"Oh," he said, and looked down, shaking his head. It more than sucked that her dream had been taken away from her. "Sorry, Al." He met her eyes for a moment and his lips pulled into a flat smile, before needing to perk up again. It wouldn't do to dwell, and Alicia would probably appreciate the lift in mood. "Did you make this broom then?"
"Because I don't know if you've noticed me saying it was a good broom, a fair few times," he said with a smirk, leaning back from the handle, still not removing his hands. "But I meant it."
He dipped the broom lower then, pushing it faster to do a sweep across the expanse of a field, veering dangerously close to the ground and scaring himself enough to pull back up again sharply, but laughter broke from him. This was kind of amazing. "Yep, definitely changed my mind." It was weird that only a short session could convert him so quickly, but perhaps this was what he'd needed. Working out provided a release from his thoughts, but it was methodical and slow, much more hard work. Flying was completely different; it took his mind over completely, time flying and muscles working without him realising, the adrenaline flowing through his veins more powerful than any of the times he'd gone rowing or running.