Finished Badgering You Into Flight PV Zephyr Deakin

Being an official part of the Hufflepuff Broom Racing Team felt surreal for Zephyr. As someone who grew up in the muggle world, a broom was just a broom. Something you used to clean the floor, sweep the yard, clear dust and nothing more. If someone told him a year ago that people flew on them, raced on them, even competed on them, he would have found it ridiculous and thought it was a joke.

But now, it was the one thing he looked forward to the most. The first time he got on a broom, it was weird for a few seconds but the moment it lifted off the ground, everything changed in him. It was nothing like anything he’s ever experienced before, running through the open field wouldn’t even compare to the feeling he felt. It was some kind of freedom which he had no words to describe for. Since then, he didn’t stop training.

Every morning, before most students were awake, he was already out there training. He would practice turns, balance, speed control, and getting used to the broom as if it was part of him. He joined unofficial matches whenever he could, regardless if they won or not, he didn’t mind, it’s the only way he would learn faster and get better. Now that he was officially part of Hufflepuff team lineup, it was a different feeling altogether! His steps were faster than usual as he went to meet with Simon. He was a complete mix of nerves and excitement and was chanting in his head not to mess this up!

He met Simon before, several times, actually. He respected the older guy for his skills and experiences. As soon as he arrived, he spotted him standing by the tree. “Hi Simon.” Lifting a hand in greeting. “Hope I’m not late.” His tone was laced with interest and curiosity hence why a smile appeared unconsciously. Being an official broom racer was not the only thing he’s celebrating, he was also chosen to be a prefect for his house. It was such a huge milestone for him, one he was not sure how to properly react. But one thing’s clear, it was all overwhelming but he tried not to show that to anyone and just told himself to take it one step at a time. “What do we have for today?”

Until now, hearing someone call him prefect felt strange. He had not gotten used to it just yet. When he received the badge, a part of him thought there must be some sort of mistake made. It's not because he lacked confidence in himself, it's just that, this whole thing was all new to him. With this role comes the responsibility to help guide other students and represent Hufflepuff. It was exciting but also overwhelming all the same. "Still getting used to hearing that." He smiled shyly at the older guy who looked so cool and confident.

As soon as Simon mentioned what he would be dealing with today, his grin appeared and if it's possible, his eyes lit up in anticipation. He hoped they would be flying today, but hearing they would be doing training made his stomach flutter with combination of excitement and nervousness. It's not going to be a casual flight around the school but a serious practice with one of Hufflepuff's most experienced racers. "Seriously?" Unable to keep the enthusiasm out of his voice. "Brilliant then and may I say scary." He laughed, not meaning it as a joke, but just being honest.

The broom inspection came next, checking every detail the same way he had done countless mornings before sunrise. By now, this routine became a second nature to him. There were times he still found it funny, he grew up in the muggle world. A broom has only been used for cleaning. If someone had told him a year ago that people use them professionally in sports, he would have laughed and assumed it was some ridiculous prank. Once the checks were complete and they lifted into the air, the familiar feeling rushed in his chest. Everything around him just faded away. Flying always made him feel that way. Simon spoke in his tour guide persona and welcomed him in what apparently was called aerial tour. He chuckled but played along. "Remarkable scenery. I've never seen grass quite like that grass." He was just joking, even flying bring that side of him too. "Okay then, Mr. tour guide, what's the next landmark?"

After a while, they landed back near the tree where they had started. That warm up lap did it's job, his nervous energy was much more manageable now. Remaining seated on his broom, he followed Simon's gesture toward a few floating hoops as he explained the exercise. A dragon rider carrying medicine through a mountain cave? He smirked, trust Simon to turn a simple drill into an entire adventure. His words reminded him of something he had learned during his morning practices. If you think too much about a mistake you made, you will make another one unconsciously. Flying requires attention, so one should either focus on where they are going or not.

The older guy ended his words with Godspeed Deakin. He ended up laughing. "That's it? No pressure at all." He scanned the hoops as his expression grew more serious. He kicked off from the ground and accelerated toward the first hoop. The wind immediately rushed against his face as he neared the floating rings. He leaned to the left to guide the broom into the center of the ring. The second was just nearby which was positioned higher than the first. He pulled his broom handle upward. So far, so good. The third hoop was where the course became challenging. It was in an awkward angle, which forced him into a sudden turn. He shifted his weight and went right but the edge of his broom brushed the side. A burst of bright orange sparks erupted from the hoop which earned a wince from him. Oh crap, I made the dragon angry!

”The Whomping Weave?” Zephyr stared at Simon as he repeated his words. There was an obvious pause before the older boy came up with that name. The corner of Zephyr’s mouth rose, unable to hide his own amusement. “Did you just make that up?” The guy looked so pleased with himself that he already knew the answer. Hearing this would be the last activity of the day, he was not sure if he should be disappointed or relieved. Truth was, he wanted to learn more and to prove himself that he was worthy of his title as the newest broom racer of Hufflepuff.

When Simon began explaining the objective, his expression change to that of someone who was focusing in on the information. Simon used his wand and coloured sparks shoot in several directions before freezing in midair, which formed what looked like a flight course. His eyes studied the trail of markers until Simon revealed what he was supposed to navigate around. His gaze moved from the coloured sparks to the Whomping Willow, surprise clearly written in his face. “You’re serious?” He was warned about that particular tree as soon as he arrived at Hogwarts. Even from a safe distance, any sensible person should not deliberately annoy it. Apparently, being sensible was not part of today’s training. “That’s scarier than the hoops.” He admitted to him sheepishly.

Following him to the beginning of the course, he listened some more as the older boy explained everything. They would accelerate in the direction of the Willow, follow through the coloured markers, dodge whatever branches the irritated tree threw at them, climb faster over the outer branches and then flew back to the space between two ordinary trees serving as their finish line. He was talking about acceleration, braking, tight turns, reaction time, spatial awareness, Zephyr couldn’t Simon managed to put almost everything they have practised into one final exercise. “Okay, I got it.” At least, he hoped he did.

Simon wished that they leave with the same number of limbs they’ve arrived with. If that’s a joke, he’s very cruel. “That’s very reassuring.” One of the Willow’s larger branches moved in the distance, jade eyes narrowed at it. “Just so we’re clear, if I lose an arm, you’re explaining this to the professors.” He flashed Simon a grin and then lowered himself over the Silver Arrow. The joking stopped as his hands gripped around the handle firmly as he fixed his attention on the first coloured marker. The previous exercise already taught him one useful lesson - don’t try to think of the entire course all at once, take one obstacle at a time.

Zephyr flew forward, the gentle breeze quickly rushed against his face. He kept himself low as he accelerated to the first marker, he passed it cleanly and then banked to the second. For about three seconds, the Whomping Willow remained peaceful but later on, when it probably sensed him, one of its branches twitched followed by several more branches. He gripped his broom handle and changed direction. Leaves brushed the top of his hair as the branch passed overhead, it was so close that he felt his stomach jumped in shock. There was no time to look back. Simon’s advice came to him, do not worry where you were so he forced his eyes to look forward instead. Whatever happened behind him was not important anymore.

He realised that trying to predict the tree would only slow him down. He had to watch what was happening in front of him and react. When another thick branch swept horizontally his first instinct was to climb over it, but he caught sight of another coming down from above so he pulled back and braked. The sudden loss of speed sent his body forward, but he held himself in place with his legs as the first branch passed in front of him. The moment there was an opening, so he pushed the himself forward again and shot through before the second branch could block his path. This was terrifying that it’s giving him the adrenaline rush.

After that, everything seemed to happen faster, he stopped thinking each movement. He was beginning to understand what Simon meant regarding flying smart. Maximum speed doesn’t mean not slowing down, it’s also to give himself some space he needed to accelerate again. There was the last colored spark. The tree was determined to make the final part difficult. One enormous branch went down his route. Going under would put him directly in the path of another branch, and then going around would force him too far off course. It left him with one direction - going up! He climbed a steep angle as he leaned forward. Wind tore through his hair and made his eyes water, there were no branches or markers now just open ground and the finish line.

Zephyr shot through the gap of the two trees and pulled the handle back. He was already breathing hard with his hair in complete disarray, his cheeks were flushed from the wind, and his heart was still hammering against his chest. “That was scary but I made it here!” He glanced at the Whomping Willow. One of its branches was still swinging irritably through the air. “You’re completely mad, you know that?” But an enormous grin appeared on his face, showing how much he enjoyed himself. He looked at Simon while still trying to catch his breath. “Same time tomorrow?” With that, their training officially ended.