Chapter Eighteen: A Fleet of Dragons
"Let's go downstairs," said Harry to Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus, "I want to tell Katie, Hermione, and Ginny also."
Harry slowly walked down the stairs with the pensieve and quickly found Katie, Hermione and Ginny.
"Morning," said Harry as he set down the pensieve on a table.
"Where did you get that?" asked Hermione.
"This is my family's pensieve. Inside, are the memories of family members going back to Godric Gryffindor. Also in it is a memory of mine, that of the night my parent's deaths," said Harry.
"Oh, my God, are you okay?" asked Katie.
"Yeah," said Harry, "Actually, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer have to imagine it. Just look for yourselves."
Harry prodded the surface, bringing forth the echo of his vision.
"Just watch the echo and you'll be able to see for yourself," said Harry as his friends bent over the pensieve. As his friends watched in horror, Harry began to ponder all the lives that Voldemort had ruined over the years. 'He will pay for all the innocent people he's hurt. He didn't have to do it… there were other ways of getting the power he wanted… I will be the one who brings him off his false pedestal.' Harry was brought out of his murderous thoughts by a form of physical contact that he had always longed for: a hug. As he looked down, he saw that it was Katie.
"It must be so horrible to know what you were born to do. He's just adding fuel to the fire that is his death," said Katie.
"Thanks for your support, all of you," said Harry as put his arm around Katie, "But you have to believe me that I'm glad I know the truth. When I finally face him, I will make him rue the day he decided to become the thing he is. Let's go train; it'll keep my mind off things."
Harry and his friends went to the Room of Requirement, which was full of books on Animagi, apparition, and other forms of magic. Soon after they arrived, the rest did: Ernie, Hannah, Cho, and, to Harry's surprise, Luna.
"Luna, I thought that you opted to not join," said Harry.
"Dumbledore came to see me earlier in the week and told me that you should surround yourself with friends, so when Cho offered me a position, I agreed," said Luna in her usual airiness.
"Ok, then. We're going to begin Animagi transformations today. Now, when I learned it, I was given the rest of the day off but I also had the rest of the summer. Time is against us. So, pair off, Neville, you're with me," instructed Harry. "Ok, Neville, sit and relax. Empty your mind and just feel yourself float through out your mind until you find the door to your mind. It should look familiar, probably some door from your childhood, like mine was. It could be a present door, I don't know but you'll recognize it when you see it. When you're there, probe outwards for your form; there'll be two: a magical and a non-magical. When you find one, connect your spirits together and begin."
Soon, Neville began to grow to a massive size. His skin hardened and became a dark grey- brown. He had transformed into a Norwegian Ridgeback.
"Brilliant, Neville," said Harry as he immediately recalled Norbert the dragon.
Suddenly, the dragon stumbled and fell over causing all to be overcome with laughter. When he transformed back, he joined in.
"I suppose with practice comes grace," said Neville as he and Harry turned to watch the progress of the rest.
Suddenly, Ernie, Cho, and Luna all began to grow. They had turned into a different breed of dragons: Ernie became a Common Welsh Green, Cho became a Chinese Fireball, and Luna became a Swedish Short Snout. Dean and Seamus both transformed into almost identical creatures. Dean's form had white hair while Seamus' form had brown.
"So, yetis and sasquatches do exist," said Hermione in awe, "I thought they were myths."
"Well, looks like we have quite a squad of attack creatures: a fleet of dragons and a couple of fur balls," laughed Harry as Hannah began to shrink rapidly.
Hannah had become a bowtruckle.
"I want to make wands like Mr. Ollivander," explained Hannah when she transformed back.
"Okay then, let's begin our non-magical forms," said Harry.
"Wait, what're your magical forms?" asked Cho.
Simultaneously, Harry, Katie, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny transformed.
"That's brilliant," said Neville.
"All right, fun's over," said Harry as he transformed back, "Let's get back to work."
Over the next few minutes, roars and calls filled the room. Neville had turned into a cheetah. Luna became a small tan cat. Dean and Seamus both had transformed into bears: Dean a black bear and Seamus a Kodiak bear. Cho turned into a coyote. Ernie and Hannah both transformed into dogs: Ernie became a golden retriever and Hannah became a yellow Labrador.
"Okay, I think it's time for a little test of our abilities: an Animagi duel. The rules are that you must use your non-magical form and, if you feel you are too injured to continue, immediately transform back thus calling off you opposites attack. Everyone understand? Good, I'm going to split you into groups based on your forms," said Harry, "Hannah, Cho, and Ernie in one group. Luna and Hermione, you're in another group. Dean, you get to face off against Seamus. Ron, don't hurt your little sister too bad. Katie and Neville, you guys get the best of the rest: me. Ready? Transform and begin!"
The Room of Requirement expanded in order for the duel to take place. About a half and hour into the duel, Albus Dumbledore entered the room.