A/N: I apologise for the long delay in getting the new chapters up. So to take up for this oversight on my part--due to TAFE and family-- I have several new chapters to keep everyone happy.

Dedicated to Jess

Chapter Two- A Different Kind Of Escort

In a quiet street in Little Whingeing, a boy sat at his window, staring out at the stars. On his shoulder, a lovely pristine white owl hooted and pecked at his head. He frowned and rubbed a hand over his forehead, wincing when the lightening-shaped scar twinged. His green eyes gazed out at the silent world, wondering if anyone there would care to know that his entire world had come crashing down.

He shook his head and raised a hand to stroke Hedwig's wing. He looked down as a small winged horse flew into his other hand. It reared up, opening its wings and throwing its head back, sparks flew above it and a timer appeared above it: 2:30. the small creature had zoomed in through his open window two nights previous, carrying a letter written by Dumbledore, letting him know that his escort this year were from out of town. Out of the country to be more precise. Apparently the little horse was a gift for him to keep.

He lifted his hand as the horse lowered its wings. It blinked up at him with soft brown eyes, almost invisible against its black form. He stroked the feather-soft wings and marvelled at the feeling as muscles bunched up and relaxed under his caress. The little creature was amazingly fast too. He had seen it zoom about his room, leaving a trail of silver dust that fell, glittering, to the floor. But it was more then a simple living statue of some other creature, like the dragon he kept stashed safely away. It was almost like a creature in its own right.

The little horse, which he had decided to name 'Selean', after the strange musical neigh-like sound it made, stretched its wings before turning a full-circle and taking off to glide about the room. He watched, hypnotised by the silver trail left in its wake. He held a hand out and the dust covered his palm. He sighed and looked out at the night once more. He had two minutes left before he left Privett Drive for The Burrow. Two more minutes before he would be leaving for the peace and happiness he could still find at the Weasley household.

There was an odd 'whumping' sound and something large flew past the window. Hedwig hooted and fluttered over to his bed, settling her wings as he stood. Selean flitted around his head, the timer above it reading 0:30. So whatever that had been it was obviously his escort. Unless Voldemort suddenly had the ability to fly. Harry glanced out the window, pressing his cheek to it so he could see into the backyard where the form had landed.

He couldn't see much more than several large shadows, until white light suddenly flared up and he saw at least five winged horses. Incredibly large winged horses. He stepped back from the window as a woman looked up. His heart beating fast he tried to think about whether or not these people were his escort or if Voldemort had enlisted them to catch him. he tried to think about the situation in a rational way, but found that his mind was far beyond that and he was already grabbing hold of his wand, holding it tightly in his hand.

Selean whinnied softly and landed on his tense shoulder, the soft touch of feathery wings soothing his mind. Taking a deep breath, he took a step forward and looked down into the yard. Five winged horses, rather large ones mind you, were calming standing in the tiny muggle yard. Beside them, four cloaked wizards and witches gazed up at his window. The wind tugged at their cloaks, billowing them out and giving Harry a clear view of the image on the back. It looked like a sort of ancient rune, with a shimmering outline of a pair of wings.

Harry had to force himself not to jump back when one of them raised a hand and beckoned him down. Chewing on his bottom lip, he nodded to himself and turned towards his bedroom door. If he was going to be attacked, he would much prefer it if he was out in the open. Rubbing his fingers over the smooth wood of his wand, he made his way down the stairs, being carefully to avoid those that creaked. The house was silent, only Uncle Vernon's snores pierced the night. As Harry neared the back door, a soft glow began from outside. He hesitated then. What if they were with Voldemort and he was walking into a trap?

With a flap of little wings, Selean sprang off his shoulder, turning in circles at the door, before alighting on the round doorknob. The little horse reared and flicked its tail, rolling its dark eyes before finally shaking its head. Laughing at himself, Harry moved forward, allowing Selean to fly up to his shoulder before grasping the handle and flicking the lock. Taking a deep breath, the young wizard raised his wand and stepped outside, expecting flashes of green, or at least red, light in greeting.

Instead four witches and wizards smiled at him, warmth and content seeming to leak from them into the night.

"Well, it's about time." A green-eyed wizard grumbled. "I was about to think the little thing was too scared of you Raiye."

Raiye shot him a menacing glare, although her dark eyes twinkled in merriment. Her hair was almost as black as her eyes, highlighted by streaks of deep blue and blood red. She flicked a hand and the wizard jumped as his feet were hit by white lightening. "Most likely it's all your fault Laeo. After all, the boy does hate Slytherins."

"I'm not a bloody--."

"Oh, do shut up." Amber eyes flashed and the bickering pair instantly followed the request. "Hello. My name is Impan. And those two," he pointed lazily in the direction of the glowering witch and wizard. "Are Raiye and Laeo."

"Um… it's a pleasure to meet you."

"No, it's not." The fourth figure moved forward. Her purple eyes glinted in the shadows cast by her shaggy looking hair. With a shake, her bangs parted. "You really aren't sure on how to react. You expect Death Eater's, or at least followers of Voldemort. You didn't expect to walk out and find that we bicker and argue unlike any followers of that snake."

"Hey!" Laeo frowned. "Snakes aren't so bad, you know?"

She waved a hand in the air. "I didn't mean the species, Laeo." She smiled softly. "My name is Alena. We are to be your escort. Dumbledore obviously gave you the message, judging by the way the fledgling rests on your shoulder."

Harry raised a hand to instinctively stop Selean from flying off his shoulder, but the tiny horse ducked under it and glided over to Alena's open palm. He tensed up, raising his wand from where his arm had fallen. "Don't touch her."

"You're kidding me?" Impan laughed softly. "He's already attached? Don't tell me she likes him."

"More than likes him. He bloody named her!" Laeo frowned in annoyance.

"Well? Come on, what's her name?" Raiye was practically bouncing up and down.

Harry frowned. "Why?" he suddenly felt the need to protect the little winged horse and her name. He held a hand out and watched as she leapt into the air, whinnying as she bypassed his outstretched hand and settled on his shoulder. Her wings fluttered and closed, the nudging of her tiny head like a feathery caress. Strangely enough, the tiny horns on her head didn't even press into his skin.

Alena smiled at him. "That is a wise decision, Harry. Her birth name was, Serin. The name you have given her pertains to her new status." She fixed him with twinkling purple eyes. "She is now your Guardian and will die for you."

Raiye grinned. She turned then and hoisted herself up onto the winged horse beside her. Harry's eyes widened when he realised that the 'horses' were in fact larger versions of Selean. Dark in the shadows of the night, they changed colour when the light crossed over them. Raiye's was a deep golden palomino, his mane and tail ghostly white. The large wings, that were folded carefully, shined with silver lining. It's large eyes were a soft hazel, glittering with intelligence.

The one Impan leaned casually against was a deep chestnut, mane and tail mirroring the deep shadows that danced in the night. His wings flecked in gold and bright blue eyes shined in the shadow that crept across his head. Laeo's was a grey mare, whose silver mane and tail flashed as it tossed its head, brown eyes rolling. But the strangest one stood quietly behind Alena.

Blue eyes glinted in a black face, flaring as it raised its head to look down at him. Its pure ebony body was highlighted by silver outlines on each and every feather on its wings. And these were huge. Though it stood at the same height as the other four, its wings were open to the sky and seemed to reach up towards the moon. He focused on its eyes, surprised to see a conscious emotion in their depths. It was curious and frightened. But of what?

"We must be going, Harry. If we are even a moment late, I doubt Mrs Weasley will listen when we explain that you had acted appropriately." Alena's eyes glowed a moment before she turned and vaulted onto the winged horse behind her.

"Oh, please. Molly Weasley is likely to try that stupid Ministry question crap on us again. Remember when Dumbledore introduced us?" Impan grinned at Laeo and Raiye. Alena rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Ha! As if that crap would work? I mean, honestly, do they really think Death Eaters are so stupid?"

"Laeo, Death Eaters are stupid. After all, one came to our school, they couldn't have been so daft as to think they would walk away breathing."

"Would you two shut it? The Weasley's are trying to protect their family. If they won't listen when we say that no Death Eater could pretend to be one of us, then it's their loss. Now can we please fly?" Raiye grinned as the two wizards grumbled, before reluctantly nodding.

"I'll…I'll just get my stuff then." Harry took a step back. Selean butted her head against him before flaring her tiny wings open.

"Your belongings are already at The Burrow, Harry. Dumbledore warned us that you probably weren't going to be ready. It's quite easy to simply gather it all and send it away." Alena smiled. She waved over at the fifth winged horse that stood, hidden behind her owns dark form.

To Harry, this one was the most beautiful of them all. Its flanks were a light chestnut; it's mane and tail shining soft gold in the light thrown about by his escorts. Though it was small in comparison, its lithe body looked more capable of speed than its heavier brethren. He stepped forward and smiled as it sniffed at his outstretched hand. Gold eyes bore into him and made him cringe. There was sadness in Harry and he knew the horse wasn't happy about it.

"Well, hop on. We haven't got all night you know!" Raiye smirked. They were all sitting comfortably on their own mounts and he grimaced with the knowledge he would have to get on himself.

The winged horse shook its head and bent its legs, dropping forwards, its wings opening to steady itself. Copying the others Harry swung his leg round to the other side of its flank, settling his legs in front of the wings that seemed to protectively curl back around him. As it suddenly lurched upwards, Selean shook her head and jumped down into his hands. With the shuffling of wings the five horses leapt into the air, their wings snapping open and beating to give them the height they would require to stay above the sight of muggles.

Harry grinned. He felt peaceful in the air. And on a double-horned winged horse of all things.