A/N : This is a Beta-ed chapter by xx ShamiksXa xx

Chapter 4: Nightmare and Broom Incident

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Harry's eyes opened. Everything was blurry and he didn't recognize the area, but people were speaking French and there was a celebration going on. A hooded man was walking amongst the streets stealthily as if he was wanting to be unrecognized. The young Slytherin boy followed the hooded man carefully. Trodding through a deserted alley, the man apparated to the rooftop, Harry just behind him. He looked around. There was a group of hooded individuals at the rooftop, each one with a different colored uniform. One had a black coat, while another had the British crest on his civilian coat.

"Is the preparation ready?" asked one of them quietly.

"No, Sigmund got caught by the French guards. The mission is jeopardized. We have to retreat."

"You know we can't. Not after the bastard had dismantled the Holy Roman Empire and killed the emperor" snarled the Englishman.

"Then we better..." the hooded man didn't have time to finish his line when his head rolled on the rooftop tiles then fell on the ground.

"In the name of the Emperor, surrender," ordered a French Wizard.

"Surrender?" hissed the Englishman. He sounded snakelike, Harry thought. "Never... AVADA KEDAVRA!"

A flash of sickly, poison green hit the French wizard at point blank. A few other wizards apparated around them. The battle raged for a few minutes, but the French were superior in number.

The English man was the only survivor of his group. Badly wounded, an arm missing, and most of his vest destroyed with massive burns on his face, a French wizard in uniform walked to him.

"You will talk, spy. Who are you and why were you attacking our city?"

"Spy?" The man chuckled. "We are not spies, we are Avengers. You killed so many by following a tyrant. As long as he is alive, we will come back" replied the wounded wizard smiling.

Harry was watching the scene, he was confused. Who was this man? Why were they in Paris? And who were the others?

"Bradley Henry Potter," said the blond man appearing behind the French wizard. Harry's eyes widened in shock and terror.

"You TRAITOR!" yelled Bradley.

"Is this the way to talk to your brother in arm?" said the blond man smugly.

"You are no brother of mine! Aurelius Malfoy!" hissed Bradley, furious.

"I can save you, you know. All you have to do is cooperate, and you'll live."

"I'd rather die than betray my friends."

"Think about your family. Think about Selene and your daughter Irene. How could you leave them? They would be heartbroken."

"You have no right to say their names" hissed Bradley angrily.

"Then, I can't save them from the French coming invasion of England..." Aurelius sighed softly. This time Bradley was laughing.

"The French invading England? You can always try" Aurelius was irritated as he got out his pistol and killed Bradley. Harry was angered by the vision, a shadow started to form around him.

"You are not ready... Don't come here until you are..." said a highly pitched voice.

Harry woke up in panic. Casting a tempus charm, he groaned.

"Five AM..." sighed Harry, for he was too early to get up and too late to go back to sleep. Today was a big day for most of the first years. It was the first flying classes starting at ten and Harry didn't like how the day felt. It was always the same thing, his felt something in his guts and something bad happened during the day. His mom told him that it was just his instinct telling him about dangers.

Harry decided to take a walk outside just to change his though and try to forget about the dream. It was really confusing, who were they? And why was a Malfoy calling a Potter his brother in arms? He was lost in his thought when he bumped into the Hogwarts gamekeeper, the half-giant Hagrid.

"Ay, watch it, lad. I didn't come here to be pushed like... Oh. It's you, 'Arry"

"Hello Hagrid," he greeted softly.

"Isn't early for yer? It's only a couple before dawn.

"Nightmares," said Harry.

"Aye... Well, I won't hold yer. Just don't wander into the forest" said the Half-giant walking by. Harry just nodded.

Harry was back in the dungeons as the other houses started to wander in the castle in groups. He didn't want to be caught alone. He was not afraid, he just didn't want to get punished by Regulus now.

He stayed in his bed thinking and wondering if he would receive a letter. When it was time to go in the Great Hall for the breakfast, he just went, following Nott and the girls. They prattled about what would happen in the flight class since all house were mixed for that one. Regulus was sipping tea. He held out his hand in the air waiting for something.

Then, owls started to pour inside the Great Hall from the opened windows, droppings small packs of gifts, newspapers, letters and some larger box for the older years. Harry got three things: a copy of the Daily Prophet, a copy of the International, the Russian counterpart of the Daily Prophet and a letter from his parents. He started reading the International first. Everything was in Cyrillic. There was mostly news about the ongoing goblin invasion, the M.A.C.U.S.A withdrawal from Russian lands, the dwarves refusing the ultimatum and preparing for war alongside the Russian Wizard preparing an operation to repel the Goblins. Names of many people who died because of the goblins were listed on the page. Dismissing the newspaper, he then read his parent's letter.

"What is this?" asked Nott picking up the International.

"A newspapers from my homeland," answered Harry, who kept reading his letter. They asked him to not meddle with Neville for now. They were preparing something on their side to get Neville in the Potter family and away from Dumbledore clutch. His little sister said she missed him dearly.

"Can you tell us what is in the paper?" asked Tracy curiously, looking at the International.

"Well, there is an ongoing rebellion, American wizard who helped them but they withdrawn, a death of muggles and wizards alike by the goblins. The economy is going down, the Dwarves gold is now on the negatives thanks to the goblins who made a lot of economical sanction against them. And some other irrelevant news like strange lights in the skies in Kamchatka"

"Wow... Russia is not doing well," remarked Daphne.

"We're lucky to be here," Nott agreed.

Harry said nothing. He knew that Russia would shatter in the following months. It was close to ten now, and the first years started to go outside for their class. Rolando Hooch was already here waiting for them.

"Come on, go pick your broom in the locker there," she ordered, pointing at the small cabin next to the castle wall. The first year went inside picking up brooms. Harry scouted the broom, there was only two who were good brooms in the whole lot. A Booster 180 and a Comet 130, well they were old brooms, maybe a couple of centuries old maybe? After each one had picked their own, Harry was about to pick the Booster 180, but he felt a jolt in his scar when his hand approached it. He pulled his hand sharply, this broom was trouble, jinxed maybe. He picked up the Comet 130 instead and went outside, he didn't see Daphne picking up the Booster 180.

Everyone was already lining up in front of the teacher with their broom in their hands. Rolando instructed them to let the broom on the ground and wait for further instruction waiting for the remaining students who were still in the cabin. Once everyone had their broom on the ground, she started talking.

"Hello, students! Today, we will take our first class in flying brooms. Now I want everyone to be on the right side of their respective broom. Come on, we don't have all day" All student complied without question and were waiting for her to continue.

"Okay, now lift your hand above your broom and order it UP," shouted Madame Hooch.

"Up!" ordered Harry sharply. Instantly, his broom flew to his hand gracefully. It felt natural as if it was meant to be there, to Harry. Pleased with himself, he looked around to see the others. Only a few were able to do just like Harry, he noted. Ron, on the other hand, was faced with snickers from both houses when he was able to miss the broom and get hit in the face by the handle. Everyone giggled, while some Slytherin were laughing smugly.

"Shut up Malfoy" hissed Ron, the blond boy rolled his eyes. Then the teacher instructed them to get on their brooms for the fun part as she explained.

"Now at 3... 1... 2... 3!" she whistled. A few students were a couple feets above the ground, but one student had lost control of her broom and was skyrocketing above then dived sharply.

"Blimey! Daphne!" yelled Tracy while holding her hands clamped on her mouth. Harry launched and shot after her- while ignoring Hooch protests and screeching- and followed Daphne closely.

The girl had a tight grip on the broom. Her face was pale and filled with terror, The broom made some sort of barrel roll, almost flinging the girl off it. Terrified, Daphne shrieked and screamed her lungs out until she was an only a whisper. Harry darted behind her closely. He tried to pull her from the cursed broom but the broom averted and turned sharply on the left, only slightly missing the sharp pike on one of the statues then kicked off the ground again- Harry still behind her.

Harry was enchanted by the feel of flying. The broom felt perfect in his hands. The wind flying through his hair and piercing his cheeks were painful, but satisfying in a way. He felt free, he felt like nothing was stopping him. And he should feel that. He was defying gravity, and there was nothing there to stop him.

The students on the ground watched in horror and awe what was happening. Everyone gasped when Daphne was finally thrown off the broom and started to fall to the ground. Harry dived to the ground directly, catching the plummeting girl's hand. Harry lead the broom to land softly- and they did, but the girl was in shock- trembling, sobbing, shaking, and wailing in fear. Harry held her tightly. She held him back.

Hooch was now unto them. Until then, Harry had not thought about the dangers of going after Daphne or the punishments. Dreading the lecture he was about to get, he faced the teacher.

"Well, Mr. Potter, you saved a fellow student today. I can't really punish you for it, can I? Yet I'm displeased that you blatantly ignored my orders" Madame Hooch had a glint in her eye, though that did not reassure Harry that he wasn't in trouble.

"With all due respect professor," replied Harry, still holding the shivering girl in his arms. "Sometimes, it's better to say 'To hell with orders' There was a life at stake, I couldn't just let her die, could I?"

Rolando didn't say anything, which was a strange notion, considering that what Harry had just done was against about a dozen school rules. She assumed it was a good notion in this situation, no matter how dangerous it was. He had good morals and good intentions. Shaking his head, she cleared her mind. Potter was an ethical person with a hero complex. That was all. He was a decent flier, as well, and deserved no punishment.

Harry had not seen the Headmaster who had observed curiously through the windows of the Astronomy tower. The old man had seen the whole incident. He was impressed with how Mr. Potter had handled the situation. Oh yes, he would make a good sacrifice for his plan. If he was not complying, there was always Neville Longbottom as his backup plan. The old man went upstairs while chewing a tart lemon drop.

Harry, Tracy, and Nott were helping Daphne to the Infirmary. Hooch needed to be sure that the girl was not injured- no scratches, bruises, or scrapes. Harry was also awarded 30 points for saving Daphne from falling. The nurse was surprised to see him enter the infirmary with a pale looking Daphne. She examined her, using a charm to see if she had any cuts and appeared to be fine. All she just needed to rest, food, and get some more sleep. She was ordered by the nurse to stay there for the night just in case after what her housemates had told her about the broom incident earlier.

A paper airplane flew in from an opened window in the infirmary and landed hit Harry on the back of his head. Rubbing where the plane had hit him, he picked up the paper aircraft and unfolded it.

"What is it?" asked Nott curiously. He didn't look over Harry's shoulder, but he did want to know.

"Regulus want to see me," answered Harry. Gulping, he was sure he was about to be punished for doing something Gryffindor-ish.

"Will you be alright?" demanded Tracy protectively. After what happened earlier, they were pretty shaken up as well.

"I'll manage," said Harry. He sounded like he was trying to persuade himself, not fully convinced either.

"I'll stay here with Daphne," said Tracy, looking at the sleeping girl.

Nott nodded at her. "Harry and I will pick you up and catch up later. We will be back after Harry meeting with Black. It shouldn't be that long."

Going downstairs to the dungeons was not exactly pleasant. Gryffindors glared and sneered at him. "You will be expelled now, Potter!" yelled a Gryffindor on the other side of the corridor. Others cheered with him. It was the Weasley. They ignored him- surely he was used to that at his own house by now. The Slytherin patted his back, however, congratulating him for saving Daphne. And here they were... in front of Regulus office.

"You want me to go along?" asked Nott. worried about Harry, he added; "You know it'll be fine."

"No, I'll manage. I'll try to make it brief" said Harry quickly, and entered. Nott nodded and went to his dorm to pick up books for him, Harry, and Tracy for the next class.

"Hello, Profes..." Harry's voice was stunned into silence when he saw Severus Snape here. Snape waved his wand and closed the door then locking it with a powerful locking charm then finished with a silencing charm.

"Hello, Potter. Surprise to see me?"

"Surprise? I never suspected you in the first place. What are you doing here?"

"Easy, when you impersonate a dead man." Snape ran a hair through his oily hair.

"Regulus is dead?" If it was possible, Harry's mouth dropped even more. "How were you able to impersonate him, then?"

"Ah, that. I found his body. No one knows that he is dead and I used this opportunity to impersonate him. Rather genius, if you ask me."

"Brilliant... Slightly creepy using the essence of a dead man for the Polyjuice but brilliant."

"Thanks," said Snape neutrally. "I've heard about your exploit during the flying class with the broom incident. That was interesting, wasn't it?"

"Yeah... Sorry." Apologized Harry sheepishly.

"For what Potter?" answered Snape in surprise.

"Errr... I acted Gryffindor-ish which is not how a Slytherin should act?"

"Don't be a dunderhead Potter. You acted like a true Slytherin" said Snape smirking briefly. "Good job."

"What will happen to me, then?"

"Nothing... However, stories of your exploit were heard by the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. Luckily for you, he asked if you could go to the tryouts for a position that will happen before the end of this month"

"Am I authorized?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Yes. I signed the papers and Dumbledore agreed that it was okay to bend some rules for you. You are also authorized to have your own broom."

Harry said nothing, mostly surprised and relieved that he was not punished.

"Well, now go. I think you next class start in... hmm, let's see, about ten minutes" Snape started to drink the Polyjuice from a flask. Harry gulped. He bet it most had tasted like shit or something rotten since Snape was impersonating a dead man. Snape undid the charms on the door nonverbally and let Harry go. Nott was outside, leaning on the wall waiting for him.

"Finally!" he grinned. "I was about to ditch you and leave you alone."

"What? You're willing to let the only first-year member of the Quidditch team in more than a century alone?" smirked Harry. Nott eyes widened in disbelief.

"You have got to be kidding me!"