Love Potion No. 13

Chapter 4

Harry fell like a lead weight onto the floor transforming back into his human form just inches before he connected with the hard stone.

“Damn.” Harry muttered as he stared up at McGonagall and the length of broom handle she was holding out. It had been four long weeks since Harry had taken up his extra transfiguration lessons and while having finally achieved his full animagus form was still unable to fly. This was the last lesson before summer holidays and Harry had been determined to master the art. There was no point in transforming himself into a bat if he couldn’t fly. The paper-thin membranes of his wings, and the toothpick like claws were useless for walking, so there was no other option. McGonagall sighed heavily and lowered the broom handle, where Harry should have landed and hung upside down.

“Please don’t despair Harry, these things take practice. I am pleased you have gotten this far in such a short time.” Offering her hand down to Harry, McGonagall helped him up off the floor and dusted him off just as she had done countless times already.

“I just can’t stay up.” Harry whispered as he stretched his arms his muscles tired from the exercise.

“There is very little I can say to help you in this Harry. Flying must be learnt like any other skill. Perhaps Professor Snape can offer some advice seeing as though he has watched you all week?” Harry turned around to look at Snape, who seemed a little put out that McGonagall had asked his advice. Snape had been present at every single session for the past four weeks but had said nothing unless asked directly. Harry had become almost accustomed to his stare too, the potion professors beady gaze never leaving him.

“You’re launching yourself into the air like it’s a leap of death, you should perhaps just glide into the air. And you’re flapping like a bird you need to adjust your wingspan enough to catch the updrafts but not flap like you’re flailing in water.” Harry stared at Snape a little dubious as to the professor’s advice. Since when had the wizard gained knowledge in bat aerodynamics? Knowing better than to argue with Snape’s advice Harry simply nodded and turned back to McGonagall assuming Snape had finished, however it seemed Snape was not. “It is fear too that is preventing you from making the perch, fear that is driving you back into your human form because you can cope and control fear better as a human than a bat. It is not a good habit to get into Potter, because though you may fear something while in animagus form your life may depend on you remaining so.” Harry thought Snape’s comment was a little too deep and meaningful even for Snape and stared blankly at the wizard who stared confidently back at him. “Try it once more Potter but this time do as I just said.” Harry was dubious but took a deep breath and turned back to where McGonagall was holding up the broom handle again. Closing his eyes to focus Harry jumped forward transforming mid stride and stretching his wings out wide, resisting the temptation to flap as he felt himself falling. When the impact of the ground never came Harry opened his beady bat eyes to find himself floating on a cool draft of air. Stunned but proud of himself Harry made a move towards the thin broom handle he could see, the slight movement of his wings was enough to propel him forward and before he knew it his claws had wrapped around the handle and he’d folded himself up onto the broom. Harry was so ecstatic to have achieved flight however that he forgot himself and having transformed himself back into human form fell on his head on the floor in a pile of arms, legs and broken broom handle.

“Smooth dismount Potter.” Harry distantly heard Snape’s muttered comment but didn’t care as he sprang to his feet, ignoring the bruises and the cut above his eye.

“I did it!” Harry exclaimed wrapping McGonagall up in a tight hug in a momentarily lapse of good nature. McGonagall laughed and hugged Harry back tightly before letting him go.

“Indeed Harry, congratulations. You need practice but you did very well. I shall send the ministry forms necessary to register your animagus transformation to your aunt and uncles house via owl. Now why don’t you go and join your housemates on your last night as sixth years.” Harry beamed at McGonagall and with a wave headed for the door. Harry paused however half way out of the door to look back at Snape.

“Thank-you professor.” Harry’s thanks were genuine as was the smile he gave Snape. The potions professor inclined his head in silent acceptance and Harry knew that was all he was to expect. In a funny way Harry had become almost accustomed to Snape watching over him in his lesson everyday and it left him with a kind of sick feeling to know he wouldn’t see the potions professor for the next six weeks. Still Harry was sure the feeling would wear off, after all it was only Snape. With a final wave Harry made his way upstairs to the Gryfindor common room where he could hear the seventh years leaving party already in full swing.

Hermione and Ron greeted him at the door eager to hear how well he’d done. His friends it seemed were just as eager to see him succeed as he was. The possibility of transforming with his friends during the summer was wonderful and Harry knew he could do it now and practice to his hearts content.

“So how did it go?” Ron pushed a large glass of butter beer into Harry’s hand as he and Hermione dragged him to the couch by the window, that Ginny and Neville were saving for them.

“Brilliant.” Harry beamed as he drunk deeply from his glass of butter beer before Ron refilled it again from the jug he was carrying around. “I actually flew, and got to the broom this time around. I know what I was doing wrong, and with some practice I’ll be ready for some distance work.” Harry flopped down between Ginny and Ron on the couch, the five of them only just managing to squeeze onto the cushions.

“That’s wonderful Harry, that’ll mean we can try some stuff out at the burrow when you come. I bet Sirius will be happy.” Harry drained his second glass of butter beer and put it aside watching with mild distaste as Ron and Hermione sucked their own butter beer out of Ron’s jug, a twirly straw each. Harry had watched his best friends grow closer over the past four weeks after the potions accident and while Harry was happy for them both he felt a twinge of jealousy. Harry had no doubt that Ron’s infection of the potion had opened both his friends eyes to their obvious like of one another. Harry himself hadn’t ever had a real girlfriend so to speak. Cho had been a passing crush, and although he liked Ginny she was too much like a sister for him to ever date her. Not that it bothered him, Harry had far bigger worries than girlfriends at the moment. An unusual quiet Voldemort meant trouble and having had no major incident all year Harry was beginning to worry that his nemesis would strike while he was on holiday. Just thinking about having his summer holiday ruined by Voldemort was making him depressed so Harry refocused his attention on the party and fell easily into the scene, his life momentarily forgotten.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>