Heights and Harry
"This is crazy, Harry," says Ginny mildly as we slink through the hallways, trying not to be noticed by Mrs. Norris or any of the teachers. It would be much easier to do this had we not been chased away from the common room, which, incidentally, is where I left my Invisibility Cloak. So we're just winging it.
"I know," I reply, grinning. "That's what makes it so fun."
Ginny rolls her eyes, though a smile flickers across her lips. "Right."
We reach the front doors without incident and walk outside into the night. The sky is overcast, the moon's glow barely reaching through the thick gray blanket of water vapor. And it's chilly.
We run, laughing for no conceivable reason, across the grounds to the broom shed where my Firebolt is. I've kept it there ever since we learned the Thief's Curse fifth year. Whoever so much as picked it up without proving they were me would sprout tentacles from their head.
"We're going flying, aren't we?" asked Ginny as I rifle through the piles of brooms. I can hear the skepticism in her melodic soprano voice. (Great wizards, I'm turning into a poet!)
"Yup," I reply cheerfully. I FINALLY find my broom, take off the curse, and sling it over my shoulder. "You're not scared, are you?" I say teasingly as I step back outside. Ginny colors slightly.
"Of course not, silly," she says quickly. "I was just asking, that's all," she adds defensively.
"Sure," I say skeptically. "Anyway, yeah, we're gonna go flying. Hop on."
Ginny sends me a dubious look, but she clumsily climbs on the Firebolt. I jump on behind her and kick off, sending us rocketing upwards.
"This is nuts," Ginny is mumbling under her breath, holding the broom handle in a white-knuckled grip. "I hate heights…"
I laugh in a mix of amusement and sheer elation at being so high up. Ginny tosses an exasperated glance at me over her shoulder.
"Yes, let's all laugh at the- holy crap!"
We'd gone into the thick, low-lying blanket of clouds. Ginny chokes and holds the broom handle even tighter than before, if such a thing is even possible.
"It's just a little fog."
Ginny lets out an exasperated sound. I grin insanely.
Before either of us can say another word we burst through the cloud cover, into the open night sky. Ginny gasps, eyes wide with wonder.
"Oh, wow…" she breathes. I nod in agreement.
"I used to come up here all the time, to try and clear my head. It's so peaceful you can't help but relax somewhat," I say, eyes drifting lazily across the scene.
Above us, a multitude of twinkling lights, like white and blue fairies. Beneath us, an expanse of clouds that looked solid enough to walk on. And Ginny.
Her crimson curls are flapping gently in the breeze, having come loose of its haphazard ponytail. I reach out a hand and smooth them back, tucking the silky strands behind her ear.
Ginny lets out a contented sigh and leans back against my chest, curls tickling my nose.
"I wish we could stay here forever," she says softly.
"Yeah. Me too."