Chapter 199: "Wings of Thunder"

As the Christmas holidays approached, Hogwarts life continued its usual rhythm. The second Quidditch match of the season, Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw, became the focus of excitement, momentarily pushing aside thoughts of Dementors and escaped Death Eaters.

A week before the match, Susan approached Harry, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Harry," she began, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness, "could I borrow your Firebolt for the upcoming match?"

Harry hesitated, weighing the implications. "I don't know, Susan. It's against Ravenclaw, after all..."

While Harry didn't have unwavering loyalty to Ravenclaw, he knew his decision could affect the match's outcome.

Susan pressed on, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "Please, Harry? Aunty and Padfoot are coming to watch, and I really want to show them what I can do. I want to make them proud."

Harry felt his resolve weakening. He knew he probably shouldn't give his broom to an opponent, but Susan's earnest request was hard to refuse. With a sigh, he nodded. "Alright, but just this once."

As the match began, the Ravenclaw team got a jolt as Susan, astride Harry's Firebolt, snatched the Quaffle and scored the first goal before anyone could react.

From that moment on, the game belonged to Hufflepuff. Susan seemed to be outperforming herself, playing the best she had ever played. Her teammates, buoyed by her performance, rose to the occasion as well.

Harry watched from the stands, a mix of pride for Susan and sympathy for his house team warring within him. The game was thrilling, with goals traded back and forth, but the outcome was decided when Cedric caught the Snitch, securing Hufflepuff's victory.

With victories in both their games, Hufflepuff had emerged as the favorites to win the cup.

After the team celebration, Harry joined Sirius and Amelia to congratulate Susan.

"Well done, Susan!" Sirius exclaimed, pulling her into a bear hug. "You were amazing out there."

Amelia nodded in agreement, her usually stern face softened with pride. "Absolutely fantastic flying. You've clearly been practicing hard."

Susan, seizing the moment, asked hopefully, "Does that mean I can get a Firebolt of my own?"

Amelia's response was swift and firm. "No."

Sirius, ever the softie, whispered something to Amelia. After a moment's consideration, Amelia relented slightly. "Well, you can use Sirius's Firebolt for practice and games from now on. But only for these. If I hear you've used the broom for anything other than Quidditch, you'll be grounded from ever flying on a broom again. Are we clear, young lady?"

Susan's face lit up with excitement as she nodded vigorously, barely containing her joy.

In the aftermath of the match, Roger was understandably miffed at Harry for lending Susan his broom. To make amends, Harry found himself promising to play for the team next year when Roger was almost certain to be named Quidditch Captain.

Harry made this promise knowing full well that it was unlikely to be fulfilled, given the Triwizard Tournament scheduled for the following year. However, the promise was enough to console Roger, who quickly returned to his usual cheery self, already planning and imagining how he would form and manage the Quidditch team to win the cup for Ravenclaw.

As the last few days of term passed in a flurry of excitement and anticipation, the Christmas holidays finally arrived. Harry found himself eagerly anticipating his return to Black Castle.

He had recently reached the stage where he could transform into his Thunderbird Animagus form but had refrained from doing so at Hogwarts. Unsure of the spectacle his transformation might create or how he might behave in his new form, Harry had wisely decided to wait until he was away from the watchful eyes of Dumbledore and the other professors.

Back at Black Castle, Harry wasted no time. He made his way to the edge of the island, ready for his first true transformation. The weather seemed to sense the momentous occasion, with dark clouds gathering overhead, as if nature itself was anticipating the emergence of the Thunderbird.

Harry closed his eyes, feeling the pent-up energy of his Animagus form straining for release. It had taken supreme effort to restrain himself these past few days, the thunderbird within him yearning to break free and soar.

As he finally relinquished control, Harry's senses sharpened dramatically. With a scream that shook the very ground, he vanished into the clouds in a blinding bolt of lightning, followed immediately by a deafening thunderclap. The Thunderbird was free at last.

The next several hours would be forever etched in Harry's memory. At first, the Thunderbird instincts dominated, with Harry's human consciousness along for the ride. Gradually, however, the two aspects of his being – wizard and Animagus – began to merge, until Harry truly became the Thunderbird.

The experience of flying as a Thunderbird was beyond anything Harry had ever imagined. When the air currents weren't to his liking, he simply willed them to change. If he desired to climb higher, he would dissolve into lightning and thunder, reappearing at a greater altitude.

Harry rocketed across the Atlantic skies at the head of a vast thunderstorm, his triumphant cries echoing through the heavens, daring anyone to challenge his dominion over the sky. Every moment was pure, unadulterated freedom and power, and Harry reveled in it.

As dawn approached, Harry found himself still aloft, having flown through the entire night without tiring. The first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, illuminating the sea below. For the first time, Harry caught sight of his reflection in the water's surface. He saw a massive bird, reminiscent of an eagle but far more majestic, with a wingspan easily exceeding a dozen feet. His feathers were the deepest, most intense blue, seeming to absorb the very light around them. His eyes glowed with the color of lightning, fierce and penetrating. Long, razor-sharp talons and a cruelly hooked beak completed the image of a formidable predator.

After indulging in a few more exhilarating maneuvers, Harry decided it was time to return to Black Castle. The flight back was swift, covering in seconds what would have taken minutes even on his Firebolt. As he approached the island, Harry felt a mixture of elation at his successful transformation and a tinge of regret at having to return to his human form.

Landing gracefully on the same spot from which he had taken off, Harry focused on reversing the transformation. In a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder, he stood once more in his human form, his hair windswept and his eyes still crackling with residual energy.

As he stood on the edge of the island, Harry's mind raced with possibilities. He was eager to experiment with the abilities and traits he might have gained from the Animagus transformation. Could he control lightning and weather in his human form? He willed himself to test it, but found his body unresponsive to his commands. The school, the journey home, and the night of magical flight had depleted his energy and magical reserves, with the flying taking the greatest toll.

Harry realized that further experimentation would have to wait. A good rest and a hearty meal were needed before he could properly test the extent of his new abilities. The thought of sharing his transformation with Arcturus and Sirius brought a smile to his face. Sirius, in particular, was completely unaware of Harry's magical Animagus form. Harry couldn't wait to see his godfather's reaction to the revelation.

However, all that would have to come later. For now, fatigue overwhelmed him. Harry made his way back to the castle and upon reaching his room, he barely managed to change out of his clothes before collapsing onto his bed. Within moments, he was fast asleep, his dreams filled with soaring through storm clouds and the exhilarating freedom of flight.