A/N: ok, it took me a little longer to get this up, so I apologise for the wait! This chapter is yet another bridge, nothing major, just some fun in charms class. please R&R!!

Chapter 7

Charms class with Professor Flitwick was for the most part, uneventful, with a few exceptions, of course, and that was only to be expected with Neville and Ron being in the class.

The day's lesson was to levitate your partner, and hold them in the air for at least 10 seconds. The class had practiced last term with various objects such as books, cushions and rabbits, but this would be the first time that they would be attempting to levitate a fellow human being. Professor Flitwick squeaked out who would work with who.

Hermione was delighted to be paired with Harry, who was equally glad, seeing as he trusted Hermione to get the charm right as opposed to Ron, who would have probably blown him up or something equally nasty!

Neville was paired with Pansy Parkinson and Poor Ron got stuck with Draco Malfoy.

Ron was none to pleased about this arrangement. He was concerned that Malfoy might 'accidentally-on-purpose' do him some serious harm. Ron was also worried that he might drop Malfoy, resulting in his imminent and gruesome death at the hands of the bruised and disgruntled Slytherin prince.

Pansy looked down at Neville and wrinkled her nose. Neville gulped and stared at his wand, hoping that that it wouldn't let him down, or Pansy for that matter! Not to mention the fact that if he dropped Pansy, Malfoy was likely to Avada him!

Finally, when everyone was paired off, Professor Flitwick reminded them of the charm, and wand movements required to perform the charm.

"Let's see, who shall we have up first?" Professor Flitwick squeaked from his pillar of books. "Ah, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter!"

He beamed at the two of them as they got up and went to the front of the class. "Hermione, why don't you go first!"

Hermione nodded and confidently took her stand in front of Harry, who was looking at her with an expression of complete faith and trust.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Hermione commanded.

The class gasped as Harry rose swiftly into the air. "Oh be careful with him Hermione!" cried Lavender, "We need him to defeat he-who-must-not-be-named!"

Hermione smiled, this could be fun! If Lavender was worried about Harry now, wait until she saw what Hermione was going to do next!

Hermione made eye contact with Harry, and cocked an eyebrow. Harry responded with a nod and grinned.

The class gasped again and a girl screamed (Lavander) as Harry began to somersault in mid air, then he did backflips, loop-de-loops and went soaring over their heads, laughing all the while as Hermione sent him tumbling, swooping and cartwheeling so fast, he was almost a blur!

"Whoo-hoo! Yeah!" he was yelling as he zoomed around the room. "Alright! Faster!!"

Hermione granted his request and sent him flying around faster and faster until he really was a blur!

Lavender was in hysterics as she watched, her hands covering her eyes.

Malfoy's seeker trained eyes were able to follow the blur that was Harry around the room with ease. Harry was loving every minute of it! Malfoy turned to Ron, who was grinning widely as one of his best friends zoomed past him.

"Don't get any ideas, weasley!" Malfoy warned

Ron shook his head as he looked back at Malfoy, still smiling in awe at Hermione's wonderful charm. "I couldn't do that if I tried!"

"Good!" Malfoy remarked.

Hermione brought Harry to a stop and lowered him to the ground gently, and he landed as light as a feather, looking rather disheveled. His tie was askew, and his robes were on backward, his shirt was hanging out and his hair was messier than ever. He staggered over to Hermione, still grinning as Professor Flitwick clapped and jumped up and down on his little pile of books. "Well done Miss Granger!!! 2 minutes! Give her a hand everyone!" he squeaked.

The class, including Malfoy, applauded. He had to admit, it was rather entertaining watching Potter become a human rollercoaster!

Next up were Ron and Malfoy.

Malfoy went first, of course, and levitated Ron around the room, save for a few times when Ron 'accidentally' bumped his head on the stone ceiling and bounced off 1 wall, it went well, and he brought Ron down to earth with a bump.

Then Ron levitated Malfoy, it was going okay until Ron got distracted by Pansy telling him to be careful with her "Drakeypoo". It was lucky that Malfoy was near the top of Professor Flitwick's bookshelves. When Malfoy felt the charm leave him, he only just managed to grab hold of the top of a bookshelf and he hung there, holding on for dear life. It was a big fall from there, and if he had fallen, he surely would have broken something.

Professor Flitwick lowered him down with a charm and brought him back to earth, whereupon Malfoy scowled at Ron. Ron protested that Pansy had distracted him, so Malfoy turned to scowl at her too.

Neville managed to get Pansy up into the air, but she came crashing to the ground after about 5 seconds.

Pansy retaliated by making Neville fly into a wall.

Next, the class was entertained again as it was Harry's turn to levitate Hermione.

Harry got his wand at the ready. "Wingardium Levi-"

"Wait!" Hermione cried suddenly.

"What is it?" Harry asked, puzzled. "Surely you aren't scared!"

Hermione shook her head and pointed her wand at her robes and school skirt and cast a spell so that they wouldn't fly up and give everyone an eyeful while she was up in the air.

"Okay, Harry, go ahead!" she said, satisfied.

Harry nodded. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he commanded.

Hermione rose into the air with a squeak and she closed her eyes. She wanted desperately to hold onto something, she was terrified of hights!

She opened one eye and chanced a look down. The class was looking up at her then at Harry, then back at her. Suddenly, she felt herself flip onto her stomach and she began to drift slowly around the room, in gentle circles. She found that she rather enjoyed this movement, it felt like she was floating on a cloud. Then, she began to speed up. She was not liking this as much! She was suddenly aware when she locked eyes with Harry that he was struggling to control her, although she appreciated his efforts, she knew he was barely in control and something was going to go very wrong.

Then it happened! She saw Malfoy right in front of her and she was heading straight for him.

"Malfoy get out of the way!!!" she screamed, knowing what was going to happen.

The class let out a yell and dived out of the way, but Malfoy didn't have time!

She screamed, he yelled as she went barreling headlong into him, sending them both flying towards the wall.

Luckily, Professor Flitwick had seen what was going to occur too and charmed several large cushions to position themselves against the wall just in time.

They hit the cushioned wall with an "Oof!" and slid down onto the floor where they lay in a tangled heap gasping for breath.

Neville hopped alternately on each foot, biting his nails. "Oh no! Malfoy's going to be so mad!"

The class gathered around them, and Harry ran to their sides.

"Hermione! Are you alright?! Talk to me!!" He cried, trying to figure out which arm was hers so he could help her up.

"Yes, I'm fine!" Came her muffled reply. "Is Malfoy alright?"

Harry moved around to the place where he saw Malfoy's blonde hair and peered at him. "Malfoy?" Harry asked uncertainly. "Are you alright?"

Malfoy stuck his head out from underneath Hermione's arm so he could face Harry. "What the hell did you do Potter!?" he demanded, scowling. "Are you Trying to kill me and Granger?!"

"Sorry, I lost control of the charm!" Harry explained.

Hermione and Malfoy managed to untangle themselves and stood up, dusting themselves off, looking dazed, but otherwise unharmed, but just to be safe, Professor flitwick made them sit down on bean bags in the corner and have a cup of tea where they watched as the rest of the class took their turns without further incident.

When Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville left Charms, they were surprised to find Malfoy walking out with them.

"Honestly Potter, you almost killed us!" he ranted.

"It was an accident, I swear!" Harry protested.

"It's okay, Harry." Said Hermione comfortingly. "We weren't hurt." She added with a meaningful look at Malfoy.

"It was a hard charm to control!" Ron chipped in. "I lost it entirely when Parkinson piped up! I thought Malfoy was a gonner!"

"So did I!" Malfoy chimed in.

"Well, none of us are dead, so we should be greatful for that!" Hermione reminded everyone.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Malfoy wouldn't be such a bad loss. Then they remembered their deal to let Malfoy prove himself and muttered a feeble "Yeah," in response.

Harry perked up when he remembered zooming about the room like one of Fred and Georges fireworks. "Hey, Mione?"

"Yes?" Hermione answered turning to look at him.

"Would you mind levitating me around the quidditch field some time?" Harry asked sheepishly.

Malfoy cocked an eyebrow.

Hermione looked to be considering this before smiling. "Harry, it would be my pleasure!"

"Thanks!" Harry said happily.

"Me too!" Malfoy piped up.

Hermione looked shocked. "You would trust me to fly you around the quidditch field?"

Malfoy shrugged. "If Potter trusts you, why shouldn't I? So, what do you say?"
"Okay, sure!" Hermione replied, with a small smile.

Ron walked with them, his mouth hanging open. Malfoy was going to trust Hermione! This was.... Different! He sidled up to Hermione and leaned close to her ear. "You know he'll Avada you if you drop him!" He whispered.

Hermione glanced at Malfoy, who was engaged in deep conversation about quidditch and brooms with Harry.
"Don't be silly, Ron!" she whispered back. "Look at him, talking in such a friendly manner with Harry! He won't do anything if I drop him besides tell me off. And anyway, since when have I ever dropped anyone I have Levitated?"

Ron thought for a moment before replying. "Your right Mione, we don't have anything to worry about!" he said reassuringly. His blue eyes flicked up to Malfoy who was still talking with Harry but kept glancing at Hermione, winking and flashing her a dazzling, but small smile whenever she glanced at him.

Ron frowned. This was seriously weird. Something wasn't right about Malfoy, and he was going to find out what it was.