A/N: As I was describing McGonagall's familiar, I had a specific pooch in mind. When he transforms, I see Milo, from the very funny movie The Mask, when he puts the mask on his face.

THIRTY-SIXTH

"Headmistress McGonagall, might we have a word?" The Great Hall was packed with students and professors, enjoying their evening meal. The din quieted by degrees as the other students noticed the Slytherins standing in a line in front of the head table. Pansy was out front, speaking to the headmistress. Minerva gave a small nod, a slight smile on her face. "In gratitude for your efforts to integrate us more fully into the school, and for your courage in taking on the mess that the former headmaster had left behind, we would like to present you with a gift." She turned and took the pet carrier from Vince, handing it up to the astonished woman carefully. Minerva, eyes suspiciously bright, opened the carrier door and released the animal within. The Jack Russell terrier carefully exited the transporter and looked around for a moment.

"This is a specially bred terrier," Marcus Flint told the professors. The hush in the Hall was absolute as everyone listened in on the conversation. "Its DNA was blended with that of a crup, which has given it a magical core. Buster Crabbe and Arthur Goyle have been experimenting with other breeds of dogs from the muggle world, trying to work out how to give them magic so that they could be better able to serve their owners. This one is the first successful experiment, and it has abilities that most muggle breeds do not. It also has abilities that a crup does not."

"Why are you giving me this animal?" Minerva asked softly. Being that her animagus form was a tabby cat, she thought that her inner animal would be reacting badly to the presence of the dog. The opposite was true; her inner animal had curled up and purred happily, as if connecting with a long-lost friend.

"With the help of Severus Snape and Lord Voldemort, we were able to find your familiar," Daphne took up the explanation. "We took a sample of your hair and put it into a potion. Once the familiar's magic was revealed, the Dark Lord used a special form of scrying spell to locate the animal, which was, fortunately, residing with Vincent's father. So, Lord Voldemort summoned Buster, and explained the situation to him. He happily handed over the dog, and we brought it here."

"My…my familiar?" the woman whispered, tears falling unchecked from her eyes.

"Yes, ma'am," Tracey replied with a smile. "You are a very powerful witch, and a Transfiguration Master. Why would you not think that you had a familiar?"

"I…I was never able to locate one," she answered softly, a beaming smile on her face. "Now I understand that it hadn't been born yet. Thank you, children. I don't think I'll ever be able to adequately express my gratitude."

"So Minerva," Severus said from down the table, a proud smile for his Slytherins on his face, "what are you going to name it?" She picked up the dog, looking underneath for a moment before setting it down.

"I will name him Tavish, after my great grandfather." The dog yipped happily, wagging his tail furiously. He leapt into the woman's arms and covered her face with doggy kisses, making the older witch giggle like a school girl. The students in the Hall sighed happily at the sight before standing as one and applauding loudly. The Slytherins jumped at the sudden noise, turning to stare at the rest of the school as they cheered and clapped.

Albus Dumbledore was on a mission. He was bored out of his mind, being stuck in that stupid little dollhouse, and was looking for a way to escape. He'd already worked out the spells to open the door; now all he had to do was find a weak point in the wards, and he'd be a free man. He'd completely forgotten the menace that he'd face with Mrs. Norris always on the prowl. "Aha!" he barked excitedly as he found a thinning of the ward near a window. Very carefully, he began to pick apart the strands that held the ward together at that spot. He was so concentrated on his task that he didn't even notice the arrival of Minerva. She stood, Tavish in her arms, and watched as the former headmaster finally broke through the wards. He crept to the front door and slowly opened it, wincing at the tinny squeal it gave off, before he rounded the building and began to levitate himself through the hole he'd made. "I'm free!" he squeaked happily as he jumped up and down, clapping madly. The very loud clearing of a throat had him freezing in place, head slowly turning and eyes widening as he took in the towering form of the headmistress.

"Up to mischief, are we, Albus?" she asked archly, the dog in her arms growling lowly, his hackles raised. "I would like to introduce you to my familiar, Tavish. He will now be your guard, since it is obvious that you cannot be trusted to behave." She set the dog down and he slowly advanced, growing larger and larger with each step. When the animal finally reached the cowering little man, Tavish was four feet tall. His snout had grown several inches longer, and his shoulders and hindquarters bunched with muscles. His lips peeled back, revealing razor sharp teeth, and he snarled, foam dripping from his jaws in his rage. His eyes had turned a deep copper color, and glowed with power. Squealing in terror, Albus jumped back through the hole in the wards and dived back into the safety of the dollhouse. Minerva flung a charm at the portal, sealing it permanently, then turned her wand to the wards, strengthening them against any further attempts by Dumbledore to escape. Tavish returned to his normal size and appearance, trotting happily to his mistress for some well-deserved praise. She held out her hand to him, expecting the little nip as he broke the skin enough to take in her blood, sealing the familiar bond, and making the old woman smile happily at the feeling of safety and love she got from the animal.

It was, once again, Samhain, and the boys were in their favorite practice potions lab, performing the ritual for the calling of the dead. Corvus didn't expect to see his parents again; after their conversation last year, the raven felt that his mum and dad were happy enough with his life that they need not interfere. They were at peace, knowing that their pride and joy was finally being treated as he'd deserved. This year, the ritual had called forth Abraxas Malfoy, Draco's grandfather, who had passed several years earlier. He'd loved his grandfather deeply, and missed the old man's stories of days gone by. As the specter began to solidify, the boys felt the magic within the room grow, opening their eyes in shock as a deeper version of Lucius Malfoy's voice sounded in the quiet room. "Hello, beloved grandson," the ghost murmured, staring fondly at the blond.

"Grandad Abraxas," Draco chirped happily, a wide grin on his face. "I miss you so much. I'm happy to see you, but why are you here?"

"I have come to tell you that I am very proud of the man that you are becoming," the old wizard's ghost said softly. "At first, I had despaired, worried for the direction your father had gone. Since the death of the Boy Who Lived, and the birth of the Dark Lord's son and heir, I've seen a change to the organization, and the Dark Lord's goals, that has pleased me greatly. This was the direction I, and many of my friends, had wanted to go in the first place. However, the Dark Lord was still deeply mired in the Dark magic that he had used to rid himself of his muggle heritage, and wasn't thinking very clearly. That did not matter to us; we still loved him anyway, and wished to support him in whatever capacity we could.

"But now, with Corvus at his side, he's become the man that we've always believed he could be. And you, my wonderful, strong, powerful grandson, will be in position to usher the wizarding world into a new era, once the Dark Lord decides to surrender the reins to his son." Abraxas turned to Corvus, fondness in his grey eyes. "You have made my son, and my grandson, stronger and more powerful in their magic than they would have been otherwise. For that, you have my eternal gratitude, and my wholehearted blessing to bond with him, when the time is right. Your blood status no longer matters; to us and all who come after, you will always represent the best of the purebloods."

"Thank you, sir," Corvus replied with a blush. "Draco and Theo are very important to me, and vital for my continued survival. I pray that I will always be able to make you, and the others, proud of me."

"You need not worry in that regard," Abraxas answered the boy. "Our pride comes in knowing that our world will always be in good, strong, capable hands. As for the minions and their spawn, I daresay they will trouble you no longer. I've seen your reactions, and those of your Inner Circle, to their attempts to poach you. I believe, with this last demonstration, that your point has firmly been made. They are terrified of you as they have never been terrified of any other being. Not even the Dark Lord, in all his glory, terrified them as much as you do. You are the future of the wizarding world. All hail the new King." With that proclamation, the spirit bowed to Corvus, and the children could sense the gods and goddesses, who had come to the ritual when called, bow to Corvus as well.

Father,

I've just had an interesting calling of the dead ceremony. This time, it was Abraxas Malfoy to make an appearance. He greeted his grandson, and informed Draco that he was proud. He is also very pleased with the direction you are heading. He was once part of your Inner Circle, was he not? He loved you very much. In fact, he still does. He says that the others of your original group also love you very much, and are very proud of the direction you are going. I did tell you, Father, that choosing this path would bring you everything you wanted, and without the problems that you'd faced the first time around.

He says that we don't have to worry about interference from the minions anymore. Apparently, my last 'demonstration' has brought the point home with painful clarity. He told me that the cannon fodder are terrified of me, and that he's proud of the hold I have over your organization. He's excited for the 'changing of the guard', as it were. Anxious to see Draco in action, I have no doubt. Honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing Draco in his element, as well. An odd thing occurred at the end of the ceremony. Abraxas called me the new King, and bowed to me. I even felt the gods and goddesses, who usually attend our rituals, bow as well. What do you suppose that means?

Anyway,he's given me his blessing in courting Draco, Father. I didn't realize, until he'd said the words, that a part of me wished I could speak to the man, and gain his permission for my intentions toward his grandson. Now I have it, and I'm happier than I could possibly say. Lucius and Draco have told me stories of the man, and I'd often wished that he were my grandfather. I feel I'm missing out on the perspective of older people; that somehow I'm lacking information and the secondhand experience of the elders. I just wish that I had grandparents somewhere, who could tell me more about my parents and other members of my family. No use wishing for things that could never be, though.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I love you.

Corvus

My dearest son,

I am glad that Abraxas has been able to ease your mind in regards to your suit with his grandson. I am surprised that he was so open and honest with you, but I guess that's what death will do to a person. I am surprised to hear that the old man still loves me, considering how wretched I actually was the first time around. What's even more surprising is finding out that my old crowd also still loves me. I am glad for it, though. They bring a maturity to the proceedings that would be lacking otherwise. They help me keep control of the cannon fodder, as you call them. As for the King comment, I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

I am glad that the minions will now cease their pointless pursuit of you. Hopefully, they grow enough of a brain to realize that it isn't through you that they will earn my favor; it will be through their actions, and the accomplishment of their goals for our world that will earn my regard and gratitude. Here's hoping, anyway.

Once again I am reminded of my part in destroying your chance to have a happy family. Once again, I find myself wallowing in guilt and regret for the life to which I had sentenced you when I killed your parents. On a brighter note, the grandparents of your Circle would be most pleased to look upon you as a grandson. As well, they've been diligently researching your family (I must admit, after receiving your letter I had called them to me, and told them that they needed to find whatever information they could on your mother's and father's family histories) and will hopefully have all the information together by the Yule holidays. I know it will not be the same as listening to your grandfather telling you about his family, but this is the best that I could do. I will spend the rest of eternity trying to make it up to you, and trying to repay you, in any way I can, for the light that you have brought to my dark life.

I love you very much, child.

Father

"Miss Parkinson? A word?" Ronald Prewitt-Tonks murmured as he approached the Slytherin girl. She nodded her head and led the way to an abandoned classroom. Once the door was closed, she threw up silencing and privacy wards, to prevent eavesdroppers.

"Please call me Pansy, Mr. Tonks," the girl said before Ron could open his mouth. He grinned happily.

"You may call me Ron, or Weasel, if you care to," the redhead stated, startling a laugh from the girl. "I just want to let you know that I've been able to convince a fair few Ravenclaws to join our cause, as well as a few Hufflepuffs. I haven't been quite as successful with the Gryffindors, but they're a fairly brain-dead lot, anyway. I've been hearing some rumors that the Savior of the wizarding world was going to make a visit before Yule. Any truth to that rumor?"

"Savior of the wizarding world?" Pansy asked sharply, eyebrows drawn down over her eyes in a scowl. "Who's been spreading that load of codswallop?"

"Actually, it's some of my housemates. They seem to think that Harry Potter is going to make an appearance at the school before the holidays, and update us on his training, and the movements of the Dark Lord." Here Ron rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "Honestly, some people are just so desperate for a hero, even when one isn't necessary, that they'll swallow anything, if it gives them hope. I'm actually looking forward to the time that Corvus and the rest of his Inner Circle come to Hogwarts. It's bound to be interesting."

Corvus,

Ron has informed me that there are rumors running around Gryffindor that Harry Potter plans to stop by Hogwarts before the Yule holidays, to update us on his training, and the movements of Tom. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up; I know how much that whole Savior business really irritates you, and I don't want you getting upset if someone approaches you wrongly because of it.

In additional news, the youngest Prewitt was able to gain many valuable allies in Ravenclaw. He wasn't quite as successful in Hufflepuff; however, I have Cedric Diggory working on it. He'd come to apologize to Daphne, Millie, and Tracey for his unwarranted attack on them last year, and promised to help us, and by extension the Dark Lord, in our goals to better the wizarding world. It seems McGonagall's efforts to mitigate the former headmaster's manipulations have borne many fruits of success.

We were able to present the headmistress with her familiar before the Samhain solstice. Needless to say, she was very shocked, but also very happy. She named him Tavish, after her favorite grandfather, and is at this moment using him to guard Dumbledore. Apparently, she caught him attempting to escape his lavish little prison, and set her familiar on him. Tavish doesn't seem to like the old man much. I wonder why?

Pansy

Hey, Pansy,

Thanks for the heads up. Thank Tonks for me, as well. He's making quite the good spy, and his efforts will be rewarded handsomely. As for the Savior business, it's something I haven't heard, but that really doesn't mean anything. After all, we five are rather cloistered here, so far away from you. It's understandable if we don't hear of this except through you. You must send me a memory of the reactions of the Gryffindors when they see that their vaunted Savior doesn't show up on schedule.

I'm very happy to hear that the Jack Russell terrier was so well received. For all she's done to protect you, and the rest of Slytherin House, she deserves to be rewarded, and what better way than by receiving the bond that had been meant for her. This will make her a stronger witch, and a stronger person. This will benefit us greatly when I finally make my appearance at Hogwarts. It'll be nice to know that she will have my back.

Thanks again for all of your devotion. You and the rest have been a blessing to me, and I thank the great Lady every day for you. I love you all.

Corvus