Author's Note: This is quite long. Yay! I finally managed to write something long. I didn't see any point of dedications but I suppose this whole story is dedicated to the wonderful and inspiring kitty minky. Thankyou hun! I am also terribly sorry that I am so lazy and could not be bothered finishing this till now. Eeek!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognise in this story. That includes characters, places and ideas (eg. magic etc.) I also do not own the song, Fly by Hilary Duff.
Heartache
By Whirr
Chapter Three: Fly
The sunlight streamed into the Great Hall, reflecting rays of golden mist off the plates and goblets. The ceiling was a wonderful blue, with birds and clouds dancing, teasing Chloe because she was not as happy as them. The hall was filled with students, chattering happily about the Quidditch final that would take place that morning between Gryffindor and Slytherin. They were smiling and laughing, unaware of others in the room, wrapped up in their own joyous conversations. They didn't like her much anyway, she could tell. They probably thought it had been her who had broken the heart of their hero, but really he had broken hers.
Chloe gulped down some pumpkin juice and a piece of toast before hurrying outside to go for a walk. She didn't know if she could go to the match. She knew about all the staring and whispering she would attract, things like, 'I can't believe her nerve. Turning up to watch after what she did to him!'
It was a lovely day and she walked along by the forest, listening to the birds twittering and the gurgling sound of the giant squid in the lake. She sat down with her back against an old tree, its old knobbly branches swaying gently in the wind as she watched. It knew nothing of the horrors and heartache the rest of the world suffered. It just did its job innocently, providing shade for weary travellers in the heat of summer, or shelter from the pounding rain or snow in winter. It had seen many things, but would never judge them or think badly. Chloe knew there was nothing more beautiful or innocent than a plant or a tree.
In the distance, she spied a figure dressed in scarlet robes running down the lawn. If she had looked closer, she would have seen that the figure was carrying a broomstick, a FIREBOLT to be exact. If she had looked even closer she would have seen the mop of messy black hair on his head and the thick, round, black-rimmed glasses that framed his green eyes and the lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead. If she had looked closer still she would have seen the gold embroidered writing on his back and if she had really focused she would have seen that the writing read, 'Potter'.
But then the figure disappeared into the Quidditch stadium. Chloe stood up and followed him. She knew that she couldn't sit in the stands but she could watch. Harry had shown her a place to watch the game in secret but still get the best view possible. It was high up in one of the pillars that held up the stands, this particular one was adorned with red and gold flags and a huge, towering, golden Gryffindor lion. She reached the stadium and found the right pillar. Down the bottom the thick canvas had split and if you pushed open the flap you could go inside it and climb up the buttresses. She began to climb, knowing exactly where to put her hands and feet, she had done this many times before when she watched the teams practice. She reached the top and gently pulled open the torn flap at the top. It was just big enough so that she could see exactly what was going on but not be noticed.
The Quidditch stadium was huge and the stands were filling quickly. It was a clear day, with hardly any wind, perfect for flying. Flying hadn't been big in France, so she hadn't known how to fly until Harry had taught her. That day had been so wonderful…
It was breakfast, on Christmas Eve. There weren't many people left at school and Chloe was one of them. Looking over at the Gryffindor table she realized that Harry wasn't there. He had probably gone home to his family. His parents were dead and he had never mentioned who looked after him but she supposed it would be the kind caring sort of parent-like figures she had never had.
In a moment, everything can change
Feel the wind on your shoulders
Chloe looked down at her porridge. It was lumpy and turning cold. She pushed it away and poured herself some pumpkin juice. She didn't drink this either. Wearily, she stood up, thinking that she might as well get that essay for Professor Binns done before the library was crowded with students trying to squeeze in their homework in the brief time after Christmas before school started again. She shuffled towards the doors, looking at her feet glumly. She was almost there when the doors opened and Harry entered. She looked up in surprise.
"He," she began, but Harry grabbed her arm and put his finger to his lips. He rushed her out of the room and into the Entrance Hall.
"I have something to show you. Come on!"
For a minute, all the world can wait
Let go of your yesterday
He tugged at her arm and she allowed herself to be pulled out the front doors and down the steps into the freezing snow.
"Harry," she said, "I haven't got my cloak or gloves. It's freezing out here. I'll go back and get them."
"No, don't," he replied, "Here, take my cloak. I'll be okay." He took off his cloak and held it out for her.
"Well, if you say so," she said, taking the cloak, "Thanks."
She put it on. It was a little big but that was probably a good thing, as she could put her hands inside.
"Now," he said, "Let's go!"
He seemed very excited, rather like a little kid after his birthday or Christmas morning. He began to run down the small slope and Chloe followed him. It was slippery and once she almost fell over. He stopped when he reached the broom shed. Chloe arrived seconds later, panting.
"I'm going to teach you how to fly," he smiled.
Can you hear it calling
Can you feel it in your soul
Chloe felt her jaw drop. "F-fly? I can't fly."
She liked watching Quidditch games but had never before thought of trying to fly herself. She couldn't. She wouldn't.
"Yes you can," he said stubbornly, "And I'm going to teach you."
'Well, I suppose I could try…"
Can you trust this longing
And take control
"Flying is the most amazing experience. You'll be great."
She smiled weakly while he opened up the broom shed and brought out two brooms. One was pretty ordinary. The twigs in the tail were sticking out at all odd angles and the handle was chipped and dirty. The other though, looked perfect. The handle was shined so that she could almost see her reflection and the tail twigs were perfectly streamlined and clipped. On the handle, in little gold lettering was the word FIREBOLT
"Here," he said, handing her the old broom. "You can have a go on this one later, but the slow old school ones are better to start on."
She took it and held it awkwardly by her side, wondering what to do next. He stood beside her, and showed her how to mount the broom.
"Now push off from the ground. I'll go up with you, so if something happens I can help. Don't worry," he said, seeing her anxious expression, "Nothing will happen. On the count of three then, one, two, three."
Chloe pushed off from the ground and saw Harry rising next to her. It was a wonderful feeling, like leaving all her worries on the ground behind her.
Fly
Open up the part of you that wants to hide away
Chloe looked over at Harry and grinned. "This is great," she said happily.
"I know," he replied, "Follow me."
He turned his broom to the left and flew towards the forest. Chloe followed and felt the wind in her hair. It was the most magical feeling. She accelerated to keep up with Harry. He turned around, grinning mischeviously and when she reached him he flew straight down. She took a deep breath, and followed him. He pulled out of the dive just in time, and seconds later, she did too.
"You're good," he said.
She practically glowed.
You can shine
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life
They soared around for ages, laughing and talking. Harry lent Chloe the FIREBOLT for a while. It was so fast, and moved at the slightest touch. She felt like nothing else mattered. Essays, schoolwork, fitting in…
And start to try
Cause it's your time
Time to fly
Harry headed for the ground and Chloe followed him. She landed gently and slipped off the broom. He grinned.
"I meant it when I said you're good," he said, "You should be on the Slytherin team."
She pulled a face. "I could never support Slytherin. I hate it. I obviously have some characteristics of one but I know I can't be one. It's horrible. Anyway, there are no girls on the team and I don't think Malfoy will give me a place."
Harry laughed. "Yeah, I suppose. Come on, let's get lunch."
They put their brooms back in the shed and walked up the snow-covered lawn to the castle. She looked at him and smiled. His cheeks were red and his hair even more ruffled than usual.
"What are you looking at Chloe Deneuve?" he asked jokingly.
"You," she replied, laughing, "You didn't really teach me how to fly you know. I seemed to already know."
All your worries, leave them somewhere else
Find a dream you can follow
"I know," Harry said, "I was secretly hoping you did, because I didn't know how to teach you. I wasn't really ever taught either."
"Ah," Chloe replied sarcastically, "We have so much in common."
He grinned at her, then kissed her gently on the lips and raced up the lawn. "Come on! I'm starving!"
Chloe ran after him, the cloak he had lent her billowing behind her. They arrived in the Great Hall, flustered and laughing.
"Come and sit with us," he said, pointing to his friends at the Gryffindor table. She knew all their names now. There was Ron, the red-head who had helped her with her trunk on the first day, Hermione, the girl with busy brown hair and of course Ginny. Luna also usually sat with them even though she was in Ravenclaw but her and Neville and gone home for Christmas.
Reach for something, when there's nothing left
And the world's feeling hollow
Harry and Chloe sat down and Harry told the others what a good flier she was.
"I'm not that good," she said, not wanting to sound like she was boasting, or had asked Harry to boast for her.
"Yes you are," said Harry, "I told her she should be on the Slytherin team."
"It sounds like you're good enough," said Ginny.
"But I'm not going to be on the Slytherin team. I hate Slytherin."
They all laughed and she wondered what was so funny.
Can you hear it calling
Can you feel it in your soul
"You'd be great Chloe," Harry said.
"I'd like to be if I was in any other house, but I just can't support Slytherin. Can we please talk about something else?"
Hermione chipped in, "Well, how are you all going with your homework? I've finished mine of course and now I'm teaching myself new advanced spells. Watch."
She stood up and got out her wand. She pointed it at the chandelier on the ceiling and said, "Cambiercolore!"
Harry pulled her aside, "We can still fly together okay? How about every Saturday morning? We can meet at the broomshed and fly for as long as we want."
She smiled, "I'd like that."
Can you trust this longing
And take control
He kissed her lips quickly.
"I have to go now," he said, pulling a face, "Homework. I have a mountain of it."
She smiled, "See you then."
"Bye."
She turned back to Hermione, who had proceeded to make the chandelier change colours every few seconds. From red, to orange, to yellow and so on. The prospect of flying every Saturday with Harry cheered her up a great deal.
Fly
Open up the part of you that wants to hide away
Ron and Ginny were going to the Gryffindor common room to play wizard chess and Hermione was going to the library to practice more spells. Chloe went with Hermione, she thought she better get started on that History of Magic essay.
But when in the library, with a blank piece of parchment in front of her and a pile of thick old books, all she could think about was flying. It was the most magical feeling she had ever had and all she wanted to do was grab a broom and be off, leaving all her troubles on the ground. After a few minutes of forcing herself to write, she put down her quill, said goodbye to Hermione and went outside. She knew she would regret it later but she didn't care.
She saw someone running behind the broom shed, trying to get out of view. She walked faster, curious to know who it was, and why they were hiding. She reached the broom shed and peered behind it and what she saw made her gasp. Harry was there, but he wasn't alone. He was with someone and they were kissing.
She ran, she wasn't sure if Harry had seen her but she didn't care. She grabbed a broom from the broomshed and ran up the slope to an open space. She mounted the broom and pushed off from the ground with all her might.
You can shine
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life
It was okay. He was just a stupid boy after all. But… but, this was different. He was cheating on her but, with another guy? Harry was well, gay. She finally thought it. It sunk in. Never ever again would she kiss him, never again would she able to look in his eyes and feel the same way.
She roused herself. She would not let herself cry over him. Instead she would go far away. She had just made up her mind about this when she heard someone calling.
"Chloe!"
She looked down and saw Hermione and Ginny standing there. They were grinning.
"You're really good," called Ginny.
And start to try
Cause it's your time
She smiled to herself. Who cared about Harry? He was an inconsiderate little- She stopped herself from thinking any more about him and started to descend. The wind was in her hair and a grin spread across her face. She took her hands off the broom hesitantly and when she didn't fall, lifted them up above her head. Hermione screamed and Ginny whooped. Chloe grinned some more.
Time to fly
She didn't know why she was so happy. Maybe because now she was free to do whatever she wanted. It didn't matter what Harry did or what he said she should do. She would not join the Slytherin Quidditch team because he or anyone else told her to.
And when you're down and feel alone
Just wanna run away
Hermione looked white but Ginny was still cheering. Chloe whooped with her and accelerated, going in for a spectacular dive.
Trust yourself and don't give up
You know you're better than anyone else
And then it happened. A spectacular gust of wind suddenly blew and swept her off her broom. She screamed and flailed her arms around, searching for the handle, but before she knew it she had hit the ground.
Sitting up in her little hideaway waiting for the Quidditch match to begin, Chloe heard something creaking beneath her and before she could even look down she heard the whole tower crashing down beneath her. She screamed and let go of the wooden frame she was holding. Then she was falling, falling and she knew no more.
In a moment, everything can change