Hey guys, Raven here, and with my new story, Raven. This story is going to seem a little bit darker than my other stories, just warning you now. I can't really say much without giving away the plot, all I can say is that it takes place after GOF, and will mostly be from Harry's POV. So on with the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Harry Potter of number 4, Privet Drive, was a wizard, an orphan, and highly pissed off. He was reading the Daily Prophet, and he didn't like what he saw, at all. Fudge was refusing to believe Voldemort was back, and had beefed up the hunt for Sirius. It was madness, Sirius hadn't done anything except escape illegal incarceration. Harry looked at the Prophet again and snarled. The Prophet left no illusions to his insanity. "Harry James Potter, Insane?" proved that quite well, thank you very much. 'They want insane? I'll give them insane" he turned and looked at the books he had owl ordered from a bookstore in Knockturn Alley. 'After all, these books certainly give me plenty look at'. He then went back to studying Dark Magic.

Harry had been sitting in his bedroom studying for 6 weeks, living off of pure magic. The very first book that he read explained how the ministry only could detect wand magic, although certain spells could be done to change a wand's magic signature. As such, Harry had spent the first week practicing wandless magic before he could get the hang of it. The next thing that Harry did was perform the Animalus ritual, which had taken up the last 5 weeks to do. The Animalus ritual allowed someone to gain traits of a particular animal, and a powerful boost for certain types of magic depending on the animal chosen. Harry had chosen a raven, taking a feather from one that he had enticed into a approaching his window with food, water, and a bit of magic. The ritual had also required several potions and ingredients, the former of which he made and the later owl ordered from various apothecaries. It had even required some of his own blood. It was a dark ritual, and likely illegal. But it was worth it. Now, however, not only was he feeling faster, stronger, and more magically powerful, but his appearance had changed as well. Harry turned and looked in the mirror again, admiring his appearance. His already black hair had darkened to match the color of the bird's feathers, and wings had sprouted off of his back. On each forearm, a black blade like thing had appeared, curving backwards off his arm, and sharp, 2 inch long claws appeared on each of his fingers. His body felt lighter, and his eyesight had sharpened to the point at which he didn't need glasses, and his irises now gave off a slight glow that seemed remarkably similar to the killing curse, however, the pupils had turned the exact same color as his wings and hair. He turned into the mirror and smiled when suddenly he heard a voice. "So, that's why you took my feather?" Harry turned and stared at the raven whose feather he had taken. He quickly glanced towards the book and smiled. It seemed that amongst his abilities was the capability to understand and speak to the species of creature he had chosen. It also mentioned that his patronus was likely to change to match said animal. If he chose to become an animagus after this, it would almost certainly be that type of creature.

"Yes, it is. And it worked even better than I had hoped"

"And why is that"

"Because I understand you now" The raven nodded its head "Can I only speak to ravens, or can I speak with other birds as well?"

"All birds speak the same language," Harry nodded his head.

"Do you have a name?"
"An old man once referred to me as Muertos."
"I think I'll call you that then." just then Hedwig flew in, and she landed and glared at Muertos.

"My human" Harry smirked and said

"I am your human and his human" Hedwig turned and froze, before bobbing her head.

"Human Harry? Is that you?"

"Yes it is. You two will remain friends, and work as a team, ok?" The two birds bobbed their heads

"Yes Human Harry"

"Yes Harry" Harry smiled, things were about to get interesting

AN: Ok, so, how do you guys like the chapter? I know it isn't perfect, so tell me what you think! Thanks, read and review!

Raven out.