Disclaimer: Standard thing. Don't own nothing, cause if I did, I wouldn't have to write my ideas out this way. I could get paid enormous amounts of money, and make somebody else type this out instead.

A/N: This fic is about to become a W.I.P., with longer pauses in between the chapters. I'm going to start writing a year seven book. Start watching for Harry Potter and the Labyrinth of Shadows in the near future! Also, I'd like to throw a shout out to mellyone, for being my first (and only) reviewer!

Chapter Seven: Professor Birkes

After a filling breakfast, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the DA sixth years headed up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Harry hesitated before entering. He hadn't heard much about the new professor, Birkes, except that he was a competent teacher. He had not been seen during the attack on the Hogwarts, but the man had later claimed that he had fallen asleep on the train, and was awoken by the screams of all the first years crammed into his compartment.

Harry walked in, and saw that the classroom looked just as it had in the past. The class took their seats, and waited for Professor Birkes to walk into the room. He was soon in the room, and the class waited for him to begin.

Professor Birkes was a middle-aged man, with slightly graying hair, around normal height, with a smaller frame then an average man. He had gray eyes that spoke of wisdom, but very little adventure.

"Okay, now that we've taken roll, we can begin. This year will begin the N.E.W.T. level courses, and they will continue on into next year. This first semester, we will cover everything you should have learned, and finish it up with some more theory. Next semester, we'll work on the practical part, and you will learn many new things, all of which will help you on your exams next year."

The class was farther ahead then Professor Birkes had expected. Harry had taught the DA well, and they successfully accomplished every task he had put before them.

"Well, I can see that our lesson plans will have to have a very definite change. Dumbledore said you were all pretty advanced, but this is outstanding. Very well, you all can leave class fifteen minutes early, for you excellent work today."

Harry watched as Professor Birkes turned around to study his book on the desk, running his hand along the back of his head as he read. Harry noticed a mark on the man's hand. Upon closer inspection, Harry noticed that it was a black Z, with a pale white moon setting in the lower left hand corner, and a strange, emerald mark marking a distinction in the bottom space of the letter.

"Professor, what does that tattoo mean?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"Well Harry, this tattoo was once the symbol for a very prominent, powerful family of wizards. As time went on, they started to gain more power, and soon had gathered an army of wizards to their side. They were involved in the fight against Salazar Slytherin, and they were led by a member of the family who was referred to as the Half Blood Prince.

"After the war was over, the family was left in ruins, and their army spread out into the world, and went back to their families. My ancestor was one of the men in the front line, and he died. People from our village came back and told his wife, and she tattooed a small version of the powerful wizarding family on the child's hand, showing that the families would always be tied together, because the Half Blood Prince had been killed as well, as he and my ancestor fought side by side, battling enemies until death took them. Their blood spilled together, and now, my family is tied to that family. While the blood oath is all but forgotten, the Birkes family continues to bear the symbol of the family that they died protecting, and who died protecting them."

"What was the name of this family?"

"A strange name. Ziantor. I'm not sure if they even exist anymore. I was under the impression that they had all died out at least two generations ago. They demanded that the family remain pureblood, which is interesting, as the Half Blood Prince was just that, a half blood. But everyone these days knows it's almost impossible to keep a family pureblooded. Now, I think it's time for you to get to class."

"Thank you for the little lesson Professor."

"Any time Harry. You know, I knew your parents back in their Hogwarts days. They were only second years when I graduated Hogwarts, but I knew that they were special. And of course, we all know that they were now."

Harry walked out of the classroom, and met up with Hermione and Seamus who were headed towards Potions. They walked down into the dungeon, where the class was waiting. There were only eight students in the whole class, and Harry was surprised to see that only one Slytherin was represented in the class, and that was Blaise Zabini, a medium sized boy with brown hair and hazel eyes. Seamus sat down next to him, and Harry and Hermione sat down across the aisle.

"Today is the beginning of your two year course study of N.E.W.T. level Potions. How some of you managed to get the grade to move up, I do not know. But, you did, and therefore, you'll be sitting the exam in two years time. During those two years, you will learn all of the necessary skills needed to pass your exam. Today, you will start with the Draught of Dreamless Sleep. After the horrific attack on the Hogwarts Express, many of the students have been having nightmares. Madam Pomfrey's supply of the draught has been exhausted, and I simply don't have the time to brew a high enough amount of the potion myself. So, don't screw this potion up. The instructions are on the board."

Harry and Hermione opened up their potions kit, and began to follow the instructions on the board. The studious nature of the room was much easier for Harry to focus in, and he found himself able to follow the instructions without too much difficulty, even when Snape was breathing down his neck.

At the end of class, Snape had everyone pour the contents of their potion into a small vial, and bring it to the front. Harry filled two extra, slightly larger vials, and deposited them into his robe. Then, he brought his potion to the front.

"Well Potter, there may be some hope for you yet. This potion doesn't look too terribly wrong. If it were being graded, it would probably receive an E. Now, Mr. Finnagin, let's see yours."

Harry waited for Hermione and Seamus to get out of the classroom, and the three of them headed up to lunch. They sat down next to Ron and Neville, and they were soon joined by Lavender. The six ate lunch, then headed up to Transfiguration.

"Today, we will do some preliminary discussion on Animagi. This is an important part of the theory part of your N.E.W.T. level exam, and I want everyone to pass this lesson. We'll discuss the principles behind the transformation, and then, I will teach you all how to discover what your Animagi form is going to be, if you are capable. Throughout the next two years, we will talk about Animagi as time between tests allow, and then hit it hard in the second semester of your seventh year."

Harry copied down the Animagi notes. The Animagi charm was a mix of potions, charms, and a special ritual that would make the charm permanent. Harry copied down these notes in wonder, remembering all the times he had seen Sirius change his form.

"Now, if you come up to the front, we'll perform a small, simple charm that should tell you what your form will be, if it's possible. To be honest with you all, I only expect about half of you to have a form, and less than half of that group to actually be able to master the technique."

The class headed forward. Harry watched as a silver mare came out of Hermione's chest. Ron had a grizzly bear lumber out, and tower above him before disappearing. Neville's shape was hazy, but there was something there. Harry walked to the front.

"Animagus Formento." Harry looked down in amazement as a snarling muzzle started to form out of his chest, soon followed by glinting eyes, alert ears, a flowing mane, and the smooth, lithe form of a fully grown male lion. The apperition soon disappeared, and Harry returned back to his seat, unaware of the rest of the class.

At the end of class, Harry was once again held back. "Mr. Potter, may I say that I am extremely excited and impressed with your Animagi form. You are the first person I have ever performed that spell on that had such a distinct, life like form. And as to my knowledge, you are one of only four people to have a lion form since the days of Godric Gryffindor. The other three were all ancestors of Gryffindor himself, and the last known lion Animagi form was Gryffindor's great great grandson. That was nearly eight hundred years ago. Combined with the fact that you hold Gryffindor's sword brings up some very interesting theories. I must speak with the Headmaster. You are free to go. Oh yes, I almost forgot. You need to schedule tryouts for the House team. Heavens know that we could use some new beaters, along with at least two new Chasers. I booked the pitch for you on Friday. Does that work?"

Harry nodded, and the two left the classroom, Harry headed to the common room, McGonagall headed to Dumbledore's office.

At supper, Harry revealed the dealings of his meeting with McGonagall after class to his friends. They were all surprised to learn about the fact that Harry's Animagi form was uncommon, and furthermore, they were surprised by the fact that McGonagall was wondering about the connection between Harry and Gryffindor's sword.

After supper, Harry was headed upstairs when he was stopped by a friendly, but somewhat unwanted sight.

"Dobby? What are you doing here?"

"Professor Dumbledore wanted to talk to you, Harry Potter. He said to tell you that he has important news for you."

"Okay, thanks. I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"

Ron and Hermione nodded their heads, and turned back towards the common room. Harry followed Dobby up to Dumbledore's office.

"Phoenix Feather" said Dobby, and the gargoyles leapt aside. Harry started up the long winding staircase. At the door, he heard voices inside the office.

"We must tell Harry. It's time he knows about his heritage. James would be outraged if he knew you were keeping this from his son."

"If Potter learns the truth, it can only help him in his battle. I see no reason why he can't be told."

"I barely know the boy, but I know that he has a right to know the truth. That sword and him, they have a special bond, and I think it's only fitting that Harry knows about that bond, and why it exists."

Harry knocked on the door, and the room quickly became silent. Harry opened the door, to see Remus, Moody, and McClaggan standing around Dumbledore's desk.

"Sit down Harry. We've been discussing something very important, and I think that it's safe to say that I've been overruled on this. Harry, we've decided that it's time for you to learn about your proper place in the wizarding world."

A/N: Ooh, cliffhanger! I hate reading them, but they're so much fun to write! . Anyways, please tell me what you think. I'm pretty sure you can figure out where this is going, but it's still fun to write. REVIEW PLEASE!