I, in no way form or fashion, own anything to do with Harry Potter; except for some really classy boxers. JK Rowling owns this stuff. Thanks to several of you for giving me the confidence to attempt this effort. Same goes to a couple who unknowingly fine-tuned the concepts in my head.

Chapter 10 – A Christmas to Remember

Harry continued to think about his animagus form. He had two of the books on McGonagall's list. The other two he found in the Auror library. Signing out the books he took them home with him. Each evening he read until he fell asleep.

After three weeks of reading he was only slightly closer to his final form, but understood the theory. He knew the spell, counter-charm and laws related to an animagus. He accepted that a phoenix was beyond his skills, there were just too many problems and he felt guilty about offending Fawkes who had saved his life multiple times. The dragon was entirely out, the ones he had actually seen had terrified him to the point of panic. If he changed into one in his home, then panicked and couldn't change back; no, that was not an option.

But the lion, eagle, and dragon kept mixing themselves in his visions. He dreamed of all three mating or merging at random and woke every morning in a sweat. He also met and greeted all three while meditating.

Work was going well, but the images kept floating through his mind randomly.

Finally, Harry asked Ron to come over for dinner and a talk on Saturday in order to distract his mind. Harry and Ron talked for several hours about anything and everything, finally ending with what they wanted to get the girls for Christmas.

Finally Harry raised the subject. "Ron, I need to ask you for a favor. It is a big one, so don't agree without really, really considering it."

"Harry what is it mate? You aren't thinking about Ginny staying here over Christmas of something mental like that? It ain't gonna happen if that's it."

"No, nothing like that. I need your help with something big."

"Other than that, anything Harry."

"I want to try for an animagus. I have three or four images that keep going through my head, so I am not sure what it will be, I need to teach you a counter spell for if it goes wrong."

"Bloody hell, seriously? Do you think you can manage it? I hear it is seriously hard to do."

"I am confident I can do it, but if I botch it I need you to undo it."

"Yeah, right. How hard is this spell, is it like the animagus thing?"

"No, it is really similar to the Transformation stuff we did at Hogwarts in sixth year. But if I botch it, I can't change back. Will you help? You can't tell anyone until I register though."

"Yeah, alright. If you think I can manage it, I will give it a go."

Harry and Ron worked on the counter-spell for two hours until they thought they had it. Harry called the two house-elves and explained what about to happen and told them all wait at the top of the stairs. Harry set himself when Ron said he was ready and started to concentrate.

Still all three images were scrambling in his brain, merging, changing. Finally he thought, "In for a penny, in for a pound," and cast the spell, forcing himself to merge with the image.

Next think he heard was a shriek of fright and Ron charging up to the level with the house-elves. Harry opened his eyes and everything looked different. The dark room was filled with light and he felt strange. He tried to turn and looked up feeling completely off balance. He looked behind him and saw… wings. He tried to turn and destroyed a table and lamp. Frightened, he concentrated on his human form and then the feeling was gone. He sat down looking at the damage in the room and looked up at the landing. He saw complete and utter fear from all three faces.

"What, what happened?"

"Harry, you turned into a manticore, mate. Seriously, an effing manticore, Harry. What were you thinking?"

"Well that explains a lot," Harry said without expanding on the statement. "Brilliant!"

"No, it bloody well isn't. What were you thinking?"

"A lion, eagle and dragon kept floating through my head. I couldn't figure out why, they kept merging and changing. What type of tail was it?"

"Seriously mate, you think this is good? You looked like one of Hagrid's pets." Ron was having problems with this, but finally he said, "Like the Horntail, all spiky."

"Makes sense now. I just need to practice flying so I can use the form before I register."

"No you bloody well don't. Where is a bleedin' manticore supposed to practice being a bloody manticore?"

"The Burrow," Harry said in jest, laughing at Ron's terror filled eyes. "Seriously, we visited every wilderness area in Britain last year, I can find a place. Oh, come on down you three."

Ron came down slowly, the two house-elves followed. Once everyone was down, the little creatures bowed reverently. "Master Harry, youse is a powerful wizard. We is honored to serve Harry Potter."

Harry didn't know how to respond to that, so just must mumbled thanks.

"Tomorrow I am going to the mountains, will you come? I need someone to help me learn to fly."

"Yeah okay, but I don't like it."

Harry and Ron apparated to a remote area near the mountains outside of Hogwarts. They figured that if anyone saw a manticore, they would put it off to Hagrid's obsession with 'intrestin' creatures'. After Harry learned how to fly and practiced his other manticore skills it would be safe to let his boss know and register his animagus.

Harry had crashed before, on a broom. It was not the same as crashing with wings. Harry finally took a break and watched the birds for an hour, before trying again. On the third try after his rest, he finally managed to get airborne. Harry practiced the remainder of the day until he felt comfortable. Harry spent another hour shooting spikes into trees until he could hit the target the majority of the time.

Ron was far more comfortable with the situation now, knowing Harry wasn't going to eat him like Manticores were rumored to do. Like the texts from school said they did out of instinct. They apparated back home late that day, with Harry assuring Ron he would register in the morning when he went to work.

Harry entered the Ministry and knew something was happening. He took the lift to the DMLE and found everyone scrambling.

Ariana looked up and said, "Harry, grab a pack. All hands on deck for this one. You and I are doing perimeter security." Harry knew the packs inventory from memory: two days rations, muggle money, lightweight dragon skin body armor, two healing potions, a muggle pen and parchment, muggle rope, muggle handcuffs, muggle bandages and a map of London. The muggle equipment was there in case they captured any colluding muggles; they could be handed off to the muggle law enforcement with minimal questions.

Harry completely forgot his animagus and grabbed a backpack. He waited for Ariana to finish before considering any questions.

Ariana turned, "Mulciber was spotted just north of Cardiff. We're to apparate to a village called Merthy Tydfil, just west of Merlin's Cave. We're to ease our way into town from the north end. We usually don't do this without planning, but Mulciber is one of the big fish. Do you think you're ready for this?"

"I think so, if neither of us are killed I assume this will go into my assessment as favorable," he said laughing?

Momentarily shocked, Ariana finally laughed and said, "Well, as long as I live, full marks."

The office left in pairs, Harry and Ariana side-along apparating to a set of woods on the norther edge of the village. "I came here on vacation with my folks years ago. It was the closest magical community near to Merlin's Cave. We walk down this road."

The two of them headed towards Merthy Tydfil holding hands, acting like a young couple on an outing. Harry just hoped there were no photographers for Ginny to find out about this part through the Daily Prophet. Harry kept his eyes scanning the woods along the road until they came is sight of the town.

After entering the city, Ariana spotted a bench near the south end of Whitney Park which had a good view of the road and targeted pub. They walked over and sat down with Ariana looking over his shoulder towards the town. Harry watched north, he did NOT like having his back to the Death-Eaters.

Time creeped by, like the feeling he had along his spine. All of a sudden there was an explosion behind him and both of the Aurors jumped behind the large three next to the bench. Ariana kept watch on the pub, Harry kept watch on the road and woods north of them. Ariana grabbed his arm and started moving towards the pub.

An orange flash of light shot past them, then red. Ariana pulled Harry behind the tree just as a green flash destroyed the bench. At that point, Harry stopped worrying about the north end of town.

Turning to look, the two Aurors began to battle Mulciber and three of his companions. With two enemies a piece the battle was fast and loud. Harry saw legs hanging from the front of the pub, hoping it was death-eater, knowing it probably wasn't. The battle raged for several minutes until Ariana was hit by a cutting curse. She screamed and fell, blood covering her leg. At that point it was four-to-one.

Harry, anger surfaced as he saw Mulciber smile in victory, Stupefy. Two of these miserable, shabbily, dress killers were thrown 30 feet into the corner of the pub which basically disintegrated. The other two, stared open mouthed then started fighting harder. Immoblulus, one more down. The last opponent cast yet another killing curse at the two Aurors, it barely missed. Harry was hit with a cutting curse and as he hit the ground and rolled he saw the last death-eater, pointing his wand at Ariana.

"Avar.."

'To hell with this!,' suddenly next to Ariana there was a manticore. The death-eater could not decide how best to panic, but terror filled his soul and he just stared. Harry took flight and pounced, tearing the throat out of the remaining opponent.

Just as quickly he changed back and ran to Ariana, Think, think, Potter! He remember is potions book and the attack on Draco from his sixth year, Think, what was that spell? It came to him and the healing spell for the curse, "Vulnera Sanentur!" It didn't work as well as he hoped, but he kept doing it until the bleeding had mostly stopped. Harry assumed it only worked on the damage from Snape's curse.

After Ariana started to breathe normally, he went across the street and magically secured the three remaining, still living, death-eaters. Moving all four across the street near Ariana who had finally sat up, he moved everyone into the woods. He immediately started casting the protective spells, he was very familiar with, around them.

After he double checked Ariana and verified the death-eaters were secure, he moved to the door of the pub. Two Aurors were laying there, one dead. He cast Rennervate on the unconscious Auror and moved the dead Auror to the woods with the others. The semi-conscious Auror stumbled along and took a seat next to Airiana.

"Are you two alright here? I need to find the others and get help." Harry tried not to look at the dead man, whose throat he had torn out.

Ariana mumble she was alright, the other Auror just nodded and continued to stare at the ravaged villain.

Harry cast a disillionment charm on himself and made his way down the road until he came to Gawain. Dispelling the charm, he approached Robards. "Gawain, we need help up at the end of the road by the park."

"What's up Harry, we're waiting for Mulciber in the flat across the way."

"He's not there. He's is up in the park by the pub, unconscious. We need help," he repeated.

"Alright, let's go. You three with me, you two keep watch in case he's wrong."

The five made their way back to the park where the piles of bodies were hidden behind Harry's shields. Robards took a curious look at the dead man, confirmed the other three were secure and then checked on his two Aurors. He also cast a healing spell, but it had no effect.

"Must have been a curse. You three, take these prisoners back to the Ministry. After they're secure, no wait. Potter, can you take Ariana side-along to St. Mungo's?"

"I've never taken anyone side-along, but I'm sure I can manage."

"Okay, let's send a Patronus recalling the others, then you and I will go to St. Mungo's with these two. One of you return for the dead fellow, and dispel these wards. Then you and I, Harry, we're going to have a chat."

The two Aurors and two of the prisoners ended up in St. Mungo's overnight. Harry spent several hours filling out reports, stopping at the point where he changed into an animagus. Harry looked up and Gawain was standing behind him.

"Gawain, can we go into the training room?"

"Sure, is that where you are going to show me the spell that tore out Jennings throat? That's the name of the death-eater who died."

"Yeah, something like that."

Harry followed Robards to the training room, making sure the door was closed and locked. Robards raised his eyebrow, but said nothing.

Harry sat down, Robards sat with him. "I didn't want to kill Jennings, was it? Ariana was down, there were four of them firing killing curses. Two were still there, trying to kill us when it happened. I had secured one, but the other was getting ready to kill Ariana, I couldn't let it happen.

"I have been working on this for a couple of months. I finally figure it out yesterday. I was planning to let you know, but we were called to the stake out before I could do anything about it. Please don't cast any spells at me, I am still working through the… associated problems."

Robards curiosity was peaked and he watched as Harry walked to the middle of the room and changed. Robards gaped, wiped his eyes and fainted.

Harry changed back, walked over and thought, "Could have been worse."

After Harry woke Robards, he just sat there. Finally he asked, "Did anyone see this, other than Jennings?"

"Maybe a muggle or two saw it, if they were looking out the windows. None of us nor the Death-Eaters as far I can tell, except Jennings."

"Alright, let me think. You swear to me you only figured this out yesterday."

Harry nodded, "Yeah."

"It's bloody brilliant. I need to think this through. Consider yourself having had reported this, for now. Go get your report, and come back here. I need to go see someone."

Harry went, retrieved his reports and returned. He took a seat and waited. A bit later, the door opened and in walked Robards with Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Sir, I need to know how you want to handle this.. situation. Harry has recently developed a skill, it's rather impressive. Let me explain what happened. One of the death-eaters was, for lack of a better term, ravaged. It could have been a curse or transfiguration of another creature. Well, that is the general twist of my recommended report. Harry, show the Minister."

Kingsley handled the manticore much better than Robards, he laughed. "Why am I not surprised? You continue to amaze me Harry. Who else has seen this Harry?"

"Just my friend Ron Weasley, I asked him to be there to cast the counter-spell if something went wrong."

"Harry, finish your report as a cutting curse you learned while on the run last year. In the meantime keep this between us for now. Tell Ron to keep quite also. I need to consider this. Animagus in one thing, there are a few around, but a manticore… Thanks for an interesting morning, gentlemen," Kingsley walked back to his office laughing and mumbling to himself.

"Sir, can I try something before we finish my report?"

"What do you have in mind, Harry?"

"I want to attempt something I read about, I'm not sure it will work."

Harry closed his mind like using Occulmency, and forced himself into the other image. Robards blinked staring at a badger. Harry returned to his human form, overjoyed and surprised.

"Can we register that form, and use it as the cause for Jennings?"

"I, uh, well, uh yeah, that'll work I guess. I am positive the regulations just require that we identify what form, not forms, the animagus become.

"Finish your report while I let the Minister know he has a soon to be registered animagus in the Auror office, a badger. Why me?"

Harry finished his report, and made his way over to the registration office. Harry was now a registered animagus badger. He went back to the office and sat at his desk, reviewing his report.

After a second time reviewing it for the adjusted truth, he laid the report on Ariana's desk for her approval and went to Diagon Alley to see Ron and George. They brothers were just closing for the night when Harry walked in the door.

Harry was fairly certain George had rung from Ron the reason he was in just a state. He wanted to ensure they understood the official story though, before rumors started or the story hit the press. After the store was locked, the two brothers drug Harry upstairs to their apartment. George was the first to bring up the subject. "Alright Harry, give. Is it true?"

Harry went to the windows and cast Obscuro and Muffliato at each window. Harry then started in with, "I need to have you guys keep this quiet, at least until it's in the Prophet. Yes, I am now a registered animagus, but there is a complication."

"Bloody right there is," said Ron.

"Let me explain before you decide how much of a problem. I have two forms."

"Go on with you, no one can do that," George snorted in derision.

"One is on record, the other is not. Only you two, the Head Auror and the Minister know the first. Everyone will know the second by tomorrow night. I need you to keep this quiet."

After Harry confirmed the secret, that Ron couldn't keep. He then changed into badger.

The Weasley brothers were floored. Harry told the two to only confirm the badger, and only after the story was public. After agreeing to this story, Harry went home to send some owls. Both Helena and Aristotle flew with the information to Hogwarts and the Weasleys. Hogwarts had three letters, one each for Hermione, Ginny and Professor McGonagall telling them about the badger form.

Ginny and Hermione were stunned at Harry's news. Professor McGonagall just gave her small tart smile and a knowing look at the girls. Luna was thrilled with the news once it came out, but it ran through the hall of Hogwarts like a Fyrefiend.

The two weeks until Christmas break was a torment neither dealt with very well. Finally the day came for the train to leave and both women bounced the stuffing out of their seats in anticipation in their compartment.

An entire crowd was waiting for the ladies when they arrived. Ginny leapt into Harry's arms with Harry trying to keep his balance. The ride home was filled with varying comments of "When did it happen?"; "Why were you on an Auror mission already?"; "What was the story about you crippling Death-Eaters with every spell?"

While Harry was tired of the questions by the time they arrived, everyone was ready to see the badger. Harry romped around the room jumping on furniture and chasing Crookshanks up the stairs which set George to howling with laughter and Hermione to just howling in general.

Christmas presents were piled as usual on Christmas. Everyone received some type of Wheeze from Ron and George, the exception was a locket for Hermione that smelled like flowers when it was opened. Ron knew he made the right choice when he said, "Now you always have flowers."

Hermione was stunned both at the statement and the gift. Ginny just smiled watching Hermione hug and kiss her brother.

Harry's presents for everyone were well thought out. He tried hard to find things all over London for each one. Bill and Fleur received matching silk dress cloaks. Molly Weasley received a crystal figurine which glowed softly in the dark. Arthur received an Erector Set which operated using a crank motor to provide the electricity. Hermione received a very old book on magical creatures. Ron and George got matching dragon skin wand sheathes for their arms and a pair of joke cups from a muggle store which farted when they drank from them. George and Ron had to leave the room, both laughing so loudly and at their mother's shouts of indignant outrage.

The best was saved for Ginny. Harry had a long talk with Arthur over the past weeks; he had then smoothed things over with Molly. Ginny after seeing everyone else's was looking at Harry anticipating what was coming.

Harry handed Ginny a small box from which he drew a gold ring with two emeralds that matched Harry's eyes. "This is a promise ring, Ginny. It is so that you know I will be waiting for you when you're done with school. I promised your parents I wouldn't ask you to marry me until after you graduate and I am done with Auror training. I hope you like it."

Ginny put the ring on her finger and the look on her face captured Harry's heart like nothing else ever had. After a passionate kiss that made Molly and Arthur Weasley begin some not-so-subtle coughing noises they broke apart.

After breakfast, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny went for a walk to the field where they practiced Quidditch in years past. He took them into the woods to an open area. "Okay Ginny, this is the second surprise, but it is our secret, okay?"

"Sure Harry, are we going to snog here too?"

Ron couldn't even frown, knowing what was about to happen. He just stepped back to be able to see both Ginny and Hermione's reaction.

Harry just smiled and changed into a manticore. Laughing is not a natural sound for a manticore, and Ginny was startled twice. Both girls slowly walked up to the manticore and gently asked, "Harry?"

The manticore walked around them, nuzzling them. Finally Harry changed back and they spent the next hour talking. Hermione was worried about the reported evil nature of the manticore, but fascinated with the dual animagus and magical core issues. They walked back to the Burrow, the four of them now up to date and current. They were overjoyed with their ever increasing special relationship.