Harry Potter was thrust back in to number 4 Privet Drive for yet another summer. Heat had been somewhat lessened by the air-conditioner that Vernon Dursley had bought. They hadn't been able to exclude Harry's room because the people that installed the cooling system had given them very curious looks when they had asked if his room could be excluded for a reduced price. Harry guessed the worker saw his face when he overheard he was going to fry while the Dursleys were going to stay cool. The worker had charged them extra for excluding his room. Harry was secretly joyful at seeing Vernon's outrage.

Harry was currently enjoying the air-conditioned room during the hottest part of the day. Hedwig was also enjoying the air, fluffing her feathers to get the cool air near her body. Harry had begun to doze when he noticed that a sharp rapping was coming from his window. It was a large, great- horned owl. Harry was puzzled. He had already gotten mail today from Hermione and Ron. He opened his window and let the owl in. It had to squeeze in because of the re-installed bars on the window.

It looked tired and overheated.

"Um… here have some water."

Harry placed Hedwig's water dish near the great-horned owl and it drank greedily. When it had had it's fill it held out it's leg. The leg had a tiny brown-wrapped package with a note attached to it, which read: "Tap three times with your wand." Curious, Harry almost couldn't wait to see what it was. He untied the package revealing a tiny book. He tapped it three times and it grew, the cover reading in bold gold letters Animagus Answers to Animagus Questions. Harry flipped the book open to see a tidy note written inside.

Dear Harry, I know this summer hasn't been easy for you, God knows it hasn't been for me, but I wanted to give you this book because it's the same book that James, your father, and Sirius used to become Animagi. It has all their notes in it to help you if you want to become one and I'm sure it'll hold some special value for you since it was your Dad's and Sirius's. Keep your nose clean and try to stay calm this time!

PS you didn't get it from me!

With love,

Remus "Moony" Lupin

Tears sprang to Harry's eyes. Remembering Sirius's death was hard. He might have learned a great deal about how much of a jerk he was in his youth, but he was still his godfather. Sighing, Harry turned a bunch of pages to see a highlighted spell. In the margin next to it, in an untidy scrawl, was a note:

"Hey Padfoot! We have got to try this one on Snivellus! Bet he'd be a great ugly toad for weeks!"

It was a temporary spell to turn either the user, or in that case victim, into one animal that could be their Animagus form. The spell seemed to wear off only when they figured out how to turn or intentionally transformed back into people. It even worked on those who already were Animagi. Harry guessed this was to satisfy one's curiosity at what else they could have transform into. It was a pretty tricky spell. Harry guessed it was time to read up.

Harry was already on the Hogwarts Express, waiting for his companions. He was itching to try one of the spells in the book. Once he'd read the book about five times, he was sure he could become an Animagus in a month. He also wanted to try the temporary spell he found the first day he got the book, mainly because he wanted to see the possibilities of animals he could transform into. I just hope I don't turn into a snake! That's the last thing I need, he thought. It was only a few minutes after he'd finished reading that Hermione and Ron turned up.

"Harry are you feeling alright?" asked Hermione. Concern was in her voice as she sat down and took his hands in hers.

"What are you about Hermione?"

"Harry you're studying! That's concern enough!"

"Yeah mate, are you feeling alright?" asked the red-headed Ronald Weasley. He was currently looking at Harry as if he had learned that he had only 48 hours to live.

"It's not like it's Most Potent Potions OR Lessons in Transfiguration: YEAR 6! I'm not going that far off my rocker."

"Well then what is it? Something on Quidditch or Defense against the Dark arts?" Hermione asked almost in a disappointed sigh as she plopped down in the seat across from Harry.

"Gee Hermione, don't sound so relieved! Besides, I studied this summer. I hid my books. This book was a present." Harry had shut the book to show the cover.

"Harry, where did you get that? That has got to be the greatest gift! Even better than your Firebolt! Well …maybe not THAT great, but it's up there!" Ron's voice was, to say the least, filled with awe.

Hermione at this point looked at the book and squealed "Oh Harry! Please can I borrow it? I swear I won't mess it up or keep it forever! Please!" She threw herself across and sat on Ron's lap to see the book better. Ron, now finding his lap covered in Hermione did the only thing Ron did best. He blushed a scarlet that even Uncle Vernon would approve of.

Harry laughed at Ron's now tender face and said, "Sure Hermione, but I want to try one spell first. I want to see what is one possibility of my Animagus form. I'll try it right after the feast and then you can read to your little heart's content. Alright?"

"Deal!"

End of part 1