Soren, Jacqueline, and Selene stood in the corridor, still shaken and discussing Merula's lies, when the sound of sharp footsteps echoed through the dungeon.
They looked up.
Snape approached them, his robes flowing behind him. His expression was unreadable.
"Miss Avery informed me someone forged a letter in my name."
He stopped in front of them, dark eyes piercing.
"Who dared to do this?"
Soren and Jacqueline exchanged a look, then quickly explained everything.
They told Snape everything, how they had received a letter promising the restoration of Slytherin's lost House Points, a letter that contained directions leading them deep into the dungeon.
When they entered the storeroom, the door had slammed shut and locked behind them, trapping them in darkness.
Then came the worst part: Merula herself had spoken through the door, admitting openly that she was the one who sent the fake letter.
Right after that, the Devil's Snare inside the room attacked them, tightening around Soren until Selene arrived just in time to break in and save them with a powerful Lumos Maxima.
Snape listened silently, but the longer the story went on, the colder and more furious he became.
When Soren finally finished describing, Snape's voice dropped into a deadly whisper.
"She dared to do this? She will be punished. You three need not concern yourselves."
Jacqueline and Soren exhaled with relief.
Selene folded her arms, feeling satisfied.
Then Snape turned his gaze directly to Soren and Jacqueline.
"Since you have gone through all of this… in the attempt to restore your House points… I will restore them."
Soren blinked. Jacqueline gasped. Selene's eyebrows shot up.
"R-Really?"
Snape nodded once, curtly. "Yes. Ten points to Slytherin."
A warm rush of relief washed over them.
"Thank you, Professor Snape!"
Snape dismissed their gratitude with a flick of his hand. He turned to Selene, "Miss Avery. Escort them back safely."
Then, without another word, he strode down the corridor — heading toward Merula Snyde.
Selene let out a breath of relief.
"Okay. That's good. Now, change your clothes."
Jacqueline's eyes widened suddenly.
"Oh no—FLYING CLASS! With Madam Hooch! If we're late, she'll make us scrub broomsticks forever!"
Selene shook her head, amused.
"Go. Both of you. You smell like Devil's Snare and disaster."
Soren hesitated.
"But what if Merula—"
Jacqueline grabbed his arm immediately.
"Come on! Let's change and run before we're late!"
Selene waved them off with a warm and funny tone. "Hurry! Or you'll be the only Slytherin who can't fly."
Soren exchanged a grateful look with her.
Then he and Jacqueline sprinted toward the Slytherin dormitories, to wash off the Devil's Snare, change clothes, and make it to their very first Flying Class.
---
Soren and Jacqueline reached the Training Grounds, the grass cool beneath their shoes and the sky wide and bright above them. Many students were already gathered around the neat rows of broomsticks.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Madam Hooch strode forward, her yellow hawk-like eyes sweeping over the students.
"Welcome to your first Flying Class.
I am Madam Hooch, and I will be your instructor."
Her voice carried easily across the grounds.
"Today, you will begin by observing.
You will learn to summon your broom in the next lesson."
All the first-years leaned in, excited and nervous.
"Well? What are you waiting for?
Everyone, step up to the left side of your broomstick."
Students shuffled into place.
Soren felt someone standing very close behind him.
When he turned, he saw Ben Copper—shaking slightly.
"I've dreaded this class all summer…"
Soren raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid of heights?"
Ben swallowed hard. "Falling from heights.
Mostly falling. I told you—I come from a Muggle family. Flying through the sky on a broomstick is… absolutely terrifying."
Soren smiled reassuringly.
"It's okay, Ben. Flying on a broom is easier than you think."
Ben stared at him in disbelief.
"What? How would you know?"
Soren shrugged casually.
"My mom and dad took me flying many times when I was little. And my sister — Elara — she taught me how to handle a broom properly."
His eyes softened at the memory.
"I even flew a few times myself… but always with my mom, dad, or Elara beside me, so I wouldn't make any mistakes."
Ben's jaw dropped. "You've ALREADY flown before?! Before even coming to Hogwarts?!"
Nearby, Penny, who had overheard, spun around in shock.
"How did you fly a broom?
Using magic outside Hogwarts is punishable!"
Soren shook his head.
"My family lives far away from Muggles. No one ever sees."
Cassie and Jacqueline both looked stunned.
"So you already know how to fly?"
"Wait—your sister taught you?!"
Soren chuckled.
"Only the basics. I'm not an expert."
Ben looked like he might faint.
"Soren… you're already better than half the class…"
Soren clapped Ben on the shoulder.
"You can do this, Ben. Just concentrate on the broom— and try not to think about falling."
Ben's face paled. "That's… not comforting."
Soren laughed softly. "It will be fine. I'm right here. Even if you fall, I'll catch you."
"Thanks," Ben nodded shakily, but hope had returned.
Madam Hooch, who had been listening to their exchange, finally cut in.
"Don't worry, Mr. Copper. You've nothing to fear from today's lesson."
Ben jumped slightly at being addressed.
"Today, you will only be observing. No one will be taking off just yet."
Ben exhaled a breath of pure relief.
Madam Hooch then stepped forward, commanding everyone's attention.
"Now, everyone—silence. Listen carefully. I am about to demonstrate the proper broomstick technique."
The class grew quiet. Every student watched eagerly.
Madam Hooch extended her right hand over her broomstick.
"Up."
The broom instantly snapped into her palm.
The students murmured in awe.
She positioned the broomstick between her legs with precise posture and mounted smoothly.
Then, with a small push, she rose into the air.
She hovered effortlessly, circling above the class with perfect balance. Her robes fluttered behind her as she demonstrated slow, controlled turns, gentle rises, and steady descents.
After a short flight, she landed gracefully, placing the broom back on the ground.
She repeated the maneuver several times, mount, lift, hover, land.
Each time looked as effortless as breathing.
The students whispered excitedly — finally seeing real flying before their own first attempt.
Penny leaned closer to Jacqueline and whispered in her ear.
"She makes it look so easy…"
Jacqueline nodded. "I hope we don't look ridiculous when we try."
Soren smiled. Ben shivered.
Madam Hooch clapped her hands sharply.
"That is proper broomstick form. Pay attention—your turn is coming soon enough."
The students straightened immediately. Madam Hooch began pacing before them.
"Now it is lecture time. I will explain several important points about flying, so don't miss a single word. Remember everything."
She began describing about, how ancient sorcerers first discovered broomstick enchantments
Why certain magical woods react better to flight magic. Why balance and posture were key. And the dangers of flying without focus. The class listened with fascination, some excited, some terrified.
While Madam Hooch continued her explanation, Ben leaned closer to Soren, whispering nervously.
"I've decided… Maybe I shouldn't learn flying at all. If I never fly, I'll never have to worry about falling…"
Soren gave him a patient smile.
"But because of your help and… your motivation… I've decided to try it."
He swallowed, looking embarrassed but hopeful.
"Thank you for helping me, Soren. Maybe… if I keep following your lead… I'll actually be able to fly someday."
Before Soren could respond, a shadow appeared beside them.
Madam Hooch. She had overheard every word. Her fierce yellow eyes softened.
"I think you've chosen a fine tutor, Mr. Copper."
Ben blinked in surprise.
Madam Hooch turned her gaze to Soren.
"Mr. Whitlock, you appear to have a knack for helping your classmates overcome their fears."
Soren froze. Jacqueline's eyes brightened.
Madam Hooch nodded, clearly impressed. "For this… ten points to Slytherin."
Soren and Jacqueline gasped.
"Ten points? Soren, that's incredible!"
Soren grinned.
Even Ben smiled proudly.
"That's twice today you've helped me."
Soren smirked gently. "Jacqueline has a lot of books on flying. You can borrow them. They'll help you understand the basics."
Ben's eyes lit up.
"That's great! Hardly anyone ever falls to their death while reading books…"
Jacqueline laughed softly, then looked at Soren with raised eyebrows.
"Soren… if you want my help, you'll need to do something for me."
Soren blinked. "…What do you want me to do?"
Jacqueline folded her arms dramatically, but her smile was mischievous. "I will tell you after the class."
---
Madam Hooch blew her whistle sharply. "That's all for today! Class dismissed!"
The students began packing up, buzzing with excitement.
Jacqueline tugged on Soren's sleeve with a mischievous smile.
"Soren… My condition is, I want you to play Gobstones with me."
Soren raised an eyebrow. "Gobstones? Why?"
Jacqueline smirked. "Because I want you to get sprayed by the Gobstone."
Soren laughed. "Alright. Fine. I'll play."
They agreed to meet in the Clocktower Courtyard.
---
The courtyard was peaceful—sunlight drifting through the arches, the clocktower ticking steadily above them.
Jacqueline set down the Gobstones set on the stone floor as Soren approached.
"Nice spot."
Jacqueline sat cross-legged, already sorting the stones. "I thought we needed something fun. After… everything."
Soren sat beside her. "You're right."
She sighed, brushing her hair back. "Hogwarts should be about learning magic, exploring mysteries, making friends… Not getting bullied, or trapped, or almost eaten by Devil's Snare."
Soren nodded firmly.
He looked around the quiet courtyard and exhaled. "I agree. And I'll do something about it. No one should go through what we just did."
Jacqueline smiled softly. "I knew you'd say that."
They positioned the Gobstones between them.
The little stone spheres rattled with faint magical energy, ready to fire disgusting fluid at whoever lost a point.
"So… what's the rule again?"
Jacqueline cleared her throat theatrically.
"We each ask the other a question. If someone answers wrong—"
She tapped a Gobstone. "—they get sprayed."
Soren smirked.
"Sounds simple enough."
Jacqueline grinned wickedly. "Good. Because you're going first."
Soren gulped slightly.