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. Ohmisogh, thanks to everyone for all the reviews. I'm seriously trying not to mention names but I can't say how happy I am that you really like everything so far. I just hope that my updates will continue to keep you happy. Erm, what else? Well, I'm almost finishing up with my story, if you must know. I'm updating slower than I'm writing actually so that I can get a new story started just in time. I hope you guys will like the ending I have in mind. And, thanks again!
A strange event occurred in Charms class a week later. Professor Flitwick was demonstrating the use of the Sleep Charm. "Wave the wand with the wrist movement we've been using since first year. Nice and easy does it," the Professor said in his squeaky, cheerful voice. "Then, like so. Somnalus." He waved his wand at Lavender who had been chosen as his test subject. The class watched as Lavender continued standing.
"Nothing, Professor. Not even the slightest bit sleepy," Lavender told Flitwick. The Professor looked extremely startled but suddenly, Lavender swayed and collapsed on the cushions he had arranged behind and around her, deep in an enchanted slumber. The class clapped but Flitwick retained that troubled look on his face when he lifted the spell from Lavender.
"It's really very troubling," Hermione told them in a low voice during lunch.
"Why?" Ron stretched and yawned. Hermione's Sleep Charm had been just a little too effective.
"The Sleep Charm takes effect instantaneously. I don't know why Professor Flitwick's spell didn't work on Lavender that time."
"It worked on Parvati and Dean after that," Harry pointed out to her. "It was just some small bug or something."
"I guess you're right," Hermione sighed. She looked at Harry. "How's everything going with Malfoy? I saw you helping him out at Defence class."
"You were watching?" Harry asked.
"I can multi-task, you know," she replied impatiently. "So, how's it going?"
"I'm quite curious too, Harry." Ron yawned again. "Hermione, could you ease up on the spells next time?"
She ignored him, staring at Harry.
Reluctantly, Harry told them, "Well, I think its working. He's being nicer to me now."
"That's good," Ron remarked.
"Yeah, but I still feel rotten and he hasn't told me anything yet."
"Harry!" Hermione grabbed his arm. "Malfoy's going somewhere. Follow him and maybe you can talk to him alone." Malfoy was indeed leaving the Great Hall and he seemed to be making his way with some haste.
"All right," Harry told her and left the table immediately, hurrying after Malfoy whilst trying to remain undetected by the other boy. The Slytherin was heading past the paddock where the pegasi herd had been, having since departed a few days ago for parts unknown. He went past Hagrid's hut and entered the fringes of the Forbidden Forest. Where is he going? Harry wondered. The forest was spooky even at this time of the day, the forest floor blanketed by a knee-high fog that was ever present. A strange howl reverberated through the air and Harry shivered, remembering what Hagrid and Ron had said once about werewolves. And Aragog still lived here. He shivered again. He hoped that Malfoy knew where he was going. The Slytherin just kept on moving ahead him, jumping over soggy ground and fetid pools, ducking low-hanging branches and avoiding gnarled tree roots. Suddenly, his destination was apparent. A clearing in the forest ahead, where the sunlight shone through a break in the canopy. A white pegasi was grazing contentedly there. It raised its head and whickered at Malfoy's arrival.
Harry lurked at the edge of the clearing, close enough to hear but not so close as to be detected.
Malfoy wrapped his arms around the mare's neck. "I missed you, White Wind," he whispered.
White Wind? Wasn't that the mare from class?
She whinnied softly and nuzzled at Malfoy's face but suddenly she backed away, snorting, her eyes rolling.
"What is it?" Malfoy cried out. "What's wrong?"
White Wind whickered again, dancing out of his reach when he approached her. He left one hand drop and smiled bitterly.
"So, it's true then? Pegasi can't stand the touch of evil?"
She nodded her head, her mane blowing in the wind.
"White Wind …" He rubbed his eyes and Harry realized that the Slytherin was crying softly. "I can't help it. I can't." He stretched out one hand, pleadingly. "Don't leave me, please." The pegasus mare stepped forward tentatively, whickering softly. She touched Malfoy's open hand with her muzzle and allowed him to stroke her white mane. "Thank you, White Wind," he told her softly. "If I didn't have you, I think I'd go mad." He stroked down the length of her neck and her wings fluttered involuntarily in pleasure. He continued murmuring to her soft sweet nothings and Harry watched, astonished and a little unnerved. There was something just a little frightening in seeing Malfoy looking so human, so vulnerable, so alone … He couldn't bear intruding on Malfoy anymore and he left the clearing quietly. When Hermione and Ron asked him what he had seen, he decided not to tell them anything. He couldn't mar the strange beauty of what he had seen. A pale blonde boy and a white pegasus in a clearing illuminated by the golden sunlight …