Flying on brooms...Like real witches! on Quidditch Pitch

Coach Amelia Pierce

June 10, 2011 7:22 PM

Flying Lessons for First Years by Coach Amelia Pierce

In her 'Quidditch Coach' hat, Amelia Pierce was only responsible for teaching 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). Previously, she'd just enjoyed the extra free time that full professors did not have. Now, as Deputy Head, she'd be filling some of those hours with administration work, but mostly she was just glad she didn't have to juggle the extra load with a full schedule of classes plus grading.

It was generally a popular class among the kids because there were no homework assignments or 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 and now the Deputy Headmistress; it was practically in her job description 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 can and will take House Points and assign detention if I catch any of you messing around, and I will catch you if you do. 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 their best." Unfortunately, she could longer assert that there would be no exceptions because this year there was. She had been involved in a debate-by-owl over the summer about whether or not one of the new students was medically capable of her class, and it was one she had ended up losing once the number of medical professionals willing to assert otherwise overwhelmed her argument that nobody had ever been seriously harmed by hovering two feet over the ground. "For those of you with parents who support WAIL, I assure you, they 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 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 yourselves or interferring with my lessons, you will all be down here hovering five feet over the ground with the beginners."

With that threat leveled, she expected not to have any problems with the experienced kids. "Now I'm going to call roll, 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. Adams, Skipper." She went through the list, marking attendance, and then put away her clipboard. "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. Everyone else, just stand in front of the line."

Once they did that, Amelia started distributing 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!

Subthreads:

Indifferent by Nora Dobson with Perdita Rothens

Flying on brooms...Like real witches! by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren with Dusk Nysell [Pecari], Kitty

I'm not putting that between my legs by Linus Macaulay with Sullivan Quincy, Linus

I'm flying, but feel like I'm walking a high wire by Paul Bennett with Solomon Asa Davies {Teppenpaw}, Paul

Woo-hooo!! (Tag Coach Pierce!) by Jhonice Trevear with Coach Amelia Pierce

Ladies do not fly by Sally Manger [Aladren] with Mellie Goodwin, Pecari, Sally

E.T. Fly Home by Bosko, Charity with Michael Grosvenor, Cherry Bosko, Amelia Pierce

1 Coach Amelia Pierce Flying Lessons for First Years 20 Coach Amelia Pierce 1 5

Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

June 11, 2011 8:50 PM

Flying on brooms...Like real witches! by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

Kitty had learned at a very young age that she had a birth defect. She’d been born without an internal compass. Most people had a sense of direction, to some degree or another, Kitty did not. Her brothers often teased her that her sense of direction was so bad that she was lucky to find her way from her bedroom to the dining room.

While such a handicap might have been dismaying to other children, it didn’t really bother Kitty in the least. Any time she had to go somewhere knew it simply became an exciting adventure where she could end up anywhere. She’d also learned a number of techniques for dealing with her little problem. When she began school Kitty quickly learned to recognize faces of classmates. She’d become expert at following people who were going places she needed to be.

Even though the tiny girl hadn’t sat with any of her year mates at the opening feast, Kitty had still carefully made note of each as they’d been lead to their commons room later in the evening. Now, she waited in the commons for one such individual to appear, and when they did she followed them to where the first class was going to be.

Enthusiasm showed in every step as Kitty took her place in the line of first years. Her midnight locks had been pulled back in a high tight pony tail that swiched with every step and she wore a buttercup yellow blouse with navy jean shorts. Finally! We get to fly! She could hardly maintain her place in line she was so excited to learn to fly on a broom like a real witch. Now all I need is a black pointy hat she thought with a small giggle. Listening to Coach Pierce Kitty couldn’t stop smiling. This was the first step to getting on the team and she couldn’t wait to fly. Though she was slightly annoyed that they would be taking it slow, it didn’t matter because soon they’d be flying!

Then she was handed her broom and for a moment Kitty again thought that this all must be some extremely vivid dream. She was going to fly…on a broom. With a grin the thought was gone as she set the broom down on her left side. She didn't even consider that it might not work, Kitty held her left hand over the broom and said in a high clear voice “UP” and just like magic it obeyed. Grinning so hard it almost hurt Kitty mounted and after taking a deep breath lifted her feet. It works! Oh my gosh it really works! Laughter bubbled from her lips as she looked around with shining eyes, other students had gone off to play and she couldn’t wait to join them. But, she still had to learn how to make the broom go forward, side to side, and stop, so with impatience brimming in her sky blue eyes she forced herself to wait.

Looking to her right Kitty offered another huge smile “Hi my name is Kitty McLevy, isn’t this just the coolest thing ever?” she chirped.

0 Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren Flying on brooms...Like real witches! 0 Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren 0 5

Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

June 12, 2011 12:59 PM

Don't exclude the warlocks! by Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

Dusk Nysell loved to fly.

The rush of the wind whipping through his hair, the flutterflies churning in his stomach, the world shrinking in size… He loved it all. He wasn’t half bad at it either – though his father had given him a few classes on it. As he half-ran down to the pitch, his light-blue button-up shirt reflecting the bright sun above, his father appeared in his mind once again. He frowned, and slowed, his stride still purposeful though with less urgency.

He hadn’t enjoyed growing up in a pureblood community. Too many rules, too many traditions. His mother wasn’t that strict. She wanted him to live his life the way she would never be able to do. He shook his head jerkily, clearing that thought away. No. He would not think about her condition today. He didn’t want to depress himself seconds before flying.

With his bounce returning, he raced across the field to the class. He didn’t recognize a lot of the people, but that was with good reason. He’d skipped the opening feast. True, not a good thing for a first year just coming into the school, but well… he’d gotten lost on the way to the bathroom and spent the rest of the time trying to find his way back. He chuckled, a light throaty sound. He brother would never let him live that down… that is if he ever found out.

Coach Pierce couldn’t explain what to do fast enough. Granted, he already knew what to do, but it still felt even slower than usual. He wanted to fly with kids his own age so bad.

When at last he had been allowed to mount. He’d kicked off, gone for a quick spin about the pitch and was about to call for a game to start, when a girl caught his eye. She was hovering looking very excited, but a little unsure of what to do next. When he flew up to her, she turned and smiled broadly.

”Hi my name is Kitty McLevy, isn’t this just the coolest thing ever?”

He laughed. “It is indeed. I’m Dusk Nysell. Do you need some help?”

0 Dusk Nysell [Pecari] Don't exclude the warlocks! 0 Dusk Nysell [Pecari] 0 5

Kitty

June 12, 2011 3:07 PM

Right. And Warlocks…I thought you were wizards? by Kitty

Impatience began to cause Kitty to fidget as a number of her fellow classmates were still stuck on the ground trying to get their brooms to cooperate with them. Then a boy who’d zipped off the moment he was on his broom returned. She didn’t recognize him from her house, or the feast but figured he must have just been sitting somewhere father away.

“It is indeed. I’m Dusk Nysell. Do you need some help?” he asked with a laugh and Kitty laughed with him. For one moment she turned her eyes back to the teacher and saw her far down near the other end of the line. She knew she should probably wait for further instructions but temptation was too great for the young girl to pass up.

“I’m so glad you came Dusk, she’s just taking forever! Dusk is a great name by the way, could you show me how to make it go?” she asked. Cornflower blue eyes twinkled and she couldn’t keep the smile from her lips as she turned her full attention Dusk. Waiting really wasn’t Kitty’s strong suit and seems Dusk was willing to show her the ropes she put the teacher completely out of her mind. After all, they were flying why not wing it?

0 Kitty Right. And Warlocks…I thought you were wizards? 0 Kitty 0 5

Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

June 12, 2011 8:45 PM

We get two names, that's how awesome we are by Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

"I'm so glad you came Dusk, she's just taking forever! Dusk is a great name by the way, could you show me how to make it go?"

Dusk chuckled again and touched his broom lightly with his hand, causing it to turn smoothly around her. Thorns of dark brown hair fell in a messy jumble over mud-brown eyes, which were crinkled in amusement. Her posture was good, a little tense, but nothing that would really deter her from flying properly.

He flew back around, chuckling at her flattery. "My Mum's idea. My brother's Noon." He smiled again before adopting a slightly more serious expression. "Now, brooms have feelings."

He paused. "At least, I think they do, anyway, to make a broom go forward, lean forward slightly. I've also noticed it tends to accelerate when you squeeze your feet tighter. To turn, lean to the sides. If you want to stop, pull back. It's sorta like..." He paused again, searching for an analogy. "Like riding a horse."

0 Dusk Nysell [Pecari] We get two names, that's how awesome we are 0 Dusk Nysell [Pecari] 0 5

Kitty

June 12, 2011 11:02 PM

Re: We get two names, that's how awesome we are by Kitty

Another small happy laugh escaped her lips at Dusk’s explanation of his name. “Now it would be perfect if you had a sister named Dawn.” She teased playfully as she watched him circle her. After he finished his explanation Kitty wasted no time in leaning forward and squeezing her feet tighter. Bell like laughter escaped the first year as her broom shot forward. Her long locks whipped behind her like a brazen flag and she tugged her broom around executing a sharp twist as she zipped back over to Dusk.

Her pale freckled cheeks were flush with enjoyment as she brought the broom to a stop in front of him. Sparkling blue eyes danced with life and pleasure at flying for the first time. “This is the greatest thing ever!” Kitty said. “Come on, let’s go play.” Her voice was high and full of the simple joy of discovery. Already any thoughts of waiting on the teacher had long been forgotten, all she wanted to do was fly high, and see all that the broom had to offer. The small girl was as fearless as her namesake. And with a bright playful smile Kitty flew forward, small delicate hand reaching out and tapping Dusk as she passed. “You’re it!” she yelled as she leaned forward and darted away, fearless and headstrong as only Kitty could be.

0 Kitty Re: We get two names, that's how awesome we are 0 Kitty 0 5

Dusk

June 13, 2011 1:28 AM

Seriously. by Dusk

"Now it would be perfect if you had a sister named Dawn."

Dusk laughed, though didn't have the heart to correct her. His mother's name was Dawn, beautiful as the golden sun, and slowly dying. Not the best atmosphere for the sun to rise, bathing the landscape with bittersweet joy. The kind that wanted the linger but never could.

Her joy dashed the thoughts from his mind though. The Pecari first year watched with great amusement as she flew, what he considered to be a victory lap. He grinned, the corners of his mouth turning up into a handsome smile. He sat straighter, watching as she came back around.

"Play?" he repeated, the words light and airy, as though he had said them with a breath of laughter. And then she tagged him. Well, that was a challenge he would never back down to.

He flattened himself down, against the chipping wood of the school-brooms, and shoot after her like a rocket. He had experience on his side, practice flying. It was with ease that he caught up to her, his hand out-stretched for her elbow. He aimed to touch it.

0 Dusk Seriously. 0 Dusk 0 5

Kitty

June 13, 2011 9:22 AM

Well, that’s not very fair by Kitty

Laughing blue eyes flashed as she watched him catch up to her. He was fast, she’d give him that. But Kitty was bold. The broom felt very sturdy in her grasp and reminded her of the playground at school. There was a jungle gym that many a teacher wished gone after Kitty started there because her antics made any adult who saw them want to tear their hair out. This particular gym had two vertical bars, probably placed there by someone who hated children. One was high and the other low.

Kitty and some of her more adventurous friends had come up with a number of different stunts to perform on said bars. Stunts such as the death drop, where a child starts out hanging upside down then swings back and forth until they get enough height before releasing with their legs to flip off the bar. Then there was the double death drop where a child would start sitting on top of said bar before falling backwards using the momentum to flip off and land on their feet. Nether of these stunts were the ones that came to mind for Kitty however, she thought of the spins. Where a child would use one leg to flip around the bar at dangerous speeds, or even the more daring kids like Kitty would sit on top of the bar and tie a sweater around themselves, binding them to the bar before spinning at breakneck speeds that were sure to send what ever teacher saw sprinting over to end the madness.

With a wild playful laugh Kitty loosened her grip on the broom and just before the outstretched hand could touch her she flung herself sideways. Her broom slowed considerably as Dusk passed her she finished the little flip and was back in her seat once more. It was obvious by the swerving buck the broom gave that this was not the normal barrel roll an experienced flyer would execute, but some sort of trick that was normally performed on a more stationary medium. Her near crash didn’t bother the adventurous girl a bit as she turned the broom as fast as she could to shot off in the other direction.

Kitty gave a pleased laugh as Dusk went upside down and a little excited shriek as he came straight at her then stopped on a dime. Again she clapped. “Ohhh that would be great for getting out of the way, but here’s something that could be used to catch a low flying ball, or even to snag it if the other team is throwing it.” With that odd little explanation Kitty fearlessly performed a similar move to Dusk’s first. Then she hooked both legs together and let go with her hands.

She waived both arms wildly with delight, her hair dangling like a black waterfall as she laughed with joy. “See, see! They totally wouldn’t expect someone higher up, if the other team member didn’t have a good grip on the ball I could snag it right out of their hands.” Still giving a breathy little laugh she pulled herself back up, her face was flushed with accomplishment as her mind already began turning over all the potential stunts. All sorts of tricks were already starting to bloom like dandelions in her mind. Glittering blue eyes danced with the endless possibilities.

“I really hope I make the team! Quidditch sounds like the best game ever. There aren’t any regular games that have so much going on, I mean all the ones I know only have one ball. And usually only one goal post, or basket or whatever per team. Have you ever played before?” she asked. After talking to Arthur in the commons room she realized that there were people who’s whole family got to be magical and so all this wasn’t as new to everyone as it was to her.

0 Kitty DOOOMMMMEEDD!!! 0 Kitty 0 5

Coach Amelia Pierce

Flying Lessons for First Years by Coach Amelia Pierce

Nora Dobson

Indifferent by Nora Dobson

Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

Flying on brooms...Like real witches! by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

Don't exclude the warlocks! by Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

Kitty

Right. And Warlocks…I thought you were wizards? by Kitty

Perdita Rothens

Excited. by Perdita Rothens

Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

We get two names, that's how awesome we are by Dusk Nysell [Pecari]

Kitty

Re: We get two names, that's how awesome we are by Kitty

Dusk

Seriously. by Dusk

Kitty

Well, that’s not very fair by Kitty

Linus Macaulay

I'm not putting that between my legs by Linus Macaulay

Paul Bennett

I'm flying, but feel like I'm walking a high wire by Paul Bennett

Solomon Asa Davies {Teppenpaw}

I Believe I Can Fly by Solomon Asa Davies {Teppenpaw}

Jhonice Trevear

Woo-hooo!! (Tag Coach Pierce!) by Jhonice Trevear

Dusk

Life isn't fair by Dusk

Kitty

Of course it is…or it should be by Kitty

Paul

I'd be seriously concerned if you didn't by Paul

Sally Manger [Aladren]

Ladies do not fly by Sally Manger [Aladren]

Bosko, Charity

E.T. Fly Home by Bosko, Charity

Michael Grosvenor

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike... by Michael Grosvenor

Cherry Bosko

I don't want a pickle, I just want to ride on my [bi]cycle. by Cherry Bosko

Sullivan Quincy

Maybe you could try side saddle? by Sullivan Quincy

Dusk

And Penguins wish they could fly by Dusk

Kitty

All they need are jet packs by Kitty

Nora

Good for you by Nora

Dusk

And some brains by Dusk

Kitty

Thumbs might help too by Kitty

Dusk

How about fingers in general? by Dusk

Kitty

Right, fingers, thumbs, brains, and a jet pack by Kitty

Michael

I have no idea what you're referencing, if anything by Michael

Mellie Goodwin, Pecari

Except when they do. by Mellie Goodwin, Pecari

Solomon

I Believe I Can Touch The Sky by Solomon

Dusk

They're doomed. by Dusk

Kitty

DOOOMMMMEEDD!!! by Kitty

Perdita

Depends. I just may have a heart attack from all of it. by Perdita

Cherry

Arlo Guthrie's motorcycle song. What were you referencing? by Cherry

Michael

Queen! by Michael

Coach Amelia Pierce

I'm glad you're so excited by Coach Amelia Pierce

Cherry Bosko

Ahh, nice. King! [ATTN Coach--Spill in Progress] by Cherry Bosko

Jhonice

How could I not be? by Jhonice