The Nature Of A Man
Disclaimer: The usual. The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling and this work represents a poor fumbling attempt at a Harry Potter story. I really wasn't sure where the story was going but it's rated PG-13 just in case. Read and review. You like it or you don't, just drop me a line at jadewing@hotmail.com if you want to rant or praise longer. Well, I guess I should ask for more reviews. I would really like to know what you think. Thanksgiving weekend was a real bummer with no reviews at all but I guess patience is always a virtue that one should possess. I don't, however. Anyways, just let me know if the plot is starting to stink.
"What can change the nature of a man? That's the question in your dream?" Hermione asked, her face puzzled as she thought it over.
Harry nodded. They were having breakfast in the Great Hall and Ron was yawning next to Harry. He had complained that he hadn't slept very well. Harry only gave him a curious look. What had been Ron been dreaming about? He caught sight of Malfoy staring at him from the Slytherin table, a perplexed look on his face. When he noticed Harry had noticed his staring, the Slytherin quickly turned away. Weird. What was happening now?
"I can only think of love."
"Why? Cedric said that it wasn't the answer," Harry told her as he spread butter over his toast.
"Oh." Hermione's face sank. "Well, I thought because so many people are willing to do so much for love. I've heard of people changing themselves because of love," and she gave Ron a sidelong look.
Ron yawned. "I would say that ambition is what changes you. I mean, look at how some people just go power-hungry when they were nice before. For ambition, they're willing to sacrifice everything and anything."
"I think that would have meant that they were already willing to sacrifice those things, Ron," Harry pointed out.
"And you said that Professor Grey said that it was regret that could change a man?" Hermione interrupted. Harry nodded. "I wonder if that means Grey has done something he regrets in the past," she mused. "It would explain the matter."
"Who cares, Herm?" Ron said crossly. "I'm more interested in why all these dreams are just coming to Harry."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Like I said, it might mean that Harry's Divination talent is finally blossoming."
"Er, I don't think so, Hermione," Harry told her. She shrugged.
"What's our first class?' Ron asked.
"Care of Magical Creatures," Hermione told him promptly. She frowned. "It's Professor Twiddle who's going to teach us this time."
"Hope she's good."
After breakfast was done, they made their way to the paddock near Hagrid's hut. It was where they had always had their lessons. Professor Twiddle was already waiting for them. She was dressed in leathers, pants and tunic, and a vest over that, and her long white hair was bound up in one long braid. She might have been old but she seemed strong and energetic. The few Slytherins were already there with the rest of the Gryffindors.
"Good day, class. I'm Professor Twiddle, of course," she announced in a loud, strong voice. "I see Hagrid has covered most of the earlier magical creatures with you. Hagrid has very nicely consented to allow me to use what materials I may need from his stores so it would be better if we have our lessons here from now on." Professor Twiddle walked towards the paddock where a number of creatures were grazing contentedly. They resembled beautiful white horses with large feathery wings. One whinnied at Professor Twiddle's approach and trotted over to the fence where it nuzzled her fingers. She laughed.
"Pegasi," Hermione murmured.
Harry was enchanted with the creatures. They were beautiful and dainty, and their coats were the purest white, without a single speck of dirt on those shining white coats. Their manes and tails were long and flowing, like a silver waterfall of hair. The wings were white as well though some had black tips to the feathers. He felt a little guilty towards Hagrid but the pegasi were so beautiful that he forgot all about it. Everyone was staring slack-jawed at the creatures.
"Yes, Ms. Granger. Pegasi in plural. Pegasus for singular." Professor Twiddle stroked the pegasus's nose. "Can anyone mention the traits of pegasi to me?"
Immediately, Hermione's hands shot up. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Pegasi live on mountaintops where they build nests to lay their eggs. They live long lives and they only bear the touch of those who are good or pure of heart."
Professor Twiddle beamed at Hermione. "Excellent, Ms. Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor." Hermione beamed. "Pegasi live up to 150 years and they only let those who are of good intentions and thoughts touch them. They live in herds of up to 12 to 15 with one female serving as the leader. That's her over there," she told the students, pointing to a regal, tall mare with long golden-tipped feathers. "Now, the ones that stopped by for our lesson are all white but not all pegasi are pure white. Other herds may have different colourings or markings. Pegasi are very intelligent and they understand all languages so be careful how you speak around them." She looked sternly at everyone. "Now, they gave graciously assented to us riding them so I want you to approach one pegasus carefully. Hagrid has informed me that he has instructed you on how to approach hippogriffs. Something similar is what is required now but they won't harm us. Just be respectful and polite to the pegasi. They will take you for a quick ride and then dismount carefully." Professor Twiddle stressed the last word. "Be careful about their wings. They're very sensitive about them."
Harry approached a small white mare that looked at him with large, warm eyes. He bowed to the mare. She assented her head as well and he smiled at her manners. She settled to her knees and ever so carefully, he mounted her. With a quick toss of her head, she was up and sailing into the clouds. Unlike the flight with Buckbeak, this flight was very much pleasant. It was almost like flying on a broom except that he was sitting on a warm, broad back and the pegasus's mane was blowing into his face. It felt silky and smooth. When they landed, there was hardly any bump at all and he dismounted carefully. He bowed to her before letting Parvati take his place.
While waiting for Hermione and Ron, Harry was treated to a most interesting sight. He caught sight of Malfoy approaching a tall white mare. She snorted when Malfoy stopped before her and Harry remembered what Professor Twiddle had said about pegasi letting only those pure of heart touch them. What would happen? The mare seemed to hesitate when Malfoy placed one tentative hand on her muzzle but then she seemed to relax into Malfoy's touch, nuzzling his hand. And then Malfoy mounted and both took off into the sky. Harry was astonished. So, there's some good in him after all, Harry thought to himself.
The next lesson was Transfiguration and the Gryffindors were running a little late. They made quick goodbyes to the pegasi and Professor Twiddle but Harry hung back a little when he caught sight of Malfoy approaching the white-haired witch. He told Hermione and Ron to go on ahead without him where he snuck behind a bush, trying to listen in on the conversation.
"Professor." The Slytherin was unusually tentative.
"Yes, Malfoy?" Professor Twiddle fixed a penetrating gaze at him. "What is it?"
"Do you know the name of the pegasus I rode?"
She eyed the white mare appreciatively. "Ahh, that's White Wind, if I'm correct. A very old member of the herd and highly respected by the others."
"Could I …?" He took a deep breath. "Could I come and visit her once in a while?"
The witch looked at him. "Well, yes, I don't see why not," she told him slowly. "But the herd will be leaving soon though. At least that is what I understand from the herd leader."
Even from here, Harry could see Malfoy's face fall. "Oh. It's all right then. Thank you, Professor." Malfoy turned to leave and as he left, Professor Twiddle stared at his departing back. She shook her head and muttered to herself before vanishing into Hagrid's hut. Harry emerged from the behind the bush. What was that all about?
Later on that night, warm and cozy in the common room, even as a storm battered and howled against the castle walls, Harry pulled out his copy of the Monster Book of Monsters, flipping until he found the page on pegasi.HeHeHHH He scanned it until he read a portion of the paragraph that stopped him in his tracks. It read:
Pegasi are exceptionally concerned with those who have departed from the path of good but who may still be redeemed so that they walk the true path. A pegasus has been known to leave its herd for such a task. Only when its chosen one is beyond such redemption will the pegasus be willing to depart.