Disclaimer - Not mine Not Mine Not mine. Let's all agree nothing here is mine (except Kali Kalcon and Samson obviously) and move on.

You have no doubt noticed by now my grammar struggles, apostrophes, sentence structures and the like. These have been pointed out to me and I fully agree. I am currently without a beta and have no desire to be a writer but nevertheless I would like to improve. Feel free to point out any issues If it turns out I've underestimated just how bad it is I'll redo it.

Harry was ushered in to the professor's office and asked to sit down.

"So Mr Potter, I know we spoke of your desire to improve your study habits but I must say I have been greatly impressed with your dedication and performance in my class." Said the professor looking at him with pride

"Thank you professor."

"I have also been rather impressed with the recent performance of Miss Weasley which she informs me is largely due to your teaching." Harry blushed.

"She's really very good professor and it helps me revise everything to have someone to teach it to."

McGonagall smiled "I must say I was rather surprised to learn that the pair of you had been spending so much time together. I was under the impression she struggled to speak in your presence."

"Err well professor it just seemed like she needed help. Voldemort had hurt her a lot and she needed someone to relate to. I also thought she might need something to take her mind off things and Kali seemed to help."

"Indeed well I am most pleased that you have decided to take her under your wing. I have also heard from your other Professor's Flitwick and Sprout how impressed they have been with both of your efforts." Harry turned even redder under the continued praise. "I believe you also spoke with Professor Vector and Professor Babbling regarding your future electives. May I ask why you haven't sought out Professor Kettleburn?"

"Well professor with the bond with Kali I thought I knew enough to be going along with and the other two subjects seemed much more complicated to begin with. I did plan on trying to meet him before we leave though."

"Excellent. Mr Potter, I got the impression from Professor Babbling that you are rather taken with Runes."

"Oh yes Professor, it's been fascinating reading what they can be used for, especially that I can use them over the holidays." Harry responded enthusiastically. McGonagall's lips pursed.

"Hmm, I'm not sure I would have chosen to share that bit of information with you Mr. Potter, it may encourage behaviour similar to that of your father."

"Was my father that bad" Harry asked in wonder, he really hadn't heard much about his parents in his years in the wizarding world and he leapt upon every scrap of information he could.

"In a word yes." She replied with a wry smile. "He and his friends were a very gifted bunch on the whole. Unfortunately they chose to spend most of their time dedicated to the pursuit of practical jokes." Her eyes drifted away from Harry, reminiscing with a small smile on her face. After thirty seconds of silence Harry cleared his throat. "Sorry, they and your mother were among my favourite students." She sighed deeply.

"Anyway, Harry one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you was to ask how you would feel about bringing Professor Flitwick and Professor Babbling up to date with your plans for the summer? The reason I ask is that the most effective wards are a combination of Charms and Runes and between the pair of them they make a rather formidable warding team. If you are uncomfortable with that I could perhaps try, or if needs be you may perhaps pay the goblins to ward your home, though they're services do not come cheaply."

Harry quickly contemplated all he had just heard and was surprised to find he had no objections. "If you think they could help I would be happy to let them help me."

"Excellent. I do have one other thing to discuss with you though Mr Potter." The professor looked around as though checking she wouldn't be overheard. "I understand that Professor Babbling also told you that potions would not register on the ministry sensors." At Harry's nod she continued "Do you know why Transfiguration is studied as a seven year course Mr Potter." Surprised by the sudden change in direction of the conversation Harry shook his head.

"In theory, the course should not be that hard, there is after all only a few rules, and it is all about turning one form of solid matter to another form of solid matter, strictly speaking one might expect the course to be done within the year."

Harry was gobsmacked at what his professor had told him, really it was quite true, was there that much difference between changing a pin cushion to a hedgehog or changing a desk to a lion?

Seeing his dawning comprehension McGonagall continued, "The reason it takes so long is due to the training in intent. To cast a charm you have to have a vague idea what it will do and as you cast focus on this result. In terms of Charms this is usually enough, though a more focused intent will always help. Transfiguration however is all about training the mind to use magic more effectively. I can easily intend for a matchstick to become a teaspoon but points in Transfiguration are gained for the intricacy of the work, is the teaspoon patterned, is it the right size, how much finesse has gone into the spellwork.

"Once the students are suitably focused Transfiguration moves to conjuration, where in theory, objects are brought forth from nothing, in reality it is another form of Transfiguration only this time with air molecules."

She looked intently at the student in front of her before taking off her glasses and casually wiping them on a handkerchief. "I bring this up because in terms of Transfiguration there is limited progress to be made in the field. The pinnacle is something called the animagus transformation. It is where a human is able to wandlessly transform themselves into some form of animal, the animal is closely related to their character, though magical power also plays a significant role." With that she promptly disappeared and a stern looking tabby cat appeared in her place. Harry was excited by the impressive display of magic.

"Just before their death I learned that while in school, in fact during his fifth year, your father succeeded in this transformation, though I do not know what form he took.

"Now the reason I am telling you is to give you something to reach for. I have noted that you appear to learn much more effectively through practical application, rather than through by rote book learning." Harry nodded, he had concluded much the same himself. "If you improve your transfiguration skills at your current rate you too may well be able to complete the transformation.

"The transformation required the brewing of a potion which induces a vision of your animal. The potion itself should be no problem for a focussed third year student. However, it does take two months to brew, meaning you would be able to complete it over the course of the summer."

Harry was beyond excited now, he had a goal for the summer, a goal that would result in a connection to his father. "Th-Thank you for telling me this professor." he stammered, unable to express how much it meant to him.

"Think nothing of it, it's the least I can do to tell you about your parents. If you like, we could get together regularly next year and I could tell you a bit about them, I believe you will find some of the other professor's who were here at the time more than willing to do the same. I believe your mother was a particular favourite of Professor Flitwick."

Harry couldn't believe it had never occurred to him to ask the teachers about his parents, particularly given the 'fountain of knowledge' Snape was in regard to his father.

It was two days before the end of the year and Harry had found himself spending even more time with Kali, Ginny and Samson, so much so that Hermione in particular was getting rather suspicious. He put that to the back of his mind and thought about his meeting with Professor Babbling later that day, she'd asked him to come to her office, he assumed it was in regard to the wards that they may be putting up around his new home but Harry wanted to talk about something else.

He had thought about his last summer and the effect that hearing Dobby had had on his family and decided that if Dobby was going to be around all the time he would have to do something about it. Reading the Egyptian rune book he had discovered that runic sequences could be put together that had various applications one of which was a privacy ward. It had to be modified slightly to work in Harry's bedroom but Harry thought he'd managed it, he was just interested in how to get it to work.

As it turned out it would be easier than expected, utilising Dobby's magic the privacy ward could be set up with no ill effects and no detection from the ministry, through some small additions from Professor Babbling and Professor Flitwick there was also an in built notice-me-not effect meaning that once he was home the Dursleys would forget he was there. It may be slightly depressing for the boy and he was wholly reliant on Dobby but he assured them it was better than the alternative. After Professor McGonagall had filled the pair in on the details they were delighted to help, particularly in light of his new proactive approach, Professor Babbling in particular was ecstatic to see the practical application of runes from one so young and both expressed an interest in meeting Kali.

So it was that on the final day of Harry's second year a larger than expected group trouped their way into the Forbidden Forest. Professor's McGonagall, Flitwick and Babbling were all shocked by the appearance of Ginny with Samson and did not know what to make of the two students who had bonded such unusual familiars so young. Hagrid of course couldn't be happier with the chance to work with such a young griffin and Cerberus. When Kalcon appeared Professor Babbling backed away startled while Professor Flitwick squeaked audibly. The two students were oblivious, caught up in saying goodbye to their respective familiars. It was only when Kalcon spoke and demanded Harry translate that order was restored.

When the plan for Harry to take up martial arts was put forward and after they were explained to both the Griffin's and the Professors all parties agreed in principal to the idea. It was also suggested that a regular cardiovascular exercise routine should be established, even if it was just a regular run.

While slightly put out that his life was being decided for him, overall he was more pleased that so many people seemed to care. The feeling of warmth only increased when, via Harry the Professors discussed his recent progress via Kalcon. Ginny looked on rather amused by the whole situation. It seemed Professor McGonagall had gone round each of Harry's teachers, both current and prospective to obtain reading lists of background material they thought would be particularly beneficial. He was particularly intrigued by the Potions offerings which did not come from Snape, but rather a former Potions master named Horace Slughorn. They promised to offer a comprehensive review of the basic interactions of various ingredients. Harry was rather intrigued by the prospect.

So it was that Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express to make his way to Privet Drive for what was hopefully the finally time, without his beloved owl. She was winging her way to Flourish and Blotts so they could prepare the large order for collection tomorrow by Dobby. All in all Harry was rather excited by the end of the year, it promised so much for the future, and more than anything else gave him the knowledge that he was cared for.