Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Thanks to all of you for reviewing. Please feel free to continue with the reviews. They make me feel good. And she showed me her boobies and I liked them too. (ten points to whoever gets that movie quote.)
A/N 2: A special thanks to Richard Shepherd. What you said really meant alot. Thanks.
Now on to the chapter.
*************
Chapter 7: The Animagus
"Guess what?" Harry asked as he walked into the common room.
"What?" Ron asked, looking up at him.
"I brought the new DADA teacher up here for you to meet."
"Really? Who is it?" Hermione asked.
"Hang on, I'll get him," Harry said as he stepped back outside the portrait hole.
A few seconds later he reappeared with a huge grin on his face.
"Well, where is he?" Ron asked.
Harry just smiled even wider and raised on of his hands. Ginny squealed and launched herself at him nearly knocking him over. Hermione just looked on in awe.
"You've got to be joking," she said in a small voice.
"Joking about what?" Ron asked.
"Harry's the new DADA teacher."
"Holy shit. Really?"
"Yep," Harry answered. "But only for the first through fifth years. Professor Dumbledore will teach the NEWT level classes."
"How are you able to teach classes?" Hermione asked.
"Well, there's a bylaw in the school charter that says that a student can teach a class if they have already passed it. Since I got an Outstanding with distinction in DADA, Professor Dumbledore said that I could - even if it's just to stop us from getting another Umbridge."
They all agreed to that. Just as they seemed to become accustomed to that fact, Ron started laughing. He started laughing hard. Harry asked him, "what's the matter?"
"I just pictured Malfoy's face when he finds that out. It'll be priceless."
They all joined in with him. A little while later Harry told him that he was going to become an Animagus.
"Really?" Ron said.
"Yep and Professor Dumbledore said that you can each become one if you want to," Harry told them. "Do you want to?"
"Yes," they all said.
"That's not all. Professor Dumbledore said that we don't have to register. At least not yet."
Hermione quickly spoke up. "But we could get into trouble."
"Hermione, look how not being registered helped Sirius. Besides how do you think it would look to Fudge if we, charter members of the DA, became Animagi. He'd have a fit. Since he seems to be trying to fix all the glorious mistakes he's made over the past year, I don't want to tempt him again." Harry told her. "Besides while Tom doesn't know we're Animagi, we can be spies. We'll register as soon as this war is over."
Hermione finally accepted. She couldn't argue with his reasoning. Ron on the other hand looked delighted. He was almost bouncing up and down with anticipation.
"What do we have to do, mate?"
"Well, Professor Dumbledore told me to read this book. I'm going to talk to Professor McGonagall tomorrow. I'll find out all that we have to do then."
*************
The next morning found Harry sitting on his bed reading the book on Animagus. He just reached a rather interesting passage.
~A person able to become an Animagus can alter their appearance in several small ways. Two of the more noticeable changes a person can perform are changing the length of his or her hair and fingernails.~
"Wow," Harry thought. His mind suddenly flashed to that time that his Aunt Petunia cut all his hair off. How he had grown it back overnight, he didn't know. Maybe this was the reason.
He decided to try it. He read a little further down before closing the book. He closed his eyes in concentration. In his mind, he saw his hair slowly growing longer. He felt a strange tingling in his scalp. He opened his eyes and walked to his mirror. His was now shoulder length. He shook his head and ran a hand through it.
"I really did it," he thought.
He immediately closed his eyes and imagined his hair gone. He felt that strange tingling again and opened his eyes. He laughed at his reflection. He would never leave his hair like this for the simple fact that his scar was the most pronounced thing on his head. He closed his eyes to make his hair grow back but stopped. A mischievous grin stretched his face.
"I wonder what the others would say?" he thought before rushing down to the common room.
The two Weasleys and Hermione were playing exploding snap. Hermione was the only one facing him. She glanced up at him when he walked in. "Hello, Harry," she said before looking back down. With a sharp intake of breath her eyes shot back up to him. Her hand covered her mouth as she said, "Oh, Harry, what did you do?"
Both of the other two spun around to see what she meant. They stared at him for an instant before Ron fell to the floor laughing. Ginny was mouthing wordlessly in his direction. He looked at her and asked.
"Want to see something cool?"
He closed his eyes, not waiting for an answer. He thought of his hair, and that tingly feeling came back. He opened his eyes and smiled at them.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked as they sat staring at his now floor length hair.
"How did you do that?" Ginny asked when she finally regained the use of her voice.
"It's one of the training excersizes that I have to do to become an Animagus."
"But Harry," Hermione said. "You only started to read that book last night."
"I know but I made my hair grow several years back. I didn't mean to, it just happened. I guess I'm just a natural."
He closed his eyes to make his hair short again. Just as his hair was getting back to the normal length Ginny told him to stop.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Can you just go back a little."
He did as he was asked. Just as his hair was at his shoulders she said, "Okay. Leave it there, please."
"Okay, but why?"
She blushed and said, "Because it looks good that way."
"Oh," he said with a smile. "Okay."
*****************
Later that day, just after Harry lost again at chess to Ron, the portrait hole opened. Professor McGonagall walked in looked at Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore said that you would like to become an Animagus, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, ma'am," he said standing up.
"Have you read the book that Professor Dumbledore gave you?"
"Most of it."
"Good. Now the first thing you need to do is work on the excersizes that are mentioned. The first few are simple enough but take a little while to accomplish."
"What are they?" he asked.
"The first is to make your hair and nails grow and shorten at will. Now to." she started but was interrupted.
"Oh, you mean like this," he said as he closed his eyes and his hair receded into his scalp.
To say that she was stunned was an understatement. "How long have you been able to do that?"
"I did it once, unconsciously, several years ago. My aunt shaved my head. I was so terrified to go to school the next day that I wished my hair would come back. I must have dreamed about it because when I woke up the next morning it was."
"Harry, do you realize how amazing that is? I had to study and practice for a month before I could get any kind of noticeable difference."
He was stunned twice by these words. One was of course brought about by what she said. The other was the fact that she called him "Harry".
"Wow," he said as he grew his hair back out to the length that Ginny liked.
She shook her head and reverted back to that brisk manner that they were all used to.
"Well, since you've already completed that exercise continue on to the other ones. When you have completed them, we will begin with the actual transformation. I'll ask Professor Snape to brew a revealing potion so we can find out what your form will be. Goodnight."
"Thank you, Professor."
Her usually thin lips softened a little as a slight smile broke her face. She inclined her head to him before walking out the hole.
**************
The next three weeks passed as normal as possible for Harry Potter. Mrs. Weasley picked up all of his and the others' school things from Diagon Alley. Ron and Hermione also received their Owls a week after he did. Hermione of course made the highest number of OWLs at the school. Ron even did pretty well himself.
He was still working out every night. Thanks to the Room of Requirement, he was able to work with machines this time. He spent at least four hours a night in that room since he still couldn't sleep. His Occlumency lessons helped but he still wasn't able to stop the dreams from torturing him. His wandless magic had vastly improved. He was now able to conjure simple things out of thin air. He could also do some transfiguration. He had just completed all of the training exercises for Animagus training and was wandering the castle in search of Professor McGonagall. He had checked her classroom and the teachers lounge. He was now headed to Dumbledore's office.
After several attempts he finally figured out the password (acid pops). He went up the stairs and raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in, Harry."
"Hello, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Hello, Professor." he replied as he looked around. He said hello to Fawkes before looking back at Professor McGonagall. "I was looking for you, Professor."
"Well, you found me, Mr. Potter. What can I help you with?"
"Well, I finished all of the training exercises, and I'm ready to try my form. I wanted to find you because the book said that it can be dangerous."
"It's only been three weeks." she said increduously. Dumbledore just smiled while the twinkle in his eye danced merrily.
"I know"
"Well it's too soon to take the potion. Professor Snape hasn't been able to finish it."
"That's okay, Professor. I can feel it in me. It's like I can barely contain it."
"Very well but remember, don't let the beast's mind take over. You must remain in control of it at all times."
"Okay." was all he said as he scrunched up his face in concentration. He could feel the animal in him. It wanted out. It was pushing against the natural barriers that Harry's body set. He forced the walls that were holding the animal in down. He felt the beast burst free. He felt his mind start to change. He quickly forced down the animal instincts. He felt his body changing. He was growing bigger. He finally relaxed when his body quit tingling. He looked at his two Professors. They were both smiling proudly at him. Dumbledore conjured a mirror.
Harry turned to it and saw a huge lion staring back out at him. His emerald green eyes were staring back at him. His mane was pure black and stuck out at certain places. He groaned, or as much of a grown that can come from a lion, when he saw the small lightning shaped scar above the lions right eye.
Harry forced the animal back down and reverted to human form. Professor McGonagall started to congratulate him but stopped when Harry raised his hand out in front of him.
"There's something else in here." he said simply, pointing to is chest.
"What?" she asked.
"Well now that I've changed into the lion, I know what he feels like. I can sense something else pushing, trying to get out."
He quickly closed his eyes and released the animal. He forced down the animalistic feelings and looked up at the Professors.
"What the hell?" he thought to himself.
Both of the Professors were glowing red. He opened his mouth as if to say something to them but stopped when his tongue met the air. He could taste them. He shook his head before forcing the animal back down. He looked at the stunned look on both of the professors' face.
"What happened?" he asked them.
"You changed into a snake, Harry." Professor Dumbledore said while trying to shake the cobwebs.
"Oh, well that explains it," he said. He looked up at Professor McGonagall and smiled. He was about to say something to her when he felt it. Something else was there. "Wait, there's something else. This is different though."
"How so?" Dumbledore asked. Professor Mcgonagall looked ready to faint.
"Well this one is more powerful. It's not trying to force its way up though. It seems to be asking to be released. Hang on one second." he said before concentrating again.
He didn't even have to force down any animal feeling this time. He felt a welcome sense of calm envelop him. He was at peace with the world. He looked over at his two professors just in time to see Professor McGonagall faint. He quickly changed back and rushed to her.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly while trying to wake her up.
He looked up at Dumbledore for help. Dumbledore looked just as shocked, though thankfully less unconscious, than McGonagall. He snapped out of his stupor when they met eyes. He quickly made his way around the desk and muttered "Ennervate" while pointing his wand at her. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she met Harry's eyes.
"Are you okay, Professor?"
"Of course I am. That was just. wow. No one I've ever heard of could change into a magical creature."
"What magical creature?" he asked shocked.
"A phoenix, Harry. You changed into a beautiful phoenix."
"Really? Wow." he said before quickly changing back. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was red and looked a lot like Fawkes. "Wow," he thought. "I feel so at peace. This is amazing. I've still got that infernal scar though." His thoughts weren't mad though. He was happier than he had ever been. He changed back into a human. He smiled at the two professors just as he passed out.
********************
He opened his eyes to a white room. He could only make out a few vague shapes. The one next to his bed seemed to be on fire. He opened his mouth to warn her but was silenced when his glasses slid on. He smiled at Ginny and looked around again.
"Aw, man, not again," he groaned. "What happened this time?"
"Professor Dumbledore just said that you were exhausted. He wouldn't tell us anything else."
It all flashed back to him. He sat up quickly to look for Professor McGonagall. He groaned as his head started spinning. Madam Pomfrey bustled over to his bed holding a goblet in her hand.
"Here drink this," she said handing him the goblet. "It's strengthening potion."
He winced as it burned his throat on the way down. He felt the dizziness leave him and went to stand. Madam Pomfrey gently pushed him back down.
"Is Professor McGonagall okay?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, she is. You on the other hand are not. You've exhausted yourself somehow. Your magical energy is very low. You need to stay here for a few hours to allow the potion time to work. You can go to dinner with the others."
She turned and went back to her office. Harry looked over at Ginny. She grabbed his hand and looked down at him.
"What happened, Harry?"
"I turned into my Animagus forms."
"Really? Already?" she asked incredulously. "Wait a minute. Did you say forms?"
"Yep, I've got three."
"I think you'll find, Harry," Dumbledore said as he swept into the room followed by Professor McGonagall, Ron, and Hermione. "that you have more than three."
"What?" everyone asked in unison.
Dumbledore chuckled a little bit before continuing. "Well, to say that I was stunned at your transformations would be an understatement. When you turned into the phoenix it got me to thinking. You looked an incredible amount like Fawkes."
He was about to continue when Hermione spoke up. "You turned into a phoenix, Harry."
"Yep. See." he said as he changed into the phoenix.
Dumbledore and McGonagall yelled "no" but they were too late. Harry flew around the room a little while before settling on Ginny's shoulder. He trilled happily before landing back on the bed. He changed back and started to sit up. He found he couldn't move. Dumbledore was shaking his head but smiling nonetheless. McGonagall started in on him immediately.
"Mr. Potter, do you know how much of a strain it is to change forms? It depletes your magical power quite a bit until you become used to it. Your body has to adjust to the new form. Why do you think you passed out earlier. With your energy so low already, you shouldn't have even been able to transform. I take it you can't move right now."
Harry nodded.
"Well, your lucky that you didn't pass out again. Don't transform until you have rested and gotten your energy back up. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor," he said sheepishly as he felt Ginny's hand entwine in his own.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "Now that that's settled, back to what I was saying. I noticed Fawkes's recent behavior toward you and how much you looked like him. I decided to ask him if he knew anything, and to my surprise, he shed light over the whole deal. Fawkes, it seems, has made you a brother to him."
They all stared at Dumbledore in shock. He chuckled softly before continuing.
"Now, Harry, unless I'm much mistaken, you have not forgotten the events that transpired in the Chamber of Secrets," Dumbledore said. Harry felt Ginny hand clench when he mentioned the Chamber. He gave her a soft squeeze before nodding his head.
"Well then," Dumbledore said. "you remember getting bitten by the Basilisk and Fawkes healing you."
Harry nodded and Dumbledore continued.
"When that happened you formed a bond with both of them. You are the only person that has survived being poisoned by a Basilisk. When Fawkes's tears mingled with the Basilisk's venom you took some of both of their essences into you. You essentially became what muggles refer to as a blood brother to both of them."
"Wow" was all he was able to say. Dumbledore turned his head and said "Fawkes".
Fawkes appeared and trilled to Dumbledore. Dumbledore could, of course, understand him because he was Fawkes's master. The surprising thing was that Harry could now understand what he was saying too.
*Have you told him, master?*
*Yes I have, Fawkes.*
Harry opened his mouth to say something, but instead he trilled.
*Hello, Fawkes,* he said surprising himself.
Fawkes tilted his head at him before flying over to his side.
*Hello, brother.*
*Why haven't you told anyone before that we were brothers?*
*You weren't ready to know yet. Even if I had told master, he wouldn't have told you. You needed to assume your form first. I could feel the power growing in you, and I knew it was a matter of time before you transformed. When you released the phoenix within, you became able to talk to me. Then I knew it was time to tell you. When master mentioned sending you a gift this summer, I immediately volunteered. I wanted to see you, and I'm afraid I may have confused you with my affection. I'm sorry.*
*No need to be sorry, Fawkes. I was glad that you trusted me enough to show me that kind of affection.*
Fawkes trilled happily and nuzzled against his brother's neck. Dumbledore finally cleared his throat having heard the whole conversation.
When Harry looked around at him, something else entered his mind. "Sir, didn't you say that I had more than three forms?"
"That I did, Harry. You see, you bonded to both Fawkes and the Basilisk. You could already speak Parseltongue so that didn't matter. But since the Basilisk is considered the King of all Serpents, you should be able to change into any snake that you want to. You could possibly even change into a Basilisk, though I would warn you against that. As you know, their gaze is deadly."
"Yes, sir," he said. He had no intention of turning into a Basilisk, ever.
"You never cease to amaze me, Mr. Potter."
He looked past Dumbledore to see where the voice had come from. Having heard everything when she came out of her office, Madam Pomfrey couldn't help her response. The others seeing the look on her face couldn't help but start laughing, even Professor McGonagall.
A/N: Thanks to all of you for reviewing. Please feel free to continue with the reviews. They make me feel good. And she showed me her boobies and I liked them too. (ten points to whoever gets that movie quote.)
A/N 2: A special thanks to Richard Shepherd. What you said really meant alot. Thanks.
Now on to the chapter.
*************
Chapter 7: The Animagus
"Guess what?" Harry asked as he walked into the common room.
"What?" Ron asked, looking up at him.
"I brought the new DADA teacher up here for you to meet."
"Really? Who is it?" Hermione asked.
"Hang on, I'll get him," Harry said as he stepped back outside the portrait hole.
A few seconds later he reappeared with a huge grin on his face.
"Well, where is he?" Ron asked.
Harry just smiled even wider and raised on of his hands. Ginny squealed and launched herself at him nearly knocking him over. Hermione just looked on in awe.
"You've got to be joking," she said in a small voice.
"Joking about what?" Ron asked.
"Harry's the new DADA teacher."
"Holy shit. Really?"
"Yep," Harry answered. "But only for the first through fifth years. Professor Dumbledore will teach the NEWT level classes."
"How are you able to teach classes?" Hermione asked.
"Well, there's a bylaw in the school charter that says that a student can teach a class if they have already passed it. Since I got an Outstanding with distinction in DADA, Professor Dumbledore said that I could - even if it's just to stop us from getting another Umbridge."
They all agreed to that. Just as they seemed to become accustomed to that fact, Ron started laughing. He started laughing hard. Harry asked him, "what's the matter?"
"I just pictured Malfoy's face when he finds that out. It'll be priceless."
They all joined in with him. A little while later Harry told him that he was going to become an Animagus.
"Really?" Ron said.
"Yep and Professor Dumbledore said that you can each become one if you want to," Harry told them. "Do you want to?"
"Yes," they all said.
"That's not all. Professor Dumbledore said that we don't have to register. At least not yet."
Hermione quickly spoke up. "But we could get into trouble."
"Hermione, look how not being registered helped Sirius. Besides how do you think it would look to Fudge if we, charter members of the DA, became Animagi. He'd have a fit. Since he seems to be trying to fix all the glorious mistakes he's made over the past year, I don't want to tempt him again." Harry told her. "Besides while Tom doesn't know we're Animagi, we can be spies. We'll register as soon as this war is over."
Hermione finally accepted. She couldn't argue with his reasoning. Ron on the other hand looked delighted. He was almost bouncing up and down with anticipation.
"What do we have to do, mate?"
"Well, Professor Dumbledore told me to read this book. I'm going to talk to Professor McGonagall tomorrow. I'll find out all that we have to do then."
*************
The next morning found Harry sitting on his bed reading the book on Animagus. He just reached a rather interesting passage.
~A person able to become an Animagus can alter their appearance in several small ways. Two of the more noticeable changes a person can perform are changing the length of his or her hair and fingernails.~
"Wow," Harry thought. His mind suddenly flashed to that time that his Aunt Petunia cut all his hair off. How he had grown it back overnight, he didn't know. Maybe this was the reason.
He decided to try it. He read a little further down before closing the book. He closed his eyes in concentration. In his mind, he saw his hair slowly growing longer. He felt a strange tingling in his scalp. He opened his eyes and walked to his mirror. His was now shoulder length. He shook his head and ran a hand through it.
"I really did it," he thought.
He immediately closed his eyes and imagined his hair gone. He felt that strange tingling again and opened his eyes. He laughed at his reflection. He would never leave his hair like this for the simple fact that his scar was the most pronounced thing on his head. He closed his eyes to make his hair grow back but stopped. A mischievous grin stretched his face.
"I wonder what the others would say?" he thought before rushing down to the common room.
The two Weasleys and Hermione were playing exploding snap. Hermione was the only one facing him. She glanced up at him when he walked in. "Hello, Harry," she said before looking back down. With a sharp intake of breath her eyes shot back up to him. Her hand covered her mouth as she said, "Oh, Harry, what did you do?"
Both of the other two spun around to see what she meant. They stared at him for an instant before Ron fell to the floor laughing. Ginny was mouthing wordlessly in his direction. He looked at her and asked.
"Want to see something cool?"
He closed his eyes, not waiting for an answer. He thought of his hair, and that tingly feeling came back. He opened his eyes and smiled at them.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked as they sat staring at his now floor length hair.
"How did you do that?" Ginny asked when she finally regained the use of her voice.
"It's one of the training excersizes that I have to do to become an Animagus."
"But Harry," Hermione said. "You only started to read that book last night."
"I know but I made my hair grow several years back. I didn't mean to, it just happened. I guess I'm just a natural."
He closed his eyes to make his hair short again. Just as his hair was getting back to the normal length Ginny told him to stop.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Can you just go back a little."
He did as he was asked. Just as his hair was at his shoulders she said, "Okay. Leave it there, please."
"Okay, but why?"
She blushed and said, "Because it looks good that way."
"Oh," he said with a smile. "Okay."
*****************
Later that day, just after Harry lost again at chess to Ron, the portrait hole opened. Professor McGonagall walked in looked at Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore said that you would like to become an Animagus, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, ma'am," he said standing up.
"Have you read the book that Professor Dumbledore gave you?"
"Most of it."
"Good. Now the first thing you need to do is work on the excersizes that are mentioned. The first few are simple enough but take a little while to accomplish."
"What are they?" he asked.
"The first is to make your hair and nails grow and shorten at will. Now to." she started but was interrupted.
"Oh, you mean like this," he said as he closed his eyes and his hair receded into his scalp.
To say that she was stunned was an understatement. "How long have you been able to do that?"
"I did it once, unconsciously, several years ago. My aunt shaved my head. I was so terrified to go to school the next day that I wished my hair would come back. I must have dreamed about it because when I woke up the next morning it was."
"Harry, do you realize how amazing that is? I had to study and practice for a month before I could get any kind of noticeable difference."
He was stunned twice by these words. One was of course brought about by what she said. The other was the fact that she called him "Harry".
"Wow," he said as he grew his hair back out to the length that Ginny liked.
She shook her head and reverted back to that brisk manner that they were all used to.
"Well, since you've already completed that exercise continue on to the other ones. When you have completed them, we will begin with the actual transformation. I'll ask Professor Snape to brew a revealing potion so we can find out what your form will be. Goodnight."
"Thank you, Professor."
Her usually thin lips softened a little as a slight smile broke her face. She inclined her head to him before walking out the hole.
**************
The next three weeks passed as normal as possible for Harry Potter. Mrs. Weasley picked up all of his and the others' school things from Diagon Alley. Ron and Hermione also received their Owls a week after he did. Hermione of course made the highest number of OWLs at the school. Ron even did pretty well himself.
He was still working out every night. Thanks to the Room of Requirement, he was able to work with machines this time. He spent at least four hours a night in that room since he still couldn't sleep. His Occlumency lessons helped but he still wasn't able to stop the dreams from torturing him. His wandless magic had vastly improved. He was now able to conjure simple things out of thin air. He could also do some transfiguration. He had just completed all of the training exercises for Animagus training and was wandering the castle in search of Professor McGonagall. He had checked her classroom and the teachers lounge. He was now headed to Dumbledore's office.
After several attempts he finally figured out the password (acid pops). He went up the stairs and raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in, Harry."
"Hello, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Hello, Professor." he replied as he looked around. He said hello to Fawkes before looking back at Professor McGonagall. "I was looking for you, Professor."
"Well, you found me, Mr. Potter. What can I help you with?"
"Well, I finished all of the training exercises, and I'm ready to try my form. I wanted to find you because the book said that it can be dangerous."
"It's only been three weeks." she said increduously. Dumbledore just smiled while the twinkle in his eye danced merrily.
"I know"
"Well it's too soon to take the potion. Professor Snape hasn't been able to finish it."
"That's okay, Professor. I can feel it in me. It's like I can barely contain it."
"Very well but remember, don't let the beast's mind take over. You must remain in control of it at all times."
"Okay." was all he said as he scrunched up his face in concentration. He could feel the animal in him. It wanted out. It was pushing against the natural barriers that Harry's body set. He forced the walls that were holding the animal in down. He felt the beast burst free. He felt his mind start to change. He quickly forced down the animal instincts. He felt his body changing. He was growing bigger. He finally relaxed when his body quit tingling. He looked at his two Professors. They were both smiling proudly at him. Dumbledore conjured a mirror.
Harry turned to it and saw a huge lion staring back out at him. His emerald green eyes were staring back at him. His mane was pure black and stuck out at certain places. He groaned, or as much of a grown that can come from a lion, when he saw the small lightning shaped scar above the lions right eye.
Harry forced the animal back down and reverted to human form. Professor McGonagall started to congratulate him but stopped when Harry raised his hand out in front of him.
"There's something else in here." he said simply, pointing to is chest.
"What?" she asked.
"Well now that I've changed into the lion, I know what he feels like. I can sense something else pushing, trying to get out."
He quickly closed his eyes and released the animal. He forced down the animalistic feelings and looked up at the Professors.
"What the hell?" he thought to himself.
Both of the Professors were glowing red. He opened his mouth as if to say something to them but stopped when his tongue met the air. He could taste them. He shook his head before forcing the animal back down. He looked at the stunned look on both of the professors' face.
"What happened?" he asked them.
"You changed into a snake, Harry." Professor Dumbledore said while trying to shake the cobwebs.
"Oh, well that explains it," he said. He looked up at Professor McGonagall and smiled. He was about to say something to her when he felt it. Something else was there. "Wait, there's something else. This is different though."
"How so?" Dumbledore asked. Professor Mcgonagall looked ready to faint.
"Well this one is more powerful. It's not trying to force its way up though. It seems to be asking to be released. Hang on one second." he said before concentrating again.
He didn't even have to force down any animal feeling this time. He felt a welcome sense of calm envelop him. He was at peace with the world. He looked over at his two professors just in time to see Professor McGonagall faint. He quickly changed back and rushed to her.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly while trying to wake her up.
He looked up at Dumbledore for help. Dumbledore looked just as shocked, though thankfully less unconscious, than McGonagall. He snapped out of his stupor when they met eyes. He quickly made his way around the desk and muttered "Ennervate" while pointing his wand at her. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she met Harry's eyes.
"Are you okay, Professor?"
"Of course I am. That was just. wow. No one I've ever heard of could change into a magical creature."
"What magical creature?" he asked shocked.
"A phoenix, Harry. You changed into a beautiful phoenix."
"Really? Wow." he said before quickly changing back. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was red and looked a lot like Fawkes. "Wow," he thought. "I feel so at peace. This is amazing. I've still got that infernal scar though." His thoughts weren't mad though. He was happier than he had ever been. He changed back into a human. He smiled at the two professors just as he passed out.
********************
He opened his eyes to a white room. He could only make out a few vague shapes. The one next to his bed seemed to be on fire. He opened his mouth to warn her but was silenced when his glasses slid on. He smiled at Ginny and looked around again.
"Aw, man, not again," he groaned. "What happened this time?"
"Professor Dumbledore just said that you were exhausted. He wouldn't tell us anything else."
It all flashed back to him. He sat up quickly to look for Professor McGonagall. He groaned as his head started spinning. Madam Pomfrey bustled over to his bed holding a goblet in her hand.
"Here drink this," she said handing him the goblet. "It's strengthening potion."
He winced as it burned his throat on the way down. He felt the dizziness leave him and went to stand. Madam Pomfrey gently pushed him back down.
"Is Professor McGonagall okay?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, she is. You on the other hand are not. You've exhausted yourself somehow. Your magical energy is very low. You need to stay here for a few hours to allow the potion time to work. You can go to dinner with the others."
She turned and went back to her office. Harry looked over at Ginny. She grabbed his hand and looked down at him.
"What happened, Harry?"
"I turned into my Animagus forms."
"Really? Already?" she asked incredulously. "Wait a minute. Did you say forms?"
"Yep, I've got three."
"I think you'll find, Harry," Dumbledore said as he swept into the room followed by Professor McGonagall, Ron, and Hermione. "that you have more than three."
"What?" everyone asked in unison.
Dumbledore chuckled a little bit before continuing. "Well, to say that I was stunned at your transformations would be an understatement. When you turned into the phoenix it got me to thinking. You looked an incredible amount like Fawkes."
He was about to continue when Hermione spoke up. "You turned into a phoenix, Harry."
"Yep. See." he said as he changed into the phoenix.
Dumbledore and McGonagall yelled "no" but they were too late. Harry flew around the room a little while before settling on Ginny's shoulder. He trilled happily before landing back on the bed. He changed back and started to sit up. He found he couldn't move. Dumbledore was shaking his head but smiling nonetheless. McGonagall started in on him immediately.
"Mr. Potter, do you know how much of a strain it is to change forms? It depletes your magical power quite a bit until you become used to it. Your body has to adjust to the new form. Why do you think you passed out earlier. With your energy so low already, you shouldn't have even been able to transform. I take it you can't move right now."
Harry nodded.
"Well, your lucky that you didn't pass out again. Don't transform until you have rested and gotten your energy back up. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor," he said sheepishly as he felt Ginny's hand entwine in his own.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "Now that that's settled, back to what I was saying. I noticed Fawkes's recent behavior toward you and how much you looked like him. I decided to ask him if he knew anything, and to my surprise, he shed light over the whole deal. Fawkes, it seems, has made you a brother to him."
They all stared at Dumbledore in shock. He chuckled softly before continuing.
"Now, Harry, unless I'm much mistaken, you have not forgotten the events that transpired in the Chamber of Secrets," Dumbledore said. Harry felt Ginny hand clench when he mentioned the Chamber. He gave her a soft squeeze before nodding his head.
"Well then," Dumbledore said. "you remember getting bitten by the Basilisk and Fawkes healing you."
Harry nodded and Dumbledore continued.
"When that happened you formed a bond with both of them. You are the only person that has survived being poisoned by a Basilisk. When Fawkes's tears mingled with the Basilisk's venom you took some of both of their essences into you. You essentially became what muggles refer to as a blood brother to both of them."
"Wow" was all he was able to say. Dumbledore turned his head and said "Fawkes".
Fawkes appeared and trilled to Dumbledore. Dumbledore could, of course, understand him because he was Fawkes's master. The surprising thing was that Harry could now understand what he was saying too.
*Have you told him, master?*
*Yes I have, Fawkes.*
Harry opened his mouth to say something, but instead he trilled.
*Hello, Fawkes,* he said surprising himself.
Fawkes tilted his head at him before flying over to his side.
*Hello, brother.*
*Why haven't you told anyone before that we were brothers?*
*You weren't ready to know yet. Even if I had told master, he wouldn't have told you. You needed to assume your form first. I could feel the power growing in you, and I knew it was a matter of time before you transformed. When you released the phoenix within, you became able to talk to me. Then I knew it was time to tell you. When master mentioned sending you a gift this summer, I immediately volunteered. I wanted to see you, and I'm afraid I may have confused you with my affection. I'm sorry.*
*No need to be sorry, Fawkes. I was glad that you trusted me enough to show me that kind of affection.*
Fawkes trilled happily and nuzzled against his brother's neck. Dumbledore finally cleared his throat having heard the whole conversation.
When Harry looked around at him, something else entered his mind. "Sir, didn't you say that I had more than three forms?"
"That I did, Harry. You see, you bonded to both Fawkes and the Basilisk. You could already speak Parseltongue so that didn't matter. But since the Basilisk is considered the King of all Serpents, you should be able to change into any snake that you want to. You could possibly even change into a Basilisk, though I would warn you against that. As you know, their gaze is deadly."
"Yes, sir," he said. He had no intention of turning into a Basilisk, ever.
"You never cease to amaze me, Mr. Potter."
He looked past Dumbledore to see where the voice had come from. Having heard everything when she came out of her office, Madam Pomfrey couldn't help her response. The others seeing the look on her face couldn't help but start laughing, even Professor McGonagall.