Flamel started to go around to each of the children, having them each perform different movements and actions. When he got to Harry, he had Harry move his arms and leaned down before whispering lightly. The man's finger's danced as a small bubble of magic appeared around them, the others not seeming to notice.

"So, Mister Potter. Perhaps we should get to the crux of the issue immediately, hm?" Nicholas Flamel asked, his hand resting on Harry's shoulder. "Don't fret, your friendswill simply see the two of us talking as you do your exercises."

Harry's breath quickened as he looked at the man. "I-I—"

Flamel cut him off, his hand patting Harry's shoulder. "The easiest method is to start at the beginning, Mister Potter. The beginning is, after all, the best place to start a story."

Harry closed his eyes, wrenching them shut for a second before reopening them. He started to explain his first trip to Gringotts, of Hagrid and the Goblins. As Harry started to tell of the trip into the vaults, Flamel frowned.

"So the half-giant had your key? Why did he have that? That's strange. I assume you kept it after completing your business, correct?" Flamel's hand moved to his chin, stroking it as Harry nodded. "Yes sir. Hagrid was in such a hurry that he forgot to take the key back, and I have kept it with me ever since."

Flame sighed, but nodded. "Very well; be sure to keep your key yourself, Mister Potter. And after, you say he took you to the vault where my stone was being held?"

"Yes sir. I didn't know what it was, but it felt like it was calling to me as he grabbed it." Harry spoke hastily, worried that Flamel's patience would wear thin. Flamel gave Harry a quizzical look, his hand moving from his chin. "Calling to you? Are you sure, Mister Potter?"

"Yes sir." Harry nodded, a bit nervous. What if the old wizard thought he was lying? It wasn't like he could prove what he said. Instead of calling Harry a liar, however, Flamel raised his hand back to his chin and stroked it gently, deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke up. "Continue."

Harry continued his story, explaining of the travel back up to the surface of Gringotts. He spoke of his little 'trick', and of the rock he had left Hagrid with.

"That's enough of the story, Mister Potter. I believe I have learned enough. Are you certain that you swapped it with a bit of magic? And without a spell, at that? What did it feel like when you did it?"

Harry shrugged, thinking back to that moment. "It felt good, sir. Like I had solved some sort of difficult puzzle. I had intended on returning it, but after Gringotts I met Draco, and—"

"You do not need to go into it, boy. I believe you. The stone has its own ways to make you forget it, and normally magic cannot affect it unless it wants to be affected." Flamel's fingertip reached down and touched the red stone, still bound in the necklace.

"Sir? I could remove it if you want." Harry reached up, feeling the stone's magic flare as it started to protest. Flamel held up his hand, stopping Harry from taking it off as he spoke. "No, boy, the stone would not allow it. You are its master now. It has chosen you, just as it did me a thousand years ago and just as it did my predecessor a thousand years prior."

Harry suddenly was a mixture of surprise and shock. "Sir? Are you implying that you didn't make the Philosopher's Stone?"

Flamel smirked. "No, Mister Potter. A magical object of such incredible power cannot be created by mortal hands. No, this object is something far, far older than myself or even the man I received it from. No, the stone has another name; it was called the Eye of Dionysus by my former master. But in actuality, the object is so old that it has no true name; only what we have given it over the years."

Harry reached up, feeling the stone between his fingers. "Then where did it come from, really?" Harry asked curiously. Nicholas smiled at the question. "That is something that has been lost to the ages. However, the tale that came from the previous owner stated that originally, it was the jewel atop the scepter of the King of Atlantis."

Harry almost fell over at that. "An artifact from Atlantis?"

Flamel moved his hands behind his back. "Yes, young Mister Potter. As my master told me and his master told him, the stone originally came from Atlantis. Though whether that is true or not is up for discussion. But, if it is, then you are perhaps the next bearer of the torch."

Harry's fingers tugged on the stone once more. "When I touch the stone, it feels almost—"

"Alive, yes. The stone's magic empowers and amplifies your own. It is a conduit of deep and ancient magic, but not many can use its power. The fact that you can hold it without issue means that you must have Wild Magic deep within."

"Oh." Harry said simply, as he remembered Ollivander's statement the year before. "Mister Ollivander said I had Wild Magic, when I entered his store—"

"The old fool is nearly as old as I am. Of course he would notice." Flamel laughed. "But indeed, I can sense a strong magic within you. You merely need to learn to use it."

As Flamel said that, Harry suddenly felt the man's magic release, bursting and flowing from him. It was like being at the shore in front of a tsunami, the wave bearing down to crush him. Harry could taste the power of the magic as it rolled against the bubble the man had created minutes prior.

Yet even as it roiled and flowed, it had an unearthly beauty to it. The magic flowing and twisting in a way that he had only seen his own do before. It was wild and free; chaotic, and yet magnificent. Harry let out a gasp, before the magic suddenly flew back into Flamel.

"How did my magic look, boy?" Flamel asked after a moment.

"I— sir?"

"I know you can see the magic. I could tell as soon as I laid eyes upon you. I asked you, what did my magic look like?"

"A-a tidal wave, bearing down and about to crush me. There was this feeling of wildness to it, but freedom as well."

"I see. Interesting. Then go ahead and release your magic; allow me to see it."

Harry looked nervous. He'd never done something like this before. Seeing his confusion, Flamel crossed his arms. "You've never released your own magic?" Harry was quick yo shake his head, stammering, "N-no sir."

"Well then, you must have some skill at keeping it within you. A good trait; magic grows within you, fed by your own actions and influence on the world. It is amplified by your willpower, but people also have their own innate talents. Enough knowledge will eventually compensate for low talent, but will and skill alone can only go so far." Flamel began. "I will be explaining more of this tomorrow, after your friends learn these exercises."

Harry nodded, as Flamel raised a hand and gestured. "You must feel your magic inside of you, like an animal waiting to pounce. All you have to do is encourage it and release it. Let it flow from you like a torrent. Your vision of a tidal wave is apt and is an excellent way to put it."

Harry closed his eyes as Nicholas Flamel took a deep breath and watched the boy. Flamel had been angry at himself with the loss of the Stone, but he had known there would come a day when it happened. It was life. But here was a boy that held the same power he did.

After a moment, Harry's magic flowed from his form, seeming to shimmer. Around it, two other magics were beginning to appear, a crow and a gryphon. They stared at Nicholas, the spectral visages looking over him like they would attack should he make a move.

"I understand the Potter gryphon, but who, exactly, are you?" Flamel said as he peered at the crow. Without a word, the gryphon and crow disappeared into Harry's magic. It continued to shift and reform before it took the shape of a fox, winking back into Harry's body.

"Fascinating." Flamel said. He had seen this before; a user's magic taking different shapes was nevertheless extraordinary. "You are quite a special lad, Mister Potter."

"Huh?" Harry looked surprised as he retracted his magic. it hadn't felt like he had released much, as the magic inside of him was almost nervous about revealing itself.

"You have not one, but two Family Magics that protect your own magic. Family Magic normally stay with members of a family and empower them, but it is exceptionally rare that they protect and nurture someone's own magic to the point of manifestation. But your own magic, I have never seen anything like it before. I believe it may be the reason that you became a magical creature when you turned into an Animagus."

Harry nodded. "I believe so, sir. When I came to Hogwarts, I wasn't an animagus but was simply using my magic to turn into a fox. Professor McGonagall called me a Feral Shifter."

"A Feral Shifter? How extraordinary. Feral Shifters are rare magical mutations, but judging by your magic's form it would make sense. Tell me Mister Potter. When did you begin to feel an affinity with foxes?"

"When I was around four. I found a book called the Amazing Mister Fox, and wanted to be just like him." Harry admitted.

"Ah, I see. That would indeed cause it. If a child's magic is so powerful at a young age, parents normally bind it to prevent them from doing powerful accidental magic. However, I doubt your parents would have seen enough of your magic to warrant the binding before their unfortunate demise. And your caretakers, due to not being of magical magical world, would not have known such things. Feral Shifters, like Obscurials, are unfortunate cases of unbound magic from muggle-raised children."

"Obscurials, sir? Madame Pomfrey mentioned them to me before, but didn't really explain them."

"They are a type of magic that has gone completely wild that despises its own existence. Created when a child hates their own magic to a point that they would prefer death than living with it. Magic works on your will, Mister Potter. And if it tries to destroy itself, it will create a paradoxical effect that can rupture the very world around it."

Harry shuddered as he tried to imagine such a thing. Looking out of the bubble, he could see his friends still practicing their exercises. Flamel looked as well, nodding as he continued.

"Now that I have seen your magic, we can begin to work on ways to improve your mastery over it. I assisted Dumbledore long ago, though the old fool seems to have forgotten my lessons from how wild his magic seemed at Hogwarts." Flamel shook his head. "Let us begin."

The exercises were tough and required a lot of attention, Harry soon discovered. The group of children found themselves exhausted after a scant few hours, their bodies aching with fatigue. This was much different from simple classes at Hogwarts, Harry mentally noted. As Flamel clapped his hands and spoke up, Harry was relieved when the man announced they were finished for the day.

"Ugh, what did you get me into, Harry." Ron groaned as he flopped onto a couch. Harry saw Dobby pop in for a second with a tray of sandwiches, setting them on the table and disappearing. Hermione reached over and grabbed one as Crabbe and Goyle seem to have collapsed onto the same chair with a pair of groans.

"Don't blame me! I didn't know there were special exercises for making your magic stronger. Anyway, it looked like you were the one who was most interested, Ron! Flamel even mentioned how hard you were working." Harry countered with a grin, as he sank into the closest seat. Ron looked a bit proud at that comment, giving a smirk eerily similar to Draco's.

Hermione munched on a sandwich, the girl looking puzzled as she questioned, "I wonder why they don't teach this at Hogwarts."

"It's because these exercises are considered Dark Magic by the Ministry." Draco said as he leaned back. Father's taught me them since I was a kid, but he didn't want me to use it too much in case anyone caught on when I became too strong."

"WHAT?!" Hermionie shrieked, "He had me doing Dark Magic?! He— he should be locked up! It's going to get me expelled, or—" Harry could see Hermione having a panic attack, as he hurried over to her.

"Hermione! Hermione, CALM DOWN!" Harry shouted, shaking her to snap her out of it. The girl started to cry as she raised her hands to her face. "I-I don't want to lose my magic! T-the Ministry w-will b-break d-down the door a-and—" The distraught girl continued to freak out, describing how the Ministry would arrest all of them.

"Draco, look what you did! Help me calm her down." Harry's accusing glare lanced toward the exhausted pureblood, making him shift in his seat uncomfortably. Neville looked like he wanted to help as well, but the boy was too exhausted to do anything.

"Oh just let her panic for a bit. I was going to tell her that the Ministry labels everything they don't like as Dark Magic. Eventually." Draco tried to smirk, but Harry's glare immediately wiped the attempt away.

Hermione cried a bit more as Harry sat next to her. "It's true, Hermione. Dark Magic is just a term used for old traditions that the Ministry deems are obsolete. It's not like it's Black Magic."

"Black Magic?" Hermione sniffed, starting to wipe away her tears. Harry was quite surprised at the girl's confusion. "You don't know what Black Magic is? Really, Hermione? I thought you liked reading as much as I did."

That distracted the distraught girl, replacing her crying with an indignant huff. "I didn't have an entire Christmas to read like you, Harry Potter!"

Harry grinned. That was the Hermione he knew. As Hermione pouted, Draco stood up and walked over. "Well, to put it simply, Black Magic is what you're probably thinking of. The term was invented in the 1600s to differentiate older traditions from things that can actually harm people. There are four types of magic."

Draco moved to where everyone could see and took out his wand while flicking it, makingfour small lights appear. Harry could see Draco was exhausted, but he still seemed to have enough magic to do something so simple.

"The first is Light Magic. This mostly focuses on healing and aiding others. Stuff like what Madame Pomfrey uses. Plus stuff that involves incapacitating people, or otherwise displacing people without harming them. It's the main type of magic that Aurors use. A good example is the Knockback Jinx, Flipendo, that we learned this year."

Draco then pointed to the next light, which was gray. "Next is Neutral Magic, or Gray Magic. It's stated to be the most common type of magic. Anything from a simple Wingardium Leviosa to a cleaning charm or even a Lumos charm, these are the basic spells everyone knows of. The Ministry doesn't really care if people use these, even the more dangerous ones like Bombarda."

Draco then walked over to the third light, which was a dark slate-grey color. "And the next is what people say is Dark Magic. In actuality, it's more of a Dark Gray magic but no one cares about that. This includes things like rituals and some runes. Anything that affects a person beyond a simple bodily injury is considered Dark. However, some people have started to push for more and more old traditions to be labeled as Dark. Yule, Hallow's Eve, Solstice, all of the older traditions that have been around for centuries have recently been abandoned and villified by the Light Faction of the Wizengamot." Harry noticed Draco was a bit angry as he spoke, but calmed himself and walked to the final light.

This light was pitch black, as Draco shook his head. "Finally, there's the Black Magic. This stuff is things like Soul Magic and the Unforgivable Curses. There's no real way to stop them other than to prevent them from being used, so anyone caught using it will be immediately arrested and thrown into Azkaban."

Draco crossed his arms, dispelling the colored lights. "All in all, the main problem is that the Wizengamot has started to rule more and more magics that purebloods view as our family's birthrights as Dark. Did you know that three families in this past decade alone have been named Dark and were forced to join the Traditionalist faction by the Neutrals?" Draco said.

"I didn't know that." Hermione said, blinking. "But these exercises are tiring, but they don't seem like they cause harm at all. Why would they be considered Dark Magic?"

"No one really knows. The Light Faction is headed by Dumbledore, and he seems to have his own agenda on what is Dark and what isn't. It's what my father fights against in the Wizengamot." Draco shrugged, before returning to his seat.

Hermione seemed deep in thought, as Harry reached into his pockets and grabbed out the book on runes he was currently reading. Soon, each of the children were doing their own thing, with Ron and Draco playing against each other in Wizard's chess.

Dinner came quickly for the group as they all shuffled into the dining hall. With Lucius at the Ministry assisting Fudge with something, Narcissa had taken the head of the table as she sat down.

"A pleasure having all of you here, dears. I am quite happy Draco has met so many friends." As she spoke, there was the signature popping sound of house elves as the table was suddenly filled with food. Crabbe and Goyle took a plate each, as Draco began to speak with his mother about plans for the group. Harry could hear him mention Quidditch a few times.

There was a clattering of forks on the table, as Harry's face paled. Ron had grabbed a chicken leg, starting to tear into it as he was eating as fast as a demon; his face getting smeared with grease and food.

Wincing, Harry leaned under the table so he could reach, then swiftly kicked Ron in the shin, making him choke and sputter. "Wha' ya do tha' fer?" Ron said, a mouthful of food visible. Harry tried not to look at his mouth, hissing. "You need to slow down, Ron! You're going to get in trouble! It's really rude!"

Harry saw Neville and Hermione deliberately looking away, as Ron swallowed what was in his mouth. Harry frowned, shaking his head as he whispered to his friend, "Why do you eat like that, anyways?"

It was Ron's turn to frown, putting down his chicken leg as he wiped his mouth on the back of his robe. "'s cause of my brothers. The twins." Ron said softly, "They really like making gag potions and sweets, but they need to test them out. So they like to spike my food when I'm not looking."

Harry felt his stomach drop. "Your brothers poison you?"

"N-no! They just like to mix in potions with my foo—"

"Ron, that's poisoning you under the definition of the word. Your brothers are tainting your food for their own benefit." Harry felt the hackles at the back of his neck stand on end, furious.

"'s okay." Ron sighed resignedly.

"It really isn't, Ron. But don't worry. No one here is going to mess with your food. Slow down, okay? The last thing we want is for you to get sent home due to poor manners or something."

Ron looked at Harry like he had just turned purple. "You think the Malfoys would do that? Oh, who am I kidding, of course they would." Ron rubbing his forehead, and then nodded. "I'll do my best, Harry."

Ron picked up his fork and started to carefully eat, as Harry saw he was rather nervous. But soon enough, Ron was starting to eat much slower, and seemed to be using a bit more manners than before. Giving his friend a thumbs up, Harry returned to his own meal, noticing the relieved looks of Hermione and Neville from beside Ron.

That night, everyone was set up in their own rooms at the end of the hallway when Harry heard Narcissa's voice. "Now, I don't want to see any of you staying up late. It's time for bed. Good night."

Harry heard everyone's voice and joined in as well, a chorus of "Good Night, Mrs. Malfoy" echoing down the hallway. The door at the end of the hallway closed with a light click, Narcissa leaving the children to get some sleep.

Ten minutes after the lights dimmed, Harry leaned back on a pillow as he was brushing Amber's scales with the brush he had ordered. Amber raised her head as she moved her coils up for Harry to reach her favorite spot. §§Are we going out to hunt tonight, Speaker?§§

Harry grinned and nodded as he popped into his fox form. Hopping off the bed and followed by his snake, he carefully made his way to the door before there was a light pop.

"Bipsy was told by Mistress Narcissy that no children should be out of bed! Mister Harry Foxxie must go to bed!" The small House elf wasn't Dobby, something quickly apparent by the fact she was wielding a wooden spoon threateningly. Harry tried to sink into the shadows, but the House Elf shook the spoon at him.

"Bipsy can sees Master Harry's foxxie form! Mister Harry Foxxie needs sleep!" Harry suddenly felt a tug, as he saw magic suddenly wrap around him and lifting him up. Wiggling and kicking his paws, Harry whined, feeling his own magic build.

With another POP, he suddenly disappeared and appeared behind the House Elf.

"What! How— Mister Harry Foxxie needs to go to bedsies! Bad foxxie!" The startled House-Elf seemed to be stunned for a moment, but whipped around and chased Harry out of the room. After a moment, Amber hissed.

Bipsy froze in a mid of surprise and fright. "Oh no, not Huggy-Snuggles Snekkie! Dobbies Warned Bippie about yous! Back! Back! Bippy not meant for snugglies!" The House Elf wielded her wooden spoon like a sword, trying to push the large snake away from her.

§§Go to your friends, and enjoy the night, Speaker. I believe I shall have fun with this new warming pillow.§§ Amber hissed, Bippy shrieking in terror as Amber launched towards her and coiled around her.

"Bippy no a cuddle-pillow for Huggy Snekkie! Nuuuuuuuu!" The House Elf shouted, wriggling as she was soon completely enveloped in those large coils.

Harry let out a foxlike snicker as he hopped past the pile of coils with the house elf trapped within. A protest came from the mass of coils, but Amber coiled a bit tighter and rested her head atop the coiled house elf. Harry had noticed that when Amber was coiled around him, Dobby never apparated, and now it seemed Bippy didn't either. Something for Harry to investigate later, perhaps.

Making his way to Draco's room first, Harry hopped up and bit the handle of the door, pressing his front paws against it and causing it to quietly swing open. What he didn't expect was a pair of glistening black eyes and enormous fangs staring back at him as a blue and gray Drakegriffin foal was laying by the door.

"YIP!" Harry launched himself back as his tail frizzed up. Draco, for that's who it was, gave a growl of amusement and looked proud of himself.

Harry yapped a bit in annoyance, giving a foxxy huff as he turned around, his three tails swishing before he pointed a paw. Draco have a chuff in response, as soon the two continued on.

It didn't take long before the group was reunited, quite a menagerie having formed in the hallway. Crabbe in his Crocodile form and Goyle was in his Gorilla form, with Hermione in her Raven form and Neville in his Badger form. All but Ron, who looked annoyed.

"All of you guys get cool animal forms but I'm stuck just being a normal human." Ron grumped, crossing his arms. Harry turned back into his human form, nudging Ron with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, Ron. Professor Sprout refused to part with another leaf. We'll have to get you one at Diagon Alley this summer."

Ron grumbled, obviously a mix of jealousy and genuine sadness that he couldn't join the others. "I don't really care. I'd probably fail anyways. I'm going to bed. Have fun."

Harry raised a hand. "Ron, wai—" However, Ron's door clicked shut, the enchantments on the doorjamb preventing it from slamming. Looking at his other friends, he saw a bit of guilt and sympathy in their eyes, even in their animal forms. It was quite strange seeing the menagerie, but Harry could tell they had been eager to switch to their animagus forms.

"First thing when we get to Diagon Alley we're getting Ron another leaf." Harry said, as he saw everyone nod in response. Draco's nod was shallower than the others, but perhaps it was because of Draco's long neck. Harry wasn't quite sure.

Regardless, Harry walked over to the huge window at the end of the manor's hallway, reaching up and trying to unlatch it. Unfortunately it was just out of reach.

"Hm." Harry took out his wand and flicked it. "Alohomora."

The window remained firm, as a familiar voice could be heard behind them and down the hall.

"Great Master Harry Potter Sir should nots be going out with— Dobbys sees many many animals! Did Great Master Harry Potter Sir turn his friendses into animals? Dobby always knew Great Master Harry Potter Sir was truly great!"

Harry saw Draco roll his eyes, an impressive thing for a Drakegriffin. Snickering a bit, Harry shook his head. "We're all Animaguses, and we wanted to go out for a run. You can keep a secret, right Dobby? No one knows about the others' animagus forms, just me and Draco's." To make his point, Harry turned into his fox form and back.

Dobby's eyes grew wider, something that reminded Harry of a frog. "Great Master Harry Potter Sir is truly great! He had heard rumors of his magical form but to see it firsthand, Dobbys is honored, sir! Dobbys would be honored to keep the secret of Great Master Harry Potter's friends!"

"Thank you, Dobby." Harry said as Hermione flapped her wings, landing atop Dobby's head. "Who be yous?" Dobby asked, his eyes crossing and looking at the raven perched atop him. Harry laughed, gesturing at the raven."That's Hermione, Dobby."

"Hello, Miss Grangy!" Dobby said cheerfully, as Hermione gave a light "Caw!"

"Now, Dobby, could you open the window for us?" Harry asked, gesturing at the window. Dobby looked a bit apprehensive, "If Dobby goes against Mistress Narcissa's orders, Dobby get in trouble. Dobby must punish himself if he goes against commands..."

Harry shook his head. "No, Dobby, you won't be going against her commands. She said she didn't want to see us out after bed. So as long as we aren't seen, it won't be against her orders."

Dobby's ears perked up as he brightened visibly. "Great Master Harry Potter Sir is right! Mistress Narcissy did say she didn't want to see yous! Dobby help." Dobby snapped his fingers, causing the window to open soundlessly. As Draco took Crabbe in his talons, Goyle started to lift Neville in his huge hands while Hermione took off outside.

"Thanks, Dobby. This means a lot to all of us. Don't tell anyone you saw us, alright?" Harry turned into his fox form and leapt out the window, leaving Dobby waving. "Dobbys will not tell anyones! Dobbys promise!"

After the group was out of sight, Dobby's ears flicked as he heard a muffled squeak coming from Harry's room. The house elf quickly and correctly guessed what was going on within.

"Dobby no hear anything either." Dobby said to himself and popped away.

-Author's Note-

If you're interested in reading chapters early and proofreading, let me know!

Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.