Title : Dragon's Heart, Griffin's Mind

Summary : Harry goes to Hogwarts to follow a special training and learn more about his past.

Disclaimer : Harry Potter Rocks, but is isn't mine. The plot is mine, all the rest belongs to J. K. Rowling.

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Dragon's Heart, Griffin's Mind : Chapter 02

"Very good. I see that nothing is wasted on you. Now, do you know whan a Humanigus is ?"

"Er, no, sir. What is it ?"

"Every so often, a creature with magical powers can turn themselves into a human. They are extremely rare, however, and powerful. None have been recorded in over 800 years. And it's not just mythical creatures that can have this ability. Some non-mythical, but nevertheless magical, creatures, have been recorded."

Harry wasn't the only one who was amazed at what he was hearing. Sirius was also gaping, and Charlie was listening intently to whatever Dumbledore was going to say. Remus did seem surprised, but not overly so. "But, sir, what does this have to do with me ?"

"You, Harry, are the descendant of 2 Humaniguses, a griffin from your fathers side and a dragon from your mothers …"

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"I … what ? I mean … How ? Wha … ?" Harry was doing a very bad job at trying to was what he wanted. Taking a deep breath, he finally manager to say : "Did you just say that I'm part-griffin, part-dragon ?"

"Yes I did Harry. It will most certainly proove to be a most powerful combination."

"How long have you known ?"

"I have known for quite some time, now. However, I did not know when these facts would manifest themselves, and I am still unaware as to what degree they will effect you."

"So why are you telling me now ?"

"Because you will soon be experiencing an extra-ordinary, an unfortunately probably painful, change."

"How, … how painful ?" Sirius asked. He had finally managed to cease gazing, and was now watching Dumbledore sternly."

"That, I do not know, unfortunately."

"But, I thought my mum was muggle-born. Wasn't she ?" Harry asked.

"Not quite. You see, dragons are very powerful, both magically and physically. They have many qualities, and are very resilient. You probably know all this from last year. Now, dragons also have their own form of magic. Now, your ancestor, a male dragon humanigus, gave birth to a male. However, this descendent had none of his fathers magical powers. And this continued through every generation. These powers were not inexistant, however. They were simply dormant."

"You mean, they were there, but not accessable. Why ?"

"I am not sure, but I think they were over-ruled by the make genetic makeup. Every following descendant was a male. However, your mother, the first female, had weaker genes, so to speak. This meant that a part of the power came to the surface."

"But, why didn't aunt Petunia have any power of any sort ?"

"Because she's only Lily's half-sister, Harry" Sirius answered. "She told us her father had died when she was one, and her mother had re-married."

Harry was slightly relieved, since this distanced his a bit from Petunia and Dudley. "But, why will it show in me ?"

"Ah, another good question. This, I believe, is due to your fathers genes. You have a griffin among your ancestors, but she was not recorded, apparently, and is younger than your mothers ancestor, around 400 years ago, I believe. Now, griffins are powerfully magical creatures. Considered second only to phoenixes, I believe. And I think that the meeting of ancient griffin magic with very ancient dragon magic will cause both to come out and be amplified."

"How come ?" Remus questionned. He had come to terms with Harry's ancestory, but wanted to know about this ancient magic.

"When 2 powerful muscles work against each other, they will both grow over time. This principle also applies to magic."

"Who ?"

"Who what, Harry ?"

"Who knows about this ?" Harry asked quietly.

"This has been kept a secret, Harry, from almost everybody. As you noticed, even Sirius and Remus here were amazed. Only myself, Mcgonagal and Charlie Weasley knew. Your 2 teachers had to know to be able to know what to teach you ?"

"But, why are you telling me now ?"

"Simply because these powers are expressing themselves more and more. You yourself said you found lessons becoming more and more easier. In 2 days time, on your birthday, you will have a form of growth spurt, as both magics will sort of … explode."

"EXPLODE ?!?!" Sirius himself exploded.

"Yes Sirius. It will not, by my calculations, be mortal, but very painful. Excrutiatingly so."

Harry just looked at Dumbledore, aghast. Both Sirius and Remus were gaping at Dumbledore as if he had anounced the end of the world.

"Now, my suspicions are that once you experience your growth spurt, you will transform into one of your ancient forms. I am not sure of this, however, but the risk is still there. This is why you have been recieving training in animagus transfiguration from Minerva, as I guess that it will be pretty much the same sensation."

"You guess ?"

"Harry, there are many things I can only guess. You must realize that this has never happened before."

"But, if I turn into a dragon, I might hurt someone."

Charlie was just walking in as Harry said these words. "Harry, dragons can be temporarily neutrailized, despite their magical resistance. It just takes several people that cast the spell at the same time." Charlie wasn't surprised at seeing Sirius, since the entire Weasley family had been told of Sirius by Dumbledore himself.

"Yes. And you, Harry, will have to choose who you wish to be present at that time. I would recommend 7 people, at the least. More would be more secure, but would also increase the risk of a traitor. The choice is yours."

"Okay, erm. The people I choose, will have to know of my … condition ?"

"They will, and will also have to be sworn to secrecy."

"Right. That's a relief, kind of. Okay, erm, you, of course, sir. Professor Mcgonagal, Arthur, Bill and Charlie Weasley (Charlie beamed at these words), … err … Remus and Sirius, of course. That makes … "

"That makes seven so far, Harry." Sirius smiled. "Only a couple more."

"Right. This isn't easy.

"Take your time, Harry. Don't rush an answer and regret it later" Remus said kindly.

"So far, no regrets. Erm, who else ? I know. Professors Flitwick and Snape …"

"SNAPE ?!?! WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM FOR ?!?!" Sirius exploded, spraying Harry with spit.

Wiping the spit from his face, Harry simply said "He's powerful, intelligent, and Dumbledore trusts him. That's good enough for me, even if we mutually hate each other. Plus, I might be needing some potions afterwards. Pain-relieving or healing, for instance."

Sirius gaped at Harry, while Remus and Albus had small smiles and twinkles in their eyes. Charlie was trying not to laugh out loud at seeing Siriuses face.

'That makes 9. Who else ?' Harry thought.

"If you're looking for a tenth person, I have an idea, Harry." Remus said.

"Yeah, who ?"

"Arabella Figg."

Sirius gave Remus a sharp look. "Do you think she'll accept ?"

"Of course she will Sirius. She is the new DADA teacher, after all."

Sirius gave Dumbledore a brief glance, who confirmed what Remus had just said. Also seeing the headmasters nod, Harry nodded. "If you trust her, then so do I."

"Okay, that's all settled then. Tomorrow is the 30th, Harry. You may have the day free to do as you please. In the evening, we will be on the grounds, to make sure we are near nothing."

"Very well sir. Will that be all ?"

"Yes Harry, that is all."

"Harry, Sirius, and Remus stood and left, leaving Charlie and Dumbledore alone in the room.

"It will be hard for him professor. I never wanted to become an animagus, professor. Do you know why ?"

"You wouldn't turn into a dragon ?" Dumbledore answered questionningly, with a twinkle in his eye.

"That's only a part of it, although I never tried to learn my animagus form. But truth be told, I didn't want to experience the feeling of being trapped in your body for the first transformation. All the research I did said that after the first transformation, your mind is the same, but your animagus forms instincts take over till you get in under control. Some go mad, watching helplessly as they see themselves commit attrocities."

"That's true, though rare. Usually, precautions are taken. Plus, it takes a strong mind to be able to transform yourself, and they are usually able to quickly gain control."

Charlie breathed a great sigh. "True, but he's a 15 year old boy, Albus."

"And he has seen more than many full-frown wizards, Charlie. He might just have seen more pain in his 15 years than you will see in your whole life."

"That makes it all the more sad, Albus. Such a great burden to bare."

"Yes, it is. No, if you will excuse me, I have to warn the people concerned to prepare for tomorrow."

"I can warn dad and Bill if you want."

"Yes, thanks. It would save a little time." Charlie left the office, leaving Dumbledore time to prepare everything.

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Harry enjoyed the day he had. He slept in late the morning, only woken when Sirius started jumping on his bed yelling "WAKE UP HARRY !!!" He spent the end of the morning reading about some hexes and curses in the library. Ms Price was there, though she wasn't so strict during the holidays. Or maybe it was the fact that Harry came almost every day, and spent half an hour talking with her. She had even allowed him to take a few books from the restricted section, but only after she had made sure the books weren't too dangerus or dark.

After lunch, Harry had reviewed what he had learnt about self-transformations, asking Sirius and Remus questions. He seemed reassured by Siriuses answers, but frightful when hearing Lupins stories. He had a gut feeling that what he would experience was more like Remus had had rather than Sirius. End of afternoon, Harry, Sirius andRemus played quidditch with Arthur, Bill and Charlie Weasley, who had arrived early to be sure. After the evening dinner, everyone just spent time talking together, laughing and enjoying the company in the great hall. All save Snape and Dumbledore, who weren't there.

10 o'clock came and passed, as did 11 o'clock. At half past 11, Dumbledore and Snape entered the great hall. Everyone fell silent As one body, they got up and started to follow Dumbledore. Sirius was walking next to Harry. As they neared the entrance, Sirius put a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder and lightly squeezed. Harry looked up into Siriuses worried face and gave a small smile. Sirius smiled back, and they exited Hogwarts.

They went up to a circle of light that Dumbledore had prepared. 100 balls of light were equelly spaced in a rough circle about 40 meters in diameter. Each person Harry had choosen went to a ball and drew their wand. Dumbledore, in turn, gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze as he led him to the center of the circle, before taking his place. Now, all there was left to do was wait.

5 minutes left. Harry was nervous.

4 minutes found Harry was shifting from one foot to another, becoming more and more restless.

3 minutes. Harry could feel … something. He didn't know what, but it was there …

2 minutes to go. Harry could feel it becoming stronger, more present. It was like a wild, uncontrollable power building up inside him.

1 minute and counting. Harry was still trying to repress the force in him. He had broken out into a sweat, and seemed to have blocked out exterior sounds. Sirius tried calling out to Harry, not getting any response.

30 seconds to go. 'Come on, let's get this over with.'

15 seconds. 'Please, let this be okay.'

10 seconds, … 9 … 8 … 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …

'Oh god, this is gonna hurt' were Harry's last coherent thoughts before Hell broke loose.

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Authors Note : There second chapter already up. Again, review and tell me what you think.

Thanks to Alyssa Raven, xxxcutie2stxxx and Anja for reviewing.