With Harry finally unlocking his new animagus form, everything felt right. The turmoil that had been roiling inside of him, mentally and magically, had finally reduced to a calming ebb and flow. He felt like his magic was stronger, building around him and flowing more naturally.
His interactions with his friends also showed it; he was more peppy and happy. He immediately offered the animagus transformation to his friends. Neville, Hermione, and even Ron all agreed to join. Because Crabbe and Goyle slowly got closer over the term and were essentially part of the group, Harry had offered it to them as well.
They were both were stunned at the offer. They hadn't expected Harry to even consider offering it to them! Both of them had been a bit awkward with accepting such a gift, but they hurriedly agreed. Even if they were a little tongue-tied, they weren't going to give up an opportunity to attempt the animagus ritual.
As the Holidays got closer, Harry had recieved a task from Professor McGonagall to get the Mandrake leaves before the group left on their holidays. That way, they could return after New Year's and attempt the ritual. Going to her classroom a day later, he posed the question he had.
"Professor, where would I get Mandrake leaves? I can't exactly go to an apothecary for them." Harry asked, as his friends were all behind him in the Transfiguration classroom. McGonagall peered at him over the rim of her glasses. "Mister Potter, I'm surprised with you. Surely you understand where to get the leaves without me saying? You do work with the witch, after all."
Turning to the others, he saw their confusion as well. The group began to chat, curiously attempting to think of the witch, when Neville was the first to realize. "Professor Sprout runs the Greenhouse! Of course! She must have Mandrake crops within the higher year greenhouses, right?" Neville asked.
Harry slapped his forehead in exasperation. Why hadn't he thought of that! "That's right! So we should go see her. Thanks, Professor McGonagall!" Harry waved to the Professor, who returned the gesture and returned to grading some tests.
The group soon made their way to the greenhouses, seeing a few students who were completing extracurricular studies on different plants as they went through the greenhouse. Neville had to be pulled away from one or two when he started to examine a couple as they passed.
The group soon arrived at Professor Sprout's office, the large room covered with different potted plants. Some of them seemed to move to "look" at the group as they entered. "Oh, if it isn't Mister Potter and his group of friends. What brings you to my part of Hogwarts? First-Year herbology isn't until tomorrow." Professor Sprout said, smiling at the crowd of first-years in her office. Behind Harry, Draco scowled a bit but the action was missed by Harry as he shook his head.
"I was hoping to get some Mandrake leaves from you, Professor. Me and my friends are working on a specific project for Transfiguration, and we need them." Professor Sprout smiled, peering at each of them with a happy smile. "So you all are this year's choice, hm?"
"Pardon?" Harry asked, curious. Professor Sprout gestured at the group, and spoke up, "Each year, she has one or two talented students that she takes under her wing, so to speak. The woman then gets permission from the Headmaster to offer them animagus training, to see if they have the aptitude. I'm surprised; normally she only offers it to third-years or above. She must see something in at least one of you that she offered it so early."
Harry blushed a bit, but he knew why the Professor had offered it; or at least knew one of the reasons. He couldn't exactly tell about his Feral Shifting Syndrome that he had almost died from, after all.
"Y-yes, Ma'am." Harry said quickly. "She offered it to my friends, and they all said yes. I don't believe she expected me to offer it to so many, though." Harry gestured behind him. Neville looked embarrassed, Hermionie looked flustered, with Ron and Draco looking quite proud. Crabbe and Goyle were expressionless as usual; they were just happy to be there.
Professor Sprout nodded. "You may be abusing the privilege a bit, Mister Potter. But if Minerva didn't say no, then I suppose it would be alright. Normally I have two or three leaves set aside for this very reason, but to take more would require a bit from you, Mister Potter, as the instigator."
"I have Galleons, if you need them. I-" Professor Sprout frowned, and shook her head. "Mister Potter, I will not take money from a child. No, instead you will be helping me in the Greenhouses over Christmas Break. Will that be acceptable? I understand you will be staying here, after all."
"Harry, I don't want you to have to do extra work for me. I'll be okay." Neville said softly behind him. Hermione echoed his statement. Shaking his head, Harry instead gave a beaming smile. "That sounds like a deal! And shush, Neville, Hermione. You two are my friends and I don't want you to be left out. And before you two say anything either, you two are part of this group too." Harry said to Crabbe and Goyle. He was slowly learning the expressions in their eyes.
"Very well, Mister Potter. You can come and start working on the day after Christmas Break begins." Professor Sprout nodded to Harry, before getting up and heading over to a cupboard, opening it. After a moment, she pulled out a handful of bright green leaves, each around the size of a coin. Counting them quickly and putting the extras back into the cupboard, she handed one to each of them, including Harry.
"Thank you, Professor!" Harry said. "But I don't need one myself. I've already finished it."
Professor Sprout looked at Harry, a surprised look on her face before she spoke, "I see, Mister Potter." She took the leaf back, bringing it back to the cupboard and putting it with the others. "Even though you need one less leaf, the deal remains as stated. Now, the rest of you, place it under your tongue and keep it there during the holidays. If it falls out or you remove it, you'll need another—and that will mean a detention with me, fertilizing the greenhouses to make up for the wasted herb." Professor Sprout warned them. Harry got the feeling she had experienced such things before.
Draco grimaced as he looked at his leaf, while Ron was pushing his into his mouth. Soon all of them were following the gesture, as they all made rather unique faces, sending Harry into a burst of giggles.
"You should see your faces! Does it taste bad?" Harry laughed.
"Laaff it up, furbaahl. Ah'll get even whif yah." Draco said, trying to figure out a way to position it to make it so he wouldn't spit it out, yet also allow him to speak.
The accented speech made Harry giggle even more. With the group given their fresh Mandrake leaves, they moved out, with Ron suddenly speaking up. "'Ow can we eat wiff these under our tongue?" He whined.
"I guess you have to be careful. I don't know." Harry shook his head.
"I wish you'd let us do wahteffer meffod you did. It's not fair." Ron grumped, before his effort to speak started to make him lose the leaf from under his tongue. Slapping his hands to his mouth to keep it in, Ron quickly went silent.
Seeing his friends mostly quiet, trying to get the leaf situated, he grinned. "How about a four-hour reading session in the library! Is there anyone who doesn't want that?"
There were groans, but they were too busy trying to keep the leaf under their tongue to speak up, making Harry snicker. "To the Library!"
The ensuing mass groan, minus that of a certain bushy-haired Ravenclaw, was music to his ears.
"Bye, guys! I'll see you after New Year's! And have a happy Christmas!" Harry waved to the group as they boarded the train. Draco was standing next to him, as he was going to head home by Floo, whatever that was, alongside Crabbe and Goyle. Neville and Hermione waved, as Ron gave a wide grin. "See you after New Year's, Potter."
As the train's whistle blasted, it slowly started to move, Harry seeing his friends waving from their shared compartment. Waving back, Draco grinned. "Wow, if you're this sentimental from a mere Christmas break, Potter, then I hate to think of how badly you'll be sobbing when summer rolls around." Harry blew a raspberry at Draco, and noticed the silvery hair of Draco's father in the crowd. "Your dad's here, Draco."
Draco turned around, as Lucius Malfoy walked up. "Heir Potter. Son." He nodded to the two. "Crabbe, Goyle, I'll see the two of you home to your fathers. Follow me. And Heir Potter, it is quite disheartening to hear of you staying at the castle for the year. Perhaps this summer, you might join Draco and myself at our ancestral manor for a time?"
Harry's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really?" He quickly caught himself, correcting his posture and giving an elegant, noble bow. "You honor me, Lord Malfoy. I would be much obliged for such an offer, and would happily accept, should our schedules align at the end of the year."
Draco seemed to be turning purple from trying to stifle a laugh, while even Lord Malfoy had a smirk, before he cleared his throat. "Very good, Heir Potter. I shall send a letter for you to relay to your… 'guardians' in a fortnight." Harry noticed his mirth was substantially reduced at the mention of Harry's muggle family.
With that, the Lord Malfoy turned, ushering the three children towards a side room. Harry would have to ask what Floo was—maybe he could use it to go home sometime too! Heading over to Hagrid, Harry beamed to the half-giant. "I'm ready to go back now, Hagrid!"
"O'course. Might'y nice o' ya t' come wish yer friends ah 'appy Christmas." Hagrid said, smoothing down his beard. He gestured towards the town after a moment.
"Whil' w're 'ere, 'eadmaster Dumbledore said ah could take y' anywhere in Hogsmeade. T' show y' the town, if y' want."
Harry looked around and grinned. "I'd love that, Hagrid! I hear the third years get to come out and visit the town regularly. I was thinking I wouldn't be able to see it any closer than this until then!"
Hagrid chuckled. "O' course not. Y' 'ave me t' show y' aroun'." The offer made Harry grin and reach up, taking the half-giant's huge hand. They started walking towards the village at the top of the hill, Harry hanging from the massive man's hand here and there, laughing.
As they walked, Harry looked up at the huge man. "So, Hagrid, did you know my mom and dad?" Hagrid seemed surprised at the question. "O' course i did! two o' the finest witches an' wizards i've ever seen."
Harry's eyes sparkled. "Can you tell me about them? My Aunt didn't really talk about them much." Harry sidestepped the fact she only had bad things to say, thanks to the magic placed on her.
"O' course!" Hagrid beamed, telling Harry about his mother and father. Hagrid's stories were almost as good as Mister Dark's, telling him of his father's skill as a duelist, even training to become a professional one before the war. His mother, Harry found out, was a prodigy in charms. Harry listened with rapt interest, asking a few basic questions every so often, but he let Hagrid tell stories of the past.
Finally, the two arrived at the town. "Hagrid, I do have a question though, if that's okay?" Harry asked just as they reached the edge of Hogsmeade. "O' course, 'arry." Hagrid stopped to let Harry down. As he did, Harry hopped in place, asking, "Do you know who brought me to my Aunt and Uncle?"
Hagrid froze as his eyes fluttered. Harry noticed a bit of magic around his eyes, as the half-giant seemed to be trying to think of something. "Ah'm sorry, 'arry. But I don' know. I rememb'r helping pull y' from the wreckage o' your parent's home wit' P'rfessor Dumbledore, bu' aft'r tha'... all I rememb'r is wakin' up in th' infirmary with the 'eadmaster in a bed beside meh."
Harry frowned harshly. "What? How? Did someone attack the two of you?" Hagrid shook his head, closing his eyes as he focused himself. "Pomfr'y said we both got 'it by a memory charm. Knocked us both out, it did. By th' time we found y' again we found y' at yer Aunt and Uncle's, and there were wards in place. Powerful ones. Th' 'eadmaster said tha' it would be th' safest place f'r ya."
Harry nodded. "I guess I have to ask the Headmaster about it sometime this Christmas then." Hagrid nodded, agreeing. "Ah don' blame ya. Ah'm just glad ya turned out well with ya family. Whoev'r took ya, obviously meant ya well, at least."
"I hope so, Hagrid. I hope so." Harry said with a sigh.
Exploring Hogsmeade was quite a bit of fun. Hagrid showed Harry the different shops and the places in the town; it was a bit larger than Harry had thought. The Three Broomsticks was Harry's favorite, as Hagrid allowed Harry inside to try his first-ever taste of Butterbeer. It was sticky and sweet; Harry felt like it tasted like liquid candy. When the bottle was finished, Harry found his entire throat tasted like butterscotch.
After seeing a few more shops, Harry and Hagrid headed back to the castle as clouds were on the horizon. Harry sniffed the air, as he looked towards them. "Smells like a thunderstorm, Hagrid." Hagrid looked at Harry, a look of astonishment on his face. "You can smell tha'? Your sense o' smell is quite strong, 'arry. Truly a gift." Hagrid said, patting Harry's head as he peered towards the storm. "Let's get ya' back t' the castle quickly now."
Harry nodded, as Hagrid lifted Harry onto his shoulder, the two heading back to the castle. Hagrid moved at a much faster pace when he didn't have to walk along with Harry, Harry feeling the wind slide through his hair as he laughed, "This is great, Hagrid! You're really fast!"
"Bein' so big has some ben'fits sometimes, aye." Hagrid said, but he grinned at the compliment. As the two made it to the front doors of the castle proper, the clouds had reached the sky over the castle itself, and snow was starting to fall.
Harry grinned as he leapt down from Hagrid's shoulder, landing with a nimble flourish as the large man seemed surprised. "Merlin, 'arry. Made me think y' fell off!" Harry looked a bit sheepish at that. He had wanted to show off a little, not make the man worried. "Sorry, Hagrid. Thanks for bringing me back, though! Are you coming in for dinner?"
Hagrid nodded. "Aye, I believe ah will." The two headed into the Great Hall, allowing Harry to see the small number of students that had remained in the castle. There were only a pair of fourth-year Slytherins and a seventh year, four or five Ravenclaws, two Hufflepuffs, and around eight Gryffindors from higher years.
"Wow, a lot of people go home for the holidays, don't they?" Harry said to himself as he peered over the tables. There was no one he knew, at least, so he went to sit at the end of the Slytherin table. Hagrid let Harry head to the table before going to the Head Table himself.
After a nice meal, Harry immediately went to the Library. He was eager to start his research for the Christmas holiday!
The clock struck eight as Harry sighed, setting aside the book he was reading. A large stack of them was beside him; Harry had been working on his Uncle's request.
What he found wasn't good. Obliviation spells, Compulsion charms, and even Legilimency and the dreaded Imperius. Magic was not only able to effect someone's mind, but could easily do so. Especially a muggle! Harry was a bit worried about what he read as he reached into his pocket, touching the small model drill. It seemed Uncle Vernon was right. Whoever had left him at the house seemed to have enchanted the paper he was left with. More than likely, it was a compulsion charm from what Harry had read.
Harry released a breath he had been holding as he put the books back onto the shelves. Thinking to himself quietly, he rubbed his chin. The paper the letter was written on was gone, so there was no proof. Was this all that he could do? Sure, it was confirming it was possible, but what about actually finding the truth of that day?
Finally stopping and shaking his head, he waved to the Librarian, Madame Pince, seeing her give a slight wave back as he left the Library. The Librarian was always curt, but she seemed to like him. Harry wondered if it was because he was always careful with the books. Harry soon found himself heading back to the Slytherin dorm.
The dorm was deathly quiet with less than a half dozen students still within. Even with the eerie silence, Harry found the peace and quiet rather calming. It reminded him of his crawlspace at home. Heading into his room, he moved to slide into the bed. Amber quickly moved to take her rightful place on his lap.
§§What will we be doing this evening, Speaker?§§ Amber's hissing voice whispered gently.
§§I was going to try to use magic on my uncle's drill model he sent me. I wanted to see if I could make it any better.§§ Harry responded, showing the small model to the serpent.
§§Muggle devices normally have a hard time around magic, Speaker.§§ Amber hissed gently. She gestured at one of the books Harry had read the weeks before. It seems she had been looking through the book while Harry had been gone. Surprised to see his pet having been reading, he turned back to her and asked, §§I know, but I wanted to see if Runes would work at all. If I could get it working, I could help my Uncle. How have you been reading without hands?§§
§§Be mindful of what you are doing, and it will work out fine. And how do I read? It is quite simple.§§ Amber replied, resting her head on Harry's lap for a second before shifting, her coils grabbing a book. Harry was surprised as she opened it, the tip of her tail dexterously flicking through the pages with practiced ease. The snake closed the book and returned it, hissing with mirth at Harry's surprise.
After the incredulity of his pet using her tail to read books passed, Harry looked back over to his bedside table and saw a small package waiting for him. Curious, he reached over and grabbed it.
"Potter,
Here is your Rune Knife made from the Stone Troll's tusk. The hide is safely inside your vault at Gringott's, I assumed you'd rather it be there than in your trunk.
Sincerely,
Professor Severus Snape"
Harry grinned. This was exactly what he needed! He should have remembered he didn't have a rune knife. Now that he had one, he could mess around with the small model. Carefully unsheathing the blade, Harry started to work. A first he made some basic runes around the edge of the model's drill. Carving them was slow work, and before he realized it, it was midnight. With a tired sigh, he wiped his brow. "I never realized Runes were so intense."
Setting the knife and the model onto his bedside table, he moved to get some sleep.
Harry quietly worked on the model the next day when he wasn't doing schoolwork or his own research. He had found out more about mind magics, though the books were quite quiet about how to avoid them. If only he could enter the Restricted Section! He was sure there'd be information there.
Harry had spent an hour each night working on the drill model, and as the first week of the break began, he went down to help Professor Sprout in the greenhouse as he had promised. He made his way into the Herbology Professor's office and found her drafting a few things on a piece of parchment.
"Mister Potter! I admit, I wasn't sure if you'd come." Professor Sprout said, her surprised gaze peering directly at the boy. Harry returned the glance with confusion, "I said I'd be here to make up for the Mandrake leaves, right?"
"Well, yes, but I was expecting you to attempt to skive out of it. I know many first-years are not fans of working in my Greenhouses." This made Harry shake his head. "No, Ma'am. If I say I will do something, I'll do it if it's possible. That's the right thing to do."
"A good trait, Mister Potter. Now, we're going to be trimming a few plants today, and making sure that some of the more magical plants are correctly potted. Shall we get started?" Professor Sprout gestured at the door into the Greenhouses, making Harry nod. The plump Professor led him out of the office, and into the Greenhouse proper.
Harry found managing the plants was a lot different than the Herbology classes. While the classes were information on how they worked and what to look out for, tending them was an entirely different ballpark. At times, Harry's fingertips felt numb from the amount of digging and tending he had to do. "Professor, is this what second-years do? Tending to plants?"
"Yes, Mister Potter. First Year is mostly safety lessons and information. While there will be classes of that in further years, Herbology becomes much more hands-on as the years progress. Those taking their NEWT in the class are required to grow a magical plant from seed starting in their sixth year as the exam's practical portion."
Harry nodded. "This is a lot better than all of the lectures, if you don't mind me saying." Harry said as he carefully removed a Moonlight Begonia from a pot much too small for it. "I'd rather be doing this in class than just listening to rules."
Professor Sprout sighed. "I believe you are right, Mister Potter. Perhaps I spend too much time on the lectures and too little on the actual plants in first-year. I will discuss with the Headmaster about adding a few plants to the curriculum."
Harry nodded, heading back to work. Leaning over a budding flower, a drop of his sweat fell onto the red stone that hung from his neck. It struck the stone, causing a gentle glimmer. The sweatdrop shone gently as it dropped into the soil. Without noticing, Harry lifted the flower to its replacement pot.
Seconds later, Harry's eyes widened as he noticed the Moonlight Begonia sparkle, the flower turning towards him and giving off a slight mist of magic. Speaking up quickly, he took a step back. "Professor, I think this Moonlight Begonia is blooming."
"That's impossible, Mister Potter. They don't bloom until the Solstice, when magic is at its peak-" Professor Sprout walked over, then froze mid-sentence, surprised. Her gaze fell on the sparkling flower. Her voice was full of joy as she spoke, "I-it's blooming. It truly is blooming."
Harry huffed a bit. Why did everyone think he was a liar? The Professor quickly moved to help Harry transplant it into the pot. "Careful, Mister Potter. While blooming, the roots are very fragile. The soil needs to be loose, but not too much so."
Harry nodded, carefully lowering the plant into the pot and minding the roots. It let out another mist of magic, as Harry smiled. "It seems to be doing well!" Professor Sprout beamed. "Excellent work, Mister Potter. Ten points to Slytherin. I'm not sure how the flower started to bloom, but it appears to have gotten enough magic to do so."
Harry found his hand move up and touch the chain of the necklace. Quickly removing his hand before he was spotted, he nodded. "I'm not sure either, Professor."
Professor Sprout peered over at the clock, hanging on the wall, "Oh dear, I seem to have kept you far too long. I'll finish with the flower, you go ahead back to the castle. You can come back next week around this time for the next bit of help, and after that we'll consider your debt paid, Mister Potter."
Harry gave a big grin hearing how well he did. "Yes, Professor!" Hurrying out of the Greenhouse, he moved to the front gate and disappeared inside, rushing past the form of Professor Quirrell on his way from the castle.
-Author's Notes-
So, I'm going to try a few new things with the Author's Notes. I won't do a recap from here out unless I have something I expressly want to point out here. Hopefully, that makes the notes a bit more concise. Thanks for alerting me to the almost childlike manner I was doing the Notes before, JNTK984!
As for foxes being overdone, that's true, but Cadmean Foxes are a concept that hasn't been touched upon. Wait and see; I think I have found a way to make it a bit more unique.
Interested in helping beta? Send me a message on Fanfiction or AO3. We can always use more eyes to catch mistakes!
Also, I have a question for you, readers. Do you think that the drama portions are too short? Should I extend them? Leave a comment or review on your thoughts.
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.