********************* Ch 4 *********************

Clearly rushed for time, Harry picked up the parchment and read Hermione's writing on it, "Harry, Lupin's letter! Don't forget to open it! We have a spell cast on it that alerts us when and where it has been opened, and you forgot it!" Startled, he tore open Lupin's letter and read the crooked scrawl.

"Dear Harry, Can't talk much. Leave your things, set Hedwig by your OPEN window before you drink the potion, and be sure to leave your wand on the bed next to you before drinking the potion. Good luck, and HURRY! Midnight, fly north, see the light, land. Leave EVERYTHING behind except your wand. Hedwig will give you further instructions once you've changed.

Lupin"

Harry gaped confusedly at the letter. Everyone is mad, he thought. Stark raving mad. But, completely and totally curious as to what on earth was going on, Harry did as he was told and sat on his bed, his wand next to him on his bed, potion in hand, with Hedwig perched patiently on his window sill. Harry cast a longing look at the letters from his parents, stuck them carefully under his pillow, and looked nervously at the clock. Ten seconds to go now... five...two... NOW he thought! Harry gulped the potion and realized why Ron had said it was disgusting. Not only did it taste horrible, it made his whole body twitch, and made it feel as though spiders were crawling all over his skin. It was the same sort of experience he'd had with something else before, Harry thought. A potion long ago... but he had no time to think now, he went to stand up and realized everything was different, he had wings...and feathers!

"Come on, dear! Well, don't be a git, fly over here! And don't forget your wand!" Harry's heart leapt. Had he just heard Hedwig talk? No time to ponder, he supposed, something told him he was pressed for time. "Alright now, Harry, I'll only fly with you until you've gotten used to it, then I'm off to return and guard your belongings. Everyone is waiting for you, just look out for the light, you won't have to make an effort really, you'll be drawn to it. Good luck, and we're off!" With a gentle nudge Hedwig pushed Harry off the window sill. It was a reflex, really. Harry was a natural flyer, the wind lifted him off of the ground steadily higher until the houses below him looked like toys. "You make a handsome owl, Harry." Hedwig looked in his direction and cooed. "I just want to tell you while I still can that you are a wonderful owner, and I wish you luck in the world, you have treated me well. Good luck, and see you when your human again!" Harry chortled. That was odd, he thought. It was weird talking to his pet and having her talk back. He saw her fly back towards the window he had so often stared hopefully out of, then suddenly he felt an invisible force pulling him towards the ground, towards a soft light below.

When he landed on a patch of moist soil he looked at his surroundings and realized where he must be. "Harry, is that you?" His heart leapt as Harry saw Hermione running towards him, looking left and right as though she could be attacked at any moment. Harry stopped looking at her as he realized his stomach was turning again, and his skin was crawling once more. "Wow that was fast!" Hermione frowned at Harry's familiar face. "Come along, Harry. I must have done a horrible job, if it wore off that quickly. Ron's waiting inside." Harry laughed happily under his breath. Hermione was rambling for the first time since he had known her.