"And you're sure about this?" Harry asked for the hundredth time.
Jericho sighed "for the millionth time, YES!" he yelled causing Hermione to giggle and Sirius to laugh openly.
They were stood atop a large cliff a few miles away from Hogwarts; Dumbledore had brought them to it when Jericho had explained what they needed to teach Harry to fly. Harry was currently stood near the edge of the cliff with no shirt on and a nervous expression on his face.
"Well excuse me if I'm a little nervous about diving off a cliff!" countered Harry.
"Look if you don't get it by the time you're a few feet off the ground I'll catch you, ok?" said Jericho.
"A few feet!" shouted Harry going pale.
Jericho just grinned and pushed Harry forwards to the very edge of the cliff "OK, in your own time." Said Jericho quietly "Just remember that you've done it before, so you can do it you've proved that"
"You CAN do it Harry" called Hermione.
"Makes us proud" grinned Sirius.
In truth the two were extremely scared for Harry but didn't want to freak him out any more than he was.
Jericho took a few steps back from Harry and stood in stance that suggested he was ready to spring into action.
Harry took a deep breath and readied himself, he tried not to look down and instead kept his eyes fixed on the distant horizon trying to convince himself that he was going to reach it using his very own wings.
No one spoke and all that could be heard was a slight breath of wind as everyone stared at Harry's poised form.
Just as Harry bent his knees to leap from the cliff edge a loud POP sounded causing everyone to jump in fright as someone apparated next Sirius.
"Ah hello, did I miss it?" asked Dumbledore politely looking around.
Harry knelt down on one knee and rubbed his eyes as he tried to stop his body from shaking.
"N-no professor" replied Hermione shakily.
"Ah, excellent" smiled Dumbledore turning to Harry "good luck my boy" he called.
Harry nodded and stood up and turned back to face the horizon, he closed his eyes and steadied himself for a second taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes and let it out in a low whistle.
Harry locked his eyes on the horizon once more and then dove off the cliff.
He felt the air rush past him as he spread his arms wide and began to fall as he willed his powers to work and give him wings.
He fell faster and faster as he willed his wings into existence and the closer the ground got the more frustrated he felt, he could do this, he'd done it before.
When he was about fifty foot away from the ground Harry left out a frustrated snarl and felt something emerge from two points on his shoulder blades, feeling he had done it Harry tried to flap his wings but rather than seeing them beat the air either side of him and have his descent slowed nothing happened.
Beginning to panic Harry started to flail in the air desperately trying to slow his fall towards the rapidly approaching ground.
When he was a few feet from the ground Harry let out a frightened yell and closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact but then felt two arms wrap around his waist and then his vision was filled with fire and then he was on solid ground.
Jericho let go off Harry and rolled to the side and lay on his back looking over at Harry "you ok?" he asked.
Harry was breathing heavily on all fours and glanced at Jericho and nodded.
"Harry, are you ok?" asked a frantic Hermione as she raced towards the two alongside Sirius, Dumbledore was taking long strides in their direction but seemed unworried.
Harry sat up on his knees and groaned in frustration as Hermione skidded next to him and wrapped him in a bone crushing hug.
"I'm ok, honestly" chuckled Harry returning the hug.
Sirius reached the two teenagers and watched their exchange in amusement before something caught his eye on Harry's back. Looking closer he threw his head back and roared with laughter.
Harry and Hermione broke apart and looked at Sirius in confusion as he bent double with laughter and pointed at Harry's back.
Harry tried looking over his shoulder but couldn't see anything so looked at Hermione in question.
Hermione was staring at Harry's back and her face was going steadily pinker until she let loose a fit of giggles.
Getting embarrassed Harry grumpily asked "What?"
Dumbledore who was stood with an amused smile on his face extracted his wand and conjured a large mirror behind harry who looked over his shoulder and saw protruding from his back two tiny wings that as he was staring at them fluttered slightly causing Sirius to laugh harder and Hermione to exclaim "They're so cute!"
Harry's face went beet red and he spun to face the cliff edge with a resolute look on his face.
He set off at a sprint towards the cliff edge and ignoring the shouts from Hermione and Sirius dove off the edge into the air.
Hermione sat on the ground where Harry had left her and watched as her boyfriend dove from the edge off the cliff and fell out of sight. Shock kept her where she was as Jericho set off running towards the cliff edge too but before he'd even taken five steps a shadowy figure erupted into the air supported by two large spiny black wings.
Harry rose higher and higher as he beat the air with his new wings, he eventually decided to head back to the ground so he banked right and flipped round and began to hover in mid-air as he looked down at the four figures that were watching him, one waved at him with both arms and he waved back before he began to dive.
The ground came rushing to meet him once again but this time he found he wasn't afraid and a smile found its way onto his lips. Five feet off the ground Harry beat the air with a powerful stroke from his wings causing him to temporarily stop in mid-air for a second before he shrunk his wings back into his body and dropped down on the hard earth.
He was immediately tackled by Hermione who hugged the life out of him as she told him how proud she was of him and to never ever do something like that again.
Harry laughed and hugged Hermione back and picked her up and spun her around.
"Well done Harry!" called Sirius who was laughing again.
"Indeed, very impressive I must say" beamed Dumbledore.
"It's about time" smirked Jericho.
Harry grinned at them all before he soundly kissed Hermione on the lips suddenly oblivious to the three men stood watching. He didn't care, at the moment he felt like he was still flying.
Having finally learnt how to fly Harry had spent the rest of the day flying around getting used to his new wings and how they worked. The next day was a Sunday so Harry woke early and decided to go for a morning fly simply because he had dreamt about doing so all night and felt a thrill of exhilaration that he actually could go out and re-enact his dream.
He reached the entrance hall and quickly peered inside the great hall just to check Hermione wasn't there. He scanned the Gryffindor table and saw no sign of his girlfriend so he turned to head outside.
Ginny was sat at the end of the Gryffindor table nearest the doors, she was chatting with some friends but broke off abruptly when she saw Harry stick his head just inside the doors and look in her direction, he didn't stay long however and quickly withdrew his head but not before Ginny had jumped up out of her seat. This was the chance she'd been waiting for.
She jogged out into the entrance hall and saw Harry crossing it towards the massive double doors leading outside. Steeling herself she quickly called out to him to wait.
Harry spun around and saw the red headed girl hurrying towards him.
"Morning Ginny" Harry said "What's up?
"Morning" replied Ginny "nothing is, I just wondered if I could talk to you?" she said trying her best to make her eyes as big as possible.
"Err…sure" said Harry scratching the back of his head.
Ginny smiled her sweetest smile and led Harry off to a corner of the hall. She turned to face him and found him looking curiously at her. This made her smile.
"I just wanted to say I'm glad your back" said Ginny smiling at him again.
"Oh…thanks…um" Harry muttered. Ginny's smile was unnerving him a little, it was almost predatory.
Ginny's smile widened her next words came out "Some people said you weren't going to come back, but I knew you'd never leave me" She almost whispered these last words.
"Yeah well…thanks…um I wouldn't turn my back on you…your like my little sister" Harry smiled awkwardly. Something was very wrong with Ginny this morning.
Ginny's eyes had bugged out a little at Harry's words but she quickly recovered herself.
"I'm not so little anymore you know Harry" Ginny purred playfully as she pushed her chest out towards Harry who was now really nervous.
"Um…no I guess not" Harry gulped and looked away from Ginny who was now doing her best to get him to look down her very loose fitting shirt.
Harry had now realised what was wrong with Ginny and he didn't know what to do, so he did the only thing he could think of.
"I have to get going now Ginny, see you later" Harry quickly stuttered and then pretty much sprinted across the hall and out of the front doors.
Ginny was temporarily stunned by Harry's quick exit but she quickly recovered and chased after Harry out the front doors, but instead of seeing him on the stone steps or crossing the lawn he was nowhere to be seen. She looked all around the grounds carefully from her vantage point at the top of the steps but saw no one. She even looked up when she heard something that sounded like wings but it was only and owl returning to the owlery.
Ginny huffed and went back inside, why couldn't boys just admit their feelings? She thought annoyed. Oh well she'd see him again later, and then she'd make she sure that Harry saw her as a woman, not a little sister.
Meanwhile up on the roof of the entrance hall, Harry was lying on his back and staring at the clouds in the sky. That had been terrifying he thought. He knew Ginny had a crush on him but he never expected her to be so forward, it had scared his brain into shut down. He knew he'd have to tell Ginny that he didn't like her like that and about him and Hermione but he had no idea how to do so. It was at this moment that he felt a surge of pride and relief that he was dating the smartest witch of their age.
A few hours later Harry entered the library to find Hermione and Neville studying in the corner. He went over to them and gave Hermione a hug from behind that made her give a squeak of surprise.
"Don't do that" she berated him but kissed his cheek none the less.
"Hey Harry" said Neville "where were you this morning?"
"I was uh…flying" Harry responded with a grin towards Hermione who smiled back.
"Oh ok" said Neville "I can't see how you find being on a broom fun, it terrifies me"
Harry looked at Neville and cocked his head slightly "How come?" he asked.
Neville looked up from the book he was reading and looked at Harry in confusion.
"Well uh… because I could fall" he stated as if it were obvious.
"Ah well if that's all then don't think about it" Harry grinned "You've just got to remember that you're in control of the broom, so you do what you want to do. And if you don't want to crash then don't crash"
Neville looked at Harry in amazement as he turned to talk to Hermione. He was going to say that it wasn't that simple but now that he thought about it, it sort of was. No one said he had to go fast and if he didn't go too fast then he wouldn't crash!
A large smile suddenly graced Neville's face as a strange warm feeling bubbled up inside him.
"Um…Harry?" Neville began.
"Hmm?" replied Harry.
"Would it be ok if I leant your…your Firebolt?" asked Neville looking at the desk.
Harry exchanged a look with Hermione who looked just as surprised as him.
"Yeah sure Nev" said Harry "Why though?"
Neville took a moment before answering "I don't know, I've just got this feeling that if I tried right now I'd be able to fly, without crashing. I don't know why I just do…"
Harry smiled and told Neville to get it whenever he wanted from his trunk. Neville thanked him profusely and hurried off looking excited and terrified at the same time.
Harry watched him go with amazement then turned to Hermione.
"I'm glad he's gone actually, there's something I need to talk to you about Mione"
"What is it?" asked Hermione setting down her quill.
"Well earlier when I was on my way outside to go flying, Ginny stopped me" explained Harry.
Hermione gave a small sigh, she had been expecting Ginny to do something ever since Harry had come back.
"Go on, what happened?" Hermione pressed.
Harry took a breath and explained how Ginny had basically thrown herself at him in the entrance hall.
"What should I do Mione?" Harry asked now very red.
Hermione was smiling in amusement at Harry's obvious discomfort; she leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips.
"Nothing, eventually she'll hear about us and leave you alone" Hermione said, although she was exactly convinced about the leaving alone part "and if she finds you before then just explain politely that we're seeing each other"
Harry gaped at how simple she made it sound and nodded.
Neville was carefully carrying Harry's broom towards the quidditch pitch trying to decide what had made him do this.
The feeling from before had gone and now he just felt scared and embarrassed but he knew that he'd feel even more embarrassed if he saw Harry later and had to tell him he'd chickened out.
So Neville finally got outside and marched determinedly towards the quidditch pitch trying to not show any fear. He eventually made it on the well-kept grass of the pitch and trying to ignore the nerves that were causing his body to shake mounted the Firebolt and kicked off hard.
He zoomed upwards clinging tightly to the broomstick unable to turn or decelerate due to fear, he cleared the top of the stands when Harry's voice echoed in his mind. Do what you want to do.
Mastering himself for a second Neville pulled up sharply and turned back towards the ground and shot at it at full speed. Neville let out a whoop of joy as he realised he wasn't afraid so deciding to correct his earlier fault he turned once again and shot towards the sky, this time of his own violation.
Neville grinned at the sun as he pulled the broom upwards in order to stop and hover but in his excitement he pulled up to harshly and he felt the broom flip over and startled by this he let go off the broom over seventy feet off the ground.
Neville began to fall towards the ground but he let out no scream of fear or tried to save himself. He felt numb from the injustice of it all, he had finally done something properly, done something to be proud off and he'd managed to mess it all up by being, ironically enough, overconfident.
Neville fell with his back to the ground staring up at clouds as the air rushed past him, as he past the top of the quidditch stands again he closed his eyes and waited, resigned to his fate.
Oddly enough he felt no fear and his mind was oddly clear. Suddenly he felt something clench on his back and he felt his descent stop at the same time he swore he heard the shrieking cry of some kind of bird. Before he had chance to process this or even open his eyes he felt his feet lightly touch the ground and the clenching on his back lifted.
Neville stood for a second with his eyes still closed trying to work out what had just happened. He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see a man stood in front of him wearing a mysterious smile.
"That was impressive" said the man "Maybe you should practice abit before trying it again though eh?" the man chuckled at the look on Neville's face.
Neville stared at the strange man; he had shoulder length black hair that had a blue streak in it. And he was wearing muggle clothes, a white shirt and dark trousers and boots.
"I'm Jericho" said the man holding out his hand "you are?"
"Neville" murmured Neville in response as he took the strangers hand.
"Ah Neville Longbottom?" asked Jericho interested.
Neville nodded and opened his mouth to ask how he knew his last name but Jericho beat him to it.
"Harry's told me a bit about you" Jericho said with a grin.
Neville just stared at the man, he knew Harry? And Harry had spoken about him to this man? Why?
"Anyway I'll see you around" said Jericho turning to leave.
It took a moment for Neville to register this and he called across to the man "Thanks for saving me"
Jericho turned to look at Neville with a searching gaze before he just smirked and walked away.
Neville turned to find Harry's Firebolt but suddenly noticed a glint of gold near his feet, he stooped down and picked up a feather, a golden feather that looked as if it belong to a very large bird.
Confused Neville pocketed the feather; he felt a need to keep it for some reason. He marched across the pitch to where Harry's Firebolt had landed still trying to piece together what had just happened and praying that Harry's broom hadn't been damaged.
Harry and Hermione had enjoyed their time alone for the afternoon. Not that they minded Neville's company it was just nice to be a alone as a couple for a few hours.
The had stayed in the library for a while before going down to lunch and then they had walked hand in hand around the castle just chatting and joking.
The two had just decided to go find Neville and see how he had got on flying on Harry's broom when three very unwelcome people entered the corridor from the opposite end.
Malfoy and his pet gorillas Crabbe and Goyle had had a good time at Hogwarts so far this year. Without Potter around to challenge Draco at every turn people had been showing Draco the respect he deserved and he couldn't have been happier about it. Now that Potter had returned he was going to let that new found respect fall from his grasp.
When Malfoy saw Harry and Hermione walking towards him his face split into his patented smirk and he marched forward and block the corridor for the young couple.
"Ahh Potter" drawled Malfoy "So good of you to show your ugly face again"
Crabbe and Goyle grunted in amusement at this but Harry just sighed and kept walking holding Hermione close to him.
When the two got close to roadblock that was mostly Crabbe and Goyle Harry just quietly asked them to move.
Crabbe who was closest to Harry looked around in confusion at Malfoy not sure what to do.
"Don't ignore me Potter!" spat Malfoy.
"Look, please just move" said Harry just as quietly "I can't be bothered dealing with you anymore"
Malfoy's face contorted with rage "How dare you just brush me aside, I am a Malfoy! Show your proper respect!" shouted Draco.
"Respect is earned Malfoy, please move" Harry said, pulling Hermione into him a little more. Although she wasn't sure Hermione suspected he was moving her out of harm's way.
Malfoy plunged his hand into his robes and whipped out his wand and pointed it at Harry's face, but before he could even think of a spell to use Harry's hand darted forward and snatched the wand from his own hand.
Malfoy gaped at Harry who just looked back untroubled. Harry twirled the wand between his fingers before throwing it over his shoulder where it clattered to the floor a few metres down the corridor and rolled away.
"How dare you! Get him" Malfoy shrieked at Crabbe and Goyle who hastened to obey and stumbled forward drawing back their massive fists.
Harry pushed Hermione behind him just as Crabbe swung at him, Harry caught the ham like fist before it came close to hitting him and then pulled Crabbe forward right into the path of Goyle who's fist connected with the side of Crabbe's head sending him falling to the floor. Goyle looked on at what he'd just done in confusion before Harry's own fist came out of nowhere and socked him hard on the nose, not used to people hitting back and the speed of the punch Goyle fell backwards onto the floor clutching his nose.
Malfoy watched his bodyguards fall and decided to go retrieve his wand, but just as he set off down the corridor Hermione stuck out her leg and sent him sprawling to the floor.
Harry smirked at his Girlfriends antics as he pulled out his wand and stunned Crabbe and Goyle before they got back up.
"How dare you!" screamed Malfoy at Hermione "You filthy mudblood!"
Harry was in front of Hermione in seconds and knelt down next to Malfoy pointing his wand threateningly between the blonde boy's eyes.
"Do not insult her again" Harry breathed "You WILL regret it"
Before Malfoy could scream out another word Harry had stunned him. Harry got to his feet and stowed his wand away then took Hermione's hand and set off down the corridor again.
Hermione allowed herself to be led away but she glanced back at the three unconscious boys.
"That was…impressive" she said matter-of-factly a few minutes afterwards.
"Not really, Malfoy and his goons aren't really a problem anymore" replied Harry unconcerned.
Hermione went silent again for a few minutes as she contemplated just how much Harry was taught during his training, but she eventually put it from her mind.
She stopped walking and pulled Harry towards her who looked at her in question.
"Thank you for defending me" she said as she pulled him in for a reward.
After said reward which left the two slightly out of breath Harry replied.
"Your very welcome" he said with a wry grin.
Draco Malfoy woke up half an hour later when a prefect happened to find him and his two lackeys sprawled out in the corridor. Other students had passed them but hadn't wanted to disturb them, especially after Fred and George had come along and rearrange the three Slytherins into rather compromising positions.
Suffice to say Draco wasn't happy, he had woke up with his arm and leg wrapped around Goyle and he knew exactly who to blame, Harry Potter.
"You'll pay Potter" he hissed to himself as the aforementioned Prefect reminded the three about appropriate behaviour in the corridors "I swear you'll pay"
Harry and Hermione had eventually found Neville down at dinner, he was rather tight lipped about his broom ride but said that it had been interesting. Not wanting to press him Hermione changed the subject.
"I was just thinking, who do you suppose will be taking Defence against the Dark Arts now?" she asked while looking up at the head table looking for a new face.
Harry shrugged "Maybe Snape'll do it for a while like he when he took over for Lupin n third year" he commented.
Neville went pale at this and Hermione cocked her head in thoughtfulness.
"Maybe" she said "Guess we'll find out tomorrow"
When tomorrow came there was much discussion on the subject of the new Professor, but no one had any real idea who it might be.
Eventually the bell rung to signal the fifth year Gryffindors that it was time for Defence against the Dark Arts.
Harry and Hermione arrived hand in hand which cause a slight stir to those that hadn't already been informed of the new relationship between the two.
"Oooh are you two dating now?" asked a very interested Lavender Brown.
The two nodded slightly uncomfortable, they didn't mind people knowing about them they just knew how much Lavender liked to gossip.
Everyone took their seats and waited. After ten minutes people began to chat and Neville began to relax a little, he knew Snape wouldn't be this late to class.
Suddenly there was a loud crash as the classroom door was blown off its hinges and a volley of spells was sent flying into the students midst.
Several people screamed and dove under their desks others that were sat at the back of the room weren't quick enough on the uptake and were hit and fell to the floor.
The moment the door had been blasted Harry had leapt to his feet and withdrawn his wand and cast several shields over himself and his classmates before firing several stunners into the dust and debris surrounding the door.
The spells stopped flying and there was silence for a second before someone started clapping. The students looked on in utter confusion as a man stepped into the room over the battered remains of the door applauding.
He was smiling an amused smile and his shoulder length black hair was brushed back away from his face rather than in the messy style Harry was used to seeing it in, you could still see the blue streak regardless however.
Several students began to draw their wands; others were still too shocked to move. Neville was wearing a mixed expression of fear, confusion and recognition.
Hermione was looking confused but unafraid and Harry had lowered his wand and was grinning.
"Hello everyone" said the man "I'm Professor Ignis, and to quote your previous Professor: Constant Vigilance!"
Several students fainted.
Authors Note
Hello everyone. Another update, rest assured I will not abandon this story. Real life just keeps getting in the way more than I'd like it to.
Glad everyone's enjoying the story, hope you continue to do so. Keep reviewing, and to everyone that hasn't reviewed yet please do! It keeps me writing and it only takes two minutes