Kat looked down to where Andy was flying under her. "Thanks Andy! Hope you are a good catch, I've no idea how long I can ride this thing! It really has a mind of it's own."

Anders had been happily talking to some of the students who had arrived when he heard Andy call out Kat's name. His heart pounding painfully in his chest, he grabbed hold of Kat's broom and leapt onto it, performing without any apparent awareness, his most famed move from his Seeker days - the near-vertical take-off.

Everyone had heard of Anders' prowess on the broom, but few - if any - of the students present had witness him flying. Even now, in a panic, he seemed to be the one airborne, harmonising and blending with the broom so it was hard to tell where the broom stopped and Anders started.

Kat struggled to bring the broom lower as Anders approached, but the broom was set in it's path now. As he arrived she looked a little relieved, briefly impressed by his take off manoeuvre as she tried to
stay on as the broom 'bucked' again.

He flew straight up to his sister and guided the broom as close as he possibly dared without knocking it. "Kat," he said, in a clear voice. "Just trust me here, OK? I have to take control of this broom and you have to get onto your own." He put out a hand and grabbed the Meteor Shower just in front of the
bristles and clung on grimly, letting go of Kat's broom, his slender body twisted so that both hands were grasping it steady.

The Meteor Shower apparently didn't like this very much, because it began to wrench and struggle to get out of Anders' grasp. He held Kat's broom firmly between his knees. "Get on," he said, breathlessly, still fighting the Meteor Shower.
Anders' steadying hands gave her all she needed though. She glimpsed down again to where Andy was flying and swallowed hard. She didn't really like the idea of changing brooms mid-flight. But since this WAS Anders' broom, he had more chance than she did of taming it.

Slowly she moved her leg so that it was over both brooms. The Meteor shower was still trying to buck but Anders was holding it steady for her to move. She shifted her weight so that she was mainly sitting on the Cleansweep with which she was so familiar. Then she swung her other leg off the Meteor Shower.

"It's all yours. Be careful, Anders. I'd hate to lose my brother just after I found him." She smiled at him, although it was possible to tell from her expression that she was worried. She reached out her hands to hold the meteor shower broom as Anders had done in order for him to mount.

*******

The ever observant Sarah had taken note of the slight blush that touched Mahou's cheeks at the mention of Snape's name and made a mental note to follow it up. It couldn't be that this pretty little girl was taken with the Potions Master?

"Lord Snape is it? or should that be 'Lord! Snape!" she gave a little giggle and winked at Dylan. "Is that an Irish thing then calling folk Lord and Lady?"

"Th' 'Lord' an' 'Lady' thing be somethin' tha' was taught at Cerrydwin's. So, aye, tis Lord Snape," Mahou explained.

A second later everyone's attention was taken by the drama in the air over the Quidditch pitch.

"I'll be careful," Anders cast over his shoulder as he prepared to disembark from the Cleansweep.
The Meteor Shower apparently had ideas of its own. With a sudden obvious effort, it broke itself free from Kat's grasp and shot off, with Anders still holding firmly onto it and hanging underneath it. Despite himself, the young man grinned broadly. This was something he'd used to practise in his professional Quidditch days and it didn't daunt him one little bit.

In one slick move, he swung himself easily into position astride the Meteor Shower, which arched and bucked, trying to throw its rider off, but in an impressive display of broomsmanship, Anders remained on it, tugging it and steering it gently. Finally, the broom seemed to become docile again and with
a glint in his bright blue eyes, Anders turned into a nosedive towards the amassed students. He pulled up just before hitting the ground and hovered a couple of feet above the ground.

"This broom has definitely got a life of its own," he announced, to no one in particular. He actually felt moderately proud of himself for keeping control of it and allowed himself the satisfaction of a grin.

There was a sudden lurch, and the broom tipped Anders upside down and onto the ground. It floated gently a few feet out of his reach and managed, somehow, to smirk at the young man who was now sitting ruefully on the floor, his long hair in his eyes and an expression of embarrassment attached to his face.

"Definitely," he said. Getting to his feet, he tried to cover his shame by re-issuing the suggestion that experienced fliers help the beginners.

On the ground below Sarah and undoubtedly the rest of those gathered had been watching with bated breaths.

Sarah was naturally concerned about Kat but could see the situation was well covered by Andy and Anders else she'd have also been airborne within seconds. It was the first time she'd seen Anders fly and she was quite gob-smacked. "Oh, he is just SO....amazing! Don't you think? That's flying and then some!"

*********

Raphael was having problems somewhere else, and so didn't see the rest of the minor problems that were being had over the Quidditch field. It was probably a good thing: he'd have been paralysed by a sudden need to leap into the air being stopped by a severe doubt of his own abilities. He couldn't fly, after all...?

No, Raphael was having problems with the brooms in the shed. They seemed to not... like him. To the point where the loose ones moved around the room to avoid him, and the ones he found 'parked' like bikes in city railings shook at his approach.

He looked at them with confusion. Had Sarah's Nimbus Buzz been spreading the word that he couldn't fly...? Did brooms talk to each other? He wasn't sure if he should laugh or not.

In the end, he made a decision, and leapt into the biggest group of migrating brooms, pinning one down
while the rest scattered. Then it slipped out of his hands. He tried again, throwing himself bodily at the
largest group. He ended up curled around one broom while the other scattered. It bucked and struggled under his weight, trying to throw him off, but he wrapped his legs around it in confusion until he got a good hold...

A minute later, he walked out of the shed hugging the butch broom with both arms, to see Kat, Andy and Anders Grimalkin struggling on a set of brooms. Forgetting, Raphael walked over to Sarah, and asked her: "is that how we're meant to practice?" just as Anders fell off the broom with a thud, and Raphael's own broom struggled and whacked him across the forehead.

Sarah smiled at Raphael's question, "No, not really that was a runaway broom - speaking of which what's gotten into yours?"

Then the broom whacked him across the forehead. "Honestly!" she said, "You and that poor noggin of yours - you'll be getting a concussion on top of your concussion if you don't watch out!"

Kat hovered in the air watching the performance. As Anders came to a halt in front of the other students she moved down to where they all gathered, looking to see if Andy followed.

She laughed as Anders was thrown off the broom at ground level, more out of relief than anything else.
"Well I'm happy to show a beginner how to fly. Any offers?"

Mahou had straddled her broom at the shout of Kat's name, but didn't take off.. She didn't know these people. Dismounting, Mahou watched as the scene played out, her strange eyes reflecting the light of the sun.

As Anders flopped to the ground, Mahou smiled at Sarah and walked to him, concern on her face and her Firebolt in her hand. "Are ye alright', sir?" she asked, her brown knitting in concern. "I be Mahou Amberstone, an' tha' broom may look amazin'.. but it seems it takes e'en more than a Quidditch player ta harness it, eh?" She smiled kindly and pulled her hat down lower, as it had popped up a bit in the breeze.

Looking around, Mahou didn't much like the fact of helping others learn to fly. She wasn't good at teaching. Flying, yes, but not necessarily teaching. "I donnae ken if I can teach someone how ta fly..." she told him, looking back at Sarah. She hoped the other girl didn't figure out her crush on Snape. She'd die if anyone else found out.. what if Snape found out? Shudder. "Flying does come easily ta me, b'cause I practise a lot at home.. but teaching someone? I donnae ken if tha' would be easier or harder than learnin' yerself."

"Yes, thank you," said Anders, blushing slightly at Mahou. "Broom's still not fully broken in, see. I guess it just didn't like me letting someone else ride it."

The young ex-Professor glowered at the Meteor Shower. It had one particular knot in the wood towards the end of its handle that he swore looked like an ever-so-slightly malevolent eye.

"Please, Miss Amberstone?" he asked. "Take one of these people who have never flown before through the basics." He raised his voice so everyone could hear. "One of the main things that you need to know to get onto the Quidditch team is an understanding of team work. This little exercise is designed to help you learn a bit about that."

He limped slightly as he walked towards the wayward broom. He may only have fallen from a couple feet up, but he had jarred his ankle somewhat. "I'll just stay down here for a few moments and...get my breath back. Then I'll come amongst you and give you more guidance."

Sarah came over to where Mahou was standing with her broomstick.

"Fiona - that's one of my housemates - had the biggest crush on him" she indicated with a nod of her head Anders, "both before he came to teach here and last year. I think she's mostly over it but she still
likes him a heck of a lot and who can blame her. She'll kick herself she wasn't out here to see him fly *like that*!"

If Sarah had any suspicions about the object of Mahou's affections frankly she was too involved in her own mixed up emotions as well as the excitement of the match to probe deeper. "Teamwork like Anders says is important and watching each other's backs. You up for what positions?"

Expecting that Mahou would follow she headed over to where the kids were that hadn't flown before.

The half-elf was not convinced. She marched after Anders, her pretty little face stern and her gait mimicking her expression. "I'll nae be flyin' till I be sure ye are alright. I may no' be from here, but it doesna mean I'll leave ye like this, Sir." Her red hair caught fire in the sun, glinting in the rays. Her eyes, vivid in their slanted sockets, were almost glaring in her concern for the Quidditch man.

"Only when I be sure ye are alright, will I be takin' someone up ta show them th' basics. Bein' a part o' a team is also makin' sure tha' e'eryone be okay. An' ye be nae any exception."

"I am fine, really I am! I just twisted my ankle a little!" Anders grinned shyly at her to show that he was feeling fine. "I just need to catch my breath. I was ill for quite some time a year or so back, and exertion like that tires me out. That's all." He winked. "I promise."

"Anyway" Sarah said to the gathered group of first time flyers, "the thing is to basically not to get too carried away." she gave Raphael an extra look having caught the end of his escapade.

"Take it steady at first. If you fly with someone more experienced they can spot you, and make sure you don't get into trouble."

She saw that Mahou had decided to give aid and comfort to Anders.

********

Andy was relieved that Anders and Kat were both on the ground safely. He got off his broom and walked over to them.

"That meteor shower certainly does have a mind of its own doesn't it?," he said smiling. "Will we continue to practice or will it be delayed because of the shower?"

"I expect we will still practice. These new students need the chance to learn." She gave Andy a hug. "Thanks."

Andy blushed and hugged Kat back. "It's okay Kat. That's what we Gryffindor's are for!" he said smiling.

Marvo and Shinrei's walk had finally brought them to the Quidditch practice area and Marvo saw the crowd (having totally missed the Kat incident) "What's going on?"

Kat turned round to see Marvo and Shinrei approaching. "Hi Marvo. You just missed Andy and Anders heroically helping me get off a difficult broom." She was flushed and excited by her brush with danger.

Andy looked at Marvo.

"Again! Are you sure you should be flying? You're always falling off or something!" Marvo smiled, obviously teasing and gave Kat a big hug. He turned to Anders "Thank you of course"

Then he turned to Andy, and looked more serious. "Erm... Thanks"

Kat looked a little hurt at Marvo. "Can't you be a little more grateful? It's still the same old Andy that you were always good friends with you know."

She put a hand on Andy's shoulder to show that she understood how he felt.

Thing is, to Marvo this wasn't the 'same old Andy' Marvo still could not get past his prejudice of 'constructs'. It was as if a little Kat was sitting on his left shoulder, whispering to him how good a friend Andy was, and on the other shoulder a little Moody was shouts that he was a construct. a thing of evil and dark powers.

Marvo was Confuddled! "I.. erm..." *HELP*

Andy was definitely surprised and a little puzzled at Marvo's thanks.

"You're welcome," he said. "I'm just glad I was able to be of some help. Professor Grimalkin was the true hero."

Andy put his hand over Kat's. He gave her a 'thank you' look and glanced back at Marvo. "It is Marvo," he said. "It's me. It's really me."

Marvo moved closer to Andy and raised his hand. He wand appeared and he PUSHED it into Andy! There was a slight 'buzzing' noise and the area around the wand glowed white. Andy felt nothing.

" I'm sorry Andy. It isn't. You might think it is but...." Marvo stopped. he was looking straight into Andy eyes. And they were Andy's eyes! Construct or not. That WAS Andy in there.

He pulled out the wand and kept looking at Andy's face. "Andy? IS it you in there? Really?" Marvo brows furrowed, deeply he was very confused.

Andy watched as Marvo pushed his wand into him. He felt nothing. What was Marvo getting at?

Then he heard Marvo ask the question he'd been waiting to answer for a long time. "Marvo," he said, "it's me. It's Andy." He paused. "It's Andy Warden." Andy waited for Marvo's reaction, and he really hoped it would be a good one.

Marvo looked at Andy..... He looks some more.... Anyone around could almost hear the cogs working in his brain! He looked at Andy... He HUGGED Andy!!

"Andy! I'm so sorry. Yes. I believe you now. It is you in there. To hell with what Mad Eye says! You wouldn't have tried to help Kat if you were made of Dark Magic."

He stopped hugging Andy, "We will have to see about getting you a body back. Or at least teacher
you to use this one properly" One of Marvo's eyes was a little 'wet'.

Andy hugged Marvo back. He was so happy. He wanted to remember and cherish that moment forever. He knew right there and then that everything was going to be okay no matter what. He had his best friend back. Nothing could go wrong.

"It's alright Marvo," he said. "We can figure out my body situation later. I'm enjoying it actually. I can walk through walls!"

"Now we can finally get back to normal!" Andy also had a damp eye.

*******

Piotr had fetched his potion from his room and had sat for a while on the bed, the curtains drawn and feeling decidedly sulky. To his immense relief, no more of his hair seemed to be falling out, but somehow that didn't make him feel happier.

It was too light, even with the curtains drawn in the bedroom and checking his supply of potion, Piotr pulled the hood of his robe over his aching eyes and headed downstairs towards the cool, dark dungeon classrooms. They would afford him some extra protection and a little breathing space.

Magnus' depressed wanderings had taken him through most of the school. He had even, briefly, been out in the grounds near the Quidditch pitch, but he had found that being depressed was too difficult in the presence of large numbers of laughing, whooping, and flying students. So he had returned to the castle and headed downwards.

The dungeons. As if anywhere else could possibly be as depressing to a Gryffindor. Settling down in a corner, he let his thoughts wash over him, and the time slipped by. Then, a noise. What was that? Was there someone else down here with him? "Er, Hello?"

"It's me, Piotr." He pushed his hood back and shot Magnus a sympathetic look. "How are you doing? Figured out a way to get even yet?"

Looking at the Gryffindor boy, Piotr couldn't help but be relieved that he hadn't taken too much of that pumpkin juice. As it was, he had a few rather difficult-to-conceal bald patches that were going to take some work.

"Piotr?" The relief in his voice was tangible. He had thought that perhaps he was about to be pounced upon by some bunch of students determined to make fun of him.

"No." his head bowed as he found something immensely interesting on his shoes to stare it. "I haven't come up with anything yet. How 'bout you?"

Piotr shook his head. "I just don't believe anybody could stoop as low and petty as this," he said indicating first his head, then Magnus. "I mean. How *childish* can you get?"

He stood and stared for a while. "Look," he said, eventually. "We're in different houses, but I want you to know that I couldn't honestly care at all about that. When the person who did this insulted one, she insulted the other. Fancy defying all tradition and working together to get back at her?"

Piotr surprised himself with his words. He seemed to making the opening gambit towards a tentative friendship and waited, listlessly, for Magnus' rebuff.

**********

Mahou nodded gravely, if not sulkily, at Anders' retort. She walked a bit away from the group and watched, her mood darkening at the joviality of them all. ~*I'll nae belong in their world,*~ she muttered in elfin, ~*nae in Da's world. I jus' be a halfin' elf, an' haflin' human.. no' ta mention only half a human witch.. an' half an elfin shaman-thing.*~

She straddled her broom for a quick warm-up before helping the beginners with their brooms. "I'll be goin' fer a quick warm-up," she told anyone who would be listening, "so's I donnae sprain anythin' teaching others." Her language was English then.

She kicked off, rising into the air with a small smile on her face. Her skirt flickered wildly around her ankles, the velvet looking strange in its movement. Her hat was squashed on her head as she rose a bit, not too high, in case she missed something and fell to the ground. Humming softly, Mahou did a few tight circles to test her Firebolt's controls, her green eyes half-open in her blissful flight.

The Firebolt seemed to obey her neatly, though with a few stutters here and there, since she didn't have much of a chance to ride it at home. She flew around, holding on with one hand to stretch her arms, alternating the arm to be stretched and the one to hold on. Then, holding tight with her knees, she attempted a short distance with no hands, going a few feet before gripping the shaft of the Firebolt again, not wanting to chance anything.

Finally, the half-elf came to settle on the ground, unstraddling the broom with a contented sigh. She looked around for someone to pair up with.. to help them learn how to fly.

**********

A tall sandy blonde haired boy walks in he looks to be a 4th or 5th year, he looks around alot like he is nervous or uncomfortable. Moving quickly he goes to the Slytherin house whispers the pass word and nervously enters. Moving silently he goes to a chair and falls down and pulls out some reading:

Advanced potions level 1. he reads silently and slowly falls to sleep with the book open on the page with "love potions for the common person"

Happily, Alpha entered the common room to fetch her cat, Miss Eezy. They liked watching Quidditch together especially when some cats wanted to fly with their 'masters'. Alpha herself did not fly, whenever she was on a broom, she became airsick even when the broom was hovering a few feet above the ground. But watching was fun.

As she entered the room she saw an unfamiliar boy, asleep in a chair. Shrugging and muttering about late arrivers she went to the dorm to get her cat and went down again. She cleared her throat. "Ahem... Hello...who are you?" she said. Her cat yawned and watched intently.

Groggoly the boy wakes up. "wha', wha'? oh. who am I? I am Roger case I recently arrived missed the Hogwarts express. So I had to wait for the Ministry of Magic to come by and take me here . So I went straight here and fell asleep reading" through out all of this he was trying to hide the page he was on.

"That can happen." Alpha commented dryly. "I'm Alpha Rich, fifth year . Are you coming to the Quidditch field? They're practising a bit because tomorrow are the trials." She and Miss Eezy, her cat, were heading for the exit.

He looked at Alpha strangely and said "Quidditch huh? not for me I would rather earn points for my house on academic achievements. I mean really a sport where you put your body at risk." he looked a little annoyed at her question. he continued "I mean one of those black balls fly at your face isn't my idea of fun, what about you?"

"I really wouldn't know" Alpha shrugged, " I don't play, but I'm going to watch. I'm late already." With these words she exited the common room, up to the Quidditch field.