Disclaimer: See previous chapters
(A/N: Here it is! I'm out of school now, so hopefully I'll start writing more, and get a regular update schedule going on. I was happy to see all but two of the reviews, but see my comments below, after you read)
Chapter 10: Welcome to the Marauders!
It had been an eventful three days for Harry. As he waited eagerly for the night of the full moon, and his consequent Marauder's Quest, he had been busy exploring his shifter abilities. One thing that he had discovered was the ability to "copy and paste," was Harry's term for it. Basically, he took parts of animals or any other item that he wanted, and put it on a completely different animal form or his human self. Fawkes' favorite was the Basilisk having a runespoor type head system, with sheepdog hair covering their eyes. Hedwig enjoyed seeing Harry the human made up of differently colored feathers.
Aragog's gift was put to good use as he climbed up the tall walls of the Chamber to fix cracks, leaks, and other miscellaneous broken stuff. Harry grinned as he thought of him climbing to the floor vertically. That was fun, although Hedwig jokingly flew around in alarm, acting as if the fire department needed to be called.
Shadow Walking was another fun activity that Harry had done. He discovered that in his Animagus form, he could easily go from shadow to shadow easily. He tried it as a human, and while he was able to melt into the shadows and go to the Shadow Realm, he got hopelessly lost, and had to transform into his Animagus form to get out. Still, it was fun to appear out of nowhere and scare Fawkes, then escape before the bird could retaliate.
Eventually, the time passed, and Harry was waiting in the Shrieking Shack for Moony, the last original Marauder. Even though moonrise was about a half hour away, Harry started to pace. It was a familiar habit, and Harry liked to think while wearing a path in the floor. For this special occasion, Harry transformed into his Animagus form. He was a bit worried about Moony and what a werewolf bite could do to him, but he rationalized that his dad and Sirius got bit a time or two, and nothing happened to him. Also, the Wolfsbane that Remus had been taking would calm down the wolf inside.
Harry's head perked up when his ear caught the sound of footsteps outside. Although he knew it was Remus, Harry decided to go into the nearest shadow, just to be safe.
Remus stumbled into the room, cursing. He hadn't taken one dose of the required three of the Wolfsbane Potion, and was consequently in a bit of pain. The wolf inside of him rose up, not entirely tamed by the potion. And his transformation was coming early.
He looked around the room once before he fell to the ground, the first wave of transformation gripping him. His last human thought was he was glad that Harry hadn't arrived yet.
Moony rose from the floor, eyes glowing in the rising moon. He was cognizant of the fact that he was still part human, and knew he would remember everything in the morning. Right now, however, he wasn't in control. The wolf was, and the wolf smelled another in the room.
He ripped apart an already-ragged chair, growling. The other wolf seemed to be here, according to scent, but there was no sight of him.
Turning to exit the Shrieking Shack, wanting out, he heard a noise that he hadn't made. Whirling, all he saw was the flash of a shiny fang in the shadows, before the form tackled him. Moony growled, and tried to fling off the wolf that had come from seemingly nowhere. The strange wolf resisted, and a muzzle closed around Moony's own.
In a flash, the wolf inside him quailed at the signal. Moony recognized the signal as one of superiority. This other wolf was alpha male, and the wolf inside Moony knew that. To show that he understood, Moony laid on his back, showing the other wolf his pale-furred belly, his white flag of surrender.
The other wolf backed off, and allowed Moony to get up. Alpha dominance showed clearly in his pose, Moony thought as he stood on his feet. Then he looked into the other wolf's eyes. They were green. A quick glance at the wolf's head showed a patch of grayish fur in the shape of a lightning bolt above the right eye.
Moony's body language reflected surprise, asking the question that he couldn't. The wolf wagged his tail in affirmation. Moony yipped excitedly, and began licking Harry's wolf chin, a sign of affection. Harry knocked Moony away, and tackled him again, this time in a friendly manner.
Moony won the first few times of tackle, mostly because he had more experience with canine wrestling. Soon afterward, Harry began drawing even with Moony, then won almost every time. In between games of tackle, they took short naps, or played tug-of-war with a broken chair leg, or something to the effect.
They were both tired when the sun started to rise. Moony transformed back, with little pain, and Harry shifted as well when Moony was done.
"Well, Moony, that was fun!" Harry exclaimed, exhausted.
The last Marauder smiled. "Yes, it was. Nice form, Harry!"
"Thanks, Moony." Harry grinned.
"You're quite welcome, Shadowfang." Moony had decided on the name after his first glimpse of Harry, a fang in the shadows.
Harry blinked. "Shadowfang, huh? I like it! So I guess I'm pretty much a Marauder?"
Moony shook his head. "Not until you do the Quest. Do you have the Map with you? I got permission from Dumbledore to use the castle."
Harry nodded. "Yes, I do. Speaking of, please don't tell Dumbledore about my form. Make an excuse or something."
Moony sighed. "Just because I was a Marauder people seem to think that I don't have any sense." He teased. Harry stuck his tongue out at the former Professor.
Harry took a deep breath, and looked at the piece of parchment in front of them. He placed his hand on it, and said, like he'd been told to, "I wish to take the Marauder's Quest." The last Marauder watched anxiously, hoping that Harry would work the quest out.
The Marauder's Map flashed, and Harry's wide eyes regarded the writing that appeared. "Messrs Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs present the Marauder's Quest. If any of the above are mentioned, please ask them to leave, as this Quest is private."
Harry turned to Moony. "Um, Moony, the Map says you have to leave."
"Are you sure, Harry?" Moony asked in surprise. When they'd created the Quest option (Peter decided that it wasn't needed, and refused to do it.), they hadn't put anything in the Quest that would ask the applicant to make an original Marauder leave.
Harry nodded, and Moony sighed and walked away. The werewolf wanted to be there for Harry, but the Map said… and it couldn't lie.
When Moony had gone, new writing appeared. "Future Marauder, according to our records, you have been highly recommended by three of the original Marauders. We will ask three questions, and then give you directions. Do not be afraid to answer out loud, and follow the directions to the letter.
"First question; do you have an existing name given to you by a Marauder? If so, please state it."
Harry smiled. "I was given the name Shadowfang by Moony." The Map seemed to absorb this, and it was a few seconds before new writing appeared.
"Second question; how many detentions have you gotten for; ticking off a teacher, breaking a rule, playing a prank, getting in general trouble, etc."
Harry had to think about that. With all of those detentions with Umbridge, he had lost count. "Uh, I had this one teacher I really didn't like, and she gave me detention for too many times to count because I kept ticking her off. Let's see, there was one time in first year when I was out past curfew, second year because I helped fly a car into the Whomping Willow, in fifth year, that was the too many detentions to count because of that teacher."
"Anything else you'd like to tell us?" Harry grinned at that. "Well, I have probably broken the most rules, school and Ministry, that anyone else my age has. As for pranks, I'm planning a few right now but… does not stopping one from taking place count?"
"Close enough. Last question; what do you think of Voldemort?"
Harry saw red, and was afraid that he couldn't recall the specifics of what he said later. "… And a bloody wanker! In short, I hate his guts!" He finished up, breathing heavily.
"Don't mince words, tell us what you really think!" Harry chuckled. The Map continued. "We find your answers to be satisfactory. As of now, your quest begins. You are to find the Marauder's lair using only this map and what has been placed around the school. You may not consult any Marauders. Any questions?"
"Yes. Does this quest have a time limit?" Harry asked.
"Not in particular. The faster you find it though, the better chances you have." Harry nodded. "I understand."
"Happy Hunting!" The writing vanished, and the map reappeared.
Harry found an empty classroom, and sat down to think. First, the Lair had to be near Gryffindor Tower or have a secret route to the Tower. It only made sense; all four of the Marauders were Gryffindor, and they needed to be able to get to the Tower quickly in the case of pranks or curfew falling. Second, the Lair would probably need to have a direct line to the kitchens, as the Marauders were… well, boys. Food would probably have been a major part of their pranks.
Harry looked at the map, and willed it to show Gryffindor Tower and its surrounding area. The image appeared, and Harry looked closely at it. There was a passage that ended right next to the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. Close to that passage, another one opened up, going straight down to… Harry couldn't see it, but he bet that it led either into or right next to the kitchen. Harry smiled, and closed the map. The Marauder's Lair was somewhere around that area. He headed toward the Gryffindor Tower.
An hour later, a frustrated Harry sat down and collapsed against a wall. He had searched everywhere in the area, and there was nothing but blank wall. There were no torches to pull, indentions in the stone, nothing to indicate if the Lair was there. The Map wasn't giving him any hints. And to top off his irritation, every time he was searching, something flickered at the corners of his eyes. When he turned around, nothing was there.
Harry leaned his head against the wall, and closed his eyes. Immediately, he opened them. Bewildered, he looked around. Nothing was there except the wall in front of him. He closed his eyes, and saw it again. According to his closed eyes, there was a web of strange light on the wall in front of him. The web was in the shape of a door…
Harry frowned, and opened his eyes again. This must have been a Council Gift, probably Aragog's. But what was he seeing? Once again he closed his eyes, and observed. The light web was pulsing, and there was a spot in the middle that was too bright to see. Colors blended together, pulled apart, all within the strands in the light web.
Eyes still closed, Harry reached toward where the web was. Where his finger should have been, another, more tightly packed web in the shape of his hand, colored golden. His eyes shot open. Could it be? Harry remembered what had happened right after the Aurors arrived. The spell performed on his wand caused it to glow golden, and the Aurors were looking for golden taint… Could it be that he was seeing magic? His… and the spells used to hide the Marauder's lair?
Well, there was only one way to find out. Harry drew his wand, closed his eyes, and said Lumos. Immediately, his wand glowed golden, and the spell was white, with some gold web stands in them. Harry knew then that his theory was true.
Grinning, Harry cancelled the spell then touched the brightest spot on the wall in front of him. His eyes opened again, and he felt a surge of triumph when the wall split and slid away. He stepped in, and looked around in awe.
There were couches, in Gryffindor red scattered around, a huge Marauder's Map on a wall, and a big library on what looked to be all books on pranks and how to pull them. It looked homey, with a bit of a war room feel. On one wall, tacked in, was a non-moving picture of a young Snape, with scorch marks all around the frame. Harry guessed that it was used for target practice. Luckily for the picture, whoever threw the spells had lousy aim.
Harry took out the Map. "I have found the Marauder's Lair." He stated. Writing appeared. "Very good. You have successfully completed the Quest, and are now a full-fledged Marauder. Since you are the first to access the Map's Quest feature, any student who wishes to join must meet your approval. We leave the formation of the new Marauders up to you, Shadowfang."
The Map stopped writing, and instead, a new room appeared on the Map. Harry looked closer, and saw that it was titled "The Marauder's Lair" The newest Marauder grinned, and thought that it must only appear to those who were Marauders.
Remus looked at his watch and sighed. It had been over an hour and a half since he had left Harry. The last original Marauder hoped that Harry had completed the quest successfully.
"Moony? Hello? Earth to Moony!" He blinked, and saw the hand waving in front of his face. Moony followed the hand to its owner, a grinning Harry Potter. "Oh, you are alive. Anyway, I'm done."
Moony sat up excitedly. "You passed?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "No, I just spent the past few minutes looking for you to tell you I failed. Of course I passed, Moony! I am now, officially, a Marauder."
"Harry, that's wonderful! I mean… Shadowfang." Moony grinned, and slapped Harry on the back. The teen smiled back, and growled. The wolf inside Moony, still somewhat awake after last night, made him back down, recognizing the alpha wolf inside. Harry looked at Moony amused, guessing correctly why Moony backed off.
"Well, Moony, I'm sorry, but I have to go."
The werewolf nodded. "I understand, Harry. Owl me whenever you can. Do you already have your fellow Marauders picked out?"
"Of course. In fact, I'm meeting with them in" Harry checked his watch "An hour or so. And I need to get ready."
Moony sighed. "Go ahead, Harry."
Harry grinned at Moony and waved his hand goodbye. He jogged out of sight of the werewolf, and transformed into his Animagus form. Looking around, Harry slipped into the nearest shadow, and Shadow Walked to the Chamber. He still had a letter to send before he met with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
Professor Snape leaned back in his chair, and looked warily at the small package and letter in front of him. It had been delivered a few minutes ago by a Snowy Owl, who swooped in, laid the package on his desk, and swooped out. It didn't appear to be anything dangerous, but then again, he couldn't be too sure. Finally, he decided to open the letter, after checking for any spells (there weren't any).
Dear Professor Snape,
I know it will probably be a big surprise to see this letter, as we aren't on the best of terms. Still, please read on. I have a few things I want to say.
First of all, I'm sorry I looked in your Pensieve. It was wrong of me, and I shouldn't have done it. Second, I apologize for my dad. He was a git to you, and you didn't deserve it. Last, I'm sorry that I blamed you about Sirius. It wasn't your fault; I realize that now, nobody's fault but Voldemort and Bellatrix.
Another thing that you should realize is that I'm not my dad. I may look like James Potter, but I'm not him. So please stop treating me like I am. Yes, I am my father's son, but I'm also my mother's. Remember that.
I also want to take your NEWT Potions class come the first semester. I don't know yet what my owl grades are, but if they are not enough, I ask that you please allow me in. I know you think that I'm incompetent, and perhaps I was, but I'm not any longer. During this summer, I've made many successful potions. If you do not believe me, please, look in the package I've sent with you. It contains a potion that I made, and I believe you will recognize it immediately. I have tested it, and found it to be close to perfect. If you do not believe me, test it yourself. I can now only await your answer.
Oh, and I give you fair warning: I will not take any of your crap anymore. I'm not a child, and I won't take being treated like one any more. If you cannot realize that I'm an adult, I would be more than happy to show you what I've learned over the summer.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
Snape looked at the letter in disbelief. Had that brat actually threatened him? He decided to deal with Potter later, and opened the package that was on his desk.
Snape's eyebrows rose to new heights when he looked at the vial containing white potion. It looked to be perfectly made… but it was impossible! Even he, as a Potions Master, could not make such a beautifully white Animagus Potion! The closest he had ever gotten was an eggshell white, not nearly as effective as a true white was supposed to have been.
The Potions Professor took the vial, and carefully stored it in his private cabinet. Then he sat down in his chair to think about what he was going to do with Potter.
"What time is it again?" Ron asked, impatient. They were at the Three Broomsticks, thirty minutes early thanks to Hermione, and waiting for Harry to show.
Ginny sighed, and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Almost four. Harry will be here Ron, just be patient!"
Earlier today, Hedwig had come, dropped off a note that simply said "four o'clock," and left. Hermione insisted that they get there early, so the teens managed to sneak out of Headquarters and catch the Knight Bus to Hogsmeade. There, they ordered butterbeers, and talked quietly, awaiting Harry's arrival.
"Ron, just be quiet. Harry'll be here. And be grateful that we're out of Headquarters." Ginny added her own two Knuts.
"Headquarters is rather dull, isn't it?"
The three of them whipped their heads to see an amused Harry Potter standing in front of their booth. "Hello, girls and guy. Fancy meeting you here."
Harry slid into the booth on Ron's side, and motioned them to be quiet. "Yes, yes, it's good to see you too. We can't talk here. Pay for your butterbeers, and let's go."
Ron coughed, having swallowed wrong at Harry's attitude. It was decidedly different than the one he had sported at the end of last school year. "Where are we going to go?" He asked.
"Someplace private. In other words, where I live now."
At those words, Hermione put a few Galleons on the table to pay for the butterbeers, and motioned for Harry to lead the way. Ginny sighed, gulped down the last of her drink, and slid out of the booth. Harry got up, helped Ron out of the booth, and exited the Three Broomsticks. The others followed him, until Harry stopped in a remote area on the outskirts of the Forbidden Woods.
"Harry, please don't tell me we're going in there! We didn't part with Aragog on the best of terms, remember?" Ron pleaded.
Harry's eyebrow rose in amusement. "No, we're not. This is where we're hitching a ride." What the others didn't hear was Harry's silent mind call. "Fawkes, could you please come here? I need you to flame Ron, Ginny, and Hermione to the Chamber of Secrets."
"Why can't you do it?" Came the reply. "Because my shifter abilities are supposed to be a secret, remember? C'mon Fawkes, I need your help."
Harry heard the Phoenix snort. "Oh, very well. And I suppose you couldn't Shadow Walk them there?" He knew he won.
"Don't want to risk taking passengers." Harry told the Phoenix.
"Um Harry, are you in there? Where are we going to hitch a ride? Do you mean the Knight Bus?" Ginny asked tentatively. Harry's expression had turned blank for a few seconds there.
As if in answer to her question, Fawkes appeared in a burst of flames. "No, not the Knight Bus, Ginny. Everyone grab a hold of Fawkes' tail, and he'll transport us here.
"Welcome aboard Fawkes' transport service! Please keep all arms, legs, and any other appendage you do not wish to lose inside at all times." Fawkes grumbled. Harry laughed as the Phoenix disappeared, with the teens.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny opened their eyes after the strangest ride they'd ever had. Ginny gasped as she realized where they were. Ron thought he knew, and Hermione guessed.
Harry grinned at them all, and Fawkes flew up to join Hedwig on her favorite perch. "Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets, my new home." Harry bowed.
Well, here it is! I hope you like! Like I said, I'm out of school now, so I'll try to get a regular update schedule up. I wantto give everyone's reviews a chance to come in before I post a new chappie, so it'll be at least a day between updates.
For the two reviews I was not pleased to see, I've boldened their sn's, so they're easily findable. Please, join me as I point and laugh at them.
Wow, HecateDeMort, and Matt 101: Thanks, I'm glad you like! I appreciate your reviews!
Makotochi: I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do in the first chapters. I've kind of gotten the hang of it now. I hope you'll forgive me if I skip a bit of time so that the summer doesn't drag on forever. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like.
PsychicLunar: No lollies, although you mentioned a form, but since it wasn't technically your answer, I can't give one to you. I also liked your little comment (the one your gym teacher liked) As for my life, I'm kind of ticked because I have to repost this chapter (something weird happened...). And I just watched Star Wars III, (better than the first two), so that was fun. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
bandgsecurtiyaw: Thanks, glad you like!
Wytil: Nice guesses, but no lollies. Besides, Harry's form is already posted, so that's not really fair...
Bukama Stealth: I'm impressed and flattered that you read it straight through in one sitting! No lollies, but I was very impresses with your well thought-out guesses. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
xkristy101: Thanks, glad you like! One lolly coming up for the partially correct guess for Harry's marauder name o--. And if I try any longer chapters, the evil that is writer's block will set in, and that will screw up the updates. I appreciate the review!
Shadowed Rains: Yes, your review did make me happy. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
HellsMaji: Good guess, but no lolly! Yeah, super jumping would fall under the physical category
athenakitty: Harry'll find out about the bet later. And although Fawkes knows most of Harry's gift, Harry can still throw the Phoenix for a loop. Ron is growing up, and that was one of the few moments he actually made sense. Be patient, and I can't give you any lollies, sorry. Good guesses. Thanks for reviewing, and glad you like!
BloodlessAce: Thanks. I did R&R your story, it was the least I could do for a nice reviewer like you.
David M. Potter: Thanks! Glad you like!
Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw: One lollie for a partially correctly guess on Harry's Marauder name. I loved your comment about Ron, but no lollies for it ;-) Your other guesses were good, but incorrect.
silence: Thanks! I appreciate your comments!
jkarr: Thanks, I'm glad you like! I appreciate your comment!
HarrySlytherinson: The Fawkes-Albus meeting will occur soon, be patient. You could put my story or me on Alert, so you'll be notified all the sooner about updates. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
Gryffindors: Who said there were no pairings in this fic? They just haven't happened yet. I don't think it's good to have a ship start up and everyone's all lovey-dovey all of a sudden. The Harry/Hedwig relationship was a must... I thought that Harry needed to have a good one with his first friend (besides Hagrid) Oh, and you'll find out about Fawkes and Albus soon.
CastusAlbusCor: Thanks! Glad you reviewed!
Windy River: I am... thanks for reviewing!
Baranwyn: One lolly for the partially correct guess of Harry's Marauder name. o--. Your other guesses were good, but incorrect. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
Danuschka: Two lollies, one for the partially correct guess of Harry's Marauder name, the other for a correctly guessed form, although I can't tell you which one you guessed right, for the sake of secrecy. o--, o--. Thanks for reviewing!
Inimene: Thanks for reviewing! I'm trying to update regularly, so keep watch!
Calen: Wow, I didn't know such Idiocy existed! This is not a Dark!Harry fic, so he's not going to "blast those stupid animals into pieces" , and in this fic, Harry's actually grown a little wiser. He realizes that he needs to know himself before he can push himself to the limits! He's also learned patience! If you don't like, don't read, Jerk!
dragons rage:Glad you like, and thanks for reviewing
suckness: Yet another idiot. It's not my ego, it's my gesture of appreciation for those who took their time to read and review my story. I never said you had to read all of this, so stop complaining. If you don't like, don't read! Or in other words, if you don't have anything nice to say, piss off!
Bplaya: Sorry, very good guesses, but no lollies! I'mglad you likethe story enough to put in on alert! Thanks for reviewing!
Sky: One lollie for a correct form (but I can't tell you which one you guessed right for the sake of secrecy) o--. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
White Merlin:Thanks, glad you like! Sorry, no lolly for you, but your guesses were good. I appreciate your review!
Fire Sidoni: I do try to veer away from the norm, thanks for the compliment. Three lollies for you! One for your partially correct guess on Harry's name, one for the correct answer to #3, and a correct form (I can't tell you which one, for the sake of secrecy) o--, o--, o--. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
laer: well, you finally get the answer to Aragog's second gift! A lolly for you for the partially correct guess at Harry's name. o--. Lol at your answer to #3. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
heyster1: No lollies, but good guesses. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
shdurrani: Thanks, I appreciate that! Thanks for the review, and I'm glad you like!
phoenix catcher: Thanks, I did try to be original! I appreciate the comment and the review!
Catnip070: I'm impressed, you read it one sitting! Very flattered... No lollies, but your guesses were very good. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you like!
Well, that's it!
A few answers: Aragog's second gift was the ability to "see" magic webs, but only when Harry needed it. Harry's Marauder name is Shadowfang. The other questions, you'll find out about later.
Questions:
1) Which species gave Harry what gift for the seemingly "slow-mo" right before Bellatrix attacked? (I got one correct answer already, but I want to know what gift caused Harry to be able to do that)
2) What are Hermione, Ron, and Ginny's forms and Marauder names going to be? (I researched this during a break I took during the writing of this chappie. They're pretty much set in stone unless I see a guess that makes me want to change a form and/or name.)
I could only think of two questions, but #1 is really 2-n-1, and #2 is really 6-n-1, so...
Anyway, if you've read, please review! I love to give out lollies and hear from you! However, if you have something negative to say, please be a bit respectful. Constructive criticism is welcome, reviews that say "this is BS" are not. You will be pointed and laughed at if you do. As is evidenced above in the boldened reviewer names.
Until next I update!