A/N: Some questions were raised about Hermione's age and birthday. According to the HP Lexicon, JKR has stated that Hermione's birthday is September 19th. Assuming that First Years must be 11 years old at the start of school, this would make Hermione about 10.5 months older then Harry.

Chapter 22 – Changes

Harry felt snug and warm inside his blankets. Getting out of bed seemed like a really bad idea today. The cool October air made Harry reluctant to get out of bed. Today was the first day without training for Harry in a month. Professor Ioshi and Mike pushed Harry and his friends every day. Teaching the DA consumed a vast amount of time. Sleeping in seemed like a really good idea to Harry.

Harry snuggled deeper into his bed. Living without roommates took some getting used to but Harry adjusted quickly. Aside from Ron's snoring, the rest of Harry's mates made quite a bit of noise when they were sleeping. Of course, Dean mentioned the quiet also, just in reference to the lack of Harry's screaming nightmares.

The Wizarding world had settled into a quiet lull for the last couple of weeks. The Death Eaters had attacked a couple of magical households in early September and a few out-of-the-way Muggle villages later in the month, but almost nothing so far in October. Harry and Remus felt Riddle was using the time to reconsolidate his inner circle and recruit new Death Eaters since there were few casualties in the attacks on muggles and none on the magical households. The loss of Greyback, Macnair, Rookwood, and Lucious Malfoy since the beginning of summer had to hurt his organization. A number of other low-ranking Death Eaters were killed or captured by the Aurors in a series of raids over the summer. Harry knew the information for the raids came from Draco.

Draco was another issue. Although he no longer bullied younger students or controlled Slytherin, Harry did not trust him at all. Malfoy still seemed to be in shock from his parents' murders. Harry did not doubt Malfoy when he said he know hated Riddle. But Harry also felt Malfoy felt his Pureblood status placed him above all non-pureblood (and most pureblood) wizards. Harry believed Malfoy may have changed his allegiance but not his beliefs.

Putting Malfoy out his mind, Harry decided that whoever invented beds and thick blankets was brilliant. Definitely Order of Merlin, 2nd Class stuff.

Harry heard his bedroom door open gently. Harry heard Astus moving slightly in his heated cage but nothing else. Harry figured it was it was "Captain" Ron coming to get him out of bed for some Quidditch practice.

A soft voice called his name from just next to his bed, "Harry"

Not Ron, it was Ginny. "Go away. I like it here," Harry grumbled.

Ginny giggled quietly. "Poor baby. Do you need help getting up? Here let me help."

A part of Harry's mind started screaming, "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" However, before Harry's warm, snuggly brain could process exactly what she meant, Harry felt the worst shock of his life.

Two petite hands reached down into Harry's warm blankets and grabbed Harry's sides. Usually the feel of those hands on his sides was a welcomed experience for Harry. The grabbing was not the cause of the shock. Rather it was the fact the hands in question felt like ice cubes.

Shocked by the icy cold sensation on his side, Harry attempted to move quickly away from the cause of the disturbing cold. Unfortunately, his sudden move caused Harry to roll himself out of bed and onto the cold floor below.

Harry hit the floor and bounced up as the cool air felt frigid after the warmth he enjoyed mere seconds ago.

"Bloody hell! Did you conjure a snowball to play with? Damn, those hands are cold! That wasn't fair!" Harry yelled as he rubbed his hands over his arms in an attempt to warm himself.

Ginny grinned at Harry's antics. "Oh, poor baby. Did I make you cold?"

"Yes!" Harry grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. After the warmth of his bed, standing around in his boxers in a drafty castle was not a good feeling.

Harry turned and started for the loo. Over his shoulder, he said in a disappointed sigh, "It would have been so much more fun if you had snuggled in with me!"

Harry heard a slight gasp and glanced back at Ginny. Ginny had turned slightly red and had a disappointed look on her face as she realized it would have been more fun for her also. Harry laughed to himself and left to take his shower.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny gathered met in the Great Hall for breakfast. The previous week Neville attached a new nickname to the group. During a DA training session he called them the "Gryffindor Four". Harry groaned while the rest of the DA laughed over the group's new moniker. Although Harry was not happy about the change making Ginny a bigger target, he saw her smile at her inclusion in the "Golden Trio".

With a discrete spell, Harry created a quiet zone around the four to prevent any eavesdropping.

At Harry's nod, Hermione said, "The Animagus potions are done. Professor Goshawk said she would meet us in her classroom at 11:00 this morning."

The other three felt a trill of excitement about find out if they could become animagus and what their animals could be. Harry wondered if he would be a stag like his father or something completely different.

"Wicked!" was Ron's response. The red-headed boy grinned with anticipation. "This will be great!"

Ron turned to Harry and said, "I need to sneak down to Hogsmeade today. I ordered some Muggle books Hermione suggested and need to pick them up."

"What did you get Muggle books for?" Ginny asked.

"A couple of books on Muggle military history and strategies. I realized that this will not be like a chess match. I need to study," Ron answered.

Ginny giggled as Hermione said in an awed tone, "That is the first time I've ever heard you admitting that you needed to study anything, Ronald!"

Ron's ears started to turn pink. Then a mischievous glint came into his eye. He leaned over and whispered something into his girlfriend's ear. Hermione's jaw dropped as her face flushed then turned Weasley red. Harry and Ginny started laughing as Hermione sat gapping at Ron in stunned speechlessness.

"Wow," Harry laughed, "I never expected to ever see Hermione speechless!"

After Hermione dropped her head on the table in an effort to recover her composure, Ginny glanced at her smug looking brother. "So Ron, what … body of knowledge have you been studying? Mum will be so proud when I owl her!"

The combination of the insinuation and Ginny's mention of Molly Weasley caused Ron's face to turn bright red. Ron's head soon joined Hermione's as they both sought to hide their faces until they recovered. Harry and Ginny sat laughing while the rest of the Great Hall watched and wondered about the cause of the silent hilarity occurring at the Gryffindor table.

Three hours later, the Gryffindor Four walked into the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione carried four vials of a pale pink potion Hermione and Ron walked several paces in front of Harry and Ginny. The rear two were still occasionally breaking into sniggers over breakfast memories. Hermione and Ron were valiantly attempting to ignore the sniggers and chuckles over their embarrassment.

Professor Goshawk sat at her desk grading papers. She glanced up at their entry and smiled. "Good morning. Are you ready to try your luck?"

After the four replied in an enthusiastic yes, Miranda motioned them over. "Please sit down." When they sat down, she continued, "I want to remind you that the forcing process is very painful. I believe you all have the power for this method, so I am not afraid of you becoming squibs, but it will be exceedingly painful."

Harry looked at his friends. "I will be doing this because of what I need to do, but you three don't need to do this."

"Shut up, Harry," Hermione huffed. "We haven't left you yet." Ron and Ginny nodded their agreement.

Harry smiled. "I guess we are all in, professor. I would like to go first."

Miranda handed Harry a vial and a leather covered stick. "Take the potion and then place the stick in between your teeth. It will prevent you from grinding your teeth or biting your tongue."

Harry realized this was really going to suck. Pulling his courage together, Harry downed the potion and stuck the stick between his teeth. For ten seconds, Harry sat expecting the pain to kick in, his body braced for the pain. When nothing happened, he looked up at the professor. Could something have gone wrong with the brewing?

Then the pain struck. Harry was familiar with pain. It sometimes seemed that pain was his most constant companion in life. Pain from the abuse at the Dursleys, pain from his scar, pain from Quidditch injuries, or pain from spells. This pain made them all seem like nothing.

Harry felt like every bone in his body was smashed while his skin was flayed simultaneously. Pain seemed to ooze out of every pore of his body. The pain continued for hours with no let up.

As quickly as the pain came, it was gone. Harry found himself naked in a calm darkness. The relief from the pain made Harry shiver in its memory. Harry collapsed to the ground and wept in his relief.

Harry felt something brush against his skin in the darkness. Something furry and warm. It butted against Harry gently. Harry reached out and heard a voice in his head.

'You have done well, pup. I think we will do well together.'

Harry opened his eyes as the darkness seemed to fade. Harry saw a pair of brilliant green eyes in front of him. They eyes penetrated his own. Harry felt the connection between himself and those green eyes. Harry felt they eyes merging into his own

Then the voice said, 'Now we are one.'

Harry opened his eyes into a pair of nervous brown eyes. "Ginny?"

"Harry, are you okay? You went all ridged for a minute and then collapsed in the chair. You have been unconscious for five minutes!"

"Harry, I am so sorry!" Hermione wailed. "I thought I did the potion right! How could I be so stupid!"

Harry weakly waved a hand at her. "You did it right, 'Mione. It worked."

As Ginny helped Harry to sit up, Ron get excited. "It worked? That's great, mate. What are you?'

"Are you ready, Mr. Potter" Professor Goshawk interrupted. "We must continue the process now."

Harry gathered his reserves and forced himself to stand. Harry understood now why this method was so dangerous. He felt like he had just fought Riddle and wanted to sleep for a week. Drawing his wand, Harry pointed it at himself and said, "Homonusreddobestia!"

Harry suddenly saw the world from a slightly lower perspective. It felt like he was kneeling on the floor. The room seemed sharper, more defined. A strong variety of scents filled the room. They were almost overwhelming. Harry shook himself and grinned up at Ginny with his tongue hanging out.

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny sighed. The large Grey Wolf walked slowly over to Ginny, who kneeled down to see him better. "You are gorgeous!"

Harry felt mischievous as he liked her from chin to forehead with his long wet tongue.

"Harry, stop that!" she squealed.

Harry gently knocked her off her feet and continued to lick her face as Ginny giggled and tried to push him back.

Harry heard Professor Goshawk say, "Harry, you need to change back now."

Harry backed off from licking Ginny and looked at the professor. With a slight nod, Harry concentrated on his human form. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in his normal shape. Oddly, he felt a pang of remorse.

"That was cool, but man did that hurt!" Harry exclaimed. Then he promptly collapsed onto the floor in a boneless heap.

Harry woke up in bed and looked up at the ceiling. He knew the pattern of the ceiling by heart. Harry groaned. He was in the hospital wing. After so many visits over his six years at Hogwarts, Harry had a standard routine on waking up. First he tried to move all of his body parts, then he felt for his magic. Although his magic felt a bit low, Harry felt fine. He did feel an added dimension in his head where his wolf-self waited to be called on again.

Harry sat up and looked to the stand next to his bed for his glasses. Placing them on his head he noticed that the room became blurry. 'That was odd,' Harry thought. Harry removed the glasses and realized he could see the room in sharp detail. Actually, he could see the room better now the he could before with his glasses on!

Harry noticed his three friends in the beds around his. Harry started to carefully get out of bed when he heard Madam Pomfrey walk into the room.

"Mr. Potter, you set a record. I don't believe I have ever seen you twice this early in the term before."

Harry grinned at the medi-nurse. "I just wanted to visit my favorite nurse."

Madam Pomfrey harrumphed with a small smile on her lips, "Next time, stop in for tea. Did you notice your headboard?"

Harry glanced over his shoulder and then let out a moan. "Madam Pomfrey!"

Attached to the hospital bed headboard was a brass plate. It read"

This bed reserved for:

Harry James Potter

Our most Frequent Visitor

"I warned you before, Mr. Potter," she said with a stern expression. Then she smiled, "I will have to show you father and Mr. Black's plaques some other time."

Harry laughed and walked over to Ginny's bed. She was still unconscious. Harry looked at Hermione and Ron and saw that they were still out as well.

"Mr. Potter, they will not wake before morning. You should go down to eat dinner since you are up." Professor Goshawk had silently appeared in the room.

Harry asked, "Why did I wake up so much sooner?"

"Two reasons. First was they would not start their transformation until you were up here. Also they are powerful witches and wizard, but you have a very deep reserves and a stronger will. Your ability to throw off an Imperious Curse illustrates that strength."

"I will wait here until they wake up."

"No, go eat. Then go sleep it off. I am going to have Madam Pomfrey give them Dreamless Sleep potions so they sleep through the night."

Resigned, Harry stayed for another hour until it was time for dinner. Then, under the prodding of Madam Pomfrey, Harry walked down to dinner. Harry walked into the Head Dorm and decided to eat in the dorm. Harry called Dobby and had dinner brought up to his common room. Harry did not want to face the questions of where the rest of the Gryffindor Four were at.

After eating dinner, Harry attempted to continue his research into how to safely destroy the Horcrux. Slytherin's locket still existed because Harry did not want to risk the type of injury that Dumbledore received destroying the ring.

After a couple of hours, Harry felt restless. Deciding to go for a walk, Harry was soon outside. The cool autumn air felt good after the stress of the day. Harry glanced around and realized it was very late. No one else was outside. Harry glance at his watch and was surprised to discover it was almost curfew.

Harry looked aound and realized his wolf form gave him very good night vision. It seemed no more then early evening rather then full dark. It was incredible.

Harry felt a pull and willed himself into his wolf-shape. In an instant wolf-Harry was running effortlessly across the Hogwarts grounds towards the Forbidden Forest. Harry's great wolf size ate up the ground as he ran. Harry felt like he could run for hours without stopping to rest. Dodging the trees, rocks and other forest inhabitants felt almost like he was flying his Firebolt through a maze of obstacles at high speed. It was wonderful.

Harry suddenly realized that another wolf ran along side him.

Do you plan to run far? the wolf seemed to ask without a sound.

No Harry replied. I am new to this form and wanted to run.

Ahh the wolf replied. Puppies often do Harry could hear the amusement in the wolf's "voice"

We can stop if you would like. Harry answered.

If you would like.

Harry slowed to a lope and then stopped to face the wolf. It was a huge older male. Harry felt a wolf's instinct to fight for dominance start to rise up and then suddenly fade away.

Rest easy, young one. I am not here to struggle with you for your pack.

I am sorry. Harry said. I am new to this.

I understand. I was once young and impulsive myself. The wolf seemed to grin. It often got me into trouble. The young often charge into the unknown when their elders hold back. They believe in their immortality and the rightness of their cause.

Harry heard an odd pain in the older wolf's voice. It was a pain of long ago memories. Harry felt like an intruder.

I am sorry. Harry said.

My pack is no more. They succeeded in our tasks. While I must abide a while longer, I will not challenge for yours. the wolf said with a formal dignity that gripped Harry's heart.

Have you been alone a long time?

Oddly, this question made the old wolf chuckle and say What is time to a wolf? We live as long as we must.

Come, young wolf. Let me show you what it means to be a wolf.

The two wolfs ghosted into the night. A joyous howl was raised out of the forest as the old wolf passed on the lessons to a new generation.

Harry wandered into Hogwarts early the next morning. Despite not sleeping all night, Harry felt refreshed and alive. The old wolf showed Harry how to hunt and track prey. Since they did not need to eat, they did not kill any that they tracked. The old wolf explained the life of the wolf and his role in the forest. Harry felt he was the best teacher he had ever had.

When they parted, Harry had asked the wolf his name. The old wolf laughed and asked, What does a wolf need with a name? Then he was gone in the morning mist.

Harry made his way back into Hogwarts and up to the Hospital Wing. Harry felt a pang that it would be a lot of fun to run through the school in his wolf form. Harry knew that his animagus abilities needed to be kept quiet for now but it also felt like getting a new broom for Christmas and not getting to fly it!

Harry found his friends sitting up in bed eating their breakfast. Three voices yelled at him, "Where have you been?"

Harry smiled and said, "I went for a run since you were all sleeping."

"Why did they let you out so early this morning?" Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged, "I woke up just before dinner last night. Madam Pomfrey kicked me out and told me to go eat."

Harry dropped onto Ginny's bed and hugged her. "It is good to see you all awake. I am not used to being the conscious one who gets to worry."

The others laughed at Harry's comment. "Now for the important thing. You know what I am. What are you three?"

Ron said, "I was the one after you. I am a peregrine falcon. Flying around the transfiguration room was really wicked!"

Hermione said, "I would have to agree. I am a barn owl. I look a lot like Hedwig but I am brown."

Ginny giggled, "That explains the two of you as a couple!"

Ron threw a pillow at his sister as Hermione yelled a protest. Harry laughed seeing his friends all in such high spirits. Finding out their animal forms seemed to have been a milestone in all of their minds.

Harry looked at Ginny, "So you were the last one?" She nodded. "So what was your form?"

Ginny grinned, "A red fox!"

Ron and Hermione groaned as Harry leaned over and kissed his girlfriend. After the kiss, Harry said, "I could have told you that years ago!"

"Harry! That is so corny!" Hermione yelled. Ron added, "Get a room you two. I don't want to see that!"

Harry smiled. "We will have to get Moony to visit. I think he needs to meet the new Marauders.

Harry, Neville, and Ron slipped out of the secret tunnel ending in the basement of the Three Broomsticks. After the three others got out of the Hospital Wing, Hermione dragged Ginny off to do research on their animal forms. Harry figured by the time they returned, Hermione would be able to recite every fact about all four of their forms.

Harry had not mentioned his night in the Forbidden Forest with the old wolf. He felt a strange reluctance to share the information he had learned about the lives of wolves. A stray thought occurred to Harry. Did all wizards meet a teacher when they acquired an animal form?

Harry and Ron ran into Neville on their way out to the secret tunnel to Hogsmeade. They quickly invited their friend to join them. Neville happily agreed to be included. Harry laughed to think about how Neville had changed from the boy he meet First year.

Not being a Hogsmeade weekend no students were in village today. Leaving the school grounds did not bother Harry. Actually, Harry preferred the village's quiet without the horde of students mobbing the place.

Professor McGonagall announced that a Halloween Ball would be held this year. Harry figured that one of the changed that would come to Hogwarts under the professor would be a lot more formal dances and balls. During the walk to the village the boys decided to use the trip as an opportunity to pick up gifts for their girlfriends.

The three boys broke up in different directions. Keeping their intended gifts a secret, they agreed to meet at the Three Broomsticks at 2:00.

Ron went into the bookstore for his order with some Galleons Harry provided for him. Then he was going to go shopping for a gift for Hermione. Harry had talked Ron into talking a loan. Harry would have simply given Ron the money but realized Ron would never accept it as a gift. So Harry made it a business load complete with intrest. After his summer working with WWW as a business manager, Ron was willing to accept the money as a loan.

Harry made his way to a florist and purchased some roses for Ginny. Harry remembered some jewelry in the Potter vault Harry planned on using the Portal to WWW in Diagon Alley to go to visit the vault. The flowers were simply a last minute decisions since the others wanted to split up to do their own shopping..

Realizing it was getting close to the appointed time. Harry strolled down the lane towards the pub. Harry decided he definitely liked Hogsmeade more without the mob of students. Only a couple of regular inhabitants were in evidence on the Sunday afternoon.

Ron was already standing outside the pub with a small gift bag in his hand. Harry thought it looked like a jeweler's bag, but he couldn't be sure.

"Seen Neville yet?" Harry asked.

"Nah, I just got here. Did you see him while you were shopping?"

Before Harry could answer, a series of cracks sounded nearby. Ten Death Eaters appeared in front of the Three Broomsticks with their wands drawn. Harry felt anti-Apparition wards snap into place over the village. It would take a while for help to be summoned and respond.

Harry and Ron never glanced at each other as they snapped their wands in the Death Eaters direction and let loose with their spells. Harry realized they needed to end this fight quickly. Their experience with forcing the animagus transformation drained their reserves. They would not be able to hold out in this fight for too long.

As they practiced in their training, Ron stood slightly behind and to the side of Harry to help prevent the two from getting flanked. Moving smoothly as a coordinated team, the two friends started fighting the Death Eaters.

This was a fight, not a duel. A duel implies rules and a sense of fairness. Neither of those existed in this fight. This was combat, not a matter of honor.

Ron illustrated this when he fired a Blasting Curse into the side of the shop across from the Broomsticks. Small splinters from the wood exploded amongst the Death Eaters, prompting many to scream in pain as the splinters shot into their bodies. The Death Eaters closest to the exploding wall dove for cover in confusion.

Harry quickly took advantage of their distraction to shoot off a rapid series of stunners and blasting curses. Two of the Death Eaters took stunners and dropped out of the fight.

Harry dove out of the way from a return volley of curses. One Death Eater fired a Killing Curse at Ron. Ron, pinned against a wall, could not dodge the curse. Ron's face revealed shock as he watched his death coming for him.

Harry quickly cast Accio on a large piece of rubble from the destroyed wall. The curse struck the rubble. A Cutting Curse slashed through Harry's shield to lay open his left thigh. The pain shot through Harry in an amazingly painful experience.

Ron blinked at the sudden reprieve in what he expected was a sure death. Seeing that green light coming towards him, unable to move, was the worst experience of his life. The only thing going through his head was the fact he would not be able to take Hermione to the Halloween Ball.

Ron saw Harry stumble from the Cutting Curse. Harry continued to fight and ignored the pain. Ron moved back into the fight at Harry's side.

The two Hogwarts Seventh years fought the remaining six Death Eaters to a stand still. Harry realized that these Death Eaters were not here expecting to fight Harry Potter. These Death Eaters felt more like trainees on a practice mission. The Death Eaters were not casting the Unforgivable Curses except for the one Killing Curse.

Harry realized he and Ron needed more room to maneuver. The Death Eaters were starting to allow wizards in their front rank to step back and rest while others continued the fight. Ron and Harry did not have the luxury of taking a break. If the Aurors or the Order did not show up, the two boys would be in trouble.

A series of stunners shot past Harry and hit Ron. The combination caused Ron's shield to collapse. Ron dropped to the ground. Realizing he was alone and his magical reserves were low, Harry reached into his robe and drew his katana from his belt. A quick motion resized it to its normal size. Harry sprinted towards the Death Eater line.

The Death Eaters were shocked by Harry's apparently suicidal charge. In an instant, Harry was standing amongst Riddle's servants. The Death Eaters felt constrained in firing spells on Harry due to the likelihood of hitting their fellows.

Harry felt no such constraint. Harry never stopped moving. The wand stabbed out a series of quick hexes to keep the Death Eaters off balance. The katana slashed in a whirlwind of motion. The first Death Eater received a vicious slice across the back of his knee. The next swing went high, cutting a bloody furrow through the Death Eater's mask and into his forehead. As he had been trained, Harry aimed for tendons and locations where major blood vessels were exposed. This was not a fight for points and honor. This was a fight for survival.

During the fight, Harry noticed spells coming in from behind the Death Eaters, hitting them in the back. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry spotted Neville dueling a pair of Death Eaters who noticed his attack on them.

Soon five of the Death Eaters joined their two stunned fellows in heaps on the ground. Neville added a third stunned Death Eater from the pair he was fighting. Realizing that Harry and Neville would soon finish them off, the last two Death Eaters activated their Portkeys and disappeared from Hogsmeade.

Harry felt the anti-Apparition wards drop with the two retreating Death Eaters. Harry looked over to where he expected to see Ron. Ron was unconscious against a wall, Harry ran over to his best mate in a sudden panic.

A quick check reassured Harry the Ron was still alive. Quickly feeling around, Harry did not find any major blood. Ron groaned slightly as Harry gently moved him. Neville started searching the downed Death Eaters for their wands and casting binding spells on them.

"Ron, still with me mate?"

"Ugh, yeh. I think Buckbeak just ran me over. I think I broke some ribs." Ron answered.

Six Aurors appeared in the street with their wands drawn. Seeing the Death Eaters on the ground and Ron and Harry over against the wall, one of the Aurors walked over.

"Are you three alright? Are the Death Eaters still around?" Harry noticed the Auror had an unusual accent. Neville handed him the collection of wands from the Death Eaters. All of them had been snapped in half.

Harry stood up and said, "The only ones left are the ones over there. The last two used Portkeys to leave before the wards came down."

The Auror looked surprised. "You three fought them? What are you names?"

"I am Harry Potter. These are my friends Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom."

"You are Harry Potter? And these are your DA members? It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Michael Bentley. I am on loan from the Australian Ministry of Magic. So you three did all this?"

"Yeh, we snuck down from school and ran into ten of Riddle's lackeys. Ron and I started fighting them. We stood them off for a bit and then Ron took a couple Stunners on top of one another. Can you have one of your men look at Ron? He said his ribs are hurting. Neville joined me after Ron was hit by those Stunners."

Bentley called to his people to help Ron. A man and a woman in Auror robes walked over to Ron and started treating his injuries. Harry noticed that a number of the locals were starting to emerge from the shops and houses. Harry shook his head at their lack of assistance during the attack.

"Neville can you go over and keep Ron company. I need to talk to the Aurors."

Neville nodded and walked over to join Ron. Harry walked over to where the Aurors were inspecting the Death Eaters.

The two stunned Death Eaters were bound and transported before being woken from the spell. Two of the other Death Eaters were passed out from blood loss on the ground. Each had an Auror working to stop the blood flow enough to survive a transport to the secure section of St. Mungos. The last two were already dead from wounds received during the battle.

Harry said, "I would appreciate it if you could find out why they attacked now. They seemed like trainees rather then real Death Eaters. I would think that Tom would want to get me with real opponents. It would be very strange for this to be pure coincidence."

Bentley agrred. "None of the people here are on our confirmed Death Eater list. A couple are suspected but none were high priority fugitives.

Bentley motioned for Harry to join him to look at a particular remnant from the battle. "Any idea what this is from?"

Harry glanced at the object and picked it up with a grin. "Scratch that. There was at least one high priority fugitive here." Then he walked over to Ron.

"Hey mate," Harry said, "How are you doing?"

"My ribs are cracked. Nothing major." Ron answered. "Anything interesting?"

Harry nodded. "Wormtail was here."

Ron looked at Harry with excitement. "Did you get him? Is he dead?"

Harry shook his head solemnly. "No, he escaped." At Ron's crestfallen expression, Harry added, "But I did manage to disarm him."

Ron and Neville looked shocked when Harry pulled Peter Pettigrew's silver hand.

Ron started looked at Harry and asked, "Are you channeling your godfather?" Harry cocked his head to the side. Ron added, "Because that was a Sirius-ly bad pun."

Ron started to laugh but quickly grabbed his ribs as the laughing added to his pain. Neville and Harry joined into Ron's laughter.

"Here, Ron," Harry said, "Let me give you a hand up." Harry extended the silver hand to Ron with a deadpan expression on his face.

After helping Ron up, the three started walking back to Hogwarts. Holding Ron in the middle, the three young men started up the path to their school. After Ron pointed out that their respective girlfriends were going to give them a hard time for sneaking out of school (without them), Harry started imitating Ginny reprimanding him. Then Neville started on a Luna impersonation. When Ron started in on a flawless Hermione impression, the three young men were howling with laughter.

None of them noticed the barn owl circling their heads or the red fox stalking them from the shadows.

A/N: The idea and personality of the old wolf is taken from the David Eddings Belgariad series. I may do a crossover at some point. I highly recommend the series.

This was a difficult chapter to write. I deleted a couple scenes and added new ones several times. Some of the deleted scenes will show up in the next couple chapters.

I decided not to follow many fanfics and have Harry with a magical or multi- animal forms. I think the wolf fits Harry. (Plus think about Moony's reaction!) The owl for Hermione is kind of obvious. I almost had Ron as a mongoose and Draco as a cobra. That would have been fun.