The Temperamental Orphan - a Harry Potter book

Eight: Tempered

Anna ran into the furthest girl's bathroom from the others before allowing the tears to flow freely.

She hated being here. No one liked her. She wasn't good at anything.

Wiping at her face, she sniffed.

There was one more class left and then she'd find Professor Slughood and demand that she be allowed to leave Hogwarts.

With renewed resolve, Anna swung the bag over one shoulder and walked out of the girl's bathroom.

Anna made her way to the grounds where the rest of the first years were. She noticed several broomsticks on the ground, all neatly lined up.

She set her bag down and joined the group who stood near an older woman who she assumed was the teacher.

She studied the woman – who had short gray hair, and her eyes appeared to be yellow – like cat's eyes.

"Now that we've got the rules out of the way, I'm Madam Rolanda Hooch, and I'll be teaching you lot how to fly a broom." The woman said as she eyed each one of the students. "As first years, you will learn the basics of flying. Today, we'll learn how to retrieve our broom with a single command."

Madam Hooch stepped back.

"I want each of you to stand on the left side of your broom. Chitter, chitter we haven't all day!"

Anna's legs suddenly felt weak as she stepped to the left side of a very worn-looking broom. Lily was to her right and Hugo to the left.

Were they actually going to fly? On a broomstick?

A vivid image of an old witch with a huge wart on her nose flying on a sleek broom filled her mind as she forced back a snicker.

"Now, raise your right hand over the broom. On my signal, I want you to issue a loud, firm command – 'Up!' Got it?"

Anna swallowed. She just knew she was gonna suck at this too.

With the sudden shrill of Madam Hooch's whistle, Anna jumped.

Everyone was shouting 'Up! Up!" all around her.

Lily's broom instantly flew right into her hand.

Hugo's broom did the same after the second try.

She couldn't believe what she saw. Brooms were moving on their own!

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Madam Hooch stood in front of Anna with a stern look.

"Oh, y-yeah." Anna stammered, her face growing hot when she heard Lily giggle.

"U-up." Anna said.

Nothing happened.

"Up!" She tried again.

The broom lay completely still on the ground.

"It's alright, Anna." Hugo was saying. "My dad said his broom kept smashing into his face for a long while before it finally behaved."

Fighting back the urge to cry again – or worst, the heat within that threatened to erupt and ruin everything. She can't let it get out of control – not again.

Anna closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath before turning her attention fully to the broom.

"Up!" She heard the word barked out like some military sergeant.

Her eyes widen as the broom shook, and with her next breath, she felt the cool wooden handle in her right hand.

She, did it? She did it!