Ned's feet found the ground once more. He had never been lowered so gently, so he had overcompensated and likely looked as if he were a frog preparing to take a jump. Too proud of Alice to appear embarrassed about his landing, the fifth year righted himself, still beaming.

"I think you could have done it, even without my help," he encouraged. He had no doubt, if it ever came down to it that she was being attacked, Alice would perform her spells perfectly. During practice, she was much just too afraid to harm someone.

Ned shrugged off the prefect comment. "Would you like to practice more or call it a day?"