Harry grew older and flourished under the guidance of Remus and Minerva, or Moony and Minnie as Harry called them. He was tutored by Moony in reading and math. He didn't much enjoy it, but he discovered that he was smarter than the Dursleys ever gave him credit for.
When Harry was nine, he convinced his guardians to help him become an Animagus. Minerva had resisted the idea at first, but she relented when Albus offered his assistance. The process was long and frustrating but, after a year, Harry managed the transformation.
Remus had been expecting a stag, but it wasn't to be. He'd wondered if such a blatant reminder of James would break his heart all over again. Instead, Harry had become a black kitten with green eyes and an oddly shaped patch of white fur on his forehead. Harry's animagus form would eventually age and become an adult. But until then, Remus found himself chasing after a kitten. It made the werewolf feel young and happy again.
Minerva was delighted with Harry's animal form. She would have been proud either way, but now she had a unique bonding opportunity. So, Harry was brought to Hogwarts toward the end of summer, just after his tenth birthday.
Minerva very much enjoyed transforming and exploring the castle with the little black kitten. She was suddenly seeing Hogwarts from his perspective. She showed Harry how to climb safely, how safely squeeze into small spaces. It seemed like a good idea to assist Harry in behaving as cat-like as possible.
Harry picked up the strange lessons rather quickly. He loved spending time with his Minnie in such a way. This was something for just the two of them, and he treasured it. His mother was dead, but Minnie was the next best thing in Harry's opinion.
"Severus is especially irritable today," Minerva noted, looking down at her feline companion after one staff meeting. Harry had been curled up under her chair the whole time, going completely unnoticed. "Would you like to go cheer him up?"
Harry meowed and then purred as Minerva scooped him up. Albus followed Minerva, curious and eager to know what she was planning. Severus generally avoided contact with Harry when the boy visited Hogwarts each summer. Harry seemed to make the dour man a bit uncomfortable, though Severus avoided displaying open hostility. It was as if he was waiting for Harry to suddenly start acting like his father. Minerva was determined to dispel that notion.
She made her way to Severus' office and knocked on the door, winking at Albus as he stepped up next to her. Severus looked suspicious as he allowed Albus and Minerva into his office. He eyed the kitten in Minerva's arms, but didn't comment.
When Minerva sat down, she set the kitten in her lap. "I think we need to come to an agreement about Quidditch practice schedules," she said. "It isn't right for any team to have an advantage over the others."
Severus took his own seat and smirked at her. "You only say that because your precious Gryffindors have been losing these last two years," he retorted. "My house shouldn't be blamed for lack luster competition."
Minerva gave Harry a tiny nudge as she rolled her eyes at Severus. "If your students are so superior, than it should be of no consequence to divide practice times more fairly," she argued.
Harry jumped onto the desk, pleased that he hadn't fallen. "Minerva, remove your cat from my desk," Severus sighed.
"It's only a kitten Severus," Albus chuckled. "Let him explore."
Severus scowled but resumed his argument with Minerva. Albus watched cheerfully as Harry walked all over the desk, batting at quills and knocking them to the floor. He sniffed at every scrap of parchment and curiously eyed an open jar. He put his paws on the rim and then used his back legs to jump, wiggling his furry body into the jar. Pleased with himself, he curled up and began to purr. Albus forced himself not to laugh.
Severus had quickly decided that Minerva was arguing just to annoy him. He looked around his desk frowning. He sighed when he spotted his jar full of kitten. "I was going to use that," he growled.
Harry opened his eyes and meowed when he saw that Severus was looking at him. To his delight, Severus reached into the jar. Harry retaliated by pawing at him playfully. He hadn't learned how to do that without scratching yet though.
Severus withdrew his hand quickly. "This animal is vicious," he informed Minerva flatly. Minerva rolled her eyes. To spite her, Severus picked up the jar and tipped it over, pouring the kitten back onto the desk.
Harry shook his head after his brief tumble. He walked around in a circle, deciding what to do next. Suddenly, it seemed that stalking Severus' twitching fingers was the most brilliant idea. He crouched, his hind quarters wriggling as he prepared to pounce.
"Don't even think about it," Severus said, picking the kitten up by his scruff. He lifted the kitten to eye level, ignoring the way it squirmed and meowed pitifully. Severus sighed when he noticed the cat's green eyes. "Is this Potter?" he demanded incredulously.
Minerva and Albus chuckled. "Convincing isn't he?" Albus asked. "He's been learning to 'cat' from Minerva," he added, making finger quotes around the word cat.
"Did you just use the word cat as a verb?" Severus asked flatly.
"Possibly," Albus replied, unfazed. "Perhaps you could set Harry down though? That looks uncomfortable."
Severus set the kitten down on the floor, and then folded his arms across his chest. He was reluctantly impressed as he watched Harry transform. The boy straightened, smiling proudly. His smile faltered as he looked at Severus. "Sorry Professor Snape," he said, ducking his head. "I, uh- I can't really help it. I'm sorry if I annoyed you."
Harry's instincts as an animal were sometimes hard to ignore. He could think clearly, but the urge to play and explore was very great. He usually managed pretty well, but Severus Snape had a low tolerance for foolish behavior. Harry really didn't want the man to hate him before he even started school.
Severus sighed. "It might have been... slightly entertaining to see you curled up inside a jar," he said stiffly. "I trust that you will use this ability responsibly."
"Yes sir," Harry nodded obediently.
"Good," Severus said tersely. "Very impressive Mr. Potter," he admitted. He glanced at Minerva and Albus with a frown. They were enjoying themselves far too much. "Would you mind getting these two out of here?" he asked Harry impatiently.
Harry giggled. "Yes sir," he said again. He stepped in front of Albus and Minerva with a grin. He waved his hands in a shooing motion.
Albus grinned but followed Minerva out of the office. Harry stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind them. "I think that went well," Albus said, jovially patting Harry on the back.
Severus rolled his eyes. Of course the Potter boy would become an animagus before even becoming a student at Hogwarts. Even worse, it was becoming increasingly difficult to dislike the child.
"Harry, you've got a letter," Remus said, taking an envelope from the owl and handing it a strip of bacon. The owl let out a muffled hoot before flying back out the window.
Harry looked up from his breakfast, eyeing the letter curiously. Remus handed it over, his eyes bright with excitement. Harry hastily opened the letter, his heart rate accelerating with anticipation. "Dear Mister Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts school of..." Harry read aloud before his eyes lit up. "I'm going to Hogwarts!" he cheered.
"You knew that you would," Remus reminded him, looking amused.
"But now it's official," Harry returned, waving the letter in Remus' face with a grin.
"The second page should be your supply list," Remus informed him, nodding meaningfully at Harry's unfinished breakfast. "We'll need to go shopping."
"Will Minnie be going with us?" Harry asked.
"She will," Remus confirmed with a nod. "And you'll have to start calling her Professor McGonagall soon."
Harry grinned at the idea before he realized something. "I won't be able to see you," he said mournfully.
"Oh pup, don't worry about that," Remus said, reaching out to stroke Harry's hair. "We'll write to each other. And I'll see you at Christmas. You'll have Draco and Ron with you," he reminded Harry.
"What if we're in different houses?" Harry asked. "Ron said that all his brothers have been in Gryffindor. And the Malfoys have always been in Slytherin." Harry didn't mention that Ron claimed that dark wizards came from Slytherin. Surely not all of them were dark.
"You'll make friends no matter which house you end up in," Remus said gently. "And being in a different house doesn't mean that you can't be friends with Ron or Draco. What suits you the best may not be the same for either of them." He patted Harry's shoulder with an encouraging smile. "I'll be proud of you no matter what. So don't worry about it."
Minerva said the same thing when she arrived half an hour later. With his worries temporarily soothed, Harry was sent to get ready so they could go shopping. He was excited to get his school supplies and to see Diagon Alley for the first time.
Shortly after lunch, they apparated and Harry found himself standing between a brick wall and the back of an old pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Remus tapped at a few bricks with his wand and then stood back as they rearranged themselves to form an archway. They walked through the archway and onto the the bustling cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley.
Harry looked all around, taking in the sight of all the shops and the witches and wizards milling about. It was a little overwhelming. Harry shifted a little closer to his guardians as they began moving forward. There were Aurors standing watch all around, watching for danger or suspicious activity. Harry had been told that the Aurors would be there, but it made him feel uncomfortable. Extra precautions were needed since Harry wasn't under the protection of the blood wards any longer. Harry felt a bit guilty for making things difficult for other people.
Remus guided Harry into Madam Malkins to buy robes while Minerva went to get Harry's books. A woman looked up when they entered, smiling kindly at them. "Another one for Hogwarts? I'll be with you in a moment," she said cheerfully. She returned to her customer, swishing her hand over a sleeve that was just a tad too long. The light blond hair was unmistakable and Harry grinned as the blond turned to glance toward the door.
"Harry!" Draco greeted brightly. "I hoped that I'd see you today."
"Hey Draco," Harry responded with a smile.
Draco waited for Madam Malkin to finish working and then quickly turned to his friend. His smile was bright and genuine, making Remus wonder how this child could possibly be related to Lucius Malfoy.
For a moment, Draco looked as if he was going to hug Harry, but he restrained himself. He had a reputation as a Malfoy to uphold after all. He nodded politely to Remus. "Hello Mr. Lupin," he said politely.
"Draco," Remus returned with a smile. "How are your parents?"
"Very well, thank you," Draco replied. "Mother should be back in a moment from getting my books and potion supplies. Are you excited?" he asked, looking back at Harry.
"Very," Harry replied, allowing Madam Malkin to pull him aside to be measured. Harry was happy about getting robes for school, but he also desperately wanted to visit with Draco while they had the chance. Draco's father was probably nearby, making it impossible for them to spend time together in the other shops.
Draco saw his mother approaching the shop so he removed his new robes and set them on the counter. Narcissa stepped in and paused when she saw Remus and Harry. She offered a very slight nod and then waited patiently for Madam Malkin to handle the purchase of the robes.
"Remus," Narcissa said with a little smile.
"Hello Narcissa," Remus replied. "Hard to believe that they're about to go to Hogwarts."
"Indeed," Narcissa agreed. "The last five years have flown by."
Madam Malkin took Narcissa's payment for Draco's robes before returning to finish measuring Harry. "Come Draco," Narcissa said. "Your father is waiting for us. Good day gentlemen," she added to Harry and Remus.
Draco waved to Harry with a wistful little smile before being led away. He wished that he could have stayed with Harry a bit longer, but they couldn't risk Lucius seeking them out. It wouldn't do for him to know that Draco and Harry had been good friends for all this time.
Once Harry was done with his fitting, they made their way to Ollivander's. Harry was most excited about buying his wand. The experience was a bit more unnerving than Harry had anticipated though. Garrick Ollivander had stared openly and made cryptic comments as he had Harry try wand after wand. The wand that chose Harry was made of Holly and contained a phoenix feather. And then Ollivander had informed them that Harry's wand had a "brother" so to speak. Of course it had been owned by Voldemort himself.
Harry was ushered away from the wand shop, feeling dazed and a little anxious. He'd been told a bit about Voldemort and the death of his parents. Remus hadn't wanted to frighten Harry too badly. Harry didn't feel afraid exactly, but sharing a wand core with Voldemort sounded like a bad sign.
Those thoughts were brushed away when Harry was presented with a white owl as a birthday present. It was a truly lovely creature and Harry loved her immediately. He hugged Minerva gratefully, delighted to have his own owl. The owl hooted placidly from inside her cage, watching Harry with big amber eyes.
Harry happily allowed Remus and Minerva to help him buy quills, pots of ink, parchment and more clothing items. Then they purchased supplies for potions. Excitement bubbled up inside Harry, and he couldn't stop smiling. Going to Hogwarts was going to be a great adventure.
Upon returning to his bedroom, Harry eagerly pulled out his new textbooks and began to read. In just a few weeks, he'd be going to Hogwarts and he wanted to be prepared.
When Remus came to call him to dinner, he found Harry sound asleep with his head in a Transfiguration text. His lips were curled into a smile. Remus shook his head fondly. It was going to be hard to watch Harry leave for school. But Remus couldn't wait to see just how brilliant Harry was going to be.
