Please Note: AN and Disclaimer are located below.
Warning: Language

Summary; What do you want for your Birthday? This little drabble expresses Harry's experience as he receives his Wizarding Inheritance. Enjoy. Blessings. LL

Update: May 14, 2005. Review responses have been added at the bottom.


Birthday, Black Feathers & Night Flight
Presented by: imLittleLily

July 30, 1996; 11:40 pm . . .

Harry James Potter, the-boy-who-lived, was lying on his bed reading Quidditch Through the Ages, as a simple means of passing the minutes until midnight. He couldn't remember how many times he had already read it, but tonight he was simply reviewing it for the sake of having something to occupy his time until it was time to receive his Wizarding Inheritance. He flipped the pages, studying strategy images and the best ways in which to use them. He sighed when he got to the page showing the reader how to maneuver the Wronski Feint. He already knew this as he thought to himself, Why am I looking at this?

Harry reached up and pushed his glasses up his nose as he watched the quidditch player execute a perfect Feint, and then fly off the page only to reappear on the other side to redo the intricate move - forever, or at least for the life of the book. Harry studied the move once more.

He shook his head as he asked himself why he was looking at the same images again. Good question. He smirked as he while he turned another page. 'Mione would have scolded him for spending time on something he already had memorized. The coming term would be the beginning of sixth year after all. While it was true that Quidditch was important, it would not be on any of their exams, she would think he was wasting his valuable studying time. Harry smiled to himself as he remembered his last letter from her, "Harry, it is time to get serious, we have only two more years at Hogwarts, you know . . . "

He looked up from his book as he thought of Hermione and turned to look at the digital clock on his desk. Blaring red numbers announced that it was now 11:56. He sighed, closed the book and placed it on the floor next to his bed.

His gaze traveled around his small bedroom. There was barely enough room for his bed, desk and chair. The wardrobe pushed tightly into the corner made the room appear smaller. He sighed once more as he looked at Hedwig's empty cage, missing her companionship. He had sent her to Remus for the night since he was unsure what would occur when he came into his wizard's inheritance.

Remus had offered to let him stay at Grimmauld Place tonight, but Harry just did not feel ready to go to Sirius' home so soon after his death.

He closed his eyes tightly and tried to eject the sad thoughts surrounding Sirius from his mind. He would think more on that later.

Harry took a deep cleansing breath and let it out as his eyes traveled once more to his clock. Just as they stopped to view the red numbers, the clock flipped to 12:00. He inhaled sharply.

A white and gold spiral of warm air began to form around him. Its motion was surprisingly powerful yet very calming. He sat up straight on his bed in a cross legged position as the air tightened around him like an embrace. The sensation he experienced was one of exhilaration as though he was soaring around the pitch at Hogwarts on his Firebolt.

Then without any warning whatsoever . . .

He was . . . well at least he was soaring . . . around the pitch.

In panic Harry landed within the dark stands of the pitch. He perched in a Slytherin seat and shook out his feathers, trying to look down at himself. His breathing was erratic from both joyful excitement and surprised panic. He tried once more to get a better look at himself; all he could really tell was that black feathers covered him. He glanced around the pitch, and then looked toward the castle where he noticed a light shining like a beacon in the headmaster's office high within his tower.

Harry ruffled his feathers once more ,and then shook his head. It wasn't that he thought that Dumbledore would be upset, it was more that he was still surprised himself and didn't feel ready to share.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Well, he thought, you've got to do it sometime.

When he exhaled, Harry spread his wings and jumped from the high seat. The rush of wind around him filled him with a sense of freedom he had never experienced before. His soul soared as it melded with his new found freedom. His wings stretched to their full span and caught the air. He glided just above the grass, and then flew straight up into the dark night, through the three hoops at the western end of the pitch.

He sang out in blissful happiness and exhilaration, and then headed south to Surrey.

The journey south became an adventure of new experiences. He sang out again as he continued, occasionally stopping to enjoy the summer night under the brilliant stars. Harry soared and flipped in circles as he learned this new winged dance.

The lights of cities seemed to blink their night sparks of life reaching upward to the sky which had its own light show. The dipper shaped moon hung low in the sky surrounded by stars blinking in their individual attempt to be noticed.

Harry smiled within his mind at the broad vista before him, and then sang as he performed another loop, spinning and spiraling just before gliding down to land in a tree and catch his breath.

At one point during his flight, he reached an area that seemed to have a different atmosphere which spread all around him giving him a strong sense of belonging. He spread his wings to lazily glide along the wind currents through the darkened sky. Suddenly he was surprised as a band of summer heat lightening lit up the sky with its awesome beauty and power.

Within his mind he smiled once more as blissful peace spread its essence through him. He had never experienced such happieness--even on his Firebolt. The connection of air with his feathers gave the sensation of being who he had always meant to be.

Harry arrived Privet Drive just as the sun began to rise over the park's trees, jungle gym and swings. He landed on the highest bar of the jungle gym and watched his cousin Dudley. He studied Dudley as he ran by without a glance at the large bird, he wasn't breathing heavy so Harry decided that he had just begun his run. He watched as he continued along the front of the park down the road and beginning the loop that would take him to the back of the park along Vista Road.

Once Dudley stepped around the corner out of sight, he lifted his black wings and headed to Number 4 Privet Drive.

Harry landed on the top of the fence that enclosed the backyard of Number 4 and looked up at his bedroom window. Damn, how did I get out without opening the window? He scanned the yard as he thought about how he was going to get back into the house. I guess I could apparate, well maybe . . . but damn, I hate to apparate.

He shuddered, feathers moving on the morning air in response as he recalled the secret lessons Remus had been giving him in apparition since the Department of Mysteries fiasco. He simply did not like the disjointed sensation the experienced with apparition.

Harry sighed.

He closed his eyes and thought about his problem. I don't even know how to change back to be just Harry. He opened them and looked longingly into his bedroom. He spread his wings and glided down to the round patio table and looked in through the back door.

A blue jay arrived at Aunt Petunia's feeder. He squawked at Harry for intruding in his territory.

Harry shook his head and sent out his own musical sounds in response.

The jay flew to the fence with an angry flip of his tail feathers and continued to glare at the strange bird.

Harry turned his attention from the angry blue jay back to his upstairs window. Within his mind stubbornness surfaced. His glance became focused on the glass just before he closed his eyes.

With a flashpoint of fire, he opened his eyes to find himself sitting on his bed . . . in human form.

He stood up quickly. "Whoa!"

A quick look in his mirror showed Harry he was indeed in human form once more. He studied his blurry reflection to see if there had been any other visible changes. He frowned, and then realized the problem; he raised his hand and pulled his round wire framed glasses from his face.

He could see perfectly. He smirked at his reflection then studied his hair. It was slightly longer then he usually wore it and just as mussed as if he had been flying. Well that isn't anything new, he thought and turned his head slightly. He inhaled sharply when he realized that his hair had green highlights within the new length. He pulled some in front of his eyes and whistled softly as the softness surprised him. It had been soft before, now it felt like spun silk. He shook it out gently and caught the green tint in the early morning sunshine coming in through the window.

Blimy, Uncle Vernon won't like that. As he processed the thought, the green vanished as if it had never been there. Harry arched a brow at his reflection.

With a soft laugh he closed his eyes and focused hard. When he opened his eyes he was gifted with the sight of his messy locks with green and silver tips. He smirked, a laugh bubbled up. That would be cool to show Salz. He changed his hair back and decided to shower before Dudley got back from his run. He grabbed a towel and made his way to the bathroom for a quick clean-up.

After finishing, Harry walked the short distance back to his room. As he opened his bedroom door, Dudley entered the upstairs hall and nodded in a flash of a greeting. Harry responded in kind and wondered, not for the first time this summer, what had happened to his cousin to create so much change in him.

They had not fought this summer and Dudley seemed constantly busy with working out--either at the youth center or in the basement here. Harry shook his head and entered his room. His thought process changed as he stood in front of his mirror. He realized that indeed he had undergone other changes, less noticeable then he had expected. He tilted his head and studied himself.

Black wavy hair hung wet around his face. It felt strangely soft. He shook his head energetically thus spreading water across his room. He stopped when a sudden movement of air blew some of his parchments to the floor from his desk. He looked down at them wondering what had happened. He frowned at them and then shook his head violently once more only to have the air stir once more. His hair was now completely dry.

He studied his reflection once more. He could tell that he was taller but he wasn't sure how much. He reached up and ran his fingers through his hair as he wondered what other new and interesting experiences he would have. He picked up his parchments and pulled some fresh clothing from his wardrobe. He needed to get ready to leave because he was expected at the Burrow this afternoon for his Birthday party.

Harry entered the kitchen to the smell of eggs and bacon wafting through the house. He nodded to his aunt, poured himself a large glass of milk and sat down.

Aunt Petunia slipped a plate full of breakfast in front of him. He noticed that it contained more than usual, a silent, secretive Happy Birthday.

He whispered, "Thank you."

She nodded and turned as Dudley entered. "You're running late, Dudley. You should eat something before you leave."

Dudley nodded and sat down to begin his breakfast.

Silence filled the kitchen as everyone began eating, lost within their own thoughts.

Dudley was almost finished when the phone rang. He rolled his eyes as Harry studied him and answered with a rough, "Yeah?"

Piers Polkiss was on the other end.

Harry could hear him insisting that Dudley should hurry because, "That damn prat was already here and . . . "

Harry arched a brow rose as his cousin laughed.

"I'll be there, chill Piers." He snorted as Piers said something else that Harry was unable to understand. Dudley hung up.

"Gotta go, mum," Dudley said, standing and reaching for his backpack. "I'll be back later then usual today."

Petunia nodded. "I won't be home this afternoon. Garden Club."

Dudley, already in the hall grunted. "Bye!" The front door slammed.

Once they were alone, Petunia asked him, "You'll be leaving at eleven?"

"Yes." Harry stood and took his breakfast dishes to the sink. "Remus, is picking me up. I'll be spending the night at the Burrow, and then coming back tomorrow."

"You won't be staying there the rest of the summer?"

Harry hesitated, and then shook his head. "Ron's going to Romania to work with his brother Charlie for a couple of weeks. I'm planning on going back to the Burrow the last week of break."

Petunia nodded and stood. She pulled her bag and keys to her across the counter. "Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow."

Harry pondered her friendly response and finished his dishes. He went upstairs and began gathering his belongings to spend the night at the Burrow. He sighed as he thought about what he had experienced last night. It had been awesome to fly with such freedom. His mind traveled to his surprise appearance at the Quidditch pitch. He sat on the end of his bed wondering how he had gotten there and even how he had gotten back into his room. It had not been apparition--that he was sure of.

A shudder journed along his spine. He didn't like to apparate and had told Remus about the strange disjointed feeling it gave him. No, what had happened to him last night was something very different, almost as though he had been born with the innate ability to travel that way; the sensation was much smoother for him.

Harry frowned as he looked around his bedroom. The house was silent. He was alone with his thoughts. He looked down at his bag and realized that all he needed to pack now was his toothbrush from the bathroom. He picked it up and pulled it over his shoulder as he stood up. As if moving on instinct he turned and found himself, not standing in his bedroom--no, now he stood in front of the bathroom vanity.

Kewl, he thought, studying his reflection in the mirror.

Harry exited the bathroom deep in thought. Perhaps, I should keep all of these new gifts under wraps until I figure them all out. He nodded at the decision as he made his way down the stairs to answer the door bell and greet Remus. He opened the door with a wide grin and excitement. The morning sun glinted on his wire framed glasses.

Yes . . . some secrets would be held onto . . .


AN: Kewl means Cool and comes from the British slang dictionary that I use. If you are interested in reading more of my expressions of Harry Potter, check out my fic, Beauty in Perfection; Stand by Me.

Thanks for reading. All reviews are accepted with boundless gratitude. Blessings. LL


May 14, 2005

Review responses, as always, are in the order received.

DemonRogue: Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed this little drabble. I was actually beginning to think that I had written a flop when there was no response to its debut. It was something that was begging to be expressed. Thank God for JKR's influence because she held onto a chapter for 13 years before finding a spot for it in book 6; HP and the Half Blood Prince. I learn something new from her so often that it is astounding. Thanks for the review. Blessings. LL

Kiyoshi and Ame the Demons: I'm glad you like this drabble. I just wanted to let you know that it is actually a 'Prequel' to my fic, Beauty in Perfection; Stand by Me. Harry's story is continued there if you wish to follow it. Thanks for taking the time to review. Blessings. LL

Fifespice: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed. I noticed you left a review at Beauty in Perfection; Stand by Me, at chapter 5. I guess that means you know now that that is the sequel you were requesting. I hope you enjoy it. Blessings.

(LL sneaking in 1-16-08 to tighten and edit a bit. ;o)


Blanket Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. and all other characters within Potter World do not belong to me. No infringement is intended. I am making no money here; just having fun. Kudos and blessings to the literary genius JKR. This disclaimer is meant to be effective throughout all of my expressions of HPfics. Where mentioned it also includes Pepsi, India Spice Tea and the Psycho Balistics Delta .68 and last but not least, the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series. Use of these names is solely for entertainment purposes and isn't an endorsement of the product. I am making no money from them either.