Chapter 2

"I have something to show you" Harry told Ron and Hermione. He had just arrived at The Burrow for the summer. Everyone was in anticipation for the upcoming Quidditch World Cup that would be in two days time. Harry was excited to see a professional Quidditch game for the first time but he also had other things on his mind.

He had decided to keep the disturbing dream he'd had and the fact that his scar was hurting to himself. He didn't want to ruin the good spirits and besides it's not like there was anything to be done about it. But he was positively bursting to tell his friends about the book Sirius sent him for his birthday.

"What?" Ron asked curiously while Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"Not here" Harry said as they were in the kitchen surrounded by the rest of the family, including Bill and Charlie whom Harry hadn't met before.

"Alright" He replied then said louder, "Mum I'm going to show Harry to his room." Ron led the way upstairs and into his bedroom which had an excess of orange in it.

"I wish the Chudley Cannons were playing at the World Cup but Ireland and Bulgaria won out. At least we'll get to see Viktor Krum play, that'll be wicked" Ron said.

"What do you have to show us, Harry?" Hermione asked, directing the conversation away from Ron's favorite topic, knowing otherwise he'd go on about it for hours. Harry opened the bag he was carrying and pulled out the book on how to become an Animagus and held it out for them to see. Hermione's eyes lit up at the sight of a book. "Where did you get it?" She asked excitedly.

Harry leaned in and whispered, "From Padfoot, he reckons I can learn how to become one like he and my dad did."

"Sounds" Ron began.

"Amazing!" Hermione finished for him. Both were looking at him eagerly.

"I don't know if I can manage it but I'd thought if we tried together, the three of us..." Harry said.

"It is very advanced magic" Hermione conceded. "But your dad and his friends, did figure it out in fifth year themselves. That's only one year ahead of us now. It would be very hard but I think you should go for it Harry."

"You really think I could?" He asked, surprised by her faith in him.

"Of course. Just last year I saw you conjure the patronus charm which is also very advanced magic. Most seventh years can't even do it. If anyone can become an Animagus at fourteen, it'd be you Harry" She complimented and Harry blushed at her praise. Funny that Sirius had almost said the same thing. So why did he feel more flustered when it came from Hermione?

"Just think of all the stuff you could do as an Animagus. Especially if you got something powerful like a phoenix" Ron out in. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, no one's ever gotten a magical creature for an Animagus, Ron."

"There're stories-" He began.

"Exactly. Stories." She emphasized. "There's no written historical account of a such a thing. Nothing but legends and myths."

"I'm going to try it" Harry said decidedly, hoping to cut off a budding argument between the two. "But only if you two do it with me." Both of his friends looked at him in surprise.

"Harry, it'd be hard enough for one of us to pull this off. But three? I'm not sure that's possible. We can't cast a patronus like you or do anything special" Hermione said modestly. Ron snickered.

"Are you kidding? You're Hermione Granger, top of the class in every subject, (except divination), you'd have an even better chance than Harry at succeeding" Ron said matter of factly. Hermione looked ready to protest but Harry cut in.

"He's right, Hermione you're brilliant. Lupin called you the brightest witch of our age. You can do anything you out your mind to." This time it was Hermione's turn to blush furiously but she didn't deny or try to protest anymore. Instead she asked to look at the book, which Harry handed over to her. As she began reading Harry turned to Ron.

"What do you say Ron, will you join is in becoming Animagus?" He asked hopefully. Ron's ears turned red.

"Oh uh...I don't know. I'm not very good at magic, not like you and Hermione are."

"You get the same marks as I do in school, that seems good enough to me," When that didn't seem to convince him he added, "Who was it that got us through the chessboard to get the stone in first year? Dumbledore himself gave you 50 points for the best played game of chess at Hogwarts. I know everyone likes to think I'm the special one but I could never have accomplished what I have so far without my friends. And that's not just Hermione but you too Ron" Harry felt strange saying all this having never given a pep talk in his life, let alone to his two best friends, but it needed to be said and he meant every word of it. He was sick and tired of the whole Wizarding world constantly putting him on this pedestal that he didn't deserve.

"Well if you and Hermione are game to try then I guess I am too" Ron finally said.

"Great! Then let's get started."