The Sorcerer's Stone

Five

We're supposed to learn how to fly on a broom in this class and the students separated into two lines: Slytherin and Gryffindor. I was standing, awkwardly, between Draco and another Slytherin student as we waited for Madam Hooch to start the class. "Good afternoon, class." Madam Hoock walked in between the two houses and took her place at the head of the lines, "Good afternoon Madam Hooch," we all replied in unison. "Welcome to your first flying lesson," The witch held her whistle in her gloved hand and looked at all of us expectantly, "Well, what are you waiting for? Step up to your broomstick." She gestured to the brooms which were placed on the ground in front of each row. "Come on, now, hurry up." She said as we all stepped forward. "Stick your hand over the broom and say 'Up!'," Hooch instructed. A commotion irrupted amongst the students; everyone was shouting 'Up!'. I looked up and saw that Harry had already gotten his broomstick. "With feeling." Madam Hooch yelled over the commotion. "Up!" I yelled and finally, the broomstick shot up into my hand. I look around and see that, beside me, Draco got his broom too. After most everyone had gotten their broom, Madam Hooch began to teach again, "Now that you've got hold of your broom, I want you to mount it." She walked up and down the row, making sure we all heard her, "Grip it tight, you don't want to be sliding off the end." Everyone straddled their brooms and awaited further instructions, "I want you to kick off the ground, hard, hover for a moment, then lean forward slightly and touch back down." Everyone got ready for the signal, I, however, was slightly confused. Madam Hooch had told us to do all of these things, yet she hadn't taught us how. And for those of us who hadn't flown on a broom before, this was not a piece of cake. "On my whistle: Three, two," Before she could get to one, A kid named Neville Longbottom was up in the air. "Mr Longbottom," All of the students, including me, had stopped to watch Neville. Hooch was telling him to get down, but I don't think he could. "Neville, be careful!" I yelled as he rose high and higher. He started to flail out of control, and he was yelling for help. We could do nothing but watch as he zoomed past and knocked into the tower of the castle. Eventually, the broom slipped from his grasp and he fell toward the ground. Chatter and gasps were heard from around the grounds as Neville was caught by the sharp point of on the castle. "This won't be good," I mumbled to myself. Neville's robes ripped and he plummeted to the ground, landing with a harsh thud. Madam Hooch rushed over to him and helped him off of the ground, "Oh, dear. That's a broken wrist." She muttered as she examined his arm. "Come on, now, up you get." She helped Neville stand up and led him through the parting crowd. "He'll be okay right?" I asked. I didn't know the kid, but I don't want him to be seriously injured. "He'll be fine. I want everyone to keep their feet on the ground while I take him to the hospital wing." Hooch said as she walked passed. "If I see a single broom in the air, the one riding it will be expelled before they can say Quidditch."

   Madam Hooch had just left with Neville, all of the students had gathered in a clump and were chattering away. Draco was stirring up trouble and laughing at Neville, "Did you see his face?" he said, then he pulled Neville's rememberall out of his own pocket, "If he had given this a squeeze, he'd have remembered to fall on his fat arse." All of the other Slytherin kids started to laugh at Draco's joke. "Give it here Malfoy," Harry stepped up with a determined look. "No. I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find." Draco remarked. He kicked off and soared around the crowd. "How about the roof." The blonde haired student then flew up higher, "What's the matter, Potter? A bit out of your reach?" He then flew off with Neville's trinket. Harry started to go after him, but Hermione stopped him. "Harry, no way! You heard what Madam Hooch said. Besides, you don't even know how to fly!" Harry ignored her and flew off after Draco. "What an idiot." She said. Harry and Malfoy were level with each other as they argued. I couldn't really hear what they were saying, but I saw Draco throw Neville's gift as far away as he could. My raven-haired friend flew, as fast as he could, after the rememberall and the crowd fo students followed after him from the ground.

    Harry had returned to the ground with Neville's rememberall and we all cheered for him, except for the Slytherins of course. Our fun was cut short, though, by McGonogall rushing towards us. "Harry Potter!" She called over the noise that the students were making. A hush fell over the crowd as Harry hesitantly walked toward the professor. "Follow me, please." She said to Harry as she glowered at the rest of us. "I sure hope he's not in too much trouble. It'd be sad to see him go." I said to Ron and Hermione as we waited for Madam Hooch to come back.