Harry turned to look at the person yelling for him, and swallowed hard. It was a fifth year Slytherin named Marcus Flint who had called his name, up in a tower classroom, looking down. "Put down your broom, quick!" he yelled.

Harry was startled. Why was Flint looking out for him? But Harry did as he was told, because he saw someone else coming to the field in a rush. Professor McGonnagal. No doubt she had seen the flying escapade first hand from her own office. But Harry doubted whether she had been able to make out who it was flying. Harry noticed that everyone else had tossed their brooms away as well. No one wanted to even be considered the guilty party. Harry knew that none of the Slytherins would say anything. Giving him away would give Malfoy away as well. But the Gryffindors? He wasn't sure if he could trust them not to say anything. After all, it was a golden opportunity for them. To expel two Slytherins, easily, then and there.

Professor McGonnagal approached, and sniffed loudly, eyeing all of them. "I saw two students in the air. Two Slytherin students," she turned and glared at all of the Slytherins. "Give yourselves up, or I will turn to the Gryffindors for aid.

The Slytherins looked nervously, but all eyes stayed straight towards McGonnagal. She heaved a sigh, and threw her arms in the air. "Fine!' she said, "I'll resort to asking my own House to tell, then! Tell me, now," she said, approaching Hermione, her most trustworthy student, "who was it?"

Hermione looked tormented at the thought of having to tell her that it had been Harry. After all, she had made a bond of friendship with him. Harry almost turned himself in, then, to spare her the pain of having to tell on him. But before he cold say anything, she spoke. "I don't know, Professor," she said, and Harry's jaw dropped to the ground. Hermione lying to a teacher? "I wasn't paying attention, or watching. I was too busy attempting to see if I---if I could cast a charm on my broom to make it steadier."

Professor McGonnagal looked down her nose at the shaking Hermione, and turned away. "Did anybody happen to see who it was, or were you all too busy tampering with school property to notice the duel up there?"

Harry watched everyone, all looking sheepishly at their feet. Harry saw Seamus open his mouth to say something, but Dean elbowed him in the ribs, and shook his head. Harry smiled inwardly. They were all defending him.

McGonnagal was furious. "Fine! Nobody saw anything, I suppose! Will be mentioning this to Professor Snape, Slytherin, and I will see to it that you all receive extra homework, Gryffindor. Perhaps I will be able to sharpen your observatory skills with a pop quiz, some time? Now! As far as I see it, this flying class is over, and I'm quite sure Madam Hooch would agree. All of you, get ready for your next class this instant!"

And with that, she stormed off back towards the castle. The class watched her leave, not moving, and then broke out into loud, angry conversation, mostly on the Gryffindor's part.

"Pop quiz? I can hardly make it through the quizzes when I know they're coming!" complained Dean.

"And more homework? Between Potions and Transfigurations, I'll have no time left in the day! I need an extra two hours a night as is!" said Lavender.

But amid the complaining, the Gryffindors sneaked glances at Harry, and despite their anger, he thought they might be approving. Harry smiled slightly, and walked towards Parvati. She was the only one he had noticed was not complaining. She had defended Neville, too. "Here," Harry said, tipping the Rememberall into her hand. Harry noticed she blushed slightly and smiled when his hand touched herds, but his expression remained the same. "I trust that you'll get that back to him."

Parvati looked Harry straight in the eyes for a brief moment, then looked away and nodded.

"Potter!" called Flint from the tower.

Harry looked up at him reluctantly. He didn't really like Flint, and saw no need to talk to him. But he did owe him for him warning Harry about McGonnagal coming.

"Yes?" said Harry.

"Meet me in the Common Room after lunch! We need to talk."

Harry nodded. "Okay," he called back.

Harry picked up his books lying in the grass nearby, and started back for the castle. He decided that he had best listen to McGonnagal and head back and get ready for his next class. He had Charms. Harry heard others move for their things behind him, and waited up. He might as well head back with the crowd. It might look less suspicious. But he would hang to the back. He knew it would look suspicious if he was getting along with people. However, as he lead the others move around him, two people stopped at either side of him. It was Seamus and Parvati.

"I just want you to know," said Seamus, "that we all appreciate what you did. I still don't know what to think about you. But you stuck up for one of the lowest Gryffindors. And that makes you okay for the time, until you do something sickeningly Slytherin-like and mess it up again."

Harry nodded, showing he understood, and Seamus jogged forward to catch up with Dean. He then turned to Parvati, whose cheeks were very flushed, Harry noticed.

"Um, Harry" she said, "I just wanted to tell you that that was a very brave thing you did back their. Sticking up for Neville. And me. And, um...' she hesitated, and then kissed him on the cheek quickly. "Thanks," she finished, running ahead, not looking at Lavender who was staring back in amusement, waiting to tease Parvati.

Harry smiled and shook his head. In the matter of an hour, he had gone from being hated by all the Gryffindors, to earning a kiss from the prettiest of them. He hiked his books up higher in his arms, and walked on. It had been an interesting morning to say the least.