Chapter 6 The Gift of Wings

Laughter was heard from the park that was located in the neighborhood. The weather was perfect to the residents of Little Whinging, clear blue skies dotted with puffy clouds and a comfortable temperature that made playing outside all the more enjoyable. Harry and Arya could be seen running around the trees in an amusing game of tag, Arya was currently 'it'. "You're slow today Arya!" Harry called over his shoulder.

"Keep it up Hare-Bear!" Arya taunted back. Arya smiled in self-satisfaction, Harry hated that nickname.

It was now late in July, and their birthday was fast approaching. In fact their birthday was actually the following day. Since the first trip to the Holcomb residence the twins have visited Professor Holcomb and his family daily. Harry and Arya were already good friends with the Holcomb brothers and Nasuada. Though Harry secretly found the dark skin girl to be a little intimidating. Eragon and Harry were often seen outside passing a quaffle back and forth or trying to catch a snitch, of course Eragon had an advantage since he had wings. Arya would sometimes go outside and join the two boys in a friendly game.

Harry had noticed the slight tension between Arya and Eragon. While Arya was kind and approachable to both Murtagh and Nasuada she came off as distant and cool toward Eragon. Harry couldn't figure out why, his sister had not even told him her reasoning. It was rare for one twin to keep a secret from the other and it often drove Harry crazy not knowing. On the other hand Harry was impressed with Eragon's persistence to befriend his twin sister, every rebuttal and aloof attitude had only encouraged the young boy. Harry hoped that one day his sister and his new best friend could actually hold a decent conversation.

At some point the Potters were introduced to a large family of red heads known as the Weasleys. Harry and Arya had shared grins when they saw identical twins come through the floo, a type of transportation through chimneys, and knew that it was these infamous pranksters that always put Professor McGonagall on edge. Though talking with them always left Harry with a mild headache. He couldn't tell them apart and the two loved to finish each other's sentences. It was like watching a tennis match, swiveling your head back and forth between the twins.

The Weasleys had seven children, two had already finished Hogwarts and had successful careers. The oldest, Bill, was a curse breaker that worked for Gringotts in Egypt and the second, Charlie, worked with dragons in Romania. Eragon had expressed his great interest in dragons and too wanted to work at a Dragon Reservation. The third oldest was Percy, he was tall and thin and had horn rimmed glasses, Harry had taken him as a person that was a stickler for rules. He was going into his fifth year at Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor. The twins Fred and George were at the same age as Murtagh and Nasuada and too were placed in Gryffindor. Next was Ron, like his brother Percy, he was tall for his age and was rather lanky. He was going to be a first year like Harry and his sister, and was interested in quidditch and chess. Harry wasn't much of a chess person until he found out that the pieces moved and attacked each other.

The youngest Weasley child and the only daughter was a small and quiet girl name Ginny. Harry didn't know much about her as all she would do was blush around him before leaving the room. Arya and Nasuada had found the whole situation rather cute, Harry could only blushed in embarrassment when he figured the young girl had a small crush on him. Ron was unaware of his sister's crush but knew she was acting weird as she was normally loud and talkative. Finally there Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley was a kind and plump woman that loved her children very much and Like Mrs. Holcomb she had taken the Potters under her wings and would make sure they had hearty meals. "You're much too thin." she often said. Mr. Weasley was a tall, thin man. Like his bonded he too was kind and loved his children and had a weird obsession with all things Muggle. Though he couldn't pronounce some of the words correctly.

Harry couldn't believe his luck, before this summer it had only been him and his sister. They were all that each other had. No one had never believed what they had to say, never stood up for them to the Dursleys, and they certainly never had friends before; Dudley made sure of that. Now come the end of July, the twins had two Professors who they were quickly looking at like mentors, and a handful of friends that did not care for Harry's fame or Arya's association to The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"You know Arya if I just walk in place I bet you can catch me then." Harry said cheekily

"Don't get cocky just cause you can run faster than me." Arya spoke out.

"Ooh, is someone jealous?" Harry continued to tease

"Watch it Potter, I know where you sleep."

"It's the same place where you sleep." Harry took off as Arya gave a war cry and tried to tackle her brother. This continued for a good hour or so. Harry and Arya paid no mind to the annoyed parents as they stared at the two neighborhood 'troublemakers'. Soon the twins were relaxing in the shade of one of the trees scattered throughout the park. Both were a little hungry but were not allowed back into the house until sunset. This didn't bother Harry in the slightest, the less he sees them the better.

The two were making out shapes in the clouds being carried in the light wind. "That one right there looks like a rabbit." Arya pointed out

"No it looks more like a rat to me." Harry disagreed

"Whatever they're both rodents." Arya shrugged indifferently

"No they're not!"

"Well both have sharp teeth and squinty eyes. To me that's a rodent." she spoke with finality.

"Whatever...hey that one looks like a moon." Harry pointed out

"Good job you picked out the most common shape a cloud could make."

"Thanks for the compliment sis." Harry rolled his eyes. He suppose Arya was getting back at him from all the cheek he gave her earlier. A sharp pain agitated Harry from between his shoulder blades. He hissed in pain and grit his teeth.

"What's wrong?" Arya asked worriedly

"Nothing." Harry responded quickly. He didn't want to alarm his sister. All day he's been having minor aches and pains between his shoulders. Harry didn't know what to make of it. Perhaps his wings were starting to grow in? But Professor Holcomb never said anything about pain! What if he was growing them in right now.

"Harry?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Rya. I just spaced out for a second." Harry grinned weakly.

"Harry tell me the truth, what's wrong?" Arya asked once more.

It was the tone in Arya's voice that Harry knew it wouldn't be wise to try and downplay this once more. "I've been having minor pain between my back all day." Harry spoke reluctantly

You too? Arya asked

What do you mean 'you too'? Your shoulders are aching as well?

Well not constantly, but all day I've been getting these random spikes of pain. I think it's a sign that our wings will grow in.

You don't think they'll grow in now do you?

Arya rolled her eyes. "No Harry, they only grow in the moment it becomes our birthday and last I check today was not that day. Don't you remember what Professor Holcomb told us?"

"Yes I remember, but he never told us that we would be experiencing pain the day before."

"You don't think there'll be pain when they grow, do you?" his twin sister questioned

"Eragon said it just tingles, similar to when you're foot is asleep. And he felt a rush of magic surge through him."

"And I'm sure he's really reliable." Arya muttered.

"You know you could give Eragon a chance. He's not an idiot Rya."

The mask closed off Arya's emotions. Harry hated it when she did that, it made his sister appear cold and heartless. That wasn't her character at all. Arya had learned to close off her emotions much as the same way as Harry did. But where Harry gave off this persona of nothing gone wrong, Arya tended to cover the emotions she did not want known and acted like some ice princess. "I have no idea what you're talking about Harry." she spoke in a monotone.

"Arya don't put up that stupid mask, it's me. You've been acting weird around him, I get it he flew into you, but you can at least act nice around him."

"I am Harry." Arya said through gritted teeth

"Uh huh. Point is you treat Ron better than Eragon and we've only known Ron for a week!" Harry exclaimed. Arya said nothing, she stared at the clouds over their heads. Harry groaned, stupid stubborn, prideful, sister! "I don't care if you don't like Eragon, just don't treat him bad otherwise you're not better than Dudley."

"I am nothing like our pig cousin!" Arya snapped, her emerald eyes flashed in anger. Harry could feel an undercurrent of magic emanating from his twin.

"Then prove it." Harry challenged. Arya stared at him in disbelief. She huffed angrily and crossed her arms tightly across her chest. Harry took her response as a reluctant agreement. "Thanks Rya."

"Yeah, yeah whatever." she mumbled.

Dinner, as usual, was a tense and awkward affair for the Potters and Dursleys. Tonight was one of those rare nights where the twins had gotten to eat a meal; it was smaller compare to the others but it was a meal nonetheless. Harry bore on the angry glare from his Uncle Vernon as he ate angrily away at his pork chops. Dudley still had his stupid Smeltings cane at hand. He was set to attend to Smeltings Academy come this fall, and they too had a specific uniform they needed to wear.

To Harry's annoyance Dudley had taken to swinging the cane around and hitting anything in his path, including Harry. While Harry found it annoying and the Dursleys overlooked the abuse, he was able to tolerate it. That was until one day Dudley made the mistake to take a swing at Arya as she was exiting the bathroom. Angered, Arya had tackled Dudley, and what a surprise that was, and proceeded to pummel on him; Harry too joined the fray. Both had received severe punishment and locked in the cupboard for three days straight but it had been worth it in Harry's opinion. Though he did feel somewhat guilty about attacking his cousin, it really wasn't in his nature to fight, but that was thrown out the window as far as his sister was concerned.

Bringing himself out of his memories Harry returned to his meager meal. The vegetables were a little raw, and the pork chops burnt but otherwise it was still edible. The young Potter discreetly looked up at his Aunt Petunia as she made small talk with her husband. She would continually glare in Arya's direction while still gossiping about the happenings of Mrs. Next Door. Harry had taken to look at his aunt in a new light. She had never been the most physical of the family, preferring using her words more than anything. But Harry had never realized that all this hate and fear of him and his sister had stemmed from jealousy of his mother. His mom was literally an Angel and, from what stories he was told from Professor McGonagall, really beautiful. Aunt Petunia was neither and now it appeared she was jealous of Arya. His sister was taking after their Mom, minus the auburn hair, and it looked as though Aunt Petunia hated that one day Arya would become such a beautiful woman. He never noticed how petty his aunt truly was until now.

Thankfully dinner came to an end and the twins were ordered to clean the kitchen spotless while the family migrated to the living room. Harry and Arya didn't mind cleaning the kitchen, it gave them space from the Dursleys. Do you feel it? Harry asked Arya

Yeah I can actually feel my magic flowing through me.

How poetic. Harry teased. Hey! Arya grinned innocently at her soapy face brother. I know we've been told that we are Angels and that we have magic, but this feeling just makes it more real for me.

I feel the same way. I can't wait to learn how to fly...and then play quidditch.

Arya, my dearest sister, I believe you are and I are on the same path.

You've been around the twins a little too much. Arya informed her brother.

What can I say, those two start to grow on you. I can see why Ron and Eragon like hanging out with them so much.

Just don't pull any pranks while we're at school. I would hate to see you suffer under the wrath of Professor McGonagall.

Arya I'll make a promise to never get caught while pulling pranks with the Weasley twins. Harry grinned crookedly at his younger sibling.

Stupid boy. Arya sighed. The twins continued to clean the kitchen in 'silence'.

It was only ten minutes till midnight. Throughout the neighborhood a quiet calm blanketed the residence. It was a still night, stars twinkling merrily in the moonless sky. In the Dursley residence all were sleeping except for a set of twins located in the smallest bedroom. Harry and Arya sat on the old bed across from each other in a lotus position. They said nothing as they stared intently at the digital clock on the nightstand. Each passing minute felt like an hour to Harry.

He was now feeling like a volcano. With each passing minute, Harry could feel is magic surge closer to the surface waiting to break free. The experience made him twitchy. 11:52, that clock wasn't going fast enough. "Your eyes, they're glowing!" Arya exclaimed

Harry turned abruptly back to his sister and gasped in shock. "So are yours!" he said back. Arya's eyes glowed emerald and obviously stood out from the gray background and were bright and intense. Harry himself began to grow hot as he felt another surge of magic. His back started to become tingly and he felt an increase amount of pressure on his shoulders. 11:57, they were almost there. Harry took notice that his skin was aglow like his eyes, Arya was also the same. Their glowing skin was pulsing in tuned with their breathing; emerald eyes increased in intensity.

It was almost time, their magic was boiling underneath their skin ready to explode. Harry was sweating profusely that it was starting to dampen his shirt as though he was out tending Aunt Petunia's gardens once more. 11:59, it felt as though his body was vibrating now. The sensation was overwhelming from sweating, to the itching feeling between his shoulder blades, and finally his body was vibrating with trapped energy. "I...feel...strange." Arya panted out, her bangs was matted against her forehead.

"Me...too." Harry spoke. He glanced at the clock once more and saw it change to 12:00 am. He gasped in astonishment. Harry's magic surged all to his back and erupted. He could feel his shirt ripping in places, his eyes felt as if they were going to pop. His skin was crawling as his face shape was slowing changing, eyes becoming slanted, face more angular. Harry could feel his round ears form into sharp tips. He saw his sister curled on her side, her body aglow and notices two distinct blobs of what Harry could only describe as a glowing magic slowly forming into wings. The back of her shirt was in tatters.

The sensation was too much for either twin and as a result both passed out. Harry flopped onto the floor. Their metamorphosis was almost complete, the blobs began to take shape. The glowing yellow color slowing receding to an inky black, feathers sprouting in every direction. Their magic had finally died down and each Potter now had a pair of black feathered wings covering their bodies. They were now Angels.

Meanwhile at the prestigious magical school known as Hogwarts, two professors stood in stone silence at the tallest tower; the Astronomy Tower. Both professors looked to the dark sky, waiting. Albus Dumbledore was stock still, the ever present twinkle in his eyes absent. Next to him stood the History Professor, Professor Thándurin. He too was in a somber mood and was anxious for their arrival, though he did a splendid job of hiding his emotions. He silently prayed to the Gods for their safe arrival.

However he was still unsure if transporting them off his hidden homeland to a school full of children was a superlative idea. But who was he to question the advice of the renown Angel of his country Linnёa the Wise? Still he wish that the woman could have elaborated more before she returned to her tree for everlasting slumber. He remembered when the woman awoke after the first one was stolen and had only spoke five words "Take the eggs to Hogwarts". The ruling couple knew it would be unwise not to heed her words. Though the others were reluctant in sending away the rest of their unborn off the island. Oromis could sympathize with their plight. The other race only bore children once a century and this century a clutch of five was laid.

Though there was little to celebrate as it was only a few weeks later that an evil with great strength invaded his home, killed many of his fellow brethren and managed to steal one of the eggs. Now the rest should arrive at any moment. Only Oromis and Professor Dumbledore were aware of his true purpose here, and it will stay that way until the eggs hatched. With Dumbledore's help the two manage to create superb wards on the third floor corridor, and Dumbledore was sworn with the Unbreakable Vow that he would breathe not a word to another without his say so. "Ah, right on time." Professor Dumbledore spoke calmly.

Professor Thándurin squinted up at the sky. At first he couldn't see anything and thought the wizened angel was seeing things, then he made out a dark blob that was slowing growing in mass and size. He recognized it as an airship native to his homeland. It was built in dark redwood, sleek in design with a silhouette of a European dragon in a field of violet. It glided silently next to the castle before coming to a rest at the tallest tower. A walkway descended from the deck and six armed angels walked onto the tower, then finally the captain and longtime friend of Professor Thándurin walked off the airship. Captain Fiolr Valtharos, had short blond hair and light blue eyes. The two Angels greeted each other in a warrior's handshake before the Captain turned his attention to the Headmaster. "You must be the famous Angel Albus Dumbledore." he bowed respectfully. "The King and Queen would like to express their gratitude in guarding our most sacred artifacts."

"It is no problem Captain. I am sure you and your men would enjoy a few days of rest. The House-Elves can restock your supplies." Dumbledore responded in kind.

"I thank you Professor Dumbledore, however my men and I must return immediately. The less your people are aware of our existence the better." Captain Valtharos turned his attention back to Professor Thándurin. "Have all security measures been installed?"

"Yes, they have been secured by myself and Dumbledore. The eggs will be well protected until they are born. I will send word the moment they begin to hatch."

"That is good, I hope the advice of Linnёa the Wise is sound."

"Me as well brother." Thándurin agreed. "Where are the eggs?"

"Under deck." Captain Valtharos waived his wand and a large ornate crate hovered down the walkway and gently glided until it stopped next to the aforementioned Angel.

"How many eggs are in the crate?" Dumbledore asked, he was rather intrigued that the long thought extinct race of dragons had actually hidden themselves on an undiscovered island somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

"Four, they are the only ones left of the clutch. I am still uncomfortable leaving them with children amok, but I trust the decision in the King and Queen. Guard them with your life Headmaster." the Captain spoke severely.

"I will do my best, you have my word." Dumbledore replied

The Captain gave the two professors his gratitude and handed the large wooden crate over to Professor Thándurin. "My men and I will leave before sunrise, if your House-Elves could restock our supplies in that given amount of time give them my thanks. May the Gods watch over you all."

"And you as well, my friend." Professor Thándurin replied solemnly. He prayed quietly that the Gods would shine light in their favor so that the eggs could one day return home.