The flyer wasn't out, Harry was sure the flyer had gone to bed by now. He'd watched and waited until he was absolutely certain.
That's when Harry set off, he flew high as he could. Death sentence on the way and nowhere to run. How the hell was Harry supposed to survive a dragon? This was just easier. At least it was on his own terms.
It had to be hedging 4 in the morning, as Harry climbed higher and higher. Slowly the air turned thin and finally it became difficult to breathe. It was here when Harry let go.
He felt his body weightless for a moment and then everything was rushing past him. It would be over soon, far faster and painlessly then it would be in a couple weeks.
The air was rushing past Harry, and then it was streaming past, and then trickling. Harry opened his eyes and to his horror found himself slowly falling down to the earth below. "You're a lucky son of a bitch!" Harry recognized the voice, it was the flyer.
Harry couldn't speak, he felt defeated, he waited until he gently bumped against the Earth, the flyer landing nearby and making the short walk over.
"I'm just happy that I made it in time to… Potter, what the hell were you doing?"
Harry couldn't speak, he could barely breathe. "I-I let go."
The boy sat next to him, "Why?" It stung, Harry didn't want to say, he wanted to pretend. Why couldn't they just pretend?
"I slipped… Lost my grip."
The words sat in the air between them, heavy from the lies.
"I guess, it really is good I was here then. When all is said and done, I'd miss having someone to fly with, and argue I suppose... You're the only one who puts up any fight."
Harry didn't understand. He searched for a moment and found a hand, he gripped it. The hand gripped back, "Should we get you to the hospital wing? Get you somewhere safe for the night?"
Harry didn't understand, he just held on to the hand, "Not yet." He didn't want to move, he wanted to pretend a while longer. Pretend he wasn't there, pretend he wasn't anywhere, pretending he was no one and nothing.
"Harry, look at me please."
Harry opened his eyes surprised for a moment, flaxen hair mere centimetres from his face. As he looked he met a storm of grey and a rush of ice, the most thoughtful eyes he'd ever seen. The mind behind them was absolutely racing. Harry opened his mouth, "You look good." The words floated away from him but he was sure he hadn't been the one to say them.
Malfoy smiled, turning pink, he was taken aback, still on edge, very much concerned but pleased by the compliment.
"For almost dying you don't look too bad yourself. I don't want you out in this cold much longer. I've read that cold can add to a shock like you've had, I don't want you seizing up."
Harry nodded, and felt a hand guide him, "It's time to go now. Up and at them Potter, let's see if a walk can help. Shall we?"
Harry allowed Malfoy to manhandle him slightly. Helping as much as shock would allow him to get back on his own feet. "Broom…" The thought flashed in his mind, he had come with a broom he should go back with one.
"I already have it. I can get someone to fetch them, for now let's head back."
Harry found himself leaning for support against the other boy. They slowly walked to the castle, and almost immediately upon entering were attacked by noise. Harry shut his eyes at it, all of it was too loud and he just couldn't deal with it. It took him a moment before the noise turned to words.
"Look, this boy has just been through a 400 ft fall for the second time in his life. He's in shock. Please allow me to take him to the hospital wing." It was like a bell breaking through the cacophony. Harry felt a pull and followed slowly opening his eyes as an arm pulled him close.
The Entrance hall was dim, only a few torches lit the grand space. Malfoy was trying to get Harry to move forward, but he wasn't oriented right. Everything felt at an odd angle until he found himself struggling to stand. Malfoy lunged to support him keeping him from falling, Harry was more surprised to feel another arm grab hold of him.
He looked up to see McGonagall; her eyes remained dead fast towards the grand staircase as she and Malfoy half dragged Harry towards the infirmary. Harry's body wasn't responding right, his feet couldn't find the floor.
They made it to the hospital wing quickly enough, Harry found himself again while sitting on an infirmary bed. McGonagall had disappeared and it was only Malfoy and him now.
It was weird to see Malfoy in muggle-like clothing. He had on a hoodie- the national french quidditch team emblem was printed across the front- and jogging pants. His hair was wild from the wind and his cheeks were pink from the cold.
"I should've known it was you. Though I hate to admit it, you are a brilliant flyer. You're almost as good as me. The only other person who could make the dive you did the other night." Malfoy said, crossing his arms and leaning back. His tone sounded more defeated than disappointed or upset, the tones Harry had been expecting.
Harry's shoulders dropped, "You had me completely fooled. Didn't know you had it in you to not be a complete tool."
Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Whatever Potter." They sat in silence for a moment before hurried footsteps and the rolling of a cart announced McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey's arrival.
Harry's brain went into auto pilot as the women went about the usual check ups that followed a fall. Of course the spells found him uninjured. "Why in the world were you out flying at a time like this?" Pomfrey asked with a huff of relief. "You are lucky Mr. Malfoy happened to be out there. You are damned lucky he knew that charm. You could have very easily died, Mr. Potter."
Harry held back a remark knowing it would cost him a week in the hospital wing. "I'm a little stressed, I wanted to blow off some steam. I wasn't paying attention to my speed and wasn't holding on tight enough and I fell off." Harry kept his annoyance in his tone making his voice believably emotional. It took all his strength to push away the hollowness threatening to swallow him whole.
Malfoy gave him a look from behind the two teachers, a mix of anger, and something Harry couldn't decipher- maybe the look was expectancy like he was waiting for Harry to say something else.
McGonagall sighed, "Both of you have detention with me for the next two weeks, I'll owl you with the time. Mr. Potter, you will be in detention next Thursday night the first task should be complete by then and there will be no special treatment. For now both of you get back to your dormitories before I make it a month."
Harry didn't care about the detention, if anything it would be nice to talk with McGonagall. It might keep him together for the next week, before it was all over. Harry was numb as he left the hospital wing.
Malfoy stood up following closely and leaving the two women to their devices. As soon as the door closed behind them Malfoy grabbed Harry's arm. He didn't say anything trapping Harry in a vice grip as he took off at a run. Harry only tripped once as they sped through the silent castle Malfoy tugging him off into the night.
