Lesson One

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

The skies were blue, the sun was shining, a slight breeze stirred the air. A perfect day for flying. And for Ash's first official lesson. Ash strode out to the pitch to await his students. His students. He was still trying to get used to the fact that he was now a teacher here, where he had once been a student himself. Even though this was only temporary, Ash wanted to enjoy this as much as possible.

However, he also wanted his students to know that although he was fair and would probably be the "nice teacher" he would not be a pushover and let them mouth off to him or anything like that.

Ash was glad to see that Sarie Thimble had signed up. She and Ash had been like brother and sister when Ash had been here as a student. Ash was hoping that would continue.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie ran quickly down the stairs. She had over slept and she needed to get to flying. Ash was counting on her to be there. She hurried though crowded corridors slipping past people. There was some advantage to being small after all.

She finally made it on to the grounds. She picked up her pace and sprinted the last few feet. She bent over trying to breath. "So..sorry over slept." She gasped. "Am I late?" She asked looking at her old school friend she didn't really have any friends her own age.

[Alexis Heart]

It wasn't like she really needed to take a flying class, she was on the house Quidditch team for goodness sakes. To her it did not matter simply because she enjoyed flying and would do whatever to get in the air. Of course it might not be fair to the other students in the class but it's not like she cared that much. She was entitled to take this class if she wished and at the moment she wished.

Walking out onto the grounds making her way toward the class Alexis thought it was a pretty good day. Blue skies and sunshine not often seen but very well received made her smile happily. These were amazing conditions for flying around. Alexis was happy with this as she hitched her broom higher on her shoulder. It felt good to be outside getting ready to fly. Quidditch was fun but it's not like they got to practice every day, so this was a great way to get her fix.

Making her way toward the professor and saw that Sarie Thimble a Gryffindor girl Alexis was nice to was already there. "Oh hey there Sarie I see that you're in this class too." Then she turned to the professor who also happened to be a former house mate. "Nice to see you again Professor Laurent" she said with a pleasant smile on her face. It was nice to see him back at the school. The place was in need of a few good teachers.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled as his first two students arrived. Sarie Thimble, and Alexis Heart. "Good afternoon ladies. Nice to see you again." he said, greeting both girls. Looking at the woefully small class (two girls wasn't exactly what he had planned on), Ash wondered if he should go ahead and start the lesson, or give the others some time to arrive. He decided he would give them some time.

Turning back to Sarie and Alexis, he smiled and gave a small shrug. "We'll give them about another ten minutes before we begin. What have you girls been up to lately?"

Ash himself of course, had been busy getting used to the fact that he was now a teacher, and had been planning his first lesson. Of course, he sincerely hoped his first lesson had more than two students attending! Not that he wasn't fond of said students... after all, one had been his friend for nearly three years now, and the other was a former Housemate.

[Gemma Leigh]

Gemma was only a small speck on the Quidditch Pitch and this fact made her increasingly apprehensive. She was built aerodynamically but this did not mean she had any natural talents at flying; well, that was probably why she signed up for the class in the first place.

Of course, when she reached the small group Gemma was momentarily confused. It seemed that there wasn't a professor around, because even the oldest boy looked extremely young.

"Hello," she said tentatively, tightening her grip on her Cleansweep 20.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Five minutes. That's how long the rest of the class had left to show up. Then the lesson would start. Anyone who showed up late... well there would of course be consequences. Ash believed that if a student was late for any class, even Flying; then they deserved to pay the consequences.

Then, Ash turned as he heard a tentative voice. "Hello." he replied with a smile. The poor girl looked as if she wasn't sure she was supposed to be there. "How are you today?" he asked the Hufflepuff. A Hufflepuf, a Ravenclaw, and a Gryffindor... just needed a Slytherin now.

Well, okay... he needed more than just a Slytherin. After all... he couldn't very well have a lesson with just four students. Well, he supposed he could, he just preffered to have a bit more than that. Of course, most of the students would probably be first and second years. If the little buggers ever showed up that is.

[Vanessa Malfoy]

Vanessa walked out onto the Quidditch pitch, huffing and puffing as each black heel sunk down into the grass. She didn't look like she was ready for a flying lesson, but Nessa always did things her own way, so it was half expected. She had taught herself to kick off and stay balanced while wearing them and so to her it was just the same as wearing a pair of old sneakers. You could thank her mother for her choice in attire; the scarf that had been made to match her uniform, sporting a hand knit Slytherin crest on the very bottom of the fabric. Her hair had been lightly curled, makeup done and cheeks shimmering with the white glitter that had been applied minutes prior.

She wasn't really allowed to go out in anything less, even in the middle of the school year. Her parents were focused on their old world ways and there was nothing that could change that. Vanessa had been constantly questioned about her wardrobe and over hygienic appearance, but again, it was something she was used to. She never even thought about trying on a pair of jeans or a pair of beat up old chucks.

A fruity aroma filled the area as she approached the small group of students, slamming a polished wooden broom into the ground to show her immediate frustration for the class. She didn't pay attention the last time she took the class, goofing off with friends since she already knew how to ride a broom and had deemed the lessons useless. This led to her being flunked and an obvious loss of credit, so here she was. To top things off she was the only Slytherin there. Great, just great.

[Liz Granger]

Liz ran down to the Quidditch Pitch kicking herself for becoming so engrossed in her Transfiguration homework that she lost track of time.

Liz arrived at the Pitch to see that class had just begun and was hit with the memory of kicking off and the exhilaration of flying and then suddenly falling as she leaned too far over one of the old school brooms. Liz shook her head to escape the memory and was back this year determined that she would finish and master this class as she had all of her others. Liz stepped tentatively toward the class and recognized a new professor. As she approached she ventured forth her excuse, "I'm so sorry I'm late Professor. I lost track of time while working on my Transfiguration homework." As she waited for his reply she hope that he was not going to be too strict on her for being late.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ashton raised an eyebrow as Vanessa Malfoy slammed her broom down with a huff. "Miss Malfoy, that broom did not do anything to you. There is no reason for you to be treating it in such a manner." Honestly, just because Vanessa was mad at having to take the class again, didn't mean she had to take it out on her broom. Her bad attitude was uncalled for as well. It was her own fault she failed the last time. Maybe this time around she would learn her lesson and not goof off during class.

Not saying another word to the girl, for he didn't feel like getting into an argument over a broom, he turned instead to the Ravenclaw that showed up just a few minutes after Vanessa. Ash gave a smile to the second year. "Don't worry, you're right on time. In fact, we're still waiting for a few people. If they ever show up that is."

Ash hoped the rest of the class would show up. Or maybe these five girls were the only ones who'd even bothered to sign up for the class. Not that that was a bad thing. In fact, it might even be a good thing. Ash did tend to get along with girls better anyway, and with only five students it would be easier to keep control of the class. He had a feeling though that he would have to keep an eye on Vanessa Malfoy. Or he could be wrong, maybe once class got started she would be in a better mood.