chapter 7: a new perspective

On Thursday, while the rest of the Slytherins shuffled out to the quidditch pitch in a flurry of excited chatter, Eleanor was confronted with the arrival of Professor Snape, who led her away from the Great Hall toward the long corridor on the third floor.

She hadn't been this way before, and marveled at its immense size, another long sweeping hallway that made Eleanor feel quite small. The Headmaster stood alone, idly watching a portrait of a meadow, where dragons dozed in the painted sun. Distantly, Eleanor could hear the faint sounds of a harp.

"Hello Professor Snape, and hello Miss Capulet," said Professor Dumbledore. His eyes were a twinkling pale blue behind half moon spectacles, and his beard stretched long and gray to the floor. Eleanor couldn't help but wonder how a man as old as he was could be so powerful.

"Hello, Headmaster," Snape said.

"I was just observing this painting, here, you see. Despite my endless trips throughout Hogwarts, I find that I have never seen it before. The mysteries of this castle are endless, are they not? How are both of you this afternoon?" Dumbledore spoke.

"Oh, um, fine, thank you, Headmaster," Eleanor said.

"Professor Snape has informed me of your ability, Miss Capulet," the Headmaster said, his eyes bright and alert. "I hope this corridor is sufficient for your demonstration."

Eleanor looked down the empty hall with its tall ceilings. She nodded, but said, "Sir, I apologize, but I thought students weren't allowed here?"

Dumbledore smiled. "I'm glad to hear at least one student of ours has taken my warnings as more than mere suggestions. You are quite right, Miss Capulet. Consider this a sort of… momentary exception, to afford you some privacy. Privacy can be quite hard to find at Hogwarts."

"Oh," Eleanor said.

"Now, let us not delay any further. Whenever you are ready," Professor Dumbledore said, stepping back and aside. Snape followed him, his dark eyes focused and expectant.

For a moment, Eleanor became suddenly afraid that she might have forgotten how to do it, or that she might have lost the ability sometime in the time since she'd been at Hogwarts. She told herself that if she fell flat on her face, then she would be allowed to withdraw, and return home a failure.

Eleanor took a deep breath and walked back the way they had come along the hall. She shed her robes in a pile, and thanked Merlin that she had chosen her trousers today, because she couldn't think of anything more mortifying than having been in a skirt.

She heaved a deep breath, before breaking off in a run.

It always started in her shins. A tingling lightness moving up along her knees, and spreading beneath her ankles. When the bubbly feeling reached the bottom of her feet, she knew she was almost there. The thundering slapping feeling against the solid ground gave way to the hard but pliant air. It was as though the very wind was thickening at her request like it had been patiently waiting for the chance to lift her far and away.

When she was airborne, she no longer had to run. Instead, with instinctual intention she could move. She'd dart higher in the air, or fall back to the ground with the delicate balance of a feather. She felt as though she owned the quiet of the air.

For demonstration purposes, Eleanor swooped to the far end of the hall, before flying up to that impossibly tall ceiling, and grazing it with outstretched fingers. Unsure of what else to do, she let her body sink down with quiet ease and managed a clumsy landing. She stood before the two Professors, trying to catch her breath.

Embarrassingly, Professor Dumbledore gave her a short applause, his eyes pleased. Snape, however, looked as though he was solving a complicated equation in his head, and offered her no indication of interest in what she had just done.

"Well done, Miss Capulet," Professor Dumbledore said. "I believe this does confirm that you are a true Icari."

Eleanor nodded, still adjusting to the term.

"Now, if you don't mind, I do have a few questions, if you would be willing to entertain them. Nothing more than an old man's curiosity, you see," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Oh! Um, yes, that's alright, sir." She couldn't have imagined saying no.

"Thank you. I noticed that you began your process by running. Do you always have to do so before you're able to become airborne?"

"Um, yes," Eleanor explained. "Though… it used to take longer. Over the years the distance I have to run before I… well, before I'm able to take off, you see… it's gotten shorter. I don't have to run as far."

"How fascinating! Has the skill progressed in any other ways, then?"

"Well, I can go a lot higher now than I used to be able to. When I was really little, it was only a few feet or so, but now, I can reach the top of this windmill by my aunt's house. I'm not sure how tall it is, though, sir."

"Wonderful," Dumbledore said. "I believe with time and practice, you should see further progress in your ability. You might find, someday, that you won't have to run at all prior to taking flight."

"Really? That would certainly make things easier," Eleanor said.

"As is the case with all things, achieving better results would require a certain dedication to practice. If I may be so bold to say, I would highly recommend your continuing efforts to honing this very valuable talent of yours."

Without thinking, Eleanor said, "Excuse me, sir… but is it? A valuable talent that is?"

Dumbledore seemed to hold back a laugh. "I would say so. Are you not finding it to be?"

"Well… it's not that. I mean, yes, I love it, certainly. Always have. But… It sounds like I'm to have loads of difficulties because of it. And can't most wizards fly with a broomstick just the same anyway, sir?"

Dumbledore smiled kindly. "There are many benefits to the Icarus talent, Miss Capulet. Say one were to find themselves without a broom in a situation they desperately wanted to escape with the upmost urgency. An ability to leave simply by flying away would be unrivaled. I often find myself in situations like these, caught in a conversation I'd rather not be having, wishing I'd be able to simply take off, you see.

"And, I've read that Icaris are particularly valuable in the field of dragon taming," Dumbledore continued. "There is a leading theory that the ability itself is linked with a certain trait that invites easier trust from beasts who are able to fly themselves. Although I have limited experience myself, Hogwarts has had many students who have gone on to work in fields such as these. Most recently was a young man by the name Charlie Weasley. His younger brothers are still here - in fact I believe Ronald Weasley is in your year."

"Yes, I believe I met him on the train. Which house is he in, sir?"

"That would be Gryffindor," Dumbledore answered. "If dragons sound interesting to you, I'm sure Mr. Weasley would be quite happy to provide further information on his older brother's endeavors. And, of course, there is always our gamekeeper, Hagrid."

Snape turned suddenly to Dumbledore. "Sir, I recommended to Miss Capulet a level of… discretion surrounding her talent."

"And right you were to do so, Severus! However, I think a conversation around dragons would be unlikely to tip off Mr. Weasley to Miss Capulet's ability," Dumbledore said with a small wink.

"Alright, Professor," Eleanor said. "I'll… I'll ask Hagrid."

Dumbledore seemed to beam. "Wonderful! Hagrid as groundskeeper should also be able to provide a fitting location for you to spread your wings, if you don't mind the phrase."

Eleanor smiled. This conversation had been much more optimistic than the one she had had with Snape.

"You know, your mother had quite the aptitude for magical creatures. She would spend hours in the paddocks tending to the thestrals or wandering the grounds, searching for Kneazles and Nifflers."

Eleanor felt shocked. "You knew my mother?"

"Yes, Miss Capulet, I knew your mother quite well. Of course, this was before she joined Lord Voldemort's inner circle, when she was still a student here in my care. I'm sure you're aware that she was a Slytherin as well."

Eleanor looked down at her feet. Did Dumbledore think she was on the same path?

"Yes, sir," she said, before she was suddenly struck by a question she was shocked she hadn't thought yet to wonder. "Was my mother an Icari as well?"

"I was wondering if you would ask that. Unfortunately, on that particular matter, I do not have the most complete answer for you. I can say that while she was here she never displayed the talent, nor were there any rumors of her ability. Though she wasn't on the Slytherin quidditch team, she did complete her first year's flying class. And during sixth year she was able to learn to apparate with none of the apparent problems that Icaris are known to encounter."

"Oh."

"Your mother was an excellent student, Miss Capulet. Though I was most disappointed to learn that she used that excellence to fight for a side that I found to be terribly misguided, during her time at Hogwarts she had been a remarkably friendly classmate and quite the dedicated scholar."

Eleanor nodded, solemn.

"Do you know why I'm telling you this, Eleanor?"

Eleanor shook her head.

"I believe it to be quite important to understand that the paths we have ahead of us are not laid in stone. Your mother could have become many things when she entered the wizarding world. She made many choices that were viciously cruel and highly disappointing.

"But there is another choice she made that I feel is often remembered for the wrong reason. Miss Capulet, I urge you to remember that in your mother's final years, she chose to defect against the person to whom she had dedicated her life. Though it could not erase the harm she had done and the pain she had caused, your mother's choice to fight back against Lord Voldemort was one she knew would be so tremendously dangerous. I have no doubt that she was certain she would not likely survive it. And yet she still chose to face off against him alone. Few witches and wizards have ever shown the courage she did on that day."

Eleanor couldn't help the tears that were finally breaking free after weeks of holding them back.

"I don't want to be like her, sir," Eleanor admitted, afraid to look into the pale eyes again.

"Our destinies are ours to shape. The choices we make in our lives are both our biggest freedom, and our biggest burden. I hope your years at Hogwarts will help you when it comes time for you to make the choices that will shape your future."

Eleanor rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. In the quiet, she noticed the faint harp she had heard earlier was no longer playing. Instead, a deep rumbling sound rolled through the hall.

"Ah, Severus. It seems that the music I was so enjoying has ended. Would you be so kind?"

"Of course, sir," and Snape was off, leaving Eleanor and Dumbledore alone.

"I quite like the harp. It always seems to put me in the mood for something sweet," Dumbledore explained, as he began to walk back down the hall in the direction Eleanor and Snap had come in from. "It is quite unfortunate that you will not be able to participate in Quidditch. It is a law that I understand the thought behind, but I find to be quite limiting in its enforcement.

"And Eleanor, I would be quite remiss as a Headmaster if I didn't emphasize that despite your ability, I still expect that you will follow the rules of Hogwarts, as every other student must. Though your ability may grant you a certain advantage in avoiding the eyes of school staff, I hope you will not use it it to this advantage"

"Of course, Professor," Eleanor said. Truthfully, she hadn't even considered using it in this way at all. Running around breaking school rules didn't sound like the sort of thing witches who wanted to be good would find themselves doing.

Dumbledore only smiled, and she didn't know why, but she felt like he didn't quite believe her. "Now, if at some point in the future you find yourself with any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Professor Snape. He is your head of house, afterall, and he is here to help guide you through the coming years.

"I will also be informing the rest of the Hogwarts staff of your ability, but it is to your discretion regarding whoever else you might be inclined to include. I do not pretend to believe that I know what is best when it comes to the fragile nature of new friendship.

"Sir… I do have a question."

"Please ask, Miss Capulet."

"Is it really a mark of dark magic, sir?"

"Ah… I'm guessing Professor Snape was the one to tell you this?"

"Yes, sir."

"I believe you will find the best answer in books written by wizards who specialize in the subject. In my many years of experience, I have found that there are few traits inherent to a witch or wizard that hold enough sway of the inner compass to determine the path they choose to seek."

Eleanor felt that Dumbledore hadn't really answered her question.

"It was delightful getting to know you. Best of luck in your studies."

And with a turn, he was off, and Eleanor was left to wonder over the many things the great wizard had said.

A few hours later, the rest of the Slytherin first years ambled their way into the dining hall, followed by the loud chattering Gryffindors.

To Eleanor's immense displeasure, Draco Malfoy sat directly across from her.

"Capulet."

"Malfoy."

"You missed quite the entertaining flying lesson. Feeling sick, were you?" he asked, but his eyes told her that he hadn't forgotten their strange encounter from Monday.

"I'm excused from flying lessons," Eleanor said simply, refusing to take her eyes away from the potions textbook in front of her.

"Excused, why would you be excused?"

"Fear of heights," Eleanor lied.

"Bollocks."

"Aren't you the one typically calling me a coward?"

"You are a coward. But I don't believe you'd get flying lessons off just because of it," Draco explained.

Eleanor just shrugged, turning the page.

"Well, you missed what's sure to be my finest moment yet at Hogwarts."

"What a pity."

"I got Potter expelled."

Eleanor shot up. "You what?!"

"You heard me. Wishing you had attended now, aren't you?"

"What did you do, Malfoy?"

"Aren't you nosey? You're lucky I'm in such a splendid mood."

Eleanor held her tongue. Had Malfoy actually gotten Harry Potter expelled? Eleanor found the thought abhorrent.

"D'you know that oaf, Longbottom? The one in Gryffindor who's so stupid he probably can't tell his ass from his face when he tries to put on pants in the morning?"

Eleanor nodded, her mouth a thin line.

"Well, he decided to entertain the class with quite the nasty fall. This would have been funny enough on its own, but when Hooch had to wheel him off to the infirmary, I noticed that during his spectacular show, he had forgotten his Remembrall. As I'm sure you're aware, I take quite a bit of pride in making sure my fellow classmates become the best version of themselves they can possibly be, so I thought a lesson in taking better care of his property was in order."

"So you stole his… rememball-thing?"

"Merlin you really are stupid, aren't you. Remembrall. But, yes, I took his remembrall. I wanted to leave it somewhere high up for him, so every time he saw it, he'd remember this important lesson. Really, I was doing him a service."

"What does-"

"Don't interrupt. So, Potter, who must always play the hero and ensure that everyone around has their eyes on him at all times, decided that Longbottom didn't need my help. I suppose he finds entertainment in Longbottom's failures. He flew after me, and took a detour right across ol' McGonagall's window. The bat was positively fuming. Pulled him right from class. I bet he's packing his trunk right now."

There was almost something impressive to the way Draco Malfoy could become more repugnant by the day.

"You're an insufferable pig, Draco Malfoy."

"You're not telling me that you feel sorry for him, are you? As if every other wizarding school in the bloody world won't be absolutely pissing to get the famous Harry Potter on their roster."

"Why do you hate him so much?" Eleanor asked. From everything she knew, Harry Potter had saved the wizarding world and ensured the future for all of them.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "You continue to disappoint me, Capulet. Potter is going to spend the rest of his life signing autographs and kissing fat ugly babies. Just because I'm not as absolutely enamored as everyone else and I'm not falling over myself for the honor of shining his shoes doesn't mean that I hate him."

"You're certainly the only one who seems to have a problem with him."

"I am not. Didn't you hear what Snape said in Potions last week? I know you're dreadful at lessons, but I would hope you had at least noticed when Potter was asked perfectly reasonable questions that would be expected of every other student in the class and was unable to answer even one of them. Potter expects special treatment because of something that happened when he was still pissing in his nappy. I refuse to join his fan club. It's that simple."

"So what? Who cares if he is better than the rest of us. Why does it matter?"

"You're not getting it. The point is that he isn't. But he thinks he is."

"Which is vastly different from the way you view yourself, of course?" Eleanor asked.

Malfoy went red with anger. "I've had to work to earn my status. It wasn't just given to me."

"I'm sure you worked real hard for daddy's money."

"My father earned his money. He's a very important person. The Malfoy family is highly respected. Just because you've got no idea what that's like doesn't make you exempt from what everyone else is able to understand."

"Sure," Eleanor said, sarcasm dripping. Behind Malfoy, she saw the bobbing scruffy head of Harry Potter, whose beaming expression seemed quite out of place for a boy who had recently been expelled. "Oh look, there's Harry. He looks quite happy, though. Maybe you should give him your speech on respectable families. That should certainly fix it."

Malfoy's head shot around so fast, it reminded Eleanor of an owl.

"Crabbe! Goyle!" Malfoy summoned.

"What are you doing? I didn't actually-"

"Mind your business, Capulet," Draco said, echoing Eleanor's own words from earlier.

Feeling partially responsible for alerting Draco to his favorite prey, Eleanor found herself following the git as he stalked his way across the hall to the Gryffindor table.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?" Draco said to Harry, who looked just as happy as Eleanor to see him.

"You're a lot braver now you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," said Harry coolly.

"I'd take you on any time on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only – no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"

"What's a wizard's duel?" Eleanor asked, dreading the sound of it. Then again, the excuse to wallop Malfoy was quite tempting.

Malfoy ignored her, solely focused on Potter, whose face mirrored the same determination.

"Of course he has," said Ron Weasley, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"

Eleanor thought now probably wasn't the best time to ask about his older brother's job.

Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up. "Crabbe," he said. "Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room, that's always unlocked."

Malfoy stalked away, but Eleanor didn't follow.

"You're not going to follow your boyfriend?" Ron asked, his freckled face fuming.

"That's disgusting. Draco Malfoy is not my boyfriend," Eleanor said firmly.

"Well then what do you want?" Ron asked. "Y'know, Hermione already told-"

But before Ron could finish, Harry had elbowed him in the stomach.

"What?" Ron asked, but Harry didn't answer.

Eleanor could probably guess. But she continued on, still thinking of Dumbledore's words. Didn't someone say once that there was no time like the present?

"Is it true that your brother works with dragons?"

"What?"

"Your brother. Charlie Weasley. Does he work with dragons?"

"Well… yeah, I s'pose. How'd you know that?"

Eleanor hadn't thought this far ahead. "Oh… I just heard it around, I guess. That must be a really interesting job."

"I guess," Ron shrugged.

Eleanor sighed, regretting her choices. She turned to Harry instead. "Malfoy didn't actually get you expelled, did he?"

"No," Harry said with a smile. "In fact, I was made to be the Gryffindor Quidditch Team's newest member. They made me Seeker."

"Congratulations," Eleanor said, though she had no idea what a seeker was. "I'm glad you weren't expelled."

"Thanks," Harry said.

And with nothing more to say, she walked off. Highly embarrassed, but relieved.