Chapter 5: The Preparation For Battle Begins
It was the day before Harry and Dumbledore were to visit Grinngotts to sort out Sirius's will. Grimmauld Place was bustling with activity. Ater the sorting hat's warning, Dumbledore instructed everyone to go home until he could find out whether Voldemort was indeed going to act the way the hat predicted. They were all to meet in two weeks the night before the new term of school started. Today was the first day of lessons, potions and transfiguration was in the morning. After lunch was Defense Against The Dark Arts and dueling with Moody, then after dinner would be Occlumency. Harry was running late for his first lesson of the day. He threw his clothes on and grabbed his books as he tore down the stairs. He still had some bruising on his face but his ribs and head felt a lot better then yesterday.
"This might be the summer and you think you can be a little more relaxed but I will not tolerate lateness at Hogwarts nor here," said an annoyed Snape as Harry entered the kitchen.
"Sorry Professor," said Harry. He sat down and opened his book to their lesson of the day.
"Now as I was saying, today we will learn simple healing potions which can be made fairly quickly in the field," instructed Snape. Harry had a feeling that all of the lessons would be like this, everything focused on the battle. This battle was going to be it, everyone's hopes for a future without Voldemort, without the Death Eaters and most importantly without fear. But Harry felt that no one had confidence in him, he would catch people gazing at him as if he wasn't going to make it. Didn't anyone have faith he could beat Voldemort? Then Harry realized all he had to do was look at his best friends, as long as they had faith in him, that was all he needed. Snape's lesson went by fairly quickly and Harry found himself walking to the living room for his transfiguration lesson, he hadn't given his animal much thought.
"Do you know what animal you wanna be Harry?" Asked Ron.
"No idea," said Harry.
"Don't worry, this first lesson is to help us fined the right animal. I heard McGonagall talking to Lupin this morning," said Hermione. The three walked into the living room to await their next lesson. They waited for a few minutes before Harry spotted a cat sitting on the table just watching them.
"Professor?" asked Harry. The cat jumped down to the floor and slowly walked towards the three of them and as it walked Professor McGonagall began to take form.
"Very good Mr. Potter, how could you tell it was me?" Asked McGonagall.
"You were looking straight into my eyes." Stated Harry.
"So it wasn't until I stopped acting like a cat that you noticed me, and that's one of the first things you have to think about when choosing an animal. What animal shares your qualities, your modes, and most importantly your strengths? Now I'm going to ask you a few questions and please answer truthfully." McGonagall paused then looked at Ron, "Mr. Weasly would you say you're a loyal friend to Mr. Potter and Ms. Grainger?"
"Yeah," said a defensive Ron.
"Would you follow them wherever they went?" Asked McGonagall. Ron nodded his head. "Would you consider trying a wolf as your animal Mr. Weasley?"
"A wolf?" questioned Ron.
"A wolf is a fierce warrior and hunter, but he's loyal to his pack and will help catch food or defend it's young at all cost." Explained McGonagall. "Try something for me Mr. Weasley, close your eyes and think about a wolfs howl."
"Okay," said Ron.
"Do you hear it?" asked McGonagall. Ron nodded. "Good now take a deep breath and try it." Ron paused for a moment then took a deep breath and let out a loud howl. He opened his eyes with a shocked expression.
"Brilliant!" said Ron.
"Very good Mr. Weasley," an impressed McGonagall said as she clapped. "Now Ms. Granger . . ."
"Actually professor I have an idea of what animal to become," interrupted Hermione.
"Oh, and what might that be?" asked McGonagall.
"A unicorn," Hermione muttered.
"Well, Ms. Granger you do know magical creatures are a lot harder to do then normal animals," said McGonagall.
"I know, but I think I can do it," said Hermione with a little more confidence.
"Very well, can you picture the horn?" asked McGonagall. Hermione nodded, "Close your eyes and begin to focus on the horn." Hermione took a deep breath then closed her eyes, several moments past without anything happening. A small stub began to protrude from Hermione's forehead. It slowly grew until it was completely formed. Both Harry and Ron had their mouths a gaped.
"Bloody Hell!" whispered Ron. And just as soon as it had grown it disappeared and Hermione fell back onto the couch in exhaustion.
"Amazing Ms. Granger, amazing!" exclaimed McGonagall who then turned to Harry.
"Mr. Potter, do you know what you want to be?"
"Um not really," Harry said with a little embarrassment.
"Well, what are you good at?" asked McGonagall. Harry thought for a moment then it hit him, he was good at flying.
"Flying, Professor," said Harry.
"Yes, you're very good at flying Harry," McGonagall paused. "What other qualities?" Harry thought for a moment. He might be skinny but he considered himself strong, and he defiantly could be a leader if needed. He also thought about his undying need to protect the ones he loved. Just then Harry started to remember that night at the Ministry, when Fawkes had jumped in front of Dumbledore to save him from the killing curse. His thoughts then drifted to when Fawkes saved him from the Basilisk and Harry knew right then what he wanted to be.
"A phoenix," stated Harry.
"I thought you might say that," McGonagall paused and stared at Harry. "Why don't you hold your arms out and focus on the wings of the phoenix," suggested McGonagall. Harry slowly raised his arms and closed his eyes and remembered the rush he felt when he was holding on to Fawkes tail when he carried everyone out of the chamber. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at his arms, which were now stunningly beautiful red wings, he closed his eyes and focused again, and when he opened them, his arms were back to normal.
"Excellent Mr. Potter, you've all done very well. Now lets go see what's for lunch shall we," said an excited McGonagall.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were all excited about their new animagus form and were bragging to everyone at lunch. McGonagall did ask that they don't let anyone at Hogwarts know about their special training, she had no doubt there would be spies amongst the students this year.
The rest of the afternoon went well, Lupin explained how some spells need emotion to fuel them, like the Patronus spell and the Crucio spell, while Mad-Eye began to teach them pain deflection by pricking their fingers until they didn't bleed. Before Harry knew it he was back in the kitchen eating dinner, he noticed it was still light. He rushed through dinner and ran up and grabbed his Firebolt, the backyard of Grimmauld Place was protected with the same charms as the house so know one could see him. He stepped out side and noticed someone else had chosen to fly around. It was the new Auror, Julia. She was practicing some complex moves, speeding in one direction then turning on a dime and going the other, tight barrel rolls and loop-de-loops, then he saw her climb very high into the air and just as Harry was beginning to lose sight of her he saw something that made his heart stop. Julia had jumped off her broom into a swan dive and was free falling towards him at an alarming rate. Just as Harry was about to mount his broom he heard something.
"ACCIO BROOM!" boomed Julia. The broom, which was once just hovering where Julia had left it, was now rocketing towards its owner at a high speed. It caught up to her and she grabbed it and pulled out of the dive just before hitting the ground. Harry just stood there in amazement. Julia noticed she had a spectator and slowly came down to talk to the young man.
"Evening Harry," smiled Julia.
"That was unbelievable, how did you do that?" a still shocked Harry asked.
"A lot of practice and people spotting me incase I couldn't pull out in time," laughed Julia. "I've heard you're quite the flyer."
"I can't do anything like that," said Harry.
"Well, maybe in time I could teach you, but you up for a game of tag?" asked Julia.
"Tag?" questioned Harry.
"Yeah you're it," and with that Julia jumped on her broom and was off. Harry quickly figured out the game and began his chase. They had been flying for over an hour before Hermione came out to get Harry for their Occlumency lesson. He thanked Julia and asked if they could play again some time.
"Anytime you want Harry, but if I'm not here Rosie's always up for it." Julia said as she walked up stairs to change out of her Quidditch gear. Harry went straight to the living room with Hermione. Ron and Dumbledore were already waiting inside.
"Wonderful, let's begin shall we. The first thing I want you all to know is what it feels like to have someone invade your head. Harry would you please perform the charm on Hermione while I perform it on Ron." Asked Dumbledore. Hermione gave Harry a worried look.
"Don't worry it will be okay, just focus on pushing me out of your head once I'm there," Harry said softly. He positioned himself in front of Hermione.
"Ready Harry?" Harry nodded, "One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Legilimens!" both Harry and Dumbledore said. Harry all of a sudden began to see events from the last 6 years but in a different perspective. He saw himself catching the snitch during his first year but a different sense of pride filled him as he watched, then he saw the Basilisk in Herminone's mirror, flash again to the third year when Hermione was watching Harry perform the Expecto Patronum spell on all the Dementors, another memory of Harry about to take on the dragon for his first task in the Tri-Wizards tournament but he felt a tremendous sense of fear and worry came over him while he watched as Hermione kissed Harry good luck, one more memory flashed as Harry watched as the purple spell hit Hermione in the chest and Harry saw himself looking straight at Hermione with a terrified look. Then Harry heard Hermione yell.
"NOOOOOOO!" screamed Hermione. She had forced him out of her mind but it took much effort, she was on her knees on the ground and was breathing hard. Harry bent down to see if she was all right.
"You okay," he whispered.
"Yeah, it's not everyday someone sees all your memories," she tried to play it off but Harry could tell she was disappointed at herself for not being stronger.
"It's okay Hermione it took me a while before I could stop Snape," said Harry as he helped her to her feet.
"Now let's change sides and let them know what it's like to see into our heads Harry," said a smiling Dumbledore, who was also helping Ron to his feet. Harry prepared himself and gave Hermione and smile letting her know it was going to be okay.
"Ready Ron," asked Hermione.
"As I ever will be," Ron nervously said.
"Okay, One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Legilimens!" they both shouted. Now Harry was experiencing his own memories, the first was that of Sirius falling behind the veil then his memory snapped to the moment Hermione was hit with the purple spell, he ran over to her and he began to think the same thoughts he had that night. Don't let her be dead, don't let her be dead; it will be my fault if she's dead. Then the fear that Harry had that night came back to him as he looked at a lifeless Hermione. Another flash and he was seeing Hermione and Ron play chess from the other day he saw that his focus was on Hermione and he heard himself think about the promise he made to not let them be hurt again. This was enough he couldn't let her see anymore, Harry thought and forced Hermione out of his head.
"Ouch!" she shouted. Harry looked up to see Hermione rubbing her wrist the same was Snape was when he had unintentionally preformed a stinging hex.
"Now that you've experienced both sides of this type of manipulation you can understand why it's imperative that we have you as close to being ready as possible for the start of the school term. I think that's enough for tonight," said Dumbledore. "Harry may I have a moment?"
"Yes Professor," said a tired Harry.
"I just wanted to let you know that Hermione and Ron will be coming with us tomorrow, it seems that Sirius left a few things for them as well," Dumbledore said softly.
"Okay, what time should we be ready?" asked Harry.
"Nine o'clock, we'll be taking the night bus so make sure you have correct change," smiled Dumbledore.
"I will Sir, have a good night," said Harry.
"Good night Harry," responded Dumbledore. Harry left the living room and headed upstairs, as he got closer to his room he noticed someone standing there. It was Hermione.
"Hermione? You okay?" a touch of concerned in Harry's voice.
"Yeah I'm fine," she paused. "I just wanted to let you know that I don't blame you at all for what happened in the Ministry. You can't look out for all of us you know," she half laughed. The she took a step forward and hugged Harry. Harry and Hermione had given each others hugs loads of times but this time Harry noticed just how wonderful she felt in his arms, he could smell the vanilla shampoo she always used and he could feel her breathing against his chest. He never wanted to let her go, but he could feel her begin to pull out of the hug.
"Besides some one has to look out for you," she smiled and started to walk back towards her room. Harry gave her a huge smile, he loved his friend so much but something felt different. This feeling was stronger then just friendship he thought. He quickly dismissed the idea and went to bed for he knew tomorrow was going to be a rough day.