Jack was proven correct a few days later – the next Sunday morning Arthur and the rest of all the first-years woke up to see a notice about the flying lessons on the board in their respective common room. Apparently the flying lessons were going to begin the upcoming Thursday, and although more than a few of Arthur's classmates groaned when they noticed they would have the class together with Gryffindor most of them still seemed to be excited over the thought of finally learning how to fly. Arthur couldn't help but mentally admit he also was happy to have another chance during the week to spend more time with Hermione outside of the library.
The next days felt like the slowest days Arthur had ever experienced in his life, and despite Arthur's joy over being allowed to practice more magic during the lessons now he couldn't help but to long for their very first flying lesson. Patrick and William had of course already made sure Arthur could fly well enough from all the Quidditch-training they put him through during the summer, but Arthur still looked forward to fly again. Besides, with all the training he already had it hopefully meant he could fly better than Malfoy.
With the great amount of bragging Malfoy now did about his supposed flying skills you could almost believe the snobby boy had been born on top of a broom, but Arthur seriously doubted Malfoy had flown and escaped "muggles" in helicopters, like he claimed to have done. To be fair Malfoy wasn't the only one who told ridiculous stories after stories about his flying skills, but he was without doubt the loudest one from Slytherins. Nowadays the only times Malfoy didn't loudly brag about his flying skills seemed to be when he complained about the fact first-years weren't allowed to join the Quidditch team, or to have their own brooms. With the exception of Malfoy's little gang most of the Slytherins soon learnt to just ignore him though, even though it was clear Arthur wasn't the only one who was beginning to get tired of Malfoy's bragging. It was very tempting to just punch Malfoy in the face to make him shut up for a while, or to at least give Malfoy something else to talk about, but Arthur didn't actually want unnecessary fights with someone he still was forced to share the same dorm with for the next seven years. So like the gentleman he was Arthur controlled himself. Barely.
When Thursday morning finally arrived Arthur, like usual, walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast together with Katlyn, Jack and Jade. There was a buzz of excitement in the air from the first years in the hall, and even though Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff didn't have their lesson until the next day Arthur suspected they would interrogate their friends from the other houses about the flying lesson the moment it was over. Katlyn had been understandable nervous over the lesson as well – since she was muggle born she didn't have any experience of brooms, but like Hermione she had also tried to read everything she could about it. Katlyn was so nervous Jack and Jade in the end decided to take her outside the evening before their flying lessons would begin and let her try Jack's broom for a while. Arthur wasn't there to see it since he was with Hermione in the library at the time, but afterwards Jack told him with sparkling eyes Katlyn was a natural and should have no problems during the class. Arthur supposed that was part of the reason Katlyn looked so calm and happy now while she ate her breakfast.
However Arthur was soon distracted from his thoughts when he noticed Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle make their way over to the Gryffindor table. With anger rising in his chest Arthur saw how Malfoy stopped behind Neville and snatched something from the boy's hand, and with a scowl Arthur stood up from the Slytherin table at the same time as Harry and Ron jumped up next to Neville. Arthur was fully prepared to walk over and stop Malfoy himself before he noticed Professor McGonagall was already on her way. Reluctantly Arthur sat down again, and saw to his satisfaction how Malfoy was forced to retreat when Professor McGonagall arrived. Not even Malfoy was stupid enough to start a fight when there was a teacher nearby.
The day went painfully slow, and even Arthur found himself distracted from the Charms and Transfiguration class. It was obvious too, because instead of his normal 2-3 tries to get the spell correctly he needed eight of them, which Arthur mentally berated himself for. After lunch he then spent his free period in the library and tried to reassure Hermione everything was going to be fine. Really, flying wasn't that difficult once you got the hang of it, and she would hardly be the only beginner there. Besides, flying wasn't something you could just read about, it was something you had to practice. Arthur doubted he succeeded to reassure her though, because Hermione still spent the whole period reading all her books about flying, again, barely saying a word to him. Again. Unfortunately this seemed to become a pattern lately – Hermione usually read more than she talked, and although Arthur liked to read and do his homework he also wanted to other things. The only time Arthur suggested they could do something else it was loudly rejected though, with Hermione claiming they couldn't just play around when there were still so many things to learn. Ever since then Arthur hadn't suggested they could do something else instead.
When it was time to walk down the front steps to the grounds for their long awaited flying lesson Hermione finally lifted her face from the book, but instead of reading she spent the whole walk down to tell Arthur everything she learnt about flying from the books. Things Arthur tried to tell Hermione he already knew, but never got the chance to say since she talked to fast. In fact she didn't fall silent until they reached the smooth lawn on the opposite side of the grounds to the Forbidden Forest, where they would have the class.
It was a clear, breezy day outside and the grass rippled against Arthur's shoes as they made their way towards the small group of students who were already there. However so far there were only three other Slytherins and the two Gryffindor boys Finnigan and Dean Thomas there. All of them sent them distrustful glances and frowned at Arthur and Hermione as they joined the small group of students, which Arthur returned with a scowl before he decided to just ignore them instead. Hermione must have noticed the glares they received as well, because she frowned in thoughts, looking a little unsure, while she quietly watched their fellow first-years.
An uncomfortable silence followed, so in an attempt to distract himself Arthur looked out over the lawn, where around twenty ancient-looking broomsticks laid in the grass in neat lines. Thankfully enough they didn't have wait for long in the silence though, and soon they could see Malfoy swagger down with his little gang, followed a little further behind by the rest of the Slytherins. Even further behind them the first-years from Gryffindor then could be seen walk down the slope towards the lawn, followed by their teacher, Madam Hooch.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" she barked at everyone the moment they all arrived, not even taking their attendance.
"Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up!"
Everyone hurried over to one of the broomsticks in the lines, and Arthur heard Hermione rapidly mutter through the basics about flying. Despite this she somehow still looked much calmer than Neville, who looked pale as a ghost while he bit on his lip in nervousness on Arthur's left side. Was he shaking too?
"Hey, don't look like that – it'll be alright," Arthur directed towards Neville in a quiet mutter.
Neville didn't look like he believed him, but he seemed to at least have heard what Arthur said since he sent back a barely noticeable nod in answer.
"Hold your right hand over your broom and say 'UP!' in a clear voice," Madam Hooch called in front of the lines of students and broomsticks.
"UP!" Arthur called with everyone else, and felt proud over himself when he, Katlyn and Harry were the only ones who managed to get their broom to jump into their hands at their first attempt.
Hermione's broom only rolled over on the ground and Neville's broom didn't move at all, his voice too mixed with fear. Once everyone held their broom Madam Hooch showed them how to correctly mount their brooms, so they wouldn't slide off the end, something Patrick and William taught Arthur how to do a long time ago.
Arthur had to stifle a snigger when Madam Hooch walked around, corrected some of their grips, and then told Malfoy he had been doing it wrong for years. It was gold for Arthur's ears.
"When I blow my whistle I want you to kick off from the ground, hard," Madam Hoch said next.
"Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet and then come straight back down by leaning forwards. On my whistle: three, two-"
However before Madam Hoch had the chance to blow in the whistle Neville, who Arthur later learnt had been terrified of being left alone on the ground, pushed off and immediately began to raise straight up.
"Mr. Longbottom, get down here this instant!" she shouted in vain to Neville, who quickly gained height with no control over his broom.
Neville's terrified white face could only look down on the ground, and Arthur almost swore he heard a timid call for help when their eyes met for only a moment before Arthur like in slow-motion saw how a terrified Neville began to slide off the broom. Without thinking Arthur mounted his own broom and shot away like a rocket from the ground towards Neville. The shouts from the ground were barely background noises in Arthur's head, who was too focused on his attempt to reach Neville before the boy fell off the broom to even notice the order from Madam Hoch to immediately come back down again.
For a short moment it even looked like Arthur would reach Neville in time – he was just below Neville's broomstick and about to grab the handle to lead them back down to the ground when Neville's broom suddenly made a jerk out from Arthur's hold and Neville fell sideways off the broom, right on Arthur. As a result Arthur's broomstick, which was unable to hold the sudden weight of two boys, shuddered and then dropped straight through the sky-
BANG! With a crash and stars flying before his eyes Arthur felt how his back made contact with the ground and knocked all the air out from his lungs, immediately followed by a painful thud as Neville landed on top of his stomach. Struggling to take a breath Arthur tried in vain to grab Neville and make him move, because he couldn't breathe, everything hurt and-
Something moved Neville away from him and Arthur was blinded by the sun, though he didn't really care about that right now because he still couldn't breathe, why couldn't he-
"Focus on me Kirkland - look at me."
Madam Hoch was suddenly bent over him, blocking the sun, while she grabbed his arms and held them over his head where he laid on the grass.
"Normally I would make you stand to help the air reach your lungs better, but I don't think that's very wise at the moment. So focus on me Kirkland. Breathe."
Easier said than done, but Arthur tried his best. He focused everything he had on his own breathing and watched as Madam Hoch after a nod made exaggerated deep breaths herself, as if to encourage him to do the same. Oddly enough it worked, and Arthur felt his panic die out as sweet air finally reached his lungs. After what felt like forever, but most likely only were a few minutes, Arthur was then finally able to breathe somewhat normally again.
"Better?" she asked him, and let go off his arms when he nodded in reply.
"Neville?" he asked hoarsely.
"Better off than you. In worst case he has a broken wrist, but that's a quick fix for Madam Pomfrey and is nothing to worry about," she replied and continued to examine him.
"Any pain? Does your head, neck or back hurt?"
"No, only my left leg," Arthur reluctantly admitted in a hoarse voice and groaned in pain when he felt Madam Hoch gently take hold of his leg to examine it further.
"Hm, looks like it's broken."
Of course the rest of Arthur's body hurt too, but it was nothing which you couldn't expect from falling off a broom from the height they did, and except for the leg nothing (else) felt broken. His left leg really, really hurt though. Meanwhile Madam Hoch hummed in thoughts and with a wave of her wand she then quickly conjured a splint which she secured his leg with before she let Arthur sit up from the ground. It was first now Arthur saw Neville, who sat not far away to Arthur's right side on the ground with his legs spread out and his right arm cradled against his own chest.
"Are you alright?" Arthur hoarsely asked Neville while Madam Hoch stood up and warned the rest of the class they would be thrown out from Hogwarts if they as much as flew an inch while she took Arthur and Neville to the Hospital Wing.
With a ghostly, terrified, white face and tears streaming down his face Neville looked far from okay, but he still nodded in reply. It looked like Neville was about to add something, but they were interrupted when Madam Hoch turned around and helped Neville to stand. Afterwards Madam Hoch directed her wand towards Arthur and made him awkwardly hover – still sitting – in the air beside her before she began to walk them both back towards the castle. It felt odd to sit in the middle of the air with a secured leg while his teacher walked in the middle of himself and Neville, but Arthur supposed he didn't have much choice since he couldn't walk on his left leg right now. With the exception of Neville's occasional sniffling and whimper of pain it was a quiet march up to the castle, and although most students were in class there were still many eyes and whispers which followed them while they climbed the stairs to the Hospital Wing. Arthur mentally groaned once he realized this would be his second time in the Hospital Wing already, and he hadn't even been at Hogwarts for two whole weeks yet.
When they arrived at the Hospital Wing it didn't take long for Madam Pomfrey to come running the moment she saw them. With a slightly annoyed "tsk, weren't you two the boys who were here last Friday?" they were placed in two beds next to each other while Madam Pomfrey went to fetch the medicine she needed. Meanwhile Madam Hoch placed herself standing between the feet of their beds with crossed arms.
"I hope you both realize how lucky you were. You both could just as easily have landed wrong, broken your necks and died - and not even Madam Pomfrey can raise the dead, no matter how great she is at healing."
Neville whimpered at Madam Hoch hard gaze, which was then directed towards Arthur.
"I realize Mr. Longbottom did it on accident, but the only reason I'm not going to take away any points from Slytherin, despite the blatant way you ignored my very clear orders to come back, Mr. Kirkland, is because I still admire your attempt to save your classmate. I advise you to not continue to test your luck though, and the next time you want to save someone you should try to not use yourself as pillow to break their fall."
Arthur felt his face glow red and didn't dare to meet Madam Hoch's harsh gaze as he felt his face heat up in a mixture of embarrassment, anger and shame – although he wasn't sure if he was angry at himself or Madam Hoch's words. Arthur only lifted his face again when he heard and then saw Madam Pomfrey come back with two small bottles of a disgusting-looking liquid.
"I'll leave them in your hands then," Madam Hoch nodded to Pomfrey. "I need to go back to the rest of the class."
"Of course," Madam Pomfrey replied and handed over a bottle each to Arthur and Neville.
Madam Hoch then disappeared through the doors to the Hospital Wing while Arthur and Neville were left to drink up the bottles with the disgusting-looking medicine. Arthur saw Neville cast him a nervous glance.
"Well, what are you two waiting on? Drink it up!"
Since it didn't seem like he had another choice Arthur took a deep breath and then drank it all in one go. Urgh, disgusting!
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
Back at the lawn and the rest of the class Malfoy burst into laughter the moment their teacher, Arthur and Neville were out of earshot.
"Haha, did you his face when the great lump realized he landed on Kirkland? Personally I don't see why Kirkland even attempted to save him, he should just have let the stupid oaf fall from the begining!"
Malfoy's gang joined the laughter while a few of the other Slytherins looked uncomfortable in the background, but didn't say anything. The only exception seemed to be Katlyn, who was seething in anger, and Hermione felt the anger raise in her chest as well. Arthur and Neville could have died! She had been terrified when she saw them fall to the ground, Neville on top of Arthur, which wasn't exactly helped when they at first had been unable to detect any movement from the two boys. Neville's face when he was moved by Madam Hoch and saw where he landed was horrifying to see, and Hermione could barely stand to look as they all then heard the sounds of Arthur's desperate gasps for air.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" Parvati Patil snapped just before Hermione had the chance to explode at Malfoy.
"Oh, are you sticking up for Longbottom? I never thought you of all people would like fat little crybabies, Parvati," sneered Pansy Parkinson, one of the Slytherin girls in Malfoy's little gang. "Or is it Kirkland? I'll have you know he's way out of your league."
"Oh, and look at this!" Malfoy gleefully shouted out before he darted forward and snatched something from the grass. "It's that stupid ball Longbottom's gran sent him."
The Remembrall Hermione saw how Neville just received this breakfast glittered in the sun when Malfoy held it up for everyone to see.
"Really, the big lump should be more careful with his things – otherwise he might never get to see them again," Malfoy laughed with a mean glint in his eyes.
"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry hissed angrily from Hermione's right side.
Everyone immediately fell silent while they watched what would happen.
"No, I think I will leave it somewhere Longbottom to go and get it instead. Perhaps up in a tree?" Malfoy said with a nasty smile.
"Give it here!" Harry yelled angrily, but Malfoy had already jumped up on his broomstick and shot off into the air.
It seemed like all the bragging Hermione and everyone else had been forced to listen to for the last week hadn't been a total lie, because Malfoy actually could fly rather well. Malfoy then flew over to a tree and hovered in the height of the branches at the top of the oak.
"Come and get it if you can and dare, Potter!"
With anger visible on his face Hermione saw how Harry grabbed his broom, actually falling for the mocking.
"NO!" she shouted and tried to talk some sense into Harry. "Didn't you see what just happened to Arthur and Neville!? Besides, Madam Hoch told us not to move – you will get all of us into trouble!"
However she was completely ignored - Harry Potter mounted his broomstick and kicked off the ground, soaring up into the air, without a care about all the trouble they all would end up in if they were caught. Honestly, what did Harry even think he could do? Hermione had heard him and Ron talk about flying in the common room, something Harry had admitted he never had done before, while Malfoy at the other hand obviously had done it many times before. Hermione then saw how Harry pulled up his broom even higher and heard some of her classmates let out a scream or gasp while Ron made an admiring whoop of joy. Harry then sharply turned his broom to face the stunned-looking Malfoy.
"Give me it, or I'll knock you off the broom!" Harry angrily called out to Malfoy for everyone to hear.
"Oh, I would like to see you try," Malfoy said with an attempted sneer, but he looked a little worried now.
For being the first time on a broom in his life even Hermione had to admit Harry was good at flying, who somehow already seemed to know he had to lean forward to fly forward. Harry shot towards Malfoy like a javelin and Malfoy only barely managed to get out of the way in time before Harry made a sharp U-turn and held the broom steady in the air as he faced Malfoy. A few people around Hermione clapped, impressed by Harry's skills.
"There is no Crabbe or Goyle to save your neck up here!" Hermione and the others heard Harry yell to Malfoy.
"Catch it if you can then!" Malfoy, who seemed to have realized this as well, shouted and threw the glass ball high into the air in the direction of the castle.
Harry shot after it, and when the Remembrall began to fall Harry pointed his broom down into a steep dive while Malfoy safely landed on the ground with a smirk.
The faster and closer to the ground Harry came the more people began to scream.
"He's going to crash!"
"Harry- DON'T!"
Hermione didn't dare to look anymore and hid her face behind her hands, but when the screaming eventually changed into loud cheering she finally dared to look up again - only to see Harry stand safely on the grass with a big grin on his face and the Remembrall clutched in his hand.
"HARRY POTTER!"
Harry's and the rest of the Gryffindors' faces quickly fell as they saw Professor McGonagall run towards them.
"Never - in all my time at Hogwarts-"
Professor McGonagall was furious and seemed to have a hard time putting her thoughts into words.
"-how dare you – could have broken your neck!"
"It wasn't his fault-"
"Be quiet, Miss Patil-"
"But Malfoy-"
"That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Follow me, Potter. Now."
About 25% of Hermione's brain wanted to tell Harry "I told you so," but when she saw Malfoy and his gang's triumphant faces when Professor McGonagall left with Harry the 75% left promptly wrestled down the 25% and seethed in anger over the injustice of it all. This would never have happened if Harry just listened to her instead of Malfoy, but did he? Nooooo, he didn't, and now everyone in Gryffindor would probably end up in trouble because of the huge amount of points Harry was sure to lose them, if he wasn't already expelled. On top of that it seemed like Malfoy would get away with it, even though he was the one who started everything! The only good thing about this was the fact Madam Hoch came back only seconds later, so at least they didn't need to listen to any of Malfoy's gloating. It was a weak consolation, but at least it was something, and since Madam Hoch didn't even mention the absence of Harry... Hermione could only assume their teacher must have met Professor McGonagall on the way somewhere. Still, it was a downhearted group of Gryffindors with the gloating of the Slytherins in their ears who returned to the castle when the class was over. In her haste to get away from everyone she almost forgot to visit Arthur and Neville in the Hospital Wing, and only remembered just before she reached the stairs to the third floor.
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
Meanwhile in the Hospital Wing it turned out Arthur's leg wasn't as injured as Madam Hoch originally thought it would be. It was sore, and Madam Pomfrey warned Arthur it would most likely hurt for another day or two, but it wasn't broken or otherwise injured, although Madam Pomfrey for a short moment had frowned in confusion when she examined his leg. Arthur didn't really care about that now though, because this meant his leg didn't require any further treatment and he was free to leave as long as he promised to take it easy with his leg for a few days. Still, he felt like it was his duty to at least wait until Neville was done, which didn't take very long either, and then (once again) try to reassure Neville it wasn't his fault they ended up in the Hospital Wing. That part didn't go very well though, because no matter what Arthur said it was clear the sniffling Neville still blamed himself.
"Look," Arthur sighed in annoyance after they left the Hospital Wing and he lost his patience. "I was the one who decided to come after you, so if it's anyone's fault it's my own for placing my broomstick below yours. Besides, it was an accident, and those broomsticks were old enough to have been better off as firewood anyway."
"But-"
"No, it's the end of the discussion! It was no one's fault – it was an accident – and you really need to stop blaming yourself for everything."
"He has a point, you know," the voice of Hermione suddenly commented behind them and both of them jumped in surprise, turning around to face the voice.
"Please don't sneak up like that, Hermione," Neville complained with a little whine.
"Sorry, I'll try not to. I'm glad you two seem to be alright though, and that the both of you already are out of the Hospital Wing. It was a nasty fall."
"Is something wrong?" Arthur carefully asked when he noticed Hermione's tight smile.
"Oh no, everything is perfectly fine. My two friends only scared me half to death when they suddenly fell off their broomsticks 20 feet (ca 6,10 meters) up in the air, and then Mr. Selfish Potter decided to ignore everything I said and will most likely have made all of Gryffindor end up in trouble, but no, of course I'm perfectly fine."
Hermione finished her little rant with a huff and then pushed past between them, which left a bewildered Arthur and Neville in the corridor.
She was soon gone among the sea of students who were on their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
"That was sarcasm, wasn't it?" Neville asked quietly.
"Yes," Arthur replied with a nod, still surprised by her sudden outburst.
"Wait," Neville suddenly gasped as a smile of pure joy suddenly broke out on his face. "Did she just call me her friend?"
"Well, yes," Arthur answered, confused by Neville's sudden happy mood before he felt an odd – but great – and warm feeling of happiness when Arthur realized he had been called her friend as well.
"We better run and catch up her," Arthur commented and tried to keep his face straight.
"Yes," Neville agreed, and they hurried after Hermione.
It didn't take long to catch up either, since it in the end didn't seem like Hermione was in any particular hurry, and Arthur couldn't help but let a small smile slip onto his face as he and Neville joined up on each side of Hermione.
"What got you two into such good mood all of sudden?" Hermione asked and looked back and forth between Arthur and Neville with a confused frown.
"Nothing," Arthur denied with a shake of his head, but kept the small smile on his face. "I'll see you in the library later."
They had arrived to the Great Hall, and Arthur had almost already reached the Slytherin table before Hermione even had the chance to answer. Arthur sat down on the seat next to Jade.
"There you are - Katlyn just told us what happened. We planned to visit you after the dinner, but I suppose that's not needed now," Jack grinned from the seat on the opposite side of Jade.
"How are you feeling?" Jade asked him and handed him the potatoes.
"I'm fine, it looked worse than it was."
Katlyn, who sat next to Jack and on the opposite side of Arthur, looked skeptical.
"It's the truth," Arthur assured her when he noticed her expression. "The leg is just sore, not broken or anything. Madam Pomfrey let me leave the Hospital Wing with a warning my leg will most likely hurt a little for the next day or two, which it does, but otherwise I'm completely fine."
"If you say so," Katlyn replied.
She still appeared to be a little skeptical, but she let it be.
"You know, when I told you how I hurt my own leg I didn't mean for you to go and try to do the same," Jack laughed.
"Wha- I didn't-" Arthur began to protest.
"Don't worry, I'm just teasing you," Jack winked with a laugh.
"However I suppose this means you're grounded for a while now."
Katlyn snorted in amusement and Jade groaned as she facepalmed.
"Really, Jack? Really?"
Jack ignored Jade's comment and only continued to laugh.
o.o.o.( End of Chapter 08 ).o.o.o
Author Note: Once again I would like to thank everyone who read, fave, follow and/or review - you're awesome!
I will also remind you all this is the last chapter I already had uploaded on Deviantart,
and even though I'm currently writing chapter 09 it will take a little longer than it has until now to update the story.
Just so you know. I'll of course do my best though, so hopefully it will not take too long before chapter 09 is done. :D
So with that said, please enjoy, and I hope to see you next chapter! /Jezzica
o.o.o
(PS.) Don't worry MedusaLegend, I'm evil and don't want to spoil too much of what will happen later,
but rest assured I have many plans which include the other nations as well. ;)