Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Maximum Ride.

AN: Yes, I know I should be working on Saved By Darkness, but I got this idea and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I will continue to update both of them as regularly as I can. Enjoy! :)

Also, I know that the Maximum Ride books came out after Harry's time, but for the sake of the story, they came out in the 90's.

Chapter 1: Girl Made Of Paper

The fire was warm. Harry smiled into his book. He loved Hermione for introducing him to Muggle books. They were so different, and so interesting. They helped him get through the first few days when he was terrified of Voldemort possessing him.

"Hey there, Harry," Sirius said, sitting down on the couch next to him. "What'cha got there?"

"Maximum Ride," Harry answered. "This book is called MAX."

Sirius grinned. "I'm surprised. You've been addicted to those books ever since you got here."

Harry shrugged. "You can blame Hermione for that."

Sirius ruffled Harry's hair. "Don't stay up too much later, okay?"

Harry agreed, and Sirius left him alone again. He turned back to his book and continued reading. Part of the reason for his addiction was his fascination with the main character, Maximum "Max" Ride. She was a fourteen-year-old girl with Avian DNA placed inside her by scientists. She was a fighter; strong in the way Harry wanted to be. And her sense of humor was amazing.

Harry couldn't deny that he wanted her bravery, but he had to repeatedly tell himself he was not obsessed with her. She was a fictional character. Still, he found himself thinking about her more and more until he finally had to admit that yes, he was in love with Maximum Ride.

"There is an old spell," Harry recalled Hermione saying, "used to bring to life warriors from paper. But the warriors were unreliable, and they never lasted long. Once they faded, it was impossible to send them back into their own world to be preserved and used again. These warriors were extremely difficult to make, and over time, the spell became more of a legend than anything."

"What was the spell?" Harry had asked.

"Adducere charta et verbis ad vitam," Hermione said. "Its a long one."

I wonder if it would work, Harry thought suddenly. He could bring his dream girl to life. Even if he couldn't keep her, he could talk to her and hope some of her courage would rub off on him.

He took his wand in his hand and pointed it at the book. He touched it to Max's name. "Adducere chart et verbis ad vitam," he whispered.

The tip of his wand glowed. Harry held his breath. A bright, white light shot out of the book, blinding him. He dropped his wand and the book and shielded his eyes.

When the light was gone, Harry picked up his wand again. He reached for the book and saw her, crouched just feet away. She was a girl with brown hair streaked faintly with blonde. White wings decorated with brown and black stretched out from her back. She wore old tennis shoes and ripped jeans, a faded, light-blue T-shirt, and a brown, leather jacket. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"I'm a friend," Harry said quickly. "My name is Harry Potter."

She straightened herself and glared. "Maximum Ride," she said. "What do you want from me?"

"I was reading your book," Harry said. "And I really admired you. I wanted to talk to you, and perhaps, you know, hang out?"

Max picked up the book and dusted it off. "You brought me out of my world," she said in amazement. "I didn't even know that was possible."

"I'm a wizard," Harry explained. "I can make magic happen."

"I must be going crazy," Max muttered. "Alright. I'll stay. I suppose I could use a vacation. But you will send me back?"

"Of course," Harry agreed. It just occurred to him that he didn't know how to send her back, but he was sure he could figure it out when the time came.

"Harry? What- who- how?" Sirius stammered from the doorway.

Harry turned in shock. "Sirius!" he exclaimed. "Uh, this is my friend, Max."

"Maximum Ride. Pleased to meet you. I came out of book."

Harry found himself laughing at her bluntness. Sirius gaped in amazement. "You brought her to life," he said.

"I'll have to send her back soon," Harry said quickly. "But can't she spend Christmas with us?"

"I don't see why not," Sirius said. "Nice meeting you, Max." He walked away again, muttering to himself, "Imagine that."

"Just wait until you meet the Weasleys! And Hermione!" Harry chattered on excitedly about his friends and Hogwarts. "We should have a race tomorrow!" he said. "You with your wings, and me on my broom? It's going to be great!"

"It is," Max agreed. "I think this just what I need. A break from all my responsibilities without actually taking a break. Genius."

Max got along with Fred and George perfectly. They talked and laughed while Hermione pulled Harry and Ron aside. "Do you realize exactly what you've done?" Hermione asked quietly.

"I think its brilliant," Ron said.

"Ronald this is serious," Hermione scolded.

Ginny glared at Max from across the room. Max noticed and called her over. Ginny smiled politely and introduced herself.

"I know I have to send her back," Harry said. "And I will. I know we can figure it out."

"I knew this was going to become a 'we' project," Hermione grumbled. "Fine. I guess it's not so bad. I'll figure out how to send her back. Surely, somebody will know."

"In the mean time, we'll tell everybody Max is a squib from Hermione's neighborhood. Her mother is a witch, but her father is a muggle. Hermione, you befriended her and invited her to stay while her parents are visiting her father's sick parents in America."

Hermione agreed. Harry related the plan to everyone, and they agreed too. It was perfect. Harry was going to have the best Christmas ever.

"How about that race?" Max asked. Her eyes glinted with excitement.

"Ron," Harry said, "is it okay if we use the Burrow for a race?"

"Of course," Ron agreed. Harry grabbed his broom, and the three went to the fireplace to get floo powder when Fred and George suddenly appeared by their side.

"This is something we can't miss, eh George?" Fred said.

"A race between our little Harry and the amazing avian girl? Not on your life!"

Max grinned and ruffled her feathers. She's dying for the opportunity to show off, Harry thought.

The group of them flooed over to the empty Burrow. They raced outside. Ron and the twins fell onto the grass, placing bets on who would win. Harry shook his head and smiled.

"Ready to lose?" Max asked, smiling sweetly. She took off her jacket and threw it on the ground.

"I was born ready," Harry joked, mounting his broom.

Max flapped her wings a few times. "Ready when you are."

"Alright you dirty cheaters," Fred called. "You're going to go on MY mark." Ron and George chuckled. "On three! One! Two! Two and a half! Three!"

Max took off like a rocket, leaving Harry in the dust. He shot off after her. The wind tore at his face. Harry smiled. It felt good to push himself as fast as he could go.

Suddenly, Max slowed, and Harry passed her. Harry laughed triumphantly. He was almost passed the pond. He needed just a few more seconds to win.

Max dove right in front of Harry, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the pond. The water was freezing. He grabbed his broom and gasped for breath. As he pushed the hair out of his eyes, he saw Max standing on the other side of the pond. "I believe I won," she said.

Harry swam to the edge and met Max. She offered him her hand, her eyes sparkling mischievously. Harry took her hand, but with the other arm, he grabbed her waist and pulled her in, screaming.

Ron and the twins joined in on the fun, and a major splash-fight ensued.