Chapter 6

Animagii

The portrait door opened and Madam Pomfrey came in with a cup of potion, "I heard Hermione was a little shocked," she said adding kindly, "Have a calming draught dear." Hermione didn't look like she wanted one, "No, thank you," she said. "Drink it," Madam Pomfrey insisted. Hermione took it and drank all of it. Madam Pomfrey helped her up he girls' staircase. Harry stared into the fire, thinking about all that had happened, it was now hitting him. Two people had died, because of him. He couldn't endanger more especially his friends. But where could he go? He had nowhere to go, no places to hide.

Dumbledore opened the portrait, "Harry," he began, "I would like to discuss something with you." Harry did not answer immediately, "Yes Professor?" he said. "I want you to study with Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said. "I do Professor, transfiguration." Harry replied thickly. "I mean, I want you to learn to become an animagius, both you and Hermione," said Dumbledore. "But Professor, then we have to register and…" Harry started. "An unregistered animagius Harry. The stakes are too high to involve the Ministry." Dumbledore interrupted. Harry was dumbstruck; "But Professor isn't that illegal?" asked Harry. "Yes, and I would never dream of forcing you, but if you are willing Professor McGonagall will teach you. Think about it Harry, that is all I ask," Dumbledore said as he left. Harry got up and went to his dormitory, where his four poster bed awaited him.

Harry awoke in his four poster bed, his trunk was in front of his bed with his invisibility cloak on it, he wondered for a second how it got there, only then did he remember, he got up and raced to Dumbledore's office. He stopped in front of the gargoyle and realized he didn't know how to get in, he just started saying passwords. "Trouble Harry?" asked the familiar friendly voice of Dumbledore, who had just exited. "Sir, I know where Voldemort is." Harry started, "He is in the Riddle mansion." "Yes, we just checked there, they were there but they had already relocated," Dumbledore replied. Harry looked disappointed, "I should have told you earlier Professor." Dumbledore smiled, "Don't worry Harry, we will get them… in the end. Now don't forget breakfast, in one hour."

Harry decided to see if Hermione was up yet, when he reached the common room, his question was answered, she was looking much better, her sister was bouncing happily on her knee. Hermione didn't notice Harry enter, so he waited in the corner beside the Fat Lady. Hermione was smiling for the first time since their narrow escape. After half an hour Hermione put Amanda down and headed to the boys staircase. "I'm already up," Harry called. "Good morning Harry," she smiled, "How long you been standing there?" Harry smiled back, "For a while, I didn't want to disturb you. We still got half an hour before breakfast. What would you like to do?" Hermione ran up the girls staircase and came down with her books. "I found these on my trunk this morning, no idea how they got here," she said, "Want to study?" "Great," said Harry, "Sounds great, I have to ask Dumbledore about getting my books."

They spent a quarter hour studying, while Amanda played on the grass. Then they went to breakfast, when they arrived Dumbledore was already sitting at the head table, the house tables were stacked on the wall, Harry and Hermione, who holding Amanda, approached the teachers desks, "Good morning Professors," said Hermione. "Hermione," said Professor McGonagall hesitantly, "I would like to discuss something with you." "Is something wrong Professor?" asked Hermione. "Why don't you come with me a moment?" said Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall led her from the table. "Why don't you sit down Harry." Dumbledore said. "What did Professor McGonagall want?" asked Harry. "Well Harry, that is between Professor McGonagall and Hermione," replied Dumbledore. Harry sat down, then he heard Hermione's voice, "NO, YOU CAN'T!" she shrieked. Harry started to get up, "Sit down," said Dumbledore quietly. "But," Harry started to object. "Harry, sit down, I told you, this is between Professor McGonagall and Hermione." Dumbledore spoke in the same soft voice. Harry looked torn, "Sir, please," he said. "No Harry, let them their privacy," replied Professor Dumbledore. "But sir, I'll get the brunt end of it in the common room," Harry pleaded the closed doors started to bulge and shattered as Harry's emotions fell into turmoil. The doors seemed to get closer…

"Harry, enough, sit down," Dumbledore changed his tone slightly. Harry knew it was not good arguing with him, he sat back down watching the splinters fall to the ground. "Pork chops," said Dumbledore. Harry got the idea, "Eggs," he said. Eggs appeared in front of him, his stomach growled. He started, but stopped, "Professor, can I wait for Hermione?" Harry asked. "Go ahead, it will take a while," replied Dumbledore.

After finishing breakfast, Harry ran up to Gryffindor tower to find Hermione. She wasn't in the common room, so he checked the lake. He found her sitting and staring over the lake. He walked softly toward her and sat down next to her, "You okay?" he asked softly. She sniffed, "No, they took Amanda." Harry looked shocked, "They took Amanda from you?" he asked. "Yes," she replied angrily, "Why didn't you come?" Harry sighed, "Dumbledore stopped me," he answered. "WELL WHY DIDN'T YOU COME ANYWAY?" she demanded. "Same reason you didn't write me about the Order last year, we trust him," he said. "SO THIS IS REVENGE?" she shrieked. "No Hermione, I couldn't do that to you, especially if it involves Amanda." Harry said. He held her as she started sobbing hard. After a few minutes she quit, Harry pushed her backward and looked into her beautiful brown eyes, "Hermione, there is something I am supposed to tell you, I know this isn't the time, but…" he said. "Harry, just spit it out," said Hermione sounding a little cross. "Dumbledore wants us to become unregistered Animagii, he says this is too important to not involve the Ministry." "If you will," she paused looked him in the eye, "I will."

Neo appeared before McGonagall, "Minerva, let me have Amanda." "Why? Who are you?" asked McGonagall, "I'm going to find her a nice home." Neo looked at Amanda, "Come child. You will be placed with them," he said, then he disapparated along with Amanda. McGonagall was shocked, "HOW THE…" she nearly shouted. She went to quickly find Dumbledore.

Harry helped Hermione to the common room, "Thank you Harry," said Hermione, "You've been a great friend." "Anything I can do for you Hermione," Harry replied, "I know what it is like to lose someone close to you." "Yes, you do don't you? Sirius was the closest thing you had to a family," she said as she put her arm around Harry. Harry nodded, "Yes, he was, but maybe not the last of my family." When they arrived at the common room, they departed from each other and went to bed.

Voldemort paced angrily, "WHY ARE WE NOT PROCEEDING?" he demanded. "My Lord, do you not want to wait until Neo has been caught?" asked Wormtail. Voldemort stopped dead, "Who is it?" he said. "You will never catch me, you know from the ancient dark arts, you learned what I am," said a quiet voice. "Ahh, Neo, AVADA KADAVERA." he shouted. A blinding green light emanated from Voldemort's wand. When the light dispersed Neo was in a different spot, "You cannot catch me," said Neo, "You know it as well, from the Ancient Art. Now Voldemort listen carefully, know that we control the future, not you, we hold it within us." "You cannot stop me," sneered Voldemort. "Perhaps, perhaps not," responded Neo, "If I choose not to." "Will we succeed?" asked Voldemort quickly. "You ask me to help you?" replied Neo. "Yes," said Voldemort. "Then I will tell you what will happen," said Neo as he disapparated, the walls spoke, "You will fail to your own demise."