"Should we open presents now, while we're waiting?" Mrs. Weasley suggested. Harry paused in his pacing, his nervousness causing Draco's head to spin. He decided against snapping at Harry to relax, knowing that doing so would just cause the other to become even more nervous. Instead, he answered Mrs. Weasley, shooting her a grateful grin.

"Yes, that sounds good," he replied. She winked at him, before clapping her hands.

"Alright then…let's get this show on the road, everybody!"

Harry blinked, suddenly finding himself alone. He hadn't heard Mrs. Weasley speaking, so it surprised him when everyone took off for some reason. But within minutes, they were back, each bearing a parcel. A slow smile broke over his face, as his tension drained away.

Draco sensed amusement, and he grinned. "What's so funny?" he asked, as he came in from behind Harry. His Inima turned, smirking.

"If you had told me that one year, I'd be opening gifts not only from Pansy, Goyle, and Blaise, but also from Draco Malfoy, I'd have died laughing," he chuckled. "I'm still getting used to the idea that you guys are here to stay."

Blaise smirked as well. "I wake up every morning, thinking the last several months were nothing but a nightmare…and yet here we are. One heck of a nightmare, hm?"

He threw up his arms in defense against the pillow Hermione flung at him. "Kidding!" he cried, as she armed herself with another pillow.

"Harry, open my gift first," Pansy urged, successfully averting a pillow fight. He winked knowingly at her, before complying.

All eyes turned to Harry, as he grinned, examining the book. "101 Useful Spells for Everyday Use," he read aloud. "Thanks, Pansy! Congrats, Hermione. You're normal after all, since you're not the only one who gives books for presents." He too ducked, as the pillow meant for Blaise was instead aimed at him.

"You don't want to find out if I know any of the spells in there," she threatened. Harry chuckled.

"Teasing, 'Mione." He accepted the next package, from Goyle. Over the next fifteen minutes, he unwrapped another book on various defensive spells, from Goyle; a book on offensive spells from Blaise (it was obvious the three had coordinated their gifts, and Harry was certain they would indeed prove useful in the days to come); a box of various Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products from the Weasley twins; a broom servicing kit from Ginny; and the usual box of sweets from Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione and Draco's gifts were the last ones he had to open. Harry glanced at Hermoine, as she leaned forward, handing him her gift. He unwrapped it, the smile on his face fading as he looked down at it. For a moment, he looked up, gazing into her eyes, before nodding. Draco frowned at the tears he'd spotted, and scooted closer, peering at the gift. Oh, he thought.

Harry was just opening the cover of a muggle-style photo album. Hermione had used her memories, and some of the Weasley clan's memories, as well as some of Harry's, to put it together. He hadn't known at the time why she'd wanted those particular memories; now, he did.

"I remember that day like it was yesterday," Harry whispered, gently touching a picture of him and Ron waving happily from the window of the Hogwarts Express. It was the day they'd met, and Mrs. Weasley had just finished admonishing the twins to leave him alone, and not bother him just because he was Harry Potter. The picture was from her perspective, and Harry smiled fondly at his and Ron's young appearance. His smile softened, as Draco put a comforting arm around him.

Everyone was silent, as Harry slowly passed through the pages. Memories came back to him as he looked at each picture.

Each of them was covered in dust, but each wore happy grins, having defeated the troll with limited damage…

Hermione throwing her arms around each of them, newly recovered from her Petrification…

Ron, Hermione, and Harry, laughing after having ambushed Draco and his cronies with snowballs, the Invisibility cloak hanging from Harry's shoulders…

Harry, dripping wet, was being squeezed to death by Hermione, while Ron seemed relieved that Harry had escaped the merpeople…

Ron and Hermione watching his back, as Harry raced down the aisles in the prophecy room…

Ron and he flying around on the Quidditch pitch with Draco and his friends, while Hermione watched from below in the stands…

The past six years had been the best six years of his life…he had Draco, and his new Slytherin friends…and he had lost a brother. But they had made their memories together, and Harry would always be able to remember Ron as he had died. Brave, willing to risk his life for Harry, and everything one could ask for in a best friend.

"Thank you, Hermione," he whispered, reaching over and hugging her tightly. Everyone held their breaths, not willing to break this moment between the two long-time friends. Finally, both released the other, and Harry and Hermione found themselves wiping away tears, just like the other people in the room.

"Alright, Draco, your turn," Harry smiled, turning to the blonde. Draco sighed dramatically.

"Think the world revolves around you, Potter?" he drawled teasingly. "What makes you think I got you something?"

Harry pretended to think. "Well, three days ago, you told me you went shopping for a gift, you've been stressing over what to get me for the last couple of months according to your friends, and Hermione has seemed rather excited, and has kept me busy with other stuff, no doubt to throw me off," he rattled off. Draco flushed.

"You make it sound worse than it was," he grumbled. Harry laughed.

"You know I'm teasing," he soothed, watching as the blonde exhaled loudly.

"I know…that's why I decided I'll let you have your gift." Harry rolled his eyes as Draco handed him a box.

Harry eyes widened, as he peered into the box. "Draco, I told you nothing too extravagant," he complained.

"What is it?" Pansy asked, leaning forward.

Harry began pulling out shrunken boxes, unshrinking them to reveal various healing potions, as well as an impressive disguise kit – to disguise his scar, as Draco explained with a smirk, seeing as it was rather identifiable – and various items that would prove useful when he encountered Death Eaters, some of which were from the Weasley twins' store. Pansy picked up a vial of Instant Darkness Powder, while Blaise inspected a Shielding Cloak.

"Why all this?" Pansy asked. "It's like you're expecting a final battle any day now."

Harry and Draco exchanged a look. "I figured Harry's attracts trouble like a magnet," Draco replied smoothly. "I want to be sure he's prepared at all times."

Harry glanced into the box once more. "What's this?" he asked, reaching in. It was a pendant – no, a sword hanging from a leather cord. A snake was wrapped around the sword, its forked tongue out.

"The guy I bought it from said it would bring extra protection to the dominant partner of two Inimae," Draco said, shrugging. "Something about Fate and how the dominant one is bound to sacrifice themselves for the other.

Harry frowned, looking down at the necklace. "I wonder if you need to speak to it," he murmured.

"Try it," Draco urged. "I just bought it 'cause it reminded me of our rings." Harry glanced at his own ring, then back at the pendant. He smiled slightly.

Do you speak, he hissed. The Slytherins, sans Draco, all recoiled, having never really heard him speak in Parseltongue before.

For a moment, nothing happened, then, in Harry's mind, he felt something probing at him. A slow whisper echoed in his ears. Why do you awaken me, ssspeaker?

I just wanted to know what your purpose is…

The snake glanced through his thoughts with the ease of a natural Legilimens, respecting Harry's privacy, but at the same time, powerful enough to flick away any attempts at shielding his thoughts that Harry attempted. You are different, very much ssso. There isss a powerful aura about you, and it lendsss you ssstrength when you have none. But it isss not my time to aid you, it hissed softly. You have no need of me.

When shall I need you? thought Harry, unconsciously thinking in Parseltongue.

You will know when the time comesss.

Harry frowned, confused. But-

Farewell, ssspeaker. I will reveal myssself, and my power, to you when the time isss right.

The snake withdrew from his mind, and Harry let out a growl of frustration. "Stupid snake," he muttered. Draco eyed him.

"What, upset 'cause it didn't do anything?"

Harry realized none of his friends knew what had occurred. "No, it spoke to me in my mind," he explained. "But it won't tell me what it does. It just said I would know when and why I needed it, and I quote, 'when the time comes'." He quirked his fingers in invisible quotation marks, emphasizing his words.

Draco just stared at him. "You really are something," he murmured. "You make it sound like talking to snakes in your mind is something everyone should be able to do…"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "It's just something else that's strange about me," he muttered. The snake's words came back to him. There is something different about you... Draco slipped an arm around him.

"No, it's just different. I like different," he whispered in Harry's ear. "It makes you, well, you. Harry. Just Harry." Harry smiled softly, remembering the words echoed from so long ago.

"Thanks," Harry whispered back, his eyes grateful.

"Harry, we'd better get you to your room. It's almost midnight," Mrs. Weasley gently reminded him. "Dumbledore said he'd be sending Professor Snape to help with whatever potions and such you need. He should be here any moment." Harry frowned, torn between nervousness about his coming-of-age, and annoyance that Snape had to be the one to watch him. Draco stood with Harry.

"Please, let me be there?" he pleaded. Mrs. Weasley shook her head.

"You may wait outside the door, but no more than that. It isn't safe." Draco pouted, knowing the woman was right; and the fact that Harry was stronger than most wizards his age meant the transformation was sure to be even more dangerous. He would have to be content with waiting outside.

Suddenly, the fireplace flared, and Professor Snape stepped out of the ashes, dusting off his black robes. He wore a scowl on his face. "Let's get this over with," he sneered. "I have potions to attend to."

Sorry to drag you away. If I could mix my own potions while in pain, I wouldn't need you, Harry thought, deciding annoyance was better than nervousness.

Draco shot his godfather a look. "Be nice," he mouthed. Snape's face soured even more, but he nodded ever so slightly.

"Alright, do you have the room ready?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Weasley. She nodded, beckoning to Draco and Harry to follow her and Snape.

Draco felt the nervousness now building in Harry, and he reached out, taking his Inima's hand and squeezing lightly. "It'll be okay," he promised quietly. "I'll be right outside, waiting." Harry squeezed his hand back, not saying anything for fear of revealing the terror in his voice.

It's okay…you've been through pain before…nothing can be that bad, he comforted himself. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the room, barely hearing as Mrs. Weasley and Snape began putting up wards, inside and out of the room. He flopped onto the bed, kicking off his shoes. Might as well be comfortable as long as he could.

At midnight, the screaming began. A light could be seen shining under the door and out of the windows, despite the curtains being drawn. Even Snape was forced to magically shield his eyes, as the brightness intensified. He could barely make out the various colors in the changing light. Snape's eyes widened slightly, as the lights turned maroon, then pure white.

It's been a long time since anyone's seen that, he thought in disbelief. There are no others in his generation, nor mine.

Snape watched, as a symbol appeared above Harry. A griffin…he didn't know it was a possibility. Magical creatures were rare, if not impossible as an animagus form.

Suddenly, the lights changed again, turning a pale peach color.

Innocent love, mingled with wisdom far beyond his years, Snape mused. Makes sense, the innocent love part…perhaps the wisdom comes from his creature inheritance?

Harry began screeching, as his body adjusted to the ever-strengthening bond between he and his Inima, Draco. It lasted a lot longer than Draco's adjustment had, no doubt because Harry was the dominant partner, as his magic sensed.

But finally, the light faded, and Harry's screams faded to a whimper, and Snape hurried over to him. "Draco," Harry murmured hoarsely. "I need him with me…"

"Drink this first, Potter," Snape ordered quietly, pouring the potions down Harry's throat. The pain-reliever worked almost at once, and the pain eased from Harry's face. "I'll go get him."

Draco had felt the twinge as Harry underwent the bonding. Suddenly, a headache flared behind his forehead, and he grabbed at his head in agony. But as quickly as it had come, the headache disappeared, leaving him with an odd niggling in his mind.

Draco…

His eyes widened. That had sounded like Harry…

Hurts so much…

Even weirder. Draco jumped, as Severus poked his head out of the door. "It's over," his godfather muttered. "He wants to see you…"

Draco…

Draco frowned. "Um…Severus? Do Inimae have mental bonds as well as physical and emotional bonds?" Severus nodded.

"It's possible. Why?"

"I'm hearing something. Either I'm going crazy, or I can hear Harry's thoughts." Severus leaned heavily against the door, slightly taken aback.

"This is insanity," he grumbled to himself. "I did not sign up for this. Yes, Harry's gift is probably telepathy with you. You can block his thoughts if you want."

"How?"

"I…I don't know." Draco stared at him. Severus scowled. "I'm not an Inima. I wouldn't know."

Draco sighed, before thinking for a moment. Maybe just thinking about one thing in particular? The tendrils of thoughts that stemmed from Harry were silenced, as Draco began to focus on an image of a brick wall. "Figured it out," he said, smiling. "Now…is Harry well enough to see me?" he asked, standing. The Potions master nodded. Draco slipped past him and into the room, where Harry was looking toward him, his face pale and tired, but happy.

"Can you hear my thoughts?" Draco whispered, as he approached. Harry nodded.

"I did, but I don't hear them anymore," he croaked back. "You're blocking, huh?" He smirked. "I guess this can be useful. We can confuse people without ever saying a word."

"Merlin forbid," Severus growled, walking over as Draco sat on the edge of the bed. "Alright, Potter, I'm not answering your questions until I've finished speaking, got it?" Harry nodded, quirking an eyebrow. "You are a natural Animagus, a griffin to be exact. Yes, it apparently is possible. Don't ask me how; the last magical creature form known was a phoenix, and that was Merlin himself." Harry's eyes widened; guess he had one more thing that made him an oddity, as if being the bloody Savior of the Wizarding World wasn't enough. Oh well, not many people had to know about it. That was good. His heart sank as he heard Snape's next words, each another nail to the figurative coffin of his uniqueness.

"You also have a creature inheritance. I'm guessing it comes from your father, seeing as your mother was a Muggleborn. You can do research on your family tree, but it probably won't do you much good. Your inheritance is far too rare to gain much knowledge on. I myself have only heard of these types of creatures…"

"What is it?" Harry interrupted, feeling Draco take his hand comfortingly.

Snape looked affronted at being interrupted, but he continued to speak. "A Viatacatre. Life giver." This time, it was Draco's turn to be surprised. Harry glanced at him, noting how he had blanched at hearing the news.

"A Viatacatre?" he whispered. "That's impossible!"

Harry frowned. "Again, what is it?" he asked.

"One of the rarest creature inheritances in this world," Snape drawled. "The reason for their rarity is because Morgana had the majority of them killed. A few Viatacatre managed to escape and hide, but even they were hard pressed to survive in the wild. They just weren't bred to survive on their own. It actually explains a lot." He shifted in his chair, leaning forward slightly.

"Now, Potter, I don't know much other than rumors when it comes to the Viatacatre. I do know that they are highly respected amongst Wizarding folk, and that in old times, they were even considered to be royalty, just like the Vampires and Dhamphyr were. They had strange powers, nothing like Elemental powers or being able to bring back the dead, but they seemed…protected, in a way. They were in tune with the world around them, always touching the lives of others in one way or another. Their magic was more powerful, especially when it came to their Inima."

"Did all of the Viatacatre have Inima?" Harry asked. Snape nodded.

"According to legend, this is where the Inimae first came about. What started off as a simple soulmate grew, and bonding ceremonies were formed. With the development of the Inimae came consequences, however. It is for this very reason that, when an Inima died, their partner would die as well, provided that the bonding ceremony was completed. The Viatacatre managed to form rings, such as the ones upon your finger, Harry, Draco, that would prevent death from coming to the other. But the pain of losing their Inima often drove them mad. They were severely crippled, and many ended up removing their ring, just so they could join their Inima in death."

It was a sad story, to be sure. Harry knew that the Viatacatre must have intended the Inimae as a good thing, but for it to have such devastating consequences must have been difficult.

Snape continued. "There were very few outward differences indicating a Viatacatre," he said, "For all of the changes were to their magical core. To a Seer, their magical energy was nearly blinding; to other creatures of magic, it served as a signal – mess with a fully grown and fully trained Viatacatre, and you would regret it.

"There were other, more noticeable differences. For one, Viatacatre were masters of wandless and nonverbal magic. They also had powers of persuasion – granted that the action they wished their target to take was an action that was natural to the target. For example, Potter, if you were to try to persuade me to get up and start dancing in a pink polka dotted dress, I wouldn't do it, because it is not in my nature to do so." Harry smirked at the idea of Snape in a dress. The man scowled.

"Bad example, but you get my meaning."

"No, it was a good one." Draco shot Harry a warning glance, as Snape glowered at the Gryffindor. "Sorry. You were saying?"

"That's it, pretty much, of my knowledge. I'm sure there's more, but it's not really a creature I researched. You can do your own research, Potter. Get Granger to help you. She'd love a new research assignment." Now it was Harry's turn to glare at the man. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my potions."

With a flurry of black robes, Snape swept from the room, leaving Harry to think about everything he'd said. Draco lowered the walls from around his mind, feeling the strange, yet familiar presence of Harry's mind.

What are you thinking about? he asked softly. Harry didn't answer for a moment, and Draco decided not to pry, even though it would be easy to find out what he was thinking about.

This whole idea, of me being a Viatacatre…it's too weird! I knew I was strange before, but now I'm just a freak show with a wand!

Draco shifted up further on the bed, offering himself as a pillow, like he had several months before, when he'd found out about the protection around his ring. Harry nestled into his side with a sigh, the wave of annoyance and loneliness washing over Draco.

No, Harry, Draco replied. You're not a freak show. You're my Inima…and a wonderful man. When we get married in a week, it'll be because I know that I love you, and that you love me. Even with everything that is different about us. Am I a freak show?

No, Harry grumbled.

But I have my own strange things. Why are you a freak show, but I am not?

Because you are a normal Animagus, with no strange creature inheritances. Especially no bloody royalty lineage or persuasion or whatever the hell I can do.

True. But that's what makes you you, Harry. Draco tightened his grip around Harry. You once told me that you didn't want to be the Savior of the Wizarding World. That you wanted to be yourself. Harry, this is yourself. Viatacatre, Griffin Animagus, and my Inima. I don't want a single thing about you to be different.

Harry looked up at him, feeling comforted. Promise? he asked in a small voice. Draco smiled reassuringly.

Promise.

"I love you." Harry reached up, stroking a strand of Draco's hair. "You always know exactly what to say."

"Well, I'm amazing, and you know that. Of course I know what to say! I'm always right." Harry raised an eyebrow at him, lightly tugging on the hair in his grasp. "Ow! Okay, fine. I'm wrong sometimes." They both chuckled, and Draco leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Harry's lips. "And I love you too, strangeness and all."