Summer has come! Yay, expect updates for this and my other stories to come a lot faster.

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'Bail me a lady, tonight! Yea! Bail me a lady, tonight! Yea! Dun duh dun! Yea! Bail me a lady, tonight!'

Snakes of all sizes and colors watched the young black snake slither past them, singing as loud as he could. They all hissed amongst themselves, clearly annoyed at the snake.

'Bail me a lady, tonight!' Shay sang, unaware of all the glares he was he receiving.

'Will shut your mouth!' an angry cobra screeched.

Shay stopped his song and turned to look at the older snake. 'Why?'

'Because it's annoying,' the cobra said.

'Why?'

'It's bothering us, that's why.'

'Why?'

'Because I said so!'

'Why?'

'Because… because… arg!'

Shay laughed at the frustrated looks the other snakes were giving him. 'You're all just angry that I got to see prisoner Harry before you.'

'Who cares about some prisoner?' a female boa asked with a superior air. 'All that matter's is that Master has made an heir and we shall see him today.'

Shay stroked his jaw with his tail, looking pensive. 'Hmm…' He stared at the others again. 'You're all still mad I saw prisoner Harry first. Who cares about an heir? Harry's fun! He gave me a bath!'


The others just groaned and slithered off, talking amongst themselves.

'Hey!' Shay called. 'Where are you all going? Let's go see prisoner Harry!'

None of the others glanced back at Shay, leaving him alone in the hall.

'Humph. Who needs them?' Shay said to himself. 'Bail me a lady, tonight! Oh yea! Bail me a la…'

Shay lagged off as he noticed a giant shadow covering him.

'Huh?' Shay looked up and saw Nagini reared up just above him. 'It's Masters fatty!'

Nagini hissed angrily. 'Are you calling me fat, you sorry excuse for s snake?'

'Well, duh!' Shay said with a little laugh. 'There's nobody else here!' Shay laughed uneasily for a few seconds before gulping. '…run away!'

Before Shay could get away, Nagini lunged and scooped Shay into her mouth.

'Eww,' Shay hissed, completely grossed out. 'Let me out, fatty! It smells in here.'

'Keep silent, wrench,' Nagini said warningly, 'or I'll swallow.'

'Cannibal!'

'You are lucky I have orders to bring you to the Master,' Nagini said grudgingly. 'Otherwise I would have killed you by now.'

'Why?'

'Because you are annoying.'

'Why?'

'Keeping saying why and I'll spit you out in two pieces,' Nagini hissed.

Shay stayed silent for a moment before saying, ever so innocently, 'Why?'

As Nagini forced herself not to kill the annoying hatchling, she just knew that today would not be a good day.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harry kicked the wall, not out of frustration or anger, but out of boredom. Voldemort had left him alone for the entire day but had warned him of a surprise when they next saw each other. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Harry sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, grumbling a bit as he had to swallow a bit of poison. The affects from the ritual had died down a bit, but Harry still had to fight the dangerous vomit.

"Why does everything have to happen to me?" Harry asked miserably, kicking the wall again. "Stupid wall," Harry muttered.

"Talking to walls, Harry?" came a smooth voice, causing Harry to whip around. Voldemort stood directly above him. He lifted a smooth eyebrow, clearly amused by Harry's reaction as he bristled angrily.

"What do you want now?" Harry asked rudely.

Voldemort lifted Harry's chin, allowing his hand to keep Harry's jaw locked in place. "Manner's, Harry," he chided gently, ruby eyes sweeping over Harry's form. "There are many places that I must go today, my dear son."

"I'm not your son," Harry said lowly, his voice having a dangerous edge to it.

Voldemort lifted Harry's chin even higher and tightened his grip, making it very uncomfortable for Harry. "The destination's I will be going to will also have your presence. You are coming with me, Harry, and it would be best if you learned from the experiences you are sure to encounter today, for you will be by my side in future Death Eater meetings."

Harry grabbed Voldemort's hand, trying to relinquish the grip. "I'm not one of your Death Eaters," Harry said. "I am not your servant and never will be. For that there is no reason for me to attend any meetings."

Voldemort smiled softly. "My dear Harry, what is the point of an heir if he does not learn from his sire?"

"Well, you obviously wasted your time since I would never listen to you." Harry gritted his teeth as Voldemort lifted him fully off the ground, holding him only by the chin and jaw, making his neck hurt from the strain. Two small fangs poked out of Harry's mouth as venom leaked out, this time, for the first time, from the actual tooth.

"Finally settled in, has it?" Voldemort said, putting Harry back down on the ground. Voldemort cupped some of the venom in his palm, studying the liquid.

Harry stared. "Why isn't it hurting you?" Harry wasn't sure if he should be annoyed Voldemort wasn't hurt or be impressed that Voldemort was able resist basilisk poison.

Voldemort looked at Harry. "It is your poison, Harry, and you cannot kill me, nor can any deadly skill you possess hurt me. Amazing what our family spirits can give us, is it not?"

Harry took a few tentative steps back, not wanting to be near the dark wizard. "You mean those big snakes that bit me?" Harry asked, thinking of the large cobra's. He suddenly looked at Voldemort, thinking carefully. "Did they give you the gift to smell fear, or did you fake it?"

Voldemort chuckled. He poured the venom into a small vial and put into his pocket before turning to Harry. "Not quite, my son. They—"

"I'm not your son!"

"—gave me the ability to know another person's emotion," Voldemort finished, ignoring Harry's interruption. "I can sense their emotions and know when my servants are lying to me."

Harry rocked back and forth in thought. That sucked for the Death Eaters. No way could they ever lie without repercussions. Not that any probably had the guts.

'Master.'

Harry jumped at the new voice, becoming very uneasy at the sight of a large serpent coming at them.

'Nagini,' Voldemort said silkily. 'Do you have him?'

Harry was surprised to see the large snake actually grimace. "The snakes around here actually show emotions," Harry thought amusedly.

'I do, Master.' Nagini opened her mouth and released whatever it was in her mouth. Harry blinked as he saw a black snake roll out of her mouth and lay in a puddle of saliva.

Voldemort nudged the black snake with his boot. 'Nagini, my dear, I told you to bring him back alive.'

Nagini hissed in disgust. 'I did, Master, I did.'

Harry kneeled and scooped Shay up, worried that his only friend in this place was dead. 'Shay?' Harry whispered.

Shay hung limply in Harry's arms.

"What the hell is this?" Harry snarled. "You bring me Shay dead?"

Voldemort ignored Harry and pointed his wand at Shay, sending small shocks at the black snake.

'Still alive!' Shay sang, lifting his head up dramatically and showing just how wide a snake's mouth can go after Voldemort stopped shocking him. 'Ow. Master, that hurt.'

'You should not have faked being dead,' Voldemort said, looking at Shay distastefully.

'I wasn't!' Shay protested. 'Fatty has bad breath and knocked me out.'

Harry stifled a laugh as he saw Nagini look ready to lunge.

"Enough," Voldemort said strictly. "We will be going now."

"What! I'm still not going anywhere with you," Harry said rebelliously.

Voldemort ran a finger over Harry's scar, causing him to gasp and stumble back. "Would you prefer the whole hand?" Voldemort said dangerously, his patience now completely gone.

Harry felt an involuntary shiver run up his back as he felt magic encircle him. "Fine," Harry said grudgingly. "But can I at least clean Shay up? He's covered in spit."

Voldemort waved his wand carelessly, removing all the saliva from Shay's scales.

"Oh…" Harry wordlessly followed Voldemort out of the room, not really sure if he should push Voldemort any further. The pain from his scar wouldn't be worth it right now.

'Master is grouchy,' Shay whispered to Harry as he walked five feet behind Voldemort.

'He's just pissed that I can make him so impatient,' Harry whispered back.

Shay hissed in amusement. 'Prisoner Harry, did you know…?'

'Know what?' Harry asked, glancing at Voldemort's back. No doubt the man could hear everything they said, even at a whisper.

'Master has made an heir,' Shay said sagely. 'The other snakes are very excited and wish to seek him out. Have you met him?'

Harry could practically feel Voldemort's incredulity. 'Shay,' Harry said tiredly. 'Voldemort sort of… well, he turned me into his heir.'

'Really?'

'Yes.'

'Ok.'

Harry blinked at the black snake on his shoulder. 'You are one strange snake,' Harry said.

"Harry," Voldemort said suddenly, interrupting Harry's musings. "Come here."

Harry stared at him warily before stopping in front of Voldemort. He noticed a door made out of some type of rock. "What is that?"

"A very special room, Harry," Voldemort said. "The door is made out of black quartz. In here is where the elders stay and keep watch."

"You have elders? For what?"

'It's where the oldest and senile snakes stay,' Shay said.

Voldemort ran a finger over Harry's scar.

Harry yelped and banged into the wall. "What was that for!?" Harry demanded.

"For every disrespectful thing you two say, you will be punished."

"What kind of logic is that?" Harry hissed angrily. He rubbed his scar with careful fingers. He would probably collapse if that happened another three times. "I guess I can only risk annoying him two more times," Harry thought dully as he was ushered into the room.

When the door was shut, the room lit up with a green light, making the room quite eerie. The room turned out to be a cave, which was weird because who the heck would have a cave in their home? Apparently Voldemort.

As Harry walked deeper into the room, he jumped as a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He looked up nervously and let out a sigh of relief as he noticed it was only Voldemort and not someone or something else.

Voldemort steered Harry over to three large and very pointed rocks. Almost like stalagmites but on the ground. The first stone was a baby blue color that glowed with power. Wrapped around it was an exceptionally large Copper Head snake.

The second rock was completely black but still seemed to glow with power. Wrapped around it was the largest snake (aside from the two cobras and basilisk) Harry had ever seen. It was an Anaconda.

The third rock was a deep green which, like the other two, glowed with power. The snake wrapped around the rock was a cobra.

Each snake seemed to just ooze age and even looked old. It was odd to see an animal that radiated power, wisdom, and age. Almost like Dumbledore, Harry mused.

'You have come,' the Copper Head stated.

'And you have brought your heir,' the Anaconda added.

'I have, wise elders,' Voldemort said respectfully but still with a hint of being far more superior.

The three snakes stared at Harry, causing him to clench his fist in unease. 'He is powerful,' Anaconda said reprovingly. 'You have chosen wisely, for he has amazing gifts that are waiting to be released. He will be good for the throne.'

Harry scowled at them, bitterness rising in his throat like his poisonous vomit.

'You disagree with us, child?' Anaconda asked.

Harry felt Voldemort's hand tighten on his shoulder but still spoke boldly. 'As a matter of fact, I do. I'm not even of the Slytherin bloodline, so what right do you, any of you, have to make me an heir? Besides, me and Voldemort hate each other.'

'You are not the first one to be forced into the role of being an heir,' Copper Head stated gravely. 'You have much to learn, grammar included, and you will grow to love all that is being offered here.'

'I will never love any of this,' Harry hissed angrily. 'And I would never listen to anything you or he has to say,' Harry finished, indicating to Voldemort.

'Forgive my sharp tongued child,' Voldemort said, his grip on Harry's shoulder so tight that it made him wince.

'Not your child,' Harry muttered.

'We have been spoken to with much more disrespect the first time,' Anaconda said.

'But make sure he learns his manners and lessons,' Copper Head said, staring deeply into Harry's eyes. Copper Head nodded. 'Yes, make sure he learns much, for it would be disappointing to see such power go to waste.'

'I have much planned for him, elders,' Voldemort said, stroking Harry's hair with his long fingers.

Harry shivered as he felt the fingers comb through his hair but found his body relaxing slightly after a moment, much to his annoyance.

'Perhaps the child would care to see the forest while we discuss matters,' the cobra said suddenly, startling Harry because he had forgotten about the last snake because it had been so quiet.

Cobra lifted its tail and tapped the ground softly. Harry could feel the power coming off the snake and couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the old snake. The wall formed a large hole and Harry could see a large field with trees that stretched on for miles.

Voldemort relinquished his grip on Harry and Harry felt his determination waver as all four beings stared at him. Not even waiting a full minute, Harry bolted to the opening, only pausing for a second to get one last glimpse of the elder cobra.

'He will be difficult to tame,' Anaconda said, staring after Harry's retreating frame until he was out of site and hidden from view in the forest.

'It would be no fun if it was not difficult,' Voldemort said offhandedly. 'His curiosity is both his weakness and strength. All I need is to dangle a bit of bait and wait. He will keep coming, begging for more knowledge until he completely enraptured and caught.'

'Do not overdue it,' Copper Head warned. 'Many sires have lost their heir because of similar situations.'

'I know limitations,' Voldemort hissed with impatience. 'I will not kill him. Never will I kill him, for he is mine. Rare possessions have no use if they are cracked and broken.'

Copper Head hissed in agreement. 'The magic of Slytherin shall watch over him for you. In time, you will make him a very powerful Lord.'

'His emotions are already tying onto to you,' Anaconda said thoughtfully. 'In your presence and touch, he tenses at first but becomes at ease. Do not abuse such a gift from a child, for it can lead to failure.'

'Of course, wise elders.' Voldemort turned to the silent cobra. 'And what of you? Do you have words of wisdom?'

'I have none at the moment,' Cobra stated flatly. 'But I shall tell you this, be wary of how you go about this. The child, who is not really a child, will surprise you if you are not careful. Do not be arrogant or unwary. He is dangerous, a true hunter. He deserves the name Slytherin, just as you do.'

The cobra said nothing more and Voldemort contemplated all that he was told as he made his way into the forest. He walked slowly, knowing that he could command any of the creatures in the forest to bring Harry back to him even if he was kicking and screaming the entire way.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

'Where are we going?' Shay asked as Harry ran as fast as could away from the castle that was still looming over him.

'Away from here,' Harry said, already getting tired since his body was not used to exercise. How could he be so out of shape? When he was younger he used to be able to run a full mile without stopping so he could get away from the bullies.

'Why?'

'Because I need to get away from Voldemort.'

'Why?'

'Shay, either be quiet or this is the end of the road for you.'

'Fine,' Shay said stubbornly.

Harry slowed down as he heard voices.

"Is that him?"

"It is the heir."

"He is powerful."

Strong…

Young…

Magic…

Harry backed away as reptiles of all kinds came up to him, talking in excited voices. "Get away," Harry whispered. "Get away!"

Harry jumped over a fallen log and ran as fast as he could from the curious creatures. The forest was so thick it was impossible to run in a straight line.

"Hello, young Lord."

Harry flinched and turned around to see some type of horse thing. It was a deep brown with green scales on its legs, back, and face. On its forehead was a silver gem in the shape of a triangle. Its tail was similar to a lizards and Harry noticed fangs poking out f its mouth.

Harry took a few steps away, completely frightened by all the animals surrounding him. Not even thinking clearly, Harry grabbed onto the lowest tree branch he could find and started to climb. After being chased around so much and up into a tree as a young child had really made him a good climber. And with the amount of animals chasing Harry and his irrational thinking, Harry made it up in record time.

'Now what?' Shay asked, looking down at all the animals staring up at them.

Harry stared down at the ground and could make out snakes, lizards a few magical creatures he had studied and many other creatures he had never even dreamed of. 'I'm not sure. Maybe we could ju—woah!'

Harry grabbed onto a thick branch and held on for dear life as the tree started to rock. To Harry's horror, the tree tipped over and, this time to Harry's shock, was attached to the back of a large beast. Harry slipped from branch as he was tipped upside down but was caught by a long tail.

Harry gulped as he was lifted up into the face of a large, reptilian face. It was a dragon's face, Harry realized. Harry got a good look at it and realized it seemed to be made out of the earth itself. The spikes on its neck to tail were made out of the trees themselves and the scales looked a lot like smooth stones. Green wings spread widely and revealed to Harry that the feathers were actually leaves.

The dragon's eyes had yellow eyes that shone like the sun. The horns on the side of its head were made out of bark and its claws looked like hardened dirt. Harry gripped the tail tightly as he was lifted at least sixty feet into the air.

"Hello, young one," the great dragon spoke, its voice sounding like a bird's song. "It is an honor to meet the heir of Slytherin." To Harry's mounting shock, the dragon bowed its head in respect.

Shay poked his head out of Harry's shirt and looked at the ground. 'So high,' Shay whispered in awe. 'I bet you could see the juiciest rats up here if we were to stay.'

'How can you think about food right now?' Harry hissed exasperatedly.

'I'm hungry.'

Harry groaned and faced the dragon. "Er, can you please let me down?" Harry asked hopefully. "Or better yet, can you take me away from here?"

"I shall take you to your sire," the earth dragon said. "He wishes for you to go to his side."

"Great idea," Harry said with fake excitement. "Why don't you put me down and I'll go back?" As if that would happen.

"I shall take you to him."

"No! Couldn't you just put me down over there?" Harry asked, pointing far away from the castle.

The dragon ignored him and lowered Harry carefully next to a dark figure. When Harry was dropped to the ground, Harry looked up and scowled at Voldemort's smirking face.

"Have fun, my son?"

"No," Harry said angrily. "And I'm not your son." Harry didn't say anything more as the creatures of the forest surround both Harry and Voldemort. A few Ashwinders and other creatures got so close to Harry that he was pressed up against Voldemort's chest.

Voldemort wrapped an arm around Harry, pulling him even closer. And making him tenser than before.

"These beasts are your servants, Harry," Voldemort whispered as he caressed the frightened boys' face. "They are loyal to the Slytherin line and have accepted you as their lord, as my heir and son."

Harry glowered at that. "Not your son…"

"They know of your power and gifts, and they look forward to seeing you awaken them," Voldemort continued.

"And I suppose you want to help me awaken them," Harry said sarcastically. He flinched as Voldemort's hand hovered directly above his scar.

"I do."

'Master, what are you doing?' Shay asked, lifting himself up to Voldemort's face.

Voldemort swatted Shay away.

"Hey!" Harry said angrily. "What did you do that for?"

Voldemort didn't answer and instead slammed his palm down on Harry's scar. "For getting in my way," Voldemort said viciously, holding the struggling child as all the creatures watched with interest.

This time Voldemort hadn't used a potion or even a spell. No, this time he was sending out his own magic into Harry, using the scar and their connection. Harry went limp in Voldemort's arms after being released.

"I hate it when you do that," Harry said weakly. "Why did you even have to do that?"

"It make's you more manageable…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harry didn't know what which worse. His body and even a bit of his own mind had betrayed him, thus allowing Voldemort a bit more control over him. Voldemort's kind hugs and hair ruffling just felt so damn good. Almost like an extremely proud father.

At times Harry felt like a puppy, just a creature that was caressed, loved and taught before being used as nothing more than a tool for the hunt when it grew up.

And then there was Harry's new tutoring. Two weeks had flown by in a breeze, but still managed to feel like a century. Voldemort drilled knowledge into his head like a mad man, never giving him relief or a break. If Voldemort felt that Harry wasn't trying or answered wrongly he was punished, so it wasn't like he could say no to this.

It was these two things that Harry's didn't know what he hated more. It was very frustrating.

"Explain to me why the second level of the fiare water shield is stronger than the third level when shields normally become more powerful with each level. And while you're at it, pronounce the spell correctly for me and then explain the meanings to me," Voldemort said suddenly.

Harry closed his eyes in frustration, hating Voldemort more than ever. He rubbed Hedwig gently on her head. Hedwig had been returned to his room and Shay mostly spent his time in the bathroom taking warm baths when Voldemort was here. The young snake had never forgiven the Dark Lord for whacking him away.

"You have got to be kidding me," Harry muttered silently before speaking loudly. "The third level, which is actually made out of mist and not an actual shield, can only block spells that can mess with the mind. Confundus charms are an example of one of the spells that can't affect you with that spell. The second level isn't like that. It forms a sphere over your entire body made out of water." Harry actually let out a small 'duh' before continuing.

"It can block mind spells and some high level spells, depending on the power of the wizard, of course. The spell is pronounced copro annffiare and—"

"Wrong," Voldemort interrupted. You keep mispronouncing your spells, leaving out letters or not carrying out a sound. Such mistakes can cost you your life in battle."

Harry stared at Voldemort coolly.

"Instead of annffiare, it's annaffiare. Now say it."

Harry scowled but complied. "Annaffiare."

"Again," Voldemort ordered.

"Are you kidding me?"

Voldemort leaned in close, causing Harry to scoot away on his bed. "Now," he said dangerously.

Harry grumbled. "Annaffiare. There, you happy?"

"Fifty more times."

"What!"

"Repeating a mispronounced spell correctly many times shall break you of your habit. Now start."

With a lot more grumbling and threats, Harry finally finished with a last 'Annaffiare.' "Happy now?"

"Now tell me the rest of your answer."

"What else did I have?" Harry asked, completely irritated.

"The meaning of the spell. If you finish quickly, I shall take you somewhere I'm sure you'll like."

"Away from here and you?" Harry asked dully, knowing that wouldn't happen. Still, Harry decided to answer quickly to just get this over with and because of his curiosity.

"Corpro means 'to cover' or 'shield.' Annaffiare means water. Very self explanatory in the spell use."

"Indeed," Voldemort said blandly.

For a moment, Harry thought Voldemort was going to chastise him for that. He didn't even know why, but that last sentence seemed to annoy Voldemort even more other things Harry usually said.

"Come."

Harry blinked as Voldemort didn't do anything to him and just followed him out of the room. "Where are we going?" Harry asked. "Not to the forest again, are we?"

Going there was annoying. Everytime Harry set foot outside of the castle (or his room), all the animals came at him.

"No. Somewhere else."

Harry waited for Voldemort to clarify and grumbled silently as he didn't say anything.

Wherever Voldemort wanted to go, it was pretty far away from Harry's room. Harry was willing to bet it was on the other side of the castle. It probably was since it took over ten minutes of walking. Harry really didn't envy the house elves.

Voldemort stopped at ivory made doors and gestured for Harry to open them. Hesitating for only a moment, Harry pushed open the doors. "What is this?" Harry asked, staring at the meadow before him. Harry suddenly frowned. "What's with this castle having so many nature rooms?"

"Salazar Slytherin respected the earth deeply," Voldemort said, walking over to a single mat with scented candles and four smooth stones on all sides of the mat. "The earth is filled with a magic that humans could never fully understand. Salazar constructed many rooms in his castle to use the earth's magic in different way."

Harry looked around the meadow. There was a small lake, a few trees, a sandy area and you could even see mountains in the distance. "What is this place for?"

"Animagus training," Voldemort replied lightly, smiling slightly as Harry's lit up eyes.

"This place can turn me into an animagus?" Harry asked excitedly, for a moment forgetting he was talking to Voldemort.

"No, but it can show you the animal you can become, if at all."

Harry deflated a little. "Oh, so I could not end up having an animal form?"

Voldemort actually laughed. "Merlin no, Harry. Only the weak - and most muggleborns of course – cannot handle the magical and physical pressure of becoming another form. There are those who become weak animals as well, such as a bug or fish."

"Or a rat," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Or a rat," Voldemort agreed. "Others, the more powerful ones, become stronger animals which is usually the predator. Or in some special cases, there is of course magical creatures."

"Like a phoenix or dragon?" Harry said, leaning forward.

"Perhaps a phoenix," Voldemort said, obviously pleased by Harry's interest. "A dragon would be pushing it, perhaps."

"What are you?" Harry asked curiously.

"I am a basilisk," Voldemort said a bit too smugly.

Harry scooted back. "You mean you're like that fifty foot basilisk in the chamber?"

Voldemort gave dry laugh. "No, Harry. That snake was ancient and had time to grow. I am longer than Nagini and my sight as well as poison is as dangerous as any basilisk." Voldemort smirked. "Another thing that brings us closer, Harry." Voldemort cupped Harry's cheek. "Basilisk poison."

Harry really didn't have anything to say to that.

"Sit," Voldemort said, gesturing for Harry to sit on the mat. "Resume a meditation stance and clear your mind."

"Clear my mind?" Harry said after he sat down.

"No thoughts, Harry."

"Yea…"

"The magic in this room should help you concentrate and take you into a dreamscape, allowing you and your animal to meet. Now just relax."

Harry let out a breath and tried to clear his mind. The smoke from the candles that surrounded him flickered around his head before being sucked into his nose and mouth an, before Harry knew it, his soul was no longer bound to his body.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harry flapped his arms hard, gaining more altitude. Leveling his arms… no, they weren't arms, they were wings! Harry gave a cry of joy as he swept through the air before gliding over a river to see his reflection. What stared back at him was a dark gray falcon. Harry twittered in amazement before he felt his body change.

Harry could feel himself running. He was running at such a speed he was surprised his body didn't break from the force. Harry opened his eyes and stared down at hooves. Neighing excitedly, Harry sped up faster as he ran through the meadow. As he came to a cliff, Harry spread his feathery wings and gave one last neigh of triumph before the pegasi disappeared.

He was on the hunt now. Harry slithered quietly, sneaking through the forest. A forked tongue flicked out of his mouth and Harry reared back, prepared to strike. He puffed out his hood in excitement, for he was a king of snakes, a cobra, and a true hunter.

Harry changed into more animals than he could count. Ranging the birds of the sky, to the dolphins of the sea, there were still the magical animals. When Harry started to feel tired, his body ended up in a dense forest, this time in human form.

"Hello?" Harry called out softly, wondering why he was human.

Hearing no reply, Harry walked towards a small stream and cupped some water in his hand, suddenly very thirty. As Harry took a sip, some bushes rustled near him. "Hello?" Harry called again.

There was no reply, but something large and black leapt out of the bushes and ran.

"Hey, wait!" Harry called.

The creature did not pause in its run but did give Harry one last look before disappearing into the trees. Harry only stared dumbfounded at the spot the creature disappeared but without a minutes thought he scampered after it.

When Harry had finally caught site of the animal, it soon became a game of follow the leader. The strange animal led Harry all over the place. Surprised that he had not run out of energy, Harry picked up the pace and, after what seemed like forever, Harry tackled the creature.

It yipped excitedly and licked him furiously, causing Harry to erupt into a fit of giggles as was tickled mercilessly. When Harry had been tickled enough, the creature gazed at Harry lovingly and Harry couldn't help but shift uncomfortably under the gaze, both unsure of how to act and experiencing a feeling of happiness.

The creature gazed into Harry's eyes and, as emerald green eyes met emerald green eyes, Harry knew what he was.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I know what I am!" Harry cried excitedly as he opened his eyes and yelped as he noticed how close Voldemort had gotten to him.

"And what are you?" Voldemort asked, sounding amused as he watched Harry pick himself up.

Harry stood up and shifted back and forth nervously. "Well, I'm…"

Voldemort frowned. Surely his heir hadn't gotten some common animal or something weak. Harry had far too much power to be denied a powerful animal. "You are?" Voldemort pressed.

Harry smiled nervously. "My animal is fox!"

"Cunning, a perfect hunter, known for acting brashly and having tempers," Voldemort noted. "Foxes can also act territorial and can attack quite viciously when protecting its family. It fits perfectly. Are you disappointed in your animal?"

Harry shook his head quickly, eyes wide. "Of course not! It's just, there's something wrong with the form…"

"Sit," Voldemort commanded as he too sat down. "Now explain all that you experienced and leave nothing out."

Harry took a deep breath and started to explain what he experienced. He told him about swimming in the sea, jumping from branch to branch as a mighty panther and gliding through the air in many bird forms. The magical creatures Harry had been were a lot of fun to tell even though he had only been three.

"And when we were done wrestling the creature looked at me in the eyes and I knew what I was. Before my body awakened, I took a good look at it. It was completely black except for a little gray on its forehead that looks a lot like my scar." Harry paused to scowl at that, annoyed his animagus form still showed his scar.

"The fur on its back, neck and head was really ruffled up, a lot like my uncontrolled hair." Harry ran a hand through his hair. "The eyes were still green but the teeth seemed a lot longer and sharper than ordinary foxes."

"Perhaps a side effect of your gift," Voldemort said, musing quietly as he brushed some of Harry's hair away from his scar, causing him to flinch and glare. "Aside from the teeth, nothing seems wrong with your animal, Harry. Unless there's something else, of course."

"I was going to get to it," Harry said, thoroughly annoyed. "It… well, it has two tails…"

There was a heavy silence.

When Harry was about to break the silence with a question, Voldemort burst out laughing and actually ruffled Harry's hair in – pride? – success? "My dear boy," Voldemort said smugly, "you are no fox."

Harry felt his shoulders slump in confusion. "I'm not? Then what am I?" Harry asked hesitantly.

Voldemort, who still had his fingers in Harry's hair, combed his fingers through the black locks. "A demon, Harry. You are a magical creature of one of the highest ranks. You are a tailed demon fox, a true kitsune."

Harry blinked, feeling shock course through his body. He had thought being a magical creature would be cool, but Harry never actually expected that he could become one.

"Oh."

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Yep, the next one is up. And yes! I have Harry's form, and its special, cuz Harry's special. Next chapter we enter a surprise meeting and Harry trains to get his form. Hope you enjoyed this! Please review.

I really really need a beta. Yes, you all heard me. All my stories have no beta and now I'm finally deciding to get one. So please say yes! Anyone? Anyone?