"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."
-Elenore Roosevelt
A griffin.
Extraordinary.
Draco could scarcely believe his eyes.
And then, just as suddenly as the griffin appeared, a light flashed, and once more, Hermione Granger stood before him.
They both stared at each other in silence.
After several moments of quietude, Draco finally spoke, "Hermione...that's...well, it's incredible! I don't see why you're so -"
But Hermione cut him off, "That Animagus is all wrong for me! Have you completely forgotten how much I hate flying?" she snapped, as she walked towards him, "You cannot even begin to comprehend how much I hate it - no, loathe it."
"Or" she added, softly, after a moment, "... how much... how much it frightens me."
"Why does it frighten you?" Draco asked, quietly.
Hermione's head looked to the ground with shame, "Because...it's something...that I can't control."
Draco regarded her in silence for a moment, "Well, then what you need is a flying lesson."
Hermione's head shot up so quickly that Draco was mildly surprised that it didn't snap right off.
"What?" she asked.
"You heard me, a flying lesson. Everyone has to face their fears, don't they? Besides, I won't let anything -"
"Draco," Hermione cut off, "No. We don't have time to go gallivanting around like idiots when there are more pressing matters we need to attend to. The Polyjuice Potion, for one."
"Hermione, the Polyjuice Potion is nearly done. All it needs to do now is simmer."
Hermione stared at him, blankly.
For the first time in recent recollection, she didn't have a counter argument.
Damn.
"Yes...but...I think that it needs to be stirred more properly. You left it for hours this morning...I want to make sure that -"
"Hermione," Draco interrupted, "What was it that you just told me? 'Now is the time.' You can't run from your fears forever. Eventually...everyone has to face their demons."
Hermione stared at him in something close to a panic.
"Don't worry," he said again, "I promise I won't let anything happen to you."
"As comforting as that sounds, Draco," she scoffed, "That's much easier said than done. There are way too many circumstances out there for you to be making that kind of assumption."
"Well, those are ordinary people that make ordinary promises. When a Malfoy gives you his word, it's as good as gold," he teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Heaven help me. Well I suppose that that above all else should make me feel better about the whole scenario."
Draco regarded her quietly before reaching his hand out and resting it under her chin. He gently tilted her head up so that she was looking directly at him.
"Hey, no worries. When it comes to flying, I'm something of an expert," he said with a smirk.
Now that got an exasperated sigh out of Hermione, "Oh Merlin. Here we go," she said, sarcastically.
"So, are we going to do it?" Draco asked.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, "Going to do what, Draco? You might want to rephrase that...I'm not exactly certain what you're trying to imply by that," she said, suggestively.
Draco immediately blushed a brilliant red.
"Oh...er..what I meant to say was - "
"Yes, I'll do it - fly that is," Hermione cut him off.
"Really?"
She sighed deeply, as the inner turmoil still raged within her.
He's right.
It's time I faced my demons.
"Really, really. After all, this morning I couldn't get you to let me out of my bed. Now you're offering to let me hang precariously off a cliff. I guess pickers can't be choosers," she said with a smirk.
Draco chuckled softly.
"Let me just make sure that everything is set for the PolyJuice Potion to simmer. I don't want the temperature to fluctuate, otherwise, we'll be retracing our steps - yet again," Hermione said while fiddling with the flames beneath the cauldron.
After a moment, she looked up and walked towards him.
"Ready?" Draco asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be, I assure you."
Hermione scaled the spiral steps slowly, deliberately.
She was quite literally shaking with fear.
Getting cold feet again, Granger?
Haven't you been wanting to prove to him since the moment you arrived here that you were not only capable, but fearless and bold - ready to take on anything at a moment's notice?
Then, why am I still shaking?
It's time to stop running.
Time to face the fear.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Draco walked into the main entryway, pulled out his wand, and shouted, "Accio Nimbus 2001!"
Immediately the black broom was soaring into his outstretched hand.
"You know," Hermione began, doubtfully, "I'm not sure how you can help me fly when you'll be riding a broom, while I, on the other hand, quite literally have wings that are spouting from my spinal cord."
Draco shrugged, "Trust me," he merely said.
"There's one I've never heard before," Hermione replied, as she walked through the massive front doors and into the blustery afternoon.
"Do you think it's too windy?" she asked, as Draco appeared beside her.
He shook his head, "No. It'll actually help. You'll be able to rest on the currents. You know, like when you see birds gliding along without using their wings. They're riding those currents - expends less energy."
"Yes, I understand the concept," Hermione replied, snidely, "So...what now?"
Draco was looking around as the wind ruffled his blond hair, "Let's go down closer to the tree line. It's probably not too bright an idea to be near the cliff when you're first learning," he said as he walked forward, his dark robes flowing carelessly in every direction.
Hermione slowly followed.
Her heart was pounding so strongly against her chest, she was surprised that it hadn't yet burst through her ribcage.
You can do this.
Now is the time.
Focus.
This is just a problem that needs to be worked out. That's all.
Just a problem.
Draco was patiently waiting by the tree line as Hermione slowly sauntered over.
"Cheer up, Hermione. You look like you're marching to your own funeral. It's all in your head. Flying is fun - you'll see," he said with a grin.
That's doubtful.
"Ok, so why don't you go ahead and transform and we'll get started," Draco instructed as he strapped on an old pair of Quidditch gloves.
They were silver and green.
Hermione frowned, "I still don't know how you're going to be of any help. A broom is completely different."
"How do you know? How many times have you ever been on a broom in your entire life?" Draco asked as he straddled his broom.
Less than ten.
"And how many times have you flown as a griffin?" Hermione retorted, "I doubt that the same principles apply."
"That's where you're wrong," Draco said matter of factly, "It's the exact same principles. Whether you're on a broom, or it's your own wings, you're still flying. And that's all I want you to think about. Don't think about the physics of it, and for Merlin's sake, don't analyze anything in your head...just feel."
'Just feel' he tells me.
That's a riot.
Draco was still looking at her expectantly, "Well? Are you just wanting to sit here all day? I could go and get us a nice spot of tea while we're out here," he said, sarcastically.
Hermione glared at him, pocketed her wand, and closed her eyes.
Mere seconds later, she stood before him, as a griffin.
Draco still appeared to be mildly surprised seeing her in such a way.
His eyebrows were high up on his forehead, obscured by his blowing bangs.
"Do you just want to sit here and stare at me all day?" Hermione asked in her slightly, deeper griffin voice, "Or would you like to take a photograph - it'll last longer."
Draco shook his head and walked over to her.
"Spread your wings for me," he instructed as he stood beside her.
Hermione tentatively obeyed.
As she slowly lifted her wings off her back, a strong gust of wind came and nearly lifted her off the ground.
Immediately, she folded her wings flat against her back, and shook her massive head, "No. No way. It's too windy! I...I don't think I can do this!" She hollered over the wind.
Draco moved so he stood directly in front of her.
He looked knowingly into Hermione's bright, griffin eyes.
Somehow, they still retained the same color.
"Yes, you can."
Hermione shook her head and clawed nervously at the damp ground.
This time, Draco gently slid his fingers into the feathery mass that was her cheek, "Yes, you can."
She stared deeply into his own eyes.
There it is again! That look!
I can't quite put my finger...er...my claw on it...
"Try again," Draco said, interrupting Hermione's reverie.
Tentatively - methodically, Hermione spread her wings.
The wind blew fiercely around them, sending Draco's hair and robes into a fit, and ruffling Hermione's chestnut feathers.
Hermione could feel the wind blowing beneath her wings - the sound of it rushing loudly over her sensitive ears.
And suddenly, bewilderingly, her griffin senses took over.
The wind was no longer her enemy. It playfully toyed with her loose feathers, enticing her to atmosphere above.
She could feel the power surging within her wings as blood flowed to their extremities.
And like a thoroughbred before a race, stamping with the anticipation of the gun shot; quivering with excitement before the gate is finally opened, Hermione raised her wings, and lifted off the damp ground.
Freedom.
She tottered to the right momentarily before she flapped her great wings and hovered on a current directly above Draco.
"There you go!" He was shouting, while he kicked off from his broom. "That's brilliant!"
But Draco was the farthest thought from Hermione's mind.
The moment she realized that she and the wind were one, and tasted of the delicious freedom invoked by the endless sky; this flying business turned into something completely glorious.
Hermione raised herself farther upward - her powerful wings taking her further with each audible beat. Muron Castle loomed directly in front of her, and she sped forward, pulling her wings closer to her body as she weaved in and out of the castle spires with increasing speed.
"Woo hoo!" She screamed as passed by her very own tower. The sound that emanated from within her, however, was the cry of the griffin.
Nearing the edge of the cliff, she looked down to see the tumultuous waves crashing powerfully on rocky beach below; and directly ahead of her, the sun hung low in the horizon.
This is incredible!
The sun, the wind, the power...
Is this what I have been missing all this time?
Or is it just the griffin in me talking?
Then suddenly, without warning, a strong gust of wind came from beneath the cliff, and knocked Hermione of balance.
Her wings were sent flaying in an odd position, and before Hermione knew anything else, she was immediately tumbling to the ocean below.
Straining with all of her might, she tried to spread her wings to catch them on the current - but the pressure of the air was too great, and she was rapidly gaining speed as she plummeted towards the sea.
As Hermione looked up at the great expanse of the cliff that was now above her, she saw Draco, clutching his broom, and in a complete nose dive several meters above her.
"Draco" she wanted to call out, "Don't! You'll never be able to pull my weight!"
But almost like a trick of the eye, Draco unexpectedly discarded his broom, and continued to fall towards her.
What the hell?
"Draco!" Hermione called, but the sound and speed of the wind muffled her voice.
It barely sounded louder than a whisper.
This is it.
This is how it's going to end.
How many times have I had that thought before?
A fair few...but this...when I hit the water...it will be like hitting concrete.
Oh, Harry...please forgive me.
And as Hermione looked upwards to take one last look at Draco before she collided with the merciless waves, a bright light emanated from within him, and with one great roar, a massive, black dragon appeared in his place.
Sweet Merlin.
Can it be?
Draco, in his fully transformed dragon body, quickly overtook Hermione with a single great burst of speed, and suddenly, he was beneath her.
Hermione turned around as best she could with the rapidly, unpredictable gusts, and plunged her claws into Draco's scaled back, just as he pulled upward.
The shift in momentum was so great that Hermione slammed hard against him, and her claws slid several inches as she clung on for her life.
Draco let out a great roar of pain, as her claws embedded themselves further into his back.
With a great strain of effort, he pounded his translucent wings and they ascended slowly upwards. After what seemed like an eternity, Draco climbed over the ledge of the precarious cliff and collapsed loudly on the ground.
Hermione immediately retracted her claws and moved to get off him.
"Draco!" she screamed, as she changed from her griffin transformation.
She shook his massive onyx shoulder as he opened one reptilian eye and regarded her, "I thought," he began in a deep, profound voice, "that I asked you to stay away from the cliff," he concluded dryly.
And instantly, he was Draco again.
Blood covered the entire expanse of his back.
"Oh! Draco, I'm so sorry! Here, let me help you inside!" Hermione pleaded.
Draco used his arms to prop himself up to a 'push-up' like position, while he rested, momentarily, until Hermione reached around his chest and hauled him to his feet.
She walked him steadily toward the castle until they passed through the expansive entryway.
"Draco...I am so sorry, I feel awful...I can't even begin to -"
"Hey," he cut in, "If it got you off your feet and flying, then it was worth it - trust me."
Hermione frowned as she sat him down on the entryway sofa that was closest to the fireplace.
She reached into her crimson robes, pulled out her wand, and pointed it at the fire.
"Incendio!"
She then turned her attention back to Draco.
"Take off your shirt," she instructed.
Draco smirked up at her from the sofa, "So, let me get this straight. First, you dig your nails into my back while screaming, and then you ask me to take my shirt off? Don't you have it backwards?"
Hermione looked briefly appalled before she crossed her arms and frowned.
"Draco, I need to see how bad the -"
"Hermione, I know," he smirked, while removing his shirt, "It was just a joke."
Not funny.
The damage was bad, but not horrible.
Draco had two pairs of gashes running down several inches of his fair skin.
Hermione bent down, peering closer, as she quickly lighted her wand to ascertain how deep the wounds were.
"Look, Hermione," Draco began, as he turned around so that she was face to face with his bare chest, "There's a salve down in the dungeon that I've used on cuts before. I'm sure it will work just fine for these."
Normally quite articulate, Hermione had a difficult time retaining Draco's gaze, as her eyes kept wandering down to his exposed skin.
"No, Draco," she said, finally managing to maintain eye contact, "These should be healed first, and then we'll use the salve. I know a healing spell that will do just the trick."
Draco rolled his eyes and turned back around.
Hermione placed her left hand on the small of his back to get some leverage as she held up her wand.
The slight touch caused Draco to shiver.
"Sorry," Hermione apologized, "My hands are always cold."
Draco nodded as he gazed into the fire.
He was fairly certain that it wasn't the temperature of her hands that had given him the chills.
Hand still on his back, Hermione muttered the healing spell. A pale, violet light gradually appeared from her wand and slowly made it's way into the deep grooves of his back. After only a few seconds, the cuts magically sealed themselves together, and all that was left were two faint, pink lines.
"There," Hermione said, quite satisfied with herself, "I'll just go get the salve. Which shelf is it on?" she asked, as she headed toward the spiral stairs.
"It's fine, I'll go get it," Draco said, as he strode forward.
"No!" Hermione replied, loudly, "This is my fault - I'll do it. Just sit here and don't do anything stupid. Now which shelf is it?"
Draco rolled his eyes as he sat back down on the sofa, "Are you always this damn stubborn?"
"Yes. I'm surprised you're only just figuring this out," Hermione replied with a too sweet smile, "Now which shelf?"
"Third one from the top, on the left side. It's in a round container with a red lid."
Hermione was already on her way down the steps before Draco could even finish his directions. She returned within a few moments, holding the round container.
"Okay," she said, while unscrewing the lid, "Either lay face down on the sofa, or stand up so I can put this on."
"Really, Hermione, you don't need to -"
"And how exactly do you suppose that you'll put it on your own back? Now turn over," she demanded, as she read the label of the container.
Draco muttered something under his breath before changing his position.
"Happy?" he asked, into the sofa pillow.
"Very," she replied, while still reading the label, "Hmm...that's interesting...will sooth all lacerations, burns, cuts, bruises..." she trailed off. She was silent for a moment before speaking again, "I've never even heard of this stuff before! Who created it?" She asked, while looking on the bottom of the container.
"Snape," Draco replied, once again, into the pillow.
"Snape," Hermione repeated softly, as she dug her two middle fingers into the goop, "He may be a prat, but the man really is brilliant."
"Don't let him hear you say that, because you'll never hear the end of it," Draco warned.
"You don't have to tell me twice. I still haven't informed him that I can actually tolerate his presence. I wouldn't dream of complimenting him - I'm taking it one step at a time," Hermione replied as she knelt down beside the sofa. She scooped up a descent amount of the salve and began to gingerly rub it into the pink areas on Draco's back.
"Bloody hell, Hermione!" he yelled, as he nearly flew off the sofa, "That stuff is freezing!"
"For the love of Merlin! Lay down and stop being such a baby!" Hermione ordered as she placed her free hand on her hip.
Draco shot a glare at her before obeying.
This time, Hermione blew on the salve before applying it to Draco's back.
"What are you doing that for?" he asked.
"I'm warming it with my breath, since you've insisted on being such a whimp."
"Oh." Draco replied, as chills involuntarily raced down the length of his spine.
Hermione worked in silence.
The only sound Draco heard was Hermione's steady breathing and the crackling of the fire behind him. Her nimble fingers were ever soft and gentle on his back. He had never imagined in his wildest dreams that such a simple touch could create such a feeling of euphoria and peace.
Peace.
When was the last time I felt that?
Likely never.
"There," Hermione said as she screwed the lid back on it's container, "All done. How does it feel?" She asked.
Draco propped himself up on the sofa so that he was eye level with her kneeling form.
The flames from the fire reflected and danced in her sorrel eyes.
"It's fine," he replied, as he took in her hair, her face, her scent.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I'm looking forward to the next time you decide to try to kill yourself and I have to rescue you and you dig your six-inch claws into my back..."
"You did not rescue me," Hermione replied, defiantly.
"Oh really?" Draco asked, clearly intrigued, "Then what would you call it?"
"I call it," Hermione began, pensively, as she tapped her lip and looked at the fire, "I call it... you making me do something that was clearly terrifying for me, and I had a brief, tiny, minuscule little moment where I lost my concentration, and you...merely...had to intervene. But that's completely different from a rescue."
Draco looked at her, completely bemused, "Oh, forgive me. You are quite right. That is different."
"Yes, I know," Hermione said with a soft grin.
"But 'terrifying'? Don't try to kid yourself, Hermione. I saw you. I could see the excitement in your eyes. For Merlin's sake! You nearly did a barrel roll around the spires of the castle!" he said, exasperatedly.
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment before she spoke, "Yes...but I don't think that it was really me."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...it wasn't me. It was as though...as though the griffin had taken over all my fears. And the only instinct that I had...was to fly."
Draco regarded her warily, "So it was the 'Griffin Hermione' that liked flying?"
A small smile appeared across Hermione's face as she looked at her knees, "I've never felt anything like it before in my life. There was such...freedom, and...and life...it was as though there was nothing else in the world but me and the sky. No Voldemort, no Death Eaters, no nothing. It was...incredible."
Draco smiled warmly as he sat up on the couch, looking down at Hermione. "Well, you're very much the real Hermione now. Tell me," he said softly, "Do you feel any differently about it when you're just... 'you'"?"
Hermione looked up as the flames moved across his pale, smooth face.
"No."
Draco smiled, widely, "See?"
He was clearly pleased with himself.
"We've only been tolerating each other for what? A month now? And I get you to love flying. Potter has had...about what? Thirteen years?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and she pulled herself from off the floor, "Don't bring Harry into this. You don't even want to know how many times I've refused to get on a broom with him. If he knew I'd been flying - never mind that fact that I enjoyed it; he'd have a coronary."
Draco smirked as he stood to pull his shirt on.
Hermione regarded him inconspicuously until the shirt was firmly in place, "So what about you? How long...I mean, when did you first transform? And how the bloody hell are you a dragon?"
He chuckled, lightly, "Not long after Snape and I went into hiding and first came to this place, he taught me about Animagi transformations. As I'm sure you remember with your own transformation, it took me several months to get it right. I think he was just as surprised as I was about the dragon. It's really an inconvenient form, though - too noticeable. Can you just imagine me flying nonchalantly around London?"
Hermione chuckled, "It wouldn't be much different from when Harry and Ron drove that magical car to Hogwarts in the middle of broad daylight."
Draco scowled, "I always wondered how they got away with that."
Hermione shrugged, "Lots of people being obviliated."
She paused for a moment as she pensively stared into the fire, "It's quite rare to have a magical creature as an Animagus form," she stated.
"You're a magical creature," Draco pointed out.
"I know," she said as she turned to face him, "And so was Ron. He was a unicorn - don't laugh, please. It just seems odd to me...if it's so rare...I find it difficult to believe that I know of three people who have magical Animagi - myself included."
Draco shrugged, "It doesn't make a difference. The form chooses you. There's nothing to be had for it."
Hermione nodded in agreement, "I know. It's just strange is all."
She looked toward the spiral staircase.
"Well," she began, changing the subject, "I glanced at the Polyjuice Potion when I was getting the salve. Everything seems to be fine. I'll bet we can finish it by the end of the week. But until then..." she yawned, "I'm exhausted. I feel like I've been using muscles that I've never used before - go figure."
Draco walked slowly to where she stood, nearly catching his robes on fire, so close was his proximity to the fireplace, "You should turn in. I'll check the potion once more before I go to bed,"
Hermione smiled softly, "Thanks. Oh, and uh...thanks for, you know...intervening today."
Draco returned the smile, warmly, "No problem. Just don't let it happen again," he teased.
"Fat chance. Next time it will be me intervening to...assist you."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Granger," he said with a knowing smile.
"Right back at you, Malfoy," she replied as she turned to head up the east stairs.
Her footfalls sounded quietly on the stone floor.
"Wait, Hermione!" Draco called behind her, causing her to turn around on the second step.
Hermione noted, irrelevantly, that they stood at the exact same height.
His soft lips, just -
Woah! Where the hell did that come from?
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Umm...well, I...err..."
"Are you always this articulate?" Hermione asked.
Draco blushed.
"Umm...I guess I just wanted to say, 'thanks', for helping with the salve...Snape's not so keen on rubbing it all over me..." he trailed off.
Hermione smiled, as she placed her hands on Draco's shoulders.
"I'm pretty sure it was the least I could do...considering the fault was mine in the first place."
"Right," he said, still staring at her eyes.
"Good night, Draco," Hermione said as she turned to head up the stairs.
"Good night," he said, staring after her.
Draco continued to stare up the stairs long after Hermione closed the door to her room.
"Sweet Dreams," he whispered.
Please review!!