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The Animagus

By Jamnaz79

Author Note &Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other works that might be crossed over with this fiction. I do not claim any rights to the characters or anything in these stories. I am just playing in the sandbox of JK Rowlings. I hope you will like my little changes.

The Hippogriff landed onto the top of one of the towers for Hogwarts castle. Harry and Hermione jumped down first followed by the escaped convict. He took deep breath and smiled at the fresh air. No matter how tired he was it was moments like these the you lived life for. He had just been rescued by his sixteen year old godson Harry Potter and friend Hermione Granger. He could still feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins as he smiled.

Sirius took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Harry and Hermione pulling them both into a tight hug. He could feel Harry flinch at first from the touch before he relaxed. He stepped back looking at the pair, "Thank you both of you. I owe you my life. Hermione if I am ever free and can do something for you please name it. A Black always pays their debts."

"It was the right thing to do." The bushy brown haired girl stated.

"She is right Sirius... We were happy to do it." Harry spoke up with a smile. A hint of sadness etching his features particularly in the eye.

Sirius knew that look, in fact he had given that look to James many a time when he normally would be leaving his brother in all but blood to go home with his parents after Hogwarts. He looked towards the young woman next to his godson, "Hermione, can I talk to Harry alone for a few minutes? I know we don't have long but, I have a few words of wisdom for my godson."

"Sure Mr. Black." Hermione gave nod then walked over to the doorway slipping to the other side.

"She is a nice girl. Might be a looker someday." Sirius offered a grin towards Harry.

"Are you serious?" The boy shook his head and frowned, "Hermione is nice. But, she is more like a sister to me."

"Of course I am Sirius. I am always Sirius. Except when I am not." The older man flashed a grin before he stepped next to the battlements and took a seat there on the stone. "Harry come sit down with me a moment."

Harry walked over and sat down next to his godfather looking up at him.

"I know earlier I offered you a home, a place to stay with but it seems for now that is not possible." Sirius' face took on a deep sadness that was reflected in his gray eyes. "If I could, I would make it different but I know that it is not to be for now at least."

Harry slowly nodded his head. He could admit he was disappointed but he had already figured after Pettigrew had escaped that his godfather would not be free. He was mature enough to know that he couldn't just run away with the man to spend his time growing up, too many would look for him.

"But, that doesn't mean once I settle in somewhere safe that I can not find you this summer." Sirius watched at the face of the boy who had been looking down at his feet shoot up out of a cannon to meet his eyes. Sirius couldn't help but grin as he reached out and pushed a lock of hair that had grown out to cover the former lightning bolt scar out of the way. The famous scar had last year been sliced in half by the fang of a basilisk even though Sirius didnt know what had taken place. "I have an idea Harry, if you are up for it. There is something James and I left here at Hogwarts. A legacy that we hid for our successor. You may find it interesting if you like my trick to become Padfoot."

"Really? I could become an animagus?" The boy perked up with excitement.

"You could indeed. But, you must promise to tell nobody about it, it is a secret between just the two of us. Plus it is a quick way that James and I pieced together." Sirius grinned brightly despite his haggard appearance and yellowed teeth from years in Azkaban prison. "I found a potion recipe for a ritual in the Black family archive when I was young. We used it to make a potion for us and Pettigrew. When we did this we had enough for one more vial. Now it is hidden in the castle."

"Where is it?" Harry asked quickly trying to think up the possibilities of using his animagus form. He could scare the Dursley family to leave him alone, or even hide from them!

The older man grinned then leaned over to whisper conspiratorially, "It is hidden in a secret passage, behind the painting of the gray cat on the sixth floor. When you enter the passage look for the carving of the dog and whisper the phrase even old stern pussy cats love catnip."

The eyebrows of the black haired boy rose upwards as he blink in surprise. A grin passed his lips as he realized they were taking about McGonagall. "I will do it and I wont tell anyone of the offer and the potion."

"Good." Sirius looked up at the clouded sky then shivered to himself, "I should go. You need to get back to where you were before you used the time turner and I need to be away before they realize that I broke out."

Harry couldn't help the disappointment that filled up his face at the statement, "You will find me this summer?"

"I found you last summer, I will find you this one too. Give it a few weeks and I will break you out, it cant be harder than Azkaban was." Sirius walked over towards the Hippogriff and jumped onto it. "I will see you soon pup. I can't wait to see what the new marauder will become."

Harry felt a smile break out on his lips at the thought, another thing to connect him to his father and even better a new godfather that still wanted to be a part of his life. He watched as the escaped convict took off with the hippogriff flying up into the air before starting to fly away. Sirius voice called out, "Remember to med..." Regrettably Buckbeak seemed to kick into high speed at the moment as the knowledge Sirius was going to pass on was lost by a shriek.

The sixteen year old couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his godfather hanging onto the flying creature for dear life as it flew away fast as a broom.

~~~ TA ~~~

The young man could have went to the hospital room to meet up with the Headmaster. Instead he never caught up with his best friend so he chose to search out his family legacy. The instructions of Sirius in his head he ran off quickly down the hallways searching till he found himself on the sixth floor with the portrait of the gray cat before him. Taking deep breaths to try to calm down and catch his breath from the swift run he slowly pushed open the corner of the picture allowing it to swing open.

Harry glanced back and forth down the deserted hallway before entering the search passage. His trainers stirred up dust from one of the few passages in the castle that was not on the marauder's map. His eyes and hands searched the passage up and down. He spent well over an hour looking but finding nothing.

The green eyed youth as covered with dust, cobwebs and dirt while being frustrated beyond belief. Normally Harry was a very patient person, he had to be in order to put up with his abusive relatives. But, this was a chance to hold part of his legacy, a connection to his father. He leaned his head back and ran his fingers through his dirty wild hair. Only when he opened his emerald eyes and looked straight up did it see it. The crude carving of the dog plain as day on the ceiling.

No wonder he had not felt or seen it already. He never considered to look up! Harry felt a fool but at least he was a grinning fool because he had found it! He took a deep breath then spoke loudly, "Even stern old pussy cats love catnip!"

The ceiling popped and swung downwards to open up the secret chamber. Harry frowned as he looked around the passage. He was what some might call height challenged. Hell, he was the second shortest in his year just being taller than the cute Su Li or was it Li Su? He could never get the name right but he had caught a glance of her in a skirt on Hogsmeade day and damn she had a nice ass.

The teen shook his head and grimaced, "No time to think of that now Harry. More important things than happy memories."

First he tried to climb up but the stones gave no support and he couldn't jump the height of the teen foot ceiling. Harry grimaced, "Stupid wizard."

He quickly pulled off his shoe and placed it onto the ground. Then with a flick his wrist his wand was in his hand and his eyes narrowed at the shoe. His wand swirled in a circle with a jab at the end and the shoe shifted before his eyes into a step ladder. A grin passed the boys lips for a smile, it wasn't only the patronus that Remus had taught him this year. They had started to study together every day after class this year. He had "detentions" where he used them to catch up on his studies for each of his classes. Then they started to work on fourth year and even fifth year. Harry also dropped out of Divination for runes during this time when he learned of their usefulness. Finally, he picked up how to silent cast. Now he couldn't help a flicker of pride filling his chest at the feat he just accomplished.

A quick few steps up and the shoe turned ladder allowed him to poke his hands into the secret compartment. There he felt two things, the first was the flask which he pulled downwards slowly and carefully to stare at. It was a pink bubbling liquid with flecks of silver that had the etchings of runes around it that signified, according to what he had learned in potions, a status charm. Harry was extra careful as he slipped it into a pouch which he tied off. That pouch he hung around his neck under his robes. Then he reached up again and pulled down a small book. The book was sealed with the symbol of a stag on the cover. A whispered word came out of his mouth, "Father..."

It was at that moment that Harry knew he had hit the jackpot.

~~~ TA ~~~

For over ninety five percent of the students at Hogwarts the end of the school year brought happiness. It signified a chance to spend time with family, friends, and relax from the rigors of school. For Harry Potter it was a time that he dreaded. For fourteen years, since a little over a year old, he had been living at his relatives house. It was a time of year that he dreaded to come. But this year it was different. This year he had hope.

The ride home from King's Cross was as unpleasant to say the least. Vernon grunting more than a pig in it's slop. His aunt looked down on him as if he were made of that slop and spreading it around their car. Luckily Dudley was not there was he had been given money to go to the movies. Yet, not a word was spoken to him till near the end.

"Boy, next week your Aunt Marge will be coming. I expect you to stay in your room and not come near her. I will not have a repeat of last year from your strange freakishness." The walrus liked man paused a she swerved around a car with his BMW. "Your freakish kind made her forget everything from last year but I wont have it happening again. If you come out I will snap your little stick understood?"

"Yes Uncle Vernon." There was a little else that Harry could say or do for the situation but it was better to be away from her than in the same room as Aunt Marge.

"You wont be out of the room except for early morning and night. You will be fed by your little door and use a bucket if you have an emergency. I expect the room will not become smelly and you will keep quiet." His aunt added to the conversation.

Harry thought that over and realized if he wasnt leaking then that would give him time to plot, plan and prepare. Plus it would mean no chores during that time so extra free time would be nice. "Yes Aunt Petunia."

~~~ TA ~~~

A week of chores and life goes by extremely fast when you are worked like a house elf. He was up before dawn cooking and cleaning the house to a spotless shine that would make Mr. Clean's bald spot jealous. He would end his day after dinner where he would be forced to go to his room where he was left alone after cleaning up. There he read the journal and learned about his father.

Part of Harry was surprised, sure he had heard rumors that his father had been liked the twins playing pranks. He had seen their pranks which could be funny sometimes but sometimes went too far. It seemed his father leaned more towards the two far parts. He seemed to entitled and expected everything to come to him. This was partly because he was the only son of the Potter family and partly because he was so talented that everything with magic did come to him easily.

James was born very late to his parents Fleamont Potter and Euphemia Potter nee Carrow. They had never expected to have a child so he had been a blessing and they spoiled him rotten. It seemed is grandparents had passed away just after his parents had married due to dragon pox. Strangely they were both found dead in the family manor which James never had the heart to move into after he found out that they had died. His grandfather had actually made a fortune making a hair potion that was supposedly powerful enough to fix the hair griffon in place in full dive. Unfortunately even it couldn't keep a Potter male's hair in place.

The best part of the journal were the writings about Harry's mother. In James' eyes it seemed that she never could do anything wrong. Oh she had a huge temper, and when he got upset she would rage like a hurricane through a shanty town. But, she could just as easily smile and light up James' world. He would pull pranks on her on purpose because of her anger. At first it was to pick on her for her attention, later it was because he actually thought she was sexy when her temper got the best of her.

Not all the things Harry learned that her really wanted to know. He didnt need to read about or know that his father lost his virginity at age fourteen to seventh year student Amelia Bones or took a number of women including the Arthimancy Professor Septima Vector. In fact Harry was glad he didn't take that class as he would not be able to look at her the same way when he realized that she enjoyed being taken from behind on the teacher's desk in what became her future classroom. He learned that his father was to put it bluntly a playboy. It seemed in fact the only one worse was his godfather Sirius.

Not to say that the journal was all bad, instead he did enjoy learning about his mother and father dating together finally. Their first kiss was on one of the Hogwarts boats that the first years take over. He had taken her out it to the middle of the Black lake at night for a picnic dinner. His father was a man of passions that overwhelmed him. He lived and loved with his heart on his sleeve. There was nothing about him that he held back from anything he wanted to accomplish. He would go for it no matter what was needed and believe in himself that he would be successful.

By the time Harry was done reading over that ten days of Summer had passed. He never even realized his Aunt Marge had arrived because he was so wrapped up in learning about his father. It was after the ninth day when he was finishing up the journal that he pulled it out. Harry carefully glanced over the potion, so beautiful in the way that it swirled around. He found feel the magic radiating off of it. It projected a warmth into his hand that made him feel stronger, more powerful, and desire it.

The young teen glanced towards the cage with Hedwig and smiled, "Do you think I should try it girl or wait till later?"

"Hoot, Hoot, Hoot." the beautiful owl barked back at Harry.

"Of course I know what I am doing. Sirius is who told me about it. You know he wouldn't want me too be in danger. I am his godson after all." Harry spoke with a smile.

"Hoot Hoot?" The owl seemed to counter.

"I am sure it is not poisonous or dangerous." Harry replied in the one way conversation.

"Hoot, Hoot, Hoot!" The owl barked back.

"Alright, I will send him a letter to let him know at least I am doing it." Harry returned just as the door had a loud banging noise.

"Boy, shut that bird up or send it away. If it keeps talking it will become friend chicken for your Aunt Marge's dogs." Vernon practically screamed through the door at his nephew.

Harry didn't answer and kept quiet as he heard the heavy footsteps of his Uncle banging down the stairs to the other room. He picked up a quill and parchment starting to write while angry. He muttered to himself, "I hope I am something huge like an elephant or a bear and I can squish that man."

The boy quickly secured the small parchment to the owl's message holder and opened up the cage and window. "Can you find Sirius girl?"

The owl hopped to the window sill and turned her head back towards Harry with a look as if to ask are you crazy? Then into the night she took off a beautiful beacon of light leaving this place of darkness.

Harry left in his room now alone stared down at the potion on his bed. He shrugged to himself, "What could it hurt? Sirius said I should do it and Hedwig will let him know. Besides it would be nice to feel magic again, or at least learn about it."

The uncork was popped and the liquid quickly lifted up to his lips, "Bottoms up."

The pink bubbling liquid felt like soda pop going down at first. But it was slightly different, more erratic and seeming to get stronger the longer it was in his stomach. He couldn't help the feeling of gas that overtook him. It was almost ass if the silver shards were shredding into his stomach as the bloated feeling started to instead cause ripples of pain. His eyesight started to blur, his palms grew sweaty. Harry could feel his legs growing weak before he collapsed down onto the floor. His last thought to himself, "What have I done?"

~~~ TP ~~~

Ripper was never what anyone would call a smart dog. Sure he was a powerful, strong English bulldog that had massive balls. Literately, he won dog shows for his massive balls, hence he was Marge's pride and joy for his show winning. The woman would stud him out and that was many of the reasons she was able to live a comfortable life.

Now he was a prize winning pureblood but with that selective breeding unfortunately removed a large amount of his intelligence. But he did have a keen nose an he had learned over the past three days that the runt that lived in this house, Harry, was fed at nine o'clock each night through a dog door. He had always dominated the skinny little human, his mistress wanted him to deal harshly and even gave him treats to do so with the boy. So it was only logical that he, as the alpha of the pack, should get the food instead of the boy.

Tonight a large ham had been cooked and the small bits of scraps given to Ripper were actually larger than the amount that would be plated for the boy. But, it the dog was still hungry. So after Petunia had carried the plate upstairs the bulldog followed along with all of the waddling stealth in it's body.

Ripper easily could find the room, first the sweet scent of pork. He pushed his head against the dog flap when he realized something. He could smell more than pork, there was the scent of cat too. The runt had a cat in it's room. That couldn't be allowed at all!

The dog charged through the flap into the room ready to bark and scare the kitty. What he found would definitely not be a small cat. In fact it cause the dog to shit itself right away.

Standing before the little wrinkly dog was a large cat but not just any cat! The beast was an adolescent male lion with startling emerald eyes and a black mane. The hungry beast had just finished eating it's last piece of the meager portion of the ham. It's hungry emerald eyes spoke of death as they zeroed in on the intrusion into it's domain. The dog turned to run but it never had a chance. In fact it never even made a yelp of sound before a large claw came forward to pin it down. It was followed by jaws that swiftly found their mark and Ripper, terror of Harry Potter, was no more.

Author Note: I wanted to write this ages ago. I am not sure how quickly it would be updated. It would depend on how many people let me know what they think. It would be a rewrite of His Own Man in this story which I wrote myself into a corner that I didnt enjoy. It will also be darker than that world and less Hero's win easily situation. But, I had a few interesting twists to add that I wanted to do before. Please note the scar, no Harry=Horcrux never liked that part of the story. Also Hogwarts starts at three years older in this story allowing for all witches and wizards to finish their puberty. Like it or nah?