Chapter 1

'The Notes of Prongs, Padfoot, Moony and Wormtail', was scribbled on the front of the notebook in my hands, or at least it was until I had blacked out Wormtail and written 'Fangs' over the top of it. It was a bit of my father's history a link to the past that Sirius Black, Godfather and Marauder, had owled me shortly after Hermione and I had saved him from the dementors weeks ago. Well, it was weeks ago for me, thanks to the foresight I had in procuring Hermione's time turner. She didn't have to turn it in until the end of the year, and right now, well lets just say that she didn't need it the last week before we returned to the hum-drum world and I did. Convincing her hadn't even really been all that hard.

I didn't need it any longer myself, having crammed two months worth of dawn to dusk study into a mere six days. It is surprising how much you can get done with a timeturner when you put your mind to it, and even more surprising how many empty rooms there were inside the castle to do it within. The map helped too. I knew now that the main reason it took Dad and Sirius three years to get to this point, was simply finding the knowledge about how to do it. They had originally been attempting the Queensberry method of transformation, which was a much lengthier process. They had happened on the Pendragon method near the end of their fourth year, which had been much debated until Dad actually pushed through and used it.

Animagus, that is what I now was, and thanks to Hagrid's wonderful present of the 'Monster Book of Monsters' last year I was even a useful one. I still wish that Hermione and Ron would have joined me, but both had begged off after reading how painful the Marauder course of Animagus training was. Their method was an old, outdated one their notes even said so. Still it was much faster than the current method, which was said to take years not months, as an older method relied more on blood magics. Pain was something I was used to, and the blood magic potions were relatively easy to brew. Gaining the blood that I had wanted to use had been the hardest part, and that had only required a trip to steal the necessary vial from Snape's potion lab.

The training was entirely Sirius' idea. He knew how the Dursleys treated me, and he was quite upset to learn that Dumbledore insisted that I return there yet again this year. Sirius had sent me the notepad along with a few helpful hints. Such as the fact that the Animagus transformation was not controlled by the Underage Magic laws, but rather only by the International Statute of Secrecy. Meaning that since it was wandless, I could do it at anytime while registered, as long as I wasn't in the presence of unknowing muggles. Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley already knew about magic, so thus I could transform before them any time I wanted.

I smiled as I slipped onto the bench beside Hermione and pressed the time turner back into her hand under the table. I whispered softly into her ear. "Thanks."

"You've done it then? Are you going to register? You should really…" Hermione was a one-track mind sometimes and I held up my hand to cut her off.

"Yes, I finished. I even did a test run and stayed transformed for a full day to make sure everything worked right. I plan on meeting up with Professor McGonagall after breakfast so that she can witness and sign my registration papers." I heaped a large serving of ham onto my plate and followed it with and even larger portion of hash browns. Ron said something that was completely incomprehensible, but I knew him well enough to understand what he was asking. "Because Ron, I'm already on the outs with the Ministry. If I register then all that happens is there's a little note put in a book in a currently unstaffed Department. Sure its public, but nobody every looks at it because there have only been six registered Animagi in the last century. After that I'm legal, and I can transform whenever I want, say while at Number Four?"

"Brilliant!" Ron enthused after swallowing before leaning over the table to me. "So what are you? When can we see?"

"I think I'll let you both find out the same time McGonagall does." I looked between Ron and Hermione again and reached into my robes and set two small vials of potion on the table along with two copies of the relevant section of the notes. "Just in case you guys want to try anyways I had a lot of potion left over. The recipe makes six doses."

"Where are the others?" Hermione was eyeing the small vial, and she finally reached out to take one set before slipping it into her robes. "How bad was it really Harry?"

"I gave the twins a dose each as payment for helping out with the plan, they're going to be there too. The other one I'm keeping right now, don't know who to give it to. I've hurt worse Hermione. It isn't fun, but it only lasts a few minutes." I smirked as Ron snatched up his copy. "Remember, you need to test the compatibility of the form you chose before you add the blood to the potion. If you don't have the magical strength to take that form, then taking an activated potion will bind your ability to it anyways, but you'll never be able to transform."

I watched them both long enough to get nods from both. I had actually tested three forms before settling on the second. It wasn't what I had originally wanted but both the other forms took too much magic. Still even if I was small, I was still rather fearsome and I did not doubt that the Dursleys would be more than cowed by what they encountered.

I spent the next few minutes before McGonagall's arrival shoveling food down my throat. Ever since I had found my form it was like something unlocked deep in my metabolism, and Dobby had been hard pressed keeping all the copies of me well fed. I ate as much as Ron did now, and I barely noticed any gains. I was barely begun on my third plate before my head of house, Transfiguration Teacher, and resident Animagus instructor had arrived.

"Mr. Potter, I believe that you requested a meeting with me before the Hogwarts Express left this morning?" I smiled at the lilting burr in her voice, and the curiosity that underlay her stern expression. I gave her a nod.

"Yes Ma'am. It will only take a few minutes, and if I could impose to have Ron, Hermione, Fred and George join us as well? They have all expressed interest in what I wish to show you." I was trying to beat around the bush without actually saying what it was, but I could already see in the tightening around her eyes that she suspected.

"Very well. My office then?"

I gave Professor McGonagall a nod and stood from the table, motioning to the twins to follow as we made our way down the hall. I was actually getting rather more nervous now than when I had first made the change. How was she, Hermione, and my pseudo-family going to react to my form? I was beginning to doubt my earlier plans on keeping it all a surprise until I changed, and was now debating telling them before hand. It wasn't until the door had closed behind us, and Minerva had settled into her chair that I decided that I would tell them first.

"I see, it is as I suspected then." The Professor stated softly as I set the registration witness form before her. "It is the Pendragon Methodology then? You would not have been able to successfully complete the Queensberry method in the time since you have started Hogwarts."

"Yes." I answered simply. I hoped that she would not pry farther than that, but my hope was for nothing as she immediately did.

"I had thought that I removed all references to that methodology from the library decades ago. Well, I trust that those currently present are in control of several of the leftover potions doses, and copies of the methodology?" McGonagall's eyes narrowed further, and her lips thinned as I gave another slight nod in response. She stood abruptly and began to pace. "I trust that you will all listen to when I say taking this route is fraught with peril. The Pendragon method is easier yes, but it is also much more primitive and dangerous. It is much more likely that you will lose yourself in the animal upon your first transformation, and some have been driven insane by the pain. Not to mention that misinterpreting the results of your compatibility spells and drinking a potion for an incompatible form can bar you forever from attaining the ability."

Minerva turned and fixed a glare on all of us, but I bore the brunt of it. Finally she barked out. "Fine then Mr. Potter. How many times did you cast the matching spell?"

"Six times, on three forms. The first form was completely untenable. The second I cast the spell three times, and the third twice." I could see the question in Minerva's eyes, as well as more than just a little curiosity. "The first form was a phoenix. The second, a form of dragon, and the third was a griffin."

"Harry! You can't become a magical creature, everyone knows that!" Hermione exploded as she rounded on me, saying what was obviously on the mind of everyone but McGonagall I noticed.

"That is not quite true Miss Granger." The Professor said before I could open my mouth to retaliate. She settled into her chair with a sigh. "Magical forms are not to be attempted under the Queensberry methodology because that method requires an intimate knowledge of the physiology of the beast to be changed into. Magical beasts are much more complex than non-magical ones with the necessity to keep in mind how their magic constitutes a basic part of their physical being. The Pendragon method sidesteps this by using a blood potion to give the drinker an instinctive knowledge of the body they are transforming into. Thus as long as you are compatible and have the necessary magical strength it is feasible to attain any form." There was a slight pause before she continued. "In fact that is why my animagus form is part kneazle."

"Yes, that is what the notes I had indicated. Both methods result in a form that reflects your inner self." I said with a soft inclination of my head. I still don't know if any of the Marauders forms were anything but non-magical, but I doubted that they were. The amount of pain caused by the potion was indicated to be directly proportional to the amount of magic in the form. I daresay that all three of the Marauders took the least painful route they could.

"Indeed Mr. Potter. I take it that you had two compatible forms?"

"Not really Professor. As I mentioned the phoenix was untenable. It showed nothing when I cast the spell. I daresay that I neither have the magical strength, nor the inner character to be one." At Minerva's nod, I glanced around at the others, noticing that Hermione had started taking notes with an errant quill and parchment, and all the Weasleys looked to be deep into determining their own forms to test. "The griffin was compatible on the character level, but I lacked the necessary magical strength at this time to change into it."

I could tell that she understood as well as I did, that meant I could have possibly gained that form if I waited for my magical core to develop and strengthen more. Her eyes narrowed even farther as she started to try and figure out what type of dragon I was.

"I made certain that the dragon was the right one by casting the spell multiple times. It never changed its return, fully compatible." I took a deep breath as I braced myself for revealing just what I was. "My Animagus form Professor, is a Peruvian Vipertooth."

There was shocked silence in the office with my announcement. I knew there would be, especially since everyone here knew exactly what the Peruvian Vipertooth was. Hagrid had waxed almost poetic about them for several weeks while he was trying to acquire one. The Peruvian Vipertooth was one of the smallest three of the dragon breeds only the Autralian Reefskimmer and the Mississippi Mite were smaller, and one of the only ones that did not breath fire. Instead it had a venomous bite that was highly paralytic, and for all its small size was known to be the man-eater of the dragons. A lithe agile flyer fit me well, but I did not like to delve and determine just what it said about my personality.

"I do not believe that I will attempt to determine just what that says about you Mr. Potter. Personally I would rather know why you chose only magical forms." Minerva pierced me with her gaze and her voice was sharp. "Powerful, and dangerous magical forms at that."

I took a moment to breath and gather my thoughts. "Because I only had a very short amount of time, and consequently the only forms that I could contemplate were magical as those were the only ones I could feasibly get blood for before the term ended. I needed my form before I was forced back to the Dursleys Ma'am, and it had to be one that could defend itself from them. I had originally contemplated a dog, or a lion, but I simply couldn't get the necessary ingredients for the final potion easily and quickly."

Minerva's eyes closed at that admission and the anger drained out of her face to be replaced by, remorse? She shook her head and replied. "Very well. I will have to speak with Albus about this, as your living conditions must be much worse than Albus has led me to believe if you were that desperate. Now, if you could show us your transformation, we shall hurry this along and get you onboard the train."

I motioned for the twins and my friends to step back a bit, and then I reached back into my mind and flowed into my form. The unreal sensation of my magic working through my body, and the itching as muscles, bones, nerves changed to the new form was still unsettling. In a very short period of time I was looking upon the world from a different perspective. I could hear the startled inhalations of those inside the room as it was suddenly made real to them that I was what I said I was, and I yawned fitfully showing my fangs to them.

Being 'Fangs', my self give Maruader name, was a new experience to me, and every time I transformed I learned something new about myself. Right now the sudden influx of smells nearly overwhelmed me, and the blurred figures around me only served to punctuate just how bad dragon vision is for up close work. I knew from experience that their sight was as sharp as an owl's at a long distance but now I could barely make out McGonagall.

"That is good enough Harry, if you will transform back." I did as the Professor asked and she looked rather pleased by how easily the transformation came for me. "You are marked rather distinctively Harry. Black circles around the eyes, I saw the hint of your scar, and instead of being black and copper only there were hints of gold and red in your scales. Quite impressive." Her mouth pursed as she signed the form. "I daresay that you'll earn extra credit on your O.W.L.s in two years for that accomplishment."

"Harry, that was…"

"…bloody brilliant!" The second twin finished for his brother. George, Harry decided was the one to finish things off.

"I can't, I can't believe he could do that. That has to take…" Hermione was mumbling to herself, and I found it almost amusing as Ron's ear to ear grin.

"I don't think I'd do something like that mate, but I've always wanted to be a fox. That'd be amazing don't you think?" Ron slapped me on the back and I gave him a grin in reply.

"Yeah, probably be a lot more useful than a dragon too, you could use it to get around places, but I needed something dangerous." I sighed with relief as I turned back to Minerva. "You will file the form for me?"

"Yes, however I must request that if anyone else here today wishes to become animagi I request that they allow me to be present during their first transformation. You ran a great risk…" Her tirade was interrupted by the twins, which I was thankful for.

"It wasn't that bad…" Fred started.

"…he had asked us to…"

"…watch and guard the room he was in…"

"… so that if he didn't…."

"… come out as a person…"

"… in eight hours we'd get you." George finished off with a smile on his face.

"I see. It is good to know that you put some thought into this." Minerva's lips pursed a bit more before she gave a nod. "Five points to Gryffindor on an excellent bit of work Mr. Potter. They will be tallied the first day of the next term. Now if you'll please vacate my office, you need to be getting to the train."

The train ride back to London was rather anti-climatic. I had expected a multitude of questions about my form from my two friends, but both seemed to be rather engrossed in either studying the notes related to the transformation, or making up lists about what traits they wanted in their animagus form. Personally I expected Ron to get his first wish, the loyal but mischief prone fox seemed to suit him. Hermione was harder to peg, but I thought that she might go the route of her mentor and become a kneazle or part kneazle.

I had drifted off at some point, catching up on much needed sleep, and woke only when the train pulled into King's Crossing. I was rather miffed about missing almost the whole train ride. It was I thought the last time I was probably going to see Ron or Hermione for weeks, if not months, and I had spent it asleep.

"Look mate, I'll get with mum, and we'll try and get you over to the Burrow as soon as possible. I want to go over these notes with you if nothing else, and we can play some Quidditch as well." Ron said, obviously seeing my disappointment with having already arrived in London. It made me feel better that he'd do that, and his slap on my shoulder set me at ease as he hurried off to join the rest of his family.

"Harry, look I know you don't like being around your family and Dumbledore says they don't like getting owls, but well I've been thinking." Hermione was rambling and I looked at her in surprise. She rarely rambled like this, but when she did it was important. "I don't think my parents live far from your aunt and uncle in Little Whining, maybe a half hour or so by train. We could get together at the library in Guildford, or well, you could just come over to my house."

I blinked at her. Was she saying what I think she was saying? If I went over to her home every day that would be a big help. I doubted that Dumbledore would like that, but currently I did not really even care. It would also help in my plans to revise and do better in the upcoming year. Knowing that my parents were gifted students, something no one had seen fit to tell me before Remus and Sirius, had prompted me to follow more in their footsteps.

"That's brilliant Hermione! Do you think that we could have your parents take us to Diagon Alley at some point? I want to pick up a few things there for well, Snuffles, and I've been meaning to pick up a new wardrobe at some point." I gave a sigh before deciding to also reveal the main reason why this would be perfect. For both of us I hoped, as it would give her something to do and help show what she was worth to her parents. "I was also hoping you could help me with well, revising this summer. I haven't paid the best attention to my studies, and well Sirius and Remus both pointed out my parents were good students."

Hermione's face lit up in a way that made me feel good down to my toes when I mentioned that last. It fell quickly though, and became more guarded.

"You don't mean that Harry." She looked away for a moment and I felt terrible. Ron and I had always been gits about how much she studied, and now, now I was realizing how much it hurt her when we did it.

"I do Hermione." I said softly as I reached out to take her shoulders in my hands and moved to look her in the eyes. "This last year was terrible, what with my death being predicted every day in divination. You mentioned that Arithmancy wasn't all that much different than muggle math, maybe you could help get me up to a point where I could take that instead."

"Really?" Hermione's voice sounded small and delicate. It made me mad that I'd done so much to hurt her in such a way, and she was supposed to be one of my closest friends.

"Yeah. Arithmancy for sure, and if you can come up with a way to help me catch up and get ahead in Transfiguration, Charms and Potions I'd love it." I glanced around and loaded up both our trunks onto a cart before motioning to Hermione to lead the way.

"I think I can do that. First year Arithmancy was fairly simple, you should be able to pick it up without a problem since it is really just an introduction to long division and multiplication for the most part." Hermione glanced over at me when we neared her parents and leaned a bit close and spoke softly. "If we do this, would you be willing to transform for my parents? They don't get to see much of the magical world, and I can't do magic myself during the summer."

"Sure! You might want to show them the pictures in our CoMC text first just to give them an idea of what is going on. Maybe we can see about having Professor Lupin come by or have them over to the Weasleys. I know Mr. Weasley wouldn't mind." I gave a grin and a nod. "Tell you what, you can tell Ron that for my birthday party I want your parents invited. If nothing else it'll give them a day long glimpse into the magical world."

I was engulfed in a bushy haired hug that was nearly as dangerous as Hagrid's. It felt a lot nicer though, and I blushed as I realized that Hermione wasn't nearly as much one of the boys as I had always seen her as being. Hogwarts' robes hide it well, but she was becoming quite the woman underneath them.

"Now Hermione, I'm sure the young man here needs to breathe, even if you are going to miss him over the summer." I could hear the amusement in the woman's voice, and she looked much like I suppose Hermione would in a few years time. Hermione jumped back like a scalded cat, her face red, and mine joined hers with the next words. "Seriously love, just kiss him already."

"Mum!" Hermione looked like she was thinking about just trying to up and die, and personally I kinda was wishing she would take her mother's advice. "I'm not going to miss seeing him this summer, he's coming over to study on a daily basis while you and dad are at the firm. Harry Potter, this is my mum, Emma, and my dad, Dan."

"So this is the Harry Potter you have been writing about for three years." Dan's voice was deep and there was a rather fearsome scowl on his face. "I don't know if I can condone such a boy being alone with my…"

"Dad! We'll be perfectly fine, and if you want we can invite Mrs. Watson over to chaperone while Harry is there." Hermione turned a bit to explain to me when she saw my blank look. "Mrs. Watson is a squib Harry, when she noticed all the owls coming and going she introduced herself to my parents. She has a lovely yard, and writes novels for wizard audiences, and markets them to the muggles as fantasy."

"That'd be great Hermione. I bet she could help fill us in on some of the things we don't know about daily life in the Wizarding world. I know half the time I'm at Ron's I'm completely confused." I shook her parents hands and frowned a bit when I noticed Vernon scowling in the distance, before looking between the Grangers. "I'm sorry but I need to go, I see my uncle and he absolutely hates these train stations."

"Here Harry, call me when you get to the station tomorrow." Hermione shoved a note into my hand. "I'll tell mum and dad about, it, tonight and you can show them tomorrow."

I was crushed in another hug, and after her mother's exasperated sigh, a quick peck on the cheek and then Hermione was off in a rush of robes.

The smell of fear tinged the air, along with urine and other unmentionables before I turned back human. It was time for my talk with the Dursleys and unlike with my friends I had not warned them first. I had simply changed right there as Vernon took a ham fisted swing at my ear, all nine feet of lithe dragon in his living room. The fangs helped I'm sure, they look rather menacing when I squeeze a few drops of venom from the sacs, and the roar probably hurried things along. Now all three were huddled in a corner and shaking.

"So, as you can see, things are going to be different this year. Before you ask, no, I will not be getting a warning from the Ministry for that, because it doesn't count as underage use of magic." I smiled and settled into a chair facing them. "There will be a few ground rules this summer. First, you will not speak to me until spoken to unless you have a valid, politely worded question. Secondly I will be doing none of the housework. Thirdly I expect to be well fed this year. Fourth I will be allowed to come and go as I please, when I please."

"Y…Y…Un…Ca…"

I decided to view that stutter by Vernon as a protestation of some sort.

"Indeed you are correct Uncle. In return for you meeting these requests I will provide some concessions of my own. I shall come retrieve my meals, eat in the kitchen or my room, and clean my own dishes. I shall also spend the little time I plan on actually being inside the walls studying in my room quietly. Additionally I will provide weekly five hundred pounds for my room and board."

With that, I retired to my room for the evening, opening the window for Hedwig for when she arrived, and shifting back into Fangs to eagerly lie down for the night.