The rest of the day was business as usual, with Harry spending time reading and often speaking with Hermione about classes. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle mostly started sticking to the Commons room when they were not with Harry, and Neville preferred to spend his free time in the Greenhouses.

When the next day arrived and afternoon swung around, Harry moved to sit at lunch with Neville and Hermione. Draco and his two 'supposed' friends were eating at the Slytherin table, and Ron still had been glaring daggers at Harry.

"Hey, you two. Ready to learn to fly?" Harry asked, making Neville groan.

"Easy for you to say. It's been all around the school how you and Draco are the next coming of William Rowle." Neville sighed, pressing his hands to his face.

"Who?" Harry asked, looking confused. He'd never heard of anyone by that name before.

Neville shook his head but Hermione was quick to speak up, "Greatest flyer in the history of Britain. Said to be the greatest Quidditch player who ever lived." Hermione didn't miss a beat; she didn't even take a moment to look up from her book.

"Oh. Well, I don't know about being as good as him, but flying is amazing, Neville. You have total freedom to go wherever or whatever direction you want. In the sky, the world is your oyster. Nothing can stop you," Harry gushed.

Neville, however, seemed nonplussed. "Yeah, it's only the swift drop and sudden stop that get you."

Harry sighed, looking over to Hermione. "And how about you? Don't you want to feel the freedom of flight?"

Hermione set down her book and looked like she had sucked on a lemon as she spoke, "The only flight I want to take is one on an airplane. At least then I can pretend I'm on the ground."

Neville seemed confused, mouthing the word "airplane?" to Harry.

After a quick explanation to Neville, who was impressed by this muggle invention, Harry sighed. "Oh come on, you two are about to experience something special, and all you can do is let your fears take hold of you." Harry pointed at the two of them with his fork, spearing a sausage and eating it after a second.

Neville shivered a bit. "Harry, I barely have any magic as it is. How will my body recuperate if I end up messing up? The less magic you have the longer it takes for potions to work."

Harry looked up from his plate of breakfast, looking a bit like a puppy had been punched in front of him. "Neville, I told you. You aren't a squib. Anyone who tells you that should shove off."

Neville shook his head sadly in reply, "I might as well be, with how little magic I have."

Harry threw his arms up in frustration, shaking his head. "Neville, you are infuriating sometimes. I promise you. The flying class will change everything; you'll love the freedom that flight brings."

Still looking unconvinced, Neville and Hermione looked to each other, and then their breakfast. After a moment, they spoke up in unison, "If you say so, Harry."

Today was calmer than the previous day, with only a gentle breeze rustling through the air. The sunlight peeked out intermittently from behind a canopy of thick clouds, casting soft, diffused light across the landscape. Fortunately, these were not rain clouds but lofty, shade-giving ones, providing a pleasant respite from the sun's glare.

Making his way out with Neville and Hermione, Harry could see Madame Hooch unpacking the brooms once more. At spotting Harry, her eyebrows raise. "Mister Potter, I was under the assumption that you were perfectly fine with a broom, and would require no further instruction. I have passed along my recommendation, as well."

Harry smiled happily, his grin absolutely beaming. "I wanted to come and get a bit more experience in, is that okay, Professor?" Harry held his hands behind his back, standing as tall as he could.

Madame Hooch, however, seemed unimpressed. "I should think not, Mister Potter. If you don't need the second class then you're simply not allowed."

Harry cleared his throat, "Can you explain what rule there is that says it's not allowed?"

Madame Hooch blinked for a moment, curious at what he was suggesting as she replied. "The rule is that only students that feel-" Madame Hooch was quickly cut off by Harry, who smirked.

"Exactly! Students that feel they are not comfortable enough on a broom are allowed to come to the second class. I feel like I'm not comfortable enough on a broom, Madame Hooch. Are you sure that I can't join?"

Madame Hooch stared at Harry for a moment, and then gave a frustrated sigh. "Slytherins."

Several Ravenclaws who had arrived early snickered, as Hooch resignedly returned to the broom organizing and flicked her wand over the brooms. Shortly after, the bell rang as the others in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff made their way out.

Harry saw Parvati Patil and Susan Bones both surprised, staring at Harry for a moment. A few moments later, Madame Hooch had everyone stand in lines. Harry stood with Neville and Hermione, as he grinned. "Trust me. This'll be great."

"Now, when I whistle, command your broom to raise into your hand by saying, 'Up!'. Mister Potter, if you will show them."

Harry's grin widened at the recognition as he confidently raised his hand over the broom. Letting his magic flow into it once more, he called out firmly, "Up!" The broom responded instantly, springing into the air and slapping neatly into his hand, just as it had the day before.

A few moments later, Madame Hooch's whistle blasted out, then everyone began to shout at their brooms. Hermione found herself needing several tries, with Neville's broom doing the same. Harry noticed something off about Neville's broom, seeing the runes glow a little when Neville spoke. They seemed to drip magic, something no other broom's runes seemed to do.

Keeping his eye on Neville's broom, Harry was suddenly distracted as Hermione's broom shot into her hand. "You did it, Hermione! It was just a matter of practice." Harry said, encouraging her. She looked a bit pleased at his comment, and shortly after, Neville's broom flew up unto his hand.

"See? It's not that hard." Harry said. Neville gave him a hesitant smile.

Later when everyone managed to lit their brooms, Madame Hooch explained how to float on the brooms. Seconds later, Hermione gently lifted up into the air. Harry stayed on the ground to make sure his friends took off without issues. Nothing special for me today, he thought. He just wanted to have a smooth flight and show his friends the beauty of the brooms.

Of course, things weren't going to go so smoothly. After being pushed to their limits by Harry and Draco, the brooms were close to their last hurrah. Neville, who had pulled Draco's broom from the day before, gently lifted off. However, the ancient broom seemed to pulse.

When it did, Harry's eyes widened in realization of what was about to happen. "H-harry-" Neville spoke up, feeling the broom quiver. Right in the middle of Neville's second word, the broom's runic cluster burst like a rotten tomato, magic pouring from the broom and causing it to jolt forward.

"NEVILLE!" Harry shouted, and, without thinking, he leapt onto his own broom. He had selected the same one as the day before, having grown accustomed to the broom from his flight. The broom seemed to understand the need for urgency, as Neville's broom was leaking its magic.

Harry wouldn't have minded if it had been him; the speed and power of the magic being released looked fun. But that was to him, and not Neville! Shooting after his friend before Madame Hooch even realized they were gone, Harry heard a startled shout as he rocketed off after his Hufflepuff friend.

Harry saw Neville's broom continue to sputter, its magic oozing off it in waves as he saw his friend's eyes squeezed tightly closed in fear. "Neville! Open your eyes! You have to-!"

WHAK!

Neville's broom struck the side of the castle and bounced, sending him in a completely new direction. The front portion of Neville's broom had cracked from the blow, causing Neville to scream in fear.

"It's okay, Neville! I have you!" Harry shouted over the wind and pushed more of his magic into his broom. The broom spluttered, its quills starting to burn, sending an acrid scent into the air, but Harry didn't care. He reached out for his friend, seeing him shooting towards a massive statue with a spear in its hands. If Neville crashed into that, the spear would go right through his chest!

"NO!" Harry shouted, his voice ringing with desperation as another surge of magic exploded from him and into the broom. With a blinding technicolored burst, the broom gave way under the immense force of the magic injected into it, shattering into splinters. The sudden destruction sent Harry hurtling forward, the fragments of the broom scattering around him in the aftermath of his uncontrolled magic.

Using the momentum of the explosion, Harry lunged toward Neville, his arms locking tightly around the other boy and seizing the broom's handle. With a sharp yank, Harry pulled back, steering the crazed broom away from disaster. Neville clung to him, trembling, as the broom's wild magic finally gave out, leaving them both plummeting through the air—just feet from the spear-like tip of the structure below.

Neville screamed with tears in his eyes as he held onto Harry for dear life. Harry, acting quickly, reached into his pocket and fumbled for his wand. Wrapping one arm securely around Neville, he flicked his wand into the air.

"ACCIO MATTRESS!"

A moment later, a distant shudder echoed from the castle. The sound of breaking glass followed as mattresses burst through the windows, one after another, soaring through the air toward them. As Harry and Neville plunged downward, the mattresses surged beneath them, cushioning their fall with a loud, heavy thud. Both boys landed atop the makeshift pile, the breath knocked out of them but otherwise unharmed, the danger narrowly averted.

Neville groaned from the middle of the pile of mattresses, and Harry wasn't feeling the best either. Looking up, Harry saw the tower with the statue, and the fact it now had around ten to fifteen broken windows.

"Oh," was all Harry could get out before he collapsed, never feeling more exhausted in his life.

Harry woke to the sight of a very irate Madame Pomfrey standing over him, her sharp gaze fixed on him. The moment she noticed he was awake, she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Half of Ravenclaw Tower's windows shattered, you managed a feat of magic that would challenge most sixth-years, completely drained your magical reserves, and, on top of it all, saved the life of a student who isn't even in your House. You certainly don't do things in halves, do you, Mister Potter?"

She sounded stern, though a flicker of relief softened her words as she waved her wand over him, assessing his condition with practiced precision.

"Your ankle is sprained and your arm is dislocated, but that will be fixed in a few moments. Your friend has a fractured hip and a sprained neck, but if what Madame Hooch mentioned is true, then you're both very lucky to not have been impaled by the statue atop Ravenclaw Tower."

Harry groaned softly, while Madame Pomfrey's wand flicked, her magic dancing along his body. He felt his aches quickly disappear, and he then looked over at Neville. "And… what about the brooms?"

Madame Hooch walked into the Infirmary, with Headmaster Dumbledore behind her, "The broom you used is nothing but splinters, Harry my boy. The one that Mister Longbottom had was the one Mister Malfoy used yesterday. Both have been banished and removed, while the others are never to be used again." Dumbledore's stoic voice was calming as he walked over to the two boys.

"As much as I hate that two young boys' lives were risked, the fact that they are Two of the Eight, and Heirs at that, will make sure that Hogwarts has enough for new brooms by next year." Madame Hooch spoke up from beside Dumbledore. "I just wish that it didn't come at the near-death of the two of them."

"Be that as it may, Rolanda, it seems that Magic has its ways of forcing things whether we wish so or not." Dumbledore said gently. "The Board of Governors are on their way, and I will be sure to explain to them exactly what happened due to their negligent budget cuts."

Madame Hooch nodded. "Thank you, headmaster. Mister Potter?" Harry looked over as he sat up. Madame Pomfrey had moved onto heal Neville. "One Hundred points to Slytherin for saving your classmate's life."

Harry sat there, dumbfounded. He had expected detention for flying up again, but he was being rewarded for it. All he did was what he felt was right. "Professor, I can't accept that." Harry said after a second.

"I suppose a hundred points is a bit small compared to the life of a student. Perhaps an award for services to the school-" Dumbledore's hand moved up as he spoke, stroking his beard.

Harry stammered out quickly, "No, sir, I mean I can't accept anything for simply saving my friend's life. I did what anyone would have."

Madame Pomfrey almost dropped her wand, and Dumbledore's eyes glittered with a sparkle that Harry hadn't seen in anyone else's eyes. Madame Hooch seemed proud, nodding. "Very well, Mister Potter, but at the very least, let me express to you that I am lucky you were there and moved as fast as you did. For a child to spot what I was negligent in seeing is a shame on myself."

"Perhaps it's best to keep that sort of comment silent." Dumbledore said with a small smile. "After all, we don't wish for the Board of Governors to think you were at fault for such an accident."

"Of course not, Headmaster." Madame Hooch said, a flicker of worry over her face.

Harry slid out of the bed while Madame Hooch and Dumbledore continued to speak about the Board. Harry headed over to his friend's bed, causing Neville to turn away from Harry.

"You said that everything would be okay." Neville said quietly.

"And it did. I made sure of it." Harry said.

"But I failed to use the broom correctly."

"Neville, what happened out there was a freak accident, made worse from Draco and I using the brooms so harshly yesterday. Please don't take it as brooms are something to be afraid of."

Neville opened his mouth to say something, but then he closed it, simply giving small nod in reply.

It was then that Harry noticed something strange—his magic and Neville's seemed to be swirling together, intertwining in a way he hadn't expected. Where the two forces met, Harry saw something flicker at the edges of his vision, shimmering in and out of focus. For the first time, he focused his sight more intently, narrowing his focus on the magic itself. To his astonishment, he saw a golden strand of energy stretch from Neville's heart, weaving through the air and connecting directly to Harry's own chest.

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"What's what?" Neville looked down on himself, and shook his head, not seeing anything unusual.

"It's some sort of connection between me and you." Harry tried to touch it, but his fingers passed through it.

Dumbledore noticed Harry's confusion, walking over, his hands clasped together. "Is anything the matter, Harry my boy?"

"Headmaster, pardon me." Harry said respectfully. "There seems to be some sort of connection between myself and my friend, Neville."

Dumbledore listened carefully, and then gave a sombre nod. "Ah. I was afraid of that."

Harry suddenly was worried, looking at the Headmaster with a nervous look as he spoke, "You see, Harry my boy, if a Wizard or Witch saves the life of another without any consideration for their own well-being, with no intention of reward, Magic itself may require what is called a Life Debt."

Neville gasped, and Madame Pomfrey spoke up. "Headmaster! Surely you aren't saying that Neville Longbottom now owes Harry Potter a Life-Debt?"

Dumbledore turned to her, looking grave as he replied, "I am afraid so, Poppy."

Neville paled a bit, but Harry just looked confused. "Then can I just say that Neville is forgiven?"

The Headmaster shook his head. "Life Debts are not simple things, Harry. And because it is between two of the Most Noble and Ancient families, it is a large event."

"Harry, this is like… like magic itself saying that I am to be bound to you and assist you until magic itself considers that I have repaid you. Some Life Debts are never repaid, and fall to the debtor's heirs!"

Harry's eyes widened. "But I didn't want that! I don't want to harm Nev-"

The headmaster raised a hand to stop Harry. "Harry my boy, you need not worry. You neither, Mister Longbottom. Magic would not harm either of you by making it a Life Debt. Perhaps Magic itself has a plan for the two of you. Until then, I recommend that the two of you read up on the subject. Many of the books in the library about Life Debts are quite wonderful reads. Almost as good as the books on Pumpernickel bread."

Harry blinked, stunned, and the Headmaster turned to walk out of the room. As he left, Madame Pomfrey flicked her wand once more. "The two of you are all finished. Curfew is in an hour, so off to supper with the two of you, and then straight to bed afterwards!"

Harry helped Neville off the bed. As the two hurried out of the Infirmary, Madame Pomfrey's gaze followed them before she let out a sigh. "I will be seeing them here again by the month's end, won't I?"

-Author's Notes-

Whew, what a save, am I right? Honestly, I was surprised that the canon Neville didn't have trauma from almost being impaled like a piece of meat on the side of the castle. That scene from the movie made me twitchy.

Life-Debts are quite different from canon in this fic. Unfortunately, they don't get explained until Book 2, so you'll have to be patient.

Thanks so much for your reviews, comments, and favorites! I hope my fic is something you enjoy reading.

Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.