Harry awoke the next morning feeling better then he had in quite a long time. He stretched his limbs and crawled out of his incredibly soft bed. It was still dark outside, and all of his friends were still asleep. Harry shook his head, wishing he could sleep late. Orien had him up at four thirty every morning, just so he could practice. And the means of waking him up weren't too pleasant either. Harry could be the one to tell you that ice cold water that early in the morning did nothing for beauty sleep. He light-heartedly grumbled as he climbed into the shower.

Harry walked back into the dorm, to find everyone still asleep. Besides, it was only 4:45. He jogged out of the dorm into the common room and sat by the long dead fire. Harry slipped his shoes on, ready to go excercise and jog around the lake. Orien would kill him if he got out of shape! Then he caught sight of silky red hair on an armchair. Ginny was sitting in a chair, staring at him.

"Good morning Ginny." Harry said cautiously. "You're up very early." Ginny nodded and adjusted her blanket around her. "I'm always up this early Harry." she said quietly. "I've been getting up this early since you have been missing, just to see if I could somehow connect to you." Harry looked at his shoes guiltily.

"I'm really sorry Ginny." he murmmered. "I never meant to hurt any of you. I stayed so I could learn how to defeat Voldemort." Ginny didn't even blink at the name. "I never meant to hurt anyone." Harry continued in a whisper. "Especially you. I don't even know why I'm letting myself get close to you. All I will do is hurt you Ginny. I don't think I could stand myself if I caused you any more pain." Ginny's eyes bore into Harry's on. "The only way you could hurt me, Harry Potter, is to leave me." she said. "I will always be here for you. And don't you think, for one minute, that you are going to be able to keep me out of the fighting. I am a big girl, and I can take care of myself!" She finished in a demanding voice, her eyes daring him to defy her.

Harry grinned. "Same old Ginny!" he said. "I would never want to do something against your will, Gin. Now, I really have to go. I have to jog, and excercise. Orien will murder me if I don't."

"Well we can't have that!" Ginny exclaimed. "Go jog, I'll see you at breakfast." Ginny smiled at him, and Harry nodded.

"See ya Gin." he said. Harry walked out of the portrait hole, disturbing the Fat Lady from her slumber. She grumbled before Harry apologized, then she fell back to sleep. He jogged all the way to the lake, then jogged around it about 20 times. Harry looked around, making sure that no one was around. He didn't want anyone to see him change into his griffin form, but he had to, to stretch his wings. Harry quickly switched forms and took off into the crisp, morning air. He hadn't flown for 10 minutes when he saw a movement in the forest. His griffin eyes concentrated on the spot, as he slowly made his way towards the ground. Harry certainly didn't need to be shot out of the air. He landed gracefully on the ground, a few feet from the Forbidden Forest. Something moved again. And something came out of the forest that almost knocked Harry's socks off. If he had any on, of course.

A huge, male, golden griffin.

The griffin stared at him. "Human..You are a human." it said wisely. "You are no griffin." Harry's large, golden eyes shown brightly. The griffin was speaking to him! Harry bowed his head. "No, Sir." he said. "I am no griffin. I am Harry Potter." The griffin looked at Harry with slightly surprised eyes. "Harry...Potter.." the griffin rumbled. "James...Potter."

"You know my dad?" Harry whispered, his slight fear of the griffin forgotten. "Your father?" the griffin questioned. Harry thought he heard a small amount of laughter behind the griffins wise, deep voice. Harry nodded. "You are the young one I met...Just a few years ago." the griffin said. "You will not remember me, Destinato, but I met you, when you were a Giovani Uno. I remember your lightening scar. Tell me..Where are Fiore and Maschio? I should like to see them."

"Destinato?" Harry asked, confused. "Giovani Uno? Fiore and Maschio? I do not understand, Sir." A rumble came from the griffin, and Harry realized that he was laughing. "What is your name, Sir?" Harry asked.

"My name is Padrone. I am the leader of the griffins." the great, griffin said. Harry's eyes widened and he sank to his cat-like knees. "Rise." Padrone said. "You are just as important as me, in your own world. Now, Destinato, is your name from my people. Giovani Uno means Young One. Fiore and Maschio mean flower and stag. Your mother and father. Where are they?" Harry's gaze lowered the the ground, and his wings drooped, as he stood. "My parents..they are dead, Padrone." Harry's whispered in a small voice. "Voldemort killed them when I was one."

Padrone looked shocked, apalled, then furious. "Fiore spoke of that one to me. He is called Malvagità in my language. That is evil. He killed Fiore and Maschio. He killed my friends!" Padrone raged. "The rat betrayed them! He betrayed those who saved him! Where is Leale? Where is Lupo? Tell me boy, were your parents revenged!" Harry slipped back into his human form.

"No Padrone, they were not. By Leale and Lupo, I assume you mean Sirius and Remus. Sirius...Sirius tried to avenge my parents. He tried to kill Peter. But Peter cut off his own finger, and turned into a rat, to save himself. He blew up an entire street of muggles, and the Ministry put Sirius in jail, because they thought he had betrayed my parents. When I was 13, Sirius escaped. I was going to capture Peter and live with him. But..last year.." Tears began to stream down Harry's face, and his voice was full of grief. "Sirius died, trying to save me. Bellatrix Lestrange, his OWN COUSIN MURDERED HIM!" Harry ended, bellowing. Padrone padded over to him, and looked straight into Harry's bright green eyes. "Pace, tutto è bene ora." he said quietly. Harry seemed to immediately calm.

"What did you do?" he asked wonderously. Padrone smiled. "I spoke words in my ancient tongue to you. I may teach you some day. Now..What happened to Lupo? Or Remus, as you call him." Harry just shook his head. "Remus is fine. He is at the school, right now." Padrone paced beside Harry.

"I must come with you to your school. I must speak to the wise one. Albus Dumbledore." Padrone said. "Climb onto my back. I will not let you fall."

"But what if we're seen?" Harry asked, as he climbed on Padrone's back. Padrone spread his gigantic wings. "Then we will just be seen." he said. And they took off into the now bright morning sun.

"I will not fail you again, My Lord!" cried a tiny voice, in anguish. "I will not!"

"You have failed me too many times, Wormtail." Lord Voldemort hissed at his servant. "But I will give you one more chance. You will go to Hogwarts, and you will spy on the boy for me. You will not fail me."

"No, Master! Never!" the fat bald man, Peter Pettigrew squeaked. "You are so merciful, Master! I do not deserve your mercy!" Peter fell to his knees and began kissing the hem of Voldemort's robes. "Thank you Master..Thank you. I will not fail you again." Peter breathed, as he stood.

"You are right Peter. You will not fail me again, and you do not deserve my mercy. Here is something to remember while you are at Hogwarts, right under the mudblood loving fool's nose. Crucio!" Voldemort hissed, and laughed cruelly. Peter Pettigrew writhed in pain. His screams were heard throughout the entire Riddle Mansion.

Voldemort released Peter from the curse. "You will not fail me, Peter." he hissed.

"No Master." Peter gasped. "No."

"Leave me. Go to Hogwarts. You will report to Severus. Go now, before I decide to kill you." Voldemort said. Peter scuttled from the room fearfully, glancing over his shoulder.

A/N:

Ok..I'm terrible at writing long chapters! Please forgive me! That's where I'm going to leave it though!

Pace, tutto è bene ora. means "Peace, all is well now"

Thanks for reading guys! I hope that you review!