Fledgling

Chapter Sixteen: Class Part Two

Harry seated himself at the front row of desks in the Potions classroom. He loved working with Potions, especially at home with Severus. It reminded him of cooking for the Dursleys. It wasn't like he minded cooking; quite the contrary. Potions and Transfiguration, he felt, were his favorite subjects and not only because his adoptive parents taught them. Thinking of Transfiguration, he would have to pay a visit to Fawkes. The phoenix had warned him that the bird wouldn't be able to be around him much, as it was known that Fawkes was bonded to Dumbledore and only stayed in the office. Harry was disappointed but seemed to understand. Salina had left shortly before Harry got on the train, saying that she would be around if he needed her; he need only call her name and she would appear before him in a flash.

He shook himself from his thoughts and glanced around the room. His friends were situated around him while the other Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were seated randomly. At least he didn't have to worry about being with the Slytherins.

The door on the side of the classroom banged open, slamming against the stone walls. All eyes turned to the dark-haired, dark-robed professor gliding toward the middle of the room, facing his students.

"There will be no foolish wand-waving or incantations in this class," Severus began in his silky voice. Like Minerva, he had this effect on students that silenced all their chatter, making them hang on to his every word. "And as such, I don't expect many of you to fully appreciate the subtle art and exact art of potion-making. I hope there are a few of you that are capable of not blowing up the very cauldron sitting in front of you. Now, let's see who actually opened their books this summer." Severus scanned the group and pointed to Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw. "Tell me, where would I find a bezoar?"

"In the stomach of goats, sir," he replied.

Next Severus pointed to Susan, who paled. "What is the difference between monkswood and

wolfsbane?"

"Um…. t-there isn't any."

"I'm impressed," the professor said smoothly. "Your other year-mates didn't answer any of the questions correctly." He whirled around and pointed his wand at the blackboard. Words began to appear on the smooth surface. "The rest of your class will be to brew the potion on the board. The instructions are also on page 30 in your book. On your left are the potions supplies needed to brew this potion. You may begin."

(((((_)))))))

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. The next morning, however, brought several smiles to every first year, including the Muggleborns.

"I can't believe we're going to learn how to fly!" Susan exclaimed. "I was never allowed near a broom, much less shown how to fly one."

"It's exhilarating," Cedric replied, smiling. "It helps me think, to relax."

"I just hope we don't make fools of ourselves in front of the entire class," Justin mumbled, pushing a sausage around on his plate.

"If they give you a hard time, just come talk to me and I'll set them straight," Christian said. "Remember what I said earlier this week? We badgers stay together and we protect our own."

With that, the Hufflepuff first years finished their breakfast and headed out to the main courtyard, right outside the main gates of the castle. The Slytherins were already waiting and had picked out the brooms that didn't look too badly damaged. Draco was regaling the group with tales of his flying skills. Harry tried to keep his sniggers down, knowing full well the extent of the blonde Slytherin's "skills" in flying.

"Just ignore him," Harry muttered to his friends. "Don't let him get to you or else he'll win."

"Easy for you to say," Neville whispered, standing next to his friend on the other side of the Slytherins.

A minute later, the Ravenclaws strolled down the lawns, greeting both Houses. Terry Boot smiled at Harry, who smiled back and Lisa Turpin shyly waved. And finally, the Gryffindors joined the group, glaring at the Slytherins with unbridled hatred, which was mutually returned.

"Now, now, settle down," said the booming voice of Madam Hooch, who sprinted toward the gathered students. "Welcome to your first flying lesson, first years! I'm here to teach you how to properly handle flying a broom. Now, I would like for all of you to stand alongside your broomstick." The class moved forward, parallel to the brooms. "Very good. Now, hold your hand above the broom and say 'up.'"

Harry did as he was told and the broom soared up into his hand. He smiled and turned his green eyes toward his classmates. Draco, obviously, managed to get his while the remaining Slytherins struggled. Neville, who was beside Harry, couldn't get the broom up either. Harry knew that Neville was terrified of brooms and it was like the broom sensed it. Hermione's broom rolled lazily on the ground, no matter how firm her voice was. Ron Weasley's broom rose up on end and smacked him in the face, causing everyone to burst out laughing, Draco being the loudest. Madam Hooch went around the group, giving out advice until there were no brooms left on the grass.

"Next, you will mount your brooms. Swing a leg over the broom until you are straddling it. Do not attempt to do anything afterwards." The professor nodded as the students straddled the brooms. "When I call your name, push off the ground and hover a few feet off the ground. Then you will lean forward slightly toward the ground and touch down safely." She pulled out a roll of parchment. "Draco Malfoy."

Draco smirked and pushed off the ground, hovering in the air. Harry rolled his eyes. The blonde rolled in the air before landing, causing Madam Hooch to scold him for not obeying her directions correctly. One by one, students were hovering in the air and most of them were quite unsteady in the vast nothingness. Some felt the gravity more than others. When it was Harry's turn, he took to the air and stayed still, his heart soaring at the feeling of being in the air. Now he knew what Fawkes and Salina had meant when they said he would feel at home in the air. Being in the air was natural, being in the air felt right, like he belonged there.

"Excellent, Mr. Potter," Hooch said once he landed. "No doubt you gained your natural talent from your father."

Harry smiled and accepted the praise, ignoring Draco's fake sneer.

Finally, class was over and lunch was ready. Most of the first years didn't touch their food, still queasy from their flying lesson. At the Hufflepuff table, Harry's friends didn't waste time praising their friend's skills on the field. The smaller boy blushed throughout the entire meal.

The next class was History of Magic with the Gryffindors, which was taught by a ghost named Professor Binns. He had the kind of voice that could put anyone to sleep. Since Harry was already well-versed in history, he tuned out the ghost and drew on his parchment. He started drawing a large tree with thick branches, something he saw in a dream. There weren't many branches and they seemed to circle around a large platform that served as the trunk, like they were seats instead of branches. A human could easily stand on the wooden platform, but what would fill the seats that actually were branches?

The last class, Astronomy, would take place in the evening, when it was dark out, so the Hufflepuffs headed to their common room to study. Cedric was already there and he helped them if they were stuck on something. Harry was distracted the entire time, thinking back to his drawing in the previous class. It felt familiar somehow. He shook his head. Maybe he would tell Fawkes the next time he saw him.

(((((_))))))

Salina? Fawkes called out, singling out the female Shadow phoenix.

Yes, Fawkes? she answered. What is it?

We need to talk. It is getting closer to the time when we need to start teaching Harry basic phoenix magic. I have a feeling his true nature will attempt to come out early.

Salina hummed in agreement. I agree. Most fledglings do not develop their powers until the age of thirteen, when the typical wizard goes through their magical growth spurt. I felt his excitement when he was in the air.

Let me know when you have an opening in your schedule and I will tell Harry of your decision.

Fawkes ended their conversation and turned his head toward the aging Headmaster. The older man was bent over, reading a scroll of parchment. He was so deep in his reading that Fawkes decided to not mention the latest development. With a flash of fire, he left the office and appeared in Harry's dorm room. He sent out a greeting to his fledgling and to meet him in the dorm.

"What did you want to talk about, Fawkes?" Harry asked the Fire phoenix, closing the door behind him.

How did your flying lesson go? Fawkes asked.

"Wonderful." A wide smile appeared on the young boy's face. "I never felt like that before. It was like I belonged there, like I had finally come home."

Salina and I felt your happiness, fledgling, Fawkes replied, and that is why we are going to be training you early.

The black-haired Hufflepuff frowned. "Early?"

The first thing a fledgling phoenix experiences is what you felt today. They start craving to be in the air, whether they are on a broom or they simply want to be in the air without the hindrance of the wooden stick. Since you are in a school with other children, we need to teach you to control your urges so the other humans do not catch on. You are aware of what children do to those who they consider freaks.

Harry nodded. He knew very well what happened.

Just because you are going through this phase early does not mean that you are a freak either, Harry. Every fledgling goes through their change at different stages and some have gone through theirs when they are toddlers. While we urge you to stamp down your urges, do not be afraid of them, for it is who you are. You should be proud to be a phoenix. You are not different and you are not alone.

The green-eyed kid nodded again. Fawkes suddenly wanted to be able to transform back into his human form and hug the child. He knew what Harry was going through. It would be difficult to battle two natures and it would be even harder when the two were merged into one.

"Thanks Fawkes," Harry said with a smile.

((((_))))

End of chapter

A/N: Whew… finally got that finished. I truly wanted it to be done and posted by my birthday, but I got sidetracked by college and work, as usual. But hey, I got it finished. Now, it's on to My Child. Thanks again for all the reviews and to everyone who has stuck by me. You are saints to keep waiting for the next update. I'm trying to get myself into updating sooner. We shall see.