It was the night of the last full moon before Harry returned to school. Harry was always glad to run in the night with the Marauders, honoured to take his dad's place, so the occasion was bittersweet.
Theo had been sent to Malfoy Manor for the night. He and Draco planned to spend hours in the training room. Theo had been doing his best to catch up with the skill level of the others. He was their magical match, but he still lagged behind when it came to physical prowess. He was sensitive to it, not taking anyone's ribbing at all well. He had thrown himself into lifting with the same fervour he brought to most things these days.
According to the charts, moonrise had happened shortly before 11 AM that morning. That meant as soon as the sun went down, Remus would transform. Dinner was quiet, the moon already affecting the werewolf, and Harry was feeling too tired to keep up a banter with Sirius.
Kreacher cleared away the dishes, and the three men sat around the dining room table to await the sunset. At quarter after 8, Moony abruptly stood up, a grimace of pain across his face.
"It's time," he gasped.
Sirius flashed into the big, black dog. Harry bent his will on his own Animagus form.
Mongoose!, he thought.
But nothing happened.
Harry almost fell over. He had been using the word as a trigger for his own transformation for over a year.
What's going on? he thought with a splash of panic.
He tried again, and this time he felt his body melting, flowing into the familiar form of the mongoose. Suddenly everything was very big and far above him.
That was strange, he thought. But there was no time to ponder it, because Moony started tearing at his own skin, the wolf emerging violently.
The first hours of a moon party were always characterised by frenzied running. Moony always had boundless energy, and he liked to run. He and Padfoot played chase, they raced, they jumped. Chitter was much shorter than they, so he usually rode on someone's back.
They had taken a break to recover. Moony lay on his side, panting heavily. Padfoot had his head on his paws. Chitter sat on a chair.
Time for a rest, Harry thought gratefully. He was not physically exhausted, but Moony's mad energy was tiring in its own way.
Without hint or warning, Harry felt his animal senses falling away. Suddenly he was back in his own body, mere feet from a werewolf!
Moony caught his scent, and a low growl began in his throat. He slowly got up from the floor and glared at Harry with baleful eyes.
Padfoot barked a warning, on his feet in an instant, interposing himself between the wolf and the boy. He answered Moony's growl with his own.
Moony lunged at Harry, but Padfoot blocked him, snapping fiercely with his teeth.
Mongoose! Harry thought desperately. Mongoose! Oh fuck! Mongoose!
But it was no good. He couldn't transform back to his Animagus form.
Mongoose! Mongoose, damn it!
Padfoot stepped toward Moony, snarling horribly. He looked every bit like the Grim Harry had once mistaken him to be.
Moony couldn't get to Harry, no matter how he tried. Padfoot blocked him at every attempt. Eventually he was pushed back.
After what couldn't have been more than half a minute but felt like an eternity, Harry was able to slip back into Chitter's skin.
Once the wolf could no longer smell a human, he calmed somewhat, but he regarded Chitter with suspicion for a few moments before howling and running out of the room.
Padfoot could now spare a glance toward Chitter, his head cocked slightly to the side. Chitter hopped up on his back, and together they followed Moony.
Padfoot had a plan, and he herded Moony toward the stairs that led down to the kitchen. The wolf did not like to be herded, but he couldn't get past the big, black dog. Finally out of the sheer need to run, Moony went down the stairs.
Kreacher was attending to the dinner dishes and was surprised by their arrival. With surprising insight, he dashed over to the heavy door that led to the containment room. He opened it, and Moony darted inside.
Padfoot shook himself, and Chitter fell to the floor with a protest. He tried to follow Padfoot as he also entered the containment room, but Padfoot grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and tossed him out.
Kreacher closed the door, waving his hands to make the chains fasten securely.
Harry pulled his human form into his mind, but to his dismay was not able to change back immediately. At last he was back in his own body. He waved his wand, activating the magic that sealed the room.
Moony had a hard night with only Padfoot to keep him company.
When at last the moon set, things calmed down inside the cell. The sunrise marked the end of the terrible night. With a loud click, the door unlocked, and the men inside were able to leave.
Remus looked like he'd fought his way through Hell. Harry had never seen him look so bad.
Sirius was deeply troubled. He kept looking at Harry all through breakfast.
"Remus, why don't you go to bed?" he said at last. "I think Harry and I need to have a long talk."
"No argument here," Remus said. "See you later."
"Sitting room?" Harry suggested.
"Sure."
They sank into the comfortable chairs and sipped at their tea.
"What happened last night?"
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. For some reason, I couldn't make the change like I usually do. Then when I did change, I couldn't stay in it. I tried to change back, but it wasn't working. Then later, I got stuck in mongoose form."
"This is worrisome," Sirius said.
"Yeah, I know," Harry agreed. "I mastered my form years ago. I can usually do it without effort and just a thought. Why couldn't I do it this time? Why wouldn't I be able to hold it?"
"I don't know, Harry. I've never heard of such a thing."
"Is there anyone who knows more about being an Animagus than you?"
"McGonagall, probably. We were entirely self-taught. She had a proper instructor."
"Great," Harry grumbled. "I might as well ask Hagrid."
Sirius chuckled. "Believe it or not, she does like you. I'm sure she will help us figure this out."
"I hope so, Sirius. I have to be honest; this is scaring me."
"Scaring you?" Sirius said with disbelief. "Do you know how much I panicked when Moony went after you?"
"Probably a lot."
"Damned right, a lot. I thought the Unbreakable Vow I made to your parents might be broken and I'd be stuck as a dog forever."
"Would you write to McGonagall? She'll probably be more receptive if it comes from her new professor."
"You just had to bring that up again," Sirius grumbled. Harry had been taking the mickey out of him non-stop.
Harry grinned. "Please?"
"Of course."
Sirius wrote the letter, and he offered it to Harry before they sent Regal off to deliver it. The new Headmistress was busy with all the details of the new school year, so they didn't expect an answer any time soon. To their surprise, Regal brought back her reply only hours later.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I am most concerned with the contents of your letter. To my knowledge, there is no backsliding with the Animagus transformation. You have achieved mastery. There should be no reason for your inability to hold the form. Even in great age, when a wizard's magic sometimes becomes unreliable, the Animagus skill is unaffected. My own teacher, Gelfinda Goshawk, spent her last days in her animal form. We must speak of this as soon as possible. I will schedule some time for us when you return to Hogwarts.
Best regards,
Professor McGonagall
"She doesn't know either," Harry reported to Sirius.
"That's unfortunate. Still, I'm sure she'll help figure it out. Nobody can match her for determination and sheer pluck."
Harry continued to worry as he planned the next Order meeting.
The Weasley-Delacour wedding had been the last big event as they entered the home stretch before 1 September and the trip on the Hogwarts Express.
Meetings of the Order of the Basilisk continued, with training just about every night. There was a weekend planned for the last weekend in August when everyone would stay the night at Malfoy Manor.
"Have fun," Sirius said as Harry was packing his bag.
"You too."
Sirius had a hot date that night. Rita Skeeter had finally gotten Sirius to accept a date with her niece Kristy. He wasn't really looking forward to it, but Harry had pressed him as well. Sirius hadn't really left the house other than to go to Hogwarts or Malfoy Manor in ages.
"You need fresh air."
"There's air in here," Sirius said stubbornly.
"Fresh air."
"I'll open a window."
"You're turning into a recluse," Harry accused. "Shut up in this house just like your mother. How long until you're as barmy as she was?"
"Now that's hitting below the belt," Sirius declared.
"Maybe, but you can't deny it. What's the problem? Go have dinner with a pretty lady. Or is your reputation as a ladies man just a bunch of hot air?"
Sirius sighed. "It's not, but I'm not that guy anymore. Narcissa has set me up on half a hundred dates now, and they've all been terrible. I just don't have the patience for inane conversation anymore. It's all so pointless. I'd rather talk about something important, but girls don't like it if you come off deep and intense on the first date."
"Maybe they just want to be distracted from the current state of the world. Aren't you supposed to be good at distractions?"
"Now you're appealing to my ego."
"Is it working?"
Sirius laughed. "Strangely enough, yes. Alright. I'll take Kristy out and try to show her a good time."
"That's the spirit."
Once Sirius was out the door, Harry went to Malfoy Manor for dinner. It wasn't that Kreacher wouldn't be glad to cook for him, but Harry hated eating alone. Remus was occupied with a mission for the Order of the Phoenix.
Theo was already there, working with Draco. The two were covered with sweat and taking a rest.
"Draco, if Ronald were drowning and you were the only person who could save him, would you?"
Draco thought about it for a second. "Just so he could accuse me of being the one who pushed him into the water in the first place? Are you mad?"
Harry snorted. "Would you really push him in?"
"Absolutely," Draco replied instantly. "No hesitation. Wouldn't you?"
"Well, I'd think about it first. He's not the swot he was in first year."
"Come on, Harry," Theo invited. "Let's have a go. Draco's need for a break betrays his weakness."
"Shut up, Nott," Draco ordered. "It was your suggestion."
"I only said something because you were about to do it."
"Liar."
"It's no shame to admit to your weakness," Theo said smarmily. "It's better to, in fact, so you know what areas you need to work on improving."
"Why was I ever bothered that you stopped talking?" Draco demanded.
Harry beat Theo handily. He had no trouble duelling any one of his friends these days. Even two was usually not a problem. He could even give any of the adults a good challenge. Only when he faced three of his friends did he have a challenge. It was something he was trying to get better at, because Death Eaters routinely acted in groups.
Harry was about to challenge Draco when Dobby popped into the room and announced that dinner was served.
Lucius and Narcissa were already at the table when they arrived. Elan and Bridget were as well. Everyone was fussing over baby Gaius. The baby was not quite a month old, so he was in a bassinet next to Bridget's chair. He was presently sleeping, so Harry didn't understand why the adults were so excited.
It felt strange to count Elan as one of the adults, but he was now a father in his own right. If that didn't make one an adult, Harry didn't know what would. Though he himself was now seventeen years old and legally an adult in the wizarding world, he didn't feel it. He didn't believe it. Sometimes he still felt like an ickle firstie.
Dinner was not remarkable, and when the dessert plates had been cleared away, the boys went to loiter in the foyer. The only safe Apparition point was soon to become busy.
Millie was the first to arrive. She had been downright cheerful lately, a combination of spending time with her boyfriend and not having to spend time with her younger brother.
"Hi, Harry. Hi, Draco."
"Hi, Millie," Draco said. "Welcome back."
"Thanks." She looked around. "Am I first?"
"Fashionably early," Draco confirmed.
"I hate being fashionable."
Daphne was next, a few minutes later. Since she had not attended the Weasley-Delacour wedding and was eager for details, she often dragged Pansy, Millie, and Ginny away from the training in order to gossip about it for at least half an hour.
"Hi, all!"
"Hi, Daphne," they replied.
"Millie, can you tell me again about the bouquet toss?"
Millie rolled her eyes. "I think I should just put my memory in the Pensieve for you."
"That would be grand," Daphne agreed. "Harry, may we borrow it?"
"It's at my house, not here," Harry said.
"Well, that's no use."
Ginny arrived next. She was dressed for action, wearing a short red robe with no sleeves. Her wand holster was on her belt, and she had sturdy trainers on her feet.
"Nice outfit," Millie commented.
"I'm ready for combat," Ginny declared.
"I hope so, because so am I."
Neville Longbottom was next to appear. He was the only person not in Slytherin who was a member of the Order. He was a far cry from the timid, pudgy boy they had met in first year. Now he stood tall, broad-shouldered, and had a commanding presence.
"Good evening, all."
"Hi, Neville," Harry said. He gestured to the other boy's bag. "So your gran is letting you stay over?"
"She didn't want to," Neville said, "but I reminded her that I'm of age now. She doesn't have to like it, but she can't stop me."
"I remember when you wouldn't dare to cross her," Draco noted.
"She just wants what's best for me. It comes from a place of love."
Pansy was last, fashionably late. She looked quite pretty, her hair curled and styled. She was not dressed for fighting, in a long, tight skirt and blouse.
"About time," Theo groused.
"Why? Did you miss me?" she retorted.
"Never," he declared flatly.
"A likely story."
He scowled at her. "Now that we're all here, let's get to work."
The last member of the group was Goyle, whom nobody expected since his family was in hiding. He hadn't attended a meeting all summer, not since the botched raid on Gringotts.
"Is this a working session?" Pansy asked. "Given that it's a sleepover, I thought it would be more social."
"Why would anyone want to socialise with you?" Theo said sourly.
She visibly bristled. "Look, just because you're incapable of holding a five minute conversation without ranting about how much you want to kill Death Eaters doesn't mean some of us don't like to converse on more genteel subjects."
Theo gave her a rude gesture and walked away.
"He's still as cheerful as ever, I see," Daphne observed.
"Believe it or not, he's having one of his better days," Draco replied.
"Sadly, I do believe it."
"So is this seriously a working meeting?" Pansy inquired. "I thought we might be able to have some fun for once."
"Sleepovers are fun," Harry replied.
"Why couldn't we do something different?" Millie asked.
"Like what?" Draco asked.
"Why not a camping trip?" Millie suggested.
"Camping?" Daphne said, sounding as though she had never heard the word before.
"Yeah. You know, roughing it in the woods, living in a tent, cooking food over an open fire, sleeping under the stars on a clear night?"
"Battling mosquitoes, the elements, wild animals?" Pansy retorted. "Sounds like tons of fun to me."
"Those things are only challenges if you don't know the proper spells to cast," Millie pointed out.
"Because I'm so good at Charms."
"There will be a bit of magic involved tonight," Harry said, "but I agree with Pansy. We have been working hard and need a break. Theo may not think so, but the occasional break is actually beneficial."
"Stellar," Daphne declared. "What sort of magic?"
"Something new," Harry promised.
For months now, Harry had been working on developing new magic. He had been working with Professor Snape on the basic function and had finally worked out the wand movements and the incantation. He had at last successfully cast the spells. Now he was ready to teach them to his friends.
Everyone stowed their bags in a guest room and hurried to the training room.
Theo was already pummelling a training dummy. He'd given Pansy's face to it. Harry didn't approve of that, but he'd long since tried to talk any sense into Theo when it came to training. If her mocking expression motivated him, that was his business.
"Last year," Harry said, "while exploring the Chamber of Secrets, I discovered a journal written by Himself."
"Voldemort?" Neville said.
"Our Founder," Harry replied. "Headmaster Slytherin created the Cruciatus Curse. He discovered a method of triggering all of the body's pain receptors at once. I realised that one could fire all the receptors for heat or cold, and I've been working on creating a spell that will do it."
Silence reigned.
"You made your own spell?" Neville said faintly.
"I did."
Neville swore, the first time that Harry could ever recall him doing so.
"How do we cast it?" Theo asked, his voice and face sternly intent.
"I call the cold spell the Fridiga Curse. The wand motion is to trace the rune for cold. The words are 'Frigidus sum'."
"And the heat spell?"
"Calor Curse. The rune for fire. 'Ardeo'."
Theo turned and immediately began to attempt the Frigida Curse.
Neville looked horrified. "If the Ministry finds out about this, they'll declare you a Dark wizard."
"Like I care what the Ministry thinks," Harry replied curtly.
"They made a bunch of new curses Unforgivable."
"I know. I spoke in support of it."
"And when these are also added?"
"Who's going to tell them?" Harry asked pointedly.
Neville frowned. "That's true."
"I think it's stellar," Pansy said. "We already knew Harry was one of the best at Charms and Curses."
"Thanks, Pansy."
"Not that I'll be able to get the hang of these new spells," she noted. "I'm rubbish at combat."
"You're not completely hopeless," Neville assured her.
"Thanks, Neville." She favoured him with a brilliant smile.
They set to work. Learning a new spell was always a difficult task, and these spells were very new. Harry was a patient teacher, though, so it wasn't long until Theo, Draco, Ginny, Daphne, and Neville started getting some sparks. Pansy, as predicted, was pants at it.
"It's all about the intent," Harry said. "You've really got to want it. With Cruciatus, you've got to want to make your target suffer. It takes real hate. With these, you have to really want to see your target burn or freeze."
Neville had made one of the dummies look like Bellatrix Lestrange, and he was the first to get a bolt of magic to strike his target. Theo followed his success a few minutes later.
"Great job, guys." Harry felt inordinately proud. He'd not only invented a new spell, but now other people had made it work.
They worked for a good half hour before Pansy put her wand away. "What else were we going to do? If it's just wandwork, I'm going home."
"Fancy a swim?" Draco offered.
"That might be fun. Last chance for most everyone. Of course, Harry and I can use the prefect's bathroom."
"I'm still hurt that neither of you has invited any of the rest of us in there."
"I barely use it myself," Harry said defensively.
"Why ever not?" Pansy asked, plainly astonished. "I'm up there twice a week."
"Mostly knackered," he replied. "I really can't be arsed to climb all those steps."
"They should install moving steps like Dumbledore has in his office," Ginny said.
"I completely agree," Harry said. "I'll suggest it to old McGonagall next time I see her."
"So, the pool?" Draco said.
"Yes," Millie agreed. "After a rigorous workout, a refreshing dip in the warm water is certainly called for."
"I think I'll soak in the hot tub," Pansy said.
"I'll join you," Daphne said.
Even Theo took a break as they changed into swim gear and descended to the basement.
Draco stretched his arms "This really is nice. Harry, you should install a pool in the Chamber of Secrets."
"There are pools of water down there."
"I meant clean ones that we could actually use for swimming and soaking."
Harry grinned. "I think Eithne might object if I told her there was water she couldn't go in."
"You're her master," Draco pointed out. "She has to do what you say, doesn't she?"
"She's my friend, not my slave. She is able to think for herself."
"What's this now?" Neville asked. "Who's Eithne?"
Harry had forgotten that Neville didn't actually know the truth about the beast within.
"My basilisk."
Neville blinked twice. "Your basilisk? I thought the name of your group was just a name, but you've got a real one?"
"A bit, yeah." He fought down a flush of embarrassment.
"It's illegal to breed basilisks!"
"I didn't breed it. Mister Slytherin bred it. I'm just her current master."
Neville's eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "With what sort of people have I fallen in?"
Draco laughed. "You didn't know we're all degenerate delinquents in Slytherin?"
"I thought the reputation was just exaggerated a bit."
"You should wake her up and get her ready for the next battle at Hogwarts," Theo said. "She could be a real advantage against the Death Eaters."
"Demoralising too," Draco noted. "I imagine it would be hard to keep focus when a great bloody snake starts turning your side to stone."
"That's only if something interferes with her gaze," Harry said. "If anyone gets it full strength, they die."
"Even better," Theo said.
"A bit dangerous," Draco replied. "Harry would have to constantly be giving her orders. They have to be tightly controlled. Otherwise they're equally deadly to allies. It's never gone well for anyone who has tried it."
"Maybe he could put some sort of a saddle on her back and ride her into battle."
"That seems unwise," Harry noted.
"No, it's terrific," Theo disagreed. "You'd be right by her head. You'd be able to talk to her and direct her."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Look, if I do that, there's no way we'll be able to keep her a secret. I'm not really interested in answering a bunch of stupid questions from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Neville listened to the back and forth with growing horror. "You're serious."
"No, that's my godfather," Harry said, deadpan.
Draco, Theo, and Millie all laughed.
"I mean you're not joking. You really have got a basilisk? You're not just having me on?"
Harry nodded. "These two lads have seen it."
Neville glanced at the lads, who nodded. He shuddered. "A basilisk," he said faintly.
"So unfair," Millie said. "I want to meet her."
"I'll arrange it," Harry promised.
