herumtreiber

Title: The Privy Councilors 13/35
Chapter: Transformations
Author:

herumtreiber
Genre: AU to HBP, romance, adventure
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? No way!
Chapter length: ~2,970 words
Summary: Draco/Harry, Luna/Neville, Ron/Hermione, Narcissa/??? Harry is about to be sent to Azkaban. The story explores Wizengamot politics and the fight against evil Dumbledore - where he gets vanquished early and does not prattle on and on - but is he gone? Plus de-aging. Someone returns whose name begins with a S. (And my revenge on characters whose accents are hard to read – like Hagrid and Fleur ;-)

Table of contents

10. Consequences - II

How I wanna hear the anchor man talk about a county fair
And how we cleaned up the air, how everybody learned to care
Whoa, tell me

Nobody was assassinated in the whole Third World today
And in the streets of Ireland, all the children had to do was play
And everybody loves everybody in the good old USA
We sure could use a little good news today.
(A little good news; Charles Black, Rory Bourke & Thomas Rocco)

And so they spent the rest of their summer vacation. Ron worked on convincing the older members of the family of their mistake. He made headway with Charlie and Bill. He had invited Percy to the Manor several times, but he always refused, citing that he had a lot of work at the Ministry.

The Quartet wanted to take revenge on the Twins for their prank involving owls, but they appeared to be under the protection of Narcissa. Draco was willing to go against his mother, but then Harry reminded him that indubitably she would enjoy Sirius' protection on her turn, when he came back. The prospect of those two ganging up on him was awful, and so the Twins enjoyed their prank unmolested.

By that time Neville, the Twins, Remus and Pansy had been apprised of the existence of a possible way to bring Sirius back. They were reasonably heartened, except by the Twins and Remus, who went into paroxysms of gleeful laughter and prancing around.

Narcissa bade the group to sit down, and sternly said, "We may have a problem. We found a spell to bring him back, similar to the one Voldemort used in the cemetery with you, Harry. The trouble is that because Sirius' horcrux is in the form of a book, it has to be modified a little. We'll need bone of his father – already taken care of – blood of a friend, there should be no problem there, and the body part of a long acquaintance."

A smacking sound was heard, and then Narcissa continued sternly, "No, that does not mean you, Harry, or you Remus! I'm sure we'll find a way to satisfy that requirement. I would appreciate it if you researched about this, Hermione!"

"Also I want to ask you to keep Sirius entertained. We are all subject at times to being weary about the world, just sitting back and letting life go. Well, Sirius is in a perilous position in that regard. He fell through the Veil. He is very near the Other Side, but not on it. He may be very tempted to just stay there, where there is peace all around, instead of coming back to the chaos here. This is one of the reasons I wanted to get Sirius and Draco to speak together. They acted as irritants, they induced new thoughts in each other. Draco grew, and Sirius became interested in the world again."

They left the room, and Draco, Harry, Remus, the Twins, Ron, Pansy, Hermione and Neville made it to Draco's to continue their Animagi lessons.

Hermione had charmed a blackboard so it would display what was written in the book and they all could see what Sirius said. Also they had quick-quills especially adapted for each voice, so what they said appeared in Sirius' book. The Twins were somewhat irked by that arrangement, as that made it very hard for them to express themselves in the see-sawing fashion they were used to, but they tried.

Gred and Forge were also cunningly Slytherin. They managed to deflect the ire of the Quartet intimating that the prank was part of a scheme of theirs to intercept avian enemies they may encounter in the future.

(All) Hello Sirius!

Hi, runts. Ready for your next lesson in how to become a successful Animagus?

Yes, we are…

... ready, Man.

And we want the…

.. lesson to begin!

(Grumbles) I wish you didn't do that, it'd make my head ache. If I had a head, that is.

Let's get to the lesson, Sirius!

Will do, Herm!

(Sighs) Anyway, by now you should have some mastery over the meditation exercises I've shared with you. You have also brewed and drunk the potion that reveals your inner animal.

Siri, I took that potion, and I saw my inner animal was a leopard!

(Nods) That's good to know Remus. I know of no reason why you shouldn't transform like the others. You already have a good grasp on how to merge your animal and human selves.

But Sirius, how can anyone have two Animagus forms? I haven't read about anything like that.

Hermione, it could happen. There's always an original form for an Animagus, but sometimes another may be added by circumstances or magic. It's very rare, but it does happen.

Magic is about defying possibilities, in a sense to break free from the shackles of the physical world. What you must always keep in mind is that you always obey the restrictions of the form you're using. If you are a basilisk you have their powers, but also their weaknesses, the same happens with all forms.

(Sigh) You must be able to integrate seamlessly the animal and human personae when you are an animal. It will provide you with the best of two worlds, the speed, agility or other advantages of your animal, and your human intelligence. It's how I was able to withstand the Dementors in Azkaban. Changed into Padfoot, they could not feed off my emotions, and for the moment I was calm.

Sirius, I took the potion and my inner animal turned out to be… a lion! How can this be?

You have some of the features of a lion, Draco, including the mane. Now as soon as the rest of you runts finish laughing, I'll say that it doesn't matter that the lions are associated with Gryffindor, their features are universal. They take good care of their pride, and they are rather lazy and leave all the work to the females. I think it fits you to a T, Draco!

Of all the…!

Sirius, you have managed the impossible and left Draco speechless without a spell, how did you do it?

Just constant practice, Prongsie! Now what animal are you?

Err… don't you want to hear about the others?

Come on Harry, it can't be that bad, can it?

Ok, I'm a… bat.

(Guffawing loudly) A bat? So that's why you are blind as a bat? Are you sure you are not the son of Snape? Oi, this is so funny. What do you think Remus?

Well, I think Harry will be happy to know that a bat was one of the possibilities James visualized with this potion, he could choose between the stag and a bat, but I'm afraid we needled him so much that he chose the stag, which was the more burdensome.

Ron, what animal are you?

Er, I am a fox.

Just as I expected, cunning and resourceful.

Hermione?

I'm an owl.

That's wonderful! You could be no other animal than the one who is a symbol for wisdom, Athena's own. You will also be able to fly and move rapidly and can carry messages incognito.

What about you, Pansy?

I'm an eagle.

You soar and want to fly above it all. The eagle also has a keen eye and intellect.

Now Gred and Forge, up and center! What animals are you?

Well, I am a Siberian tiger and...

… coincidentally, I am a Siberian tiger too…

..It'll be fun!

Ok, doesn't surprise me, ruthless and cunning, like you two. And Neville, you've remained conspicuously silent.

Oh, Mr. Black, I am a black panther!

Interesting animal. You have hidden depths, Neville. Very few people manage to transform into one. This animal owns the night, observes all and acts on the best interests of his pride.

I want you to speed your training, I want you to be as prepared as humanly possible.

Why, Sirius?

Prongslet, I am currently between your plane of existence and another. I'm not omniscient, but I can sense dimly a storm gathering forces. I want you as ready as you can be.

I have been thinking about the incident with the prophecies. You know about resonant magic, how it may be used to get a result from the whole, using just a part, like Voodoo magic, or horcruxes. The imploded prophecies may have been under use in some resonant task when they were subjected to the added stress of their stratum disappearing. They couldn't resist and were gone. It remains to establish what that task may have been.

oOoOo

The next few days saw them slowly achieving their goal of becoming Animagi. The first one to succeed was Draco, who transformed in his room, while Harry, Ron, Hermione and Crookshanks were there.

Hermione was miffed to note that he transformed perfectly and started to roll around on the floor. Behavior hardly proper of a Malfoy! What was worse was that Crookshanks and he started to roughhouse and mock-fight each other. It was disheartening in the extreme, because if she transformed into her form, Crookshanks would surely eat her!

Hermione concentrated on that thought and then transformed into a beautiful snowy owl with three dark streaks across her chest. She opened her wings and flew away, and the feeling was superb! It was an intoxicating mix of freedom, movement, adventure that called a deep part of her. She flew to the Owlery and stood on a perch there, adjusting to her new form.

When it was twilight she came down from the perch and transformed back into her human form. She could discern Ron, who was waiting for her with a bag containing a warm bread roll. She kissed him deeply and they walked leisurely to the main house.

Ron soon got fidgety, though, and took out his wand. Hermione followed suit and then felt it, they were being followed.

Suddenly a deeper shadow detached itself from the trees and they heard a growling sound as a sleek, menacing and powerful feline stepped in front of them. They saw a black panther and knew that Neville had transformed OK.

The group arrived at the Manor and had dinner. They didn't see Harry and asked about him. Draco answered, "He transformed and flew away. I now know where he gets that pout from, from the bat! The bat is so adorable, with his green fiery emerald eyes and fangs and cute little nose that just scrunches up so in that delicate way."

Hermione mused to herself that things seemed to be progressing well in that front. So Hermione 2, Seekers 1.

Soon an exhausted Pansy came in. She started to eat with a vengeance. When they asked her if she was all right, she answered, "Never been better, changed into an eagle and the urge to soar just overtook me. I must have flown 20 miles, serenely watching the world from just above the clouds, there's no feeling like it, not even flying on a broomstick, Draco!"

"By the way, I saw Potter while I was flying. He was being chased by two falcons."

"And you didn't help him, Pans?"

"I know he can fly rings around anyone in Quidditch, probably because he is an innate flyer. I had no fear that he would lose them. Just to make sure, though, I followed them. I saw him use a perfect Wronski Feint, as a bat, and lure the falcons to almost collide with the ground."

Soon Harry appeared and joined them, also eating a lot. He looked a little changed, more comfortable with himself, more laid back. He also did not wear glasses.

Ron asked, "What happened with the glasses, mate?"

"Oh, after I transformed back into human, I discovered I no longer need them."

"Great news, Harry!"

Harry asked, "So who else transformed today?" Draco, Pansy, Hermione and Neville raised their hands.

The Twins observed this, and in Twin silent speech decided to consult Sirius. They left unobtrusively and went to Harry's room, where the book was right now. They entered and set up the blackboard and quick-quills system.

Then they started moaning to Sirius about their failure. Most of their friends had already transformed, and they couldn't.

Calm down! (Sigh) I think you are just overworked, over worried.

What do you do when you are thinking about a new prank but no ideas come up?

We try to get the ideas…

… but if none come, we lay off….

… and do a different thing for a while.

So lay off the transformation for some time and do something else.
That was great Sirius! You're the only one who could help us.

I'm sure Remus would have been a big help.

Yes, but only you know….

… the way that a prankster's mind works.

The next day, a saddened Ron walked in the garden when he met Draco. "What's up, Ron?"

"Hi, Draco."

"Why do you look so sad? Don't tell me it is because you haven't transformed!"
"Well, no, I haven't."
"Tell me what you think when you think about a fox."
"Small, smart."

Draco sighed, "I guess I know what the problem is. In your mind, you think a fox is like a weasel, and you're ashamed of that."
"I'm sorry to have called you that, but now, it doesn't matter anymore. We use it as a signal that we have come a long way. It is a relic of the days when I envied your friendships with Potter and Hermione."

"I will tell you what a fox means for me: it is smart, deceitful, it has survived the depredations of man. It is the symbol for cunning. Most of all, he protects those he loves by all means, including dying for them if need be. There can be no other form of sacrifice more powerful than this. You are lucky you are a fox."

Ron concentrated on Draco's words. They felt right, they felt true. Soon he was able to transform and a red fox appeared. Draco commented, "You will be pleased to note that your hair remains that unique shade of red of the Weasleys. Why don't you look for Hermione? Just stay away from her cat."

Ron soon was running through the Manor, startling some house-elves who were confused by the shock of red and thought that Crookshanks was after them again.

The cat was at that place he went to in order to rub that bothersome leather ribbon with the bell. He was a patient cat, and would soon be rid of it. Finally, it happened, the ribbon broke and the bell fell. Crookshanks was ready for some action.

In the library, the Twins were researching some means to enchant sweets so that the users would start dancing exotic numbers, with singing voices and music included. They were caught up in the search for a good spell that would tie all the features together and be able to be replaced by a potion.

Soon Fred said, "I wonder."

George replied, "I do, too."

Without more ado, the twins concentrated on their Animagus form and soon achieved the transformation. Two Siberian tigers were leisurely relaxing in the Library.

They were soon interrupted by a blonde, though.

Narcissa entered and told them, "I swear you lot are going to cause a major nervous breakdown of my poor house-elves! Bisky hurriedly told me the library was being held by two ghost lions, which I can see are you. Let me see!"

Narcissa circled the relaxed felines and said, "It's extraordinary! Even the spots are the same! There is no way to know that, for example, you are Fred!"

The tigers looked at each other a little unnerved. Narcissa continued unabashedly, "Don't worry, a mother always knows!"

Just then, a leopard sauntered into the library. The leopard and tigers started to mock-fight, and Narcissa told them irritated, "Another feline! I wonder if Sirius is planning to take over the world with an army of felines!"

oOoOo

The next day they went to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies. They were dressed very nicely, and Ron was going to meet with Charlie and Bill in the Leaky Cauldron.

They were served quickly. People observed Harry carefully. They did not blatantly follow him around and jostle him, as was their wont. They were apparently content just watching him. They were also a little afraid. He had announced he would not be their Savior and had sworn to that effect. Now they saw the future with worry, when their only real preoccupation had been to analyze the life of the Boy Who Lived with utter attention.

Ron had a fruitful discussion with his brothers. He invited them to have dinner at the Manor, having Narcissa's permission to do so. The elder brothers had realized the perils of listening to only one source of advice for years – and decades. Ron wanted to show them a typical interaction among the group, if anything about them could be considered typical. He knew they were more hands-on people than analytical persons.

Narcissa gave them portkeys and they used them, Ron went with them. They were followed shortly by the rest of the group. The elves were carrying what they had bought, to Hermione's chagrin.

The group reunited in the dining room. The house-elves were pouring them elven wine, which Hermione particularly liked. They took assorted seats in the room and soon fell into the rhythm of conversation.

However, soon there was a flash of very intense light and suddenly a golden and red figure could be observed. A phoenix!

Faux-Fawkes looked around. Before anything else happened, George threw a small vial which imploded near the phoenix' head, making it choke briefly. Then its beady eyes, looking confused, searched intently among the occupants for the one he was told to get. Localizing him, he sent the portkey that way.

The portkey reached its target and activated.

12- The unlikely hero