The Legend of the Serpent's Tongue

Legend of the Serpent's Tongue

Chapter 22

Plots and Secrets

Harry was waiting for Arsinoe in the empty classroom Arsinoe used to teach Ancient Mysticism. The Aztec witch was a few minutes late for Harry's Transfiguration lesson. While she waited, Harry was studying the pictures of the Egyptian and Aztec Gods and Goddesses. She found them intriguing and wished she had the time to sit in on one of Arsinoe's classes. It was extremely interesting to see the serpent represented so often. The serpent was both good and bad as in the Caduceus, which had become the symbol for modern medicine. There were other Gods as well and each had their name written beneath their picture along with a brief description. She walked around the room studying each one, reading the captions aloud, starting with the Egyptian gods and working her way around to the ones from Mesoamerica.

"Aker, the Egyptian dragon representing the earth, who bound the coils of Apophis, also known as Apepi, the primordial serpent who lived in the celestial Nile, nowadays known as the Milky Way. That's interesting, I wonder what kind of trouble old Apophis caused," she remarked to herself studying their pictures. "Hmm...Am-Mut, the eater of souls, sounds like a Dementor," she shivered. Moving down the line she continued, "Denwen, the dragon whose fire would have destroyed the gods but was stopped by the king. Neheb-Kau," she stopped, studying the picture. The serpent had human arms and legs. "He's really weird," she muttered reading the inscription. "A servant of Ra, the great serpent upon which the world rests. He must have quite a back ache." Harry grinned trying to picture the serpent holding up the world. "Seth-heh, opposes the boat of Ra on its journey. His name was distorted by the Hebrews t! o Satan." She mulled this over thoughtfully. "He must be on good terms with Voldemort." Harry continued to follow the line, stopping only at the various serpent gods. "Typhon, the Egyptian serpent lord. That must be where we get the term typhoon," she reasoned. "Uraeus, the fire serpent that crawls up the tree of life. Ah, this is the one used for the Caduceus," she remarked moving over to the last of the Egyptian serpents. "Wadjet, the guardian sent by Osiris to protect the Pharaoh and control the Nile. Well, so much for Egypt," she sighed to the empty room. "Let's see what the Aztecs have to offer."

Harry began the whole procedure again, bypassing any god that was not in serpent form. "Coatlicue, earth serpent goddess, mother of all living things. I think I like her." She smiled, studying the picture. "Mixcoatl, god of the clouds. He brought rain by having sex with the goddess Coatlicue. No wonder they're pictured together," Harry laughed blushing, moving on to the next picture. "Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. He is the twin brother of Quetzalpetzatl whom he raped when the other gods got him drunk. He then disappeared in shame until his sister came and asked his help to overthrow the Spanish invaders and the evil Christian serpent god, Satan, to help them restore the old ways. He was unsuccessful and fell to temptation." Harry mulled this story over in her mind, reminded of how Voldemort had tried to rape her. She was intrigued by the pictures and studied the feathered serpents carefully. They had f! eathers around their necks and wings, but had the elongated head of a snake with the face and beak of a bird. They also had the serpent's body but the legs and claws one would see on a bird or dragon. She tried to get a clear image in her mind so she had something to go by for the transformation. Harry also noted that Quetzalcoatl had also been known as Kulkulcan by the Mayans. The Aztecs at one time also referred to him as Tezcatlipoca. The final god was Xiuhtecuhtli, the greatest god of the Aztecs, one of whose forms was a fire serpent. "Too bad I can't breathe fire, then I could just toast that bastard Voldemort into oblivion," she groaned sitting down to wait. Her scar had begun to prickle and she had the impression that the Dark Lord was not happy. She was mulling over the idea as to whether she should try to see what he was up to when Arsinoe entered with her parents and Remus.

Harry had been doing her best to avoid James and Lily as much as possible since they had been secured in the Shrieking Shack following the two weeks they had spent at Privet Drive. She had learned from Sirius and Remus that her parents had made sure her aunt and uncle knew how angry they were over their treatment of Harry. Not that Harry was sorry for the Dursleys. Vernon had to endure James' threats to have him transferred to a strictly wizarding area of the company and when Vernon insulted Lily her father had turned him into a trash can full of garbage, putting him out by the curb. Petunia had been horrified and begged Lily to get James to change him back. Dudley too had been punished. Not only did he have to do the chores, and sleep in Harry's room, he was locked in and fed through the cat flap just as she had been. This had infuriated Petunia who was caught sneaking him meals so Lily made sure her sister did a turn in the cupboard just as Vernon had done. It t! ook a few days but the Dursleys had finally acquiesced becoming the model hosts. Sirius had summed it up by saying, 'What goes around, comes around.'

Lily and James now had free access to Hogwarts via James invisibility cloak and the secret tunnel from the Whomping willow. In addition, Dumbledore had disguised them both by transfiguring some of their features. Lily was now a blue-eyed strawberry blond while James had red hair down to his shoulders and brown eyes. He also had fashionable wire rimmed glasses. The couple was posing as Julian and Augusta Weasley, Arthur's distant cousins from Australia. Julian was an Auror who had come to help in the war. His sister, Augusta, had accompanied him. Moody had immediately drafted James into service helping to guard the school since James had actually been an Auror before his death. Lily, disguised as Augusta, was now teaching Charms. This left Sirius free to do undercover work for the Order and keep a closer eye on Harry, disguised as Snuffles, at the same time. Only the members of the Order, the Weasley's, and Luna Lovegood knew the Potters true identities.

Harry nodded as they entered but motioned for silence. Closing her eyes, she ignored the new arrivals, deciding to use the link with Voldemort to see what he was doing. Occluding her own mind, she concentrated on seeing what was going on. Rubbing her scar, she subtly opened the link and touched the Dark Lord's mind....

Voldemort paced restlessly back and forth while awaiting word from Bellatrix and Lucius. He had moved his headquarters to an abandoned farm a mere fifty miles south of Hogsmeade following the fiasco during the Potters resurrection. He had assigned two Deatheaters to monitor the school and the wizarding village at all times, wanting to know the movements of his enemies. Even more, he wanted his two hostages back. The Potters were the key to his capture of Harry. In the month since their escape, there had been no sightings of the couple. Indeed, Harry Potter had rarely been seen and she was never alone. The brat was always accompanied by her Protectors, that imbecile Dumbledore, or Moody's bloody Aurors. Neither one of whom was ever Draco or that red headed Weasley friend of hers. Voldemort was growing impatient waiting for news. The Deatheaters were becoming restless while he waited to plan his final assault. He had kept them busy with raids on important wizardi! ng institutions and allowed them to revel in the torture and killing of Muggles. He sensed they were beginning to doubt his abilities to kill Harry Potter. 'Damn, I want that Potter girl dead,' he thought harshly. 'If need be I will just have to be a little more liberal with the Cruciatus. That will keep my followers in line a while longer. How dare they try to think that she is more powerful than I am! Harry Potter's luck is going to run out eventually and when it does she will rue the day that she ever dared to try and stop me..."

Remus was about to speak when he realized that Harry was staring blankly at the wall, her eyes focused on something they couldn't see.

"What's going on, Moony?" James questioned softly.

"Sh...I think she is sensing Voldemort. She must have felt he was up to something or she would never open the link between them," he whispered in reply. "We can't distract her or he will become aware of her presence in his mind."

"Remus, it's too dangerous. We have to stop her!" Lily gasped trying to move forward.

James caught her by the arm. "No Lils, leave her alone. You remember what happened when he caught her during the meeting last month," James hissed. "She knows the risks. We have to trust her."

Lily frowned up at her husband nodding reluctantly....

Voldemort was growing more and more angry as he waited for news. Scowling he clenched his bony fingers into his palm, drawing blood.

"Master," Nagini hissed from where she was coiled up by the hearth, "Bellatrix and Lucius are late."

"I am aware of that my pet," he hissed back. "They should have returned an hour ago."

"Where did you send them?"

"They are in the forest watching for signs of the Potters and that blood traitor Severus."

"Why do you wish to bring them here?"

"Why?" Voldemort hissed angrily. "I want Severus to pay for his disloyalty and my need for the Potters should be obvious. If I capture the parents, or Severus, the girl will come. She knows I will torture them unmercifully. The Potters will give me years of pleasure since they are unable to die again. She will not want to see them enslaved. The foolish little bitch will want to spare them. As for Severus, he will die very slowly and painfully," he remarked red eyes glowing as he envisioned Severus roasted alive on a spit.

"Master she has thwarted you before despite your best efforts. Is it wise to bring her here?"

"You dare to question me!" Voldemort roared pointing his wand at the snake.

"I was merely curious. I am often confused by the ways of humans," Nagini hissed curling herself tighter lest he curse her.

"If I have the parents or that blood traitor I will control the child. If I have the child the others will come and fall into my trap," he laughed icily, lowering his wand. "She will go out of her way to protect them and when she does it will be her downfall," he said with an evil twist to his serpentine lips.

"What will you do to her?"

"I will kill her, Nagini, but not until she watches her Mudblood mother and that blood traitor she calls her protector suffer."

"And what of her sire, will you torture him as well?"

"After he watches his wife suffer and his daughter die at my hands I shall feed him to you one small piece at a time until there is so little left he will beg me to give his soul to my Dementors...."

Harry pulled back sharply with a deep intake of breath. She was sickened and horrified by what she had heard and seen but knew the information that Voldemort was spying on the school and the village was important. As soon as she had pulled back from Voldemort's mind, the others came forward.

"What did you see Harry?" James asked putting his arm around her shoulders to steady her trembling.

"He's waiting for Bellatrix and Lucius. I need to see the Headmaster immediately."

"Albus is at the Ministry today," Lily reminded her. "He is at a conference of the Wizengamot."

"Perhaps you could contact him with my floo?" Arsinoe offered. The Aztec witch could see she was terribly distressed about something.

"It won't work," James replied. "Only the one in Albus office is on the network connected to the Ministry."

"Maybe I should use my Amulet," Harry replied pulling the golden disc from beneath her robes. James stared in shock and Lily gasped.

"Harry, your medallion...it's gold," Lily said in amazement. "Only Albus wears a gold medallion."

"You didn't know that I was given this medallion and named the Headmaster's successor when the time comes?"

"No, Harry, we didn't. We knew you were admitted into the Order...but...this..." James shrugged grinning with pride.

"What your father means to say is that we knew you were very powerful but hadn't realized your magic was as strong as Dumbledore's."

"So I'm told. I don't see it though."

"Now Princess," Remus spoke up from behind James, "you know you're an Empath, and have Telekinetic and natural healing abilities. You are also skilled with Legilimency, Occlumency and wandless magic. Dumbledore just has the advantage of age and experience behind him."

"Don't forget her two animagus forms." Arsinoe smiled at Remus.

Harry felt a pang of jealousy. She fancied Remus but not as strongly as she did Sirius and Severus.

"She is also a master at defensive spells and could manage a Patronus by the age of thirteen." Remus winked at Harry remembering when he had taught her how to conjure her Patronus during her third year.

"I'm not all that powerful," Harry frowned. "Now let me get hold of Albus." Harry put the medallion back beneath her robes. "I don't believe this is a dire emergency though. I will ask Minerva to notify him. I will need to speak with him as soon as he returns this evening." Harry moved over to the fireplace. Taking a small handful of floo powder from the cup on the mantle, she threw it into the flames. "Professor McGonagall's office," she called kneeling down.

"Yes, Harry, I'm here." Minerva McGonagall's face appeared in the flames.

"Could you get a message to the Headmaster for me?"

"Certainly, is there a problem?"

"I had a brief vision of Voldemort and have some information but it isn't urgent."

"May I ask what it is?" McGonagall asked briskly.

"He is in hiding not far from here but I'm not sure exactly where. He has been having the school and Hogsmeade watched by the Deatheaters in the hopes of capturing my parents, Severus or me."

"I shall notify him immediately." Minerva's head disappeared from the flames.

"Harry, this is very important," James frowned. "Did you get any indication as to where he was at all?"

"No, just that he is somewhere to the south. Like I said before, he was waiting for Bellatrix and Lucius and he was quite angry. Apparently, they were late getting back. I think they may have been somewhere in the forest or the village."

"I'll go and get the other Aurors together and we will make a search," her father stated firmly.

"NO!"

"What! Why, what else did you learn?"

"Nothing," she replied refusing to meet her father's gaze.

"Harry, any information you may have could be useful," Lily admonished.

"I don't want either of you in any more jeopardy than you already are," Harry looked at her mother pleadingly. "I can't tell you what he plans on doing if you are captured."

"Princess, your father is more than skilled at taking care of himself."

"What is he planning that you are so upset?" James questioned gently.

"You don't want to know," Harry responded flatly.

"Harry, your father is an Auror and a powerful wizard. Have you forgotten that like Voldemort, he can't be killed? He and your mother are probably safer than anyone else in this castle," Arsinoe reasoned calmly.

"Just because he can't be killed doesn't mean he can't be tortured...or worse." Harry turned away unable to hide her worry.

"Don't you think it would be to our benefit to know what he plans? This way if he does capture us we will be prepared and may be able to thwart his plans." James gently turned her around to face him. "After all he already killed us once."

"Right, and I get to do it for him the second time," Harry spat vehemently. "He has me right where he wants me. He is gambling on my coming to the rescue."

"Princess, I know this is hard on you but you have to be rational. If you let your emotions get out of control Voldemort will succeed. James and Lily know what you have to do and they aren't afraid."

"Listen to Remus, Harry; he knows we don't want to live like this." James ran his hands through his hair, looking over at Lily. "This is not life. It is like a half-life. We are merely animated corpses. We don't eat and have no need of sleep. Hell, the only reason we can do magic is because it comes from our very souls. Being with you, even for a short time is the only thing that makes this worthwhile."

"Your father is right, Harry. We don't belong here and have no reservations about being sent back. I don't remember much but I can tell you that Heaven is a wonderful place." Lily looked at Harry with a soft expression knowing that her child was hurting deep inside.

"Well that's good to know since I may be coming right along with you." Harry waved her hands in frustration slumping back down into one of the empty desks and burying her face in her arms.

"Harry James Potter!" her father exclaimed sharply, shocking her to attention. "I will not have you saying such a thing. You will stop Voldemort and live to be an old woman. I do not want to see you joining us before then. We forfeit our lives so that you could have one!" James cried red-faced, clenching his fists in anger.

Harry gaped up at him stunned before collecting herself and looking over at Remus. "I thought Sirius said I got my temper from my mother? He acts just like me." She had never seen her father angry.

They all looked at one another for a moment and then erupted into laughter. Harry was right. Even though James' features were altered the facial expressions and motions were identical to those Harry used when angry or upset.

"Did Sirius really say you had my temper?" Lily asked with a wry grin. For the first time since she had returned, Harry met her mother's eyes with a smile that reached to her bright green eyes. Lily swore they were twinkling like Dumbledore's and her heart leaped with joy. In that moment she had connected with her lost child.

"Ahem," Arsinoe cleared her throat breaking the spell, "Harry we need to get on with your lesson."

"Right," Harry agreed standing, "but why is everyone here anyway?"

"We wanted to see you transform. We were too confused the night of our return to really pay much attention. I know I saw your phoenix but it really didn't register," James informed her, "so when Remus told us you would be working on combining your two animagi forms your mother and I wanted to see. Arsinoe was gracious enough to allow us to watch."

"Oh was she?" Harry glared at the Aztec witch.

"Geeze, Moony, her glare could rival that of Snivellus."

"If you had wanted to see me transform you could have asked," Harry remarked disgruntled, "and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't call Severus Snape, Snivellus. I chose him for one of my protectors and I don't think your old rivalry should be of any consequence. For the first five years I was at Hogwarts he took out his anger and hurt from your nasty pranks and bullying on me! Every time he looked at me, he saw James Potter and thought I was just like you. You lost Gryffindor more points dead than when you were a student here." Harry scowled up at her father. "I would also like to point out that you told him yourself that had you chosen him for a friend rather than that sniveling coward, Pettigrew, things may have turned out much differently."

"Touché," James Potter acquiesced, "and I meant it when I said it. I still do. It's just that seeing him again...well...old habits die hard."

"Severus is a very complex man, Harry. He is also very sensitive and caring. It's just hard for him to show it sometimes," Lily added thoughtfully. "If he hadn't tutored me in Potions I would never have passed. Your father was very jealous of my becoming friends with him."

"My father was an arrogant prankster with a big head!" Harry tossed her head with an exasperated frown.

"I really was, Lils, wasn't I?" He looked at his wife for confirmation. She nodded in agreement lips curved into a smile of amusement. "It took your mother to strighten me out."

"Harry has been told how wild we all were," Moony said calmly. "She also knows about the pranks you and Sirius pulled on Severus."

"Which ones?" James looked at Remus abashed.

"How about when Sirius almost got him killed or when you hung him upside down over by the lake simply because Sirius was bored?" Harry's scornful tone was not lost on her parents. Lily's eyes were shooting daggers at James.

"Harry, you have to realize I didn't know what Sirius was up to until he told me. I thank Merlin that I got there in time. The results would have been horrendous for both Severus and Moony." James ran his fingers through his unkempt hair. "Severus would probably have been killed and Moony..." his voice trailed off.

"Moony would have been put down like a wild animal," Harry finished for him.

"I know," James whispered, his thoughts drifting back to that terrible night.

"Harry, I think you should get to your lesson," Lily told her trying to steer the subject back to its original topic. Annoyed as she was with her husband that his youthful behaviors while a student had caused Harry such grief she didn't want to see him hurting like this. Harry had struck a painful nerve.

"You're right of course," Harry agreed letting the subject drop when she saw the shame reflected in her fathers face. "I have kept Arsinoe waiting for far too long and I have a Potions lesson after this."

"Ouch," Lily grinned, "if I remember correctly Severus hates to be kept waiting. He values punctuality."

"Your memory is accurate, Lily, and your daughter has a nasty habit of being late," Professor Snape sneered softly from the doorway, a potions vial in his hand. "I have brought your Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin. See that you don't wait to drink it. We all know the consequences of what could happen." His dark eyes bored into James Potter.

Harry wondered just how much he had overheard. Before either she or her father could say anything Remus voice cut them off.

"Thank you, Severus; I do appreciate your doing this. I worry constantly that I might harm one of the students or teachers." He took the vial from Severus outstretched hand, immediately swallowing its contents, grimacing at the flavor.

"You're welcome." Severus inclined his head towards Lupin.

"I guess it doesn't taste too good huh Moony?" James grimaced sympathetically. The potion had not yet been formulated when they were in school with the werewolf.

"The potion is rendered ineffective if its ingredients are altered with flavoring," Snape answered for the other wizard, turning to address Harry. "Will you be ready for your Potions lesson? It seems that you are running behind here."

"Uh...well yes we are running a bit late."

"Then I shall delay your tutoring session by half and hour if that would be acceptable to Professor Darkmoon?"

"I would appreciate it Severus, thank you."

"Then I shall be going. Harry I will expect you to be prepared to answer my questions as we will be doing a practice exam today."

"A practice exam," Harry choked, her stomach turning in knots.

"Yes. If you want to become the second youngest person to become a Master Potion Maker then you will need to prepare. Potions was not your best subject in school although you have made great strides with your desire to succeed."

"As a natural healer I think the knowledge will be helpful when I begin my studies with Dr. McBride and Madam Pomfrey. If I have a better understanding of Potions it will be a great help in knowing the best treatment to provide for the sick and injured."

"That is a laudable desire," Snape acknowledged.

"Severus, you said Harry would be the second youngest ever to achieve the title of Master. Who was the first?" James queried. He had wondered why Harry was studying Potions with the Snapes and knew they were not inclined to sponsor an apprenticeship.

"I was. Harry will miss my mark by two months as she will be closer to nineteen should she pass the exam in May."

"Oh..." James was stunned. He had known Snape was an expert at Potions but had not realized he achieved a Master of Potions so soon after they had graduated from Hogwarts. "Now if you will all excuse me I must speak with my uncle. There is to be a meeting tonight and he will be summoned by the Dark Lord." Snape did not wait for a reply but swept from the room without a sound, dark robes flying behind him.

"I hope Tiberius will be alright," Lily remarked with a worried sigh.

"Let's just hope Voldemort is in a better mood or he will be hitting his followers with the Cruciatus," Harry muttered. She then turned her attention to her instructor. "I think we had better get started."

"Are you all right with everyone here? You did not seem too happy about it before."

"I'll live but my father will have to pay for this."

"Oh? What will I have to do?"

"I hear you are still capable of transforming despite the circumstances surrounding your being here. I wouldn't mind meeting Prongs in person."

James tilted his head back with a laugh and transformed without a word. Prongs was magnificent. He was almost six feet at the shoulder and his rack of antlers looked as if they would make him a prime target for someone's trophy room. Harry grinned as she ran her hands over his soft tawny hair while he nuzzled her gently.

"We told you his name was Prongs for a reason," Remus grinned, licking his lips.

"Cool." Harry's eyes were sparking and everyone could tell she was enthralled with the stag.

"Harry what are you thinking?" Remus asked. "You have an odd gleam in your eye and I know that mischievous grin."

"I was just thinking about riding on his back into the Great Hall when everyone is at dinner. Can't you just picture the looks on everyone's face?"

"Ah...a true Marauder," James stated proudly, changing back. "When should we do it?"

"James! Think what Dumbledore would say!" Lily admonished shaking her head in dismay. She knew that if James set his mind on something he would be unstoppable.

"You sound too much like Hermione," Harry snorted. "We will discuss this later when she's not around. I'm sure Padfoot wouldn't mind coming along too." She winked conspiratorially while her father just eyed his wife pretending to look innocent.

"Harry we really should get started," Arsinoe reproached but her eyes were smiling. She knew the lesson would be easier if Harry was in a good mood.

"Umm..." Harry agreed and transformed into her Phoenix in the blink of an eye and began to sing. Phoenix song filled the room and they were all dazzled.

"Oh honey, you're beautiful," Lily sighed.

Harry took flight and flew gracefully around the room as her father transformed once again and she settled gracefully onto his antlers.

"Now that's what I really call a chip of the old block." Remus beamed at James.

"Can I pet her?" Lily inquired looking at Remus and Arsinoe for confirmation.

"Sure Lily, I don't think she would object," Remus answered.

Lily reached out with two fingers and gently stroked the soft red feathers. Harry cooed softly with Phoenix song, blinking at her mother. Prongs looked over at Moony and before Harry could do anything he transformed, catching her off guard. Flapping her wings, to keep her balance she found herself sitting on a nest of unruly red hair. Everyone laughed since she blended in so well with James' disguise. Letting out a squawk she reached down with her beak and gave his hair a tug.

"Ow! That hurts," he yelled. Harry wasn't finished yet though; she began to transform again. James suddenly found himself entangled in the coils of a large green boa constrictor. "Her other form is a serpent?"

"Didn't anyone tell you?"

"No," James replied as Harry came back to herself, still hugging her father. "I would have thought you would be a Griffin."

"No, it's the Slytherin in me that causes the serpent to come through. Why, don't you like it?" Harry queried nervously, dropping her arms.

"I am just surprised, that's all. I think you make a lovely snake. So what are you trying to combine into?"

"A winged serpent, like the one on the wall over there." Harry pointed to the figures of Quetzalcoatl and his twin sister. "Voldemort is a cobra and the spell needs to be spoken in Parseltongue. Arsinoe says the two combined will strengthen my power over him."

"Hmm...That is interesting. Have you been able to achieve any part of the combination yet?"

"No, she is only able to go from one animal to the other. As you can see she can do it quiet efficiently," Arsinoe explained. "She needs to visualize what parts to change now and what will stay the same."

"I didn't have anything to go by before so I wasn't sure what it would look like. I could only visualize a regular dragon, not one with feathers. The pictures on the wall are new."

"I only just received them." Arsinoe stated. "Do you think that now that you have seen the images you will be better prepared?"

"It can't hurt."

"Then give it a try, Princess. I for one am anxious to see what happens."

"Should I go from the Phoenix to the snake or the other way around?" Harry asked looking at Arsinoe.

"You are more comfortable with the Phoenix so you should start that way but eventually you should be able to do either."

"Arsinoe can go from one to the other too. She just doesn't have the need to combine her two forms," Remus stated eyeing the beautiful witch.

"You're a multiplico?" Lily asked stunned.

"I am. I am a leopard and a coyote."

"That is an odd combination," James mused. "A feline and a canine."

"Among my people they are two of the most common animals. We also revere the wolf and have no laws against those who have been touched by his spirit, like Remus."

"Wow!" James grinned. "That's great. You should hang onto her Moony," he quipped arching his brow.

Harry scowled at her father, feeling the jealousy flaring within herself. Arsinoe pretended not to notice and continued with her lesson.

"Harry I want you to transform again into the phoenix and then concentrate on the parts you need to change into the serpent."

"Right." Harry once again changed into her animagus form. Settling on the floor, she studied the picture on the wall and concentrated at hard as she could. All she could accomplish was a slight rustling of her feathers. "I can't," she sighed coming back into her human form."

"I didn't expect you to be able to on your first try."

"Don't get discouraged, Harry. Becoming a regular animagus is hard enough, but becoming a multiplico is probably the most difficult form of magic. The only other thing which is harder is to be a Metamorphagus, like Tonks or to combine two animagus forms."

"Tonks is a natural Metamorph. She didn't have to learn, it just happened."

"I know, Harry. Have you ever thought of trying that too? Sometimes an animagus can also become a Metamorph," her father explained considering the possibility.

"Not really and right now I think I have quite enough power. Maybe I will give it some though later on if..." her voice trailed off. She didn't want to say that she would try if she survived. Her father seemed to understand and gave her a quick squeeze.

"I told you not to think like that," he said sternly. "Now we really should be going. Your mother and Remus have classes to teach and I need to see Alastor about what is going on. We may be able to formulate a plan to trap some of the Deatheaters."

"What ever you do be careful. You don't need to take unnecessary risks."

"I know," he grinned, "as Alastor would say, Constant Vigilance!"

"I will see you later, Princess. I want to catch Sirius before he leaves for Hogsmeade with Circe and my class starts."

Harry nodded, seething inside. She was more jealous of Circe than of Arsinoe. She wanted to know what she was up to with Sirius and began to formulate a plan in the back of her mind. 'With any luck I can transform and find them in the village and see what is going on. Sirius said I should trust him but if he is in love with Circe why would he just not tell me?' she wondered. 'I have to know what he is up to. I will hate it if he is lying to me about her. Maybe I can get away from Potions tutoring early if I tell Sev my scar is hurting and ask to lie down.' She plotted to herself as Arsinoe interrupted her thoughts.

"Harry, we really need to work on your transformation. It is vital that you succeed. I know that you can do the spell in the language of the serpent but this may just help you in the battle, and there will be a battle."

"How can you be so certain of that? I'll admit that it is likely but maybe I will just be in the right place at the right time. Or maybe the Order will come up with a plan for me to catch Voldemort off guard."

"No. There will be a confrontation. I have seen it in a vision with the Peyote."

"What did you see?"

"Fire and fear; there is darkness coming and you must be prepared."

"Did you see who was in the vision?"

"Yes," Arsinoe sighed, "those whom you love. They will be in peril but I don't know from whom or when so don't ask me any more." Arsinoe's expression was closed and Harry sensed that she would not say anything more no matter how much she tried to get the information. She stared at Arsinoe and began to try to use her Legilimency only to discover the other witch was a skilled Occlumens.

"I apologize," Harry muttered with embarrassment. Arsinoe had been aware of her attempt to read through her mind.

"I told you what I know. It is unwise to probe another without their permission but I suspected you might try."

"I...I was concerned for my friends and family. I knew better than to use Legilimency but..."

"I understand and accept your apology," Arsinoe answered calmly.

"So...Voldemort's plan will somehow succeed. I can only hope that I will be in time. I...I can't lose anyone else..."

"I have not seen that far." Arsinoe put a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, the distress evident in Harry's voice. "Now let's make that winged serpent. It will be more than a little disarming to the Dark One and will give you an advantage over his serpent animagus since you will have wings."

"I already have wings," Harry countered.

"Yes, but only as a bird. Now you will be as a dragon."

"Good point. Let's go back to work. If it will help to stop him from harming anyone else I am all for it."

For the next half hour, Harry worked at trying to combine the two forms by transforming into either the snake or the phoenix and then altering the form but was unsuccessful. Arsinoe then had her attempt to transform into the winged serpent without becoming one of her other forms first but Harry was unable to make the change. She was becoming frustrated and upset. The elder witch suspected that Harry was unconsciously reluctant to assume the form of the ancient serpent god. She believed that part of Harry's problem was that she was associating the ancient god with dark powers and explained that all ancient serpent gods had both good and dark sides; that it was how they used their powers that determined their personality just like humans. In an effort to reassure Harry she gave her some reading material describing the power of Quetzalcoatl and Quetzalpetzatl, his twin sister. She also told her mediate on the form in the diagrams in an effort to relax so she could acco! mplish the transformation. Harry thanked her, agreeing to meet again next week for another lesson, then headed down to the dungeon for her Potions Master's practice. Severus was waiting at the door to the classroom his pale features etched into a scowl.

"As usual you're late again, Potter," he sneered.

"Only five minutes," she replied glancing at her watch, "and it's only because Arsinoe was giving me these books and some last minute instructions," Harry stated dropping the books down onto one of the worktables.

"I have warned you repeatedly about your lateness. You should have told Professor Darkmoon you would see her after dinner. You knew I would be waiting. Do you honestly believe that all of my time is centered on tutoring you in Advanced Potion making?"

"Oh, so now we're back to the nasty old Potions Master? Well, you can no longer intimidate me so knock it off," she shouted losing her temper. I had a perfectly good reason for being a few minutes late. If you really gave a damn about me you wouldn't get pissed off for taking the time and trouble to get some information that might help me to achieve the transformation. Or is stopping Voldemort no longer of any importance to you?"

"Control your temper, Potter, and do not use the Dark Lord's name in my presence ever again if you want me to continue your sponsorship for the exam." Severus glared furiously.

"Stop calling me Potter!" Harry exclaimed ignoring his threat. "You know I hate it when you act like an arrogant git. What's gotten into you?"

Severus didn't answer. Here merely spun on his heel, turning his back, stalking across the room to his desk, collecting his thoughts. He had heard James Potter refer to him as Snivellus, bringing back all his anger and hatred towards the wizard. He believed that with three of the four Marauders reunited the truce the Protectors had so carefully constructed would fall apart. 'Damn! Why did this have to happen now? I swear that if they start their petty little games with me again...' He clenched his fists angrily, frustrated that his life was suddenly taking a turn for the worse. 'Harry will side with that arrogant father of hers. How could I have ever been so stupid to think that she would ever want me when her father's friends...'

"Severus...is...is something wrong?" she asked timidly interrupting his thoughts. Harry wanted desperately to use her empathy to feel his emotions but feared angering him further causing him to withdraw completely. "Has your uncle's position spying on the Deatheaters been compromised?" she questioned. He had told them all earlier that there would be a meeting of the inner circle tonight and Tiberius would be summoned before the Dark Lord.

"What? No. His presence as a spy has not been detected," Severus answered from under his curtain of black hair. Harry noticed that it was no longer being washed properly and that his old sneer was back along with his mannerisms. "I think you had better leave, Potter. It would be unwise to continue with your lessons at this time."

"Why? I was only a few minutes late Severus."

"Your lack of punctuality shows me that you have no desire to truly attain the title, Master of Potions, and your skills are no better than basic," he replied coldly. "Now kindly leave my classroom before I throw you out."

"Sev..."

"It is Professor Snape, Miss Potter, now get out!" he hissed through gritted teeth.

"Bu...But..." she sputtered gaping.

"LEAVE NOW!" He started to rise from his desk, wand drawn.

Harry backed out of the room, eyes wide with disbelief, before turning to run back the way she had come, forgetting the books and papers Arsinoe had given her. She was panting and on the verge of tears when she emerged from the dungeon door onto the main floor by the entrance to the Great Hall. She could hear Sirius motorcycle flying away towards Hogsmeade when she had another shock. Remus and Arsinoe were just coming back in with their arms around one another. They stopped abruptly when they saw her. Harry just stared for a moment, and then flung herself past them out into the cold November evening.

"Princess wait!" Remus called running after her. Unfortunately, the students were returning from the Hogsmeade weekend at the same time and Harry was lost in the throng. Even with his heightened werewolf senses so close to the full moon he was unable to catch her scent. Sighing, he went back inside. The moon would rise in two hours and he did not want to risk following her. He decided it would be wiser to contact Sirius and Severus to start a search.

Harry was frantic now and wanted to get to Sirius. She needed the comfort that Padfoot was so good at giving her. Transforming near the Whomping Willow she flew towards the village. As she neared the outskirts of town, she saw Sirius motorcycle in the alley behind the Hogshead Inn, catching a glimpse of a tall man with his cloak hood drawn up just ducking inside with another person. Alighting on a tree branch, she waited, catching her breath. 'What on earth are Circe and Sirius doing here?' she mused fluttering to the ground and transforming. Looking up at the dark building, she was just in time to see a light come on in one of the upstairs rooms. Circe was pulling down the shade, smiling happily. A moment later, the outline of two figures was silhouetted against the darkened window shade, embraced in a passionate kiss. Harry fell to her knees sobbing. Her world was crumbling before her eyes. She was too distraught to see the furtive movement behind her until i! t was too late. Spinning around her eyes met the ghostly white mask of a Deatheater as she reached for her wand.

"Stupefy!" The cold insane cackle yelled shooting a stream of red light towards her before Harry could respond.

"Bellatrix!" Harry managed to exclaim before the darkness claimed her...