Chapter 3: I'll Fly Away

Harry stared out his hotel window. Hawaii really was a beautiful place, but that wasn't his main reason for coming. The islands were just as far as he could get away from home, and he doubted anyone would think to look there. He imagined he'd come back in a week or two by then the whole thing should be calmer and he could just go on with his life from there. His friends were going to be furious with him. Hermione was going to have a royal fit, and he didn't imagine Remus would take it well either. Telling them hadn't been an option because they would all try and help him though this "difficult" time. He wasn't even sure it was a truly difficult time. Yes, there were things that he would rather forget, but he had a rather numb feeling about it. The sound of the waves was soothing. Harry could almost get used to this. With fall in London, he found that his legs and back ached terribly, but the warmer climate here agreed with him. He might even venture out of the hotel room tomorrow. So far, he had been content to sit in his room reading.

His run in with Snape three days ago had sapped some of his adventurous spirit. The elation he had felt at the success of his disguise was killed by simply looking at his former professor. Yet, what followed was quite bizarre. It had given Harry something new to think about. His mind drifted back to that day.

Snape had followed him to Godric's Hollow under a disguise of his own, and the two had settled--albeit uncomfortably--into Harry's study. "So what is this proposition, Potter?" Snape asked cautiously.

"I want you find a way to heal me," Harry said stiffly. He wasn't expecting Snape's dark laughter. "What's so funny?"

"Really, Potter, you don't think I'll poison you?" the potions master asked.

Now it was Harry's turn to laugh. "I can't believe that you still think you can frighten me. If you kill me, you kill me. The only one who will suffer for it is you. I doubt the Ministry will take kindly to you murdering their good, little trophy."

If Snape was surprised by his former student's bitterness, he didn't show it. Instead, he simply nodded. "But what do I have to gain from helping you?"

"I'll pay you well for it, and I'm sure the backing of The-Boy-Who-Lived will do some good for your reputation. You can refurbish your potions lab and spend the rest of your life brewing to your black heart's content," Harry told him as he wrote down a figure.

Snape raised a brow at the number on the parchment. "You can afford to pay me this much? I knew your father had left his brat well off, but this…"

"I won't starve in a poor house, but I don't see how it's any difference to you. I can always write a book and make that back easily."

"You're right--I don't care if you starve. Very well, I accept your deal, Potter, but keep in mind this means you become my test subject, and I can promise the results will always be pleasant. Ask Lupin about the early Wolfsbane, if you doubt it." Snape paused. "You had better be sure it is worth it to you."

Harry nodded gravely. "You have no idea what it is worth to me. My entire future is gone."

Something told Harry that Snape wasn't entirely sympathetic. The dark man pinched the bridge of his nose as if he were trying to banish a headache. "You still haven't lost your flair for melodrama. For Merlin's sake you have a limp, but your still standing on your own two feet, Potter."

A sardonic smile touched Harry's lips as he lifted his pant leg to reveal the charmed braces beneath. "Yes, but not of my own strength."

Unfazed, Snape crossed his arms. "And you made it out alive…not like the Weasley boy."

Suddenly, the lights began to flicker and glass around the room began to crack. A wind began swirl through study. An unearthly voice came from Harry. "Don't you dare speak to me about Ron!"

The magical aura around the young man was enough to make Snape step back. "So you are as strong as they say you are."

Harry didn't look at Snape when he finally did speak. "Just get out, Snape. Owl me when you have something….here this should be a good start for supplies," he added accio'ing a bag of gold.

Snape sneered as he took the bag. "Give me a month or so, and I will have something at least. I have a prior engagement."

Harry shrugged.

The memory faded as Harry leaned on the railing. The Hawaiian sunset was breathtaking over the water. He would go down and walk along the beach, but sand wasn't exactly ideal for his unsteady gait. Instead, he decided to settle for a dip in the pool.

The Triwizard competition seemed like it had happened to someone else, and in the time between, Harry hadn't improved on his swimming. He stayed to the shallow end where the water reached his chest. It was warm enough that he didn't shiver at all. Looking down through the water, his legs didn't look nearly as thin and pale as they did normally. Soon, he told himself, he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. He may dislike Snape, but he didn't deny that the man was brilliant.

For the first time since therapy, Harry allowed himself to think about the things that he would do when he was back to his old self. First and foremost on his list was flying. At the current time, he was unable to get a good enough grip on the broom to get himself air born. Merlin, how he missed it! When he was younger, flying was the only thing that kept him sane. Soaring through the air had let him forget all of the turmoil that surrounded him. No doubt about it, there very first thing Harry was going to do was fly. He'd fly so far and so fast that no one could find him.