Disclaimer

I do not own any part of the Harry Potter series or universe.

Prologue - Part 1

1992, 1st Term - Care of Magical Creatures Classroom, Hogwarts

Harry fidgeted nervously as the fifth year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs began to assemble. He was suddenly reconsidering his choice to help Professor Kettleburn demonstrate familiars to the class. He glanced nervously to the owl perched on his shoulder. "I'm sure you don't mind, Hedwig. A pretty girl like you loves the attention." Harry stroked the feathers on her head and neck. Hedwig sent a wave of sympathy even as she shared her feelings of excitement and pride.

"Todays guest needs no introduction" Professor Kettleburn began. He placed a hand on Harry's unoccupied shoulder and gestured to the perched owl, "Everyone should recognize Hedwig, this magnificent snowy owl. She is accompanied today by her wizard Harry Potter."

"I've asked Hedwig and her partner Harry here today to demonstrate the rare bond between a wizard and a true familiar. Despite what some might claim, true familiars are rare indeed. Within Hogwarts, you'll only find three. Within Brittan, only a few dozen."

"Now, who can tell me what being a true familiar entails?"

The class considered the subject for a moment and a few hands rose up. "Aelfric, what do you have for us?"

The student began "Well professor, my grandfather has a hedgehog familiar, and they seem to communicate by thought alone. The little thing seems smarter than me some times."

"Wouldn't take much!" Exclaimed a classmate, earning a huff and rolled eyes from Aelfric.

"Very good mister Kirkstone, a point to Hufflepuff. Familiars and their wizards can send each other impressions, feelings, and basic ideas over their bond. It isn't a conversation with words, but with practice it can be more effective than spoken language."

"Your other point about intelligence is also true. Hedwig is as intelligent and self-aware as any of us. For this reason, the Ministry classifies familiars fully sentient magical creatures, regardless of their base animal's status."

"Familiars also gain fluency in the native language of their wizard. Animals like parrots can even speak. There's a chap from the Dominican Republic whose parrot familiar loves to debate politics with visitors... but I digress. Unfortunately, familiars don't immediately gain the ability to read. They must acquire that skill the normal way, through diligent practice."

"Familiars also gain an increased lifespan, usually closely matching that of their wizard."

With that, the professor turned back to Hedwig. "Are you ready for a demonstration, my dear?"

Hedwig responded with a nod.

With a wave of his wand, the professor conjured a solid red ball, a striped blue ball, a wicker basket, and a blue cloth. "If you wouldn't mind Hedwig, could you place the cloth in the basket and then place the solid ball on the cloth?"

Hedwig nodded again, then fluttered over to the cloth and proceeded as asked. Harry could feel her satisfaction as she finished to the applause of the students. She spread her wings and took a quick bow before flying back to the perch.

Turning back to the student, the professor asked, "Now, Mr Kirkstone, did your grandfather ever talk about how the hedgehog became his familiar?"

"No sir, though he did say that he found the hedgehog caught in a tangle of muggle fishing line near the edge of a lake."

"Yes," the professor continued, "familiars always begin as a normal pet. No one knows what exactly sparks the change, only that it can't be forced. We do know that they always arise from pets that trust and respect their owners. Mistreated animals will never form a bond with their abusers."

Turning to his guests, the professor asked "Mr Potter, when did you notice the beginnings of a bond with Hedwig?"

Glancing at the owl, Harry thought for a moment then began "The first I noticed was last year during second term. One morning at breakfast I kept getting the impression that I should pass Hedwig the plate of bacon. I kept receiving these thoughts and feelings throughout the day. To be honest I thought I was going a bit mad."

"After sweating it out a few days, I broke down and asked my friend Hermione. She knew right away what was going on. Professor Kettleburn certified Hedwig's status and helped us register with the Ministry."

Professor Kettleburn took over. "Wizards are encouraged, though not required to register their familiars. With official Ministry recognition, the familiar gains legal standing as a sentient creature. Additionally, a familiar cannot be forcibly separated from their wizard except in the most extreme of cases."

A blond Ravenclaw raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Jones" the professor called.

"I read an advert in the paper for a familiar bonding programme, do things like that really work?"

"Those mail order kits and potions provide only empty hopes and broken dreams. True familiars arise spontaneously." Professor Plank replied. "At best, nothing will happen. At worst, the animal or wizard is harmed in the process."

"Now class, If you'll remember back to the beginning of class, I mentioned that there were three known familiars here at Hogwarts. We have Miss Hedwig here with us, obviously. Who can identify the other two?"

The professor recognized a brunette Ravenclaw "Miss Brighton?"

"I'm fairly certain that Mr. Filch's cat must be a familiar. I's creepy how they seem to communicate." she replied with a small disgusted shiver.

"One point to Ravenclaw, Miss Brighton. Mrs. Norris is indeed Mr. Filch's familiar, and they do work together most effectively to keep the halls clear of wandering students after curfew" Professor Kettleburn added with a smile. "Now how about the third familiar?"

He called upon another Ravenclaw "Mr. Dougal?"

"I've heard, professor, that the Headmaster keeps a phoenix familiar, though I've never seen it myself."

"Yes, Mr. Dougal, you are correct. Another point to Ravenclaw. Fawks is indeed the Headmaster's familiar. He keeps mostly to himself, so many students haven't seen him unless they are called to the headmaster's office."

Prologue - Part 2

1992, 2nd Term - Somewhere East of Hogwarts

The Goddess of the hunt flew silently through the air. Her prey skittered far below in the bushes, oblivious to her presence. 'Just a little farther and you're mine' she thought, impatient for the mouse to leave cover.

A wave of emotion broke Hedwig from the reverie of her latest hunt. A sinking feeling formed in the pit of her stomach, her Harry had gotten into trouble again without her! Suddenly she felt it again: a wave of fear mixed with a grim determination. She could feel that Harry was far below Hogwarts and moving rapidly. She sent him a quick query but got nothing concrete in return. 'I'm coming, Harry...'

Hedwig banked quickly, determined to save her wizard. She flew as fast as she could, but Hogwarts was over 15 minutes away After minutes of panicked flying Hedwig neared the school. Harry's feelings of alarm gave way to a weary satisfaction. He sent her the impression of the girls bathroom on the second floor along with assurance that he was ok.

'Stupid wizards and their stupid doors!' she thought impotently, nearing the closed bathroom door. She tried grasping the handle but she lacked the strength and dexterity to open it. Frustrated, she landed a short distance away. She could feel Harry rising rapidly to the surface. As soon as the door cracked open, she flew to her familiar perch on his shoulder. Harry reached up and held her closely to the side of his head. "I'm sorry, girl, I went and did something reckless without you again." he said softly, stroking her head and neck. She replied with a wave of relief and a brief feeling of chastisement.

Prologue - Part 3

1993, 2nd Term - Gryffindor 3rd Year Boys' Dormitory

The squeak of a hinge roused Hedwig from her pleasant dreams of rodent slaughter and head rubs. Annoyed, she lifted her head from under a wing and glared towards the door. She expected to see a student sneaking down to the common room, but instead, a bedraggled man crept towards Ron's bed. 'Oh no you don't!' she thought with a snarl.

Hedwig took to the air in silent alarm and flew above and behind the man. As he raised a long, wicked knife over Ron's prone form, Hedwig struck. As her talons punched into his shoulder, claws digging deep into his flesh. He let out a massive shriek, dropped the knife, and began to flail around. With a final savage bite to his temple, she quickly released her grip and flew to the ceiling to strike again. Startled by the noise, Ron woke up and began yelling as well.

The man quickly stumbled back towards the door and escaped into the night. Extremely satisfied with herself, Hedwig flew down to the abandoned knife and grasped it with a talon, taking it to her stash behind Harry's headboard. It wouldn't do for one of her boys to hurt themselves stumbling over it in the darkness. Her duty done, she landed with bloody talons upon the shoulder of her newly woken wizard.

Chapter 1

2 November 1994 - Unused Classroom, Hogwarts

Harry sat alone at a dusty professor's desk in an abandoned classroom, lost in his thoughts. Classrooms like this were the quickest way to get some much needed privacy. Two days ago, the Goblet of Fire announced him as the fourth contestant in the Triwizard tournament. None of his friends, save Hermione seemed to believe him. 'And even she is trying to appease Ron.' He thought sadly.

'Prek' Hedwig barked, sending him a gentle reprimand. "Yes, I know," he replied, stroking her feathers, "no wallowing in self-pity. At least we have each other." Hedwig sent a hint of satisfaction in response.

Harry heard a tapping at one of the large windows in the east wall of room. Turning, he saw a large brown post owl hopping impatiently at the sill. "Just a moment!" He called out as he made his way through the scattered chairs and tables. Hedwig flew quickly to her usual spot on his shoulder.

He pushed the pane, which opened with a rusty squeak, nearly dislodging the owl. He could feel Hedwig's amusement at the sight. "Sorry about that" he mumbled as the owl flew to a nearby chair and held out it's leg expectantly. Harry reached out and retrieved the letter, then made his way back to the old teacher's desk. The brown owl followed.

Harry sat down and looked over the letter. It was rather heavy for it's size. An elegant script spelled out his full name on the front. A red wax seal held it closed. He wasn't familiar with the emblem - a raven on a shield wreathed in laurels. The enchanted raven moved about and ruffled it's wings every so often.

'Prek' Hedwig chuffed impatiently. "Fine, I'm getting to it" he replied, sliding his finger under the flap.

Dear Harry,

I was sitting on the beach the other day when it occurred to me that I hadn't gotten anything for your birthday. Now, being the popular guy I am, I can't just wander to the corner store without getting mobbed by the ladies. Instead, I thought I would share with you something of your family's legacy. I have included the Marauder's Guide to Discovering your Inner Animal, along with a freshly brewed goblet of a potion that speeds the animagus process considerably.

The potion is, according to your father, something of a Potter family secret. I only know how to make it because old Fleamont (your grandfather) adopted me as an honorary Potter after my mother threw me out. Anyway, the potion is under a stasis charm, so it will be fresh when you get to that point in the guide. The guide itself contains the written version of the Potter animagus process handed down from generation to generation.

Now I'm not normally a stickler for the rules, but it is very important to follow the steps outlined in the Guide, especially surrounding the use of the potion. Fleamont told us of a Potter a few generations back that misused it. She was stuck in the form of an ocelot for five months before she could get someone to reverse the transformation.

I continue to lay low for now, though I hope to visit over the holidays. Maybe we can give the horse and walrus a good scare.

(In)Sincerely Yours,

Your Amazing Dogfather

P.S. Set this letter flat on a table. Touch your wand to the rune seal below and recite the Marauder's Oath to receive the goodies.

Harry did just that. After a quickly muttered "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good", the rune seal began to glow. With a loud 'slurp', a small leather-bound book and a large pewter goblet popped into existence,

Harry peered into the wide-mouthed goblet. the potion within seemed frozen in time, mid-boil. Curious, he reached out and grasped the cup. The air immediately filed with a foul, rancid oder. The once frozen surface bubbled energetically with each bubble releasing a green puff of... something. Hedwig sent a tendril of disgust and the impression that he should leave it well alone. "Yeah, I agree" he replied. Wrinkling his nose, Harry set the goblet back down. Thankfully, the stasis charm reactivated, though the smell remained. He picked up the book.

The Marauder's Guide to Discovering your Inner Animal appeared in an elegant script etched into a brass nameplate on the cover. Opening the book, Harry was surprised to find all the pages blank. 'Of course' he thought to himself, and spoke the Marauder's oath a second time. Just like the map, the book's pages quickly filled with ink.

Just as Harry began to reading the first page, the post owl hooted rudely at Hedwig. Harry could feel her indignation as she puffed her feathers and hopped from his shoulder to the desk. "Hey now, that's no way to talk to a lady. Go on, get out of here!" Harry said, waving his hand dismissively at the bird. The owls ignored him. They stared at each other, ruffling their feathers and bobbing their heads.

Suddenly, the brown owl screeched and leaped at Hedwig. As he jumped, his wing clipped the goblet, spilling the rancid, oily potion all over her feathers. The acrid stench filled the air again.

With a screech, the startled brown owl fled through the still-open window, leaving a furious, potion soaked Hedwig.

"Here, let me clean you up," Harry said as he reached for his wand. Before he could begin a spell, Hedwig shivered, sending Harry a wave of alarm and confusion. The liquid on her feathers began to bubble and give off a thick greenish-brown smoke. She stumbled to the edge of the desk.

"Hedwig!" Harry gasped as he reached out, too slow to stop her fall. She tumbled to the floor and flopped around awkwardly in a thick cloud of vapour.

In that moment, Hedwig began to shift. Suddenly, in place of a potion soaked, bewildered owl lay an equally bewildered girl. Her long, wavy white and black hair barely preserved her modesty. She gazed in wonder through amber eyes at her outstretched hand, flexing the fingers experimentally. She gasped and looked up at her wizard. "H-Hary?" she called uncertainly.

Author's Notes

This will remain a T rated story. There will be romance, but anything of a mature nature will be implied rather than described (not that there would be much, given the characters' age, personalities, and experience).

I was inspired by several other fics involving Harry/Hedwig, like More Than Familiar by grenouille7777 Unlike many of these, this is not a Harry/multi/harem fic and has no slash pairings (of either gender) for main characters.

I am trying to write a realistic, crack-free story. Canon events are assumed up to the beginning of the story unless explicitly stated otherwise. The existence of familiars is the only major departure from canon before the start.

Tips/suggestions/criticisms welcomed. Reviews are appreciated but not required. Expect infrequent and irregular updates.