disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Okay, school has started again, so I expect working on this will be a little tough, however my hours are short. Anyways, I'm glad to be hearing that so many people are still keeping up. On a note on how the students have been treating Harry, I hoped I hadn't made them seem too mean. In the beginning, they would obviously find him odd and would be a bit scared of him as they've never seen a person with wings before. That's understandable. But that changed after Harry saved Ron and now a majority of them like Harry's wings, even though they may not admit it out loud like Ron and Hermione did. That lack of people finding them cool, may just be silent about it. It hasn't been that long Harry's spent among the students, so day by day they are getting used to him. But it looks like that's coming to an end if Harry gets rid of them. Yes, Harry doesn't seem to have a lot of confidence about himself with those wings and no answer for them. But as Harry felt doubt about them at the end of the last chapter and possibly some here, I don't think it will be a problem later on.
I have big plans for Harry and it starts here.
The Start of a Nightmare
The sky was clear and the air was fresh and warm. It was beautiful and felt wonderful as the wind and heat of the sun caressed his face. He had not a care in the world. He had not a clue how he got here in the first place, but he was happy nonetheless. Harry stretched out his arms before him and as he became more aware, he saw that he was high in the sky. It was no wonder the air felt so good. He was floating--no--flying. He glanced around and saw that he was shirtless. All the better to allow those magnificent wings to help him soar. Gently they went up and down in a smooth, elegant fashion. He was immortal. He was not a wizard. It didn't matter what he was, because what he was now.....was beautiful.
Harry smiled and arched his body so that he would dip down and back up again. The ability to fly was not something he had taken seriously. It was the dream of man and the magic of wizards and witches. They were the same as both man and wizard had to use some sort of device to get in the air, but Harry didn't. His device was built right on him and it was much better this way. Harry's smile widened. He had to be the luckiest kid in the world. He dipped down and swooped back up again, giggling.
To anyone who was watching below, he might have looked liked a giant bird. But he was sure that he was alone, like an angel in his own private heaven. It was wonderful. He could do this all day. Time meant nothing here. The skies were a nice shade of light blue and pink. But then, they started to change.
They were becoming darker. The light of the sun was going away, and the trees that were far below jumped into his line of vision. He was surrounded by growing dead trees. The colors of the sky was turning a sickly green and a fog was taking the place of the clarity. It was growing cold and Harry shivered. He couldn't help a small whimper that escaped his lips as he wrapped his arms around himself for warmth. He had to get out of here. He had to! For there was the feeling that he wasn't so alone anymore.
Then he heard it. A bloodchilling scream or laugh that filled the air. Harry looked around, while maintaining what had become a shaky flight, and saw nothing. Nothing was coming, but something was there, hidden in the shadows. A darkness started to creep around him and the maniacal laughter became louder. The dead trees were getting tall, so tall that Harry's wings scraped against them. Harry was losing control. He spread out his arms in order to catch a grip, but he was plummeting fast. He could not fly in such a confined space, with the trees and their branches poking and scratching him.
A chilly wind picked up and spread the feathers that were losened by the branches. Everything was falling apart. His peaceful day turning to madness. He could see the ground coming up fast. Before he knew it, he was tumbling, head over heels, over feet across a stone-hard ground. His wings spread over his near lifeless body. The laugh started again and he looked around. He could see nothing. Harry quickly got to his feet and started to run. He had to make it to a clearing to get away. He had to.
When Harry turned around to look again, he saw it, bright, blood-red eyes following him, attatched to a black, inhuman shape. Harry, panicked, jumped and raised his wings to take flight. The black figure swooped up as well and was gaining. Harry wanted to cry out for help. He wanted his wand, but he knew he didn't have a wand because he wasn't a wizard. He was here for a reason, but why?
No time for an answer. The dark shape was becoming as big as the sky. Its red eyes staring at Harry and its laugh, all the more insane. Harry turned around just in time to see it's wing-like appendages rise and engulf him.
Harry jumped up with a start. He was breathing fast and his heart was pounding against his ribcage. He looked all around him and was relieved to see that he was in his bed and that the whole ordeal was just a nightmare. In his line of vision, a few feathers drifted down. When he looked behind him, he saw his wings were ruffled as a result of waking in shock and possibly from the way he slept. That was another reason to get rid of the wings. They wouldn't all him to sleep on his back. Though he'd never had an interest in sleeping that way, he felt it was something to mark. Harry would always have to be careful with his wings. Aside from the stresses of growing up, he did not want to add wing care on his mind.
He sighed and pulled his legs over the edge of the bed. He glanced around and was relieved he hadn't woken the others up. It was not yet morning, which meant he had a few more hours of sleep before he'd have to spend the last few hours with his wings. But that wasn't a concern. He was thinking about the dream. It was so vivid and he recalled every detail of it. For that reason alone, Harry couldn't help thinking that there was a reason for it. That it wasn't just some random fantasy brought on by his decision to be completely normal. When he had decided that he wasn't a wizard in the dream, he realized he was actually thinking it. Like it was real. But it couldn't be. It was just a dream. There couldn't be some purpose, but if there was, did it have something to do with that red-eyed creature?
Harry didn't know and didn't want to think about it any longer. Instead, he headed to the bathroom to wash his face in an attempt to wash away the sudden darkness, then climbed back into bed.
The next time Harry woke up, he was hesitant to jump out of bed. He was supposed to be happy. He was going to be a normal looking wizard and would never have to worry about being called "bird-boy" or "Freak" again. Although he wouldn't expect the attention to die down so quickly. People would be talking. If anything, Harry hoped their talk wouldn't consist of insults. But Harry had no idea what they'd be saying after they saw him. He just hoped it wouldn't be much.
Harry sat up in bed and imagined himself, minus the feathers. He didn't know why he was so concerned. He hadn't them that long, they just appeared. But they weren't supposed to be there; he wasn't supposed to be like this. So with that in mind he jumped out of bed, more determined than ever. He pulled out his robes and headed to the bathroom to get ready. The sight of his wings in the mirror created a small moment of hesitation, but he pushed it aside.
Once he stepped out that door and made it to the end of his classes, it would be over. However, the first thing he saw didn't exactly encourage his high spirits.
Ron was standing there with an uncertain look on his face. Harry felt himself following his expression.
"So, this is it?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, this is it," Harry replied, though he wasn't too confident about it now. He looked away as if he were ashamed. When he looked back around he caught Ron looking at his wings. He quickly turned away and appeared to blush.
"Come on, we'd better get ready for class," said Ron. Harry didn't move. He was watching his new friend closely.
"Hang on, you're not disappointed in my decision are you?"
"Who me? No, no I'm.....it's good you're doing this. I mean, whatever you want."
"So, you don't think it's a mistake?"
"No..do you?"
Harry turned away and cast his eyes to the drawer where he kept the feather that would become a souvenir. He hated this feeling of regret, and he hadn't done anything yet. The wings were what separated him--in two ways. Yes he was different and to an observer quite special, but they also ostracized him; at least they did in the beginning. Things weren't like that now though.
Besides that, there was the dream that seemed so real. That alone practically told him that the wings would come in handy, but he wasn't ready to believe it. On top of all that, there was the note from that stranger. He seemed to be letting on that he knew about his strangeness. Did that mean that if he cut his abnormality away, he would not find out who the stranger was?
He wasn't sure. What he was sure on was that Hermione may be of some help. Afterall, she was the first real friend to accept him. Harry gathered his things and walked with Ron down into the common room. Harry took notice of his fellow Griffindors, who had become used to him and were now barely giving him a second, or rather third glance. Saving Ron had been proof to them that he wasn't so strange. What would they say when they learned, by this evening, he would be average?
"Harry?"
He turned around to meet Hermione, who looked just as uncertain as Ron had. She too glanced at his wings, but for a longer amount of time as if to make a memory of them. "So, you've decided? You're really going to...."
"Yeah, yeah I am."
"Oh."
"Don't suppose you'd want to take a crack at flying," Ron tried to joke. "You know, before..."
"Crack at flying?"
"Don't tell me Harry's going to try and fly now? Without a broom?"
Fred and George had walked over after hearing Ron. A few of the other students looked around, interested.
"Get on you twits, I was only joking," Ron explained.
"Joking huh," said George. "It didn't sound like a joke when Lee Thompson told us how Harry spread his wings to catch you in midair."
"Sounds like the starting point of the dream mankind's had for years," said Fred.
"What are you talking about?" asked Harry.
"I'm talking about flying. Funny I never thought about it before," said Fred.
"Me neither," said George. "I suppose I was just waiting for Harry's new room in a birdcage first."
"Hey that's right," said one of the Griffindor boys. "Can you Harry? Can you, fly?"
"Of t see if he could take tcourse he can fly," said Dean. "Didn't you see him that day?"
"We saw him soar, we didn't see him take to the skies," argued a blonde girl.
"That would be cool," said Seamus. "So, can you? Can you really fly?
Harry looked back at the eager faces. Flying? It wasn't as though the thought never passed his mind; it was just a fleeting thought. Nothing to get serious about, because when he thought of it, the idea was humiliating. That was, of course, before he came to Hogwarts and realized that some minds can be changed. That it was possible for people to like him as he was now. They were, and still were getting used to the idea of the wings. That in turn created another dilema. If he got rid of them now, would they also be disappointed? He was joked as being the Griffindor mascot, (though some people claimed it as an insult) but he saved a life and became a hero. Harry wasn't sure their impressions of him would be the same.
So the thought of flying was brought back to his mind. Harry had never tried. He dreamed of it, but he didn't believe he was serious.
"Er...I, well. I never really thought about it," he answered.
"Why not? Weren't you born with those wings?" asked Seamus.
"Don't you remember Harry telling us they just appeared," said another boy.
"But you must have tried, otherwise, how could you soar like that?"
"I didn't plan it, it just happened," Harry said in defense.
"But will you try?"a young brunette seemed to plead. "And when you do, can we watch?"
Harry sighed. It was much too late for them to ask that, though they didn't know it. If only they'd come to their senses about him sooner. "We'll see," he answered and turned away with Ron and Hermione who had been silent the whole time.
When they were out of earshot of the common room, Ron started in on Harry. "They've got a point you know. Why don't you give it a go before you, chop them off?"
"Maybe I don't want to look like a fool," Harry told him heatedly.
"You mean more than you do now?" Ron joked. Harry playfully pushed him away. "But, is it true? I've kinda been afraid to ask it before now. Can you really fly?"
"As far as I know, no. I don't know."
"Why don't you see?" Hermione asked curiously.
Harry stopped in his tracks to class. "What's all this about? Why are you suddenly so interested? As a matter of fact, why are the other Griffindors suddenly asking if I can fly? You told them didn't you?"
"No, we didn't say anything about what you were going to do to them," said Hermione. "Since Ron brought it up, and the others were asking...well, it's curiosity."
"Yeah," Harry said as he walked away from them. "Curiosity to see how stupid I look."
"Oh stop it Harry. Haven't you noticed how different everyones' treating you nowadays?"
"Yeah I do Hermione. Just last night, the Slytherins sent me a muffin basket."
Ron snickered, but Harry was serious. He knew Hermione had a point, and so did people like Dumbledore and Sirius. He shouldn't make it such a big deal, especially now that he had proof people weren't always ignorant of the unusual. But it was still hard on him. He couldn't help feeling dislike for his abnormality. Maybe he was just being a worrisome teenager, but then again, most teenagers didn't go around sprouting wings.
"I think you should listen to Hermione, just this once," said Ron. "We'll skip charms, or maybe potions and go down to the Quidditch field. No one will be there at that time. You could practise flying. And if you're really good, maybe, you'll change your mind."
The smallest smile appeared on his face. He sounded so hopeful, and yet he was the Griffindor most frightened of him. But he did have a point, however small. The idea was tempting. But then again, he wasn't keen on going especially if it caused him to have second thoughts.
"You will not," Hermione demanded. "You can't go skipping class just for that."
"But Harry's about to lose one of the most important,...er, things in his life. He's got to try it now before he gets rid of them."
Hermione considered this before looking back at Harry. "It's your choice right? Dumbledore didn't say you had to do it; get rid of them I mean."
"Yes, it's my choice. And I've made up my mind."
With that, Harry hurried away to charms.
Harry hoped Professor Flitwick would breeze through the lesson. Of course, he didn't. Harry was forced to listen to a lecture that seemed to drag. Concentrating wasn't something he was able to do. He kept glancing at the clock while anticipating and dreading his meeting with Dumbledore.
"? Mr. Potter?"
His wings raised, as did his attention on the professor who had stopped talking about whatever he was saying to focus on him.
"Are you paying attention?"
"Oh, yes sir."
"Then you wouldn't mind showing us how one charms broken objects into their original shape as well as into something else entirely different."
"Er, no I wouldn't, mind?" Harry answered nervously. As usual, all eyes were on him when it was his turn to prove something. He slowly lifted his wand over the provided broken pieces of a vase. His mind was racing. Why didn't he pay more attention to what was happening? He had no clue how to do this. Ron wasn't much help as he watched Harry like his ability to pass this was everything. Hermione watched as if she wished she could help. It was then that he remembered her discussing a spell for this lesson.
"Uh, repairo."
The pieces shook, then floated in the air and repaired themselves into a handsome looking vase.
"Good," the professor complimented. "Now, change it into another shape."
"Another shape,right." That required Harry to break the vase, but by a magic spell he didn't know. "Uh....break-o."
The vase surprisenly trembled. There were gasps that the ridiculous spell had worked, but then it stopped altogether. Harry looked away and stared at the wand.
"Hmm, break-o is it? I suggest you start concentrating harder on the lesson."
"Yes sir."
"Next time, it will be 5 points from Griffindor."
Harry nodded. When Professor Flitwick walked away, Harry gave another look at his wand. It shouldn't have acted like it was going to work if the spell was made up, so just how powerful was this wand? Maybe it isn't the wand, he thought. Maybe, it was me.
After charms came transfiguration. Once again, Harry's head was in the clouds. However this time he was thinking about taking Ron's advice and skipping potions. It would be a great relief not to see Snape and put up with his insults; that went for Draco as well. He would do what the others had suggested. Just go down to the Quidditch field, say the "heck with it" and take off into the air. The only problem was he didn't exactly know how to fly. All he could do was mimic what Hedwig and the other owls did, but he knew it would be much more different if he managed to reach the sky. Harry couldn't help grinning at the thought of it all. And it only grew at the idea of seeing Sirius's face as he descened from the skies, his way of dropping in to say hello. Yes, flying would be nice when you didn't have to use a broom. His hands would be free and he'd feel as free as a bird. Harry's smile widened and he actually chuckled, his wings lifting with his spirits. He was oblivious to the fact that he was surrounded by students and that he was in a classroom. This made the second time that he was called to attention, only this time, it cost him 5 points from Griffindor.
"Looks like your mascot has a bird brain after all," one of the students of Ravenclaw jeered.
Upon the look of his fellow House members, Harry sunk down on the table and made for his wings to cover his head; but of course, he was made to stay exposed.
The wind was gentle and the sun was shining. The wings were extended, the beautiful white feathers glistening in the fell, then raised in a graceful motion. An angelic creature; a wonderful sight that soared over the students in the Great Hall and landed elegantly on the dinner table of the Griffindors. A few students turned, watching closely.
Harry smiled and reached out a hand to stroke Hedwig. He could only imagine being as graceful and as comfortable in the air as she did.
"Almost done Hedwig," said Harry as he turned to finish the letter he was writing.
"Um, Harry, are you sure you want to let your godfather know, like this?" Ron asked as he watched him write. "And why didn't you send it last night?"
"It wouldn't have made a difference. Besides, I have a feeling Dumbledore might have notified him before-hand. It wouldn't give me much time to send word and recieve his reply."
"If so, then why hasn't he answered?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "Don't know." He paused to really consider what she was saying. With the sudden news that he could be fixed, he hadn't once thought of informing Sirius. He supposed he was just overwhelmed with excitement. But as tonight was the night, he would have to know about it sooner or later. Of course he could wait and see if it really worked, but as he was to inform Sirius of what was happening at school, he decided he shouldn't. Harry's thoughts drifted to the daydream of dropping in on Sirius from the skies.
"So much for dreams."
"huh?" Ron questioned.
"Oh, nothing."
Hermione frowned and bit her lip. "Listen Harry." He turned and looked at her. Never had he seen her look so worried and so serious. "Don't do this, just for the sake of what others think. I know some still think your a bit, odd, but that doesn't matter. Your friends accept you, your family, the staff."
"That's not, it's not like that Hermione. I know they accept me, here, but what about out there? We won't be in Hogwarts forever, so what do you think is going to happen once we leave the castle?"
Hermione was at a loss for what to say.
"It's funny I haven't thought about that part much," Harry admitted. "I've only been thinking about the other students. But, with Sirius in mind, I realized my life will never be the same when I travel outside these walls. I'll either have to stay hidden for the rest of my life or be gawked at and called a freak in the Daily Prophet. Or someone might stick a price tag on my head and try to capture or kill me."
"Harry I think you're underestimating the public, just like you did here," Hermione reasoned.
"You know it can happen Hermione. The world has a history of discrimination and the ugly results of it. Besides that, have you forgotten about Voldemort?"
"What's Voldemort have to do with this?" Ron asked.
Harry paused. He had never told them what he did to his parents. For the briefest second, a flash of the nightmare came to his mind.
"N-nothing, it's just that, I'd gain too much attraction. I don't want that. I don't want to be special and popular," He paused and glanced around at the few students who always took to watching him, like he was a celebrity. Those that heard what he said averted their eyes. "I just want to be normal; like everyone else. What's wrong with that?"
Hermione seemed disappointed, which was starting to make Harry feel the same way about his decision.
"There's nothing wrong with that Harry. I just, I just hoped you wouldn't think it was better to be the same than, unique. Or, well in this case, yourself."
"This isn't myself Hermione," Harry argued."These aren't myself!" He jumped up and stretched out his wings to prove his point. A majority of the hall was now looking his way. Even a few of the teachers looked around.
"Harry, you don't know that. You don't even know why it's happened to you and now you're just going to write them off, without finding out why they're here?"
Harry glared. Why was everyone trying to change his mind? And Hermione; he couldn't understand why she couldn't see it. He could, however, see how much she cared about him. How much she wanted him to think about what he was doing and make the right choice. His gaze softened and he was suddenly feeling very appreciative for her company. He was also feeling doubt again. Out of Ron and Dumbledore, who tried to get him to reconsider, Hermione was the most successful.
Harry sighed from a loss at what to do now. His morning positivity quickly fading away.
As soon as lunch was over, it was time for potions. By now Harry had proof that Dumbledore might have spread word as Snape was on him more than usual. Harry ended up being the first person he called everytime to answer a question. Of course Harry was unprepared and Griffindor lost points for it. That also earned him some snide remark from Snape about his condition.
"Potter, an untrained parrot would know the answer."
This in turn allowed the Slytherins to have a go as well, without points being taken away. Harry wasn't free to daydream here, or worry about this evening. However he was sure if there was one thing that wouldn't change after the wings were gone, it was Snape's treatment of him. That also included the Slytherins.
Evening came quickly; perhaps too quickly. Harry recieved a summons to head to Dumbledore's office. Ron and Hermione offered to go with him or at least escort him, but Harry refused. He had a feeling they were going to try and talk him out of it again, but this time his mind was made up. As soon as he stepped through the other side of the portrait, a great feeling of nervousness consumed him.
"Better fly on dear. Don't want to keep the Headmaster waiting."
Harry turned, frowning at the portrait of the Fat Lady who was looking at him curiously. "No," he answered. "I don't." He started down the stairs, taking as much time as he needed. Along the way to the office, as though he were barely aware he was doing it, Harry little by little raised his wings. He turned down the hall, his wings starting to spread and his head held up. The wind from his walking ruffled through his feathers. It was good. It felt right in a way. But it wasn't supposed to.
But the time Harry made it to the professor's door, the nervousness turned to dread. His wings fell back where they were, flat against his back. This was it.
"Please come in Harry," Dumbledore announced from within. Harry dropped the hand he was about to use to knock. He released the breath he was holding and entered the office.
Though Harry was told that Dumbledore would arrange for a few teachers to witness his change, he didn't expect to walk into an office of many who were strangers. Professors Snape, McGonagall, and Flitwick were there next to many unrecognizable faces, except for one in particular. Sirius stood in the middle of them, smiling back at Harry.
"Sirius!" Harry cried as he ran forward and fell into his godfather's embrace. It felt good. It was a comfort from all he had been through since he left him for the next magical experience at Hogwarts. Harry held onto him as if his life depended on it. The weight he felt long ago from being seen as a freak was brought to the surface. He felt he could break down right then and there if not for the audience watching him.
"I've missed you so much Harry."
"I missed you too."
"I hope things haven't been too bad here," Sirius asked.
"I think things have gotten a little better," Harry answered. "Did you come just to watch me, you know, or did you come to try and talk me out of it."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because Ron and Hermione were trying to get me to rethink it."
"Whether you have or not, I hope you did take some time to think about this," Dumbledore interrupted as he stood and came forward. "I realize we are a little packed for room, but I did think it best to not only have most of my staff here, but a few members of the Order of the Phoenix. They to have been working with me to find an explaination for your situation."
"Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes. Surely Sirius talked to you about it?"
Harry nodded. Sirius did mention Dumbledore having an organization that deal with the serious matters of the wizarding world. In this case, it followed the situations of Voldemort. Sirius was apart of it as well, but due to the tragedy that befell his parents, Sirius was unable to focus logically on his tasks. Besides that, he had also been an auror on the verge of losing his position.
"I'm still a member Harry, but I'm mostly here to support you. I haven't been told on anything they may have found out."
"We haven't found much, but after tonight, I suppose there's no reason," said a young woman with spiky pink hair.
"I think introductions are in order," Dumbledore announced. "Harry, this is Nymphadora Tonks. She's become quite helpful in gathering possible sources for information. Next is Alastor Moody."
A shady looking wizard with a scarred face and a false eye held in place with an eye patch, stomped forward on a wooden leg and took his hand. He paused half way and moved his eyes from his face to his wings. He studied them under a careful eye, making Harry feel extremely akward.
"Bit of dark magic could be the reason for those, eh Potter?"
"Er..."
"Never seen anything quite like it."
Harry understood he was part of the group of people willing to help, but to him, Alastor sounded more like he wanted to study him in a lab.
"Kinsley Shacklebolt," Dumbledore announced as a tall, bald black wizard stepped forward.
"Nice to meet you Harry."
"You too."
"And, I believe you know our last member, though you might not have seen him in a while."
Harry turned to the last member yet to be introduced; a peaky looking wizard hesitated before coming forward. He wore shabby looking robes and appeared so worn out that Harry thought he might fall over.
"Harry," he said in a tired voice. "It's good to see you again."
"You too, Remus."
Remus Lupin had been in and out of his life when he was younger, before he moved away from London. Every now and then he'd send an owl. Last Harry heard, he was working in the office of some muggle company.
"I'm afraid I've only recently heard word of your predicament from Sirius. Posts usually takes longer to reach the states. I got away as soon as I could."
"So you're still working with muggles?" Harry asked curiously.
"For the time being, but I'm thinking of moving back here and working as a professor of the Dark Arts for Dumbledore."
"That would be great."
It would do good for Remus to stay in London, especially for Sirius's sake. Harry couldn't help worrying about his godfather being alone.
"Well now, I believe you know the rest," said Dumbledore, gesturing to his staff. "And now that introductions are done, I believe we can move on to why you're here. Unless of course you've changed your mind."
"No, no I don't think so sir."
"Don't think you cannot back out because it would be an inconveneince to us. I want you to be certain."
"That's right Harry," said Sirius as he placed his hands on his shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. "Whatever you decide, it's alright with me; wings or no wings. It's just..." He paused as he gave Harry's wings another glance. "I don't want you to feel you have to do this because of the other students, or that you think this is what I want or how it should be. Looks don't matter to me. You've made it this far."
"Yeah," said Harry, feeling as if his throat was going dry. "And I want to keep on going far, but without them. I appreciate you and everyone telling me to reconsider this, but, I'm sure about this."
Sirius smiled and nodded, though Harry didn't feel the emotion was genuine. He himself didn't feel his own confidence was true. "Alright," Sirius answered.
Sirius stepped back and Dumbledore came forward, carrying a violet cloth with a small vial of a clear potion wrapped inside. Dumbledore offered it and after a few minutes of hesitation, Harry took it. Here it was, the answer to his problem; or rather the solution. He never did find out why this happened to him in the first place. Dumbledore was watching him closely as if he knew exactly what was on his mind.
"I suppose this marks the end of our search for answers. But if you're still interested to know why this happened, the Order, along with myself would be happy to continue looking."
Harry shook his head while still staring at the vial. "Not sure there would be any point to it if I don't intend to stay this way."
"Fair enough."
But Harry didn't drink. He was aware of everyone's eyes on him and after announcing his decision, he seemed unable to go through with it. The wings sagged and Harry didn't know if it was because he was feeling guilt or that he knew he would miss them. He thought back to what Ron and Hermione had said and to what Sirius had said just now. The decision had nothing to do with the way students were treating him. How could it when so many of them had changed their minds about him? Though he told Hermione he should also consider the public's reactions; that alone seemed to play an important reason for his actions, but he wouldn't do it because the public wanted normalcy. He simply did not want the attention. And he wasn't doing this to please his friends. They were on his side no matter what. So then he had to be doing this for himself. That's what mattered. That he was happy.
So with no more lingering thoughts, Harry threw back his head and downed the potion. The pure silence of the room added to the tension.
Once Harry was done, he quickly handed the now empty vial to the headmaster and waited. No one spoke. Harry concentrated on the slightest feeling that the potion was working. His audience gasped as Harry raised his wings, which had nothing to do with the potion.
"Are you alright?" asked Sirius. "Is it working?"
"I don't feel anything, yet," Harry replied as the weight of frustration and disappointment settled upon him. Not so much as a tingle or any sign of a pain marked the potion taking affect. He had put so much hope into this working only to find the efforts of Dumbledore and the order was for nothing.
"Perhaps there wasn't enough abyssinian in the mixture," Snape advised.
"We could not be certain," Dumbledore warned. "Too much could be disastorous as we still do not have a clear idea of what has occured."
A few more minutes went by until it was decided. The potion did not work. No one said anything. They didn't feel one way or the other, except for Harry. He was standing quite still.
"Harry, are you alright?"
He didn't respond.
"I don't think it's.."
"It has too Sirius. It has to work."
"Harry, it wasn't 100 percent that this was the cure. It was only a possibility."
"Maybe next time."
Harry wasn't ready to agree, even though he knew they were right. Dumbledore sighed and turned to place the empty vial on his desk.
"I'm very sorry Harry, but perhaps it is for the best..."
"Wait," Harry cried suddenly. "I, I think I feel something."
There was a tingle. The smallest of tingles vibrating along his shoulderblades and down to the tips of his wings. Harry raised his wings as a feeling of warmth started to flow through him. This was it. It had worked. He only needed to wait and now he would be rid of his problem for good. Harry turned to his godfather, pleased. But then his emotions changed. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
A pain started up, but it was unlike the pain he felt when the wings were born. Instead of a firey pain, the warmth changed to ice. There was another feeling of somebody pulling at the wings; the only problem was that the wings weren't going anywhere. They fluttered uncontrollably as Harry's hands suddenly went to his throat. He was starting to suffocate.
"Harry! What's wrong! What's the matter with him!" Sirius cried.
"Harry!"
But he could not respond to the cries of fear. The icy pain was now coating his throat and traveling up to his head. In an instant the room was spinning.
"S-sirius," he cried weakly as he lost his balance and stumbled toward him.
"Harry! Harry hang on!" Sirius shouted. "Snape you snake, do something!"
But it was too late. Harry fell into his godfather's arms. His face blurry in his eyes and the room darkening. The pulling effect on his wings intensified to a harsh ripping. Something was ripping them away painfully. The coldness increased and numbed his brain.
The last thing he saw before blackness took over was a single feather floating through the air over Sirius's head.
Oh no! Harry! Hopefully he will be okay by the next chapter.
Anyways, I don't know if this seemed to be a long chapter, but it was definately long for me. What would have made it longer was having Harry actually take Ron's advice and practise flying. I had thought about that scene since this was supposedly the last time we saw those wings. But I never had Harry actually fly. I had him going to the field then deciding not to try it at all. So with that, it was cut. Harry was, afterall going on and on about wanting to get rid of his wings and a flying scene here would delay the final scene at the end. Besides that, Harry doesn't know how to fly. In this case, it needs to be a learning experience and not just a quick ride.
But there's still hope! Yes he took the potion, but he was feeling doubt. I have a strong feeling it may change.
I found myself adding more and more but to sum it up, Harry took the potion, but we don't know if it worked or not. Hmm, maybe the floating feather at the end gives a clue.
On another note, I didn't realize there were other Harry potter with wings stories. I searched for it once, but I guess I never looked into them long enough to see. The ones I ran across didn't have the wings concept as the main plot situation. It involved a whole lot more.
Anyways, next chapter there's a lot to come, along with a special visitor.
So keep reading and reviewing.