A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 23

Part 2:

Chapter 23 –

October 2nd, 1976

Lia played with the grass as she flipped the page of the book in her hand. She had decided to come out and enjoy the last bit of the warm weather, choosing to spend her weekend catching up on some much-needed reading.

Apparently though, James had other plans as he barged in on Lia's alone time.

"Get up sis," James demanded, placing his hands under her arm pits and dragging her upwards. Lia struggled against his hold, "what is it, James!" she yelled.

James smiled innocently at his sister, grabbing her hand, and dragging her towards the castle.

"I am teaching you how to properly fly today," James stated.

Lia groaned out at his words, protests on her lips. She hated flying more than anything in the world, and not because she didn't like heights, or didn't like the way the wind flowed through her hair, eliciting excitement through her entire body.

No, Lia hated flying because she wasn't good at it, no matter how hard she tried. She always somehow ended up in the infirmary with a new broken bone.

"But J, you know how bad I am at it!" She yelled, dragging her feet against his pull.

James huffed, turning around to face his sister and letting go of her arm to cross his own.

"You're bad because you're a stubborn witch who refused to let Sirius or I teach you," James pointed out, calling Lia out in the process, "so today, we're fixing that."

Lia sighed, knowing that his words were true. Seeing no way of getting out of this, she nodded her head, "fine, I'll meet you on the pitch in ten minutes."

The smile on James's face was enough to make Lia feel slightly better about how they were going to spend their afternoon, and after seeing her brother nod, she left quickly to go and change.

Running through the castle and into her room, Lia adorned black muggle pants, one of James' jumpers and a hat to cover her ears from the slight brisk while flying. After deciding that she was dressed properly, Lia rushed out of her dorm, running into a figure.

"Lia," Frank asked with concern, "are you okay?"

Lia nodded at him, quickly racing past and throwing over her shoulder, "all good, James is teaching me how to fly."

She heard his chuckle before the tower's door closed and him yell, "good luck! I'll come visit you in the infirmary!"

Laughing at his lack of confidence in her, Lia ran towards to pitch, spotting her brother by the bleachers. James was currently doing something to the two brooms, and when he noticed her, he lifted up a helmet and handed it over.

Lia looked at the hideous helmet in disgust, praying that it didn't ruin her hair as she placed it on her head. James came over and did it up for her, smiling at her excitably.

"Ready to fly?" He asked, pushing a broom in her hand.

Lia sighed, placing the broom in between her legs, holding on to James' arm for balance.

"Alright, so you just need to focus on keeping your balance the entire time, okay," at Lia's nod, James continued, "let the wind just run through you, and your instincts take over. I know you're bad at that."

Lia glared at him jokingly as he chuckled.

Reaching forward she placed both of her hands on the broom, focusing on James' words.