Dreams of Flight Finished

"Eris?' asked Adam disbelievingly. He supposed it made sense to find the Gryffindor girl here, since he had known that she was coming to Hogwarts, but he hadn't seen her since the Sorting -- and he hadn't talked to her since buying his robes at Madame Malkin's. Now, he approached her as she sat by the shore of the Great Lake. "Hey! How have you been?"

Adam had found his experience at the castle to be just as amazing as he had thought. He had spent night after night in the Ravenclaw Common Room, talking with his housemates and discussing everything from homework to the elusive ghost of the Grey Lady. This was one of his first times at the lake, but he knew it wouldn't be his last. Adam loved spending time outdoors, and he couldn't wait until his flying classes began. How amazing it would feel to soar through the air, feel the wind rushing on his back! For the time being, however, the Hogwarts grounds were beautiful enough to draw his attention. The various bridges and towers that made up the castle stood majestically over the shining surface of the lake, the perfectly grown trees that provided shady spots for students to relax on the green, and the Forbidden Forest that lent just enough darkness to the scene to keep it realistic. He wondered what Eris thought of the school. Would she even remember him from the robe shop? He supposed that he would find out.

Eris stared at Adam, face breaking out into a timid grin. "Adam?" She said with a bewildered expression. She hadn't seen the other boy since Madam Malkins, and it was quite a shock that he even remembered her. She hadn't seen him being sorted, as she had been staring around the Great Hall. It never failed to take her breath away, even after living at the Castle for a while now. She studied Adam's tie, blinking.

Ravenclaw. It made sense. The boy she met at the robe shop had seemed intelligent, though she had though he might of been a hufflepuff. He was nice enough to be one too. Then again, that could of just been a house stereotype. She shouldn't have assumed what house he would of ended up in.

"How are you?" Eris asked, less timidly. "Isn't life so amazing at the castle? It's so beautiful, and I've learned so much about magic." She said, in a cheery voice. Never before had she felt as normal as she had at Hogwarts. Here everyone was just like Eris. Magical. They didn't look at her like freaks, and for the first time in her life, Eris was finally making friends. That felt really nice.

"Tell me about it!" Adam replied, sitting down next to Eris. He was delighted that she had remembered him. "A few weeks ago I was lost in a pile of textbooks and letters, and now I'm making feathers fly, and accidentally blowing things up*!" Maybe you shouldn't have mentioned that, he thought, and shrugged. "Anyways, you're right! I feel so refreshed here."

It was nice having another person to talk to out here on the lake. The conversation wasn't forced, wasn't awkward, it was just two young wizards at school. He wondered if he should ask Eris if she had met his brother. Probably not. It was safer to leave that until a later time.

Adam heard a shout from the Flying Grounds and saw a class of his fellow first-years commanding brooms into their hands. He had checked his schedule, and knew he wouldn't fly for nearly two weeks. Adam couldn't wait that long! He was dying from the suspense of it all, desperate to know what it felt like to ride on a broomstick. Even the school's basic training brooms would provide some glimpse of the experience.

He wondered....no. He couldn't suggest that. It would get them both in trouble, and he didn't want to get Eris in trouble. Maybe if it was a shared idea, though.....maybe we can get away with flying on our own!

"Hey, Eris," he asked innocently, "have you ever wondered what it's like to fly up there?"

*For the full story, follow the link: https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=75

Eris turned towards Adam and followed his gaze to the first years practicing flying. The longing to fly hit her like an arrow, and all she could think about is what it would feel like to soar through the air. She couldn't pay attention to a word Adam said, until he mentioned wondering about what flying would feel like.

"Of course I have. I want to fly more then anything," Eris said, conveying all her longing to fly into words," And I don't have flying lessons for a long time." She sighed, staring at the sky and the slowly rising brooms. She was so jealous of those other first years. "I just want to feel what it's like to soar up in the clouds.." Eris groaned, looking at Adam. "But I guess we'll have to wait." She returned to looking at the turrets of the castle and the grounds. They were lovely from the ground, but how much lovelier would they be from the skies? From the sky you could probably see the whole castle from one spot, instead of craning your neck just to see one or two towers. In fact, maybe from the sky you could see all the forbidden forest!

"Do you think if you fly above the forbidden forest you can see all the creatures in it?" Eris asked Adam excitedly, "I would love to see a centaur in person, or a giant spider. I heard rumors there's giant spiders in the forbidden forest!" Eris grinned, thinking about how exciting it would be to see a giant spider or a centaur. Well, scary, but still exciting. Plus, it would be an amazing story to tell her sister back home about. A giant spider sighting Eris mused, imagining what Bella would think if Eris told her about seeing one. Maybe then her sister would want to go to Hogwarts with Eris. Would they accept a new student in the second year? Oh well, Eris realized she was getting off topic but still she wanted to fly more than ever.

Adam watched Eris as she talked about all that she could do while flying. When she finished, he laid his head back in the grass, watching the sky for a moment in silence.

What he was about to suggest was possibly going to get them both in trouble. He didn't think it would get them expelled, but he didn't want to face the consequences nonetheless. If he was being honest, this idea would be worth the trouble. It would add an excitement to the beginning of the year that wouldn't wear off until next summer, and it would probably bring Eris and Adam closer together. He was glad that he had met the red-haired girl. They were becoming friends.

Letting his thoughts spiral, he reflected on everything that she had said she would do if she could fly. Looking at the Forbidden Forest would be incredible, and he was more than a little bit intrigued to see what might be inside. Adam could barely comprehend the sight of the entire castle framed in one picturesque shot, and he wondered what kinds of lost things he might be able to find on the roofs. He could soar low over the lake, or go high above the castle's highest turrets.

Of course, what he had in mind would require a lot more self-restraint. They wouldn't be able to go very high off of the ground, and they wouldn't see much, either. But it would be worth it to experience the feeling.

Adam turned to Eris, smiling, and in a secretive tone, he replied,

"Let's steal some brooms."

As soon as Adam said let's steal some brooms, a wicked smile grew on Eris's face. Oh, she was so glad she had met Adam. That was a perfect idea. She could have some practice before flying lessons, and have an adventure with a new friend. They would have to be careful though. Any wrong move could get them expelled, so they'd have to be careful. There goes the idea of flying over the school or seeing creatures, but it was better than nothing. Maybe once they got really good at spells, they could cast an invisibility spell on the brooms and fly over the whole school, and see the turrets of the tower close up, and fly over the various creatures in the forbidden forest but until then..

"I'm in." Eris sprang to her feet, offering a hand to Adam. "There's a broom closet near the quidditch pitch. I was exploring one day and I found it. We need to be careful though, so we don't get caught." She hoped he wasn't joking about stealing brooms, because Eris really did want to fly.

She wanted to experience the world from up above, and in her 11 year old mind, stealing a broomstick would be the best way to do that. She started to walk towards the broom closet, but first turned around to see if Adam was following her.

"Are you ready?" The thrill of adventure running rampart inside , Eris couldn't help but grin up at Adam. This was going to be fun, the little red-head thought with a smirk as she waited for the taller boy to stand up, heart racing with adrenaline.

Adam didn't even bother to answer the girl. He let his actions answer instead, jumping up and setting off down the shore with a smile. He knew he'd have to slow his pace eventually so the smaller girl could catch up, but for now, he walked purposefully and waited for her to call him out on it. This was so exciting! Were they really doing this? He wasn't entirely sure where the Quidditch Pitch was, and he realized that he should probably let Eris take the lead, given that she was the one with all the information. But he found that he couldn't slow down, propelled by the excitement of knowing he was about to fly.

Adam mentally reviewed the steps to flying a broomstick. Stand over the broom. Put your hand out, and in a commanding voice, tell it "Up!" Your broom may not come to you right away -- be patient, it is learning to trust you. Adam looked around briefly to make sure he wasn't leading them the wrong way, but they were still along the waterline, so he figured that he was safe. When you have successfully called your broom, mount it, bristled side at your back. Be clear on what you want the broom to do, as it is like a horse: it will read your directions at all times. There were lots of rules to flying, but he knew that he and Eris could figure it out. It would all be worth it in the end.

Eris didn't tell Adam to slow down, but she was practically sprinting to keep up with his longer strides. "I-its to the left!" Eris managed to pant out, as she ran, struggling to take the lead as she tried to show Adam were to go. Why were tall people so fast? Eris made a mental note to learn how to run faster, just to keep up with all the tall people in the world. Also to take longer strides. That seemed to help as well.

She was probably only running as fast, and managing to keep up because of the excitement propelling her. Eris was going to ride a broomstick! Her dream was finally coming true. As she ran, Eris went over all she had read about flying in her head.

Stick with the wind, chant up, the list when on and on. Eris really had read a lot about flying, but the step she was most concerned and dedicated to following was to not fall off her broomstick. That would get them busted for sure, if Eris showed up in the hospital wing with broken bones. Another thing Eris knew was important was to not go too high. They didn't want to be taught by any nosy students, prefects, or teachers. Eris didn't want to get in trouble, but the risk was worth it for the reward of flying.

Eris hoped Adam felt the same way as she did about the risks and the rewards of flying, as she sprinted alongside him, thinking about flying. It would be embarrassing if he backed out now, and it wouldn't be nearly as fun if Eris was flying by herself.

Adam looked up jealously at the boys that soared by overhead. He wish that he could experience that freedom, but if they didn't want to get caught, he and Eris would have to be much more discreet. At Eris' direction, they had reached the Quidditch Pitch, and Adam stopped outside of the gates to let the shorter girl catch her breath. He was impressed that she hadn't once asked him to slow down. He hadn't realized just how determined Eris really was -- and polite, too. Gryffindor was the perfect house fit for her.

Adam was fresh out of plans, now. He had reached the pitch successfully. It was a beautiful place, wallpapered in the colors of all four Houses, and had the capacity to likely fit everyone in the school! The six Quidditch rings stood vigil in the middle of the field, and he couldn't help but imagine Seekers and Chasers diving through this sky during an intense game. Adam was excited for Quidditch season to start. He loved watching the games. But, that was for another time. For now he and Eris had some flying to do.

"Okay, Eris, it's up to you now," he called out. "Caught your breath yet?" He wondered exactly where this storage shed was. Would they be able to get in? Would they need to know any advanced spellwork? Adam hoped not. He hadn't come all of this way for nothing.