through with joining her classmates on the trip at all.  When she had first heard about the excursion, she had panicked and frantically sent her parents an owl, certain that once they heard that she was being asked to leave school grounds, they'd be in touch with Madam Hooch immediately to tell her that it wasn't safe for Noriko to go.

Unfortunately, they hadn't seemed at all concerned.  Noriko's mum had replied with a cheerful note that she hoped her daughter had fun. 

Convinced that her parents couldn't have understood what she was telling them - how could they possibly think it was all right for her to leave school with only one adult to supervise, after all? - Noriko had sent three more letters in quick succession to explain the dangers.  But her efforts had only earned her a stern rebuke that she was going, she would learn something from it, and she wouldn't want to let the family down by not doing well in Flying, would she?

As Madam Hooch stalked out of the tavern, Noriko squeaked and hurried to catch up with her.  She'd visited Diagon Alley several times before with her family, but never on her own.  What if she fell behind the group?  What if she couldn't remember which brick to tap to enter?

"Wait wait wait!" she said frantically, scurrying through.  "What if someone gets left outside?"

When the opportunity arose to help chaperone the trip to Diagon Alley, Sasha didn't hesitate to volunteer.  Once holidays were in full swing and his full schedule of polo matches and horse shows set in, it was hard to find the time to slip away, discretely, and visit the wizarding shops.  And, as a member of the Ravenclaw quidditch team, he was always enthusiastic about an opportunity to visit Quality Quidditch Supplies.  If allowed, he might even try to freshen up on his supplies. 

And drool over some of the brooms.  If he'd had more planning, he might have considered telling his stepfather he'd broken another saddle tree on the school's more advanced cross country course but, he'd refrained.  Besides, if he really got tempted, he could always order it and dig into his funds for the semester and use the story after the fact. 

Not that he was ever prone to taking advantage of his family's wealth.  No, of course not. 

He'd hoped he could have arranged to meet up with his sister, as well, but he wasn't going to stray from the planned agenda.  He'd owled her to let her know he would be there but he didn't know if Jacoba knew how to get into Diagon, yet.  Still, he dutifully followed the last first year through the floo network, pausing briefly on the other side to dust the soot off his robes. 

"Firebolts are impressive," Sasha confirmed, as he trailed behind Eirene, keeping an eye out on the group.  He was now quite a bit taller than the first years and ... not that he'd ever say it ... but herding first years couldn't be too different than herding cows.  Right?  Some looked nervous but some, as seemed the trend with the first years, had mischief written all over their faces.  "They have great acceleration.  But, there've been a couple even faster brooms since then."  Sasha doubted he could claim to need an expensive enough saddle to warrant one of those until he really reached the global international show circuit.  Which, if things went well over the winter holidays, he might qualify for a few American shows next summer.

"And, we won't leave anyone behind." 

Keegan was not too far behind Mairead (Who, as she was much smaller then him, had had an easier time getting to the front) and he nearly tumbled into her as he landed on the floor of the tavern with a loud thump. Rolling to his feet quickly, he stretched and dusted a tiny bit of dust off his mussed clothes with feigned interest. Leaving them mostly dusty, since he really didn't care all that much about a little dust, Keegan looked back at the fire and grinned as he rubbed some ash into the bridge of his already faintly smudged nose.

Travel by fire was almost... almost... as cool as travel by broom. He watched for a moment as some of the other students tumbled through, enjoying the strange sight, before Madam Hooches shrill whistle reminded him that they were there for his favorite subject thus far: Flying. Hurrying over to the teacher, where Mai stood in rapt attention, Keegan shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned at his smaller friend excitedly. So excitedly that he was nearly jumping with it as he waited for them to go through the passageway out of the pub and into the crowded streets of Diagon Alley.

As exhilarating as looking at all the awesome brooms in store for them at the Quidditch shop, Keegan's interest begin to wan as Eirene begin to prattle on and soon he found himself looking around the alley, especially further down, with interest. What WAS that dark forboding alley down by the twisted marble building? It looked intensely interesting and Keegan started to hang back and let other students surge ahead of him, desperately trying to discern what treasures the forbidden place held. Coming to a full stop, he was almost knocked into by the small dark headed form of Wakawaka, or whatever the nervous little snaklet was named, as she hurried to follow the others.

"Wait wait wait! What if someone gets left outside?"

"Maybe that's the point..." Keegan snickered, reaching out and ruffling the shorter girls hair, curious to see what she would do if he mussed her perfectly kept locks. Glancing back at the mysterious alleyway, he devised a plan to get him and Mai there and back before Hooch noticed. First he would have to tell Mai.

Mariead cast Eirene a scathing scowl as the other girl scrambled away from the fireplace and dared agree with her.  It somehow invalidated Mairead's proclamation of the excitement of the adventure.  Yet - it couldn't!  Diagon Alley, brooms, flying and ... and Quidditch. 

It had been almost three weeks since she'd started practicing with Grace, the current Gryffindor seeker.  Which, was a role Mairead was growing to love!  She was was also starting to like Grace but she had to admit, she was looking forward to trying out for the team next year.  Even with those lessons and flying class, Mairead still couldn't get enough.  And, she was quickly growing fond of the broom Grace had given her - Cahira as she'd affectionately named it. 

And, there went the annoying little Ravenclaw.  Showing off, again.  Because rattling off facts was about the only thing she could do in Flying class. 

Mairead was relieved when Keegan stumbled out of the fireplace after her and, immediately, turned towards him.  When she was sure Madame Hooch was looking the other way, Mairead lifted both hands in a flippant, excessively girly manner and, and started batting her eyes and hopping in a foolishly excited manner.  "Oh and ... Madame," Mairead said to Keegan, in an obvious imitation of Eirene's hushed tone, "I once heard of this bird.  And ... and, you know what, it can fly.  Like in the air.  It's true!" 

Rolling her eyes and smirking, she turned to follow the band of first years out of the Leaky Cauldron.  "This is where I found Ailill," Mairead whispered to Keegan, once they were outside.  Yes - found.  As if  the puffskein was found randomly hopping down Diagon Alley.  Rather than let loose and scooped up by Mairead. 

At first, Mairead scowled in annoyance at Keegan when he ruffed up the annoying Slytherin's hair.  Not because of the antics - of course not!  The fact it might be jealousy didn't even cross her mind, but she quickly followed with a snicker, hoping the scowl would go unnoticed. 

This close to All Hallow's Eve, Diagon was bedecked in a festive array.  Piles of pumkins and strangely shaped gourds were heaped into carts.  Goulish leather masks were being hawked by a hag so craggy that it appeared she'd become one of her own crafts.  Large spiders were working away at fantastic webs in the iron grate balconies and around the hanging wooden pub signs.

Gringotts Bank dominated the main intersection, its ancient columns askance.  Madam Hooch steered the group well to the right side of the large cobbled intersection, well away from the entrance to Knockturn Ally.  She turned and sent Sasha a reminder.

"Bring up the rear, Mr. Schlagenwiet.  Thank you, sir!" 

Madam Hooch had recently grown fond of Sasha.  It was a sad truth that Madam Hooch's favor often followed success on the Quidditch pitch.  Frankly, Xiomara had initially found Sasha to be took bookish, but he rode very very well for a muggleborn.  Well enough for anyone, actually.

With the entire first year class in tow, Hooch and Sasha had nearly forty children to keep track of.  Luckily, it was only a block or so more before they reached Quality Quidditch, where she'd count heads again before entering.

So far, Hannah wasn't really having fun. She'd been to Diagon alley dozens of times. They hadn't gotten to the shop yet, and all this walking was boring. She plodded along with the rest of her yearmates, glancing around for more curious sights. Like that hag. Predictably, her group gave a wide birth around the mask-seller, like one great coordinated school of fish. It made her smile, ducking her head to hide it so no one would notice. Mairead, for example, had a great fondness of making fun of people who did unusual things- like earlier, when she'd been jumping around like Eirene. Hannah wasn't even that close, but Mairead's hushed tones had been louder than she probably thought. Pretty good imitation of Eirene, though. Torn between her fellow Gryffindor and her semi-friend from the library, Hannah hadn't felt particularly guilty at the thought.

And she liked to be helpful, even if the Slytherin girl's concern was completely unnecessary. No one was going to get left behind- Hannah was sure Madam Hooch would get in a lot of trouble if she left that happen. The fifth year behind them- Sasha, wasn't it? Some pretty name like that- confirmed it.  Ducking around Keegan, Hannah strolled up beside Noriko before the girl could recover from her hair-tossling.

"Don't worry," she said, and grinned at the Slytherin. "I've been here a lot. We won't get lost."

Eirene nodded at Madam Hooch’s instructions, fully intending on following each one to the letter, though she shot Mairead and Keegan a suspicious look. If anyone wandered off and did something stupid, it would be those two. She was sure of it.

Regardless, she was not going to get into trouble, so she’d ignore them for now. Eirene only hoped they wouldn’t mess up the trip for the whole class. She tailed the instructor through the opening in the wall, almost stepping on her robe by accident. Eirene looked around at the Halloween decorations in Diagon excitedly, thrilled to get a sneak peek.

Unfortunately, bits of conversation from guess-who floated towards the front of the line. Eirene looked over her shoulder to glare at Mairead, half-hoping that Sasha wouldn’t hear it, and half-hoping he would so he could shush the girl.

Sasha replied to her questions! Eirene looked at him and beamed. She suddenly became less concerned with sticking like glue to Madam Hooch and instead stuck by Sasha like an extra appendage. Eirene could hardly believe she was allowing the other first-years a chance to impress the instructor, but… but this was Sasha. Even if he had to herd the stragglers and she missed something exciting up front, it seemed worth it to her, right then.

“Which ones are those?” she asked him shyly, wondering about the fastest brooms. “And which one do you have?” Eirene felt like she should know this, but she didn’t pay too much attention to Quidditch. That would have to change. Sasha was a Quidditch player, after all, and what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t know about the sports he liked? A horrible friend, that’s who!

Noriko shot the Ravenclaw prefect a worried look as she hurried to keep up with Madam Hooch.  She didn't care what he said; she knew what could happen in a place like Diagon Alley, where there were people everywhere and horrible Muggles lurking just outside, waiting to snatch you away and burn you at the stake for being a witch.  And probably eat you afterwards.  They hadn't even learned the spells to put the flames out yet!  If Noriko had been in charge of classes, she would have made sure that anything needed for protection was covered on the very first day. 

And then something touched her hair.  Noriko let out a high-pitched squeak of utter terror as she jerked away, convinced that a monstrous Muggle had come to haul her off to a bonfire.  She whirled around, eyes wide with fear, and nearly collided with the two Gryffindors that had been walking behind her.

Before Noriko could frantically warn them about the Muggle that had just attacked her, another girl had appeared at her side.

"Don't worry.  I've been here a lot. We won't get lost."

Noriko attempted to smooth down her hair and anxiously scan the area for possible dangers all at the same time.  "You don't know that," she told Hannah in a trembling whisper.  "That's what happens when you get lost, no one knows about it.  You'll just get left behind and they'll never find you again and then a Muggle cooks you for supper!"

With an acknowledging nod in Madame Hooch's direction, Sasha fell into position in the tail end of the mob of first years.  Especially given how things had ended the last time he'd been left to supervise first years, Sasha was honored and touched that the quidditch coach had allowed him to supervise.  And, thankfully, there would be no boats or lakes involved.

Though, it was clear that the instigator of that previous incident was no less a troublemaker this time around.  Sasha, indeed, overheard the bits of unfortunate conversation between the two troublemakers and scowled.  "Just, keep it moving," he urged the two Gryffindors before shaking his head at Eirene.  "Just ignore them.  It's unfortunate they know no better way to entertain themselves."

"Well, the Nimbus line has had a few new models - they're always trying to compete with the Firebolts.  But, last year, they came out with a Fireblaze."  Of course, there were a handful of new brooms that they all tended to stare at in the catalogs in the locker rooms. 

Sasha lifted an eyebrow and grinned at the younger Ravenclaw.  Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, by now, that she'd express an interest in his broom.  Given past ... events.  But, still, he was surprised.  "I've got a Cleansweep Aero - It's not as fast as those others but I like how it handles.  It's very responsive.  I play a lot of polo when I'm home - it's a muggle game played on horseback.  Flying isn't really that different from that."  Except, of course, for the levitation part.

"Oh and ... Madame, I once heard of this bird.  And ... and, you know what, it can fly.  Like in the air.  It's true!"

Keegan nearly choked on his attempt to hide his appreciative snicker and raised his hand for a high five from Mai. Unfortunately, Mai's comments didn't seem to phase Eirene, or else she hadn't heard them fully, because all they got out of it was a fleeting glare. Since Eirene glared at them for about any infraction, it was difficult to tell what she had heard. The wind sucked out of his sails, Keegan turned back to the smaller Slytherin who had taken to his hair mussing like a three-legged mouse in an owlry. It was as though his touch had burned her.

"Don't worry, I've been here a lot. We won't get lost."

When Harper intervened, Keegan cast a sidelong glance at Mai and rolled his eyes a little. It wasn't that he didn't like Harper, she was nice enough, but soothing the irrational fears of some slimy little Slytherin was not on his list of commendable traits. Though it was not as low as the one Wakawaka pulled next, her whisper filtering over to Keegan, "That's what happens when you get lost, no one knows about it.  You'll just get left behind and they'll never find you again and then a Muggle cooks you for supper!"

Leaning over to Mai, he grumbled  "Ya hear that shite?..." before a malicious grin replaced his frown and he whispered "... Follow me lead...". Turning back to Hannah and Noriko, Keegan grinned evilly at her, his pale eyes glowing with mischievous glee "Cooking? Cooking? Who says we cook em? I like me meat..." He leaned in and said in a cruelly hushed tone "... raw."

Defense Against the Dark Arts was quickly on its way to becoming Oliver's favorite class.  Not only did it incorporate more wand usage than not, but the material they were currently studying interested him greatly.  They were learning how to cast one of the most basicest of charms, 'Expelliarmus'.  His class had gotten to spend the remaining portion before dismissal practicing it each another, which in turn ended up being loads of fun.

He'd had some trouble with using the Floo system to get to Diagon Alley, which was where his Flying class was meeting for their field trip.  With it being his first time using Floo powder, a Ravenclaw prefect had had to demonstrate for him the proper method of transporting through the fireplace.  Instead of merely letting the powder trickle through his fingers, he was supposed to throw it into the pit.  So, several minutes after his class departed through the fireplace, Oliver was last to follow. 

He reemerged in the Leaky Cauldron, grateful that Madam Hooch had told them prior to the trip where they were going.  Sooty and warding the impending urge to sneeze, the boy made his way to the ordinary-looking wall behind the pub.  Pulling out his wand, he tapped the bricks accordingly - three up, two across - and passed into the alley.

Quality Quidditch Supplies was easy enough to find.  He wasn't sure if Madam Hooch had noticed he was missing, but he sure as heck hoped she hadn't...