The Marauders and the Year it All Began

Chapter Twelve: May Flowers

Spring was usually a lovely time at Hogwarts, but April was the exception. Nearly the entire month was clouded with rain. Usually, the students did not mind the rain, but today, the boys were near rioting.

"What! We have to go outside, we have flying lessons," Madame Hooch sighed, she was far too used to Sirius' antics.

"I understand, Mister Black, but due to the weather, we're just going to have to go inside."

"We have Quidditch games when it rains, how is this different?" James backed up Sirius, as he always did.

"Yes, but those students are exceptionally good at flying if you all were on the team maybe things would be different."

"Oh come on, it can't be that hard to fly in rain," Sirius scoffed.

"Well, you are free to test that theory," The coach said, "On your own time."

"Okay fine," James groaned in agreement. "So are we free to go?"

"Merlin, no!"

"But, I thought the class was cancelled?" Sirius cut in.

"I said that we couldn't go outside, not that we couldn't learn." The boys looked at her with confusion. "We're having a technical lesson, so all of you can head to the Great Hall." The latter half of her statement was directed towards the entire class.

With a defeated sigh, the boys walked into the building. Filing into the Great Hall and taking a seat at the front of the Hufflepuff table where most of the other students were already seated. Once everyone was settled, and mostly quiet, Madame Hooch cleared her throat to gain the attention of the students.

"Now I know some of you are very upset that we cannot be outside for today's lesson," she looked to where the Marauders were sitting. "However, I hope you will still pay attention as technical information is just as important as physical practice is." The boys rolled their eyes in response earning a disapproving look from Lily Evans.

"Many of you from magical families have been flying since you can remember but never learned the magical properties of the broom. Broomsticks have quite a few magical spells cast on them. These spells help with direction, and altitude, keeping the broom steady, and preventing injury. While we are free to enjoy these innovations, others are not so lucky. The original brooms were uncomfortable and very hard to control, the only real upside was that they were rather discreet which helped keep magic a secret from the Muggles."

Lily raised her hand and Sirius leaned across the table to high-five her. Luckily for Sirius, their professor did not notice. "Miss Evans, you have a question?"

"Um yes, historically speaking, how did people attain brooms?" Lily paused. "I only mean because companies like Cleansweep weren't around yet"

"Excellent question!" Madame Hooch praised. "Back in those times, witches and wizards would make their own brooms. Unfortunately, this also meant that brooms were only as safe as the wizard was powerful. This had led to many injuries during and after flying because-"

"After flying?" James interjected. "Why would they be injured afterwards."

"Don't interrupt, Mister Potter, but since you asked. A lot of the trouble with old brooms came not while flying but by landing. With the minimal spells protecting the broom and rider, many brooms sufficed for flying, but there was no way to land without crashing. Additionally, the Cushioning Spell, which is standard on all brooms now, had not been invented yet so riding the broom was not comfortable."

"Evans said the same thing to me the other day actually," Sirius whispered, but not quietly enough to avoid Lily hearing.

"Sod off, Black. You're absolutely revolting!" She snapped.