**Oh dear. School started the day after I posted the last chapter. Grrr.

I am glad that most of you seemed to like it and are eager for me to explain all the little puzzles I have created… (Muahahahahah!)

Well, guess what, today you get to discover the answer to one of the biggest mysteries, though some of you have guessed it already… you're not as stupid as I thought… j/k!

Now, now, no scrolling straight down to the end!

Anyway, as I said, school + mega prep + life = big problem! I will try and make time to write, I can't stand people who update like once a term… Grrr…. Oh for the days when I used to update every day…!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter already!!!  On with the fic! **

Harry woke up early, as usual, and ran over the match in his mind. He wished he could remember more about it. He sure could remember every detail in his other dreams.  

He pushed back his covers, earning a hiss from the pile of black coils at the end of the bed.

"It is not even light," Sleeve hissed.

"I don't like the light," Harry lied.

"Sure."

Harry laughed softly.

The blue book was still in the middle of the black patch on the carpet – he'd been too tired the night before to clear it up.

He pulled out his wand and whispered "Reparo!" the shards of glass from the inkbottle pulled themselves back together into a useable container, but the ink remained soaked into the carpet.

Harry frowned at it. He didn't know how far the unwritten law of the House Elves would go. He gritted his teeth, put his wand back on the bed and touched the ink with a forefinger.

"Reparmaxi!" He hissed, putting more force behind it. The blackness faded a little, but remained highly visible.

Harry sighed. He'd have to worry about that later.

He knelt on the floor, picked up the book and wrote his name in green ink to save the black. Red was what he had most of, but he doubted Sirius would be able to see it.

'That you, Harry?'

'No, idiot, it's Morgana.'

'What a shame. I've always wanted to meet her.'

'Well now you have. Where's Remus?'

'He's not coming.'

'What?'

'He's busy.'

'But'-

'I wouldn't worry. You'd be in more danger if it were just him. You ready?'

'I guess.'

'Be sure.'

'Ok. I'm sure.'

'Go ahead. Don't let it take you over, and remember how to get back.'

'Right. Just – give me some time. It takes a while.'

Harry sat back on the floor. He closed his eyes, and tried to think of nothing. It was slightly easier now that he had none it twice and had the feeling of what he had to do. But only slightly easier.

Transforma Animagi! … Transforma Animagi!

He could almost feel the change, it was happening so slowly. He felt his nightshirt ripple as something grew on his back, and his fingernails lengthening as if they were being stretched.

Yet it didn't hurt as it had when he had taken the Polyjuice Potion. It was almost… a nice feeling. As if it had always been a part of him and he was only now experiencing it.

Had he enjoyed it yesterday? Harry supposed he must have been too terrified to think about whether he liked it or not.

As this uninvited thought drifted into his head, disturbing his concentration of almost-nothingness, the process stopped.

Harry opened his eyes. And gasped.

He had talons. Pitch black, bird of prey talons instead of feet.

But that wasn't right! He'd had claws yesterday! He stared at his feet, looking grotesquely small against his normal legs. He leaned forward, and he felt unfamiliar movement underneath his pyjama top.

Hardly daring to imagine what he would find, Harry pulled it off, with some difficulty. He got up and tried to see it in the mirror. He could see well enough.

He had feathers. Black feathers.

He sat down on the floor again, a little harder than he had meant to.

'Harry? Harry, are you finished?'

Harry picked up his quill. 'No. But my hands are normal.'

There was a pause. 'So - what isn't normal?'

'I don't know what to tell you.'

'What is it?'

'Sirius, I've got feathers. And talons.'

He didn't reply for almost a minute. 'But you had fur!'

'And claws.' Harry reminded him.

'But that's not possible!'

'I know.'

'Are you sure?'

'Sirius, my feet have come straight off Hedwig. Except they're black.'

'Black? Like your fur was?'

'Yeah. So are the feathers.'

Sirius thought a very rude word indeed, and it showed up on the page. Harry couldn't be sure or not whether that had been an accident.

'What?'

'Harry, it could be, I didn't think it was possible'-

Harry waited patiently for about two seconds.

'What, Sirius?"

'Well'-

'Sirius!'

'An animuchos.'

'A what?'

'Harry, I'm not even sure if they exist.'

'But what the hell are they?'

'Language, Potter.'

'Sirius!'

'Look, you'll have to ask Remus about it. He's the one with extensive libraries at his disposal.'

'Just tell me'-

'Harry, I can't. I just don't know, and I don't want to go telling you anything that's not right. Wait for Remus.'

'But that won't be until tomorrow!'

'We'll see.'

'What?'

'You'll find out later. Now, can you change back?'

'Yes.'

'Good.'

'You're not leaving?'

'I have to, Harry. It took you almost fifteen minutes last time, and I have things to do.'

'Time to spring clean your puddle?'

'Don't be pert.'

'Sorry.'

'Goodbye Harry.'

'Bye.'

And he was gone. Harry sighed, and tried to clear his mind without the word 'unfair' springing into his mind. It was very hard work.

When he was finished, he grabbed a pillow and gave it a good kick, which made him feel slightly better.

"What are you doing?" asked a very sleepy snake.

"Kicking a pillow," Harry replied savagely. 

"What on earth for?"

"Because no one will tell me anything!"

"Would you rather they told you too much?"

"Just more than this!"

"Very well. Then I will tell you something."

"What?" asked Harry eagerly.

"You are late for breakfast."

Harry was indeed very late for breakfast, which was perhaps a good thing.

"You had this," said Wendy through her hash brown, waving half a burnt envelope.

'Caroline blew it up," said Professor Sprout, as Harry sat back down. He had heard the other teachers refer to Professor Sinistra as Caroline.

"'Mazing," said Hagrid.

"I wish she'd have let me have a go at it though," said Wendy, looking regretful. "Imagine if old what's-his-face got his own curse blown up in his face next time he opened a bill." She giggled a little.

"Now, Wendy," said professor Dumbledore with a smile. "Let's not deprive dear Caroline of her fun. The lady has spirit, let us enjoy it while it lasts."

"Where is Professor Sinistra?" asked Harry to cover the awkward silence that followed.

"In the hospital wing," said Wendy."

Harry choked on his toast. "She's not hurt, is she?"

"Of course she isn't. She's just really excited that she may have just saved your life, or she would have done if you had been here. She'll be showing off non-existent war wounds for weeks now. I said you should have let me do it."

"Only about a hundred times!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, and everyone laughed, except Harry, who was still trying to dislodge his toast, and Wendy, who was helping him.

"Ow!"

"Oh, you baby. Imagine the headline: Boy Who Lived Killed By Toast."

"But you didn't have to thump me that hard!"

"It wasn't that hard!"

"I think, Wendy, that you often do not realise your own strength," said Professor Dumbledore.

******************************************************************************************

"Right then. You may not realise it, but we're now past all seventh year Charms…"

Harry gaped at her.

"Why so surprised?"

"I've learnt three years of charms in five days?"

"And Defence against the Dark Arts"

"What?"

"You didn't let me finish!"

"But…"

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted," said Wendy, doing a very good impression of Professor McGonagall. "We are past all seventh year charms and Defence against the Dark Arts, but not Transfiguration. Therefore…"

"You're kidding!"

"No indeed."

Harry sunk his head into his hands.

"What's up?"

"Don't I get enough Transfiguration in the mornings?" he said, looking up.

"Sorry?"

Harry was actually on the verge of telling her, when there was a knock on the door and someone very familiar entered the classroom.

"Remus!"

His old Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher gave him a quick wink, then looked up at Wendy.

There was a pause, in which Harry studied his old teacher and friend. Did he look younger? It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.  He was looking at his old classmate with nothing short of painful adoration.

"Ali?"

"Remus?"

Another pause.

"You look older."

"But you're still as beautiful. How do you do it?"

Wendy giggled. Then she laughed, and threw herself into Remus' arms, burying her head in his shoulder. "I've… missed you so much…"

"I know, I know…" said Remus reassuringly. He hugged her tightly, one hand around her shoulders, the other carefully stroking her long black hair.

 Harry could see the affection in his eyes before he closed them, small tears of happiness leaking into Wendy's hair.

Harry wanted to turn away, but it was fascinating. These two friends hadn't seen each other for fourteen years, and the emotion in the room was overpowering.

It was a while before they broke apart, and when they did, Harry realised Wendy was shaking not from joy, but from horrible sadness.

There were tears running down her cheeks, and as Remus helped her into a chair, the silent crying merged into loud sobs.  

"Oh, Remus! It was so awful. None of them believed me…" she took the handkerchief he offered her and blew her nose.

She smiled weakly at Harry, who was looking at her with great concern.

"I'm all right dear… I just… I just…"

"It's Ok, Ali," said Remus, sitting down beside her.

"Don't call me that," Wendy said, but it was very half-hearted.

"Should I go?" asked Harry.

"No," said Wendy quickly. Harry looked at Remus.

"Just give us a couple of minutes, Harry."

"Sure." Harry went out of the classroom, closed the door and cast an eavesdropping spell with a wave of one hand. If no one was telling him anything, he was going to find out by himself. Hadn't they got that yet?

Besides, it was so unlike Wendy, or rather Alula. She just was the sort of person who never cried. A bit like Harry himself, though he didn't know it.

He did cry sometimes, of course, just not when anyone could see, and no one would expect it of him.

"What was so awful?" Remus was saying kindly.

"The Ministry," Wendy wailed. "They sent for me as soon as I got back. Why can't they leave me alone? Especially now Henry… he…"

"Alula," said Remus gently. "Does Harry know?"

"No! I don't want him to hate me as well, not Lily's son…" She dissolved again into sobs. After a while they faded away again.

"Ali, Harry ought to know the truth. I promise he won't hate you."

By this time, Harry was thoroughly bewildered. But then, he reasoned, it had really been that way from the beginning.

"You're right," said Wendy. "Of course you're right. But … I can't…"

"I'll tell him."

A pause.

"Would you?"

"Of course. Now dry your eyes, and smile. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Oh, Remus, of course I am. Sometimes I just wish…" Her voice trailed out as she supposedly wiped her face with the handkerchief.

"That we could have been married?"

Harry's mouth dropped open.

"Yes. Do you mind that?"

"Not at all. I never stopped loving you."

"Me neither. But I was so lonely…"

"I know, Ali. I don't mind that you married someone else."

"Really?"

"Truly."

"But the only reason I married him was because he reminded me of you."

"That's ridiculous, Alula."

"Don't call me that!"

"Are you that sensitive about it?"

"More."

"All right then. But I think you're being silly."

"Silly?"

"Wrong word perhaps." And then quickly, as if worried she might explode, Remus said loudly, "Ok, Harry. Come in."

Harry opened the door. "You Ok?" he asked Wendy.

"Yes, Harry. I'm fine." Her eyes were still red and a little puffy, but she was smiling.

Harry looked straight into those eyes for a hint of what might be troubling her, but all he got was that familiar flash of recognition that meant he was sure he had seen this woman somewhere before.

"Right then," said Remus. "Don't let me disturb your lesson, Professor."

He sat back with a grin on his face. Wendy made a face at Harry. "He just likes to calling me 'Professor'."

Harry smiled at her.

"So, as I was saying before we were interrupted for the second time," she stuck out her tongue at Remus. "We've done seventh year Charms and Defence against the Dark Arts, and it's time to work on your advanced Transfiguration…"

"Well, that shouldn't be too much trouble," said Remus thoughtfully.

Wendy glared at him. "I thought you said you didn't want to disturb the lesson?"

"No I didn't. I told you not to let me. Not doing such a good job, so far, are you?"

Wendy rolled her eyes. "So what do you mean, not too much of a problem?"

"I meant that Harry should already be able to do those spells without tuition."

"What?" said Harry.

"Why?" said Wendy.

"Well, because of his father, and because of all the other spells he's learnt, and… and some other reasons." He gave Harry a pointed look.

"Which you're not going to tell me," said Wendy.

"Not yet."

Harry understood. He was now automatically good at Transfiguration because he was almost an animagus, or an ani… whatever Sirius had said it was.

And then it hit him. Sirius had told him about Remus coming. Sort of. And he needed Remus to tell him about what had happened that morning.

Suddenly for the first time, Harry couldn't wait for this lesson to end, so that he could talk to Remus.

"All right then Harry. You settle it," Wendy was saying. "Show us what you can do. Transfigure the desk into a dog or something."

Harry stared at her. "You're kidding! It's huge!"

"If you're as good as Remus says you are, size shouldn't matter in the slightest. Go on."

Harry reached for his wand, but Wendy smacked his hand with her own. "Don't you dare, young man," she said.

"You've got him on wandless spells?" exclaimed Remus.

"Of course," Wendy said, ignoring her friend's astonishment. "Go on, Harry."

Harry stood up and touched his desk with one hand. "Dog," he said quietly.

"Don't say it like it's a question, Harry," said Remus. "Say it firmly."

"Better yet, don't say it at all," said Wendy. Harry rolled his eyes at her.

Dog, he thought, very firmly. Dog, dog, do-

The wood beneath his hand was suddenly very soft. Harry had his hand on an enormous Alsatian dog, and it was growling at him, rather ferociously.

Harry thought 'desk' then, rather quickly. The change was so sudden that the desk he created was an extremely posh medieval piece of furniture with dogs' paws at the end of its legs and complete with drawers and secret compartments.

At least, it looked like it had secret compartments.

All in all, it was a beautiful piece of work, and Harry immediately felt rather proud of it.

Would you rather freeze to death…?

"Harry," breathed Wendy. "That was amazing!" She turned to Remus. "How did he do that?"

Remus rather wisely chose not to answer that. He ran a hand over the now mahogany surface of the desk. "Nice work," he muttered.

"It's beautiful," Wendy corrected.

"Shouldn't I turn it back/" asked Harry regretfully.

"Don't you dare!" gasped Wendy.

"It does look a bit out of place," Remus agreed with Harry.

There was a pause as they all stared at Harry's desk.

"Why don't we swap it with Professor McGonagall's one?" said Harry. "To thank her for letting us use her classroom."

"You're too soft, Harry," said Wendy. "All right. Swap the desks over, with your hands behind your back, and then you can come to my classroom and make me a desk."

Harry glared at her. "You never give up, do you?"

Wendy smiled. "Not likely."

They spent the rest of that whole afternoon showing Remus Harry's Charms, and Wendy his Transfiguration skills.

The clearing and moving of Professor McGonagall's desk was just the beginning. He spent five minutes switching the candles on and off with his eyes closed, and then changing the colour of the curtains to better suit the scheme of the room.

After that, Wendy suggested they re-decorate the whole classroom, and by the time they had finished lunch was all but over.

At least in all the fun, Wendy had forgotten about the desk of her own. Harry was very unsure that he would be able to do it again, at least on purpose.

Remus gave him a wink as Wendy danced out of the classroom before them, yelling 'Ladies first!' He hadn't forgotten.

"Where have you two been?" Professor Sinistra demanded as soon as they entered.

Remus politely closed the door behind them.

Snape looked venomous. "What's he doing here?"

Harry hissed something very rude at him in Parseltongue.

"What was that?" Snape wanted to know.

"Nothing."

"Remus is here under my protection, Severus, and will remain so until he is needed elsewhere," said Professor Dumbledore.

Snape muttered incoherently. Harry found himself wishing fervently that Sleeve were with him. The slimy potions teacher wouldn't be so quick to object with a great whacking fang hole in his nose.

"And I want it understood," said Dumbledore, looking down the table, "by all of you, that his presence here is to remain an utter secret from the students. Is that understood?"

All the teachers and Harry nodded.

"Now," said Dumbledore, "let me draw you up a chair…"

"No, professor," said Wendy. "Let Harry do it."

"Wendy!" Harry complained. "I'm exhausted!"

"It's only a chair," said his teacher with an evil grin, and passed him a pin from her robes.

"You are joking," said Professor McGonagall with a small laugh.

Harry sighed. If Wendy wanted to show off, that was her problem. He tossed the pin up in the air, and when it came back down, it was a chair. A very nice chair.

He placed it carefully between himself and Wendy and sat down himself, not meeting anyone's eyes.

"But… but they are not even relatively the same size!" protested Professor McGonagall.

Remus sat down in the chair, a huge grin plastered on his face that was totally against his character.

"We'll have to develop this fancy streak of yours, Harry," he said, stroking the fine leather on the arms of his seat, and running his fingers over the intricate wood carving in the back.

Harry shrugged. "It's just a chair," he said, and then bit into a sandwich before anyone could argue with him.

People did though. Everyone commented on how well Harry had come along, trying to hide the surprise in their eyes, all except Dumbledore, who was smiling enough to make Harry feel prouder than everyone else's comments made him.

As he left the Great Hall with Remus afterwards, the great chair floating along behind them, Harry heard whisperings and rumbles (Hagrid) demanding of Dumbledore and Wendy how Harry had done it, and what else exactly could he do?

As soon as they were out of earshot, Harry said quickly, "Remus, did you hear from-"

Remus held up a hand. He motioned at Harry's left palm. Harry glanced at it.

The words read 'The walls have ears.'

Harry stared at it. And the portraits he thought back.

Remus looked at his own hand, and smiled. He led Harry through part of the castle he had rarely visited. He tried hard to memorise the way, just in case.

Finally they reached a gargoyle that looked a little like a wolf in a crouch. Remus obviously thought so, because he made a face as he leaned down to whisper the password.

The Gargoyle sprang aside and Remus and Harry stepped inside.

It was a cosy, square room, a little like Gryffindor common room, with two doors on the opposite side and a fire that sprang into life as they entered.

Remus closed the opening, and they settled into large, soft armchairs facing each other.

Harry, skinny as he was, felt lost in his.

"Do you like it?" Remus asked him.

"Sure," said Harry, distractedly. "So, did you hear from Sirius today?"

Remus looked him straight in the eyes. "Yes, I did. And he told me everything. But there is something I need to tell you first."

Harry realised that this was what he had offered to speak to him about for Wendy.

"Harry, there is something about Alula – Wendy – that you don't know. Alula… is Sirius' sister."

**There? OK? I know half of you there saw that coming, but I was hardly going to change it now, was I?

Here be thanks:

August wynd: that's the longest review I've ever had in only two sentences!

Calm, deep soothing thoughts… Yeah, so anyway, of course you were right. Everyone was right. Why do I have to be so predictable? Oh yeah, but I haven't explained any of the others! Muahahahahah!

Kay

Shudurrani

Leaf: why do people always ask me that? Like I'm telling!! He, he, sorry.

Katani Petitedra: Hello Kit. Now at least I see why you wanted a dragon. Please

could you tell me where your pen name comes from? I hate unfathomable things… oh wait! I am one!

Icedrake

Sky Chief: He, he, he, comforting… I hope you keep that resolution…

Mysia: I love him too. He's my favourite original character. Not that I have many yet. Like… two. Four.

Jordan

Evil Snapple Pie: Talk about your story research! How do you know so much

about stars? Oh yeah, the 'freeze' thing... well the truth is I finish a chapter then go through looking for a great place to put it. But I promise, there is a point! Though when I get it, no one is going to think it's all that important. Oh well. Glad you are writing… get on with it!! Sorry. Hyperventilating…  ok. I am fine… so you lucky thing! You have your long break now. Grrr. Yes, I saw two towers and of course it rocked. Mainly because they bits they cut out don't morph the story. Unlike a certain two other films I could mention, but I'm not going to because I went through that whole argument with my friends at lunch today.

Autumn Dreams

Potter Pikachu: hybrid... hmm nice thought. Bad mental image for some reason.

Oh well. Thanks for reviewing.

Shahducky: ha! Not telling till next chapter!

Tima: Ok, I read it already! Thanks for the review.

Ellen: Whoops… hope you get up ok…

Ok, now this time I know I missed someone because I deleted one by mistake so sorry whoever that is and anyone else I stupidly missed.

Are you mad? Then it's done its job.

Love ~*~Laterose~*~.   **