Harry Potter and the Peverell Legacy

Book Two of the Heritage Series

Chapter Eleven

Lunar Lunacy

The following day had been a memorable one for Harry and his friends, Charms had again been interesting learning invisibility charms. Harry and many of the DA had been awarded house points for performing the disillusionment charms easily. Herbology had become a challenge as they were working with ever increasingly dangerous plants such as Slumber Stools, which were what looked like a large patch of mushrooms but there in fact one plant that as a defence mechanism sent up a plume of pollen that would put somebody to sleep for a week. What had made the lesson even harder was that the Venomous Tentacular that also grew in the greenhouse was rather mischievous and would grab you unexpectedly.

But soon it had was time for their first NEWT potions lesson. Harry and Hermione had practically run down to the dungeon to make sure they were early, not wanting to get on Snape's bad side in the first lesson.

Snape had arrived at the potions classroom a moment after them and glared at them and strode into his classroom without a word but soon the entire NEWT class arrived. Including him and Hermione there was Daphne Greengrass, Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson from Slytherin House. Harry smirked seeing that Crabbe and Goyle obviously didn't get the passing grade. From Ravenclaw there was Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil. Hufflepuff only had two who were Susan Bones and Ernie Macmillan.

"Good to see you again Harrison." Ernie said clapping him on the shoulder.

"And you Ernie, good summer?" Harry asked having become used to the boys pompous behaviour.

"Grand. Justin took us to his holiday home out in America. We had to go by the muggle transport, an arialplane I think it was called, took forever but it was an experience." He replied. "What about you?"

Hermione and Harry shared a small look of amusement at purebloods' lack of muggle knowledge but he couldn't hold it against him, he himself was ignorant of many wizarding things. "It was good, I spent time in Bulgaria which was educational, but I had some time in France at the Black Chateaux. I believe that it used to belong to your own family a few generations back."

"Oh yes, the Ramsgate Chateaux as it was named when we owned it." Ernie said. "We have a large portrait of the property back home and it looks like a beautiful place. It is a shame that it was part of my great-great-aunt's dowry but truthfully we mostly holiday in Italy."

They were not able to keep speaking as the bell sounded and Snape sneered. "Settle down!"

Harry and Hermione took a seat towards the front of the class but they couldn't get out their books because Snape spoke again.

"Since I have had the pleasure," he said and the last word had been spat out like something foul. "Of teaching you for the last five years, I am aware of your abilities. Somehow you all managed to scrape the outstanding grade that I demand of NEWT students. Just because you scored your OWL does not mean you will succeed in getting a score in NEWTS. If you fall behind in this class, I will not help you and if you fail twice consecutively you shall be leaving through that very door."

Harry felt Hermione sit up with rapt attention at the threat but he managed to stay calm. He knew that they could all brew well enough; it was just Snape trying to intimidate them.

"I will not accept failure in this class, I only allow the best potions students and I have never had a student fail at NEWT level in my tenure as potions mater in this school. If you fail you had better be careful as you will experience my displeasure." He said and he glared at each and every one of them but on Harry his eyes lingered. "I also will not entertain the perception that if your father is headmaster that gives you special treatment. To me you are like any other students and I will treat you worse so I cannot be accused of favouritism, is that understood?"

"Of course professor." Harry replied controlling his annoyance at the dig.

"Granger, Potter stay where you are, you will be joined by Nott." Snape said and finally turned away. "Malfoy, Zabini, Parkinson you are with Boot. Macmillan, Bones with Patil. Greengrass you can sit with Goldstein and Corner. I will not accept any foolish behaviour in this class, House rivalry will be left at the door."

Harry and Hermione were joined by Nott who gave him a small nod and smile but his face became impassive when Draco looked over at them with a frown on his face. Harry pulled out his scales and potions kit but he couldn't find his potions book.

"You will see that there are seven potions along the front, gather around I wish to test what reading you have done over the summer." Snape ordered and with a billowing cloak he retreated behind his own desk where the potions stood in cauldrons. Snape pulled off the lid of the first potion to reveal what looked like boiling mud. "What is this potion and name four ingredients. Black-Potter I am sure you can tell us this?"

Harry pushed back a smirk; he of course did recognise the potion having used it himself. "It's Polyjuice potion, if correctly brewed it will allow the drinker to change into the form of another for a short period of time depending on the method of brewing and the potency of the ingredients." Harry said and he saw Snape's eyes narrow with suspicion, obviously still believing that Harry had stolen ingredients even though Crouch had been caught red handed. "It contains shredded boomslang skin, lacewing flies, horn of a bicorn and the last ingredient will be the essence of whom you wish to turn into; hair, blood, nail, or skin."

"An adequate answer." Snape sneered and he turned his nose up at him and pulled off the lid of the next cauldron which looked to contain only water. "Who can tell me what this potion is?"

Only one hand flew into the air and that was Hermione's but Harry knew that Snape wouldn't pick her as he hated it when she answered questions and her need to be right all the time.

"Black-Potter shall we test if you are as much as a dunderhead as we all believe you to be?" Snape added looking back at him. His comment elected a snort of laughter from Draco and Parkinson.

"Of course professor." Harry said and walked closer to the cauldron to get a better look, it was colourless, odourless and didn't move. There was only one potion that Harry knew of that had that description "Veritaserum, it the most powerful truth telling potion in the world, it contains the tears of unicorn and shavings of its horn, billings root and I believe a drop of Sphinx blood."

"It seems that the great Harrison Black-Potter has indeed opened his books this summer. Let's see how much he learnt then." Snape said with a dangerous glint in his eyes as he opened another lid and it was another clear liquid but it showed signs of disturbance and it also contained an odd aroma. "Again" Snape commanded.

"I do not know sir but at a guess I would say that this is a Draught of living Death?" Harry said hesitantly not knowing if he was correct.

"Correct." Snape said begrudgingly and then snapped. "What is it and its ingredients?"

"It is one of the most powerful sleeping draughts, once consumed it will place the drinker into such a deep slumber that they will seem to be dead and they will have no life signs." Harry said more confidently. "You once told us that it contains: the powdered root of asphodel and an Infusion of Wormwood but it also contains Sopophorous bean juice and sloth brain."

Snape's lip curled and they both remembered the reasons for Harry knowing those first two ingredients, and it had been in a situation just like this. He pulled open another lid and it contained a potion with a pearly look.

"Miss Greengrass, please rescue Mr Black-Potter he doesn't seem to know what the potion is." Snape said looking at Daphne expectedly.

"That is Amortentia, the most powerful Love potion ever created." she said. "Although classed a love potion, no potion can create such a thing. Its true property is to create powerful infatuation and obsession to the drinker."

"Correct." Snape said. "Five points to Slytherin, next Mr Boot"

The next potion had been an Elixir to Induce Euphoria and the next had been a complex wide spectrum poison antidote which had been answered by Nott.

"This is the last potion." Snape sneered and he uncovered the smallest little cauldron that Harry had seen and inside was a golden potion which had drops jumping out like little goldfish out of the potion and back in.

Hermione gave a small gasp which had caught the attention of the entire class.

"Miss Granger, put the class out of its misery, you obviously know what this is." Snape said in a bored voice.

"It is Felix Felicis, its liquid luck." she said immediately. "It makes you lucky!"

"Well Miss Granger you are quite astute at pointing out the obvious." Snape sneered. "Liquid luck makes you lucky. How quickly your intellect must have come up with that answer."

Hermione blushed scarlet but otherwise ignored the look she was getting from Snape and the ecstatic looks from the two of the Slytherin students.

"As you just heard this is a potion that will grant the drinker luck. It is the most complicated NEWT potion you can brew; however you will not be expected to be able to brew it, only know the theory behind it. It can be disastrous if brewed incorrectly and it takes six months to brew." Snape said and he sent them back to their desks. "Today you will be brewing the Draught of living Death, you have one hour, instructions are in your books, any ingredients that you do not have are in the stores."

Harry returned to his desk and opened his bag but he couldn't find his copy of the potions book.

"Where is your book?" Hermione asked seeing him searching for it.

"I don't –"Harry said and he remembered who had it last. "I think Ron has it."

"Harrison, there are spare copies in the store cupboard." Nott said from next to him, "Just don't let Snape catch you without a book."

"Thanks." Harry said and he darted into there before anyone else. There were only three copies of Advanced Potion making, one had a black stain running through the pages making it illegible, another looked to be covered in vomit and another looked very old and battered but was full of notes.

He picked up the book with notes and took it back to his desk and began to plan his own method of brewing. The handwriting in the book was small but he could read through it at the directions. The previous owner had amended the methods for brewing the potion and most of them were things he would have done.

Once everyone had begun and after ten minutes had passed a great deal of blueish steam began to permeate the classroom where everyone had reached the first few steps. Hermione of course was ahead of Harry and she was looking incredibly flushed and frustrated already her potion was blackcurrant coloured which told Harry she was halfway through.

He had learnt last year that Hermione may steam through a potion but his preparation and alterations produced better results than her own and he would overtake her at the last steps. He added the roots to the potion and his own began to give of the blue vapours. He looked at the instructions and it was telling him to cut open a sopophorous bean to add the juice to the potion.

He pulled out the bronze cutting knife from his kit and attempted to cut it open but the beam refused to give, he looked up and saw that many of the students were having the same problem. Michael had cut open his hand trying to pierce the bean. He looked back down at the small shrivelled bean and tried to crush it with the knife but it still didn't work.

He pulled the copy of the Advanced potion making towards him and saw that the instruction on the book had been scribbled out and a notation added: Crush with dagger, releases juices better. And another note said, 'Silver Dagger not Bronze'. Harry gave a frustrated growl remembering too late that the sophophorous plant could only be pruned and cut with silver or wood. He glared at the professor who seemed to be watching them all try to cut the beans and realised this was another test.

"Nott do you have a Silver dagger in your kit I could use for a moment?" Harry asked quietly.

Nott looked at him from his own attempts of cutting the bean with his bronze cutting knife and he pulled out a roll of leather which exposed a full set of potions utensils but contained a silver dagger and knife and handed one to Harry.

"Sophophorous plants." Nott said looking back at his own bean with a look of realisation. "Thanks for the tip Harrison." and he pulled out the knife and pierced the bean expelling the juice slowly a drip at the time.

Harry nodded and took the dagger and did as he had done originally, crushed the beam with the flat side of the blade, which cracked the outer hard exterior and the juice flowed much easier and quicker.

His potion turned a light lilac which was better than Hermione's black current coloured potion, as it meant that she had not added enough of the juice. He pulled out the glass stirrer and began to stir the potion as the instructions said: seven times counter clockwise then pause for a minute then repeat. This was the last stage of the potion and the stirring on the medium heat was supposed to turn the potion clear. Hermione had been stirring for fifteen minutes and hers had only lightened slightly.

His own lightened slowly as he began to stir but it wouldn't go clear like Snape's had and it still had a slight pinkish tinge to it which refused to go. He was distracted by the purple bubbles that suddenly began to pour out of Terry Boot's cauldron that the stir fell from his hand and stir sat still for a moment before performing a clockwise stir on its own slowly for the minute.

The potion was still the same colour and it didn't look like that stirring had improved it so he did it again. and out of curiosity he let go of his stirrer again and watched as it stirred clockwise again on its own, he decided to test a theory and stirred seven times counter clockwise and with a held breath immediately performed a full clockwise stir which caused the potion to simmer calmly and the stirrer didn't move on its own.

He assumed that there must be something happening that he couldn't see within the potion, like a current that needed to be calmed. He tried the same combination again and to his amazement his potion became clearer, not entirely but he had done better than everyone else.

Ernie had somehow created a navy looking potion which Harry had no idea how he had done. Next to him Hermione had managed to get her potion a dark lilac and Nott had a smug look on his face as his potion was only a shade darker than Harry's.

Snape went around the tables as they packed away their belongings and looked over their potions. At Hermione's he had merely sneered in disgust, Harry and Nott's however he had looked at carefully and stirred them. "Two among you have managed to correctly brew the potion. Ten points to Slytherin for a passable first NEWT potion, Black-Potter can have two points to Gryffindor as I am sure that he copied Mr Nott."

Harry cursed under his breath as they left the classroom, Hermione walking beside him.

"That was incredibly unfair of him." she said. "You didn't cheat from Nott did you?"

"No, he didn't." said a low voice from behind them.

They saw that Nott was walking behind them. "I copied him, it was Harrison who reminded me of the properties of the bean and it was him I copied the stirring alteration from. Sorry Harrison but Snape just doesn't like that you are better than a snake."

"Don't worry about it Nott." Harry said shaking his head. "I'm used to Snape."

"Well I will be seeing you in runes." Nott said and he stalked away.

"Strange to think he is the son of a Death Eater." Hermione said quietly. "He doesn't seem to care about their regime."

"He doesn't," Harry said remembering what Nott had told him. "But that doesn't mean he cannot be coerced into following."

"True." Hermione said and she gave him a shrewd look. "What did he mean by stirring combination? How did you get that potion to change to that colour?"

Harry couldn't answer as they were met by Neville and Ron who were looking windswept.

"When is the Quidditch try-outs Harry?" Ron asked. "Neville has been helping me practice and I cannot wait to get back on the team."

"I am no Quidditch player Ron." Neville said. "My throwing a quaffle will be different than someone like Katie throwing one."

"Semantics Neville." Ron said waiving his concern away. "Practice is practice."

Harry thought about it as they walked into the Great Hall, "I will do it tomorrow night, I am sure Professor McGonagall has a list of students who wish to try-out but I will announce in tonight too."

"How was potions?" Neville asked.

"Good. Snape is the same as usual, tried to make a fool of me" Harry replied smiling. He turned back to Hermione. "And I added a clockwise stir to the potion after the counter clockwise ones and then started again without the pause."

"But the book said –" Hermione began to say.

"Hermione the book does not have the best method printed in them." Harry said.

"Advanced potion making was being used when my gran was at school." Neville said. "She wanted me to have a look through it during the summer to see if I wanted to continue learning it privately. I doubt it has changed since the book was first published."

"NEWT potions isn't about following instructions, it is about following your own instincts and discovering your own skills by altering potions. That is a true potions master, someone who can see a problem and correct it." Harry said having had a similar conversation with Ron yesterday. "You must have done the same when you cut the Sophophorous bean. The text said cut with bronze dagger but you managed to juice it."

"Well yes of course, a Sophophorous plant can only be cut using silver or wood." Hermione said. "I just assumed it was a misprint."

"No, I read that book, there are many potions that are wrong. They will give you a potion that is correct but it will not be perfect and with not be as potent." Harry said, "And oh yeah Ron, do you have something of mine?"

Ron looked confused at the accusation "No, not that I know of."

"What about my potions book?" Harry asked.

"Oh yeah." Ron said. "I was reading it last night, put me out like a light."

"Well it's okay, I found this book, and it has a lot of notes in it." Harry said pulling out the book, which Hermione pulled towards her.

"Harry, you cannot use these notes!" she said immediately. "How do you know they will work"

Harry rolled his eyes at her. "I can use them because I actually would follow most of them automatically anyway. It's just because you are too closed minded to see past a school text that you are incapable of doing something on your own."

"What! I am not closed minded!" she exclaimed. "The text is there for a reason!"

"Yes as a guide!" Harry exclaimed. "It is not a religious text that you must follow on faith alone, you should always question things! You seem to be happy to question me, so why can you not question a book!"

That comment brought Hermione up short and she didn't have a reply but she threw the book back across the table at him and pulled out her ancient runes book and blocked them out with it. Harry and Ron exchanged helpless looks but Harry wasn't done. "I have told you before Hermione, do not question me. I know my own mind as much as you think you know it! If you do not you may find yourself short of a friend."

Harry stood up and left the Great Hall but he didn't leave for the greenhouses, he walked over to the steps to the dungeon and walked towards the kitchens. He walked passed the alcove that contained big barrels and couldn't help but wonder why they were there but his stomach rumbled so he walked to the painting the concealed the entrance to the kitchen and tickled the pear.

The moment the door opened an elf met him at the entrance.

"Can Rhagr be helping you?" the male elf said with an excited voice. "Black-Potter sir be liking something to be eating?"

Harry smiled at the elf. "Yes please Rhagr, can I get a sausage roll and cup of tea?"

"Yes sir." he said and he was ushered to a small table out of the way of the elves who were cooking up a storm. "If sir is needing anything at all sir is just needing to call."

The sausage roll was fresh from the oven and rather enjoyable but it was lonely and he knew that he would need to apologise to Hermione. From his bag he pulled out his runes journal where he had been drawing the rune circles that he had come up with last year. He was certain that his last runic configuration was correct but to test it he would need to etch it onto something more than parchment and channel some magic into the master rune but that was one of the dangers of runes, if not done correctly the magic could be dangerous or have adverse effects not spelt out in the runes.

Harry spent the remainder of his lunch checking them all again. He had open his Runes textbook and was constantly checking translations he was so intent on his work that he didn't hear the school bell and it was only when he felt a prod in his side that he looked up.

"Sir is needing to be going sir, it is being time for classes sir." a little elf said. "The bell is been ringing."

"Thanks." Harry said and flicked his wand at his books and notes and they piled themselves neatly. He picked them and placed them in his bag before running out of the kitchens and back out to the Greenhouses for their second Herbology class of the day.

He took a seat next to Ron who had saved him a seat. Hermione however was on the other side of the class with her head firmly in the direction of Professor Sprout's desk.

"She is in a right mood." Ron said quietly. "She hasn't said a word since you stormed off. I know you had a point, just like last year, but did you have to be so hard on her second day back?"

"Yes." Harry said testily showing Ron that the subject was closed. The lesson had been sat in silence by them both as Professor Sprout gave them a lecture on the plant they had been working with that morning and then they began a topic on the use of self-replicating fertilisers in Herbology.

It was not entirely unusually for Neville to answer most of the questions Professor Sprout asked but the fact that Hermione had not put her hand in the air once was noticed by every student in the class, even the professor was giving her thoughtful looks.

Harry couldn't help but feel slightly guilty that he had caused Hermione's bad mood and never had she once in all her arguments with Ron failed to volunteer information in classes. She had not bothered to go to the Great Hall for lunch and Harry and Ron sat talking about anything other than the absence of their female friend, and so had fallen into a dull conversation regarding the weather and Quidditch.

Study of Ancient Runes was next class and Harry knew that he would see Hermione there as the both shared the class, since Ron had not taken runes and Harry had quickly caught up last year. When he arrived at the classroom Hermione was sat with her back straight staring directly at the empty blackboard.

Steeling himself Harry sat next to her. He thought to himself under no circumstances was he making the first move in making a conversation; she had started this disagreement with her failure to look passed a book. He also comforted himself in the fact that he had still sat next to her even if they were not talking.

"Good afternoon." said Professor Babbling walking into the class. "Unfortunately, today will only be a theory lesson, so books and quills out please."

They hurried to do as bidden but Harry saw Hermione shoot him a glance whilst she was leaning into her back for a decent quill.

"The study of Ancient Runes differs at NEWT level to that which you experienced prior to your OWL's. This year the emphasis is not only on advancing your knowledge of the ancient languages and runic configurations, but mainly on the practical applications of the art. When you sit you NEWTs you will be expected to submit a working runic configuration that is charged with magic." She said and her gaze became stern. "I should not have to warn you on the dangers of Runic magic, it is incredibly complex and a single wrong Rune will change the magic into something you did not predict. Who can tell me the benefits of binding magic to runes?"

Harry raised his own hand ignoring the glare that Hermione gave him which clearly showed that she didn't think him capable.

"Mr Black-Potter?"

"If you were creating a magical artefact you could use runes to make the magical alterations permanent depending on the Runes used and the configuration and definition." Harry said. "Normally an artefact could only retain the magic bound to it until the caster died and then the magic would dissipate. However, by utilising runes within the artefact you are able to bind magic into its very foundation and depending on the enchantment and the amount of power placed into the configuration the magic will continue to hold after the death of the caster." Harry said. "However old runes that still hold their charge can decay over time and can change their function."

"Correct in principle." Professor Babbling said. "I see that you have been looking at the diverse uses of runes over the summer. He is right in that it can help bind an enchantment, it can be used to create many magical practices and processes. Who can name an example?"

Daphne put her hand into the air and was called on. "I have seen stoves that contain runes on the hobs to heat saucepans and they ignite at a muttered word, another use is containment ward based solely on runes. They were used by the hunters of the past to catch supernatural creatures and would only activate when the creature they are set to catch cross the trap."

"Excellent examples. Many of the braziers that light Hogwarts also use runes, igniting at certain times during the day, but some ignite when detecting a human presence." She said. "Now tell me is it possible to combine Norse with Celtic runes?"

Harry wasn't entirely sure of this answer but he had read of examples and the professor had mentioned in in passing before. He put his hand in the air as too did Hermione, Daphne and Draco.

"Miss Granger?"

"It is not possible, as the use of different types of Runic alphabets would not allow the magic to bind correctly, therefore rending any written spell useless." she said.

"No unfortunately that is not entirely true. You are correct in pointing out the difficulties, would anybody else like to add on Miss Grangers answer." she corrected and she called on possibly the worst person to correct Hermione.

"It is possible, with the correct knowledge of magic, that two entirely different runic alphabets can be utilized together. The master rune is something that a lesser witch will be unable to identify." Draco said in a snide voice. "In some cases, it takes knowledge of hybridual runes to utilize as the master rune."

"Correct Mr Malfoy," Professor Babling said with a smile but gave him a pointed look for his comment about lesser witches. "However in some cases of runic scripture of a more simple nature it is possible to use a master rune of either alphabet. Mr Malfoy also mentioned hybridual runes, what are these?"

"Runes that are a combination of both runic alphabets, it can take a Master Runist to create them." Draco said and he gave Hermione a pointed look.

"It is not impossible but it takes dedication and years of knowledge to create a bridge between different alphabets and to create a new rune is fundamentally difficult as they can be rejected. However can you think of another way to bridge the gap between them?" Professor Babbling questioned them and not a single person raised their hand for a few minutes but Harry thought of something and raised his hand.

"Is it possible to use a third alphabet?" he asked. "Celtic and Norse are old but in Egypt, runes are the original form writing so couldn't they be used?"

"Excellent Mr Potter." Professor Babbling beamed happily. "You are correct and as most practitioners of Runic magic will also learn, Hieroglyphic Runes are used by many. Cuneiform can also be used if you have knowledge of Ancient writings. These runes are old and are capable of being used for magic, but they are less refined than Celtic and Norse, however they are far more potent. The ancient Egyptians were capable of extreme feats of magic. Their tombs to this day contain traps and magical defences powered by their runes and it takes teams of curse breakers to disarm and understand them."

"Now we have gotten a little off topic." she said smiling at them and returning to the reason for the lesson. "This year you will be learning how to write and decipher complicated runic processes within a runic configuration and once your knowledge had got to an acceptable level we will begin to etch runes and by the end of the year you should have created a number of runic spells and powered them. We shall also touch on Bridging Runes, Hybridual runes but as further reading I would suggest that you take the time to read through a codex of cuneiform and hieroglyphics as in your NEWT practical you have three hours to create a spell for a specific task and you may need to use them."

"Now pull out your books and turned to chapter one, we shall begin with a basic task: The creation of fire using runes."

The lesson had been one of the most fascinating lessons Harry had ever had in Runes. They had spent the remainder of the lesson reading the chapter and discussing the application of Runes to the tasks. The most crude and inefficient configuration was creating fire from the magical energy that charged the runes but with the correct application you could concentrate sun beams, draw heat from the air and ground, use lightning, friction and even turn matter into energy. All was possible and there were many more methods all of which could be used if the user had sufficient knowledge of Runes.

He had been sorely disappointed when the bell had rang and he packed up his books and parchment, both of which were covered in notes and he left the class with Hermione walking next to him and she looked to having an internal battle with herself and he didn't interrupt her.

"Harry please can we stop this." she said eventually, when then were a corridor away from the common room. "I don't want to fight about this."

Harry remained mute and looked at her expectantly.

"I understand that you are angry with me, I am sorry for accusing you of cheating and being unable to comprehend the methods the notes use." she said earnestly. "But I do not think it is a good idea to use that book in potions. If Snape catches you he will have you in detention for the entire year!"

Harry looked away at her last comment, it might have been a desperate plea from Hermione but he couldn't fault her point. "I understand your reasons, but you have to understand that in some classes now I am really ahead of you."

"I know." Hermione whispered. "I have seen the way you have improved but you have done it so quickly I cannot keep up. The only lessons that I am better at is Charms theory, Herbology, and Transfiguration theory, in every other class you our outperforming me now. You have only been learning Runes a year but you a taking to them like a fish to water and its scaring me."

Harry stood stunned. He had never considered how far he had come and he chose not to look at the student leader board scores between breaks but he couldn't help but remember his OWL scores were lower. "I use what knowledge I have and adapt it to my needs, something that was drilled into me in Bulgaria. You have a broader knowledge of many magic's than I do but I have learnt to maximise what I do know. Potions is a skill that takes knowledge and logical thinking. You however cling to that book and refuse to see thing outside of it and that is why Snape will not grade you higher than an A this year."

Hermione bit her lip at his words and he could tell that she was struggling to understand what he meant.

"Come on, we have homework to do and I am sure Ron could use your help if he has spent all his free time flying." Harry said smiling and accepting her apology.

The remainder of that evening Harry, Ron and Hermione had spent finishing the homework that they had already been set. Once done Ron went to bed early having been flying for most of the evening and afternoon leaving Harry and Hermione reading in their chairs in front of the fire.

"Harry what have you been drawing in those Rune circles?" she asked after an hour of silence and most of the students were starting to head up.

Surprised that she had asked him he looked up, "A simple magic," he said. "But something that I am trying to perfect."

He pulled out his book and handed it to her and she flicked through the drafts before finding his most current effort. She was frowning as she read them and several times she was forced to look at a book or two to decipher the runes.

Harry sat patiently watching her wondering if she had worked out what they were of if there was a problem with them. He had wanted to do it alone but sometimes it helped for someone to find the faults you couldn't see.

"The principle is simple but what you are trying to do is not." she said frowning. "I think I know what this does but I have never seen this application before in such a way."

Harry wasn't surprised since it had taken him weeks to get this stage and he had based the runes of the effects of many spells that created the desired effect.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"It's a silencing Rune circle, entwined with what I can only call a scent masking circle, but you have also added a small alteration to create something I cannot understand." She said in annoyed tone as she tried to translate one of the smaller circles that made it up, "Projection of the field to include foreign bodies, but it doesn't make sense."

He couldn't help but feel relieved; she had understood most of the circles definition and direction.

"It's a stealth spell that I am hoping to create to help when using my cloak, or even in a duel." He said "I learnt that silencing spells are not fool proof and being invisible isn't always enough. An animal can detect you by smell. This ward will create a silencing field around a person but also onto what they will touch. It will be concentrated around the feet but it was stop all sound in a person's body area. Scent masking is simple, a field extends to stop smells from escaping a person but it must let scents to enter the wielders nose. I need to add the obscuring magic and weightlessness if possible too but for now it is obscuring magic that I cannot tie into the circle but with today's lesson I think I can."

"Well you have a viable scripture on a previous page," Hermione said flicking back through the book "but I do not know how to bridge the runes as your first two scriptures are in Celtic but the obscuring runes are Norse dialect. But I think I know a way for you to add the weightlessness into the description."

They spent the next hour going through a new addition to part of his existing writing and added the description of removing body weight from the feet and using her knowledge of Arithmancy she could come up with a formula to combat his own weight.

"That should work. It will not cancel out all your weight but it will take a great deal away and prevent deep footprints and once you have worked out the obscuring runes your scheme should be perfect. How will you test it?"

"By –" Harry began but he before could finish his sentence a great howl echoed through the castle and grounds, "That sounds like Moony," He said frightened, "but he has the potion from Highmoon, he told me he just curls up and sleeps."

The howl was heard again and it was louder than before and it contained anger and rage. Deep within Harry he could feel his own inner wolf stir at the call, he began to walk towards the portrait hole with Hermione following.

"I want to find Sirius, this is not normal for Moony, he should just be asleep." Harry said. "I also want to know if Remus has had his potion, if he hasn't I want to know why."

"Harry are you sure we should be out there?" she asked. "What is Professor Lupin has got loose"

"Impossible, there is no way Moony could open his office door the night of a full moon, it was warded by Sirius, Flitwick and Remus himself, he cannot be –"He said and exited through the portrait hole Hermione made to follow but the Fat lady swung shut suddenly blocking Hermione's way and he heard her fall over before it closed.

"Open back up!" Harry shouted.

But the Fat lady was frozen and portrait did not move and when he went to knock on her his hand hit a shield.

A great howl wailed through the castle and it was full of anger now, and Harry felt the desire to hunt over fill his own brain. A sickening thought lingered in his mind, Moony was free. The castle was in lockdown, all the dormitories and common room defences had been activated.

Harry broke out into a sprint, if he could get to the headmaster's office he would be safe. The wards would have been activated possibly from there and Sirius could protect him if he wasn't already trying to contain Remus.

Harry had barely gotten around two corners before he heard running feet, turning he saw the glowing amber eyes of a transformed werewolf pounding after him.

He dived into the closest door and cast the strongest locking charm and reinforcement charms he knew. The wooden door glowed before turning into a metal but he knew his protections were temporary; his transfiguration was not perfect and would not stand up to the strength of a werewolf. He cursed to himself when he realised that he had locked himself in a classroom with no other exit, the windows had sealed themselves in a lockdown so he couldn't escape.

Moony gave a frustrated howl and with a great blow his pounded into the door, which buckled slightly and the bolts gave way allowing him a brief glimpse at Moony. He looked rabid, saliva was dripping from his mouth, Moony was scarier than he had been in his third year.

The door was hit again and Moony attempted to push through but the enchantments that Harry had placed on to it glowed and the door repaired itself and slammed shut. Harry retreated to the furthest corner of the room in panic, trying to think of a way out of this predicament but no thought came to him.

He had a wand, his mirror was in his bag in the common room, the DA was locked in their Common Rooms, he couldn't make the talking patronus yet, and portkey travel was impossible within Hogwarts now.

Growling in frustration he kicked a chair out of the way but his growl had been menacing and with it came a long pause from the bombardment on the door, Moony had stooped and listened.

Harry felt his mouth and he felt a muzzle, and he knew of a way to survive. Abandoning all else he threw the entire power of his mind onto one task, his mind's eye was not seeing the room in front or the door but it was picturing something else, his only salvation.

Drawing on the knowledge he had of this magic he used every ounce of mental prowess and skill in transfiguration he had, willing his body to change, remembering how the creatures body had looked, each paw, leg and joint, the shape of its head and face, to the position of its shoulders and back.

Magic was rippling across his skin, and was affecting him sporadically, with sheer determination he changed both arm's into legs for the first time, but was nearly defeated but the severe pain of his bone structures morphing his shoulders and arms into another form, every muscle in his body was screaming at him, but he refused to stop.

Moony was now ravaging the door, he was sapping the strength of Harry's magic and they were straining to maintain the spell and door. The door which had been turned to metal was slowing fading back to wood and had become splintered, the hinges and bolts glowed cherry red with the heat of the force being exerted onto them and the magic that kept remaining them.

But Harry did not notice that, knowing that would not save him but only distract him from his task, he forced his body to change and it was not the seamless transformation that Sirius used with ease, this transformation was painful and he was breathing heavily. His face seemed to melt slightly and reform into a canine shape, his skin rippled constantly as it slowly transformed, fur erupted over his body, the silver claws of the wolf extended and something long was moving at the base of his spine.

With a mighty crash Moony broke through the door entirely, all of the magic was destroyed and the door was hurled across the room. Harry registered the noise and opened his eyes and his green-red eyes locked with the glowing amber of the crazed werewolf.

There was a long moment where they just stared at each other; Moony was confused and elated over overcoming his obstacle and finding an odd prey. Harry panicked knowing his transformation was not complete, and was vulnerable to the werewolf.

But with the panic came a final ripple of magic across him and he felt a primal instinctual mind entwine with his own. He finished his transformation just as Moony was about to lunge at him and caused the wolf to pause. Harry stood on all four of his legs, he instinctually raised his hackles bared his own razor-sharp teeth, but a deep rumbling growl permeated the very room and vibrated Harry's chest.

Harry felt odd foreign emotions: Confusion for a moment but it was tainted with a deep bloodthirsty rage, but before he could think more on those emotions Moony lunged for him forcing Harry to yelp and attempt to move out of the way.

But the direwolf body was not like his own body, he was not used to its movements and he faltered and was hit head on with the front paws of the werewolf, and Moony bit him on his hind making Harry roar in pain before the wolf was suddenly tacked from him.

Harry managed to coordinate his legs to get him up on all fours, Moony was now engaging a bear sized black dog. Padfoot was slightly larger than the werewolf but the werewolf's unnatural strength seemed to be augmented and made the size advantage useless and they were fighting tooth and claw.

Moony seemed to notice that he was now outnumbered, and with a mighty push heaved Padfoot into Harry knocking them both off their feet and with a great howl of victory he sped off out of the room at great speed.

Padfoot glared at Harry and he knew that Sirius was telling him to stay before he raced away after Moony. Harry had no intention of following them, but the primal direwolf mind was rising to the challenge, it would not be defeated and its mind rose to the forefront of Harry's mind and with a slight acknowledgement of the mind from Harry allowing its presence to grow, it took over and Harry took the backseat.

Sirius had told him that an Animagus gained the mind of its form and if one allowed it could give the wizard the raw power of the creature he turned into. Harry might not know how to run as a wolf yet but the Direwolf did. He could smell Moony and the Direwolf charged out of the classroom at a speed that was rivalled only by Moony himself.

Moony was fast, werewolves had almost supernatural speed and strength that was heightened due to the full moon, Padfoot was barely able to keep up and was unable to catch up. But the Direwolf was the origin of the werewolf species, its speed and strength were not amplified by the moon but it could match a werewolf if it was determined.

The Direwolf overtook Padfoot easily and he gave a yelp of surprise when saw the streak of black fur and silver claws dash passed him in a blur but could do nothing to stop him.

The werewolf knew he was being hunted and attempted to evade him but the Direwolf wouldn't be denied. He tackled the creature and used its silver claws to dig into the werewolf's flesh driving it into a tumble where they battled for submission.

Padfoot had caught them up but had been kicked viciously by both wolves and wasn't able to enter the tangled jaw and limbs. This was a fight between wolves not dogs and they would settle this between themselves. Part of Harry had wanted to allow Sirius to help but the wolf's instincts were strong and it was enjoying this fight.

The fight lasted some time. The werewolf refusing to submit itself to the larger animal and it was getting angrier and more rabid by the moment but the Direwolf would not be denied it gained the advantage for a moment and that was all it needed as it gripped the back of werewolf's neck in its teeth and shook it into submission using the full strength of its body to prevent it from moving.

Moony did not go down easily, he fought and fought until his strength was spent and was left a heaving heap on the floor, covered from head to two in blood and had clumps of hair missing. With the fight over the animal mind released its hold and receded back and Harry's logical human mind took the forefront again.

He limped away from Moony having suffered several bites and injuries himself, but he saw that Padfoot was sat hunkered down with his teeth bared but his chest was also injured. Padfoot watched him carefully before getting up and pushing him with his head towards the werewolf and then laid his bulk on the wolf before giving him a small bark and gesturing with his head. Realising that Padfoot wanted him to do the same he complied and took position over Moony's back legs. Sirius gave a howl that sounded pained and fresh blood escaped from the wound on his neck.

A foreign animal smell suddenly filled Harry's nose making him wrinkle his muzzle in confusion and he heard the soft padded steps of a four-legged animal running towards them, not two minutes later a tabby cat came from around the corner towards them.

The cat gave Harry a very confused look, which turned very stern and he could get a vague sense of disapproval from her. It was weaker than with Sirius but he assumed that was because the two species were not related.

The tabby cat shimmered and grew into the form of Professor McGonagall who had her wand already in her hand, Moony began to growl again and attempt to get up forcing Harry and Sirius to push him harder into the floor. A large black chain and five manacles appeared in front of her and they attached themselves to Moony's legs and neck before the chain linked them together tightly preventing the werewolf from moving or opening its mouth.

Padfoot clambered up shakily and he too transformed back into himself.

"Thank you Minerva." he said slowly as he cast a healing spell on his neck where it was bleeding still. He then turned his grey eyes onto Harry. "Can you transform back?"

"Who is that?" McGonagall asked shocked. "And how on earth did Remus escape his room?"

Harry didn't listen to Sirius's response, he closed his eyes and attempted to think of the transformation back but he could taste the blood on his tongue and the feeling of loss of strength, but his heart was hammering in his chest and he wasn't able to change a small part of his body. He opened his eyes and shook his head, but a whine escaped his mouth as became worried he would be stuck as a wolf.

"Well this will hurt worse than you can imagine but we do not have the time to be delicate." Sirius said, Professor Mcgonagall looked away quickly as a blue spell shot out and hit Harry in his belly and he felt his body rive in agony and the bones changed shape and muscles transformed back to normal.

If he had thought that transformation into the direwolf had been bad it was even worse when reversed, it felt like every bone in his body had been broken and the snapped back into place, every muscle torn and stitched back together, and every nerve in his body burned like burning ice. He was left doubled over in agony on the floor, sweat glittering across his bare skin and it was with horror he realised he was naked in front of Sirius and professor McGonagall.

"Hurts doesn't it." Sirius said looking pointedly at a wall behind him but he conjured a gown for him and handed it over, "I would guess that it hurts just as much as your bite does!"

Harry snatched the gown and pulled it on fast but he looked at Sirius in shock. "I didn't bite you," he said immediately but he added "I don't remember doing it."

"You allowed the animagus mind to take control." Sirius said weakly as he rested against a wall looking incredibly white. "I tried to help you many times but both you and Remus wouldn't allow me to."

Before Harry could reply however Sirius fell against the wall, unable to stand.

" What's-" he said breathlessly "I cannot see –" he slumped and fell unconscious but a deep cold pulsating feeling was coming from Harry's family magic telling him that Sirius was in grave trouble.

"Professor what's happening?" Harry said rushing over to Sirius trying to help him.

"Stand back Harrison" she said sternly after casting four charms and she pointed her wand directly at Sirius's heart and said "Pertrificus totalis maxima!" the spell shot from her wand and Sirius was immobilised.

"But -" Harry began but he couldn't find the words to say what he felt.

"There is a toxin in his blood." she said and she sent off a patronus. "the spell will stop his blood for the next ten minutes and prevent it spreading."

"Werewolf venom?" Harry asked in horror.

"No," she said after studying Sirius intently and her eyes fell on Remus and then back to him "A Werewolves venom cannot contaminate an animagus as it only affects human blood not animals."

"What –" Harry said but before he could finish another work Madam Pomfrey, Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick rounded the corner.

"Minerva what happened?" Flitwick asked looking at Remus in shock, whilst Snape looked nigh on terrified.

"We do not know." she replied looking carefully at the restrained werewolf. "Lock him in the closest classroom, and ward it thoroughly."

She helped Madam Pomfrey guide Sirius to the hospital wing but she then helped Harry limp with them, his limbs not having the strength to carry him.

"He has a poison in his system." the matron said after studying him. She summoned a shrivelled looking stone, which Harry recognised as a bezoar and placed it into his frozen mouth, and continued to work. "It's not a common poison, what happened to him?"

"He was fighting Remus as a dog but I would also guess that he suffered bites from another animal." she said and the last words were aimed directly at Harry and he knew she was asking him a question.

"I might have bit him whilst I was fighting Remus." Harry said. "I too am an animagus, I shifted as I was about to be attacked by Moony."

"What is your form?" the matron asked not at all phased but was in full medi witch mode. "Is it venomous?"

"No –" Harry said thinking she thought him a snake but he remembered the book Remus gave him about wolves and their traits "Yes, my form is a Direwolf, they do have a venom not unlike a werewolf's."

"A Direwolf?" Pomfrey questioned. "I am not familiar with that breed."

"It's nearly extinct." Harry said. "What about Sirius can you cure him?"

"Perhaps," Pomfrey said before rushing off for a few minutes and returning with a small bottle of what looked like water and a second flagon. "I will drain some of his blood to check for the venom properties later, however this should purge his system." She pulled out the stopper and placed a drop on his tongue and rubbed some on the bites which began to heal and looks days old.

Colour returned to Sirius's face and they released the body bind that prevented the poison from moving further and he opened his eyes and they looked directly with Harry's scared ones.

"I will not get on the wrong end of your teeth again." he said with a smirk before falling asleep.