AN: I know, I know, it's waaaaay too late again. I'm planning on making this a rather long one – about three short chapters' worth. Oh – if you feel that I'm taking too long in updating, please e-mail me at . If you do so, I'll likely update much sooner, since the worst part about getting these chapters up is getting them started. Anyway, on with the story.
When Harry awoke the next morning, his head was still aching. Instead of his normal trip to the kitchen at this time of day, he walked directly to his bathroom and started a nice warm shower. Fully clean, fully dry, and fully dressed, he stepped into the living room. Hermione was already in there, reading a book.
"Hey," he said, "What time did you get up at?"
"Six thirty," she said, not looking up from An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration, Grade 6.
"Getting behind, Hermione? Classes start today and you're not done with the course books yet?" Harry joked.
"Wow Hermione," said Ron, walking in, "Term starts today and you're not done with the texts? This must be a record!"
"Actually, I'll have both of you know that I have finished reading all of the course books. I'm re-reading because that was a month ago and I've forgotten three pieces of information from the book already," she chided.
Harry snuck a glance at the page number. Four hundred and thirty-two, he chuckled. "Come on, let's go get breakfast," he said, hoping to change the topic before he burst out laughing.
The Great Hall was nearly empty, containing only those students who were early-risers. Classes didn't start until nine o'clock, and it was only seven forty-five. They sat at the end of the Gryffindor table, near the center aisle. Just as Hermione was putting kippers on her plate, a solitary bird flew through the open window and to Harry. Its red plumage and long crimson tail cause Hermione to gasp. "Oh my gosh," she said, "it's a phoenix!"
"And it's not Fawkes," said Harry, eyeing the black spots near the bird's eyes and gold streaks shooting through the tail feathers.
"There's a note, geniuses," said Ron. Harry took the envelope attached to the bird's leg and read it aloud:
Harry,
This phoenix turned up in my study along with a note from the Founders. His name is Ignis, and the note said that he now belongs to you.
It is a great privilege to own a phoenix, Harry. If the pet doesn't like you, they will leave immediately and will not return. Make sure you keep your relationship with him strong, and Ignis will be and amazing asset in the war against evil.
Also in the letter, the Founders said that your friends, too, will receive animals. They should be arriving by the time you're done with this letter.
Signed,
Albus Dumbledore,
Order of Merlin, First Class,
Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards,
And Proud Member of the Famous Witches and Wizards Card Association
As Harry read the last word, a black panther and a white wolf walked into the Hall. A silence came over the students as they all stared at the two beasts lumbering their ways through the hall. Each of them stood at least four feet at the shoulder and their paws were the size of dinner plates. The wolf walked to Ron and the panther to Hermione. Each of them spoke.
"My name is Pardalis," said the panther in a feminine voice.
"And I am Lupor," said the wolf to Ron. Its voice was masculine and the wolf's musculature could easily be seen through its short fur around its shoulders.
"Misters Potter and Weasley and Ms. Granger, would you come up here, please," said Dumbledore, breaking the silence in the chamber. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked to the Teachers' table and Dumbledore continued. "You have all been given unique gifts before this day," he said, "and today you get your final gifts. These animals are your partners in the War. They are all highly capable and have seen more years between them than any wizard alive today. They will always be available to you, but I suggest that they be free to roam about your training area until you can get better acquainted with them."
"Thank you, Professor," said Hermione.
They were about to retreat to their dormitory until Professor McGonagall stopped them. "Course schedules," she said briskly before walking off.
When the animals were safely put in the training area, the trio walked to their first class, Advacned Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall was standing at the front of the class when they got in. The room was nearly empty, and the teacher was putting out badgers on all the desks and making sure they didn't escape with a full-body bind. "Ah, you three," she said between binding spells, "This is the first time anyone has been forty-five minutes early for my class before. Is there any particular reason?"
"No, not really," replied Harry. "We just put our…well, pets, I guess…into the training area in our dormitory. Hermione decided that she was full, so she dragged us both here, instead of to breakfast, where I could still be eating that bacon and eggs." He glared at Hermione.
"You could have gone if you wanted to!" she responded.
"Yeah, and then had you to avoid all day," muttered Ron.
Oh God, thought Professor McGonagall, if these three are supposed to save the world as we know it, they're going to need all the help they can get. "You three," she said aloud, "please stop bickering and tell me about the DA…what are you planning on doing with it now that it's not illegal?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances. None of them even considered what would happen to Dumbledore's Army since they learned of their extended powers. Harry leaned on his staff and said, "Would we be able to run it again? I mean, as far as I know, we have a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher now, but I think the group would still like to study independently. Don't you guys?"
"Yeah," chorused Hermione and Ron. "Would it be possible to get permission to study again?" continued Hermione. "I know the group would want to be together."
"I'll speak to Professor Dumbledore about it. Oh, hello, Parvati," said McGonagall.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at their normal table, middle row, center column. "Have you guys even considered the DA?" asked Ron.
"Nope, forgot all about it," said Hermione.
"Me too," responded Harry. "But we'll do it again. We made so much progress with the entire group last year. The sixth- and seventh-years can help the fifth years with the OWLs now that we know what they're mostly about."
More and more students filtered into the room over the next forty minutes. When the bell finally rang, Professor McGonagall stood from her desk and called the class to order. "On you desks, I have placed a badger. There are enough for one between three. You will attempt to turn the badger into a shoehorn. Instructions can be found on the board, and questions should be answered from your books on page 23. If they're not, I'm paid to help you. Please begin."
Ron hiccoughed with this spell for the first ten minutes of class, but Hermione calmed him down and he finally did it. By the time class was over, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the only people in class to successfully transform their badgers. "Excellent," McGonagall said, "Ten points apiece."
The bell rang, and the students exited the classroom. Hermione went to Arithmancy class while Harry and Ron went to the library. They had a study period, and they wanted to get a start on the homework assignment that they'd been given. Ron and Harry sat at a table in the northeast corner of the library and took out their textbooks. "So, since the badger can be reverted back to its original state, it's not technically killing, and therefore, the Ministry of Magic hasn't classified this spell as illegal. I wondered about that, didn't you Harry? Harry?" Ron said.
But Harry didn't hear. His head was flat on the table, and his breathing was quick and short.
AN: Alright, so that's only two chapters' worth of content in one. Sue me. You'd have to wait longer if you wanted another. Next chap will be quicker, I hope.