Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update...been hectic...but anyways here's chapter 21...nothing spectacular until towards the end...read review and enjoy!!
Christmas had finally arrived. Everybody had opted to spend Christmas at Hogwarts, knowing that there wouldn't be as many students as usual. Things seemed to return to normal for the moment. Hermione and Jason had become inseparable, as did Draco and Ginny. During breakfast, Harry decided he was going to finally unveil what he had received from Sirius.
"I've been trying to get you guys together for this for some time now," Harry said, "After breakfast meet me outside the Room of Requirement."
"Why outside it?" Ron asked.
"Trust me," Harry said.
Everyone went back to their food. Ginny had been showing off her ring to anyone who would look. Of course with that came the obvious comments about the fact that a Gryffindor is marrying a Slytherin. Ginny paid no attention to these comments, stating that it shouldn't matter who one marries as long as one is in love.
After breakfast had ended, Ron, Draco, and Jason joined Harry outside of the Room of Requirement.
"Alright, Harry," Jason said, "You asked us to meet you here. Now what is it?"
Harry reached into his book bag and pulled out a folded up piece of parchment. "Do you have any idea what this is?" he asked. Jason, Ron, and Draco each looked at each and shrugged. "This is the Marauders Map," Harry said.
"The what?" Jason asked
"It's a map of Hogwarts, showing all of its passageways and rooms," Harry explained, "Even showing you who's where at any given time."
"So why does it look blank?" Draco asked.
Harry pulled out his wand and tapped the map, whispering, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Magically, the parchment transformed into a map.
"Amazing," Ron said, "I've heard Fred and George talk about it, but didn't think it was true."
"Harry, are you attempting what I think you're attempting?" Draco asked with a sly grin.
"I think it's time the Marauders had a second generation," Harry said.
Harry had explained to them some of the history behind the marauders, specifically the trouble and mischief they often got into. "There's only one thing that would separate the first generation of Marauders from our generation," he said.
"What's that?" Ron asked.
"Animagi," a voice behind them said.
They turned on their heels and saw Remus walking towards them. "You see three of the marauders were unregistered animagi and the fourth was a werewolf," he explained.
"It was you, wasn't it?" Draco asked.
Remus nodded. "Myself, Sirius, Harry's father, James, and Peter Pettigrew," he answered.
"So, how would we become animagi?" Ron asked.
"It's tricky," Remus replied, "It took James, Sirius, and Peter quite a long time to master it."
"How did they do it?" Harry asked.
"That's a question I am better suited to answer," Sirius said, suddenly appearing behind Remus.
"Does it hurt?" Ron asked, prompting a chuckle from everyone.
"No," Sirius said, "But it does require much concentration and it will most likely take you the rest of the year to finally produce your forms."
After a quiet huddle amongst the four, Jason finally spoke up. "When can we start?" he asked.
Remus and Sirius led them into the Room of Requirement to begin their study. "First," Sirius said, "You must assume a dream state. You must fall into a deep sleep, and there you will catch your first glimpse of your animal form."
Remus began muttering a spell over and over until Harry, Ron, Jason, and Draco began to get drowsy. They finally fell asleep, lying down on their beds. The dream was shared by everyone.
A stag, walking through a forest, had stumbled upon a cobra, coiled to strike. The stag backed up, but the cobra followed until it was blocked by a ram. The ram smashed at the ground around the cobra, but the cobra slithered out of the way each time. The cobra finally struck, coiling itself around the ram's horns and preparing to strike. At once, the cobra was knocked away by the stag. As the three animals prepared to face off once more, a loud roar startled them. The animal that made this roar could not be seen, but the three other animals poised themselves to strike at it as well as each other.
A loud crashing sound forced the four of them out of their dream states. Sirius stood next to Remus, shaking his head. "Why doesn't anybody ever get along with their animagus the first time?" he asked.
"What was that?" Draco asked, shaking his head of the cobwebs.
"That was your first look at your animal forms," Remus said.
"So, when do we turn into them?" Jason asked.
"When you can learn to keep them from fighting," Remus answered, "If they'll fight each other, they'll fight you. Learn to control them. When they get along in your dreams, they'll co-exist in reality."
Harry sat and smiled. "What are you smiling about?" Ron asked.
"The stag," Harry replied, "I'm sure it's me."
Sirius and Remus chuckled. "It figures James would pass on his animagus to his son," Remus said.
"So, when's the next lesson?" Draco asked.
"Not for awhile," Sirius said, "You can't rush this sort of thing. It has to come naturally or you could wind up hurting yourself."
"When the time for the next lesson comes around," Remus said, "You'll know it. In the meantime, try to think as little about it as possible. If you think about it too much, you'll draw yourselves back into the dream state, regardless of where you are."
The four of them raced off to find their respective girlfriends to give them the good news.
Jason found Hermione first, who was sitting in the courtyard reading.
"Hermione I have great news," Jason said.
"I do too," Hermione said, "You go first."
"Remus and Sirius are teaching Harry, Ron, Draco, and me to be animagi," Jason said.
"Are you serious?" Hermione asked. Jason nodded. "Well, there goes the school, then," Hermione said, breaking into a small grin.
"Okay, now what's yours?" Jason asked.
"I found a piece of the pendant," Hermione said.
Jason was dumbfounded. "You did?" he asked, "Where?"
"Here at Hogwarts," Hermione replied, "The staff of Ravenclaw."
Hermione handed an open book to Jason. He looked at the image on the page and saw a picture of a black wooden staff, lined with jewels and topped off with a bright white orb at the top of the staff, which was carved to look like an eagle's claw.
"So, what makes you think this is one of the pieces?" Jason asked.
Hermione pointed to a large jewel on the staff. It was the largest gem on the weapon, and it was in the shape of an infinity symbol. Jason set the book down and quickly scooped Hermione up into a big hug, planting a big kiss on her.
"You are the smartest girl I love," Jason said.
"I hope I'm the only girl you love," Hermione giggled before kissing Jason.
"We should alert Dumbledore," Jason said. Hermione nodded at the two rushed off.
Harry found Cho anxiously wandering the halls. "Cho," he said, "I've got excellent news."
"Not now, Harry," Cho said, grabbing Harry's hand and leading him down a hallway.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked.
"Any empty classroom," Cho said.
"Don't you want to hear my good news?" Harry asked.
"There will be time for that later," Cho said, "It has been weeks since you've shagged me. I understand why with the fact that we share a room with three other couples, but I want you and I want you now."
Harry had to be told nothing further. He flung open a classroom door and pushed Cho inside. Grinning, he walked inside and closed the door.
Draco had been searching high and low for Ginny, but couldn't find her anywhere. Suddenly, she heard someone cry out. In a panic, Draco broke into a sprint, following the screams. They were coming from the Slytherin common room. Draco drew his wand and blasted the door open. He leapt inside to find Ginny cowering in a corner, surrounded by Slytherins.
"This is none of your business," Crabbe said, "She came here to 'teach us a lesson' and now we're gonna teach one to her."
"Over my dead body," Draco shouted, blasting through the crowd of Slytherins.
Draco grabbed Ginny by the hand and they ran out of the room. All the Slytherins, recovering from Draco's blasting spell, took off after them. Draco and Ginny had made it out to the Quidditch pitch when they were surrounded by Slytherins.
"There's no where left to run," Goyle said, "It's time you both learned your lessons."
Draco shielded Ginny with his body. "You'll have to kill me first," he said defiantly. Crabbe and Goyle both grinned as they drew their wands.
Suddenly, the clouds above them grew dark. A strong breeze began to blow. All the Slytherins began to back away from Draco and Ginny. Confused, Draco looked at Ginny and saw that he eyes had gone completely white as did her hair. She floated off the ground, staring at the group of Slytherins. She balled up her fists and unleashed a gale force wind upon her would-be attackers. The wind swirled around the Slytherins faster and faster until it became a cyclone, pulling the Slytherins into the air and spinning them around. Draco suddenly felt himself being lifted off the ground as well.
Ginny couldn't control what she was doing. Her anger and despair had triggered something inside her. Now, all she wanted was to spin this gang of animals into oblivion. Suddenly, she caught sight of Draco being sucked into the cyclone as well. As if triggering some kind of shutdown, everything halted. The group of Slytherins and Draco fell out of the air and hit the ground. Ginny managed to land on her feet when she hit the ground. Scared and bewildered, the Slytherins scrambled to their feet and ran as fast as they could.
Draco struggled to his feet, dizzy and confused. He began to totter, but was caught by Ginny whose eyes and hair, to his delight, had gone back to their original colors.
"What was that?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, "But I think we should tell Dumbledore." Draco nodded and they walked off towards Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore was sitting in his office, looking over the contents of a box when Jason and Hermione walked in.
"Hermione's found something," Jason said.
"The staff of Ravenclaw," Dumbledore said, "I already know."
Dumbledore picked up his wand and pointed it towards the far end of his office. "Accio Staff of Ravenclaw," he said, summoning the staff.
Dumbledore grabbed it and placed it on the desk as Ginny and Draco burst into the room. "Professor," Draco said, "The most amazing thing just happened."
"I summoned a cyclone at the Quidditch Pitch," Ginny said.
"Perhaps this may be the reason," Dumbledore said, reaching into the box on his desk and pulling out a faded white cloak.
"What is that?" Draco asked.
"The Cloak of the Four Winds," Dumbledore said, "It belonged to Victoria Vent. It would appear that the fragments of the Infinity Pendant were hidden inside items belonging to the witches and wizards who created it. The presence of this cloak most likely triggered the mark on your chest and unlocked your inner abilities."
Dumbledore began to say more, but stopped when he saw Harry limp into the room. His clothes were tattered and shredded.
"What happened to you?" Jason asked.
Harry reached out and yanked away his invisibility cloak, revealing Cho, who was half-transformed into an eagle. Jason and Draco cringed, not at Cho's appearance, but at the fact that Harry and Cho were about to get it on when she began to transformed. Dumbledore looked down at the staff on his desk, then at Cho's altered form. He picked the staff up and aimed the white orb at Cho. It began to glow and soon Cho transformed back into human form.
"The introduction of the pendant's fragments is unlocking your inner abilities one at a time," Dumbledore said.
"Do you think it's wise to find the other pieces?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid it's the only choice we have," Dumbledore explained, "It is unknown what abilities will manifest from the introduction of the pendant fragments and we will not be able to know until we find those pieces and reform the Infinity Pendant."
Harry sighed as he magically repaired his torn clothing. Suddenly, an explosion was heard. Jason's blood ran cold and he became very pale.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
Jason turned to her and whispered, "He's here."
A/N: Who's here? You know who...hahaha...chapter 22 will be up soon, but not until i get more reviews...One person is reviewing these chapters and I am grateful for that person's continued interest, but come on I know there are more of you out there reading this...share your opinions!!