For Everything a Reason [Lavinia & Prof. Lisbeth]

[Lavinia Telly Rae]

Lavinia's feelings greatly resembles a roller coaster.

Professor Lisbeth was being very helpful - she even told her she wasn't being difficult - which was very nice to hear from her teacher, but there was a catch.
Her professor was willing to work on her one-on-one, a wonderful thing, except that - she really didn't WANT to work on her fear of heights!
The thought of EXTRA time on an infernal broomstick, however close to the ground it was, filled her stomach with knots and she felt as though she'd swallowed a Hungarian Horntail! She smiled wanly as a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. If only she could refuse!
She had become reconciled to the idea that she would simply fail flying class - she was pretty sure that it wasn't necessary to her graduating. This would ruin everything!
But her teacher had also mentioned that she was a hard worker, because she was a Hufflpuff. Lavinia scowled at her shoes while blushing furiously. She wasn't sure that she WAS such a hard worker - sure she TRIED hard, but she didn't do so well in her academics (except for history), but she desperately wanted to be worthy of her house!
She felt that Addi owed her a great deal, although no doubt that was unfair of her.
Just then, the girl herself spoke up.

“I didn’t know you were afraid of heights Lavinia! You really should take up Professor Lisbeth on her offer, flying is the most extraordinary thing, the most difficult thing any person can do is to overcome a fear, imagine the accomplishment that would be!”

Taking a deep breath, Oh, Addi, what I do for you! she smiled at her teacher again and stammered out, "Oh - um- thank you very much, Professor Lisbeth. I - I think that I should do that. Work with you after class, I mean." turning to Addi, she added, "Thanks, Addi. I'll give it a try. Although - when my feet leave the ground I feel - dizzy and sick, and my toes tingle and -" She gulped. "I mean - I'll try." It did seem a bit hard, getting advice from someone who looked as natural in the air as a bird and had no obvious nerves about it at all!
Still, she appreciated Addiana's being willing to help her out and her encouragement. She hoped she wouldn't throw up.

Professor Lisbeth introduced them to the other lady, who smiled at Lavinia and seemed very nice. Lavinia smiled back at her. The name Malena Darvey didn't ring any bells with Lavinia but then she hadn't expected it to. Addiana appeared very excited to hear it.
Malena, too, was very interested in Addi and even complimented her on her Quidditch! Lavinia beamed. She loved it when one of her friends was being told good things about themselves. She liked this Malena Lady. She asked Addi if she had thought about playing after school.
At first this confused Lavinia, as she assumed most students did - but then she realized she was talking about Quidditch!
Excitedly, she turned to her friend. Addi looked beside herself!

“I don’t know about being one of the best ma’am, but I practice hard, play harder and hate to lose.”

Addiana looked so fierce and confident when she said that, that Lavinia was nearly certain that she'd grown a foot taller! But then she seemed to deflate.
“What to do after school has been on my mind a great deal. I hadn’t really given Quidditch much thought though. I wouldn’t even begin to know how to go about it. Even if anyone was interested in having me, the pregnancy malarkey the press has printed has probably ruined my chances.”

Lavinia's jaw dropped in shock. Addi was . . . no - she couldn't believe it! And what did 'malarkey' mean?! Incredible as it sounded, it seemed that Addi was pregnant and - by some evil spell or disease or something! This 'malarkey' sounded like a dreadful, dangerous thing indeed! And it had attacked her friend!
Gritting her teeth and looking quite fierce herself, she grabbed Addi's arm and looked into her eyes as she said, "Addi! I had no idea! Don't worry, you can still play Quidditch. I'll find this 'malarkey' and MAKE it release you! Whatever happens, I promise you'll have a friend in me. You've been so brave!"