Chapter 10

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A Whole New World- Aladdin

I woke up to the sound of my hangings being drawn back. Instinctively I slowly reached under my pillow to grab my wand. There's nothing better then surprising your attacker.

I felt someone or something sitting on the edge of my bed. And with that I sprung into action. I swiftly sat up and jammed my wand into the intruders face.

"Ow. What the fuck" A deep voice said.

Wait a second I know that voice.

"Lumos" I whispered. The area around me was instantly bathed in a soft white light. I looked towards the end of my bed to find Al sitting there clutching his forehead right above his left eye.

"What the hell?" I said.

"I could ask you the same question," Al said in a horse whisper. "What's with the attack?"

"I thought you were an intruder." I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"So you thought you would stab them with your wand? You're a witch right? Why not cast a spell?"

I opened my mouth and then closed it again.

"To be honest I didn't think of it. Stabbing just comes naturally" I said after a few seconds.

"You could take someone's eye out with that thing"

"That's kind of the point." I grumbled. "Besides what are you doing sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?"

"Well, before you almost blinded me"

"Oh man up I did not. I just stabbed you in your forehead" I interrupted.

"Which is right above my eyes" Al shot back.

I glared at him. He had the nerve to come prowling around in the middle of the night and then act all pissy when I defended myself.

"Anyway, before you attacked me."

I opened my mouth to interrupt him again but he silenced me with a hard look.

"I was coming to take you flying."

"Right now?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

"No, next week. Of course right now."

"But its cold out." I protested.

"Put on a few layers and I'll cast a heating charm on you. Meet me common room in ten minutes." He then got up off my bed and made his way over to the window.

"What are you doing the doors the other way?" I whispered so not to wake up my dorm mates.

"You don't expect me to walk down the stairs do you?"

Right the whole fact that there charmed to turn into a giant slide if a boy walks on them. Kind of forgot about that.

"How did you get up here?"

I was honestly confused. My brain was not processing things appropriately since I had just woken up.

Rather then tell me Al opened the window. There floating in the middle of the air was his broom.

"Flying up is a hell of a lot easier then trying to deal with those magic stairs." He stated.

I just stared at him. Of course he flew up.

"Ten minutes Riley. I'll be there, and don't you dare go back to sleep."

He then reached swung his leg over his broom and took off effortlessly. Making his way back to what I assumed was the boy's dorms.

Ten minutes later I found myself sitting in an armchair by the fire waiting for Al. I couldn't believe I was doing this. I should be in bed getting sweet sleep but instead I was going for a joy ride in the middle of the night with Al Potter of all people.

I hate to admit it but I was nervous. The last time I had been on a broom had been the summer before my third year at Rose's house. I conveniently crashed into a tree breaking my arm. No one was around but Rose and her Mum. I love Rose's Mum. Mainly because she didn't tell anyone what happened. As I sat their crying my eyes out in their sitting room after she had repaired my arm she told me about how she was rubbish on a broom and her husband, who was obsessed with Quidditch, still married her even thought she couldn't fly. I believe I might have been sobbing about how no boy in his right mind would like a girl who couldn't fly, what a vain thirteen year old I had been. She also told me it never stopped her from doing anything she wanted to do and that the right boy will like me for who I am not based on if I can fly or not. When Rose's dad came home and questioned about what happened to me Mrs. Weasley simply brushed it off telling him I got into an accident involving a tree. He didn't question it any further.

"Been waiting long?" Al asked coming down the stairs and walking towards the portrait hole. He was caring a silvery looking cloak and an old bit of parchment.

I glanced at the clock hanging above the fireplace.

"Just about five minutes. I thought you said ten minutes?"

"I did. But dealing with girls has taught me that when you say ten minutes girls show up twenty minutes later."

"I'm not most girls." I said referencing what he had said to me earlier in the library.

"I'm beginning to realize that"

Al smiled at me.

"What do you have?" I asked gesturing to the items in his hands.

"Do you really not know?"

"I'm guessing I'm about to experience the infamous Marauders map and your not so secret invisibility cloak." I said.

"Only a select few have ever been under this cloak think of is as an honor. Now are you going to come here or am I going alone?" he asked his eyes sparkling.

I took a deep breath and stood up. I didn't get out of bed for nothing. I walked over until I was standing next him.

"How do we do this? It doesn't look like there will be enough room." I pointed out.

"Trust me we'll fit. We just can't stand side by side. Come here, stand in front of me."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"It's the only way we can fit."

Sighing I stepped forward leaving enough space between us for another person to stand.

Al shook out his cloak and pulled it over his shoulders and began draping it over me.

"Were to spread out it won't cover our feet. You need to back up." Al said after he had finished spreading out the cloak.

I looked down. Sure enough our feet and most of our calves were exposed. I took a few steps backwards. Looking down I saw that now just our feet were exposed.

"Keep going" Al said softly.

I took a few more steps back and stopped only when my back rested against his chest. I froze. I glanced down and saw that our feet were just barely covered. If I stepped away we would be exposed.

"Perfect. We just fit" Al whispered. I felt his warm breath fan out across the back of my neck.

"Lucky us."

He began to shift behind me. I felt his arms begin to slide around me. I instantly went on high alert. What was he playing at? Getting me under this cloak so we were pretty much forced together. Then he was wrapping his arms around me? If anyone saw us, that is if anyone were able to see us, word would travel back to Claire and I would be dead before I could even explain myself.

"What are you doing?" I whispered trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

"I can't see the map."

I relaxed. He wasn't wrapping his arms around me to pull me closer but instead to read the map. I glanced down and saw that he was indeed unfolding the map. Strangely it was blank, and so old I thought it was going to fall apart.

"There's nothing there." I pointed out.

I knew that there was something special about this map though. I mean Rose talked about it all the time I had just never seen it before. I expected there to be writing on it at least. What good is a map if there's nothing written on it?

"Wait and see" he whispered. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." He said as he softly tapped his wand against the parchment

I almost gasped. Instantly lines began spreading out all over the parchment as if an invisible hand was drawing them.

"Brilliant!"

I heard Al let out a small chuckle behind me. I turned to face him about to comment on how absolutely amazing this was. But he stopped me.

"Stop moving I can't see when you move around like that."

He pulled me back into the position I was before. He then rested his chin on the top of my head. Damn him for being tall. I mean its not like I'm short I'm taller for a girl. When I stand flat-footed I'm around 5 feet 6 inches. Al on the other hand could easily see over my head. He had to be taller then 6 feet.

"What are you looking for?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

"To see if the coast is clear. I don't need another detention." Al stated.

I didn't argue with him. I didn't want detention ether.

"Alright lets go. Right foot first."

We marched out of the portrait hole. I felt like I was in the military or something chanting left, left, left, right, left just to keep the beat in my head to avoid being stepped on.

As we made our way through the castle I began to sweat. Between all the layers I was wearing to protect me when I got outside, and the heat generated from our bodies I was starting to feel faint. Part of me began to panic; breathing harder I was overwhelmed by an unfamiliar sent of laundry detergent, Al's dying cologne, and my own vanilla conditioner. If I didn't get out from under the cloak soon I was going to pass out. I walked along in a daze leaning my back closer into Al's chest.

"Are you ok?" He asked

"I'm fine. Just feeling a bit too warm." I whispered back softly.

"Were almost outside." A bit of urgency creeping into his voice. It seemed he sensed how I was feeling more then I thought he could.

I just nodded my head.

Before I knew it Al was pushing open the doors that lead to the grounds. We quickly walked down the steps and Al then yanked the cloak off from over our heads. Instantly I took in a deep breath of cold clean air. The dizzy feeling disappeared almost instantly.

"How do you feel? Your face is really red" Al asked.

"Much better. My face gets red when I get over heated." I said feeling myself blush. Part of me was thankful that Al couldn't see my blush.

"How many layers are you wearing?" he asked his eyes wandering over my body.

"Four." I said crossing my arms over my chest. While as best as I could. It was a little hard to bend my elbows fully due to all the layers.

Al laughed and started walking towards the Quidditch pitch.

"You really don't like being cold do you?" He called over his shoulder.

I begin to follow him. In a few quick steps I had caught up.

"Not if I can help it." I jammed my hands into the pocket of my coat. Some how I had forgotten gloves.

We walked in silence and by the time we reached the pitch the cold had seeped through all my layers.

"Wait here." Al said.

I nodded my head and began rubbing my hands together attempting to generate some warmth. This better be worth it or I was going to kill Al.

Sooner then I anticipated Al was back, caring two brooms over his shoulder.

"Here you go." He said handing me the second broom.

"Thanks. " I chattered. Merlin I was cold.

Al seemed to notice my teeth knocking together as I spoke.

"You really get cold fast don't you?"

I nodded my head. Talking took to much energy.

Al grabbed his wand out of his pocket. Stepping closer towards me he mumbled under his breath. Instantly warmth spread out over my body. I really need to master heating charms. I sighed relived to finally be warm.

"Thanks." I said smiling at him.

"Alright so hears the deal. You take this broom and I take Liam's. " He handed me the second broom he was holding. "We fly until the heating charms wear off. Sound good?" He asked his broom resting casually over his shoulder.

"Yeah. I could live with that."

"Good. Because we were going to do it regardless of what you thought." He smirked at me as he pushed off of the ground and began hovering in the air. Even though he wasn't flying on his broom he still had complete control. Making it look completely effortless.

I took a deep breath and tucked the broom between my legs.

"Is this Lily's?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Won't she be pissed that I'm using it?"

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

A typical older brother response. Shaking my head I pushed off the ground.

Five minutes later we still hadn't left the pitch. I couldn't manage to go more then a few meters forward before I would begin to wobble and as a result would land again.

"Just relax." Al called floating effortlessly.

Bloody show off.

"I am relaxed." I growled gripping the handle tighter. I pushed off the ground one more time. Rising a few meters into the air I steadied myself. This was going better then the other attempts so far.

Come on Riley. You can do this. It's just a fucking broom ride.

I leaned forward slowly and the broom began to move.

Ha! I was going to be able to do this.

And then just as I thought everything was going to work out. I felt myself begin to wobble. I panicked. And landed swiftly on the ground.

"This is never going to work. I must have some mental block or something." I yelled exasperatedly. I did desperately want to fly but I didn't see it happening anytime soon. Seems like avoiding a broom for five years may not have been the best choice.

"But you said you wanted to fly at night." Al said as he landed softly next to me.

"I know. But sometimes you just have to let things go. Thanks for trying though you have no idea how much it means to me."

Al stared at me his green eyes bright.

"Plan A may not have worked but there's always plan B." And with that he grabbed Lily's broom out of my hand and began walking across the pitch to the broom shed.

"What's plan B?" I called to his retreating back. My voice echoing around the pitch.

It didn't take long before he came jogging back just his broom in his hand.

"Hop on." He said holding his broom out towards me.

I looked at him skeptically as I lifted my leg over the handle.

"And what are you going to fly on?"

"My broom."

"Both of us?" I asked. Managing to keep the surprise out of my voice.

I saw him roll his eyes.

"Yes both of us. Now budge up."

He gently pushed me forward, making enough space behind me for him to sit.

"But" I began.

"You said you wanted to go flying at night. You never said how you wanted to do it. Just go with the flow Riley."

And then he pushed off the ground.

I inhaled shaply as we rose though the air. The force pushed me backwards and I found my back pressed against his chest for the second time that night.

Al then flew us out of the pitch and onto the grounds. I smiled to myself as we flew over the black lack. The water sparkling in the moonlight below us. The air was colder up here but thanks to the heating charm I only felt warmth spreading over my body. The wind tugged at my hair. Thank Merlin I put it up otherwise it would all have blown back directly into Al's face. Not that my hair wasn't in his face. Due to our position on the broom my head was currently almost resting on his chest. I could feel every breath he exhaled fanning out across the back of my bear neck.

"What do you want to do with your life?" Al asked startling me from my thoughts.

"Well," I began as I shifted my position on the broom trying to create a little space between us. " My Nana was a nurse and growing up I wanted to be like her. I am interested in becoming a healer. But at the same time I really want to work with kids. So as of now I'm thinking of becoming pediatric healer."

I felt Al nod his head.

"Seams like you have it all figured out."

"Not really. If I don't pass transfiguration that dream is over and I don't have a back up plan."

"You'll pass transfiguration. After all you're partners with me and if I can't teach it to you no one can."

"I know. That's why I think you'll make a wonderful teacher someday." I said softly.

I felt him stiffen behind me.

"Why haven't you told anyone else that you want to teach?"

"Because."

"Because why?" I pressed. He wasn't going to get out of this that easy.

"Because it's not what people expect." He mumbled.

I turned my head to look him in the eye.

"Al, why do you care so much about what other people think?" I asked.

"Because I'm the son of the chosen one. Everyone's watching me waiting for me to do something amazing. And teaching just doesn't strike me as something that people think is amazing." He said sounding somewhat bitter. Clearly he didn't like people watching him and expecting him to become something that he's not.

"Fuck what they think. People will think whatever they want; it shouldn't let you from being happy. Is this why you haven't told your parents?"

I felt Al nod.

"I know my Mum wont care. But my Dad" he paused as if he was searching for the right words. " He expects a lot of me and I just don't want to let him down."

"You just have to talk to him. I'm sure no matter what you do he will be proud of you. I said softly.

Al didn't reply. Instead we flew in comfortable silence. The only sound was the wind rushing by.

The night was so clear I couldn't help looking up at the stars. Ever since I was little I was in love with the stars. They were so bright and twinkling. I could lie on the beach for hours just watching them slowly move though the sky. Every now and then making a wish as one streaked though the sky. I tilted my head back only to come in contact with Al's shoulder.

"Sorry." I exclaimed as I leaned forward.

"It's alright. The stars are really bright tonight aren't they?"

"How did you know I was looking at the stars?"

"You always look at the stars."

"How do you know that?" I asked confused. I had never told anyone about my fascination with the stars. Sure my mother knew. I mean I would often disappear for hours in the summer, to the roof when we were home and the beach at Nanas. When I was at Hogwarts I would go to the astronomy tower when I was feeling stressed just to observe them. But I had never told anyone.

"Riley, I've known you for six years and you think that I wouldn't notice that you always look at the stars. In all honesty I was expecting you to do it sooner."

"I didn't know you noticed." I said my voice soft.

"I notice more about you then you realize." Al mumbled into my hair.

I felt my face heat up. I was thinking about what he said too much. He wasn't saying that he noticed me in that way but more like a friend notices things. There was no reason for me to think that anything Al had said meant anything more. Suddenly I was very aware of his chest and how with each breath he took the distance between us disappeared completely. I shivered, and I knew it didn't have to do anything with the cold.

"You cold?" He asked.

He must have felt me shiver.

"Yeah. I think the charm is starting to wear off." Complete lies. I was feeling warmer then I had all night.

He nodded his head and then turned the broom around back toward the castle.

The silence was overwhelming. It was miles away from the comfortable silence that we shared in the library, even earlier when we first started flying. Now there was something different about it. There was a kind of tension simmering underneath the surface that had never been there before. Almost as if both of us was waiting for the other to say something that they weren't ready to say. Before I knew it the castle was rising up out of the darkness. Was it just me or did we fly back much faster then we had gone out?

"You missed the pitch." I pointed out glancing back as we flew over it.

"I know. I'm going to take you straight to your dorm. Its better then risking getting caught walking back though the castle."

I nodded my head.

"You know which window is mine?" I asked

"I few up to it earlier remember." He reminded me.

"Oh right I forgot." Since when had things gotten awkward between us?

The castle loomed closer and Al flew confidently up to a window on seventh floor. How he knew witch one it was I'll never know. There are so many rooms in Hogwarts being able to pick one window out takes some skill.

He gently came to a stop. Reaching over my shoulder he used his wand to unlock the window and pushed it open. Taking a breath to steady myself I climbed off the broom and onto the windowsill. I still don't know how I managed to do it in one try.

I climb in through the window. Grateful I didn't fall to my death, when I felt my feet hit solid ground. After catching my breath I turned to face Al, who was still hovering on his broom.

"Thanks" I whispered. Keeping my voice down so I didn't wake my roommates up.

"Don't worry about it." He said smiling at me.

It might have been the look in his eyes or how wind blown his dark hair was but once again I was overwhelmed with the urge to touch him. For the first time I gave into the urge. I climbed back up on the window ledge steadying myself I leaned forward to hug him. Suddenly I felt myself falling forward losing my balance as soon as my weight shifted. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Instantly two arms reached out to catch me.

I looked up to thank Al but my voice died in my throat when I saw how close he was. We were almost nose-to-nose. My eyes traveled upward to meet his. His green eyes were dark and intense. As if something was raging beneath the surface that he didn't want me to see.

Again I don't know what came over me but I leaned forward and gently placed my lips against his cheek.

I pulled away my blue eyes locking on with his green once again.

"Thanks for saving my life and giving me the best night of my life." I said softly.

He grinned.

"It was nothing. Thanks for coming out with me."

And then he pulled away. The moment broken. I blinked and climbed back though the open window.

"Goodnight" He called softly as he began to fly off towards the boy's dorms.

"Night" I said back. Still leaning against the window.

I stood there and watched him go. A million thoughts were running through my mind as I lay down on my bed. I yawned. All of which would have to wait until morning.

Hello Lovely Readers,

First I would like to say thank you for all the reviews that you have been leaving! They're all wonderful! Keep them coming I love your feedback.

Second school is keeping me super busy right now since finals are coming up. I don't know if I'm going to be able to update for the next few weeks. I haven't had time to sleep let alone write. I just thought I would get this out to you guys as a little treat before school swallows me.

I hope you enjoy it. I know I liked writing it.

The lyrics at the top are from A Whole New World from Aladdin.