Disclaimer - Not mine, hers blah blah blah
"Now if you are Griffin-kin you must tell me about yourself as myself and Kalicene will tell you about Griffin society."
So Harry began telling them about his life story trying to leave out as much as possible of the Dursleys until Kalicene told him angrily.
"If you don't have the courage to accept your past as part of yourself, you do not have the courage to do what must be done to protect others."
Acknowledging the truth of her words he began again, explaining what he had found out about his parents and that Halloween night, followed by his time at the Dursleys, including the beatings, the starvation, the hiding of his talents to avoid the inevitable torture if he was found to be better than his cousin. He had never spoken of it before and never wanted to again but in talking of his past, particularly in light of his new found physical presence was extremely cathartic and he found many of his demons began to recede. After the Dursleys he spoke of his first year at Hogwarts, of his friendships with Ron and Hermione, the fight with the troll, his confrontation with Quirrell/Voldemort. He noticed Kalicene glowing with pride, as he spoke and was pleased with the approval in the eyes of her father, Kalcon. As he moved onto his second year and again his time with Dursley's, Dobby, the Heir of Slytherin rumours and his investigation, before finally the confrontation with the Basilisk and the memory of Voldemort all the way up to that morning. As the story wound down Harry looked at Kalicene to find her looking intrigued and thoughtful, while Kalcon looked at him with both pride and something that seemed like disappointment.
"Well Harry, your story validates Kalicene's bonding. You are indeed worthy of becoming Griffin-kin. But I still find myself disappointed." Harry looked both confused and ashamed.
"Why sir?" he dejectedly.
"For a number of reasons, but nothing that cannot be worked on. Firstly while your upbringing required you to hide your intelligence you still do so now, most likely because you are afraid of your friends rejection. Correct?"
Harry nodded, his eyes downcast.
"Secondly, as a part of this you have taken the easy way in your learning. Even I can tell you are no seer, so how is that class going to help you defend yourself and others?"
Still staring at his feet Harry quietly answered "It won't."
"Finally, you are a protector of others, you saved a young girl from a horrendous experience two days ago. How is she doing now?"
"Ron said she was okay, just very quiet."
"I did not ask how your friend thought his sister was doing, I asked how she was doing. You shared in her experience, protected her, she will feel ashamed, weak, extremely vulnerable and will be distant from everyone because she will fear being rejected by them. You know this. I know this. Only you can help her through this and yet you have not seen her." Kalcon looked at him sternly, gently lifting Harry's chin with his talon so that Harry was looking him in the eye. "Do you know what to do about this young Harry?"
"I need to try harder in school, drop Divination for something else, probably both Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, and go and check up on Ginny." Harry replied his tone dejected but determined.
"That is a good start. Now, what to do about this summer?"
"Well I guess I'll be back to the Dursley's."
Kalicene scowled. "We'll see about that." She said angrily.
"Indeed. You are a griffin now. You have a family. We will not let you get hurt." Suddenly Harry was overcome with emotion. He had a family, someone to look out for him, a single tear fell from his eye as he looked on the two griffins. Kalcon, understanding his feelings moved to Harrys left handside and gently placed a wing around him. Kalicene moved to his right and he placed his arm around her, her gentle warmth and strong heartbeat reassuring him that this was real.
Harry was unsure how long he stayed there but he knew it was one of the happiest moments of his life. Eventually Kalcon moved, the loss of his wing disturbed Harry from his peaceful contemplation and brought him back to reality.
"Young Harry, we will meet tomorrow, and again numerous times before you leave to plan your summer however it is long past time we were back with the clan, and you have a new future to begin."
Reluctantly getting to his feet Harry nodded, "Thank you, I kn-know I said it before but I can never repay for what you have done for me this morning." Looking directly Kalicene he continued "Kali, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my life. Just the physical healing was incredible. W-Would you like to come and meet one of my friends, he loves all sorts of creatures, the more dangerous the better." He said chuckling slightly.
"Ahh yes, the gamekeeper, he is worthy." Replied Kalcon. "you may go if you wish." he nodded to Kalicene. "I will wait for you to return before we depart." He turned to Harry. "The gamekeeper is worthy, but be careful who you tell about this as of yet. You are not yet strong enough to be the protector of the innocent you will be."
Kalicene bounced around excitedly, while Harry looked slightly startled. They made their way back to the edge of the forest to the point where Harry remembered dropping his invisibility cloak. Looking at his watch Harry realised it was lunchtime, and hunger hit him, hoping that Hagrid hadn't chosen to eat at the school they made their way to the groundskeepers cottage and knocked on his door, while Harry told Kali to wait around the corner.
Immediately there was loud barking from inside.
"Down Fang, yer daft dog" followed by the unlocking of the door "'Arry, what yer doin''ere? Thought yer'd be a' lunch?"
"Hagrid there's someone I'd like you to meet. I was walking around the edge of the forest this morning when I heard screeching inside. It sounded like something was in pain. Anyway I found acromantula surrounding her, forced them away from her, anyway I'd like you to meet Kali."
And with that he turned Hagrid round to meet the newly emerged griffin.
"Well ain't yer beautiful!" Hagrid cried. "But 'Arry yer shouldn't run interr forest like that. It's dangerous. An' 'ow didja get a griffin ter follow yer out 'ere?"
Harry looked at Kali to get her approval, he grinned as she nodded. "We bonded, she's my familiar."
It took a few moments for Hagrid to respond. "Blimey 'Arry, it all happens to you doesn't it?" he looked on in wonder.
"Anyway Hagrid she's got to get back to her clan but she'll be around quite a bit to meet up with me before we leave for summer."
"Alrigh' 'Arry. Let me know if either of yer need anythin'. Blimey. A griffin familiar. Never thought I'd see the day."
Harry left Hagrid still shaking his head in wonder and lead Kali back to the forest and her father. "Bye Kali, I can't wait to see you tomorrow."
"Neither can I Harry" came the excited reply and with that she and her father disappeared between the trees.
Making his way back to the front entrance Harry wondered just how to approach Professor McGonagall about his classes. Kalcon and Kali were right, it was lazy, he was taking the easy option, it wouldn't help him with Voldemort. He had just found what Voldemort was like at sixteen and as disgusting as the diary was, magically, it was impressive. If Harry was going to compete, he had to get better. With his new found resolve, he made his way through the castle to the great hall, spotting Professor McGonagall he made his way to the teacher's table.
"Professor, I was wondering if it would be possible to change my electives for next year?"
"It's possible certainly though I'm afraid I'll need a valid reason as to why. Come to my office after lunch and we can discuss it."
"Thanks Professor."
Making his way back to the Gryffindor table he spotted Ron and Hermione.
"Just where have you been? We've been worried sick." Hermione demanded the moment he sat down.
"I got up early and just needed to get away from the castle. Too many people asking about the chamber so I was walking round the grounds under the cloak thinking about stuff and lost track of time."
Hermione looked slightly mollified but still concerned.
"What were you thinking about for so long mate?" asked Ron while stuffing his face with cold chicken.
Looking around he saw no one was paying any attention to them. "Voldemort." They both flinched. "Look stuffs happened the last two years here and I've got a funny feeling it's going to keep happening, so I was thinking about the electives and I reckon I need to forget Diviniation and take Runes and Arithmancy."
"But mate we were going to do all our classes together." Ron moaned
"Well you could probably change too but I think Runes and Arithmancy will help me more than Divination."
Hermione looked extremely pleased though she was clearly concerned. "Not that I don't agree Harry but don't you think its a bit extreme to build your life around you-know-who?"
"Not really, look he's been after me twice I don't think it's a stretch to think he'll do it again, besides both subjects could be fun, I might get to be a cursebreaker." He felt guilty about not telling the real reason for his change of heart but it just didn't feel like the right time at the moment.
"Nah mate, just sounds like too much work for me." Said Ron in between mouthfuls. At which Hermione looked annoyed.
The meal passed in relative peace after that and harry made his way to McGonagall's office.
"Mr Potter, please sit down."
"Thank you ma'am"
"Now why do you wish to change electives?"
"There is a few reasons really Professor." He replied, unsure of just how much to say. "I don't think I've been trying as hard as I could in school so far." He looked up after his admission to see the mouth of his head of house as thin as he'd ever seen it.
"And why, pray tell, is that?" she responded, clearly displeased.
Harry winced, "because whenever I did better than my cousin in school I used to get hit, I kind of trained myself not to try so hard." Came his ashamed reply. He looked up to see a look of deepest sympathy from his professor.
"Why those miserable, appalling people!" she yelled in indignant outrage, making Harry smile in spite of himself. Composing herself for a moment she continued. "I'm so sorry Harry, I knew what type of people they were, I should have made Albus take you somewhere else." The emotion evident in her voice.
"It's okay professor" she looked at him "well okay it's not really but it's better since I've been here, they weren't too bad last summer, and they haven't hit me since I got my letter."
Her heart went out to the small boy in front of her who looked so much like his father but had all the compassion and caring of his mother. "That's not good enough Harry I refuse to send you back there." Harry smiled. It lit up his face. As he smiled she looked at him more closely, she wasn't certain because of the clothes but he seemed different than yesterday. "Err Mr. Potter, this may be an odd question but have you grown since yesterday?"
Harry panicked briefly before deciding he really should come clean with the Professor. "Yes." He replied shyly.
"How did you manage that?" she asked not entirely sure she wanted to know the answer.
"Err I bonded a familiar, and her magic managed to fix the problems the Dursleys caused."
McGonagall was stunned, of all the ways she had expected this conversation to go this was not one of them. "W-What animal?"
Harry took a deep breath, already wincing. "A griffin."
McGonagall sat with her mouth open looking at the boy in front of her.
"Her name is Kalicene, or Kali, I was walking this morning just round the each of the forest and heard a cry. I ran into the forest and found her being attacked by acromantula. We fought them off, then we bonded, my magic fixed her broken wings and leg, she fixed me so I'm the height I should be."
"I didn't know we had griffins in the forest." Said McGonagall, too dumbstruck to ask more about his story.
"They actually live in the mountains further away. Kali's only young taking her first longish flight but she went too far and got tired that's when the spiders found her."
"Does she have anything to do with your decision regarding electives?"
"Yes professor. Apparently Griffins only bond rarely as the mindset of a griffin is different to most humans." McGonagall nodded in understanding. "But the people they bond to are warriors, protectors of the innocent. When I told her my story her and her father were proud of my adventures but displeased with my choice of Divination since I'm clearly not a seer, and if I need to defend people Ancient Runes and Arithmancy are much better choices. That combined with the need to work harder to prove myself worthy of Kali is the reason I want to change electives." Harry finished
"Very well Mr. Potter, I understand your reasoning and will make the changes to your timetable." She looked questioningly at Harry, suddenly appearing nervous. "Would it be possible for me to meet Kali ?"
Harry grinned. "Of course Professor, I'm meeting her at the edge of the forest tomorrow after breakfast, you're welcome to join me. I think Hagrid is as well I introduced him to her just before lunch."
"What about Mr Weasley and Miss Granger?"
"I'm not sure that's a good idea yet Professor" he replied knowing he was right yet not happy with himself because of it. "Ron wouldn't really understand it and Hermione would over analyse it. At the moment I would quite like to keep it as private as possible, at least until next year."
"That is of course your choice Mr Potter."
"Professor I'm not sure I should say this but the Griffin's are trying to come up with a plan to help me this summer. If you have any ideas between now and tomorrow I'm sure we would be able to discuss it then." He said nervously, unsure of whether she would really try and help him.
"Of course Mr Potter, I will try my best. Was there anything else?"
"Oh, yes. I was wondering if you knew if Ginny was accepting visitors. I thought I might see how she was."
The corners of McGonagall's mouth twitched. "As far as I'm aware she is."
"Thanks Professor." He said as he left her office on the way to the hospital wing.
A few minutes later he made it.
"Mr Potter this is rather unusual, you coming through those doors on your own feet."
"Hi Madam Pomfrey, I was wondering if I could see Ginny?"
A startled 'Eeep' could be heard from the corner of the room.
"Yes but no tiring her out, she's been through quite an ordeal."
"I know ma'am thanks."
He made his way over to the corner of the room still unsure of what to say.
"Hi Ginny"
"Hi" came the barely audible response
"How are you feeling?"
"Okay." She whispered.
He looked at her critically. "No you're not." She looked up at him her face bright read, her eyes puffy. "You're scared that people hate you, you think your weak and you feel violated."
She started trembling. The tears started to fall again. "He was so horrible, the things he said and showed me, the things he made me do. How can you look at me? I'm disgusting, I've done horrible things."
"No Ginny. Tom did horrible things and he forced you to watch them. You were writing in that diary all year weren't you." She nodded too scared to look up. "So you fought Voldemort for a year." She flinched and gasped at the name. "No one else has managed that Ginny, you fought him longer than anyone has, and if he proved stronger in the end it's not surprising. You're eleven! Whatever you do don't blame yourself. Blame Voldemort" she flinched again "or Tom Riddle of whatever you want to call him but it's not your fault."
They sat in silence for a few minutes "Why Harry? Why did you come for me?" she asked in a timid voice.
"Because I was worried about you, we couldn't let anything happen to you." She nodded again still not looking him in the eye. "Ginny are you allowed out of the hospital wing yet?"
"T-Tommorrow after breakfast I think."
"Good, I'd like to introduce you to someone. You see something happened to me today. I bonded a familiar." She looked up finally meeting his eye, "and I'd like to introduce the two of you, I think you'd like her."
"W-What is she?"
"A griffin."
After a moments silence in which her face went even redder she replied. "It suits you."
"Ginny I need to go but I want you to think about something. If you push people away after this Tom wins. What you need to do is get better and stronger so no one can ever makes you feel like this again and if anyone ever tries, I'll be there to help sort them out."
Ginny smiled. It was the first time he'd really seen her smile. "So are you going to come see Kali with me tomorrow?"
"Y-Yes if its okay."
"Excellent, do you mind keeping it secret, I've not told Ron or Hermione yet I don't think they'd take it too well."
"O-Okay."
"Great. Well I'll see you tomorrow Ginny. Bye"
And with that he left the hospital wing, leaving Ginny's world just a little bit brighter.