Chapter 7 – Harry Bucks Up
Harry was gently flying around the Quidditch pitch. There was no game going on, no Snitch to try and find against another appointment. Just a nice lazy morning out doing one of the things he loved the most. He didn't hear anything but the wind and the birds for the longest time. Suddenly he heard voices. He wasn't sure how they did it but Ginny and Hermione appeared suddenly beside him riding double on a broom. Hermione pointed down with her finger and Harry glided down to make a landing near the closest of the goals. Ginny and Hermione were instantly beside him and practically knocked him down with the ferocity of their hugs.
"And I'm glad to see the two of you also" Harry said.
"We weren't sure when you would wake up again" Ginny said. She gave Harry a kiss that might have melted his socks. He noticed suddenly he wasn't wearing any.
"My turn" Hermione said. She spun Harry around and picked him up to apply a kiss right to the point of his chin. And then dropped him down slowly so he could feel every inch of her chest.
"You realize if you both keep treating me like this, I might take you under the bleachers and let you have your way with me."
Ginny laughed and put her arms around Harry's waist. "That sounds like something we should do when we get back to the real world."
"Real world?"
"I love the outfit Harry but do you go flying much in your pajamas?"
Harry looked down and finally noticed his regular flying gear had been replaced by flannel pajamas that had little candy canes on it. While he was trying to sort that out, Harry's memories finally returned.
"I'm still in the infirmary at Hogwarts then? I remember talking to Tonks, that idiot Umbridge and then… Am I still sleeping?"
"Yes, but we've been watching you a while and didn't want to disturb you since Madame Pomfrey wanted you to rest. We only bothered you because we've got to go get our breakfasts and pick up our class schedules."
"I'm feeling pretty good here and now."
"We know Jamie; you were floating over your cot when we got to the infirmary this morning."
Those words shocked Harry Potter; shocked him so much that his real eyes instantly popped open and he saw his wives smiling down on him. Harry reached for his glasses and saw that Madame Pomfrey was watching him with a strange smile on her face.
"You two should go down and tell your classmates that Mr. Potter has woken up. I need to run some tests on him and I'll be able to give you a better report when you get back.
Ginny bent over and pressed her forehead against Harry's. 'I'm glad you are awake; we were worried again.'
Ginny straightened up and Hermione sat herself down on the side of the cot. "We'll be right back with your schedule also love."
"Thanks for bringing Crookshanks down to keep me company."
"I didn't bring him Harry; he must have worked his way down on his own."
"I think he's finally gotten to like me."
"What's not to love?" Hermione gave Harry a not so quick kiss to the lips and then she and Ginny were hurrying out the infirmary doors toward breakfast.
Harry turned and looked at the mediwitch. "And how many potions am I to have before breakfast Madame Pomfrey?"
"Let's try the diagnosis spell first. I can tell just by looking and listening to you that the night's sleep has done you a world of good." Madame Pomfrey brandished her wand and the runes starting appearing out of Harry's body. They didn't drift out like they had on previous occasions but shot out like a Snitch that had just been released. Madame Pomfrey quickly gave up any pretense of trying to copy the individual results down but just took a note of the colors that were being displayed. Most were bright green but a few were silver and one or two were a bright gold.
Harry knew a little bit about the runes but had a better working knowledge of the importance of the colors the runes portrayed. "That looked pretty good. Have I made a bit of progress?"
Madame Pomfrey stared at him in disbelief. "We will try that again Mr. Potter. Have you taken anything else other than the potions I gave you?"
"No ma'am. Wait, yes. I woke up when Professor Snape was here briefly last night and I told him I was having nightmares. He went into your office and came back with a small vial of a green potion. It tasted terrible but I went right to sleep after taking it."
"The Torpidity Inducer should have just put you into a deeper sleep. I'm a little befuddled."
"Madame Pomfrey?"
"You are no danger Mr. Potter; quite the opposite in fact. But I'll run the diagnostic again."
Harry sat up in the cot and watched little more carefully as Madame Pomfrey cast the spell again. Harry was able to identify a few of the runes this time around and their colors. Mental Alertness – green, Physical strength – green, Stability – silver, Appetite – green, Hearing - green, Magical Strength- Silver, Magical Potential – gold.
"All those runes are good, right?"
Madame Pomfrey nodded yes distractively and called out for Zillah. The house elf immediately appeared and the mediwitch asked her to convey a message to Dumbledore. "Please ask the Headmaster to come to the infirmary at his earliest convenience. Tell him it concerns Mr. Potter."
Turning back to her patient, Madame Pomfrey smiled at the anxious face of Harry Potter. "I do not know how to explain this Mr. Potter but it seems you have made a total recovery overnight. All the signs and symptoms point to a spontaneous regeneration of your magical core. This is.. unusual and totally unprecedented. If I had to make a guess I would swear you had been drinking Phoenix tears but that has not been the case. Has it?"
"I haven't seen Fawkes for a long time. But does this mean I can go to my classes today?"
"I'm not sure. That's one of the questions I need to ask the Headmaster."
It was about another fifteen minutes when Dumbledore, the two Mrs. Potters, Ron and Luna made their way back to the infirmary. Ron and Luna came over to check on how Harry was feeling and were a little surprised when Harry said he was good.
Ron spoke first. "That's surprising; you looked half out on your feet during the sorting. Um.. thanks a lot for saving Luna. I'm not sure what I'd have done if she was gone."
Harry tried to wave the compliment away but Luna came over and kissed Harry right on the lips. Ron squawked and Harry looked at Ginny and Hermione in shock.
"That Ronald is how you give a proper thank you. Hermione and Ginny, I apologize for taking advantage of your husband like that. It must have been the strunking fornwicks we went through on the way here. Do you forgive me Harry?"
Harry saw the amusement in his wives eyes and thought he might not be in trouble. "As long as it was the fault of those… fornwicks, I forgive you. But don't make a habit of it. I don't want to have to duel Ron for your honor."
"That's silly Harry; Ron knows the only person I'll ever shag is him."
Ron's face turned a funny color and Luna looked around at everybody for an explanation. Ron eventually found his voice and said he needed to walk Luna to her first class in Charms before he went to Divination.
The three Potters kept their mouths closed until the couple had walked out of the room. Harry hoped they didn't hear the laughter. "Poor Ron" Harry said.
"He didn't even notice he got a future promise from his girlfriend" Ginny stated with a little smile.
"Promise? Oh yeah.. .Ron will realize it about ten minutes after curfew tonight."
Hermione came over and sat on the edge of Harry's cot. "So Mr. Potter, does Luna kiss better than your wives do?"
"Honestly, I was too shocked to pay attention. You think I should go try again?"
Hermione was about to slap her husband but then saw the laugh in her mate's shiny eyes. "Don't even think about it. You try kissing anyone else on the lips and you'll be sleeping back in the Gryffindor dorms."
Harry nodded but winked at Ginny. He knew she enjoyed the little bit of teasing that went on between the three of them. Harry patted the other side of the cot and Ginny came down and sat next to him and across from Hermione.
"So what's on our or your schedule today?" Harry asked.
"There's Arithmancy first off with the Ravenclaws and then Transfiguration. Care of Magical Creatures after lunch with Professor Hagrid. And the Slytherins unfortunately." Hermione produced Harry's class schedule and gave it to him.
"Well, I've got good news and bad news for you both."
"What's… the good… bad ….news?" the girls asked together.
'The good news is Madame Pomfrey says I'm totally recovered. The bad news is that she might keep me a couple of more days trying to figure it out.'
Both girls shouted out in glee and enveloped Harry in a group hug. Harry was being kissed soundly and repeatedly by both girls when the sound of a throat being cleared caused them all to look up. And blush.
"I see Harry has notified you of his recovery" Dumbledore said with a small smile. "That is absolutely wonderful but I, for one, do not have an explanation for this fortunate event. Poppy would like to keep Mr. Potter here for at least the rest of the day to monitor his condition and run some other tests on him."
Both girls were immediately disappointed and released Harry a little reluctantly. Both girls were reaching for their bookbags to leave when a voice came into the infirmary.
"I believe I have the explanation you are looking for Headmaster." All heads swiveled to see Helena Ravenclaw come walking out through the wall adjacent to the main doors.
Dumbledore made a little bow to the ghost. "Good Morning, Madame Ravenclaw. We are all in an immeasurable quandary about Mr. Potter's medical recovery. "
The Grey Lady nodded and walked closer to the group clustered around Harry's bed. "It is not a common tale for sharing but it is this group especially that reaps the benefits from the decision and choice of another."
"Huh, who did what to whom? Oh, sorry Madame Ravenclaw. I am as confused as everyone else but I did not mean to interrupt you."
"Ever the gentleman Lord Gryffindor; it explains a lot. You had two more visitors long before sunrise this morning; Myrtle and Vika. They wanted to check on you and see how you were resting. Myrtle left after a few minutes to regain her post and her companion Joshua. Vika stayed here for a long time just doing some thinking and a little bit of talking to your sleeping form. She also conversed a bit with your house elf Dobby and sent him along his way to help the elves in the kitchen."
Harry nodded but still didn't understand what had happened to him. "Vika was so intent on you Lord Gryffindor that she didn't notice that I had just arrived here in my own wanderings. Vika placed her hand on your forehead and it glowed brightly for quite a long time. Vika faded out into thin air at that point. You started glowing yourself for a time and rose quietly above the bed."
Hermione gasped and clutched Harry's arm tightly. "Harry call out for Vika. Now!"
Hearing the panic in her voice Harry raised his. "Vika, please come here. I need to see you."
There was a deep silence. Harry called out again. This time there was a response.
"Good morning Harry. I see everyone's there."
"Vika, what did you do?"
"Just following your example my heart and kinsman. Giving of myself so that others woud be better off."
"Could you just come here so we can talk a bit?"
Another deep silence met that question. Dumbledore spoke up at that point. "I don't think she can Harry."
Harry looked at the headmaster totally puzzled. Hermione reached an arm around Harry's shoulders and drew him close while she explained. "You aren't going to see Vika anytime soon Harry. I think… I'm almost positive she gave up the magic that helped create and maintain her physical body. She gave up all that magic and transferred it into you!"
Harry's face fell in shock and dismay. His tears quickly followed. Ginny and Hermione bracketed the young man who suddenly understood what another person's sacrifice meant.
Vika's voice intruded into Harry's grief. "Please don't cry on my account Harry. I am still here in spirit and I will eventually regain the form and function of the body I had. I've only gone away in one manner."
Harry broke away from the comforting arms of his wives. "Is there no way I can return your gift Vika?"
"None that I or your wives would allow I'm afraid. It's okay Harry, I didn't risk my life like you did on the train. Hogwarts and I survive."
"We shall talk some more about this Vika."
"I expected as much when you learned the truth. But say goodbye to your wives now Harry."
"Goodbye?"
"Otherwise Professor Vectra will be docking them points for arriving late for Arithmancy."
Hermione and Ginny scrambled to grab their bookbags and get a goodbye hug from their husband. Both hurried out of the infirmary with promises to relay the class and lecture to him when they got there.
Harry watched them go and then addressed Vika again. "Thank you Madame Hogwarts!"
"It's always just Vika for you Harry. I'll be seeing you around."
The silence in the room gave notice that the spirit of Hogwarts had withdrawn. Harry looked around at the people who were left and came to his feet. He bowed toward Helena Ravenclaw. "Thank you for the help and information Madame."
The Grey Lady bowed her head in return, turned and walked out through the wall. Dumbledore shook his head, clapped Harry lightly on the shoulder and waked out through the infirmary doors. Harry sat back down on the cot to worry and think about the events that had just occurred.
Xxxx xxxx
Harry asked Dobby to retrieve his bookbag and he busied himself taking notes as he 'listened' to Professor Vectra's lecture through the ears of his wives. If Madame Pomfrey thought it was strange that Harry was taking notes without having anybody else in the room, she kept her opinion to herself as she observed the boy.
She performed some discreet spells in further analyzing the astonishing recovery the young lad had undergone. She found out that, despite his appearance, young Mr. Potter was far closer to eighteen years in age than his calendar years of 13. There were a lot of other discoveries Madame Pomfrey thought about putting down in Harry's record but decided not to. Harry had looked up at one point during the investigation and calmly asked her if 'all the facts' were covered by healer-patient confidentiality. Madame Pomfrey had smile and just retreated to her office to continue her notes on the number of wizards and witches she had treated for exposure to the Dementors.
Harry was looking over his notes when two red headed wizards poked their faces around the infirmary door.
"Okay to bother our favorite brother-in-law for a few minutes?" George asked.
"I think so, as long as you keep it quiet. And I'm your only brother-in-law guys."
"Doesn't make it any less a fact that you're our favorite. You count more than Percy" said Fred.
"Don't let the Head Boy hear you say things like that. He'd probably assign you a few hours of detention with Peeves."
The twins smiled. "No problems with that. We'll just threaten him to send a message to Mum that he's been in the Prefect's Bathroom again.
Harry laughed. Nothing like having the twins around to improve your spirits. "So where are you two off to this morning?"
"Muggle studies. Can we come and ask you and Hermione for help or ideas?"
"Sure but we're not going to do any actual work for you. And Ginny might take to charging you for our "expert" help."
Fred grinned. "She has learned her lessons well. Actually we came to find out how long you're going to be held captive here this time?"
A clearing of a feminine throat caused both Weasleys to turn and apologize to Madame Pomfrey. She just looked at them for a long minute and made them promise not to take anything out of the infirmary. Madame Pomfrey returned to her office but left the door open.
Harry smiled and answered Fred's question. "I hope to get out by suppertime but it's not my say. I wanted to go to classes this morning but Dumbledore said to sit it out here a while longer."
"We definitely have to …"
"…teach you a better attitude…"
".. Harry. Wanting to go to classes?"
Harry laughed a little. "It would be better than here."
Both Fred and George agreed but asked Harry if they could come and see his new 'digs' after supper. Harry nodded his agreement and the twins made ready to leave.
"Oh, we do have something for you. Neville overheard us planning our visit and asked us to pass along his morning's Prophet. He thought you would be as fascinated with the headline as everyone else."
Harry took the paper and waved goodbye to the twins. Hermione and Ginny were still getting settled into the Transfiguration classroom and having a little talk with Professor McGonagall. Harry opened up the paper and immediately apologized to his wives for the language he had just used.
"Hogwarts Express Mechanical Breakdown Delays Students" by Rita Skeeter
The usual carefree trip to northern Scotland by the sons and daughters of magical England was disrupted yesterday by a mysterious breakdown that delayed the regular arrival of the train by about a half hour.
The Ministry's Department of Magical Transportation had no comment on the reason for the delay or the specific problem itself. It was confirmed to this reporter that the whole matter was being investigated. It was also reported that the substitute engineer, a Mr. L Hardy, was being fined 25 galleons for failure to meet the proscribed schedule for the train.
While the Hogwarts Express has been running continuously for well over a hundred and fifty years, this is only the third time in recorded history that the train has been stopped or delayed. The first recorded interruption was the Great Blizzard of 1893 while the second was the result of mountain trolls tearing out a two mile section of the tract during the fall of 1937.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Magic, Senior Undersecretary Delores Umbridge, had this to say about the incident. "It was unfortunate that the children were delayed getting to Hogwarts. Ministry personnel boarded the train and investigated the problem. The train itself was searched to see if the perpetrators of the incident were aboard. Some extreme illusions were cast by pranksters in the confusion of the stop and a few students were treated for hysteria once the Express arrived at Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic was proud and happy to be of service to the parents and children during this minor glitch in the system.
"Minor glitch in the system?" Harry scoffed. "Possible deaths were a minor glitch? I am so writing a letter. Maybe Ginny can tell me how to create a Howler for the Daily Prophet and Senior Undersecretary Numbritches?"
Harry bent back to his note taking as Professor McGonagall greeted her class and began talking about Animagi. It was a particular talent of some wizard's and witches to be able to transform into animals at will. Harry had heard of course of this ability from his readings and talks with Remus but it was still amazing to watch Professor McGonagall to change into a small tabby cat complete with markings on her face that resembled her ever present glasses. She returned to her real form but said the class would be working throughout the year to identify and take the first steps into possibly becoming animagus themselves. She cautioned however that the process was difficult to master and not all wizards or witches could do it. Harry caught a mental comment from Ginny to Hermione that McGonagall seemed to be talking especially toward them. Harry hoped it meant that they were about to undertake something his father and the rest of the Marauders had done while they were at Hogwarts.
Xxxx xxxx
Madame Pomfrey ran yet another diagnostic spell on Harry while Hermione and Ginny were making their way to the Infirmary after Transfiguration class. Not finding anything out of order, Madame Pomfrey gave Harry a grudging release from her care. Harry was in the middle of changing clothes when his wives came into the room. They were followed by most of the entire third year Gryffindor class but Madame Pomfrey halted the group at the door. "Turn yourself around right now. Mr. Potter is being released and you can chat with him during lunch."
Harry was a little bit embarrassed by the cheering that accompanied that announcement but he waved to everyone as they exited the door and said that he would join them shortly.
Madame Pomfrey had some of her usual cautions for Harry before he left. "If you feel the least bit off or weak or dizzy, I would like you to return to the infirmary at once. Although I usually don't give this warning, you seemed to be a little "overcharged" Mr. Potter. Please be careful with your spellwork for a day or two until you are satisfied you have a handle on the amount of power you are dealing with. Other than that, try to stay out of trouble. Ginny, I'll see you Friday afternoon for your afternoon session."
"Thank you Madame Pomfrey." Harry curtsied and Ginny bowed to the mediwitch, who laughed and told them to be on their way. The three Potters talked about their classes of the morning and the infuriating lies in the paper as they walked down to the Great Hall for lunch. A majority of students were eating already and there rose quite a buzz in the room when Harry walked in with Hermione and Ginny.
There came the sound of one person clapping and Harry turned to look at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy was sitting atop his chair and applauding slowly in the direction of the entrance. "Our dear savior has risen from his death bed. Awful convenient of you to make such a dramatic recovery and make a grand entrance. Some things never change I guess."
Professor McGonagall voice rose from the head table. "That's 5 points from Slytherin Mr. Malfoy. Continue your rudeness and we will add some hours of detention to that."
Malfoy threw up his hands in resignation but did climb down from his chair. Harry went and sat at the Gryffindor table with his back toward the other wall. Ginny who sat across from Harry, told him mentally that Draco had winked quickly in their direction.
'Is this some sort of game between the two of you?' Hermione asked.
'No, Draco and Snape want things to be as normal as possible in case there are old or new opponents to worry about. If they came out and changed things, they might become targets themselves. At least Draco thinks so.'
'Are we talking about the Ferraforte brothers then?'
'Maybe. They seem to have that whole pureblood superiority thing going.'
The three Potters quickly got back into discussing Harry's release from the infirmary and the upcoming lesson they were going to receive from "Professor" Hagrid. Harry and his housemates finished their lunch and departed down the hill for Hagrid's hut. The Slytherins had left a minute or two before the Gryffindors and Harry watched them descend the path before them.
"Is it my imagination or are there some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws in that group before us?"
Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zambini had joined their group at the top of the hill. "No, you're correct Harry. It's the Ferraforte brothers."
"But there's only two of them. Where did all the extra witches come from?"
Daphne made a disgusted sound in her throat. "They have been showing up like goblins after galleons. All following those two around and waiting to be noticed and given attention."
"Sounds like a love potion" Hermione said.
"It can't be unless somehow the two are spreading it around in the food and drink of different houses and different class years. It's downright embarrassing how the witches seem be throwing themselves at Cosmo and Lutharius."
"So how did the attractive and lovely Miss Greengrass get excluded from this fan club?"
Daphne laughed and answered. "Cosmo and Lutharius held court right after the sorting feast and went through the entire Slytherin roster of witches – dismissing some as worthy of their attention and some as not being good prospects. I fell into the latter category much to my relief. It's like Lockhart all over again but without the charm. Yecch!"
Harry and the others laughed but it still seemed a bit curious that the two boys had developed a following so quickly. "Any idea of why they wear gloves all the time?"
"Something about not soiling their hands" Blaise said. "I can hardly wait and see what Professor Sprout makes then do in Herbology."
Harry and the others had reached the rest of the people clustered around Hagrid's hut. He came out suddenly from inside but frowned when he saw the total number of students. "This is the first class for the third year Care of Magical Creatures. Anyone who is here by mistake or doesn't belong will be given three hours' worth of detention with Professor Snape. Off with ye now."
Thirteen witches sadly turned around and headed back up the steep pathway to the school. Cosmo and Lutharius seemed depressed about their lack of admirers and waved sadly as the young witches left.
"I hope Mr. Ferrafortes that we won't have any more occasions to have extra people here. That might result in more than a few points lost, if ye catch my drift."
The two brothers seemed shocked that anyone might find something they did even remotely wrong but they did nod.
Hagrid looked around at what seemed to be mostly friendly faces, at least from the Gryffindor side. "Okay, first a couple of general announcements. Unless the weather has gone bad, all the classes will be here or on the school grounds dealing with living beings. We will make a foray or two a little ways into the Forbidden forest to categorize the animals we see. You can lose the robes for the most case, not sense getting 'em all dirtied up. You gentleman can take off those torture devices called ties and you ladies can disperse with the skirts."
Hagrid grimaced a little at the shocked gasps from his students. "My apologies ladies. I shouldn't have said that quite like that. Nerves you know. From this class onward the members of the fairer persuasion should wear your slacks or regular pants. Any questions?"
"Where are we meeting inside during the bad weather" Neville asked.
"That would be the classroom closest to the Great Hall, I suppose. Now come along. I've got a special treat for you today."
Hagrid took off at a brisk pace that had the third years struggling a bit to keep up. Hagrid cut through a corner of the Great Forest and a more than a few nervous students practically ran to catch up with the half-giant. Hagrid went by the stables and Harry and a few others took more than a glance at the Thestrals that were being kept in one of the bigger paddocks. Hagrid continued on to another large corral that was seemingly empty. He waited till everyone had gathered near the fences and the just walked over it to stand in the area.
"Everybody had a chance to look through their textbooks?" Seeing nods from almost everyone, except the Ferrafortes, Hagrid nodded. "Let me go fetch them then, everyone mind staying outside the fence now."
Hagrid opened the gate at the back of the corral and walked straight into the Forbidden Forest. That brought a comment from Ron. "If he brings out something with more than four legs, I'm out of here."
Almost everybody chuckled at that comment but all eyes were firmly fastened on the little path Hagrid had disappeared down. "Maybe he's bringing Dementors back for you Potter."
Ginny and Hermione swung their heads around to glare at Malfoy and in doing so they missed the first sight of the dozen creatures Hagrid led out of the forest on long leather leads.
Harry smiled as he and the girls had already seen a few of these magical creatures at Potter Mansion. A impossible cross between an two other creatures, each hippogriff had the head of an eagle, claws armed with talons, and wings covered with feathers, the rest of its body being that of a horse. There were a variety of different colors in the creatures Hagrid had found and Harry could see that there was a subtle size difference from the mares and the stallions. Hagrid turned the huge creatures loose in the pen and strode over to the edge of the fence.
"Can anyone here tell me and your classmates what they be?" Hagrid nodded at Hermione's hand but instead picked out a hand that was raised from a little off to the side. "Mr. Finnegan?"
"That's a hippogriff sir. They are hardy, intelligent beasts that can be quite predatory. They are known to attack other animals as big as horses but they are also herbivores. They are reported to fly like lightning."
"Very good Mr. Finnegan. Take three points for Gryffindor. Today we are going to meet and greet these magnificent animals and maybe get a few lucky people up for a short ride. Now, who wants to go first?"
Neville, standing just a little behind Harry, stumbled a bit in moving sideways and accidentally pushed Harry forward.
"Ah Harry, thank you for volunteering. You can show the rest how it's done. Come on over here then."
Harry cast a quick look at Neville who was trying to silently apologize. Harry shook his head and figured it was just his usual luck and hoped he wouldn't be seeing Madame Pomfrey again right off the bat.
Hagrid talked to Harry and the rest of the students as they made their way toward one of the biggest stallions. "I'm goin' to be setting you up there with Buckbeak; he's the greyish one over there. Just remembers Harry, hippogriffs are very sensitive and proudful animals. They have a very developed sense of self-worth. If ye treat them with respect, they'll return it to ya in handfuls."
"Now the first thing ye do is bow to him when you get close to him. Don't look him in the eye until after you bow– let him come to you."
Harry bowed nervously to the huge creature and straightened up waiting. Buckbeak raised his head and stared at Harry for a moment and then walked slowly over and stood right in front of Harry. Harry was raising his hand up to touch the animal when Buckbeak did something that even Hagrid had to rub his eyes about. The huge animal spread his wings to their full extension and then bowed to Harry. He stayed like that until Harry actually reached out to touch him; that seemed to give Buckbeak a permission to rise. The eagle head stared into Harry's eyes and then it lowered its head for Harry to rub it. There came a sort of whuffing sound from the big animal and Harry recognized something of the sound that Crookshanks made sometimes when the kneazle was sitting in Hermione's lap.
"Very well done Harry. I think Buckbeak likes ya."
Buckbeak straightened up at Hagrid's voice and flapped his wings once in a powerful down draft. When Harry opened his eyes that had closed to avoid the small dust cloud, he was amazed to see that the hippogriff had spun quickly into a 180 degree turn and was looking at Harry over his shoulder.
"I think he wants you to ride him. Go ahead Harry; climb up behind the wing joints. Don't be grabbing hard on his feathers, they don't like being pulled like that."
Harry risked a quick look at Hermione and Ginny and found them both beaming with pride at him. 'Go for it Jamie.'
Taking a running start, Harry let Hagrid lift him up and over the back of Buckbeak. Harry was barely seated when Buckbeak exploded into a full gallop toward the Forbidden Forest. Harry barely heard the shouts coming from the crowd in back of him as he was trying to watch the ground flying by and the incredibly strong beat of the wings he was sitting in the middle of. Buckbeak was even faster than the thestral he had ridden on his staff quest the previous year.
Grabbing a handful of feathers loosely with each hand, Harry shouted out for joy as Buckbeak launched himself into the sky. The rocking motion between the hoof beats and the movement of the wings wasn't nearly as bad as Harry had anticipated and he could relax and look around. Buckbeak climb higher very quickly and was soon making a lap around Hogwarts itself. Harry could look down and see that Madame Hooch was giving a bunch of first years their initial flying lesson. He thought it would be great to make a pass over the courtyard but he knew that he was only a passenger today, feeling some of Buckbeak's exuberance in flying.
He tried using his knees and legs to put a little pressure on the hippogriff's sides and Buckbeak incredibly turned and headed back toward Hagrid's corral and his classmates. Everyone on the ground – correction almost everyone on the ground, was cheering for the pair and they glided in for the landing. Harry waited until Buckbeak had come to a full stop and folded its wings back down before he hopped off and gave a hug to the hippogriff around its neck.
Hagrid clapped him on the shoulder which almost floored him and then he was being congratulated by all his friends and classmates. Hagrid then turned away to fetch up the next of the herd for some other student to try. Nobody noticed the person that angrily stepped through the fence and approached Buckbeak. Hermione looked around when she heard some Italian being yelled at the winged animal. She pointed and yelled out a warning as everyone watched Lutharius approach Harry's mount.
"Bestia stupido - arco prima di un vero gentiluomo!" ("Stupid beast – bow before a true gentleman.")
Buckbeaks nostrils flared and he stomped a foot in warning. Lutharius kept on approaching the huge creature. Buckbeak screamed out a challenge and rose on his hind legs. Lutharius didn't realize the danger he was in until Buckbeak started pawing the air with his front hoofs and threatening to charge.
Just before Lutharius was certain to be struck by the large hoofs, a red- headed blur tackled the Slytherin in a rolling block and rolled with him under the fence to safety. Hagrid quickly got a steadying hand on Buckbeat's lead and took him away from the side the students were on.
Harry and Ginny were the first to get to the wizards on the grund and tried seperating them. A muffled groan from one had everyone thinking the worst and Ginny was the one to push Lutharius Ferraforte aside so she could examine her brother.
Ron had been struck by Buckbeat in passing. There was blood coming from a cut somewhere on his head but there was also a huge print of a hoof on his shoulder. Ginny and Harry turned him carefully over and Ron clutched his shoulder in obvious pain.
Ginny pulled her wand and made a pass over Ron's shoulder and then grimaced. "It's not broken, thank Merlin, but it is seperated."
Ron was biting his lip in pain. "Can you fix it up Ginny?"
"I can numb it up for you until we get you to Madame Pomfrey and she can do it properly."
"Ginny, how's your brother?" Ginny looked up and saw an almost worried look on Hagrid's face.
"He's got a cut on the head and a bum shoulder that I'm going to take care of now."
"Whew, go ahead. I'm sorry you had to do that Ron."
Ron managed to put a smiler onhis face. "No problem. I can't let Harry go on having all the fun, Professor Hagrid."
'Harry, Hermione – a little help please.'
Hermione and Harry reached out and touched their wife and lent a little bond magic to Ginny's healing efforts. Everyone gasped a litle when Ginny's hands glowed blue momentarily but they saw the look of relief that passed through Ron's face. Ginny removed her hands from Ron's shoulder and looked at him a little curiously. Ron moved his shoulder a little to test it out and then turned from his place on the ground and hugged his sister. "Good as new."
Ginny borrowed a couple of scarfs from two of the girls clustered around them. One to make a sling for Ron's arm and a second to bind the arm tight to his body. "It's just a precaution Ron."
A few of her classmates applauded and Ginny blushed in embarrassment. "It's my job folks. Professor Hagrid, Ron should still go up to the infirmary and have Madame Pomfrey totally check his injury."
Hagrid nodded and gently helped both Ginny and Ron to their feet. "You are excused from the rest of the class Mr. Weasley. Mind you follow the healers instructions and report to Madame Pomfrey immediately. Harry, make sure that he gets there."
Harry nodded and started walking with Ron toward the path upwards. "Oh and Mr. Weasley?"
Ron turned around to look the half-giant. "Yes, Professor Hagrid?"
Hagrid smiled "You're excused from the homework tonight in this class. And take 15 points for Gryffindor bravery."
Ron's face lit up as he relished the acknowledgement and he was about to turn and head up the hill. Harry stopped him though. "You may want to watch the rest of the dialogue Ron."
Both boys stood and watched as Professor Hagrid turned his attention to the instigator of the problem. Hagrid marched over to where Lutharius was still sitting on the ground in shock. "And what do you have to say fopr yourself Mr. Ferraforte?"
"That ruffian assaulted me. I want him punished."
The groans that came from both the gathered Slytherins and Gryffindors did nothing to lessen the look of shock that came to Hagrid's face. He struggled for words for a second and then calmed down. He even helped Mr. Ferraforte up. Gripping him by his collar, Hagrid raised Lutharius up to his eye level. "You may want to retract that statement. And apologize. That ruffian, Ron Weasley, probably just saved your life. So there will be thirty points taken from Slytherin; fifteen for a blantant disregard of a professor's instructions and fifteen for acting in a manner as to endanger a student's life."
Lutharius protested. "You can't do that."
"You're right; I've forgotten something else. Two hours of stable duty, mucking out the stalls on top of the demerits."
That got a round of applause from all the Gryffindors and about half the Slytherins. Hagrid released his hold on Mr. Ferraforte and he fell to the ground.
Professor Hagrid turned back to the rest of his class and clapped his hands. "Okay, who wants to go try next? Let's try it Harry's way and see how we go."
Ron smiled and Harry and he had a great talk on their up the pathway to the school. They found out later that most of the combined class got close enough to touch the Hippogriffs. Four students – Blaise Zambini, Lavender Brown, Tracey Davis and a totally surprised Neville Longbottom – got brief rides on the back of the winged marvels.