Chapter Seven: Flight


Title: Harry Potter and the Phantom Hourglass

Chapter: 7

Author: Hikari no Vikki

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy

Parings: Sorry, only frivolous friendships for now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Zelda. You should know that by now.

Description: Crossover with Legend of Zelda. The Phantom Hourglass has been handed down since its beginning, until finally it makes its way into the hands of a boy named Gabriel. He fights alongside Harry Potter, and soon discovers a darkness that has been waiting to exact a deadly revenge.

Author's Notes:

(watches tumbleweed roll by) I'm not giving up here. I'm going to keep writing this. It is fanfiction after all. For my personal enjoyment as well as others. Anyway… (clears throat) …if there are any of you that are reading this, I would appreciate a review every now and then. I may do some serious revising to the beginning chapters because the plot I had before just doesn't seem to fit anymore.

Wish me luck!

EDIT: Last chapter of revision! New stuff will come soon! Whoo!


Gabriel got up that September morning before everyone else. He glanced at Harry, then Ron, twice, before calling out their names. Neither one moved, save for perhaps Ron, but he moved all the time in his sleep, so he shrugged and dressed himself early. He walked down to the common room wondering what to do with himself for a few moments, eventually deciding to practice the spell they'd been practicing in Charms.

He idly wondered if he could lift his writing quill without a verbal command.

Wouldn't that surprise Professor Flitwick? He thought grinning to himself. So he stood with his back against the common room couch, his wand pointed towards his quill that was resting comfortably on the writing desk near the window.

Swish and flick he reminded himself swish and flick.

So, with a careful but flowing swish and flick, he said strongly in his mind, Wingardium Leviosa!

With those words he felt a curious sensation, not unlike the one he felt when he first touched his wand. It wasn't unpleasant, but oddly strange. And to his amazement, the quill did indeed lift. Gabriel gasped, not believing what he was seeing. The quill clattered softly back onto his books during his moment of self-doubt, but Gabriel was sure that he had just completed his first successful non-verbal spell. And he was only a first year!

So why does this disturb me? Perhaps I should write to my mother…

Walking over to his quill and picking it up, studying it as he brooded, he decided he'd do just that, later. At least no one else saw, so he hoped.

Gabriel turned round, facing the boys' staircase. He could hear steps coming down from it – loud ones – so he quickly put his wand in his robe pocket where it belonged and began to gather up the things he'd need for that day.

Speaking of which, what did they have today?

He wandered toward the common room notice board, searching for the first year classes. As students began filing into the room, Harry and Ron spotted him and ran over.

"Hey, where were you mate?" Ron asked. "Here, practicing my levitation spell. You should be doing the same too, you know." Ron grumbled to himself as Gabriel's sharp eyes combed the pages for the schedule. Finally he found it, right between an advertisement for Fred and George's sweet shop and another for a Chocolate Frog Trading Group.

"Blast it," he muttered, his face twisting into a gentle pout.

"What?" Harry inquired, looking at the board, "Something wrong?" "Yeah, guess who we've got as our partners for the Quidditch training today?" Harry gasped. "No way."

"Yes way."

"You can't be serious," said Ron.

"Oh, but I am. Unfortunately."

.oOo.

It was around three-thirty, the last class of the day, and they stood on the practice field with the wind ruffling their robes and stirring up the grass bugs. Madame Hooch, a strong but still wiry sort of woman, was walking about, giving them their instructions.

"Aren't they cute?" Aria whispered in her brother's ear, as the little leaf-bugs and twig-creatures fought against the wind fruitlessly.

"They would be," Gabriel grumbled, "if we didn't have those Slytherins as our partner class." Aria frowned, but nodded her head. "Yeah, I have to agree with you on that one."

It was a nice day, but with not so nice company. The Gryffindors had unfortunately gotten stuck with the Slytherins for their Quidditch class, and they were loving every minute of it. The Slytherins, not the Gryffindors. Gabriel could only hope they'd get through it as quickly as possible, or at least before Neville hurt himself.

He does it all too frequently on the ground he muttered mentally, but flying is a nice prospect in itself. I've always wanted to fly.

"All right," Madame Hooch barked, shaking Gabriel out of his revere, rather rudely, as he was barely able to keep his composure.

"Stick out your right hand over your broom and when you feel you're ready, say 'Up!'"

And everyone proceeded to do so; at various times of course.

Several people, like Harry and Gabriel, had theirs practically leaping up into their hands. Others, like Ron's whacked them in their faces. Gabriel winced. Aria, completely bored with hers, simply picked it up when Madame Hooch wasn't looking. Hermione's rolled around in the grass for a while, and Neville's didn't even roll so much as a centimeter in any direction.

Eventually everyone had their brooms in their hands. They mounted their brooms, and listened to Madame Hooch say, "Now, when I blow the whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle – three – two – "

Before Madame Hooch's whistle ever reached her lips, Neville kicked off of the ground early, scared stiff. Stiff is bad Gabriel's mind told him stiff is bad!

"Neville!" he called. "Loosen up! You'll fall if you stay stiff!" You've got to move with it, not against it. Wait, why did he know this? At Gabriel's shout, Madame Hooch turned around to see Neville floating up, and up higher and higher. "Get back here boy! Longbottom, get down!" Gabriel could clearly see him trying, but the broom had other ideas.

"It's the broom, ma'am!" he cried, tugging at the sleeve of her robe. "Something's not right with it!"

Scowling at him and yanking her sleeve out of her hand, as well as watching Neville float higher and higher, Madame Hooch muttered, "Once this is over I'm having that broom splintered." Gabriel didn't need to ask what that meant.

It jerked Neville this way and that like a wild horse trying to throw off its breaker before eventually making a nosedive for the concrete entrance to the field. In seconds there was a cracking sound; that of the broom shattering into a thousand pieces, and a thud. Obviously it was Neville's body hitting the ground.

Madame Hooch ran to examine Neville as the class observed the scene.

"Looks like she won't be needing to send it off to be splintered after all," Gabriel said thoughtfully. "What?" Harry asked. "It's nothing."

"Tsk, tsk, ooh we've got a broken wrist. Pity. C'mon, up you get." Helping Neville get to his feet, she surveyed the class. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts faster than you can say 'Quidditch.'" While that hung in the air she whispered to a whimpering Neville, "Come on, dear."

As soon as she was out of sight, there was a great burst of laughter that Gabriel knew could be no one else but Malfoy.

"Did you see the look on the fat lubber's face, huh?"

The Slytherins started to chatter amongst themselves, laughing and giggling.

"Shut it, Malfoy," Gabriel snapped. "Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom are we?" taunted Pansy Parkinson, a pale complected girl with pigtails. "So you like fat little cry-babies, hmm?" Gabriel sneered, turning his head and folding his arms. "I simply believe in sticking up for my own. Unlike you." Pansy scoffed. Ron shouted, "You go Gabe!" Gabriel sighed and shook his head.

"Look!" Gabriel gave a start as Malfoy reached for something in the grass. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent 'im."

And there was the Rememberall glinting in the sun.

"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry said quietly. Gabriel jumped slightly, not expecting him to speak. Everyone stopped talking to watch. "Nah," he said, "I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find." Malfoy smiled nastily. "How about up a tree?"

Harry sneered. "Give it here!"

Malfoy was quicker, and had leapt on his broomstick, taking off. Gabriel distantly heard Malfoy calling out to Harry for him to come get it, and Hermione telling him no, but the world didn't come back into focus until Harry was up in the air. Shooting off like a rocket.

"Beautiful," he whispered, marveling at the sight. "Pardon?" Hermione asked. Gabriel shook himself and looked over. "What? Sorry. I didn't say anything." She gave him one of those looks, but just shook her head.

Then Malfoy threw the Rememberall over in their direction, everyone too scared to move to try and catch it. Harry, however, zoomed off again, across the group to just barely catch it before it shattered against the side of the castle. He tumbled onto the grass, and Gabriel was there on help him up. "Hey, nice catch." he whispered. Harry nodded weakly, smiling. But then they both jolted as a shrill voice shouted over the group, "HARRY POTTER!"

"Uh-oh." "No shit, Sherlock."

Gabriel stood next to Harry bracing him as the group parted to reveal Professor McGonagall running towards them.

She stopped to a halt in front of them, muttering, " – how dare you – might have broken your neck – " "It wasn't his fault Professor. If anything, I goaded him on." Gabriel said, tightening his grip on Harry's shoulder.

"Whatever the case, Silverwings, I've got to see him." He looked over at Harry, who nodded shakily. "All right then." And he stood there feeling somewhat alone as Harry was dragged off to who knew where.

.oOo.

Gabriel's head snapped. There was no way he just said what he said.

"Seeker?" Ron asked, dumbfounded, "But first years never play on house teams. You must be the youngest player in about – " " – a century," Harry cut in, "I know. But don't tell anyone. Wood wants it to be kept a secret." Ron shrugged. "Works for me."

Gabriel smiled to himself as he fiddled with his spaghetti. Really, he was just glad Harry hadn't been expelled. Fred and George talked to him for a moment, running off as they said, "But they turn up in a month or two!"

Gabriel turned to Harry, who was on his right. "Do I want to know?" Harry shook his head. "Thought so." Gabriel gave a tiny gasp as he spotted Malfoy in the distance. "Careful, we got trouble." Harry and Ron turned to see the complexion-less wonder himself walk up.

"A lot braver on ground now that you've got your little friends with you, huh?" Harry said coolly. Malfoy sneered. "Pity. And I was hoping you were simply having a last meal before you were sent back to your muggles." "He's not a pet," Gabriel cut in, swallowing the last of a meatball. "Keep telling yourself that, Silverwings." Malfoy muttered.

He cleared his throat before smiling down on Harry wickedly. "I'd take you on anytime on my own. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only – no contact." Harry looked puzzled. "What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before?"

"Course he has," said Ron, standing up and slamming a hand on the table. "I'm his second. Who's yours?" Malfoy thought it over for about a second before spitting out, "Crabbe.

"Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; it's always unlocked."

After Malfoy was out of earshot, Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"What is a wizard's duel?" Harry asked. "And what do you mean you're my second?"

"Well, a second's there to take over if you die. But they only die in proper duels. Best you'll do is send sparks at each other. You hardly know enough magic to do any real damage."

Gabriel shook his head. "I still don't like this. First off, we shouldn't even be out at night. And with Malfoy proposing this? I smell a trap."

"A trap?" Ron asked. "Nah. I think you just smell that gravy right there. Can you pass it over?" Again, Gabriel shook his head. "Almost makes me want to come with you to make sure you don't get caught," he said as he passed the gravy.

"Excuse me."

Harry and Ron looked up. It was Hermione Granger and Aria, standing side by side.

"You should listen to him, you know," Hermione said, "you could get points taken for being out late like that." "It's none of your business," Harry said. "Really, Harry!" Aria hissed. "Be nice!" And they went off to sit at the other end of the table far from the three boys.

"What's eating her?" Ron asked.

"She's sticking up for her own, remember?" Gabriel said as he bit into another meatball. Harry and Ron both sighed.

.oOo.

"You better not get caught," he whispered as they were at the door.

Harry jumped. "Don't scare us like that Gabe." Gabriel 'hmphed' in the darkness. "Still, you better not get caught."

"You're not coming with us, mate?" Ron asked. Gabriel scoffed. "Hell no!

"I warned you earlier at dinner. If you're too stupid to not listen, that's your fault. I did my job." Then he sighed. "But you're going anyway, so…good luck, I suppose. Don't get caught." His voice sounded regretful, almost like he wanted to go too.

"Well, see you later, then." From the darkness, Gabriel could see Ron's face, and Harry's, and he hoped as they left that it wouldn't be the last time he did.

He scrambled to the window, standing there for some moments, contemplating his decision to stay. He had made a promise to himself that he'd always go with his gut, and he had, though it hadn't been easy.

But what in the world was easy?

Certainly not keeping a secret. He at least told his mother about the events of the morning, but she hadn't replied yet. It was at that moment he saw the silver glint in the distance, the flapping wings, and the gyrfalcon's cry. It was indeed his mother's bird!

It pecked at the window gently, and he opened it just enough to take the letter and stroke the bird over twice, like a cat. "Thanks, Kumi. Don't forget to tell Maji to come back, kay?"

The bird gave a distinct nod and flew off.

Gabriel closed to window, anxious to see the contents of the letter. He tore it open gently, peeling off the wax seal of his family's crest, and then opening the actual letter.

Dear Gabriel,

– it read –

I don't know what to tell you. Indeed, it is a bit advanced for you – your first non-verbal spell – but you shouldn't worry yourself. Perhaps when you come home I can help you explore your talents and help you harness some of your untapped prowess, but other than that, just enjoy being there.

I hope Harry's all right

– at this, Gabriel's breath hitched –

and that you've made other friends besides him. Just stay away from some of the nastier students if you can, and… oh! We're going on vacation during Christmas, so pass that info onto Aria. Don't you worry, it's nowhere you two haven't been, and we'll send you your presents. And Harry, too. I'll send him one. Just be careful, and don't forget to always go with your gut.

Love, Mom

P.S. Don't forget these, either. oxoxo

Gabriel folded the letter against him. So perhaps he was just a little too powerful for his own good. If he kept it in check until the summer, he'd be fine. He smiled, hoping to watch the moon a while longer. That was cut short, however, for suddenly he felt so tired he could barely stay awake.

Scrambling for his trunk, he stuffed the letter in among his clothes and fell into the four-poster bed gratefully.

Once he was settled, it didn't take him long to fall straight to sleep, dreaming of fine, falling sand and the sharp echoic ticking of the castle's clock.


Vikki: All done! :D