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Thanks to Kyae and Hawk Wood for beta'ing!

Enjoy!

Harry opened his eyes and stretched his legs. He had really slept wonderfully! He looked out of the window and saw that again it was only dawn. He cursed Draco and Fleur before he stood up. Somehow they had managed that he always was awake at this unholy time!

He decided that he couldn't sleep anyways and took some running clothes out of his wardrobe. He slipped the skin tight sleeveless black shirt over his head and then jumped into his long training pants. He snatched a towel from the small bathroom that was near his room and put on his running shoes. He silently went down the stairs and slipped out the door on the street.

He looked at his watch. It was 5:15 so he decided to run until 6 o'clock. Harry did some stretches and then he was on the road.

His way wasn't very eventful. He jogged two miles until he saw an underground station and shook his head when he saw some drunken guy trying to go over the barrier without being seen. He did some stretches again when he reached a small park and did sit-ups, jumping-jacks and crunches before he decided to head back to Grimauld Place again. When he was in the house again he took the towel he had around his neck and heard a loud bang from upstairs. Followed by a raged scream that could only be Sirius'.

Immediately, Mrs. Black's curtains were thrown open and she wanted to start screaming before she saw Harry standing there and closed her mouth.

"Good morning Lady Black.", said Harry and bowed gracefully. "I hope you are faring well and had a good nights rest."

Mrs. Black smiled tightly. "Indeed young man. I hope you slept well, also, even if it is very early. Were you out training?"

"So it is, and yes, I was," nodded Harry and his eyes turned to the stairs where now Remus and Sirius were standing and gaping at him open mouthed. Their eyes jumped from Mrs. Black's portrait to Harry and back.

Mrs. Black sneered. "Ah, there is my good for nothing mudblood-loving son and the werewolf who taints my house."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Forgive me Lady Black, but your son Sirius is my godfather and Remus Lupin is a brave man who has accomplished much in his life. I would prefer it if you don't insult them."

She looked at him and blinked before she smiled again. "Of course my dear boy. I wasn't thinking. I hope you give my regards to Cissy and her son when you see her next time."

"I will do that Lady Black. Have a nice day."

Mrs. Black nodded and the curtains closed again. Harry dried his hair with the towel around his neck and grinned at Sirius and Remus who were standing there petrified.

Sirius snapped out of it first. "Damn pup! That was bloody brilliant!"

Remus was just standing there staring into nothing. "How… she talked… didn't scream… was friendly… how?"

Sirius waved his hand in front of his friends' face and then shrugged helplessly.

"I think his brain has shut off because of overload," said Harry.

"Yeah.", said Sirius and looked at him. "You've got a lot explaining to do kiddo. Let's get down to the kitchen. I'm starving to death here."

Harry nodded and they left Remus standing on the staircase before Sirius hit him over the head and he blinked and followed suit.

"So…", said Harry when Sirius was working on the stove and brewing some coffee. "What d'you want to know?"

It was Remus who answered. "We want to see your animagus transformation!"

Harry raised his eyebrows and buttered himself some toast. "So you got the hint yesterday, huh?"

"Of course we did pup!", said Sirius and balanced some pancakes to the table. "Even if Dumbledore needed to throw a bucket of water over our heads."

"All right," said Harry. "But first, let me eat breakfast and change my clothes."

Their faces faltered but then they nodded and Harry quickly went upstairs to change. When he passed the second floor he could hear that the other occupants of the house were awake too. He needed ten minutes for a quick shower and then changed into the same jeans like yesterday and took out a dark red sleeveless shirt with a silver and black Phoenix on the back. He finished the look with a silver pendant of a Phoenix which he had gotten from Fleur and a black belt.

He went down again and saw Sirius and Remus waiting for him with gleaming eyes.

"Then let's see it!", said Sirius jumping up and down, nearly throwing his teacup on the floor.

Harry nodded and closed his eyes. He felt his body changing and when he opened them again Sirius and Remus were staring at him in awe. They were much taller than before and Harry had to look up to them. He flapped his black feathered wings and rose into the air. It was always a strange feeling to be in his animagus form, he thought when he flew over to Sirius and perched himself on his shoulders. He opened his beak and trilled some happy notes that sounded exactly like when Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes, did.

"I can't believe it…", whispered Remus and hesitantly touched Harry's head. "You are really a Phoenix…"

Harry trilled again and leaned his head into his touch when suddenly the fireplace flared and Albus Dumbledore appeared.

"Sorry for my early appearance.", he said into the room to no one in particular. "My watch doesn't work at the moment."

He looked around and stopped in his tracks when he saw Harry in his animagus form.

"Oh my…", he breathed and Harry looked at him, his head slightly tilted to the side.

Dumbledore slowly took some steps forward and Harry left his place on Sirius' shoulder and landed on the table near the Professor. He trilled some encouraging notes and Dumbledore smiled. Of course his twinkle was on full force again.

"What an magnificent creature you are… really beautiful.", he said quietly and stroked his feathers softly. "A Shadow Phoenix… a very rare specimen. Marvellous!"

"Ha!", screamed Sirius and everyone looked at him. "I've got a Marauder name for him!"

Harry rose into the air and changed back into his human form. "And this name would be?", he asked when his feet touched the ground.

"Shadow.", said Sirius smiling. "Plain and simple. A perfect match for your form."

Harry nodded. "Then 'Shadow' it shall be."

Dumbledore clapped his hands. "Well, then I came exactly on the right time. I hadn't thought that you three would be here this early. Normally Molly is the first person who is downstairs."

Sirius grunted. "Remus woke me up with a bucket of icy water… after that I couldn't sleep anymore."

Dumbledore smiled and sat down on the head of the table. "Well then we have much to talk about. Have you met anyone yesterday Harry?"

Harry grinned. "Yep. I had a little chat with Ron and Hermione. But they didn't recognize me. When they thought they were out of hearing range Ron kept going on about that I'm a dark wizard because I talked to Sirius mum civilly."

Dumbledore's eyebrows rose. "But this is indeed very rare."

He shrugged. "I said hello from Mrs. Malfoy to her and 'bang' she stopped screeching and was friendly."

Remus laughed. "So that's what it was!"

Harry nodded. "Well. I guess you and Sirius have some questions regarding my holidays so far. Am I right?"

The two Marauders nodded and Harry sat down too and ate his already buttered toast.

"Albus told us what you told him yesterday and I have to say that I'm very proud of you pup.", said Sirius smiling. "I always was on good terms with Cissy in school and I couldn't stand it to see her with Malfoy. You said she is divorced now… I think as the head of the House of Black I have to talk to her."

Harry nodded smiling. "She said she would be glad to meet you. She is in France Manor at the moment and I should tell you that she has opened the floo for you so you can go and visit her. But you have to write a letter to her first because of Lucius."

Sirius nodded and now it was Remus turn. "I would like to know what you learned in the last four weeks… or should I say the past year from your point of view?"

Harry leaned back in his chair and reached for a cup of coffee. "Well… you could say I had very intense DADA training. I learned not only to defend me against the dark arts but also how to cast some curses myself. Mrs. Malfoy also taught me Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and History of Magic. With Draco and Fleur I learned fencing, duelling, hand-to-hand combat and of course the animagus transformation." Harry chuckled. "They had a hard time teaching me potions… I'm not very good in that subject but with Draco's, Fleur's and Mrs. Malfoy's help I think I can now rival Snape."

"This is remarkable, my boy!", said Dumbledore happily. "Not only did you learn to fight but Occlumency and a little bit Legilimancy as well. This is indeed very good so I don't have to convince Severus to teach you this year."

Harry nodded. "Professor… I would like to know if it is possible to change my classes? I would like to drop Divination and take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes instead."

"You have to talk to Minerva about it, but I don't really see a problem with that."

Harry smiled and suddenly the kitchen door was opened and Molly Weasley appeared in the kitchen. She stopped and smiled.

"Oh. Good morning Albus, Remus and Sirius. It's a surprise to see you here.", she said friendly and she looked at Harry curiously. "And who might you be, young man?"

Harry grinned and Sirius and Remus burst out into laughter. Even Dumbledore chuckled at Mrs. Weasley's now confused face.

"Did I say something wrong?", she asked perplexed.

Harry still grinned, stood up and grazed his hair away from his forehead and sniffled. "Mrs. Weasley I'm wounded that you don't recognize me."

She stared at him and then screamed in joy. "Oh my gosh! HARRY!"

Before Harry had seen her move he found his bones being crushed by a giant Weasley hug. He struggled a little bit to get free and smiled when she released him. She laughed heartily and turned him around.

"Oh, I can't believe it!", she said happily and fussed over him with wide eyes. "You've grown so much! You look really healthy and well fed and… oh my! You look really handsome, Harry dear!"

Harry smiled and bowed playfully. "Thank you Mrs. Weasley. You look quite dashing yourself this wonderful morning."

Mrs. Weasley blushed a little bit and rested her hands on his shoulders and Dumbledore chuckled while Sirius and Remus smiled at each other with a slightly sad gaze.

Suddenly loud banging was heard and the kitchen door was thrown open. Harry grinned when he saw the whole Weasley clan and Hermione staggering through the door. They all looked a little bit banged up and their clothes were crumpled like they had hurried to change into them.

"Mum? Did I hear right? Is Harry here?", asked Ron and rubbed his head because of Fred who came running into the kitchen and held onto him not to fall.

"We heard you scream his name Mrs. Weasley!", said Hermione jumping up and down while looking around the room.

Her eyes suddenly met Harry's and she stopped jumping. She looked him up and down like yesterday and her eyes rested on his scar for a second and she gasped. The other Weasleys looked at her when she dashed forwards and threw her arms around his neck.

"HARRY!", she screamed like Mrs. Weasley and squeezed him tightly. "It was you yesterday! Why didn't you say anything?"

Harry hugged her back and looked over her shoulder to see all the other Weasleys standing there with their mouths agape. Ron opened and closed his mouth but no sound came out and Fred and George stared at him in awe. Ginny on the other hand eeped when he looked at her and blushed beet red and looked down at her feet.

He bent down a little bit and whispered just that Hermione could hear him: "I missed you 'Mione. I'm glad to see you."

She blushed and let him go but her hand stayed on his arm. She looked at her feet and then smiled brightly at him. He smiled back and then looked at the other Weasleys.

"Wow mate… that really you?", asked Ron astonished and rounded him once before he gave him a one armed hug. "Damn! I didn't recognize you! Were your relatives brainwashed or what! What did they feed you?"

"Ronald!", scolded Mrs. Weasley the hands on her hips.

He ignored her and looked Harry up and down. Ron was still a little bit taller than Harry, because he seemed to have had a growth spurt over the last four weeks. But he was still lanky and had a lean body. Harry looked down at Hermione again who still had her hand on his arm. He now was a good head taller than her, but saw that she too had grown quite a lot. She now was 5' 8" and had long legs and a perfect body.

"You really have changed you know.", said Hermione smiling and kissed him on the cheek before she sat down next to Remus and helped herself to some breakfast.

Harry touched his cheek were she had kissed him and grinned. He didn't know exactly when his feelings had changed but somehow Hermione now was a little bit more than his best female friend. Maybe…

Harry looked at the twins who now stood in front of him.

"Merlin's balls. You look absolutely dashing-", started Fred and shook his hand.

"-marvellous…", was Georges turn.

"-extraordinary…"

"-just absolutely-

"BRILLIANT!", they chorused and grinned from ear to ear.

"Thanks Gred. Thanks Forge.", retorted Harry and was grinning too.

Suddenly Ron patted him on the arm and he followed him to the table. Harry sat down next to Hermione and Ron sat on his other side. Harry smiled when he saw that he hadn't changed a bit as he was shovelling food on his plate. Hermione wrinkled her nose when she looked at him eating and he chuckled.

Ron looked up between bites of pancake. "Say mate… it was you yesterday wasn't it? The guy who talked with the portrait of Mrs. Black?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. That was me and I can tell you I'm definitely not a dark wizard."

The redhead grinned sheepishly and frowned then. "But… were you trying to flirt with Hermione, or what?

Harry heard a choking noise next to him and saw that Hermione had tears in her eyes and was coughing. He softly patted her on the back and she swallowed after a moment and sighed, exasperated.

"Thanks.", she said smiling and then looked at Ron with a dangerous glint in her eyes that made even Harry gulp. "What did you just say Ronald?"

Ron shrank in his chair and shook his head. Hermione huffed and slowly ate her pancake. Her eyes often drifted to Harry and he felt himself blushing a little bit.

"So…", said Harry in attempt to start a conversation. "What have you two been up to? There wasn't much information in your letters. You always just told me to stop mourning about Cedric."

Ron and Hermione exchanged some uncomfortable looks and stayed silent for a short moment.

"Harry… you see… we really wanted to tell you, but Dumbledore made us swear not to tell you.", said Hermione quietly after she had finished breakfast. "It would have been very bad if this information had reached the wrong hands."

"Yeah, mate.", said Ron who still was eating heartily. "We don't really know what's going on anyways. They never let us stay for the meetings."

Harry stared at Dumbledore who was talking animatedly with Mrs. Weasley. "I imagine. So the Order holds it's meetings here?"

Hermione nodded but stopped suddenly and looked at him. "You know about the Order? How is that?"

"Dumbledore told me. You know… I was here since yesterday evening. Did you already forget that?"

"Why did you arrive yesterday anyways? They were all planning on picking you up next Monday and now you suddenly are here a week before that."

Harry leaned back in his chair. "I ran into Sirius and Remus when I was shopping in Diagon Alley yesterday. They interrogated me, asked Dumbledore if I could come over earlier because my relatives aren't at home anyways and after a quick fight with three Dementors we arrived here."

"WHAT? Diagon Alley? Dementors? Harry what the hell were you doing there on your own? Are you okay?", asked Hermione indignantly and seemed to check him over for injuries.

"I'm okay 'Mione.", chuckled Harry. "As I said my relatives went to visit Vernon's sister and they dumped me in London. I think they hoped to get rid of me that way," he lied. "So I thought 'why bother?' and went shopping. And if you don't believe me, take my clothes for example, I've got finally something that fits."

"Right," said Ron when Hermione finished cheeking him over. "But what was that with Mrs. Black last evening? I never heard you talking like that before! I thought you were some arrogant git like Malfoy!"

"I had enough free time at the Dursleys' and started to order some books from Flourish & Blott's with Hedwig.", said Harry shrugging. It was true. He, Fleur and Draco had ordered quite a lot, but also from Knockturn Alley. "There were some books about wizarding etiquette."

"Are you nuts mate?", said Ron loudly and Remus looked over to them. "Don't tell me you're turning into another Hermione!"

"What's that supposed to mean Ronald?", snarled Hermione.

"Uh… nothing… forget it.", said Ron quickly.

Remus chuckled and looked at Harry while the two friends were arguing over his head. "You know… those two behave like a married couple sometimes. I think they're even going to end up together."

Harry gave a lopsided smile. "You think so...?"

He wasn't really sure if he liked the idea of Ron and Hermione being together…

"- me then! I asked what you meant by that Ronald!", said Hermione loudly.

Ron cowered in fear when he saw the rage in her eyes. "I-I just… You're a walking encyclopaedia. We don't need another one!"

"And who's going to help you with your homework then?", asked Hermione angrily.

"You, of course!", said Ron immediately.

"Harry!", said Hermione to him. "Say something, too!"

"Yeah mate we need your opinion here!"

"Guys… grow up!", he said, stood up and snatched Sirius' cup of coffee. He ignored his loud protests and took a small sip before he sat down next to him.

"What's wrong kiddo?", asked his godfather. "Why'd you leave Ron and Hermione and instead joined such an old dog like me?"

Harry chuckled softly. "They're arguing again and I had the dubious pleasure to sit in the middle."

"I feel for you.", said Sirius and snatched his coffee out of Harry's hands.

Harry rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. His eyes drifted trough the room to Fred and George who were whispering in hushed tones near the door and to Mrs. Weasley who looked at them with an eagle's eye. Lastly his eyes fell on the youngest member of the Weasley family who sat next to her mother not far from himself.

He raised his hand and ruffled his hair when Ginny looked at him from the other side of the table. She blushed and looked down at her nearly empty plate.

When she looked up again Harry raised his eyebrows an smirked slightly before he winked at her. That of course just lead her to blush again. He could feel Sirius eyes on him and looked at him questioningly.

"You know…", said Sirius with a far away look in his eyes. "Sometimes you remind me so much of James… it's scary!"

"How so?", asked Harry. He was often compared to his father in looks, that he could understand, but now… he didn't really get what Sirius meant.

"Last year I would have said that you act very much like Lily but now…somehow you became a little bit more like James over the past four weeks. Of course it was a year for you but still.", anwered Sirius. "You move just like him and are quite a Lady's Man it seems."

Harry grinned. "Padfoot, Padfoot… you don't know what you're talking about. Did my father really hang out with the prince of the Slytherin house?"

Sirius chuckled. "No. I certainly wouldn't have been his friend then. The leader of Slytherin in my Hogwarts time was Lucius Malfoy."

Harry wrinkled his nose. "Figures."

"Tell me. How was your summer with Cissy and her son?", asked Sirius. "I can tell you, I nearly fainted when Dumbledore told me and Remus yesterday that you were at their Manor in France."

"Quite eventful actually.", said Harry and looked at Dumbledore who was listening too now. "We were not only in France but often in Diagon Alley. Heck we even were in Egypt and Romania!"

"What did you do there?", asked Dumbledore who had been listening and Sirius looked at Harry curiously.

"Getting roasted by a breeding dragon, chased by an angry chimaera and nearly buried alive in a pyramid's grave chamber.", answered Harry.

"You were at the Dragon Reserve in Romania then?", asked Sirius.

Harry nodded. "Yeah… I wanted to meet the little Hungarian Horntail that nearly skinned me alive in the first task again."

Sirius snorted when he called the dragon 'little' and looked at Dumbledore who smiled and opened his mouth.

"Before you even ask Professor.", interrupted Harry. "Yes, we also talked to Charlie Weasley. We wanted to learn more about magical creatures and he was the best choice. I suggested Hagrid at first but… no offence, Sir… he would have told you right away that I wasn't at my relatives' house."

"It's quite alright, my boy.", said Dumbledore. "I see that it probably really was the best choice. And I assume that when you were in Egypt you met William Weasley then?"

"Hell yeah!", said Harry grinning. "Who would've been better to ask about Ancient Runes and Arithmancy than a Curse Breaker? And I can tell you I got plenty of real live experience back there."

"I can imagine that.", said Sirius and laughed loudly. "Were you really chased by a chimaera?"

"Yup. Draco was really pissed after Bill had dumped us in the grave chamber and fired curses everywhere. That of course wasn't a very good idea because the hallway collapsed and blocked the way. I'm sure you know how chimaeras behave around a Veela. Fleur was there too. So… yeah."

Sirius whistled. "That thing must have been raging and running through the walls!"

"But it spared us from digging our way out," grinned Harry and slowly nicked Sirius cup again. "And by the way. Bill and Charlie know that we were jumping around in time. They both joined us for maybe two weeks or more."

"And how are your relations with Mrs. Malfoy and young Mr. Malfoy now?", asked Dumbledore quietly with that twinkle in his eyes.

"Mrs. Malfoy is a very nice person. She really reminds me of Mrs. Weasley sometimes", answered Harry smiling. "She was always fussing over me in the beginning and telling me to eat more. She also told me a lot about herself and that she was forced to marry Lucius after her older sister had married a muggle."

"Ah. That was my dear cousin Andromeda who married Ted Tonks.", said Sirius. "I think you will see their daughter Nymphadora soon. But don't call her that. She prefers it to be called 'Tonks'…."

"I feel for her.", said Harry and just now Sirius realized that his coffee was no longer in front of him. "I would do the same if I was called 'Nymphadora' when I'm honest."

"And what about Mr. Malfoy?", asked Dumbledore.

Harry looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "Professor, with all due respect but I already told you how Draco and I became friends. Sure, we had a very short truce at the end of third year, but aside from that I told you what you have to know."

Dumbledore looked at his fingers and nodded so Harry continued. "If you want to know which side they are on then I can tell you… no! I can even swear by my life that they are on the Light side."

Suddenly they heard the familiar screaming of Mrs. Blacks portrait and all looked to the door. Harry blinked when several people entered the kitchen.

One was a tall woman with bright pink hair and a sheepish grin on her face. Harry immediately recognized her from Narcissa's memories as Tonks. But then she had be much younger, maybe eleven or twelve years old. He saw that she had really had grown to be quite a looker. Then followed some people Harry hadn't met before. One was a tall black man with an blue cloak, then a slightly chubby woman with short brown hair. Then a small man with a big silk-hat. The people that followed now made Harry smile. One was Severus Snape and the other was Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody. He chuckled. If you looked at it in another way he would be a Hogwarts' Professor with the shortest teaching career in history. He had been there, but actually just had held one lesson on the last day of the term.

Harry's eyes widened when Moody's eyes flashed in his direction and he could see that he had drawn his wand under his robes. He jumped up and fired a quick Expelliarmus at him before he could even throw a curse or jinx.

Tonks toppled to the side and landed on her butt when the curse brushed her shoulder and Harry snatched Moody's wand out of the air. He twirled it in his fingers and let his own wand disappear into his invisible holster.

Moody had his eyebrows raised and laughed roughly. "Very good lad!"

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!", bellowed Harry grinning, and the other people in the kitchen started to laugh at Moody's surprised expression.

Harry didn't wait for a response and gave him back his wand before he turned to Tonks.

He held her his hand out. "My sincere apologies. It was not in my intention to hurt such a breathtakingly beautiful Lady. I hope you can forgive me."

The room grew silent in an instant as Harry helped the blushing Tonks to her feet. He looked around and saw the Weasleys gaping at him. Sirius and Remus were grinning slightly.

"What?", asked Harry loudly. "I was just being polite!"

"Thank you.", murmured Tonks and dusted her robes off. "I'm Tonks by the way."

Harry smiled and raised her hand to his lips while looking deep into her grey eyes. "The name's Harry. It's a pleasure to meet you Tonks."

She nodded and Harry saw that her face was resembling a tomato. He smirked slightly and then looked questioningly to Dumbledore. The Professor looked back and when more people Harry didn't know entered the room he mouthed 'Order meeting' in his direction.

Harry nodded and turned to Tonks again and gave her a dazzling smile.

"I'm afraid I have to get going.", he said and bowed. "It seems that a meeting is going to be held here where I'm not allowed to take part. It was an honor to make your acquaintance."

Tonks just nodded and quickly went to a free chair. Harry followed her with his eyes and winked at Ginny again while he was at it.

He looked over to Ron, Fred and George who where arguing with their mother to stay in the kitchen. He shook his head and climbed the stairs up to the hallway where Mrs. Black was still screeching. He sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Lady Black! Please stop with that unnecessary screaming! It's highly inappropriate for a person of your status."

She stopped screaming and threw him a slightly angry look before she pouted and the curtains closed.

"AND I WANT IT TO BE CLEAN BEFORE DINNER!", Harry heard Mrs. Weasley scream and jumped into the air. "ASK HARRY TO HELP YOU!"

His eyes widened when four Weasleys and Hermione came running up the stairs breathing heavily. He groaned inwardly. Couldn't they just stay away from Mrs. Weasley's temper?

Fred and George were already hurrying up the stairs with Ginny on their heels and Ron grabbed his shirt and dragged Harry behind him. He struggled a little bit but then sighed and started a casual conversation with a giggling Hermione.

"You know you are really cute when you giggle like that.", he said as Ron had managed to get him onto the second floor.

Hermione blinked and hit him softly over the head. "Harry! Stop being such a flirt!"

"But 'Mione!", he whined and rubbed his head when Ron finally released him. "I'm just telling the truth! I can't help it that you look like a goddess!"

"What is wrong with you Harry?", she asked in a low whisper as Ron looked at them strangely. "You are acting like a complete moron! Did you hit your head or something?"

Harry pouted. "No… I just can't help it 'Mione. It's my duty to tell the truth about the people I see. Especially when it's you."

"Don't you mean any girl you see?", she asked with narrowed eyes.

He put his hand dramatically over his chest and looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "I'm wounded! Is that really what you think of me?

Hermione rolled her eyes but a small smile played on her lips. Suddenly Harry jumped backwards when a skin coloured string dangled in front of him.

"What the heck?"

That was it! I hope you liked it. ^_^

Dark Phoenix of Slytherin