Flight
10 November 2017
Clearly the next morning Rose does not have breakfast with them. Not the next one, not the next one, not any more. Craig at first asked about her or if anything had happened between them but Albus avoided the question and quickly escaped it by asking another question about something from the day or Hogwarts gossip.
While the relationship with Rose seemed to stall again, the relationship with Scorpius seemed to be moving forward. It's not as if they spent a lot of time together, but they spent enough time together to have started having conversations. They no longer ignored each other when they were in the room together. He had discovered that they shared common tastes. Few, but enough to have talks with each other.
Now it was another morning that Rose had not sat with them again. Albus and Craig took their places where they usually did and began to take the food that appeared before them and begin to eat.
- Isn't that crazy? Today we have our first flying lesson and we've been here for two months - Craig said. Yesterday afternoon it had been announced that they would have their flying lesson today, it had taken so long as teacher Hook had been out of teaching due to an accident and had been recovering so now that she was back at school they would start their flying lessons.
- Well it is understandable the teacher was wrong.
- They could have looked for someone else - Craig said this with a mouthful of food and shrugged his shoulders.
- That's disgusting. I've already told you not to talk while you eat.
—
They stood in one of the fields of the castle in two rows facing each other with brooms beside them lying on the ground. It was a cold day so they all wore warm scarves and hats.
- Flying is one of the most basic practices in the magical world and is therefore only taught in the first year. Although basic doesn't mean it can't be complicated, it requires concentration and practice - Mrs. Hooch looked at all the pupils with those striking yellow eyes with her hands up in the air - And with that said, what are you waiting for? Each one to the broom. Let's go quickly. Stretch out one hand on the broom and say: Up!
Then the whistle blew and all the Almunos started shouting at the same time. The first brooms to go straight up were Rose and Scorpius'. Rose celebrated with Polly and Lucy who were still trying.
- Come on, don't stop, I don't have all the time in the world, say <<Up!>> with determination.
The brooms began to take flight, each one faster than the other, and from one moment to the next, everyone had the broom in their hands except Albus, who kept trying without quite understanding why it wasn't working.
- Up. Up! - Albus was beginning to despair and then the laughter and whispering started.
“ Such a humiliation “
“ He’s nothing like his father “
“ Well, it was to be expected that he wouldn't be like him, at the end of the day he was sorted into Slytherin “
“ Albus Potter, the slytherin squib “
“ I'm sure he is the disappointment of the family “
Professor Hooch clapped her hands to silence all the students and Albus stared at the floor, holding back the urge to cry. For the first time in months, it was the first time he really cared about what people were saying. Craig put a hand on his back and began to circle his thumb in an attempt to comfort his friend.
- Very well children. Time to fly.
With that the flying lesson continued. Albus did not participate in the rest of the hour and sat on the grass with his back leaning against the wall watching the others fly.
—
Lunchtime had arrived and although Albus didn't have much of an appetite Craig had insisted that he had to eat at least a little so he found himself entering the Great Dining Hall. As soon as he entered he noticed James and Rose's eyes on him. They were sitting together, there was also Lucy next to Rose but she was talking to Polly so she didn't pay any attention to Albus.
- I don't want to be here Craig - said this as they took their seats with their backs to the Gryffindor table.
- If it's because of the flight class, it's fine, you'll get it in the next one. If you want I can help you. We can go and practice on the weekend.
- I don't know if flying is my thing.
- Well, no problem. There are other things you're good at. You're good at potions - Craig was clearly trying to cheer up his friend after what had happened today and noticed how depressed the other was - And if it's because of what people say, ignore them. You know that they tend to say a lot of nonsense.
The meal continued. Albus stood silently listening to Craig talking his head off, Craig was always like that, always saying the first thing that popped into his head, jumping from one thought to the next without any kind of connection. Then Scorpius walked in and Albus' gaze flicked to him. As he made his way to his seat he passed in front of him.
- Scorpius! Hi - Albus waved.
- Hi - clearly surprised Scorpius stopped and sneezed back - What's going on?
- Nothing. Just, do you want to sit with us? - Craig looked at Albus in confusion and Albus nudged him.
- Really?
- Yes, yes, sitting down is free.
It didn't take much more than that for Scorpius to take his place in front of them. At first the air was a little uncomfortable but as the meal progressed the atmosphere relaxed. It turned out that Craig and Scorpius were getting along better than they might have thought. Scorpius kept up the odd topic of conversation that Craig brought up and responded with the same excitement as the other. Albus just listened and intervened from time to time.
When the lunch was over the three of them got up and headed to the common room together. Halfway through the walk Albus remembered that he had to hand over the book he had taken from the library so he told Craig and Scorpius to carry on and he would catch up with them later.
The corridors were surprisingly empty that afternoon, so Albus went along quietly and then he heard a whisper “Levicorpus” and suddenly he was in mid-air dangling by his feet. Albus was clearly confused, he didn't know where the spell had come from or who had cast it, then he saw a group of students at the end of the corridor who were laughing as they ran. The last thing Albus could hear above them was a shout: Now you can fly Potter!
They left him hanging there helplessly and that made Albus desperate as he was hanging there and everything had fallen to the ground. He tried to reach for his wand but he couldn't reach it so he gave up and decided to wait to see if someone would come by and ask for help. He started shouting for help but no one seemed to hear him until someone behind him spoke.
- I'll be right there - was a woman's voice - Liberacorpus.
With that Albus fell to the ground and then saw who had come to his aid. It was Delphini.
- How did you end up like this? - She bent down to help him pick up his things and helped him up.
- I was walking and that was it. I couldn't even see who cast the spell - Albus pulled his cloak back on tightly as he grabbed the things Delphini handed him.
- You should be more careful then. Children at this age are often very cruel.
- Yes, I know.
- Where were you going?
- I was going to the library to return a book.
- Give it back to me for you.
- But teacher, it's not necessary, I can go myself.
- I insist. I'll return it, you go and rest.
Seeing that the teacher was not going to give up Albus gave in and handed her the book. Delphini took the book in her hands and looked at the title.
- A very interesting read. By the way Albus if you have a problem again or find out who did that let me know.
The teacher continued on her way to the library and Albus turned back towards the dungeons.