Growing Wings

God knows even angels fall.

Growing Wings

~~

"Miss Granger... Miss Granger..."

Hermione fluttered open her eyes, wondering what was going on. Last thing she remembered was seeing Martha and passing out. She looked up to see Dumbledore, Harry and Madame Pomfrey hovering over her.

"Hermione..." Harry breathed. He looked relieved and let out an exasperated sigh. She darted her eyes around, unaware of where she was. She felt very groggy and tiresome. She winced as a small pain shot through her shoulders as she tried to hoist herself up. She cringed her eyes and heard Madame Pomfrey give a little gasp.

"Are they out yet?" she asked. Somehow she had sensed they would be coming out soon.

"Almost," Harry said, running his hand over her forehead like a mother does to her sickly child.

She looked at the Headmaster and he spoke softly, "You must be warned, Hermione, this will more than likely happen again."

Again? Like I enjoyed it the first time? She nodded curtly and made to get up. Madame Pomfrey made to stop her but Professor Dumbledore put a hand on her shoulder signaling her to let her get up. Hermione managed to pull herself up without help and twisted herself around and sat on the edge of the bed. She coughed. Harry made way to give her a tissue. She waved her hand, meaning "no." She reached around her shoulders and her hand came in contact with a smooth, silky feather. She ran her fingertips down to the tips.

"Could I see them? With a mirror?" She asked tentatively.

"Certainly," Madame Pomfrey said, rushing off to get a mirror. Hermione sniffled and coughed a few more times.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked. She didn't think she could say anything without vomiting, so she merely nodded her head. It was like talking to a patient who just came out of the trauma room.

Madame Pomfrey had returned with the promised mirror. Hermione took it and gasped at what she saw.

They were like eagle wings, but much larger. They weren't white; they were an amber color mixed with hues of red and orange. They even looked soft and delicate, which made Hermione wish she didn't run her hands against them now. She liked how the feathers fell against each other in perfect symmetry, and how they looked very fluffy and powdery. Almost like cotton candy, which for some reason she craved right now. Damn those Muggle candies, and now's not even the right time to get some! She put the mirror down, and looked up to see Harry's face, which looked burdened. She looked to Dumbledore, who had a look of little grieve. From him, she looked to Madame Pomfrey whose look was a mix of confusion and sorrow. Hermione felt a white-hot surge of anger rush through her. Why do they feel sorry for me? They should be damn glad this isn't happening to them! Just then, a barn owl flew in through the window. It soared by and dropped a letter on Hermione's lap. She furrowed her brow and took it in her hand. She examined it and noticed a coat of arms that belonged to the Ministry of Magic. She shot an angry look at Dumbledore and said in an angry whisper that sounded forced, "You told them!"

"Miss Granger, you have to remember, there are still Muggles out there, who will be very confused if they see you."

"Don't you understand how hard it is already? And all you're doing is giving me sympathetic looks and telling the Ministry about me! Don't you understand how DIFFICULT this is?" She shouted. She was surprised that the Headmaster wasn't reacting, but instead stared at the floor like a little boy being chided.

"I understand, Miss Granger, but please, you have to consider this: You would give our world away if any non-magical person saw you. How would you feel if you saw a girl with wings walking down the street, doing her shopping like everything was normal?"

Now she felt bad. She had yelled at her Headmaster for something so completely understandable. She felt like she wanted to die instead of be in his presence.

"S-s-sorry, sir."

"It's quite alright, Miss Granger, I would have expected it from anyone else."

"Go on, open it, Hermione, you still have to read it," said a sudden voice that belonged to Harry. She had forgotten there were two other people in the room. He sat next to her on the bed and slid his arm around her waist. Hermione caught a glimpse of Dumbledore's smile under his white mane of beard. She opened the letter and took out the yellowish parchment and read:

Dear Miss Granger,

It has come to our attention that you are the heir of a long forgotten generation of Alliptonites. You are now required to henceforth remain under an invisibility cloak which we, the Ministry, shall provide for you when you venture out into the muggle world. You must require a friend or family member to do your muggle shopping and please, remain in Diagon Alley if you can. Your cloak shall arrive to you in a matter of days. Good Luck.

Cornelius Fudge

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic

"Well, how about that? Old Fudge sent it to you himself," Harry said. He moved his hand up to wrap around her shoulders and stroked her cheek affectionately. She laughed a little.

"Well, I guess that makes me the most privileged Alliptonite in the world," she retorted. She placed her hand on his leg and he leaned in to kiss her cheek. She felt a little hot under the collar with Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey (who hadn't said anything in a while) still in the room, but was thankful when Dumbledore had the courtesy to leave.

"Come Poppy, we must return an owl to the Ministry."

That left Harry and Hermione on an empty hospital bed to nuzzle and cuddle and kiss all they wanted.