Disclaimer: I own nothing; it all belongs to J.K.Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER FOUR

"Meg?" Vernon asked appalled at the nickname. "Is your animagus form a ten year old girl with pigtails or something?"

"Meg," Remus explained with a smug grin, "is short for Omega."

"Omega?" Petunia repeated. "My son's nickname is 'The end'?"

Harry just sighed.

"Yup," Moony chuckled. "Because I'm pretty sure, eventually, he's going to kill us all."

"I'm not that bad," Harry feebly argued. Sadly Harry had long ago accepted this as an unavoidable risk of his existence.

"What the hell sort of animagus form would get you called 'The end'?" Dudley asked incredulously. "Some sort of baboon with the big fleshy pink… end?"

Harry winked at Moony quickly and gasped. "How'd you know? That's amazing!" Harry jumped up with a pop and turned in a large baboon, with an exceptional hairless throbbing posterior. He ran towards Dudley and jumped into his arms, ass first.

"Aieee!" Dudley screamed before calming. "Wow. That is warm."

"Our son's personality is most similar to… a monkey's?" Petunia asked while Dudley kept wiping his hands. "Omega, the baboon? That's the best you could come up with Remus?"

Vernon looked thoughtful. "I always wondered what it'd be like to fling poo without getting in trouble for it."

Harry popped back into his normal form and Dudley fell to the floor under the sudden change in weight with a loud "oof."

"Well, Dad," Harry said. "It's not as fun as it looks. And you have to clean your fingernails constantly, or you'll never hear the end of a certain brand of rumor."

Vernon was pensive. "I suppose it is the flinging more than the poo, but together it seems so much more."

Remus grinned. "And I didn't name him Omega because he's not a baboon."

"Err, Moony," Dudley said still trapped underneath a smiling Harry. "I'm pretty sure he is a baboon."

"No, Padfoot," Moony corrected. "Harry here hasn't exactly found a form and stuck with it. He just sort of turns into whatever he feels up to."

"Well, maybe no animagus form," Dudley continued. "But that doesn't mean he's not a baboon."

"Oi!" a highly insulted Harry grinned at the pinned man below him. "You might want to be a little more respectful or I may turn into an elephant while I'm sitting here."

Harry noticed Petunia yawning and spoke up. "You guys should get some more rest, you look beat. How about we continue this conversation in the morning before heading towards Privet Drive?"

"Or what remains of it," Remus clarified.

"That too," Harry added with a smile. Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia put up little protest assuring Remus and Harry they really were quite exhausted. A few hand motions and snaps of fingers and the couches turned in overly large comfortable beds. Harry and Remus walked away from the freaks of nature that were Harry's family in the bodies of Harry's relatives.

Remus just quietly chuckled at Harry. "Damn, Potter. Damn."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I know." He sighed and was quietly reflecting on the day. "Oh, Moony. You want to stay here too, or you want me to take you home?"

"You mind if I stay? I don't want to intrude," Remus said with puppy dog eyes.

"No! Please stay." Harry pleaded. "I'm not sure how well I trust those three left to their own devices."

"You going somewhere?" Remus asked.

Harry shook his head sadly. "No. But so far it looks like I've ripped out the souls of the Dursleys and sort of brought my parents and Sirius back. And that was an accident when I was in a good mood. Right now, I'm contemplating the benefits of a nervous breakdown."

Moony chuckled. "Well let's try and avoid any more accidents then. And yes I will be here for whatever you need from me. Even babysitting people who died twenty years ago." Remus looked at the sleeping Dursleys happily baffled. "There a floo around here so I can let the office know that I'm taking an indefinite leave of absence?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "The office. Right. The fireplace going over there can be used."

Remus frowned. "Harry, you just conjured that a few hours ago."

"Yeah?" Harry asked.

"It hasn't been set up for the floo system! It's not even a real fireplace!" Remus insisted.

Harry smirked. "You doubt me?"

"No, but you're still a Marauder and probably want me to stick my head in fire."

Harry shook his head. "I'm going to sleep, Moony. It'll work just fine, but if you'd like I can conjure you another one."

Remus shook his head. "Night, Meg."

"Night, Moony." Harry said as he went back towards his own sleeping quarters.

It was an extremely cautious twenty-five minutes later before Moony finally finished his ten second floo call, cursing Harry for not doing anything to him. Remus had certainly walked right into that one.

Remus woke up to a heated argument. He cracked his eyes open and nearly gasped to realize that yes, he was in fact in the Chamber of Secrets, and this wasn't another accidental hallucinogenic experience. He looked over and saw an obscuring charm, and more than likely silencing charm was around the bed that had contained Petunia and Vernon, also known as, Prongs and Lils. He certainly remembered Prongs' superhuman snoring power, and appreciated the silencing charm. Moony slowly sat up and began paying attention to what Harry and Dudley's voices were arguing about.

"You should have told me!" Harry insisted.

"I didn't think it would matter," Dudley defended. "And you know you could have asked."

"Didn't matter? They are evil." Harry yelled. "They will corrupt you from the inside."

"They're not that bad," Dudley stated. "Albus uses them all the time."

"You're using Albus as an example?" Harry was incredulous. "The man is completely nutters! Probably because of them."

"For Merlin's sake, Harry." Dudley sighed. "They are not inherently evil. It's all about intent."

"You honestly believe that? After everything you've seen? And grew up with?"

Dudley seemed a bit hesitant. "Yes… yes I do. If you're intentions are good and pure, then it's perfectly acceptable."

"No Sirius," Harry sighed. "You're talking about an extremely slippery slope that always ends up twisting a person's soul. Turning them into something they should never be. Something that eventually needs to be put down before it festers and spreads."

Remus was smirking at the audacity and hypocrisy of Harry and decided to make his presence known. "Harry, I know for a fact you use Dark Arts all the time."

Dudley and Harry turned to Remus. Harry furrowed his brow. "Morning Moony. And that's an interesting point but not exactly relevant."

Dudley was confused. "Yeah, Moony, what brought this up?"

Remus frowned. "Err… what are you guys talking about?"

Dudley rolled his eyes and sat down.

Harry's eyes flared and he spit out, "Politics."

Moony frowned briefly before breaking into loud laughter.

"Thank you, Mr. Moony," Dudley grinned. "That's exactly my point."

Harry frowned. "Oh come on Sirius. You grew up with a Dark family. You know what it's like. You should have told me my Dad had aspirations to go into politics!"

"Well he died before it ever became an issue," Dudley explained.

Harry sighed. "I always figured my Dad was a nice guy. I guess you never can tell."

Moony sat down next to Dudley. "Harry, your dad was a nice guy. Err, is a nice guy. And I rarely say this, but Padfoot's right. Politicians aren't all evil. Most of them start into it with high hopes for changing the world and ideals to strive for."

"Until politics blackens their soul," Harry agreed. "I know this. Everyone knows this. And anyone still wanting to blacken their soul by getting into politics is evil."

Dudley was about to retort, when Remus put his hand on the man to stop him. Dudley looked back and saw Petunia getting up.

Petunia walked over and kissed Harry on the top of his head. "Morning, Harry."

Harry had a weak smile. "Err, good morning… Mum."

Petunia tried not to look too upset. "Is it that difficult for you to say? You don't have to, of course…"

"No," Harry shook his head. "It's not difficult to say. It just feels wrong to be saying this to Aunt Petunia. Pretty much the exact anti-mom, if I have one."

Petunia winced. "She treated you that crappy? I knew she was a vindictive bitch but you are… or were a baby."

Harry shrugged, "I'm alive, relatively well-adjusted-"

Remus had to look away as he snorted so hard, mucus came shooting out his nose.

Harry ignored Remus and continued, "It could have been a lot worse. I prefer not to think about it. But if you and Dad want me to go through the pain and emotional trauma of reliving it and telling you about it, I will."

Petunia raised a hand. "No, no. I don't want to make things more difficult for you. Just being here at all is a treat for us, no matter how… absurd it has been. And besides sweetie, you got some accidental revenge putting me into her skinny, frail body, right?" Petunia was smiling brightly now.

Harry just looked at his Aunt Petunia's body and chuckled weakly. "Right."

Remus just laughed out loud. "Oh man I'm glad you and Prongs are here, Lils. I don't think I could have ever properly described you, had Harry ever bothered to ask me."

Petunia smiled. "I suppose sexy, vivacious, brilliant, and insatiable would be close, but you're right. There really aren't words up to the task."

Harry made a pained face. "I'm not sure if it's the idea of Aunt Petunia's body being called sexy or the idea of my mum as sexy, but something's not right about that."

Vernon groggily made his way over and helped himself to the breakfast they were all munching on. "Well she is damn sexy, I assure you. Though I would prefer you find out yourself and we start looking more how we feel."

Remus smiled. "Really? So you don't feel exhausted and tired? Great! Let's go now, then."

Vernon groaned while Dudley and Harry stood up. Vernon nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, let's go. It's a workout carrying all this fat around. I miss having a neck."

Harry snapped his fingers and made all three Dursley outfits look the same as what they wore yesterday. Remus already looked muggle enough, so Harry said, "Everyone put a hand on me and I'll take us to Privet Drive."

The odd group reappeared in the bushes of a familiar house on Wisteria Walk. Harry explained, "I realized I wasn't sure where would even be safe on Privet Drive, so I popped us here. At least Mrs. Figg will be blaming Dudley for crushing her roses."

Dudley looked down. "Oh… sorry."

Vernon asked Harry, "So what exactly are we doing here?"

Harry smiled and was explaining as he led them down the street. "Proving to the neighbors you're alive, preparing to go on vacation, returning to the scene of the crime, take your pick."

Petunia asked, "So who should we be talking to? And who are these people?"

Harry shrugged. "Just wave, say hi, act Dursley-ish."

"Good morning, my fellow muggles," Vernon said loudly and proudly.

"Prongs," Dudley said with a sigh. "Let's avoid the term muggles, okay?"

"Oh! Right." Vernon said as he went back to shaking his fat head. "Rabble rubble rubble rubble."

Petunia tapped Harry on the shoulder. "How's this?" She proceeded to make a horrified pained face as she gasped. She narrowed her eyes and quietly hissed. "I hate you! Behave."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Spot on."

Petunia beamed at the praise and thought she could pull off a fair impression of her sister.

Dudley saw Vernon and Petunia doing their part and tried to join in. "Derr…" He looked over at Moony. "Der… der… der."

Remus sighed. "Dudley," he stated pointedly. "You've turned into a pretty nice guy lately. Not a blabbering vegetable."

"Right," Dudley said with a nod. "Oink?"

Harry shook his head. "You know this may not work, but it is kind of fun."

"Just keep moving and acting Dursley-ish," Remus pleaded as they turned the corner towards Privet Drive. "Holy crap."

"Great Merlin!" Petunia exclaimed.

"Oh my Godric!" Vernon gulped.

Dudley just looked towards where Number Four Privet Drive used to be and started laughing.

Harry was in shock. Where the all too normal house should have been, was now nothing more than blackened scorched wasteland around a sinkhole. It didn't appear as though grass would even grow in the area. "Why the hell didn't the Ministry clean this up?"

"Mr. Potter!" a tired looking man ran over to them and noticed the others. "Oh my, it's good to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Mr. Dursley." He looked at the other man and asked more than stated. "Mr. Lupin, I believe?"

The three Dursley's just nodded at their greetings. Vernon added, "Yup, that's me."

Remus elbowed Dudley when he seemed to be about to say something. He acknowledged the man with a nod. "Yes, I'm Mr. Lupin. And you might be?"

"Oh, so sorry about this." The slightly frantic man said. "I'm Riddick Bode. I'm with the Department of Mysteries."

"The Department of Mysteries?" Harry asked. "You seem to be quite capable of communication, so I'm guessing you're not an Unspeakable."

"No, Mr. Potter," Bode said. "My father was one, but I declined the offer and work on the more public research projects. We are a department of the Ministry and therefore must produce a few things for public consumption."

Vernon looked around curiously. "But why are you here? And why haven't the bloody reversal squa- Owww!"

Harry pulled his finger back from the sweaty grip of the rolls of fat in Vernon's stomach. "Please, Uncle, you don't know as much about the magical world. Shut up, before you say something stupid."

Vernon pouted but blushed and made a motion as though he were zipping his mouth shut.

"Mr. Bode," Harry addressed. "Why hasn't the Ministry done more to repair? Or even hide this?"

Riddick shrugged. "That's why I'm here. So far, they haven't been able to do anything at all about it. They've got muggle repelling and Notice-me-Nots up. They fixed Number Six and Number Two Privet Drive, and wiped the memory of everyone else around here, but they cannot seem to get anything to actually work in the area that I've termed ground zero."

Harry sighed.

Riddick nodded. "It's almost as if the smoldering ruin wants to stay a smoldering ruin."

Harry turned to the Dursleys. "Well, I say we let it stay a smoldering ruin then. How about you guys?"

"Fine by me," Petunia said.

Vernon just nodded.

Dudley smiled. "Never much liked that house anyway."

"Well then," Harry cheerfully agreed. "That solves that. Did any of you want to say goodbye to any specific neighbors?" Harry asked and kept nodding and glancing towards Mr. Bode.

Dudley shook his head, while Vernon just turned to the people who had come out onto their lawns seeing the Dursleys again. "So long, suckers!" He cheerfully greeted before turning back to Harry. "That's all I needed."

Riddick just looked at the Dursleys oddly.

"Well, it was pleasure meeting you, Mr. Bode," Harry said. "But we have some things we need to do today. Are we done here?"

Riddick paused. "Err… yeah. I wasn't expecting you to stop by."

Petunia nodded and added, "Well, if you were wanting it, you have our blessing to do anything you want with our smoldering ruin."

"Thanks." Riddick uncertainly responded.

"Alright, guys. Let's go to Grunnings." Harry announced and led them back the way they came.

"Mr. Pewterschmidt!" Vernon Dursley cheerfully interrupted the executive board meeting. "This will only take a moment of your time."

Vernon tugged his son Dudley, and fellow Grunnings employee with him into the office. "I just wanted to give you notice in person, that Dudders and I quit. We've decided to stop denying ourselves and to live the life the voices in our heads want us to have." Vernon explained to the shocked faces of the board room. "See, Dudley and I are more than just father and son. We're also lovers. And sadly this archaic, constrictive, unfeeling British society will never accept the love between a father and son for what it's truly capable of, and so we are going to sail the seas until we find the Norse Gods who guide us or a gay cruise ship we can stow away on and earn our living in the galley. Have a lovely day."

Dudley was biting his bottom lip to keep from saying anything, though he kept his hand firmly on Vernon's ass through the whole speech. His rapidly reddening face added to the veracity of Vernon's explanation.

Vernon turned around and spanked Dudley soundly. "Come along, my Dudders."

The last thing the executives at Grunnings saw was a lecherous grin on Vernon Dursley's face as he rhetorically asked his surprisingly fitter looking son, "Who's your daddy?"

Harry looked at the grins Vernon and Dudley had on their faces as they left the building. "Vernon and Dudley are not going to be welcomed back to their jobs ever again, are they?"

Vernon looked horrified. "I should hope not. Those two boys have a few screws loose."

Dudley choked a bit. "Please don't phrase it that way… daddy."

Moony grinned. "Alright, just give us the highlights, and be honest."

Vernon started counting on his fingers, "Voices in the head, Norse Gods, gay cruise ships, and a love that shant speak its name."

Harry pumped his fist. "Yes! I knew it!"

Remus grumbled and paid Harry the galleon. "Gay cruise ships. Honestly, what are the odds these two even know about gay cruise ships."

Vernon looked at his wife. "Well, there was this misunderstanding-"

"Stop!" Petunia screeched. "They don't need to know this."

Vernon looked at the eager faces Dudley and Moony had. And the slightly worried look on his son's face. "But Lils…" he whined.

"No." Petunia insisted. "Not if you ever want to have sex again."

"Fine," a defeated Vernon grumbled.

"Not exactly role model parents, are you guys?" a slightly perturbed Harry asked.

Petunia cursed. "Shit! I keep forgetting you're our son, Harry. I'm sorry. You were just 15 months old and we've not exactly gotten used to having impressionable young minds around."

Harry waved off her apology. "No worries, I think I'm not near as impressionable as I used to be, though knowing my parents and seeing only the Dursleys is probably mentally scarring me for life, so why don't we get out of here?"

Harry made sure they wouldn't be noticed and transported everyone back to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Err, Harry," Vernon asked. "That wreckage was pretty impressive. Just how powerful are you?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm more powerful than most, I know that."

Dudley was quite familiar with Harry's modesty and asked, "Moony, how powerful is he?"

Remus grinned at the frown on Harry's face. He put a hand up in the air. "If this is what muggles and squibs are," Remus put his other hand about six inches above the first one, "and this is about where we are, as better than average power wizards." Remus moved his first hand six inches above the other, "And this is about where Dumbledore is," Remus paused and seemed unsure about where to put his hand now. "Then Harry would be approximately… the God that created and controls our very existence."

Harry shook his frustrated head. "Thanks Moony."

Moony dropped and bowed. "Praise be to Potter."

Harry frowned harshly, and shot a couple lightning bolts out his eyes that singed Remus' clothes. Moony just giggled as he continued to run from Harry. He turned to his family. "I probably am more powerful than Albus, but it's not exactly something you can just measure."

"Nice!" Vernon cheered.

"Alright, give me a minute to finish the Polyjuice Potion." Harry explained as he got up and went to a work area.

"Remus?" Petunia asked. "We covered some of Harry's career paths, but you never told us what you've been doing? I hope those old Werewolf laws aren't getting in the way."

Moony smiled, "Well as Padfoot here knows, for a year I even had Harry's job. In fact I taught Harry Defense Against the Dark Arts for his third year. After that it was the war for a few years, but most recently I've become the Senior Creative Director in a well-known international chain."

"What?" Dudley asked. "What does all that gibberish mean?"

"It means, my fellow Marauder, that I am living the dream."

"No freaking way!" Vernon cheered. "For real?"

Remus smiled widely and bowed. "Yes, yes. I have a career in the pranking business."

"Oh Remus," Petunia tried to fight a smile. "You could do so much more."

"Aww come on Lils," Moony grinned. "You know you're proud of me. In fact there are only two people who can overrule my decisions, and who also have my utmost respect in their pranking capacity."

"Who?" Dudley asked, impressed some corporate stiffs had Moony's respect.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Geez Padfoot, I figured you could have guessed. But the gentlemen I am referring to are Messrs. Gred and Forge Weasley."

"The twins?" Dudley happily exclaimed.

"Are neither gentle nor arguably men." Harry yelled and added in from his distant work area.

Remus smiled. "The peanut gallery over there is also the silent partner and co-founder, despite having done little to help us."

"I haven't sued you… yet." Harry yelled again, still not looking up from his work with the potion.

"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes has more than double the industry share of its nearest competitor, as well as franchises and affiliates in every major wizarding center." Remus proudly towed the company line. "They've created trends now bucking the markets for several industries, and formed corporate alliances with the makers of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts. By a wide margin, the current most popular items for children are Weasley's Wizard Every Flavor Wheezes."

"What are those?" a fascinated Dudley asked.

Remus grinned proudly. "Why that is a small package with three random pranks in it, one of them is always edible, and it comes with a collectible card featuring famous pranks and pranksters. And believe me, every kid wants a complete set and we've been making a boatload."

"Moony!" Vernon cheered. "That even sounds like a real job."

Remus leaned forward and continued quietly. "One of my better recent ideas was to intentionally misprint a small amount of the prank cards featuring Meg back there with the name 'Harry Hotter'. There's over a thousand correct Harry Potters for every accidental misprint of Harry Hotter. Kids have been trading their brooms for them."

"You don't have to whisper, I know you guys did it on purpose." The peanut gallery yelled back to them.

Moony was giggling. "There's even a special gold series edition of the cards. That particular Harry Potter card is rumored to fend off Dark Wizards, and was reported to have saved a baby from drowning."

A groan was heard from Harry back by the potion.

"What's taking so long?" Dudley asked. "I know it takes a month to brew a Polyjuice."

"I'm infusing the items with Dementor Blood to make it permanent. The Polyjuice I just stole from Severus."

"Oh," Dudley said, still unfamiliar with Dementor Blood.

"And," Harry disappeared and reappeared right by them with a pop. "It's ready."

He gave them all their respective Polyjuice vials and presented his parents with their old wands.

"Bottoms up," Dudley and Vernon said at the same time, and all three drank their delicious concoctions.

"Oh that stuff is rancid," Vernon said as he tried not to throw up.

The three of them were clutching their stomachs and moaning as their bodies shifted form and shape. There was pain as the bones stretched or shrunk as necessary. And then it was done.

"Wow," Harry and Remus echoed each other, seeing James, Lily, and Sirius properly again for the first time.

Sirius and James looked pretty silly in clothes that were really big on them. Lily on the other hand got a little shorter and filled out quite nicely. Her curves were tightly straining some areas of Petunia's skinny outfit.

"Damn," Harry said as he realized his mum was a serious fox. "Oh god." He paled.

Remus looked over at Harry and smiled. "Yup, still carrying that post-pregnancy baggage in all the right places."

Harry meekly agreed and looked over at the changes in his dad. "Bloody hell. You look just like me."

James smiled back at his son and gave him a big thumbs up. "I've got a son, who's also an evil twin. This is great."

Lily looked between her husband and her son. "Oh god." She paled.

Remus just cracked up laughing at the situation.

Sirius spread his arms and looked towards Moony. "How about some robes?"

Remus obliged and transfigured his outfit into a simple black robe. Sirius responded by running straight at Remus and giving him a proper hug. Remus reciprocated while the three Potters looked at each other uncertainly.

Harry saw the looks his parents were giving him and gestured towards them as he approached. "Come on, hug."

James and Lily relaxed and gave their grown-up son a hug.

Remus and Sirius watched the awkward group hug. Sirius grimaced, "it's like they're strangers who've never met."

Remus just looked at Sirius.

"Oh right," Sirius looked a little ashamed.

Harry, James, and Lily all smiled at each other as they broke apart with matching uncertain faces. It's a bit weird meeting your parents or son for the first time and all being twenty-one. And a total group maturity of about seventeen.

"Well," Harry began. "I think it's time we figure out where you guys want to be, and who you want to be."

James stepped back. "You're kicking us out?"

Harry looked at the scared look on his dad's face. "No, not at all. I mean if you really wanted, we could set up here as a permanent place to live. Or I've got a few apartments and houses, not to mention all the other family properties, or even Moony's place. I just wasn't sure if any of you all wanted to live with me or each other or where. And considering you've all been dead for a while, I didn't think we'd need to worry about your appearance but that we shouldn't be calling you James, Lily, and Sirius."

"Oh! Oh! Can I be Albusforth?" Sirius asked excitedly before his eyes widened. "Or Hismione!"

Remus laughed while Harry paused and replied, "Err, I suppose if you want. But I was thinking for simplicity's sake you could just be Padfoot, and Dad, you could be Prongs."

James nodded and thought that made sense.

"But what about me?" A sad little Lily asked. "I want to use my Marauder nickname."

Harry was surprised to hear this. "You have one?"

"No," Lily pouted. "I kept putting off learning animagus, and these knuckleheads won't give me one without it."

James raised his hands to his wife's angry stare. "Hey, it's the rule. Werewolves are the exception."

Lily seemed to be considering.

"No Lils," Remus rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to bite you."

"Fine," Lily spat out. "It's not like I really wanted you to anyway."

Harry was licking his lips in thought. Finally he spoke up, "I could, uh, hasten your training and make you an animagus."

All four of the others turned to stare at Harry.

"If you want," Harry added quietly.

"Yeah," Lily exasperatedly said. "I do want."

"Harry," Remus interrupted. "Umm, dead person back to life. Old soul in a new to me body. Are you sure you want to be experimenting with magics that should be impossible."

Harry waved him off. "I did this before. It works like a charm."

"On a dead person?" Sirius asked.

"No, on a nine-year old." Harry said before he could stop himself.

"Harry!" Lily scolded.

Remus sighed. "I thought your secret human experimentation days were over."

"Oh shush, Moony." Harry retorted. "It happened to have been what cured Simon. He needed magic that wasn't his."

Remus grinned a little finally realizing what had happened to Minnie's 'kitten' as she called him. Remus then realized he probably was in fact a kitten. "That was a good thing you did, Harry."

"Yes, I thought so," Harry said. "But I'm not about to give a piece of my magic to just anyone, though I think I could scrape together enough to make Mum here an animagus."

"You lose it from your own?"

"Not the skills or knowledge. But it does permanently remove a piece of my core."

"How big a piece?" Lily asked worriedly.

Harry shook his head. "A very small percentage, nothing you should worry about."

Sirius thinking about how powerful Harry was, said, "Think a drop in a bucket, Lils."

"More like a drop in the ocean," Remus added.

Harry sighed. "Trust me, I can afford to do this a number of times. And I'd really like to do it for you. I mean hell, you're my mum. Even for curiosity's sake, I want to know what your form is."

James smiled at his wife. Lily nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."

Harry sat Lily down in front of him and walked her through the process. They were staring into each other's eyes while Harry held onto her hands.

James walked over to Sirius and Remus. "So what do you think she's going to be?"

"Jungle cat, maybe?" Sirius considered. "Tiger Lily sounds disgustingly convenient."

"Harry is ridiculously powerful. Lily could be like a unicorn or something magical."

James looked at his two best friends strangely. "Do you two not remember my wife at all? I think fifteen years of trying to remember the good times may have twisted your perceptions a bit."

"Well," Remus pouted. "What's your guess?"

"I was thinking maybe like a peacock," James guessed. He smiled guiltily. "Maybe a rabbit."

Harry and Lily stood up and approached. "Are you guys ready?"

"Yeah," they all turned and cheered.

Harry went over and stood next to them. "Alright Mum. All you have to do is think the words 'Padfoot's an idiot' and you should-"

Before Harry could finish, Lily popped and immediately there in her place was…