Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter came later than usual, but I took a little break to figure out how often I should update this. I'm going to try for once a week, but I can't guarantee if it'll always be on the same day of the week.

Chapter Five: Flying and the Cerberus

September 12th, 1991

The days before the first flying lesson had passed quickly, and Harry couldn't wait. Sure, many of his peers talked about how often they practiced flying, but Harry liked his skill to do the talking. Thanks to his godfather, Harry had been flying on a broom before most others would. His cousins had the same benefit, of course. That morning, Harry got a letter from Aunt Ceres. She was happy that he'd made friends outside the family.

He noticed the other students opening their mail, too. Draco was clearly a spoiled brat, constantly getting sweets from home. Neville got a Remembrall from his grandmother, and Draco was about to swipe it when Harry got in the way. "What's your problem? I was just looking at it."

Harry scoffed. "You can do that without touching, you know. Now, why don't you just go back to your table - you've seen enough of it." With a scowl, Draco slinked back to the Slytherin table.


Later that day, the Gryffindors and Slytherins found themselves on the lawn that was on the opposite side of the school from the forbidden forest. They had lined up in front of twenty brooms and Madam Hooch spoke clearly. "Everyone has a broom in front of them, right?" At the students' affirmation, she continued. "Hold your right hand over your broom, and say 'Up!'"

Everyone did, and Harry's jumped into his hand instantly. Few others achieved so, but the most colossal failures came from Hermione and Neville - Hermione's was rolling like a playful puppy, and Neville's was rooted to the spot. After that, they were told to mount their brooms. Madam Hooch corrected some grips - including Malfoy's, much to Harry and Ron's bemusement - but when she saw Harry's grip, she only nodded with approval.

After checking all the grips of the students, Madam Hooch spoke. "Alright, when I blow my whistle, all of you will kick off from the ground hard. Keep steady, rise no more than a yard or two, then come back down by leaning forward slightly. At the whistle – three – two –" But Neville had pushed off early, perhaps out of fear of being left on the ground. Madam Hooch had yelled for him to come down, but Neville kept rising up until at about twenty feet high when he looked down, and started falling.

Harry shot off at once, barely managing to catch Neville before he could hit the ground. He lowered himself and his erstwhile passenger to the ground with ease, and both were soon standing on the ground. Madam Hooch checked Neville over for injuries, and found none. She awarded Harry ten points for making sure a classmate wasn't injured. She then told no one to move while she escorted Neville to McGonagall to get him out of flying lessons.

After they were gone, Malfoy snickered. "Did you see his face? White as a sheet!" The other Slytherins joined in.

Parvati glared at him. "Stuff it, Malfoy."

Pansy, a Slytherin girl with a most unpleasant face taunted her. "Sticking up for dough boy? I thought you'd have more class, Parvati."

Malfoy snatched something out of the grass from where Neville had been standing before he flew off. "Aha! It's that trinket that he got in the mail!" He held it high, and Neville's Remembrall glistened in the afternoon sun.

"Hand it here, Malfoy. That belongs to my friend." Harry glared dangerously at him, and everyone went quiet.

Malfoy had a sneer when he spoke again. "How about no? I'll stick it in a tree — he'll have to climb for it."

Harry was seething. He yelled for him to just give to him as Malfoy started to fly towards the trees. But when Malfoy taunted him, he didn't even think twice. He was in the air again, despite Hermione yelling at him not to. They had an aerial battle, but the instant Malfoy threw the Remembrall to try and get it away from Harry, it was over. He caught it with little effort, but when he was back on the ground he saw McGonagall there and he thought his days at the school were over.


He couldn't believe his luck. Not only wasn't he punished, but he was recommended for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Of course, Harry insisted that he should have tryouts like every other player. He didn't want this just given to him. He also wasn't surprised when his cousins were also recommended for their house teams, and had insisted on tryouts. If they all got on their respective teams, they would all compete against each other — and they wouldn't hold back.

Of course, Ron had been jealous, but when Harry told him he had insisted on opening up tryouts for first years aside from him, to make it fair — he simmered down. Tryouts were tomorrow after classes, and he'd invited Ron to come with. They talked about training being next week, and Fred and George assured him he'd get the spot.

It was when Malfoy showed that his mood soured. "How's your last meal, Potter? Not even your Uncle could protect you from your expulsion."

Harry chuckles. "I see you're much braver on the ground with your lackeys, Malfoy." He saw from the look that Crabbe and Goyle gave him, the so dearly wished that they could hurt him — but there were too many eyes in the Great Hall right now.

A dangerous look set upon Malfoy's face. "Let's have a Wizard's duel, then. Midnight, wands only."

Before Harry could respond, Ron butted in. "I'll be his second, who's yours?"

Harry wanted to slap his forehead. Doesn't he think it's a trap? After Crabbe was chosen as Malfoy's second and the trophy room was suggested, Harry stopped him from leaving. "Before you go, Malfoy." He outstretched his hand. "Let's shake on it. I need some assurance that you'll be there." Malfoy didn't think much of it, and clasped his hand. Then Harry sprung his trap. "You'll be there. Midnight. Trophy room. So mote it be." The shock on Malfoy's face was priceless — clearly he had not expected Harry to know about this. The Dueling Vow. His magic was waiting for Malfoy's response. Defeated, he agreed.

There. You're stuck between being there with us or eternal shame. I've ruined your trap.


Despite Hermione warning them to not do something so stupid, she had been locked out of the common room with them when they left that night. Harry knew she was right, but once he explained that he'd forced Malfoy into a Dueling Vow, she realized that he wasn't going to shy away. She insisted on coming along, but she wasn't the only individual they picked up on their way to the trophy room. Neville was stuck in the hall because he'd forgotten the password to the common room.

His cousins had snuck out of their rooms and said that they wouldn't miss the look on Malfoy's face for anything. When they found their way to the trophy room, Malfoy and Crabbe were there, just as Harry had expected. But before the duel could begin, they heard a sound. Realizing that Filch and his cat were near, Harry called off the duel and dragged Malfoy and Crabbe with his contingent.

They ran for a while, not paying attention to the way that they were going. After a few minutes of running, the large group of students found themselves in front of a locked door. Thinking quickly, Harry cast Alohamora to open the door. The many students piled inside before closing the door behind them. They listened as Peeves taunted Filch before both of them eventually left. But after catching their breath, the students then saw what was in front of them.

A dark corridor stretched out in front of them, and standing on top of a trapdoor was a giant black Cerberus. The students went back out the door and Vincent cast the locking charm before running back to his common room. The other students soon ran back to their own common rooms, terrified.