Chapter 3: His Inner Self

"Harry?"

"Yes Professor?"

"Do you know what Miss Weasley is able to do?"

"Yes I do," Harry said. "She's an animagus."

"Correct," McGonagall said, with a smile on her face. "How did you find out?"

"Something about the eyes of the dog I had in the room with me," Harry said. "And I'm coming to find out that I have this ability to detect magical items and people. I sensed her presence but didn't take any heed to it before I thought about it."

"Interesting," the professor said. "Can you point out an object that contains magical powers to me?"

Harry nodded and thought a minute. He concentrated on his senses, and pointed to an object lying on her desk.

"That's right. Now, Harry, do you remember the prophecy that Albus told you?"

"Yes I do."

"Do you mind repeating it for us?"

Harry sighed.

"I know you don't want to, but I think it'll be helpful," the woman said. "Especially to Ginny, who doesn't know any of what Albus has told you."

"I guess I'll have to get her up to date on the task."

"Yes you will. And in this coming school year, I've been asked to allow you and your friends to teach the DADA class when our professor is absent. And he'll be absent for most classes except for the sixth and seventh years, and your private lessons with him."

Harry nodded.

"So that means.."

"Yes, Miss Weasley. It means that you, your brother, Miss Granger, and Mr. Potter will be assistant professors here, teaching the lower classes. Your schedules have been worked out so this will be able to happen. And Mr. Potter here will teach the fifth years himself when he's not attending classes."

Ginny grinned.

"So, Professor," Ginny asked.

Harry smiled at Ginny.

Minerva smiled at the two of them.

"And now, about this new ability Miss Granger let me know about."

"What does Hermione know," Harry wondered out loud.

"She caught our connection, Harry," Ginny said.

"What connection," Professor McGonagall asked, sitting up.

"Well, for some reason today, Harry and I can speak to each other without using our mouth. We're able to have a discussion in our heads."

The woman sat back thoughtfully.

"Interesting," she muttered.

"What is it," Harry asked.

"I presume you two made up for anything that happened between you this past month?"

"Yes we have," Ginny said.

"And may I ask if you two feel strongly about each other?"

Harry and Ginny shared a look.

Harry nodded, and Ginny squealed in delight.

"I guess you haven't talked about that?"

"No we haven't, Professor," Harry said.

"And Harry, I do feel the same about you," Ginny said, with a smile.

Harry smiled as Professor McGonagall looked them over.

"Well," she said. "I must tell Molly and Arthur about this."

"Please, professor," Ginny said, pleading.

"Don't worry. It's not about that. Did anything strange happen while you two were making up to each other?"

"Come to think of it, yes," Harry said.

"What's that," Ginny asked.

"While we were, um," Harry's face went red. "Making up, I sensed something stronger than I've ever sensed before. It may be why Ron found us there."

Ginny looked at Harry and thought back.

"Actually, I felt it too," she said. "It was wonderful, and powerful."

"I see," the woman said. "I do believe that I remember one other couple this happened to while they were in school. Harry, your parents were bonded like this."

"Bonded?"

"Yes. Bonded."

Ginny looked at Harry.

"So that means…"

"Yes, Miss Weasley. If I'm correct, you two are soul mates. Albus must have sensed this somehow."

Soul mates?

Soul mates, Harry. This means that we're experiencing a lover's connection. It's something only people who are experiencing true love have. So, I think we're meant to be.

"Is that the connection you're talking about?"

"Yes," Ginny said to McGonagall.

"I could see you two were concentrating on something."

Harry nodded.

"Anyway," the woman said. "Albus left you one very important memory. I shall not remain in here for this, so, you and Miss Weasley can see this memory and see what it's about. Albus said it's the most important one he didn't quite get to letting you see. And I think there are two more you must see as well before coming down. Harry, you know what to do."

Harry nodded and waited a moment.

He leaned over and kissed Ginny after the door closed.

"Lovers huh?"

"Yes," Ginny said, with a smile. "Something else. So that means we need to get married."

Harry nodded.

"I agree."

As they got to the pensieve, Harry looked at Ginny as he put the first of the three memories into the bowl. Ginny looked on with wonder as he did so and waved his wand.

"Hold my hand," Harry said.

Ginny took his hand, and soon, he found himself in the same place where the prophecy was given. This time, Ginny looked on with wonder at the scene, not knowing what to do.

"Just listen," harry said to her, as Dumbledore and Sybill Trelawny started to talk.

Then Ginny heard the prophecy.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

After the memory was completed, Ginny looked at Harry as they were back in the office. She had tears in her eyes.

"So this is what it's about."

Harry nodded as she started to sob. He put his arms around her to console her as she realized what the prophecy meant. As she sobbed for Harry, he didn't let his feelings get to his face. Now she knew why he was so frustrated and so focused on getting rid of Lord Voldemort.

A few moments later, he heard a familiar voice.

"Harry?"

Harry looked at the wall where Dumbledore's picture hung, behind the desk.

Ginny looked up at the voice as she wiped her eyes.

"Yes Professor," Harry asked, nervously.

"I gather you just saw the prophecy again."

"Yes professor."

"Miss Weasley, are you ok?"

"No," Ginny replied. "I never knew this was the reason behind everything."

"It is. Harry, I presume you will tell her everything we've talked about?"

"Yes I will," Harry said. "And…"

"I know. You two have bonded, haven't you?"

Both of them nodded.

"I expected it at the end of the year when I saw you two become very close friends. Miss Weasley, do you know why I've asked you to come with Harry?"

"No," she said.

"Well, I'll put it this way: since you two have bonded, and I presume you have a lover's link, then the two of you together will be able to do the next task. The next memory should explain more than I can."

Harry nodded and then they got back into the pensieve after the memory was put in there.

This memory showed Dumbledore at another time. He was listing the horcruxes for Harry again, just so he could remember them. The next memory was similar, though it was of Dumbledore instructing both Remus and Minerva about what Harry was doing.

"Well Remus, Minerva, you know what Harry is doing now. It's a very important task, as you realize. It is the only way to ensure that Lord Voldemort will not return after the end of the war. Harry knows his task and I will take him later this evening to let him see some of the things Tom has done to protect his horcruxes."

"Albus, how will they be destroyed?"

"There are several possible ways. One, as Harry has done already, is to use the fang from a Basilisk. Another, like I did, is to use the sword of Gryffindor. I wish that Harry should have access to this sword upon my death."

"Albus, why are you talking this way," Remus asked. "You're still going to be here next year for him."

"Remus, I'm dying. This poison is slowly seeping to the rest of my body. I doubt I'll be able to help Harry much longer. Besides, I know Voldemort is trying to have me killed even as we speak."

"How," Remus asked. "I'll get the Order…"

"Remus, I need you and the others to keep an eye out while I'm gone. Voldemort or the Death Eaters may try something this evening if they find out I'm gone. Minerva, you know what to do."

"What about the students?"

"Well, I do believe there is an organization called Dumbledore's Army. There will be a few of the older students who participated to help with the defense of the other students. I expect the fifth, sixth, and seventh years will be capable of defending the younger students in the event of a pitched battle."

There were nods among the other two people in the room.

Then the memory ended, so Harry and Ginny were thrown back out of the memory.

"I guess that's it, huh?"

"I guess so," Harry said, looking at the picture of their deceased headmaster. "Professor?"

"Yes?"

"Why is it that you asked Ginny to come with me for this next task before we start hunting the things again?"

The man sighed.

"I knew that question was coming. But I do believe that you and Miss Weasley will be able to handle the task I've assigned you. It takes people who trust each other totally in order to complete this task, which is very important in defeating Lord Voldemort."

"I see," Harry said, as Ginny looked at him. "I think I can trust Ginny in a combat situation if we have to."

The redhead stopped a moment and gaped at Harry. She'd never heard him say anything like that before in her life. Usually, he was trying to get her to stay behind so she could be protected.

The next think Harry knew, she threw her arms around him and gave him a big kiss.

"About bloody time," she said, smiling at him.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. He'd only said it because he wanted it to be true. But he was scared for her just as much now as he was before. And now that she knew the prophecy and about some of the horcruxes, it would make her even more vulnerable if Lord Voldemort found out she knew about them.

"Good," Dumbledore said. "Now Minerva is waiting for you in the Transfiguration classroom. I do believe you know the way. Good luck."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, as he stood to leave, holding onto Ginny.

As they walked down the stairs, she smiled at him.

"Now you get to learn to be an animagus."

"Great," Harry said. "Wonder what I'll be?"

"We'll find out soon enough," the woman said. "The Animagus form tells us a lot about the person."

"You're a dog, so you must be loyal and intelligent."

Ginny blushed.

"Well," she said. "Yes. If you put it that way. I can guess what you may be."

"And what's that?"

"Based off everything, I think you'll be a big headed monkey."

Harry saw the glint of a smile in her eyes and then she took off running, giggling. He chased after her and caught up to her as the door to the Transfiguration classroom opened.

"May we precede, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes Professor," Harry said, abruptly ending the kiss he was about to give Ginny.

"Now, transformation into an animagus is a very difficult thing to learn. It is extremely difficult, and there is danger involved until you learn how to do it properly. Today, we're going to spend time to allow you to find your inner animagus and start to realize that animal. The animal tells us about who you are. Miss Weasley, as you can see, is a dog, like Sirius. That means she's loyal and intelligent at her deepest part of her soul, the very essence of her being."

Harry nodded and looked at Ginny, who wagged her tail excitedly. She was also playful, something which Harry could live with. And now, she was showing the spark that he'd fell in love with. It wasn't Ginny to be upset, or have any other emotion but passion for whatever she was doing at the moment.

Professor McGonagall gave a smile when she saw how Harry was looking at Ginny.

"I presume that you understand this, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes I do, Professor," Harry said.

"Good. Now if you'll drink this potion, it will allow us to see your inner animagus and to begin the process of helping you learn how to fully transform without the use of a potion or wand."

Harry took the potion and sniffed it. It smelled horrible. He frowned but held his nose and drank it down in one gulp.

A few agonizingly painful minutes later, he felt the last of the pain leave him. He heard Ginny's giggling, and looked around, trying to figure out what was going on.

My dear, I do believe we are a perfect match.

What do you mean, Ginny?

I mean, you are such a beautiful, large dog.

What breed?

As far as I know, you seem to be one of those Pit Bulls from America.

"Well, Mr. Potter," Harry heard. He turned to see Professor McGonagall, Remus, and Tonks staring at his animagus.

He wagged his tail and soon, the transformation began again, as the potion wore off. He went through this painful time, and was glad to be back in his human form.

"What did you think," he asked the adults in the room.

"American Pit Bull Terrier," Tonks said, immediately. "I'd say about fifty kilos in weight."

"A very large dog," Remus said. "Even larger than Sirius."

"Really?"

"Really," Remus said. "It was a brilliant black color, exactly like your hair. But that's to be expected."

Tonks made her hair change colors, and matched the color of the dog.

"This is what you looked like. At least in your hair. And your eyes were the same green," the woman said. "A wicked combination for a dog, if I do say so myself."

Ginny smiled at Harry again.

"I'd say so too," she said.

"And soon enough, with both of you being a dog animagus, you'd add two and two and then start to multiply," Remus said, with a grin on his face.

The others in the room started to smirk or laugh.

Tonks yelled "REMUS JOHN LUPIN! How could you say such a thing?"

The man shrugged his shoulders and smiled up at Ginny, who'd turned red though she'd thought it funny.

"Well, yeah, I already thought of it," Ginny said, with a smile. "Like it's meant to be."

"I wouldn't suggest that, Miss Weasley. Mr. Potter would be killed by your brothers if they knew."

"I know," Ginny said, dejectedly. "But they don't know I'm an animagus, and they won't know Harry is one until we tell them."

"And you won't be registered either," Professor McGonagall said, surprising both of them. "At least not until after the war."

"Right," Harry said. "So the Death Eaters don't know what we can do to protect us."

The others nodded. Ginny smiled.

"And no one outside of this room will learn that," McGonagall said. "You may want to prepare yourselves. The next time I see you, I will inform you on the methods you need to accomplish to train yourself to become an animagus. It should require several months, as it takes a skilled witch or wizard quite some time to learn to be an animagus."

Harry nodded.

"So I may not be completed with the training before I meet Voldemort."

"Actually," Remus said. "There is a way, and it is part of the training Dumbledore wanted you to accomplish. I guess I should tell you who your teacher is. In the present, it will be your new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, Aberforth Dumbledore. But he won't be doing much of anything here. Only the upper level students and you and your closest friends."

"What about Luna and Neville," Ginny asked. "They've been with us in the fights."

"I know," Remus said. "And I do believe that Aberforth will not mind if you pass on the knowledge to them and the DA."

McGonagall nodded.

"Since, Mr. Potter, you will be acting as a professor, I do have to inform you that you will no longer be considered Captain of the Quidditch Team. But we'll work this out when you arrive here for your next training sessions after the wedding. They will take place here for the time being, and soon, you shall be taken back to the past to train with Professor Dumbledore while you take classes here."

"How far back in the past?"

"I know of one group who will be easy to convince to help you," Remus said. "Let's just say that it might be awkward for Harry."

"The Marauders," Harry said.

"Yes, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "The Marauders. I think that Dumbledore will not be upset if we allow Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger to accompany you as well. We've already arranged it with the past Dumbledore, and we've worked out a cover story. Remus and I will take you myself and then you will leave the school and return to the time you left as soon as the school year is over."

"So we'll meet at King's Cross Station then?"

"Actually, you'll arrive at Hogwarts via time turner on September 1st, of your parents' seventh year. You'll leave from here and will return here on September 1st of this year, just so we can make sure everything goes as planned. However, I must say that you will not ride the Hogwarts Express."

"And," Remus said. "You can't change anything in the past. If you do, then disastrous consequences await. And I mean by that, Harry, is that you can't tell your parents who you truly are and you can't help them not die. But, I do say that you can help them get together. They were quite hostile toward each other at the beginning of their 7th year."

McGonagall nodded.

"So we can play matchmaker," Ginny asked.

"Yes," Remus said. "In fact, don't tell anyone this, as it's a highly guarded secret, but I remember you four just doing that. But no one else does. I know because I met my past self to set this up when we go to Hogwarts on September 1st."

Harry nodded.

"Oh where were we," McGonagall said. "Oh, right. Aberforth will be here tomorrow to help get you started on the other tasks. And I shall take part of the lesson period each day to teach you how to handle your animagus shape. Then, when you return from the mission in the past, I shall teach the lot of you some new, highly advanced transfiguration techniques in a special class session. I mean, you will have already graduated anyway, so we want you to prepare for Lord Voldemort."

Harry and Ginny nodded. They knew this was serious business.

"But, you two will be specifically taught some advanced magic that I've never seen in action. The only wizard and witch I know to have accomplished this advanced magic are James and Lily Potter, after they marry."

"So we may have to marry for this to work?"

"No," McGonagall said. "You have to be soul mates for this to work. So if Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are soul mates, then you can teach them to cast very strong spells together. But I digress. Let's move on to the next part of your transfiguration training."

Harry nodded, and then sat back to listen to the details of what he had to do, as he had a detailed book on becoming an animagus in front of him.

So we get to go into the past and learn a lot of magic. The others will be so jealous.

I agree, Ginny. And you get to attend in the seventh year with us, and come back for your sixth year here.

Actually, if I'm in the special classes with you, then we're in the advanced level NEWT stuff, especially in Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, and Charms.

Smart. I knew you were a smart one.

Harry looked over to see the smile on Ginny's face.