DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling.
IMPORTANT: Anything done in italics from here on in is telepathic speech
Chapter 6 – Training Begins
Draco sat in the small sitting room that adjoined his bedroom. He rarely used the brightly lit room, preferring to have breakfast with his parents in the main dining room but after yesterdays incident he had decided to eat alone. The room was decorated in bright colours, with pale wood furniture that reflected the light.
Perched on the empty plate before him was a note from his father, simply stating 'you are expected in the blue room at a quarter to eleven.' It had been delivered by his mother rather then a house elf, which meant that it was more serious than usual. Turning, he looked at Damian who was eating raw strips of steak from a silver bowl edged in bronze. As if feeling Draco's gaze, the panther looked over at him, carefully running his tongue over dark whiskers to erase all traces of blood from his face.
"You have to stay here this morning Damian. I have to go and see Father." Draco said, crumpling the note and leaving the room before Damian could make a move to follow. Angry snarls chased him down the hall but he ignored them, he would rather be injured then have Damian harmed.
Slamming a massive paw against the door, Harry roared. How was he supposed to protect Draco if he was locked in a room? Gathering his weight, Harry tossed his body against the door that held him back from his self appointed duty. When the door held, he snarled unhappily but decided it would be best if he changed his course of action. Looking at the row of windows, he slunk forwards and gathered himself again before making a running leap at the pane of glass. Closing his eyes as he felt it shatter beneath his weight and the sudden sensation of falling he only hoped that he'd land on his paws.
Draco sat in a chair he had transfigured in the blue room. His fingers fiddling nervously with the clasps of his cloak while he waited for the sound of his father's footsteps. He was rewarded several minutes later by the steady thud of boots; except the gait was far faster then the usually reserved one his father used. Seconds later the door flew open and a pale animal shot into the room quickly followed by his godfather. Draco's cry of 'Severus' was cut short by the slamming of the door and an echoing thump as something impacted heavily with the door. He chuckled in amusement as a German Shepard frisked over to him to receive a pet before dashing back to her master.
"Hey Severus, having some problems?" Draco purred softly, before bursting into laughter over the look on his godfathers face.
"Haha...Let's get down to business. Where's your familiar?" Severus growled before grinning and pulling Draco into a hug. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine." Draco murmured, placing a hand over the slowly healing cut on his face. Drawing his wand he flicked it at the door, which slid open slowly revealing the pile of panther stretched out in front of the door.
"Alright, I'm here on your fathers orders to teach you about the Familiar Bond. Did you read the book I sent?"
"Book? What book would that have been?" Draco asked innocently.
"Never mind." With a sweep of his wand a second chair appeared. Seating himself, Severus looked expectantly at Draco before calling the Shepard to him.
"The Familiar Bond is considered dark magic because it takes blood to work properly. That's one of the reasons you require a license and a formal ceremony to perform the actual binding. Each step of the ritual has an important factor to play in the creation of the bond. Blood, so you can feel your familiar's emotions and better understand them. Magic, so that you may both draw and store magic within the other as the need may arise. Soul is considered to be the most important step and completes the bond. It allows a familiar and its wizard, or witch, to communicate; it also binds their life forces together so they can never be separated. As the soul magic binds the life forces together it increases the duration of the animals life span to match that of the wizards.
"The license is required because many animals bound are wild, not house cats and toads. Wolves, lions and horses are a few examples of the larger familiars that have been recorded. The chances of a bond breaking are too dangerous for many to consider taking a large predator for a familiar. If a bond broke, the animal would most likely start attacking anyone around it. Also there's a danger to anyone attacking or bothering the master of the bond; if the familiar feels the wizards anger they may attack. There is also a greater chance that they will kill the person attacking their wizard rather then just injuring.
"Telepathically speaking to your familiar is believed to be impossible, there is only one known case and it was never proven. I've had Nerva for seven years and never communicated with her. Many studies believe that a telepathic bond can only be created if there is love between the pair. Familiars may adore their wizard but can never really love us.
"Now a familiar may only contain as much magic as its body mass will allow. The heavier the animal, the greater the force it can hold. In theory, familiars could also use the magic stored within themselves, if they understood the spells and how to use them. A bond of that type has never existed." Sitting back, Severus sighed. The Familiar Bond was very difficult to explain and the chance to experience it in its full capacity was almost impossible. Looking at Draco he watched as the younger wizard gently caressed the thick fur of the panther's neck. Both looked like they were ready to pass out from shear boredom. Rubbing his eyes he rose slowly.
"Now on to the practical part. Before magical sharing comes simple obedience. Walk away from your familiar then call him." He watched as Draco moved away from the panther who flopped over onto his side.
"Damian, come." Emerald eyes glistened before falling to half-mast. A paw was raised before the large cat as it began to carefully straighten the fur using his tongue.
"Obedience is very important. Your familiar is expected to think for itself in all situations that may arise. That mangy animal could one day save your life by acting without your orders. Allow me to demonstrate. I want you to attack me, your goal is to remove the wand from my hand." Severus said, holding out his wand and going into a defensive posture. Draco immediately responded and drew his own wand, throwing several spells. Severus's wand clattered to the ground but seconds after it stopped rolling, Nerva had scooped it up and returned it to his hand.
"Now throw your wand and tell your...animal to go and get it." Draco tossed his wand lightly, wincing as it clattered loudly in the silent room.
"Damian, fetch." The panther yawned widely, displaying his fangs before rolling over onto his back and stretching.
"I suggest you work on that. Now, your father mentioned that an incident occurred yesterday that may have been of interest to me."
"Ah yes, I was…training with Father when a spell went awry, before I could react a shield appeared." Draco stated; there was no emotion in his voice or face as he spoke to his godfather.
"What type of shielding spell was it? Do you remember what colour it was?"
"I think the shield was blue, dark blue." He tried to recall the events but found them slightly foggy, just when he was going to say he couldn't really remember, a soft voice whispered through his head. Protego, protego was the spell I used.
"Protego, the spell was protego." Draco stuttered.
"That's a very strong defensive shield, I don't remember it being taught at school."
"I suppose I must have seen it in one of my books." Muttered Draco, sinking a hand into the comforting fur of Damian, who peered up at him from where he was sprawled.
"Hm, anyway I'll be back tomorrow to continue the practical part of your training, until then I suggest you find that book and try reading it."
"Sure Sev, I'll get right on it." Draco murmured sleepily giving a wave as his godfather exited the room, Neva prancing happily behind.
Harry followed the retreating form of Snape with his eyes. The information he had got was highly interesting. The bond was forever; and apparently a wizard had never been bound to another wizard while in his animagus form. He yawned widely, before slowly following Draco from the room. Eyes following the graceful movements of the blonde, he pondered what would happen when Draco noticed the broken window. Giving a pantherish grin, he let loose a rumbling purr. He couldn't wait for tomorrow, and a second chance at possibly catching Snape and testing his fangs.
A/N: Once again I thank everyone for reading and hope this chapter cleared a few things up.