Animal I've Become
Chapter 8
Advanced Training & Birthday Surprises
By the time June had come to a close, Harry was finished with all of his summer work. He was somewhat surprised that he was able to complete it, despite Johnny's rigorous training exercises. Once Johnny was positive that he could turn into the Rider at will, Johnny decided to teach him about his powers in detail. First Johnny not only taught Harry the proper way to use Gryffindor's sword, but how to properly bathe it in hellfire as well.
After spending the first week of July working on the penance stare, Johnny decided it was time to show Harry how he could transform his Firebolt broomstick into a hell-broom. Harry was sitting in his bedroom finishing up a letter to Ron and Hermione when Johnny entered his room.
"Harry, I think it's time we've moved onto the next stage of your power training" Johnny said, moving to sit on the edge of Harry's bed.
"Okay what do you have in mind Johnny?" Harry asked, turning to face his now mentor and friend.
"Shrink your broom and put it in your pocket and meet me outside in fifteen minutes, we're going to go for a little ride" Johnny said.
Harry watched Johnny leave and he couldn't help but become curious as to what Johnny was planning. After tying Ron's and Hermione's letters to Hedwig's outstretched leg, Harry stood from his desk and walked over to his bookshelf where his Firebolt lay atop it. Taping the broom with his wand, Harry muttered the shrinking charm and once his Firebolt was shrunk, he pocketed it, before heading downstairs to meet Johnny outside.
Once outside, Harry's eyes widened as he saw Johnny waiting for him, leaning against a slick, steely silver motorcycle.
"That is pretty nice Johnny, even though I may not have any knowledge whatsoever when it comes to them, I have to say that its pretty bad ass" Harry said, taking the helmet that Johnny handed him.
"Thanks Harry, it was my Dad's pride and joy, now do you have your Firebolt?" Johnny asked.
"Yep, its shrunk and in my pocket" Harry said patting his jacket pocket.
After an hour and a half ride, Johnny stopped the bike in front of a rundown, old factory that had been closed for years. Getting off the bike, Harry looked at Johnny and asked "Okay what are we doing here that we couldn't do at Grimmauld Place?"
"All in due time Harry, for now lets proceed inside" Johnny said as he got off his bike and began to wheel it into the factory.
Once they were inside the factory, Johnny turned to Harry and said "Now that we're in a good-size place, I can explain".
"Alright Harry, take out your Firebolt and take the shrinking charm off of it and then change into the Rider" Johnny instructed looking at Harry.
Harry was confused by what Johnny told him, but he did it nonetheless. After removing the shrinking charm from his Firebolt, he changed into the Rider and looked over at Johnny.
"Touch it Harry" Johnny says, leaning back against his motorcycle.
Reaching forward, Harry lightly touched the tail end of his Firebolt broomstick. As soon as he did so, the broomstick became surrounded in the same golden flames that surrounded Harry in his Rider form.
If Harry still had his eyes, they would have been widened in fear as he expected his beloved Firebolt to burn up and turn to ash. However, instead of burning up, his broomstick appeared unmarked by the flames
Turning to Johnny, Harry asked "Johnny, what's going on? Why isn't my broom all burned up?"
"Whatever a Rider rides, it changes with him, since you ride a broomstick it changes, I ride a motorcycle and it changes. That Harry is your Hell-broom and it can go twice as fast now and will appear whenever you change" Johnny explained.
…
Meanwhile back at Grimmauld Place, the house was bustling with people traveling all over the place getting things set for Harry's surprise birthday party. Remus and Mrs. Weasley were in the kitchen doing the last few minutes of cooking, while Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, Sirius, and Mad-Eye busied themselves with the decorating. They had just finished decorating the sitting room in Gryffindor colors when the doorbell rang.
"Who on earth could that be? We're all here already" Hermione said looking around at the others.
"I invited an extra person for Harry" Sirius explained, trying desperately to hide the grin on his face.
Walking to the front door, Hermione gripped the knob and slowly opened the door, revealing Daphne standing on the doorstep, her chestnut brown hair done up in a ponytail she was wearing a light green sun dress adorned with silver flowers etched into the dress.
"Ah welcome back Daphne, I'm pleased you were able to come" Sirius said enveloping Daphne in a hug.
"I'm glad as well Sirius" Daphne said with a smile as she walked past him and into the living room.
As she did, ten pairs of Gryffindor eyes fell on her, and at that moment, Daphne felt herself freeze up in fear. What if Harry's friends couldn't accept her because she was in Slytherin? She knew that Hermione could like her, considering they both had Ancient Runes and were often paired up together in class.
"Everyone, this is Daphne Greengrass, a fellow student of yours from Hogwarts who's been writing letters to Harry during the summer, they've both struck up a friendship, and I advise you all not to let the fact that she's in Slytherin keep you from getting to know her as well. A person's house as a whole doesn't make who they truly are. You should all keep in mind that Peter was in Gryffindor but ended up working for Voldemort", Sirius said before heading downstairs to see if he could help Remus and Mrs. Weasley.
Knowing it would have to be her to break the ice, Hermione walked over and said, "Hey Daphne, how's your summer been so far?"
Glad that at least one person was talking to her, Daphne said; "Its been good so far, I did really well on my O.W.L.S. so my parents are glad about that".
"That's great Daphne, it really is" Hermione said smiling.
With Hermione breaking the ice; Fred, George, Ginny, and Mad-Eye began to talk and hold conversation with Daphne, none of them having the slightest problem with Daphne being in Slytherin.
Well everyone except Ron. Hermione saw that he hadn't even moved from where they had just finished hanging a large banner with Happy Birthday Harry written in ink that would change from scarlet and gold, to emerald green.
Pulling herself away from the others, Hermione walked over and pulled Ron into a secluded corner so they could talk.
"Look Ron, I know what you're thinking that Daphne is a dirty, sneaky Slytherin and that she could just be using Harry and that at the first chance she'll turn him over to Voldemort", Hermione began.
"Yeah I do Hermione, and tell me you can't believe the lies that snake is saying. Of course she's going to turn Harry over to Voldemort the first chance that she gets" Ron said.
"That's not true Ron, you barley even know her" said a voice from near the door.
Ron, Hermione, and the others turned to see Harry standing by the door with Johnny standing behind him.
"Harry that snake has either used the imperius curse or slipped you a love potion or something. There's no way that after the last five years of shit that we've had to put up with thanks to the Slytherins, that one of them is going to suddenly try and be your friend" Ron says.
Taking a deep breath, Harry walked up to his friend and said, "Ron I've been writing to Daphne throughout the entire summer. She's nothing like Malfoy and his goons. She's half-blood and she gets looked down upon in Slytherin house because she's half and half. For crying out loud Ron, her father was one of the few wizards on the Wizengamot who actually tried to get Sirius a trial."
Feeling betrayed, Ron walked over to the fireplace and grabbed a fistful of floo powder and threw it into the flames. As he did so, the flames rose higher and turned emerald green. Stepping into the flames, Ron glared at Harry and the others before shouting "The Burrow" and with a flash, he was gone.
"Well I suppose the cat's out of the bag, this was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for you Harry" Hermione said pouting slightly.
"It's okay Hermione, I appreciate the gesture" Harry said before giving her a hug.
Throughout the rest of the night, Harry enjoyed himself, and even thought there was a part of him, that hoped that Ron would come around. Until then, he would focus not only on mastering his new abilities as a Ghost Rider, but his budding relationship with Daphne as well.
A/N: End of Chapter 8 Please Read and Review!