Ch 11
The room was silent at the sight before them, no one had ever seen a lion with wings but Harry wasn't interested in that, Sirius had made his way over and whispered that Harry should memorise the image, it's colour and markings. It was then that Harry really took notice of the image, the golden coat and gossamer wings across which were the image of a single silver lightening bolt.
As the images began to fade the silence was broken by the sound of two objects hitting the floor, and when Harry span on his heal he found Hermione and McGonagall both unconscious on the floor,
"Well that's a first" Sirius commented trying his best not to burst out laughing "Harry I think you should go get Madam Pomfrey. The rest of you can go on to your next lessons and we'll begin your training next time, and seeing as your teacher is currently 'indisposed' there'll be no homework."
Everyone left the room except Ron and Sirius who waited with the two unconscious figures while Harry went to the infirmary.
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Ginny walked the corridors of Hogwarts making her way towards the great hall for dinner, she was scanning every face she passed for a sight of her fiancé. She had been hearing strange rumours all day and when he didn't show at lunch she began to worry and it only got worse when no one she spoke to seemed to know where he was. So it was with a very heavy heart that she entered the great hall only to see him sitting at the gryffindor table having a quiet talk with Ron.
"Look Ron I'm sorry you had to sit through Divination alone but McGonagall wouldn't let me leave, she's had me poked and prodded by Madam Pomfrey all morning before using that lamp on me four more times to make sure it wasn't a mistake and . . ."
Ginny behind them listening and trying to figure out why Hermione wasn't with them.
"Ginny love, are you just gong to stand there all day or are you sitting down to eat?"
"Oh sorry Harry I was just wondering where 'Mione was!" she answered taking a seat next to him.
"Well last time I saw her she was heading for the library so don't expect here to soon unless Ron wants to get her!"
At this Ron seemed to perk up, "I'll be right back" and he was off after Hermione.
"Now that he's out the way" Harry pulled Ginny into a deep kiss which she soon melted into after the initial shock
"Mm. What was that for?" she asked as they separated.
"Well, I haven't seen you all day, I missed you!" he answered with a smile.
"Which reminds me, why did Professor McGonagall have the nurse check you over?"
"Revenge I reckon." Said a voice behind them
"Blimey Ron that was quick what did you do, summon her"
"Nah! She was on her way in when I left."
"Hang on!" Ginny interrupted "What did you mean revenge?"
"Well old Harry here decided once again to amaze us in class resulting in McGonagall passed out on the class room floor." Ron was trying his utmost not to laugh.
"Harry! What did you do?" Ginny asked looking nervously between him and the teachers table "And why doesn't she seem angry?"
"Personally I reckon she thinks all her dreams have just come true. Oh and Harry if she tells Harry about your final form expect to be helping him in class once you've mastered it!" Hermione said all the while barely taking a breath she was so excited.
"'Mione breath!" once she had calmed down Ginny continued, "Now why would Harry have to help Hagrid and what do you mean 'final form'?"
"Ginny" Ron said getting her attention "What were you doing in Transfiguration today?"
"Learning if we had an animal form for later in the year, which reminds me congratulations 'Mione, Sirius told me about your double transformation."
"Well you obviously know we found out our forms today and . . ." Ron was cut off as Harry suddenly caught Ginny's attention.
"Erm Gin? I'm just curious what was your form?"
"I'm a wolf!" At this Harry's grin spread like wildfire.
"Right, well Ginny you'll be happy to hear that Harry's also a wolf!" Ron stopped to let this sink in and the smile on Ginny's face seemed to light the room. "But that's not all!"
Ginny looked at Ron her smile fading a bit "What do you mean?"
Harry decided to step in at that point "Ginny I also have two other forms, a phoenix and a lion!"
"Harry that was no lion!" Hermione's statement caught all their attention "That was a Griffin. Now do you see why Hagrid will want your help, Griffins are extinct!"
"But 'Mione I thought Griffins had the head of an eagle, not to mention being huge." Ron asked curiosity getting the better of him.
"No Ron a Griffin is just a cross between a lion and an eagle, it doesn't matter how much of each is visible, and the reason Harry's form is shall we say on the small side is because of his age, Griffins don't reach full size till the age of about twenty at which point Harry will probably be as large as Hagrid's hut."
"O.k. I understand all that" Ginny said carefully "What I don't understand is why McGonagall fainted."
"Well from what I've read no one has ever been able to become an extinct animal before and I guess it was a bit of a shock."
Harry noticed she had left out the part about her collapsing and he decided not to pursue it for now.
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Harry wandered the halls trying to find Sirius or Professor Lupin, the others had all gone to the library after dinner to research their animals (convinced of course by Hermione) but Harry had declined, he had to find at least one of the marauders to ask a question, which was really beginning to bug him.
Finally after an hour of searching he spotted Sirius and bolted after him, "Sirius wait up!" He called out as he ran after him.
"Harry? You know you shouldn't be running in the school like that!" he said as Harry skidded to a stop in front of him.
"Look who's talking? Or was I imagining the canine version of the Flash earlier today?"
"The what? Never mind, what's wrong?"
"Just a question."
"Well I'm in a bit of a hurry, so could you walk and talk?"
"O.k." Harry fell into step along side Sirius as he continued along the corridor "Sirius? When you told me about your becoming an animagus you said it took a couple of months to master, and I was wondering since I have three forms. ."
"You're afraid you'll fall behind!" Sirius finished for him "Well to be honest I thought the same when I saw Hermione's forms never mind yours. So I spent the last hour in the library. Don't look so shocked I can read you know, anyway from what I read it seems that when you have more than one form you will have a natural affinity with one of your forms and you can master it in a matter of weeks, but it will still take the normal amount of time to master all of them."
"So Hermione and I won't fall behind then?"
"In one way you'll both be ahead of the class."
They stopped and Harry realised they were outside Lupin's office "Right Harry I think you'd best go back to your common room and I'll see you tomorrow!" and so saying he entered the office leaving Harry to take the now short walk back to gryffindor.
As Harry entered the common room he remembered that he was supposed to speak to McGonagall about the portrait entrance "I'll ask her tomorrow!" glancing round the room he found it surprisingly quiet unlike the rest of the castle. Although the room looked empty he could tell that Ginny was sat in front of the fire, and so without a second thought he dropped onto the sofa and pulled her close. Ginny relaxed once she recognised it was Harry and snuggled in closer "So" he said once they were both comfy but she cut him off.
"Where have you been?" she asked quietly
"I just had to speak to Sirius"
"You mean you know where he is?"
"Of course, why?"
"'Cause half the school are searching for him."
"What did he do?"
"Well let's just say there's not a single Slytherin who's not a showing the Griffindor colours . . ." but she never got to finish as Harry's breathing evened out as he fell asleep soon to be followed by Ginny.
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Harry became aware of the surrounding gloom as figures began to appear, he recognised them instantly, Deatheaters, it was then that he took note of his surroundings he was in a bustling street now emptying rapidly as people fled. As he turned he found himself standing in front of a large stone building which seemed to be the central target of the Deatheaters, but Harry couldn't figure out why they would want to attack there until he spotted a plaque by the door, it was then that realisation and horror passed through him as a tall figure with pale skin entered the building.
Harry recognised Voldemort easily and was about to follow when a familiar voice passed over him,
"We will stop him when our time comes, however bold his attacks may become."
Harry knew the voice as the one from his other dreams and finally spoke
"When will that be?"
"When air passes freely beneath the crossed form of bravery!"
Before Harry could figure out what he meant Voldemort stormed out of the building "LUCIUS!!"
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Harry sat bolt upright to find himself on a sofa in the common room with Ginny's anxious face peering down at him. His scar was on fire but he noticed just as before the pain eased quicker than ever.
"Harry, are you alright?" Ginny asked gently
"Yeah love, just a dream sorry to wake you!" He reassured.
"Don't worry about it, but do you think you should go see Dumbledore?"
"I will at breakfast, right now I'm not going anywhere!" he said sleepily as he pulled her close and they both drifted back to sleep.
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Harry woke to find the sun rising slowly but knew that wasn't what woke him and as he glanced around the room he came face to face with,
"Sirius? What are you doing here?" Harry asked as he began to wake Ginny
"Well it was either me or McGonagall, which would you prefer?" he said with a smile "Now if you two want any breakfast I suggest you get up and in the great hall quickly!" After he had left they quickly got changed and headed down. When they reached the hall Harry squeezed Ginny's hand reassuringly and headed to the teachers table.
"Professor Dumbledore? I really need to speak with you!" he said the moment he got there.
Looking up from his conversation with Professor Sinistra, he took one look at Harry before gesturing towards the room Harry went into after his name came out the Goblet of Fire.
"So what has Mr. Riddle been up to now?" Dumbledore asked as soon as they entered the room.
"How did you?"
"The look on your face told me all I needed. So?"
Harry started to recount the events of the dream leaving out the part about the reoccurring voice of his dreams, when he was almost done Dumbledore interrupted him,
"Forgive me Harry but there were no attacks last night." He seemed to consider something for a moment then continued "Did you by any chance recognise where the attack took place?"
Harry too a deep breath, this was the part he'd been dreading "Sir, it was the Ministry of Magic." He said with his gaze locked firmly with the fire. When he glanced up he noticed a slight smile on the headmasters face.
"I think I now understand what's happening, Harry I'll deal with the Ministry and explain to you when I'm done. In the mean time," a large plate of food appeared between them, "I think you should eat then head to class. I believe Remus may need your help today. Oh and I'll inform Miss Weasley where you are!"
Harry soon found that strangely enough he wasn't hungry and soon left for class. When he arrived he noticed he was the first there but as Professor Lupin was already in the room he entered to take his seat.
"Ah Harry I was hoping you may be early today, you see we're studying Dementors this term and I plan on teaching the patronus spell and I was hoping . . ."
"That I might demonstrate?" Harry finished for him
"Well yes, but also as you know this spell I was going to ask you to help the others in the class. I'll take Slytherin while you help Gryffindor. What do say?"
"Sure, it sounds like fun!"
"Right well when the rest of the class get here." He was cut off by a noise outside "Never mind."
The class piled in heading to their seats, once settled Lupin began the lesson.
"For the next few weeks we will be learning about one of the most feared creatures in the wizarding world. To fear this creature is to be afraid of fear itself." He stopped and glanced around at the class before continuing "Can anyone name these horrors?"
Unsurprisingly it was Hermione's hand that was in the air first closely followed by Ron's hand 'She's rubbing off on him' Lupin thought when he saw this, what he didn't see was Harry's hand which surprised him as he had told Harry what they were studying and he probably knew more about their affects than any other student.
"Miss Granger?"
"Your talking about Dementors!" she stated happily.
"Excellent ten points to Gryffindor. Now who can explain what I meant by fearing fear? Mr. Weasley?"
"When you get close to a Dementor you relive your worst memory or fear!" Ron responded.
"Yes another ten points. Now there is a way to defend against a Dementor and that would be the Patronus Charm which it cannot cross, a strong patronus can drive a Dementor away however it is difficult to do, so over the next few weeks we will learn what we can about Dementors, their effects, origins and their weaknesses. But first you need to be able to defend yourselves so, Harry could you join me please?"
Harry left his seat and made his over to the Professor "Now the incantation for this spell is Expecto patronum, while you say this you must picture in your mind the happiest memory you can. The happier the memory the memory the stronger the Patronus, but as I said it is a very difficult spell so don't be discouraged if you cant do it first time, Harry and I will be around to help. Yes Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco had raised his hand during Lupin's speech and was now glaring down at the teacher "Why" he asked slowly "would we need Potter's help?"
"Mr. Malfoy I thought you of all people would understand why, but very well, Harry if you could demonstrate?"
"I'll need a target Professor!" Harry said calmly
"Very well Mr. Malfoy as you wanted this you can release the boggart in that chest over there." Lupin pointed to a large chest away from the students.
As soon as the lid was open a cold wave crashed over the room as a shrouded Dementor rose from the box. Harry already knew what he had to do, summoning an image of Ginny in his mind he called out "Expecto Patronum!" instantly a large silver stag erupted from his hand (although to the rest of the class it looked as though it came from the wand he was holding) and charged down the Dementor leaving nothing but a pile of ash in it's wake and then returned to Harry before fading.
"That, was a Patronus." Said Lupin recovering from a shock which Harry didn't understand as he'd seen his Patronus before "Now Harry if you could help the Gryffindors I'll deal with the Slytherins and wake Malfoy." Malfoy who suddenly recognised the stag from his third year had passed out when it had destroyed the Dementor.
The rest of the lesson was rather uneventful and in the end had managed to form an indistinct silvery mist but nowhere near as strong as Harry's. And so it was that Harry and his friends made their way to Transfiguration for their second lesson of three that week.
They were about to take their usual seats when Professor McGonagall entered "Could all those training with Mr. Black make their way down to the great hall, everyone take your seats.
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When they entered the hall they noticed that the tables had been removed and several mats on the floor with Sirius sat on one in the centre.
"Everyone find a mat and have a seat. Now I will be teaching you how to transform while your homework will consist of theory, which shall be marked by Professor McGonagall but more about that later. For now let's begin. In order to begin the change you must be able to totally clear your mind . . ."
As Sirius went on to explain about various techniques to clear the mind and the reason for doing so Harry began to drift as his mind moved to a state that was strangely familiar to him serene and peaceful. He slowly began to see images before his eyes, his three animal forms stood before him as if waiting for him, however he was drawn towards his wolf form, something about it called to him almost as if he knew what it was thinking. He slowly reached towards it but before he could make contact he being shook by Ron.
"Ron, what?" Harry snapped irritably
"Calm down Harry! Class has finished we thought you'd fallen asleep." Sirius said over Ron's shoulder.
"Sirius I almost had it, just five more minuets and I could've done it!" Harry was livid he had been so close and Ron stopped him.
"Look Harry I know I said you'd be able to learn one form faster but it will still take a couple of weeks."
"Sirius I swear, look when do we have to leave the hall?"
"The house elves will be here in ten minuets Mr. Potter" Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore had entered the hall to speak to Sirius,
"Right I'm going to try again, Sirius wake me if I run out of time." Harry then closed his eyes and let his mind drift once again (only this time it happened much quicker) and his animals where there waiting patiently. As soon as he saw them he was drawn to the wolf, he ran his hands through his thick fur smooth and soft as silk it was at that point he felt strange, a kind of tensing of all his muscles which woke him from his relaxed state and even before he opened his eyes he knew Ginny had joined the group, he could feel her watching him, he could sense her uneasiness and smell her fear. 'Wait a minuet' he thought 'I can smell her fear?'
He opened his eyes warily and met all the stares of those there. That's when he knew, he'd done it.
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A.N.
First I'd like to appologise to about the delay in updating however now that I'm past my slight mental block for this story I should be updating much more frequently however I will also be working on my other story 'The Fire Within'
So until next time r/r
PP]DRAGOS
