Author's Note: I'm sorry this is so short, but I needed to put it in, then I ran out of ideas. Thanks for the reviews, and yes, Zeph is meant to resemble Harry. I'll dedicate a chapter to the person who reviews and guesses what the relationship is correctly.

And now, the story....

It came at last in the September of the next year. Zeph was by this time, having applied himself more diligently to his work that Wolf had ever seen a student do, working with boys of sixteen or seventeen, compared to his mere thirteen (his birthday was September 21st).

He had been having individual lessons in the afternoon as well - Dumbledore's announcement had made it imperative that he learned advanced magic very quickly. Their latest challenge had been making him an Animagus.

"Now Zeph," Wolf said patiently at the beginning of their fifth three- hour lesson on it as he had at each of the previous ones. "You know that when you manage to change, you will always be the same animal and that you won't be able to choose or change."
"Of course Wolf," said the boy, sounding rather bored at this endless repetition. "That is because the animal is the animal which best represents my magic and my inner personality. We've done this all before. Do you really think I'll make it this time? I hope so, and do you have any idea what sort of animal I'll be. I can't wait to find out, but I hope I'm not a rat or an elephant or something totally useless like that. It would be worthless becoming an Animagus if that was all I could manage."
"Elephants have their uses in battle - Hannibal used them extensively, and I believe he was an Animagus with an elephant as his form. Rats, much as I now dislike them, are good too - they can slip into places where other animals can't and make excellent spies and scouts. They can fight too. As to your other question, I think you're getting closer each time you try. If you don't make it this time I'll be surprised, but even then you certainly will soon."
"That wasn't really a definite answer, but here goes."

Zeph took a deep breath, and moved his wand swiftly in the patterns he'd been taught. They were almost automatic by now. He fixed his mind carefully on the change. He was desperate to become the first Animagus among the Lost Boys - Cub not counting because he'd been born with the ability - and since Peter was also learning, it was vital that he tried his best.

As he finished the movements, he said the words to the charm that in future, when he was used to it, he wouldn't need.
"Animago Mandatum!" As he said that, he wished desperately for it to work, and not just produce the odd red feather as it had in the past, although even that had been an achievement at the time. His body suddenly shot downwards. It, well it didn't exactly hurt, but it felt really odd - a bit like very bad pins and needles but in his entire body.

When the feeling died away, Zeph shuffled his new body awkwardly. It was small, that was easy enough to tell, and his arms had been replaced by sweeping red wings. He jumped enthusiastically, flapping energetically, and nose-dived straight into Wolf's arms. The teacher was laughing, mostly from high spirits, but partly because his student looked so awkward.

Zeph lost the shape - he was finding that it took great concentration to maintain. Wolf dropped him abruptly, an adolescent boy was much heavier than a bird.
"So," he asked eagerly. "What was I?"
"A phoenix!"
"Wow. what did I look like?"
"Amazing," Wolf said, teasing gently, "that is, until you tried to fly. I think these lessons will have to continue you for a bit - you're a hazard until you learn. Would you like me to find a mirror for you, that is, if you think you can do it again?"
"Of course I can," Zeph told him boldly. "You said it got easier and easier after the first time, until it comes naturally, so I'm going to see if I can get to that stage soon. I need to, really, there won't be time for all that wand stuff in a battle."

Wolf left, smiling indulgently. Zeph was usually a pleasure to teach, he'd let him have his moment of excess before he calmed down. The boy straightened his shoulders proudly. He was the King of the Birds: magical, handsome, prized by great wizards like Dumbledore, the emblem of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. the list went on and on!

When Wolf at last came back with the mirror, Zeph managed to change back and spent an enjoyable five minutes strutting around in front of it, admiring himself and preening with delight. He didn't try to fly again; he wasn't going to spoil the feeling of his moment of triumph by attempting something he couldn't do. Peter was going to be so surprised!