Disclaimer: I do not own anything of this story. Harry Potter and all of the notable characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Magnolia Crescent

Chapter Six

The Gryffindor Dogs

"Okay Harry, you want to become an Animagus," Black started. "Well, you need to be warned, this isn't easy and it's painful and dangerous. Not to mention the legal problems as well; you must either inform the ministry as soon as possible or never tell them and never get caught."

"Why is that?" Harry asked, looking up at his godfather. Black frowned.

"It's about ten years in Azkaban, and trust me, even that's enough to break a man," Black said, frowning even more. His expression took a sudden upturn as he continued talking. "So, the first part is rather simple in its execution. The problem, however, is that it requires some time. That is if we don't have any problems with the witch," Black smirked as he looked at Hermione.

Though Harry had thought, and expected, them to stay in the castle, Hermione insisted that both she and Ron accompany Harry. She wouldn't outright say it, but Harry had a sinking suspicion that she didn't trust Black. And so, even though Ron had agreed to let Harry go by himself, Hermione had threatened to not help him with homework if he didn't come. It didn't take very long for Ron to cave after that.

"I've already said my peace," Hermione frowned, still not agreeing with the idea.

"Well, I've got to starve you. You need to stay here and when you start to feel hungry, eat this," Black smiled weakly, handing Harry a small piece of meat.

"Black, there is something that is bothering me. Who taught you how to become an Animagus?" Hermione asked, a little curious.

"Well, it was your father and I," Black smirked, looking over at Harry. "We were trying to turn into animals, don't even ask why because I won't tell you. Just know we weren't getting into trouble because of it, however, we managed to get a good amount of information but as for the final things, we were at a loss. On a stroke of luck, we ran into a man called Brom. He was from America and they happened to be a lot more relaxed about their magical laws. As he was unaware of differing magic laws from country to country, he taught us how to complete it," Black finished, shrugging.

"Brom, that name sound familiar," Hermione said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "If I remember correctly, he's a well know wizard from America and a good friend of Dumbledore's, if you can call him that. Brom hasn't done anything amazing but he is the headmaster of the Salem School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sadly, since the American schools are still very new and young, they haven't been able to compete in the Triwizard Tournaments," she explained. Everyone blinked in surprise.

"Is there anything she doesn't know?" Ron asked, leaning against a tree.

"Alright, the American magical system is very different than ours. Students aren't eligible for a wand until they've completed their first year of education. They are much stricter on wand magic and have more Unforgivable curses. Americans wizards are closely connected to their Muggle counterparts and there is only one city that is entirely magical. On the other hand, wandless magic is hardly regulated. Runes, charmed items, and even Animagi are all decisions left to the parent and individual. That just so happened to work out well for James and me."

"And now I'm bored. If I wanted to be lectured, I would've stayed at the castle. Can we please get back to the matter at hand?" Ron slightly demanded. Hermione scowled but said nothing.

"Right, the whole reason we're out here, to start. Harry," Black smirked, clapping his hands together. "Just eat when you are hungry and face whatever appears before you." He paused to glance over at the other two. "Now then, since we need to leave, I think it is fair to warn you: this is the make it or break it part. If this goes south, this could change him forever. I won't lie; what you see may have lasting effects, Peter wasn't the same man after he changed. So let's hope you're like your father and see what kind of man you are," Black gave a slightly pained smile.

"If this is so dangerous, why are we leaving him?" Hermione asked skeptically as they walked away.

"Tell you what, if Harry dies, you can take me back to the school at wand point. Go on, take it out. I know you have the guts and skill for it," Black said. Hermione glared but took out her wand anyways. They both looked over at Ron, but he made no move to grab his own wand.

"Let's go," Hermione grumbled.

"Hey, Ron, out of curiosity, you wouldn't happen to have a pet rat would you?" Black asked, a light smile on his face. Ron looked at him oddly but didn't answer.

Harry started to pace the small clearing, not really seeing the point of this exercise. After an hour or so, his stomach started to growl. "Should have asked when I was done. I have no idea what I am doing," he mumbled aloud as he ate the meat Black had given him. "Not bad," he shrugged.

He finally sat down against a tree and slowly drifted off to sleep. When he woke up, the forest around him looked full of mist and fog. Looking around, Harry tried to get his bearings. Everything looked clear but it also seemed fuzzy.

"Hello Harry," a voice said. Harry spun around quickly only to step back in surprise. For standing there before him was his father.

"Dad?" Harry asked, looking up at the man. James nodded, looking down at his son with admiration.

"So, have you been staying true to your friends?" James asked. Harry blinked, unsure what was going on.

"Of course. I went into the Chamber of secrets to save Ron's sister. Because I was loyal to Dumbledore, I got help down there as well. I'm true to my friends, no matter what," Harry smiled confidently.

"Be true to them and you will be true to me. I value friends more than anything in the world, Harry." James smiled, slowly fading into the mist. Harry blinked, trying to run after his father but a gentle hand on his shoulder stopped him. He wasn't as surprised when he saw that it was his mother behind him.

"Harry," she smiled. "Have you defended those in need?" Harry was a bit bewildered as he thought back.

"Well, there was a time when Malfoy was teasing Neville. I stood up for him even when he wasn't there," Harry admitted after a few moments thought.

"Good, show kindness to those who need it and you will show kindness to me," she smiled, brushing his hair out of his eyes before vanishing as well.

"Loyalty," snapped a voice Harry recognized as Professor Quirrell. "We both know they showed no kindness. The school blamed you for something you had no part in. All because you could talk to snakes; where is that loyalty now? When you are all but abandoned by your friends, when you feel their fear, you turn just like that." He sneered down at Harry.

"When it was all done, I still did what I had to; Hermione was safe and everything was fine in the end. I don't blame those who fear me. In the end, I will always be loyal," Harry countered.

"LIAR!" Quirrell shouted, charging at Harry before turning to dust once again. Harry reached for his wand when his father appeared with Quirrell, but they vanished.

"Kindness, what foolishness is that. You gain nothing but a weak back," Tom Riddle leered. "In the end, you will be walked on until there is nothing left of you. Your kind heart has gotten you into two life and death situations, not to mention over ten years of abuse. Instead of doing something, you have allowed a small group of Muggles to pin you down and degrade you!" Tom accused. "You are no wizard, you are a door mat!"

"And yet, I'm still here while you're still a memory!" Harry called. Tom drew his wand and green light burst from the end towards Harry; before it hit, Lily appeared before him. Harry tried to stop her but when the spell hit, they both faded back to mist.

"Dear Harry, you brave soul. Even now, you still show us that you are made of amazing things," Dumbledore said, appearing before Harry. He said no more, simply faded to mist. A dog bark sounded from the fog; a black and tan dog bounded forward, sitting at Harry's feet. Instinctively, Harry reached dog to pat his head.

Harry shot up, gasping as he looked around. The forest was now pitch black. Black stood over him, Ron and Hermione not too far away. When Hermione saw that Harry was awake, she hastily put her wand away and walked over to him.

"Now that the worst is behind, what animal did you see?" Black asked, helping Harry sit up. He blinked a few times, trying to find a way to describe it before he answered.

"A black and tan dog, with a small lightning bolt scar on its face," he replied. Black looked about ready to dance at Harry's answer.

"Yes, take that James!" he murmured and laughed. The others looked at him oddly. "I think that's all for today. There a few things I need to set up before the next lesson. Besides, you probably should find something real to eat and get some rest. A busy vacation lies ahead of us."

"Bloody hell! Get that cat away from Scabbers!" Ron shouted as he batted the cat away. Harry panicked, grabbing the cat and prying it away. Crookshanks quickly dashed off as Ron looked down at his rat. The poor thing was looking worse for wear every day. Ron stormed downstairs to the common room, with one intention – to complain to Hermione. Harry hurried after him, hoping to contain their arguing.

"You better keep that bloody pig away from Scabbers!" Ron scolded hotly, Crookshanks purring contently in Hermione's arms. Harry sighed, walking in on them practically growling at each other.

"Not to cut this short but I have lessons. Please, can you two figure a way to settle this? I care about my two best friends and I don't want them fighting over their pets," Harry frowned, walking to the portrait hole.

They looked at each other for a moment, surprise flickering over their features. Hermione quickly dashed after him, Crookshanks still in her arms, for she still didn't trust Black.

Harry pulled his Cloak over his head, not wanting to be spotted and headed for the forest. When he finally arrived at their meeting place, he pulled some food he'd nicked and tossed it to the hulking black dog who immediately transformed.

"You are a life saver, you know that? I think we should move our lessons farther away from the school. I'm a little uncomfortable being this close," Black said, devouring the food before him.

"Where? I can't think of a good place where no one will find us," Harry said.

"I know just the place. However, the path is a little dangerous," Black warned. Harry nodded when somebody moved into the area.

"Hermione!" Harry realized, a little shocked that she had found him.

"Footprints," she breathed out as she looked over at Harry. Black looked down at his own feet, concern on his face.

"Perhaps its best I show you," he smirked, turning into the dog and running through the snow. Ron had just stumbled in when Harry and Hermione took off.

"Give me a break," he grumbled, dashing off after them. They stopped in the grounds before the Whomping Willow. Black quickly moved in and dodged the branches. They tree suddenly stopped moving; Black reappeared, motioning for them to follow. Ron shuddered as Harry moved in. Black pointed out a knot in to the tree that would immobilize it.

"How did you know about this?" Hermione asked, eyeing Black suspiciously. He gave her a rather large grin before responding.

"Let's just say I took this path a lot, and leave it at that," he said as they walked down the path below the Willow. "Welcome to the Shrieking Shack. From now on you can find me here, except on full moons as we will have those off. Let us begin."

"He seems a little too happy," Ron whispered to Hermione. "To be honest, it's creeping me out a little."

"He's been like that since Harry told him the animal he saw was a dog. Since Black turns into one, I guess he's happy that Harry's taking after him," Hermione explained.

"Great, another loony to deal with in the world. Just what we need – Harry turning into a convict," Ron joked. Hermione glared at him. "If that did happen, that would be very bad," he added as he quickly looked away.

Around midday, Black ended their lesson. Harry, on the other hand, wanted to continue.

"Black, I feel like I got nothing done. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" he asked, not feeling so good about it.

"This is going to take a long time; it's not something you can master overnight. To be fair, I will contact my mentor and see if he knows any tricks I can use," Black mused. "All the same, head back to school and come meet me once a week after classes on Tuesday." Harry nodded as they headed back to the grounds.

"So Harry, been meaning to ask you – what did you see outside of the dog?" Ron asked.

"Ron, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you," Harry smiled. They had reached the mouth of the tunnel and Harry looked back at Black. The man waved, looking a bit healthier than when they first met. "Next time, remind me to bring him some soap. These lessons would be much nicer if he didn't smell like a bum," Harry laughed, nudging Ron with his elbow.

"Hey!" Black hollered, not far behind them. He morphed into the dog, chasing them out of the tree and onto the grounds. Harry, Ron and Hermione ran to the castle, laughing, as Black barked and headed for the trees. "You would be proud, my friend," he thought, thinking of James.

This chapter was written by starwarsdude8221991, who came up with the story idea. He also came up with the idea for the Animagus transformation. Hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter and, as always, please R&R!