I own nothing of the marketing empire birthed from J.K.Rowling's fevered genius, and get nothing from this save the brief satisfaction of favourable reviews…

Harry Potter and the Forgotten Shards

Chapter 6

Dobby deposited Harry in Myrtle's bathroom, and went back for the others. Moments later they were all gathered, and stepped out into the hallway, no-one was about.

Strangely enough, noone appeared to be in the castle at all. As they passed a window, all of them found their attention being attracted to movement outside. It appeared that the entire school was enjoying a day outside.

Harry's eyes were drawn to a figure emerging from the Forbidden Forest. "Moony."

"Where?" asked Luna, seemingly the only one who hadn't spotted him yet.

"Coming out of the forest," Neville smiled, he'd spotted the movement instantly.

"Shall we go down and meet him," Harry held out his arm to Ginny.

Ginny laughed, hooked her arm through Harry's and looked back at the others. "Lets go, it's still sunny and I've spent enough time in this gloomy castle for today."

Ron put his arm around Hermione's shoulders, and she an arm around his waist. Luna taking Neville's hand as they followed.

Remus watched them pass him, his senses screaming.

Ginny, the first to pass him, had a faint smell of ozone around her.

Ron and Hermione were next, and he didn't know which of them scared him more. No, definitely Ron. Though both were moving with the sinewy grace characteristic of large predators.

Luna had just detached herself from Neville, and Remus was relieved to see at least one of them wasn't giving him the willies. Though even Luna had a newfound sense of…strength to her movements.

And finally Neville. The wolf was all but screaming to GET AWAY from him. Remus sank back, subtly edging Minerva between him and Neville.

He felt Harry place a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't need to be afraid of us, Moony." Harry whispered.

There was something soothing about the way he spoke, or perhaps it was the hand. Harry squeezed his shoulder again and turned, walking down the steps and out into the sunlight to join his friends.

Remus and Minerva both remained quiet for a few minutes.

"They've done it, haven't they, Remus?" she whispered.

The werewolf just nodded.

Harry had a huge grin on his face as he joined the others out near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Ron spoke up first, "Did you see that? Moony and MacGonnegal were terrified…of me!" Promptly falling over, laughing.

Hermione punched him in the arm, "That's not a good thing, you ass. Besides, I figure that since you and the Professor have some cat in common, then it must have been me she was afraid of."

"Ow." Rubbing his arm, "When did you learn to hit, anyway?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as the others all laughed.

MacGonnegal did not mention the absence of Harry and his friends to the headmaster.

Albus and Aberforth Dumbledore arranged for more complex warding to go up, and were satisfied when it didn't go down this time. Convinced that they had solved the problems now.

Remus went home and got very badly drunk.

A few days later Remus was preparing for his stay in the Shrieking Shack. He had already taken the potion, when Harry and his friends all emerged from the Whomping Willow's tunnel.

"Hey Remus, tonights the Full Moon, huh?" Harry was smirking.

Remus' eyes narrowed, "Aren't you supposed to be up in the school? You must know that it's due to rise in the next couple of minutes, why have you come?"

Harry stood directly in front of the werewolf, hands on his shoulders, "To be with you, like Dad and Sirius used to. Why else?"

Remus looked into the younger man's eyes, and was almost swept away by the intensity of emotion, love, compassion, trust…then the first pains of the transformation hit him.

Harry turned back to the others, "We'll meet you out in the forest."

They turned and ran back down the tunnel.

"Why?" Remus gasped out between spasms.

A flame seemed to spring to life in Harry's eyes, "Because there isn't enough room inside the house for everyone to change."

In the moments before the transformation was complete, he sensed flames and looked up to see Harry shift into his Animagus form.

A phoenix.

Bronze and crimson plumage fading to black at the wingtips, and the brightest emerald green eyes.

Remus fell and twisted, flesh and bones reshaping painfully as the wolf asserted it's monthly dominance.

Harry latched onto the slowly recovering werewolf and the two of them vanished in a burst of flame.