This is my first attempt at a new story so here goes. Also, I don't own Harry Potter.

Harry, while training to defeat the Dark Lord gets ostracized by his friends when it is revealed that his Animagus is a deadly serpent. Determined to get his friends back and survive he's determined more than ever to end the war

Chapter 1 Away We Go

Harry gasped as he woke with a start, unsure of how to act given what he had just experienced.

"Harry? What happened? What did you see?" asked his godfather Sirius in concern. However, all Harry could do was stare at Sirius in complete shock.

Before leaving Hogwarts at the end of 4th year, Harry had gone to Sirius, slightly anxious yet determined to train, to be prepared to take the fight to Voldemort.

Harry took a deep breath, before saying, "Sirius, given what's happened. I need to be ready. No, I need to be prepared. Will you train me?"

Harry looked determined at Sirius who looked at him with a mixture of concern and anxiety. After a few terse moments, Sirius pulled Harry into a tight hug before saying, "Of course, I teach you everything I know. Your parents would agree with me in saying that I never wanted any of this for you but it is better to be prepared."

With a sudden inspiration, Harry then asked, "Sirius, would it be possible to find a way to become an Animagus?"

Sirius grinned a sudden gleam in his eye as he replied, "We're going to have to bring Remus into this. He'll make sure we take all the necessary precautions. But you must understand, Harry, that this will take some time. When Remus and I have everything in order, I will send for you."

Harry nodded and threw himself into Sirius' arm, thankful that his godfather agreed to his request.

Sirius whispered, "See you soon, Pup," before turning into Padfoot. Barking once in farewell, Padfoot took off. Harry sighed, hoping against hope that he would be ready to fight Voldemort. Looking at the grounds one last time, Harry made his way over to Ron and Hermione, who were waiting for him, rather impatient.

"Ready, mate?" asked Ron.

Harry nodded as Hermione said, "If we don't hurry, we're going to miss the train."

Not wanting to miss the train, the trio hurried to the station.

One week into the summer, Harry had already had his fill of the Dursleys. Just that morning, his Aunt Petunia had berated him for mowing their precious lawn too short. Aunt Petunia had shrilled, "Get inside and don't even think about having dinner tonight." With his back to her, Harry rolled his eyes on his way to his room upstairs

Hedwig hooted at him from her cage as he walked through the door. In response, Harry said, "Don't worry, we'll be on our way soon, Hedwig."

Harry sighed as he heard Aunt Petunia and Dudley on their way out, Dudley asking if they could stop at the bakery. Minutes later, the doorbell rang. "BOY!" His Uncle Vernon bellowed.

"Get the door!"

Harry made his way back downstairs, dreading being alone with his uncle on his day off. Upon reaching the bottom step, the doorbell rang again. Impatiently, Uncle Vernon growled at him from the living room. "Get the door," he repeated.

Used to this kind of behavior from his relatives, Harry opened the door revealing a pale faced man dressed in shabby robes.

A bit wary, Harry asked, "Professor Lupin?"

In response, Lupin smiled slightly and replied, "Sirius informed me of what you have planned. I hope you packed. I can't stay too long, I have-." Lupin broke off as Uncle Vernon shouted rudely, "Who is it Boy?"

With a look of anger on his face, Lupin opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Harry calmly said, "They're always like this. I'm used to it."

Lupin frowned but closed his mouth and stayed silent. From where he was standing, Harry was able to see the wolf in Lupin yearning to be set free. Harry, in response to Uncle Vernon, said, "It's one of my teachers from school." At once, Uncle Vernon froze, which Lupin took the opportunity of to step inside and close the door behind him. That act seemed to shake Uncle Vernon out of his stupor.

"Get out of my house," he said at once. Lupin calmly turned to Harry and said, "Go get your things, Harry. I need to have a few words with your Uncle."

Harry opened his mouth to say something when Lupin gave him a look as if to say, Don't worry, I'll handle this. Giving the pair one last look, Harry hurried back upstairs. Hedwig hooted at him curiously as Harry quickly threw item after item into his trunk. Slamming it shut and ensuring that his wand was secure, Harry then made his way back down the steps, Hedwig's cage and trunk in hand.

Lupin looked away from a red-faced Uncle Vernon and said, "Ah, Harry, everything set? We really must be going."

Harry nodded as he followed Lupin out the door, passing by his uncle. He said, "See you next summer."

The still red-faced man merely grunted in response.

Out of curiosity, Harry asked, "What did you say to him?"

Chuckling, Lupin replied, "I merely suggested to him that he should be more respectful and to mind his manners."

Grinning, Harry said, "I bet he didn't like that."

Lupin shook his head before saying, "We must be going. Harry, if you'll follow me, we are in a hurry."

Lupin then held his wand out. Seconds later, the Knight Bus came careening seemingly out of nowhere as Lupin said, "We have a long road ahead of us. I need you to understand that becoming an Animagus is a long and complex task. You are going to have to put all your efforts into learning what we have planned for you."

Harry nodded as they boarded the Knight Bus. Nothing that Stan Shunpike was nowhere to be seen, Harry opened his mouth before being guided towards a couple of seats by Lupin. "Take a seat, Harry. I need to talk to the driver," he said.

Harry had barely sat down when the Knight Bus skidded haphazardly with Privet Drive vanishing from view. A few minutes later, Lupin had returned, looking a bit worried. Harry shot a worried look at his old professor, who shook his head and said in a whisper, "Not until we get there. I convinced the driver to move us up on the queue."

Seconds later, the Bus came to an abrupt halt outside of a park. "This is us, Harry," Lupin said at once, standing up. "We have a bit of a walk."

Harry followed Lupin until they came to an abrupt stop in front of a row of dilapidated houses. What Harry found strange was that Number 12 was nowhere to be seen. Before he could say anything, Lupin rummaged into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment with familiar looking writing.

Holding it out to Harry, he said, "Memorize this."

Harry took the note and read in loop writing, Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

Lupin took the parchment back from Harry and set it aflame. Harry opened his mouth to speak as Lupin said, "Harry, not now. Concentrate on what was on the parchment."

Bewildered, Harry looked on as Number 12 expanded between Numbers 11 and 13 with ease. Lupin smiled slightly as the house finished expanding. He stepped up to the door tapping it once with his wand. At once, the opened, revealing a dark and narrow hallway.

"Step inside," he said urgently.

Lupin close the door behind him as Sirius hurried into sight.

With a sigh of relief, Sirius said, "Good, you're here, Harry. We have a lot to do and not too much time. So let's get to started. First things first, Remus and I have been working around the clock making sure that we have everything ready. We have a potion here that will tell you what Animagus you will become."

Harry nodded, slightly taken back, and asked, "Where are we?"

Chuckling, Sirius replied, "This was my parents' home. Dad left it to me much to my dear old mom's pleasure."

Lupin chuckled at this. Sirius cleared his throat and continued, "Remus and I figured that Dumbledore could use it for headquarters, since I'm still a wanted man."

Confused, Harry repeated, "Headquarters?"

In response, Lupin said, "That will be answered in time. For now we will focus on you becoming an Animagus."

Sirius nodded and said, "This potion is designed to show you what animal you will become."

Harry nodded as Lupin looked at the time. At once, Lupin stood up and said, "I really must be going. Forgive me, Harry, but tonight's the full moon. With that, Lupin left, leaving the pair looking after him with looks of concern.

Sirius looked at Harry and said, "He'll be back to help from time to time. For now, you need to take the potion."

Sirius handed Harry the flask from which he drained the potion. Harry handed the flask back to Sirius as his eyes began to feel heavy. Yawning, he slowly started feeling the effects of the potion.

Harry gasped as he woke with a start, unsure of how to act given what he had just experienced.

"Harry? What happened? What did you see?" asked his godfather Sirius in concern. However, all Harry could do was stare at Sirius in complete shock.

Well, there we have it. Now you the readers will vote which animal Harry saw. Keep in mind the title.