Chapter Three

Albus leant nonchalantly against the desk humming to himself as Minerva glared at him in expectant exasperation. Finally after several minutes of waiting she snapped, "I suppose it would be to much to ask that you actually enlighten us about this idea of yours."

Albus beamed at her merrily. "I was hoping you would ask ..." He said happily. Albus peered at Harry intently over his half moon spectacles. "Now Harry my boy," He said softly, "How would you like it if I turned you into something ..."

Instantly Minerva gasped in shock. "Albus !" She protested.

"Now ... now ... my dear ..." Albus said soothingly, "I mean with Harry's full consent of course, simply as a way to proove to him that I can do magic." Turning to the green eyed boy who stood before him, Albus rested his wizened hand lightly on Harry's shoulder and said gently, "Harry my boy I assure you that both Minerva and I can do magic, I would not lie to you about this, but it is understandable that you require proof of this ..."

"Not to me it isn't." Minerva growled under her breath as she glared disapprovingly at both Harry and Albus.

Albus' only answer was a brief twinkling glance in her direction, then he turned his attention to Harry once more. "The ideal solution my boy would seem to be to turn you into something, after all that could not possibly be a trick could it ? I assure you it will not hurt, and that I will only do so with your consent Harry." Albus patted Harry gently on the back in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture. "Please indulge an old man's fancy my boy." Albus said gently. "Come now there must be something that you have always wanted to be."

Harry felt almost as though Dumbledore could see right inside him to his deepest most private dreams, and something in the old wizard's voice made him answer hesitantly. "Well I always wondered what it would be like to fly ... you know to really fly ... to be a bird ... an eagle."

"Your wish is my command my dear boy." Albus said joyously, "Now if you would just come and sit on the windowsill..."

"Not going to shove me out are you ?" Muttered Harry, remembering one of Dudley's so called pranks.

"Trust me my boy." Albus soothed, his voice like the soft gentle hum of a bumblebee.

Something about Albus' voice, about his sparkling bright blue eyes so full of merry goodness made Harry trust him, and thinking that Dumbledore was probably the most grandfatherly person he had ever met, he sat himself on the stone window ledge.

"Ready Harry ?" Albus asked.

Harry nodded, feeling a mixture of doubt and excitement welling up within him, surely Dumbledore couldn't really do magic could he ?

Harry couldn't help but tense nervously as Dumbledore pointed his wand at him and muttered a few words. Harry felt the strangest feeling come over him, the cool breeze from the open window carressed his feathers ... feathers ! He had feathers ! Looking down he saw claws clinging to the stone ledge, his claws. Dumbledore had done it, he was an eagle, Harry could scarecely believe it.

Tentatively he flexed his muscles, marvelling at the new power and strength that flowed through them. Moving uncertainly as he got used to his new form, Harry turned to look out of the window at the inviting expanse of sapphire skies and cotton wool clouds. Slowly he moved closer to the edge of the window sill. He was vaguely aware of Professor McGonagall expressing her worries that he might get hurt, might not know how to fly, an unusual note of near panic in her voice, but the call of the wind and the blue skies was too strong for Harry to worry about that. As he spread his wings, oh such glorious wings, and lept from the stone ledge he laughed within himself for he knew that he could fly. That he was born to soar majestically through the air.

Harry soon learned how the slightest movement of a wingtip could cause him to change direction. Where at first his flight had been clumsy, now it was as though he were one with the skies, intensely aware of each current of air. As he soared and tumbled against the vivid blue Harry was the happiest that he had ever been in his entire life. This was a million times better than any broomstick.

As he rolled and danced ecstatically Albus and Minerva watched from the window, their hands intwined together. Minerva's face lit by a rare tender smile, Albus' eyes sparkling even more joyously than normal.

At last Harry began to tire. Lazily he drifted on a current of air, moving with it, noticing how tiny the people below looked. Somehow Harry knew his wondrous flight would soon be over, that it was nearly time to return to human form. As the late summer skies darkened and the sun began to sink beneath the horizon, Harry flew slowly and unwillingly towards the waiting forms of Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall.

Alighting softly on the stone window ledge he heard Dumbledore say, "Now Minerva if you would do the honours of turning Harry back into human form once more, I believe that should convince him of both our magical abilities ..."

As Professor McGonagall pointed her wand at him Harry felt himself regain his normal form. Looking up he noticed Dumbledore gazing at him piercingly over half moon spectacles which appeared ready to fall off the tip of his long crooked nose. "Convinced now Harry ?" Albus asked softly.

"Wow !" Was all Harry could say as he gazed at Albus and Minerva round eyed with admiration.

Just as Albus opened his mouth to speak, Harry asked eagerly, "Can we do it again Sir ?"

At once Albus' face saddened, and he sighed regretfully. "Alas my dear boy I fear that would not be quite fair on the other students." He answered gently. "I really can't show favouritism my boy, I am sorry."

Harry's shoulders sagged in disappointment as he heard Dumbledore's answer, and his emerald green eyes clouded over as he gazed forlornly at the floor. Then in a voice which trembled slightly he said, "I understand Sir."

Still seemingly immersed in staring at the floor Harry failed to notice Minerva shoot a pleading glance at Albus, who answered with a nod and a smile. Harry felt the feather light touch of his Headmaster's hand on his shoulder, as Dumbledore said softly, "Well if you promise not to tell anyone, after all I don't have time to turn everyone into things, I'd never get any work done ..."

"He never does get any work done anyway." Minerva muttered almost soundlessly, but Albus' sharp hearing picked up the comment, and he twinkled merrily in her direction.

"Oh thank you Sir !" Harry said joyously his face alive with happiness in a way that made minerva dab at her eyes with a spotless white hankie, and caused Albus to sniff loudly then turn and gaze out of the window for several minutes.

The End.

Author's Notes

Well I hope this was an enjoyably fluffy ending ? :) And I hope that if this story gave you pleasure or made you smile that you will take the time to review, for reviews are the only and best reward that writers get, other than the pleasure of writing. So please make the effort, even if you only say a couple of words.

I love the idea of Harry having some joyous moments like this, and imagine many more happy times being an eagle for him. The idea of Albus turning him into an eagle was loosely inspired by Sword in the stone, I highly reccomend the disney film to anyone who wants to see Albus in bermuda shorts. :D Merlin in it is just so Albus, except in his grumpiness and his shorter hair, it's wonderful. :D *resists temptation to add list of all the wonderful Disney films there are.* :D