A/N: WARNING: This chapter goes a bit fast paced, but all of this is done in ONE DAY. Christmas Eve to be exact. You all know how hectic those are.
Hmm…I did mention Dark!Harry didn't I? Oh well, if I didn't, I will now. Dark!Harry is in this chapter. Along with that is death, one of the reasons for an M rating, and who should Fred and George end up with? ((Unrelated, if you know of any good Dark!Harry fics with Snarry or Drarry as the main pairing, or Harry with the twins as the main, TELL ME! I cannot seem to find any…although Rise of the Dark Angel by mykkila09 is really really good, it's the only truly Dark!Harry one I've found.))
"Tom! Don't do this! It's us! James and Lilly! Can't you remember? Severus recruited us!" Lilly yelled, fear dancing in her emerald eyes as she backed towards Harry's crib. "He's the last one, the winged cats, he's last! Don't take him! He's my son!" She continued, looking at the wand pointed at herself. "Dumbledore has you under a curse! Let me help you!-"
The memory cut off as Harry shook his head, looking up from his seat on the bed to Severus, who was standing in front of him with his wand pointed at Harry's head. They were using a few darker spells to bring the earliest memories Harry had to the front of his mind for viewing. "So, they were on his side? This whole time?" He asked.
"Yes, Harry. I brought them myself." Severus said. "They were tired of Dumbledore trying to control everyone and killing muggles. He…he planned your mother's death too."
"I can't believe I never knew…" Harry whispered, horror in his voice. Both turned their gazes to the door as it opened, Fred and George standing in the door way.
"Is this a bad time guys?" George asked. Harry shook his head and the two walked in, sitting on either side of Harry.
"So, how is-"
"-Our little brother-"
"Today?" They both finished. Harry smiled, glad that at least something was still the same. He could always count on the twins when he needed cheering up. They seemed to always know when he did, that or they had bad news and wanted to soften the blow.
"I'm alright. I just, found out the truth about something that's been bothering me thanks to Severus." Harry said quietly. The room felt different now, he knew the twins had bad news.
"Good. Because Prongslet," Harry flinched, they only used that when the news was very bad. "You start training today…with killing."
"What? No!" Harry protested, jumping up to his feet.
"Harry, the one you're killing is someone you'll be happy to see dead." Severus said. He was told before that Harry's training would start soon, and who his victim would be. "It's the Weasley girl."
"NO!" Harry looked over to Fred and George, both seemed unfazed by the news. "I-I can't…"
"Harry, Prongslet, you can. She hurt Hermione, got Blaise suspended…she hurt you." Fred said gently. "She deserves it."
"She's not our sister anymore Harry, we've disowned that part of the family, save for Bill and Charlie." George added. "It's best if you do it anyway. You need to get used to it if you're gonna be in the war."
"But I don't want to be in the war! I don't want to be anything! I've always been the boy-who-lived or the chosen one! Never Harry…" His voice trailed off into a whisper. "I just want to be me for a change…"
"Potter." Severus growled. "What are you? A child? Did you not hear your mother's words? 'You're the last one.' You're the prince!" He snapped at the brunette. "Did you expect to just find that out and leave this war alone? The winged cats have always held power and that's why Dumbledore wants you gone!"
"But that doesn't mean I have to fight!" Harry almost wailed. He could feel the wings fluttering even if they weren't visible. The black tail also concealed he could feel twitching violently. "I don't want this…"
"You don't have a choice." Severus' voice softened a bit as Harry calmed. "I know you want one, but you don't have one."
"…I know." Harry said finally. "I know."
"There you are Harry." Tom smiled as the teen walked into the room. It was one of the rare times Harry actually did a partial animagus transformation and kept the ears, tail, and wings visible. Much to Harry's dislike though, the black tail seemed to have a mind of it's own, keeping itself held high with pride, the ears stayed the same way. He could hear his leopard self growling for him to stay like that. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as he'll ever be." Fred said sadly, hugging Harry once last time before the boy transformed fully. The black fur seemed sleeker after his talk with Severus, giving off an almost calming look. His eyes were vibrant with power, a slight glow to them.
"Alright, bring her in!" He ordered one of the Death Eaters who were waiting nearby, who opened a door when it appeared. A slightly smaller cat came crashing through. Harry noted that she was a larger wild cat. Belonging to many breeds that crossed from time to time. He knew it was Ginny, she mentioned being a cat animagus before, being a water elemental too. "Alright Harry."
"Harry!" The cat came running over to the leopard, nuzzling him. "Harry were is this place? Were you kidnapped too? I think it was Fred and George, they were spies for you-know-who!"
'She can't see them?' He thought. 'Harry stop it, you have a mission.' "Step away from me Ginny." He said, wings gently pushing the girl away as she stared in awe.
"You really are the winged cat…" Her voice hid a bit of fear and excitement in it. "I'm dating a prince!"
"No, you are not. We are not dating Ginny, we never were. You betrayed me." He growled. She blinked confusedly at him, her tail swishing the ground.
"What are you talking about silly? Come on, Dumbledore's been looking all over for you!" She purred, walking closer again.
'Do it…it would take no time at all, look at her, flaunting around, her neck is wide open!' Harry's eyes widened in horror at the voice in his head. 'It's in your blood Harry, the winged cats always had the respect of other cat animagi, but she betrayed you. You're the last, she deserves it.'
'She deserves it…?'
'Yes, she betrayed us Harry. Remember how she attacked the other girl?' Another low growl escaped Harry at that. 'How she just used you?' Claws scraping against the ground. The voice in his head knew exactly what buttons to press to get Harry to be mad. 'How she used Draco to try and kill us? To try and kill Sirius?' That made him snap.
"Harry? Harry what's wrong? Your eyes, they're deeper green." She said. Harry snarled. Ginny's ears fell flat, she backed away slowly, Harry matching her step for step. Neither paid attention to the ring of fire that separated them from the rest of the room. Ginny's eyes were trained to the dark grin on the leopard in front of him. "You-You're not Harry…"
"No, I am Harry you twit. Just the side of him you've never seen." His tail twitched once before he leapt, claws meeting their mark, knocking the girl over as his jaws snapped around her neck, blood quickly coating his muzzle. He could feel claws pulling feebly at his neck, barely leaving a scratch. His own claws, much sharper than the youngest Weasley's, slash down her stomach. He lifted his head, dropping her to the ground, her gaze sightlessly wide with horror. Harry could hear something in him purring as his wings flapped once, the fire circling them disappearing. He looked down at Ginny, stepping back from the pool of blood that was slowly increasing as two other cats curled around him.
We are proud of you, winged one.
Yes, you have done well. Harry blinked and looked around, none of the others in the room seemed to have noticed the two new cats.
They can't see us, leader. The larger of the two said.
Only you can. You are the last winged one, you are the controller.
Harry blinked again before transforming out of his animagus form, the smell of blood almost too overpowering for the leopard's sensitive nose. 'the controller? Controller of what?' He glanced over to Fred, George, and Tom. "I think, someone owes me an explanation."
"Ok, so I'm the last winged cat? And the voices I heard are my ancestors?" Harry asked. They were currently sitting in what he believed to be the main library of the manor. Tom, the Twins, Charlie, Bill, Hermione, Sirius, and Severus were with him. Sirius and Severus sat on either side of Harry on the couch, the others in chairs or standing. Harry was curled slightly closer to Severus, while the older man had one arm draped on the back of the couch, hand resting on Harry's back. Sirius was glaring daggers at the hand like it was going to kill Harry.
"Yes. The winged cats had a power no others had, because cats weren't meant to fly. Others have different reasons for not being like that. Winged cats are the rarest of the rare. Most winged elements are birds or horses, sometimes a dog or even a ferret." Tom explained. Harry snickered at the mental picture of a white ferret with wings flying up. "Focus Harry. Their magic is usually stronger than normal. They're also horrible at Potions," Harry stuck his tongue out at Severus at that, "do better with defensive spells, and dark spells."
Harry nodded, relaxing once again against Severus. "Anything else that's major?"
"Well, you'll probably be finding your mate soon." Tom smirked. "If you haven't already. It'll probably be someone older, most winged cats'll choose mates older than themselves to make certain of protection, and stronger offspring. If your mate's male though, I don't know how that works."
"So…probably someone older." Harry nodded again. Sirius noticed the smirk Tom had and glanced over to Harry again. The brunette was nestled comfortably against Severus' side, Sirius swore he could hear a purr coming from his godson.
"…Hell no. no no no no no! I will not allow it!" Sirius leapt up to his feet. "No way!"
"What are you talking about now mutt?" Severus rolled his eyes. Harry chuckled lightly.
"I won't allow you to be his mate!"
Silence filled the room at Sirius' outburst as the others looked at the two on the couch. Harry blinked and looked up at Severus, who was sitting calmly, his hand still resting on Harry's back.
"Is that why you were acting differently?" Harry asked.
"One reason." Severus said simply. Harry smiled and snuggled closer to the potion master's side.
"Harry get away from him!" Sirius snapped, causing the kitten to leap away. Vipera and Nagini crawled into the room.
"All this yelling, did the mother wolf find out?"
"Of course Nagini, it seems your snakeling's found his mate."
"I know I did." Harry said, peering over the couch to the two snakes. "I just…didn't want to acknowledge it because I knew Sirius would be mad." The brunette grinned. "and I was right, he's worse than me after that bath Luna and Sev gave me."
"…HE DID WHAT?"
Harry broke out into giggles for the fifth time that day, falling back against Severus. "I can't believe he fell for it!" the giggles turned to laughter. "Sirius flipped!"
Severus smirked. "Never thought Gryffindors were good at acting."
"You think he's mad we lied though? I mean, I know I haven't found my mate yet. But that seemed a bit…mean to him." Harry said.
"And finally your guilt kicks in, I was expecting it back when you killed that girl…" Severus commented. Harry shrugged. He didn't actually feel guilty for Ginny's death. Killing her seemed…right. "I hope you're ready."
"Huh?" Harry fell back as Severus stood up. The brunette glanced up at the professor before standing up himself. "Ready for what?"
"Flying. Seeing as you haven't in a while." Severus explained, in his place was a raven. Harry smiled and transformed, his wings stretching out lazily. "You should have no problem with a wingspan like that." And with that, the raven flew up. Harry watched for a second before following, paws moving gracefully from the ground as the wings flapped. He flew up to the raven, smiling. They spent some time racing, Harry doing different sorts of tricks.
Dusk fell quicker than either of them wanted, but soon they landed once again in the same spot they started at. Severus transforming back and soon having a lap full of leopard. He chuckled lightly as Harry purred, resting his head on the potion master's shoulder, one arm draped over the leopard's back and stroking the wings lightly. Harry transformed back, keeping the wings and ears and shut his eyes, a blissful purr leaving him as the petting continued.
"There you two are!" Phoenix walked over to the two men. "We wondered where you went to. That was pretty cruel of you to do that to Sirius…but it was funny." She said to them.
Harry leapt away from Severus as soon as they heard the woman's voice. "Yea, well it was really fun." He said. "Besides, maybe now he'll accept that Sev's not as bad as he seems."
"Watch what you say Harry darling, it took you quite a few months to get used to him." Phoenix warned. The younger boy shrugged. Dark clouds rolled in as the medi-witch tensed up, glancing at the sky.
"What is it Phoenix?" Severus asked. He looked up as well, his eyes widening with shock. "Harry…go back inside."
"Huh?"
"Now!" Severus snapped, causing the boy to leap to his feet. The potions master grabbed his wand before standing up as well. "How the hell did he find us?"
"I don't know!" Phoenix shrieked. "Harry go!" The boy started to run back to the house, not wanting to find out what was going on. He let out a startled gasp as something ran into the side. "HARRY!"
Time seemed to slow as the yell rang out, Harry felt himself falling, but his vision seemed to get better, black fur taking over with a long tail and wings. But something was different. The people around him gasp,. A wand inches away from cutting into his throat backed away. The leopard fell to the ground, wings flapping as he tried to get up. 'MOM!' He yowled in his head before his vision cut to black.
"KEEP AWAY FROM MY SON!" The medi-witch screamed, transforming and leaping at the old wizard. Dumbledore batted her away without looking away from Harry, causing her to fall against Severus. She transformed again, this time grabbing her wand. "Sectumsempra!" She yelled. He blocked the curse.
"Get away from him!" Severus growled at the headmaster, helping Phoenix, or Lily as most would know her as, up to her feet.
"He is supposed to die, Severus, you know that."
"How did you find this place?" Severus snapped, slowly moving Lily behind himself. She was about to protest, as someone else walked into their view.
"That does not matter. What matters is that he's here now." Lily said, her gaze glued to Harry. "Let Harry go…"
"I cannot do that Mrs. Potter." Their attention is turned to the house as a low snarl meets Dumbledore's words. A dog, otter, hawk, two lions, ferret, two cats, a cobra, and a pissed off owl and two basilisks waited.
"Oh, but you fool, I believe you can." Severus sneered. "See them? If you hurt Harry, magic will be the least of your worries. I do believe you have picked the wrong time to attack."
"Really now? Let's just see how quick they are to attack…when they see who I've brought." From the shadows came someone that no one expected to see again.
"Draco!" Blaise screeched, Hedwig held out her wing to stop him from running over to his best friend.
"Stop, it's a trick." She warned. Blaise looked in dismay, Hermione moved closer to her boyfriend to comfort him. "let him go you old coot! I know you have him under a spell."
"What proof do you have of this?" He asked. "Draco, are you under a spell?"
"No." Came the almost immediate response.
Hedwig blinked, sharing a look with Nagini. "Then tell me, Draco. Why is it that you kissed Harry after the party…then wiped his memory clean?"