The Twin Legacy: the Shadows of Dusk

Chapter Four

Artemis and Apollo's mother would never let them ride a broom until they were taught in Hogwarts. After months of begging and whining, Cravin, the butler, couldn't take it anymore and arranged secret flying lessons. He taught the twins the basics of riding and soon they grew to be talented naturals. Cravin also taught them the different Quidditch teams and one night took them to see a game, in hiding of course. It was one of Artemis' earliest memories of Cravin. She hoped to be a chaser. Apollo also dreamt the same dream. The twins were very competitive, especially towards each other. Having the two of them go head to head is the best entertainment anyone would hope for. Seeing a poster about flying lessons starting on Thursday, with the Gryffindors meant an interesting class.

Noticing many first years students dread flying lessons, not understanding why one would dread an activity so fun. Sure it could be dangerous but that only makes it more exciting. Even Alex was nervous, but that's because he was brought up without the basic knowledge of flying. His mother as well forbade broomsticks, unless it was to sweep of course. But that's what you get when your mother is a Venezulan muggle.

It was a clear, breezy day which made Alex a little bit more nervous. All Artemis could hear was Draco bragging about his flying skills. She's tried to ignore all his gloating, but failing as he is loud about it. But she has managed to ignore him in general, even when he talks to her which makes him furious. And she caused a rippling effect, causing others to do the same. Soon enough most people will just ignore Draco and his phony friends. All that trash coming from their mouths will just rot away until they learn to shut it.

The teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she barked.

"Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."

Artemis stood next to a raggedy broom.

"Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch, "and say 'Up!'"

"UP!" everyone shouted.

Artemis' broom jumped to his hand at once, as well as did Apollo's to his. She looked around at the struggling faces, feeling sorry. Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips. A smile crept across Artemis' face when she overheard Madam Hooch tell Draco that he's been doing it wrong for years. It gave her a bit of a guilty satisfaction.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise up a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle — three — two —"

Neville, a Gryffindor kid, pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hooch's lips.

"Come back, boy!" she shouted, but he kept rising straight up like a cork out of a bottle — twelve feet — twenty feet. Artemis could see his scared white face look down at the ground falling away. He gasped as he slipped sideways off the broom. Artemis wanted to go up and catch him but then —

WHAM — a thud and a nasty crack and Neville laid face down on the grass. His broom continued to rise up and scattered away towards the forbidden forest.

Madam Hooch bent over Neville, her face white as his.

"Broken wrist," she muttered. "Come on, boy — it's all right, up you get."

She turned to the rest of the class.

"None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear."