Chapter 13

Dinner that night was a festive affair. Harry, having lost his lunch earlier, was ravenous, and ate everything Hermione had placed on his plate, and even had seconds of some of his favorites. Dobby had really cooked up a storm, Harry thought to himself as he quietly looked at the heavily laden table upon entering the room.

Minerva, as she insisted everyone call her while she was there, was seated next to Remus, who was seated next to Sirius, who was seated next to Severus. Harry was on the other side of Severus, with Hermione next to himself. Once they were all seated, Dobby snapped his fingers, and their beverage glasses filled with their favorite drinks, Hermione's being pumpkin juice, Harry's being ice cold milk, and the adults each had piping hot cups of coffee. Dinner was still being a choice of Harry's favorite foods. Dobby had been instructed to keep serving anything that he knew Harry liked to eat, and that was very evident tonight. Hermione had loaded her boyfriend's plate with a serving of steak and kidney pie, a huge dollop of mashed potatoes dripping in butter, and a spoonful of green peas with mushrooms.

Harry grinned at his girlfriend and quietly tucked in. Once he got started eating, he realized that he was very hungry, and quickly finished off the food on his plate. He surprised everyone by asking for seconds, and then eating them! Severus looked on with awe and pride at how effective his potions were at stimulating the boy's appetite. Harry was probably always going to be small for his age thanks to the Dursleys, but with his help and those potions, he would still grow a couple of inches taller this summer and a few inches more over the next few years. Plus, they would help his body fill out to a normal size, add muscle to the boy's too skinny arms and legs, and even help calm the boy's nervous stomach, helping him to actually keep the food he'd eaten in his stomach and not in a waste basket.

Once everyone had eaten their fill of delicious food, Dobby snapped his fingers again, and the food and dirty dishes vanished, to be replaced with a huge blackberry cobbler, another of Harry's, and Hermione's favorite desserts. He even had some vanilla ice cream to add to the top. Hermione served Harry a huge serving, and put the scoop of ice cream slightly to the side, seeing as how the cobbler was still hot. The aroma of berries was intoxicating and both teens paused for a moment to just inhale the scent, before digging into the scrumptious dessert.

The conversation this night was lighthearted, with no one wanting to bring up anything painful for the young boy. Remus and Sirius began the conversation by telling Harry about how James, he and Severus used to go running with Remus on the nights of the full moon while in their animagus forms.

Harry quickly looked over at Hermione and once their eyes met, they knew they wanted the same thing. Harry then asked, "Would you be willing to train us, to teach us to be animagus', just like all of you? I know it might take a while, but I know I'm willing to work hard to learn, and I know Hermione will too, right?"

Hermione's head nodded quickly. Minerva regarded the two eager teens and then looked at the men at the table for approval.

"I believe that is a wonderful idea, Harry. I'll bring over the best reading material I can find to speed you both along. Severus, will you be able to brew up the potion so we can find out if either one of the children has the ability to transform?"

"Yes, I will get started on it tonight. It will only take a couple of hours to brew it, and once it cools, these two may drink it and we'll see what forms they have. It will actually be best for them to drink it tonight, because it will make them sleepy." Severus regarded the teens sitting at the table, their faces betraying their eagerness to get started participating in this new adventure.

Harry looked over at Severus and quietly asked him, "Um, would it be alright if I could help you brew that animagus potion, sir?"

Severus couldn't help the grin that spread across his face, causing Minerva and Hermione to both gasp in awe...neither had ever really seem this man smile before, and it was a welcome site, indeed.

"Of course you may assist me, Harry. Hermione may assist as well. It will make the preparations go much faster, and it will also help you understand brewing much better as well. A splendid idea, Harry."

Harry beamed as he received the praises from his once despised Potions professor. He silently resolved himself to really try hard in potions this year and make sure to learn all he could. He felt his girlfriend's hand in his, and he squeezed it lightly, letting her know that he was thinking about her.

Severus then said, "Well, if you are all finished with your dinner, let us adjourn to the potions lab and get started on the animagus potion. I will explain more about what it does while we are brewing."

The teens quickly finished drinking their beverages, and after thanking Dobby for a wonderful meal, they followed their professor downstairs into the basement to the potions lab.

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After chopping, mincing, and de-juicing many different herbs and some other ingredients that neither teen wanted to think about, it was finally time to mix the items into the waiting cauldron. Severus had the pot already heated and waiting with three cups of water in the bottom.

"Now Harry, please add the cherry bark, stir clockwise three turns, then add the rest of the minced ingredients. That's correct, all at once, then stir counterclockwise 5 turns. Then, Hermione, please add the crushed eyes. Yes, I know they are a bit sickening to look at. There you go. Alright, now stir for two minutes in a clockwise direction. Notice the potion is slowly becoming a very light blue color. That is the pansy petals you added. That will also help improve the flavor, although it will still not be very palatable. I'm sorry about that. Now, we've completed adding the ingredients, so we will let the potion simmer for thirty minutes, and after that, the color will change to a deep violet. Once that happens, we take it off the heat and let it cool for another thirty minutes. Then it will be ready to drink and you will find out what sort of animal you may be able to transform into. Now remember this, if you don't see an animal, it means that you don't have the ability. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Not everyone has the ability to transform, and even if you do, it might take years to achieve it. Any questions?"

Neither teen could think of anything to ask the professor at this time, so they shook their heads no, and then thanked the man for his teaching them the potion and explaining it so thoroughly to them. Even Harry understood everything he did and why he had to do it. The potion was now cooling in front of them, the deep violet color shining back at them. Severus couldn't help but be ecstatic that Harry had not only prepared most of the ingredients, but had also stirred most of the time. It appeared that the boy just needed someone to actually explain things more methodically to him, and the man silently vowed to do just that in his classes this year, provided that he would be allowed to teach this fall. He honestly wasn't sure what the future would hold for himself, or the two students sitting patiently in front of him.

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Because of the sedative properties of the animagus potion, it was determined that the teens could share Harry's bed this one time. Both were clothed in their pajamas, Harry now wearing some rather nice ones that Severus had bought for him after seeing what rags his others were. He had already cleaned out Harry's trunk and burned all of the rags that the Durleys had forced upon the child. He and Remus had taken the time to shop for all of Harry's clothes, making sure the boy had new dress shoes, trainers, bedroom slippers, underwear, t-shirts, pajamas, slacks, blue jeans, dress shirts and pull overs, jumpers, and several robes and cloaks. Severus had even purchased the boy a new heavy winter cloak to wear. Harry had been overjoyed at the sight of all the new clothing, and had hugged all three of the men for being so thoughtful.

Severus stood before the teens, as well as Sirius, Remus, and Minerva. He had in his hands two vials of deep violet colored potion; the potion that would hopefully allow the teens to find out if they could become animagus'. Sirius had Hermione lay down next to Harry and then Severus gave them both the vials of potion. The teens looked at each other and smiled, then quickly drank down the potion. Both of them grimaced slightly at the aftertaste, and handed the empty vials back to the potions master. After only a minute of time, both teens gasped and closed their eyes, each seeing all kinds of animals all around them. Harry was amazed at how many animals were just sitting right next to him, and suddenly felt compelled to reach out to touch one that was sitting particularly close to him.

Harry sighed in his sleep, mumbling about how soft something was, and how big something was. He then quickly succumbed to the potion and was now sleeping peacefully, a slight smile on his face.

Hermione was also amazed at the animals that suddenly appeared around her. She saw many baby animals, and several winged creatures that stayed in the background. Then she noticed a beautiful creature walk up to her and sit down next to her. She reached over and began to wind her fingers into it's soft...

Hermione visibly relaxed into the bed, and sighed deeply, also muttering about something being soft and large. Her hand then snaked its way over to grasp Harry's, and once she touched his hand, their fingers quickly intertwined together. Both children sighed once again and fell into a deep, cleansing sleep, one that would help Harry continue to heal from the physical trauma he had been through, and from the emotional stress. The men standing around the teens each remarked how peaceful and happy Harry looked while sleeping.

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It was mid-morning when the teens began to wake up. Harry began to stir first, and he quickly became aware of a bushy head of hair in his face, as well as a weight across his legs and chest. He pushed the hair out of his eyes and confirmed it belonged to his girlfriend. He glanced down at his body and noticed that one of Hermione's legs was lying across his own, and her arm was draped over his chest. He couldn't help but sigh as he realized just how right it felt just lying there next to her, with her being as close as she could without actually lying on top of him. Maybe this was how his mum and dad woke up, them both lying close to each other, arms and legs entwined, and just gazing at each other, Harry thought to himself.

Hang on! Gazing? Harry's thoughts quickly became a reality as he noticed that his love was lying there looking right back at him. He was about to start apologizing, but Hermione quickly leaned over and kissed him. Both teens then giggled, each realizing that the other tasted like the potion they had ingested the night before.

The potion! They both quickly sat up on the bed, huge smiles on both of their faces.

Harry jumped out of the bed and threw open the door.

"Remus, Sirius, Severus, where are you?"

A thunderous sound of feet was heard scrambling up the stairs, which caused the children to start giggling once again. Severus was the first to enter the bedroom, his face bright with anticipation. Sirius and Remus quickly followed. Hermione then asked, "Where's Minerva? I know she would have wanted to be here to find out what our animagus forms were going to be."

"She, unfortunately, had to go back to Hogwarts. She said she didn't want to leave the Headmaster alone for too long. There's no telling what sort of havoc he's been committing while still trying to find you." Sirius barked out a loud laugh as Remus explained.

Both of the teens were disappointed to learn that their Transfiguration professor would not be there to enjoy this moment, but they knew that one of the adults could put the memory into a pensieve and she would be able to see it.

Hermione looked over at Harry, both teens grinning at each other, each knowing that what they had to say would blow the roof off of Grimmauld Place!

Hermione cleared her throat. "Well, the animal I saw that came up to me and allowed me to pet it was a unicorn!"

The expected stunned silence only lasted for a few seconds before Sirius grabbed the girl and gave her a huge hug, swinging her off of her feet. "Congratulations, Hermione. I knew you would be something special, but a unicorn? I don't believe I've ever heard of anyone becoming a unicorn."

Severus and Remus both gave Hermione their congratulations and then all eyes and ears turned toward a very nervous Harry. He swallowed thickly, telling himself there was nothing to be scared of, and that everyone there loved him and supported him.

Hermione noticed her boyfriend's shakiness, and quickly took his hand into hers. This instantly calmed the boy down, and with a nod from his godfather, he proceeded.

"Um, well, at first there were so many animals all around, I was afraid that none of them would get close to me. But finally this beautiful winged horse came over and bowed down to me. I think it was a Pegasus..."

He didn't get to finish as his godfather and Remus both had him in a huge crushing bear hug.

"While you two are crushing the child, I will offer my congratulations on achieving another impossible feat! A winged Pegasus...that is remarkable. I am truly proud of you, Harry."

Harry finally got himself untangled from Sirius and Remus. "Thank you, sir. I was pretty amazed myself. Do you want to know about the other animals I saw?"

Harry's question brought stunned silence yet again from the three men. Severus was the first to find his voice.

"You mean to say that you saw more than one animal in your vision? Just how many did you see? What were they?"

The excited potions master couldn't help but imagine the possibilities of all the different animals Harry could become, and supplying him with an endless source of feathers, hair, tears, venom, and other items for his many potions.

Harry was watching Severus nervously, but went ahead. "Well, once the Pegasus sat down next to me, a phoenix flew over and started nudging my cheek, sort of like Fawkes does when I'm up in the headmaster's office. But this phoenix was more beautiful than Fawkes. It was a brilliant red and orange and gold, with some soft purple colored feathers mixed in, with bright green eyes, like mine, and I could understand what he was thinking. Then he flew up and landed on my shoulder. Then the last animal came to me."

Harry paused for a moment, listening to everyone commenting on the impossibility of becoming a phoenix animagus, let alone having two forms. It was after a few moments that Severus noticed the fearful look on the young boy's face and stepped forward and had Harry sit down on the edge of the bed. Hermione sat behind him and rubbed his shoulders in a comforting way. Severus finally got the rest of the men to cease their excited bickering to notice that Harry was a bit upset.

Sirius quickly said, "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry. We were just so excited for you. What's wrong? Why are you upset now?"

Harry sighed deeply and replied softly, "Well, it's just that this last animal that came up to me is...a...well...it's a snake."

At first, Sirius and Remus were both unsure what to say to allay Harry's fears, but Severus jumped right in and gave the child a big hug. Then he put both of his hands on the boy's shoulders and looked at him intently.

"Ok, Harry. I want you to think about this for a moment. What kind of snake was it? What color, how long, was it poisonous or not. Tell me everything you can about it," Severus asked excitedly.

"Well, it's big, long, about 7 feet, with multicolored scales on his belly, sort of iridescent, and the top part of the scales were black. There also seemed to be something on both sides of the snake, not sure if they were limbs or something else. Yes, it's poisonous. He told me that when we talked. He also said he could choose not to inject venom when he bites if he so desires. He was quite beautiful."

Harry couldn't help the soft smile that appeared on his face at watching how Severus was dancing around the room. The potions master then has his friends join him in a very interesting version of a ring dance. The men were just jumping and leaping around the room to the point that Harry could no longer contain the laughter building up inside of him. He let loose laughing so hard that tears began pouring out of his eyes. Hermione has also fell victim to this strange dance and was also having trouble wiping the tears out of her eyes as she also watched the 3 men cavort around the room.

But, as quickly as it had begun, it was finally over, all three men now sitting down on conjured chairs, drinking deeply of the ice cold water that Dobby had quietly popped in with. Once Severus had recovered from his frolicking, he took a deep breath and began to ask questions.

"Now Harry, this snake...you said it had some kind of limbs or something on it's sides. Could they have been wings, folded up?" The potions master inquired.

"Hm, now that you said that, yes, I think they were wings. I remember thinking that it was strange for a snake to have wings. Then I remembered something I read in in one of my books about a rare snake that had wings...a Quazi...something..."

"That's a Quetzalcoatl, Harry," giggled Hermione. "It's either a feather snake or a winged snake popular in the Mayan culture."

"Yes, that's what he said," replied Harry. "But, he did say he was a bit different from the one in mythology. He said he would become more of what I needed. I can't wait to find out what that means."

Severus was still in shock upon hearing about the teen's three animagus forms, and such rare and priceless forms at that! His head was spinning at the thought of all of those impossible to find potions ingredients. He sat quietly, observing how excited Harry looked while talking with his girlfriend, and how comfortable they looked with each other. He knew that with the two of them bonding so deeply at such an early age, that as their magic developed together, they would be an unstoppable couple, and maybe the wizarding world might just stand a chance in defeating Voldemort once and for all.

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Hi everyone! Yes, it's me! I finally got around to getting this chapter posted. I'm not going to make a bunch of excuses, mainly because I don't have any...I've just been lazy...and just haven't had any ideas to get me motivated. I hope to have finally fixed that problem.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading this story and a very special thanks for those who have left reviews! I thank you with all my heart!

Ok...next chapter will have Ron and more Dumbledore...and who knows what else! See ya soon!

Nita