Learning to Fly. on Quidditch Pitch

Aiden O'Neil with Ginny Bellrose

July 01, 2015 9:55 PM

Learning to Fly. by Aiden O'Neil with Ginny Bellrose

Aiden needed some air. All this Intermediate homework was driving him absolutely insane. He was going to see if either of his roommates wanted to have a run around the Pitch but he couldn’t find them anywhere and he didn’t think that Savannah would want to fly a broom. Aiden didn’t normally hang out at the Pitch. Honestly, he was never there. He did flying lessons his first year and his dad and him had flown around the manor while he was growing up for some bonding time, so it wasn’t really like a new thing for him, just not something the he really did while at Sonora.

He felt like a flying on the broom would clear his head and give him a sort of freedom that he was missing since the start of this term. He didn’t know what it was about this year that was getting him down. Sure the work was harder, but that never really bothered him before. His roommates were cool and he was always getting along with everyone. There was just something though, something that made him feel closed in and isolated and he hated feeling that way.

As Aiden approached the pitch, he realized that there was someone currently already using it. At first, he thought maybe he had accidentally come across one of the house’s quidditch practice, but then he realized it was only one person. A girl. She was clumsily flying slowly around and then she was on the ground. She had dropped so fast, Aiden thought that she had done a trick. “Are you okay?” He asked, jogging over to her. His hazel/blue eyes met green ones and he watched a blush come across her face. Aiden stopped just short of her, feeling embarrassed, as though it was he had done something wrong and had gotten caught for it.

“Oh my goodness!” The female stated. She looked familiar and he realized she was the Seventh year Crotalus Prefect. “This is so embarrassing.” She stated as she got back up onto her feet. “Please pretend you didn’t see that?” She looked pleadingly at him.

“Uh… sure.” Aiden said, still blushing and really confused as to why he was feeling like this. “Are you sure you are okay?” Aiden asked again. She laughed and Aiden thought his heart was going to leap from his chest at the sound of it.

“I’ve had worse falls dancing.” The girl stated, smiling. “Thank you for asking.” She dusted her skirt off (if she hadn’t also been wearing those legging things girls wore, Aiden would have thought she was crazy). “I’m Ginny Bellrose.” She introduced herself.

“Aiden.” He said back. “O’Neil.” He added quickly, realizing he forgot the rest of his name. “Aiden O’Neil.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” She said, picking up the school broom she was using and preparing to get back onto it.

“Can I ask what you’re doing?” Aiden asked, watching her.

“Flying.” She responded, her delicate laugh following it. His blush deepened.

“I mean, why.” He clarified.

“Well…” Ginny began. “To be honest, I wanted to relearn how to fly for my friends.” She admitted. “I haven’t been on a broom since I was a first year. But my best friends are always on brooms. They’re the Captains of Aladren and Pecari. I mean, I dance, which is just as athletic of a thing, but it’s not sportish, you know?” Aiden didn’t really know, but he nodded anyway. “Well, they have so much in common and so little with me. I thought, if I could just figure out flying, I’ll be more equal with them.” She sounded less confident as she explained herself. “It’s probably stupid and I doubt they’d much care anyway.”

“No, I think it’s a great idea!” Aiden said, giving her a wide smile. “Your friends will be really proud of you when they find out you did this for them.” Aiden might be lying to her. He didn’t know her friends. Maybe they really wouldn’t care and this would be a waste of her time, but he didn’t want to agree with her and ruin her time. “If you want, I’m a pretty good flier. I mean, I don’t play Quidditch because my mom would kill me, but I can fly.” Aiden was aware that he was on the bulky side. He had lost some weight due to a small growth spurt and less eating, but he still had the pudge so he wasn’t sure if she would believe him when he said he could fly a broom. “I can help you.”
“Really?” Ginny asked, surprised by the offer. “You would help me?” Aiden nodded. “That is so sweet of you! Thank you so much!” Ginny exclaimed, giving him a hug. Aiden felt his breath catch in his throat.

“Nnno problem.” Aiden stuttered. She released him and moved back. “When I saw you on the broom, I think your biggest problem is balance. You have to find your center and relax with it. Give it a try.” Aiden helped her onto the broom and kept his hand on the broom until she felt comfortable and stable. When he released the broom, she wobbled for a moment but then seemed to find her center.

“Aahh hhhaaa!” Ginny cried out with glee, but then stopped when she felt the broom shutter slightly. “Ok, a little early to celebrate.” She joked, again with her laugh.

“Now, start moving slowly and don’t stop until you find your center again.” Ginny did as she was told and he watched her as slow as a snail begin moving down the pitch. It took a little bit longer than he thought necessary, but she did finally find her balance. After another brief celebration, Aiden had her start from the beginning and do it all over again until she could do it all in one swift movement and didn’t need the time to adjust. They had been working at it for a half hour before she had to call an end to it and get back to her studies. They hadn’t moved past the beginning stages, but he still felt that they had made progress and Ginny seemed to think so as well.

“Thank you so much, Aiden!” Ginny exclaimed, kissing him on the cheek. “I couldn’t have made it this far without your help. Will you help me again next week? Same time, same place?” Aiden nodded. “Great! See you then!” Ginny said, waving goodbye as she made her way back up to the school.

Aiden didn’t move for a long while, his hand remained in place on his cheek where her lips touched him. This was the best night of his life.

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