Title: Fear of Flying
Author: Universal Blue
Disclaimers: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Rating: G
Summary: Draco Malfoy is afraid of flying. (Was written for a title challenge)
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Fear of Flying / June
Draco Malfoy was afraid of flying.
Father bought him his first broom for his fifth birthday. A Nimbus 1900. Brand new. It had just been released on the market.
"Nothing is too good for a Malfoy," Father said.
They went out on to the great and wide lands surrounding Malfoy Manor, so Draco would learn how to fly a broom. The wind was blowing Draco's hair in to his face, as he was struggling to keep up with his father. Finally, the elder Malfoy stopped.
"This is a good spot," he drawled. "Let us start, Draco. Put you broom on the ground."
Draco did as he was told.
"Your right hand should be above the broom. Now, say 'Up!'"
Draco looked at his hand, resting in the air above the broomstick. "Up!" he commanded. Nothing happened. His panicked little eyes went up to his father's. "Up!" he tried again, in vain. Why wasn't it working?
"Watch me," Lucius said, placing his own broom on the ground, and demonstrating. It jumped right off the ground and into his father's strong hand.
Draco breathed deeply, and tried again, "Up!" Still, nothing. Father would be disappointed in him. Malfoys should know how to fly broomsticks.
Again, Draco tried, determined to succeed. And he finally did. A bit heavily, the broom kicked off the ground, and Draco caught it.
"Very well," said Lucius, looking mildly annoyed. "Now you should mount it. Yes, that's fine. Your hand should be over there. And move a little forward."
Draco had a hard time staying on the broom. He looked down at the ground. His feet were touching it, but still he didn't like this. He didn't want to fly. He swallowed.
"Father," Draco's voice was timid, and he was fidgeting nervously.
"Yes, Draco?" his father sighed.
"Father, I... I'm afraid to fly."
Lucius said nothing for a moment. "Nonsense," he finally said, in a voice that indicated there was no point arguing. "Malfoys do not fear a thing, especially not flying."
"Yes, Father."
"Now you shall fly."
"Yes, Father."
And Draco did. He kept no more than a foot and a half off the ground the whole time. He would have been sick, except for the fact that Malfoys were not sick. Later, when they got back to the Manor, Mother commented that he looked greenish.
Father looked at him with something Draco thought was disappointment. If there was something Draco did not want to do, it was to disappoint Father. After that day, Draco went by himself to the lands, and practiced flying. He would not be afraid. Malfoys are not afraid, and he was a Malfoy.
He practiced every day, until he excelled at flying.
Through the years Draco even managed to convince himself that he enjoyed flying. When he got to Hogwarts, he found a new reason to fly.
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Draco stared at the green eyes growing bigger, as Harry leaned towards him, until they shut. He barely had time to shut his own eyes before they kissed.
Sometimes, Draco was still a little afraid of flying. But Harry was an excellent flyer, and Draco knew that if he would ever fall, Harry would catch him.