Coach Amelia Pierce

January 24, 2011 1:22 PM
As Sonora's Coach, Amelia Pierce only taught one class: Flying Lessons, which was given only to first years (though older students could attend if they wanted to and signed up in advance). It was more than enough for her and she did not envy the full professors their workload.

It was generally a popular class among the kids because there were no homework nor tests, and half the class was allowed to play broom tag or a pick-up game of quidditch for most of it while the true beginners were given basic lessons. The rest were only expected to participate to the best of their ability.

As long as everyone spent the entire period sitting on a broom in the air and at least attempting to do as instructed, they passed. It was not a difficult class by any stretch of the imagination. The final exam was flying from one end of the pitch to the other and back without crashing. That got an A. If they could do in under ten minutes it was an E. Under five earned an O. Most kids earned Es and Os in her class.

"Hello," she greeted her new class of first years once they seemed to have stopped trickling in. She allowed for 'getting lost time' the first week, but she'd dock points for poor punctuality later. She was Head of Crotalus; it was practically in her job discription to be a stickler for rules. "My name is Coach Pierce. I will be your flying instructor this year."

"Now, I know most of you will not view this as a 'real' class, but I do have the authority to take House Points and assign detention, and I will if I have any problems. I expect you to show up on time. I expect you to behave and show each other respect. I will not tolerate insults or taunting of any form. I expect everyone to try, including the girls. No exceptions. I assure you, no matter how much they support WAIL, your parents will not disown you for hovering on a broom and flying across the pitch."

She took a breath, and used the short pause to look around the group to make sure they were still listening. "That said, I am aware some of you already know how to fly. I offer those students the priviledge of forgoing the basic lessons and doing whatever you like so long as you are on your broom and flying for the duration of the lesson. I have Quaffles and other muggle varieties of balls available for your use. Later, once I know I can trust you, I'll allow bludgers and Snitches if you like. If you need anything else, let me know and I'll see what I can do."

She waited a moment to let them try to imagine what other equipment they might need for more creative flying games, then added, "Just remember, this is a priviledge and if I have any problems with you fighting amongst yourself or interferring with my lessons, you will all be down here hovering five feet over the ground with the beginners."

With that threat levied, she expected not to have any problems with the experienced kids. "Now I'm going to call role, and then anyone who feels they do not need basic instruction may go play. Please raise your hand and say 'here' when I call your name. Adair, Alice." She went through the list, marking attendance, and then put away her clipboard. She had taken note of her cousin's presence, as she had everyone else, but made no attempt to single him out. She would not show that kind of bias. "Okay, that's it. If I didn't call your name, let me know. Experienced fliers, you may take to the air. School brooms are over there, if you don't have your own."

She gave a few seconds for unnamed students to make themselves known and for the fliers to get out of the way. "Everyone else, line up here." Her wand flicked out and a white line appeared in the grass. "If you have your own broom put it down beside you. To your right if you're right-handed, to your left if you're left-handed."

Once they did that, Amelia started handing out brooms to those who didn't have one yet. "Put it to your right if you're right-handed, to the left if you're left-handed," she repeated as she moved down the line. Once they all had brooms beside them, she instructed, "Now hold your wand hand out over your broom, like this," she stepped over her own broom, lying in the grass, so that it was to her right. She held out her right hand over it. "Palm down. Now, in a firm voice, like if you're ordering a dog to sit, tell it to come to your hand by saying 'up' - Up!" she said, louder, in demonstration, and her broom leapt up directly into her hand.

"I'd like you all to try that. You may need to try it a couple of times to get it to work. Once it's in your hand, just swing one leg over it like this," she demonstrated climbing onto the broom, "and just hover there for a bit. Try to keep steady and not drift too much. Raise your hand if you have a question or a problem. Barring too many of those, I'll show you how to manuever once everybody gets into a hover."



OOC: Hello and welcome to Sonora. Your character earns points for their House by participating in classes, so be sure to follow the posting rules. Long quality posts earn the most points. Have fun!
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1 Coach Amelia Pierce Flying Lessons for First Years 20 Coach Amelia Pierce 1 5