Harry Potter and The Secret of The Heirs

Chapter Thirteen

Quidditch and Animagus Training

Ron woke Harry up the next morning and they headed out to the Quidditch pitch. There were no new additions to the team this year and Ron was extremely keen to win the Quidditch cup. Ginny and her fifth year friend Rose Heaney (another Chaser), looked like they could do with another couple of hours sleep, they seemed to be struggling to listen to Ron's tactics. Natalie McDonald, a fourth year who was the last Chaser, seemed to have almost as much energy and kept asking Ron questions which served to annoy Harry, who really wanted to just get the practice started. Seamus and Matthew Baker, the two Beaters, looked like Harry felt.

Finally they mounted their brooms wholeheartedly, and went through the tactics Ron had come up. Harry was sure they had come from his experience training with the Cannons because they were difficult manoeuvres. It was good for Ron to be playing on such a professional level, but he seemed to have raised his expectations of the Gryffindor Team over the summer. Harry's muscle's well and truly ached by the time he landed his broom.

Ron put them through such a vigorous training session that Harry was relieved to head to the Prefect's bathroom and soak in the tub for a good half and hour before he managed to get out, get dressed and head down to the Great Hall. He was also thankful that Malfoy wasn't there to spoil his relaxation.

Lavender greeted him eagerly; after which Harry gave Ron a very hard time for the training session. He reminded Ron that they weren't professionals like he was, to which Ron's only reply was;

'Do you want to win the Quidditch Cup or not?'

Harry just gave him a dirty look; there was no need to reply. Hermione didn't look happy either. She was positively glaring at Lavender. Harry couldn't help but feel a bit disconcerted that one of his closest friends did not seem to be getting on too well with his girlfriend. They sat down to eat and soon owls arrived, which was enough to stop everyone glaring at each other. It was far too early in the day for post. Harry wondered why there were that many 'special' deliveries.

Harry and Hermione received a letter that had an identical seal on it. Harry recognised it as Sirius'. He opened his and read it quickly.

This parchment has been bewitched so only your eyes can read it. You have been selected, based on your previous demonstration of ability to undertake training for Animagus Transformation. If you accept your first session will be in the Transfiguration Classroom on Thursday evening at 8pm sharp. You are not to tell anyone about your training.

Once he had finished reading it the writing on the parchment disappeared. Ever since Sirius had told him about the Animagus Training, Harry had wondered who else had been chosen. He knew it had only been a select few and that the board of governors knew nothing of it, so it had to be kept under wraps. Hermione would be training, but as it would appear, no other Gryffindors had been chosen. Harry secretly thought that the couple of classes that Sirius would be teaching were really only so that he would be around.

'What's in the letters?' Ron asked.

'Prefect stuff' Harry replied quickly before Hermione could get a word in.

'Ginny didn't get one,' commented Ron.

'Seventh year Prefect stuff,' Hermione replied. Harry hoped that she sounded convincing enough.

Harry turned Ron's attention to Hermione's copy of The Daily Prophet. There was an article about the Cannons.

Cannons ammunition-less?

The Chudley Cannons will have a lot to answer for if they don't qualify for next years European Cup. The Cannons have recently recruited some fresh young players, who are stacked with talent. Marcus Flint, who left Hogwarts two years ago should certainly add some spark to the team, as should new reserve Keeper Ronald Weasley, the current Gryffindor Team Captain who is currently completing his seventh year at Hogwarts. The question remains however, why have these talented players remained on the sidelines? They clearly have more talent in their little fingers than the rest of the team has put together.

Ron didn't look impressed.

'Time to go to class,' said Ron quietly, putting the paper down.

Harry picked Lavender up and ran towards the History of Magic Classroom, with Hermione and Ron tagging reluctantly behind them.

An hour with Binns, talking about the Rise of the Dark Arts, Harry couldn't believe his luck. Now Harry had time to catch up on the sleep he'd missed from getting up so early for Ron's practice.

*~*

Although Harry was full of anticipation for Thursday evening, there was plenty to keep him occupied until then. Not only had they been piled with homework; their teachers thinking that they were under prepared for their final year, but also Ron was pushing the Quidditch team to the limit, with one training a day, mostly morning in the first week of term.

Harry was looking forward to Thursday evening partially he thought because Ron had Cannons training and couldn't hold Gryffindor training that night. It was Harry's salvation. His muscles ached and he hadn't had enough sleep. Harry was so glad that Ron had been given special permission to leave school for training, given that The European Cup was beginning in January.

Harry used the chance of a free evening, to sit down and catch up with his work, before making his way to the Transfiguration classroom right on time.

He walked in the door and found Sirius inside waiting for him.

'Hi Harry' he began. 'We're doing lessons individually so that no one else knows who's training. But I suppose you may know who a few of the others are, so try and keep it quiet.'

Harry nodded.

'Today we're going to concentrate on growing hair, given that most animals have fur. Have you given any thought as to what animal you want to become?'

'No' Harry replied. He hadn't really had a chance to give it a thought. Come to think of it he didn't really know that much about Animagus Transformation, except that you turn into an animal. 'Can I become whatever animal I want?'

'I'll give you a book to read that answers most of those questions Harry, but there's almost no restriction on what animal you become. You cannot become a dragon, but you can become a less dangerous magical creature, for instance a unicorn. If you have any specific questions however, it's probably best to just ask me. Can't have you wasting time with your head in a book when it's not necessary now, can we?'

Sirius winked as he handed him a book entitled 'So, you want to become an Animagus? Important facts you need to know'.

'Right, time to start the lesson,' Sirius said. 'Okay, what I want you to do now is close your eyes and concentrate on your hair.'

Harry did so. He concentrated hard on his hair. It was brown and messy, so messy in fact that Sleekeasy's Hair Potion did not help.

'Concentrating?' Harry nodded. 'Right now I want you to concentrate on it getting longer, okay.'

Harry concentrated on his hair growing for the next five minutes or so, when Sirius asked him to look in the mirror, his hair was as long as his shoulders.

Harry almost couldn't believe the reflection was him.

'Right now Harry, I want you to make it short again.'

It took less time for Harry to shorten his hair; he just concentrated on it looking normal again. Sirius got Harry to go through the exercise a couple more times before he decided that was enough for the first night. Harry deliberately made it shorter than usual, wondering whether or not anyone would notice. Harry was surprised at how much energy the exercises consumed. He felt like his head was aching. He wondered if hair had any muscles because he was sure that they were crying out for help if they actually existed.

'How long will it take me to learn do you think?' Harry asked. 'After I pick an animal that is.'

'It depends how hard you work on it Harry,' replied Sirius. 'It won't take you as long as it did your father and I, one because you don't have Peter Pettigrew dragging you down and two because you have proper instruction.'

Harry headed towards the door.

'Before you go Harry,' Sirius said. 'Is Hermione any closer to finding out what the face was?'

'No,' he replied. 'How did you know she was looking?'

'I have my sources,' Sirius replied. 'How are you feeling, Harry?'

Harry thought about how to answer this question. He was sure that he looked exhausted. He certainly felt it.

'I'm feeling fine. Really Sirius, I am. I just wish I knew what was coming. Lavender said she saw some weird things in the Orb, but she said it's not reliable. And Ron's pushing us very hard because he really wants to win the Quidditch Cup; I've barely had time to breathe. On top of all the work we're expected to do. Your girlfriend's really mean by the way.'

Harry gave Sirius a joking look, but Sirius seemed to take what Harry had said much more seriously than he had intended. He had gained a somewhat serious look on his face.

'Take's her teaching almost as much as her studying does she? I'll have to have words to her, because she'll have to find time to mark everything she's setting you and that means that she'd have no time for me, then I would have to come and bother you, and you wouldn't get your work done, then you would get in trouble and she'd be after me!'

Harry laughed.

'Seriously Harry, it can't hurt for you to be extra prepared when it comes to the Dark Arts. Take what Chrys has to say very seriously. She's very experienced in that area, even if she can't cook. We had a talk with Dumbledore and Snape after we took you to the hospital wing. Snape doesn't know very much but he's working on it. The face is a creation of Voldemort. All we can guarantee at the moment is that Voldemort is after you.'

'Great,' Harry replied. 'Tell me something I don't know.'

'Just watch your back okay?'

After assuring Sirius that he would be careful, Harry headed back to Gryffindor Tower. Ron had just returned from training, Harry spied Hermione but could not see any sign of Lavender.

'Where's Lavender?' he asked.

'With Trelawney,' Hermione replied rolling her eyes. 'Trying to figure out what something in the Orb meant. She's been gone since dinner.'

'We'll have to start without her,' Harry said.

Harry told them what Sirius had said. Ron's temper began to rise.

'That's just great Harry, can't they do anything faster than that. It's all very well to say you're target, but why they can't say anything. What are they going to do, use you as bait?'

Ron was almost on the verge of screaming.

'Hush Ron,' Harry said 'Do you want everyone in the school to know? I don't think Dumbledore would use me as bait anyway. He just said Snape's working on it.'

'Dumbledore may not use you as bait' Ron snapped, 'but Snape sure as hell would.'

'Snape's not that bad, remember what happened last year?' Harry said trying to remind Ron of the night that Wormtail had been captured. 'They would tell me; they wouldn't keep me in the dark about something like that. But if they're not sure what's going on they're not likely to say anything, which is where they are at I think.'

Harry was adamant, if they were going to use him as bait, they would tell him first.

'Come on Ron' he said. 'Lets do this bloody essay on Celts; Hermione must have a book somewhere.'

'Over there' she snapped, 'and don't copy mine!'

'What's wrong with her?' Ron asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

Ron and Harry sat down and got to work reading about Celts. It seemed extremely boring and pointless; who cared about stupid witches who could sense what was going to happen. Then Harry looked over and saw Hermione was reading 'The Mysteries of The Founders' and Harry was secretly relieved he was researching Celts rather than the life of Helga Hufflepuff, whom Harry had always thought was the most boring of the four founders. After an hour Ron went to bed, tired from Quidditch Training and having finished his attempt at a lesson, leaving Harry to wait for Lavender alone.

She eventually returned half an hour later looking extremely frazzled.

Harry reached out to her.

'What's wrong sweetie' he asked softly.

'Everything I see is confusing,' she said. 'I've been with Trelawney for the last two hours trying to work out what it means. It's all so conflicting, everything points to a prophecy, but Trelawney says that the only prophecy she knows about was you causing You-know-who to fall when you were a baby. I just can't work out what it means. I keep seeing a snake. And the snake is trying to attack a bird. I'll have to try looking somewhere else. I'm just not sure what the bird symbolises. Are you guys any closer?'

Harry shook his head. He held Lavender close to him while she cried on his shoulder. Somehow Harry sensed that Lavender wasn't telling him everything that she had seen.

She's obviously seen something that has really upset her, he thought. She'll tell me when she's ready, or at least I hope she will.

As Harry held this girl close to him, he realised he cared very much about her. He couldn't understand why, he hadn't even really known her until last year. Whether or not he loved her or not, was yet to be seen. He was very unsure what his actual feelings were for her but he knew that all he wanted to do was take away whatever was hurting her.

He kissed her softly, kept telling her that everything was going to be all right.

'I'm here Lavender, it's okay.'

Harry knew it was true, he knew he would do anything to stop her from hurting.

They fell asleep on the couch, Harry holding her tightly.

*~*

Hermione's birthday approached and Harry decided that they should celebrate her coming of age in style. McGonagall had given them permission to hold a party in the common room after dinner, but instead Harry and Ron opted to hold her a classy banquet, while everyone else was at dinner, and then have a party afterward. They managed to convince Dobby to bring food up to the Fat Lady's Portrait, and play waiter for them.

Harry and Ron had the afternoon off, and Hermione was in the library, so they used the chance to decorate the common room with all the decorations that Fred and George had sent them. Harry was extra careful with them, he was sure that the twins wouldn't pass up an opportunity to play the odd joke on them. Ginny had recruited some of the younger students to help them decorate.

The delight that was on her face when she entered the room made all the effort worth it. Hermione looked happy and in her element celebrating her birthday in style. Ron, Ginny and Harry had a wonderful dinner with her, as Dobby kept bringing them food until they couldn't eat anymore.

Then when all the other Gryffindor's came back from dinner, they saw that Sirius, Chrystal and McGonagall had joined them. McGonagall had arrived no sooner than she left saying that she had remembered something that she was supposed to do. She reappeared soon after with Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, Lee and Katie and a cake that they had bought in Hogsmeade for Hermione. She was a bit dubious of the cake at first, but after Katie assured her that it was fine, there was nothing wrong with it, she was happy to try and blow out the candles. After about ten tries, she gave up, realising that the joke was that Fred and George had given her joke candles.

A pile of birthday presents for the Head Girl had piled up in the corner of the room, while everyone was singing Happy Birthday.

Harry could see tears in Hermione's eyes. She was touched by the gesture; birthdays usually seemed to go unnoticed at Hogwarts. She leant over and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.

'Thanks for going to so much effort for me,' she said as she headed upstairs.

*~*

Despite their apprehension for what was to come, the days past quickly and before Harry knew it, it was time for their first Quidditch match. It would coincide with the Halloween Feast. They were playing Hufflepuff and should win quite convincingly, the Hufflepuff team being almost entirely new. Sure they had played one game already this year, but they had been absolutely flattened by Ravenclaw. Harry didn't feel the usual nerves that, he thought it must be from exhaustion. Animagus training was draining, and Harry still had not come up with an animal. They had so much homework to do and Snape was being particularly nasty with the amount of work he was setting them.

Harry's nerves were just about right. They flattened Hufflepuff, their Chaser's were no match for Ron, and they couldn't even get the Quaffle through the hoop once in the time it took Harry to catch the Snitch. Lavender, Sirius, Chrystal, Hermione and Crookshanks came to greet them.

'Why did you bring that thing?' Ron asked. He still wasn't too keen on Crookshanks, even though he hadn't eaten Scabbers after all.

'He was pulling on my robes,' she shrugged her shoulders. 'I told you he's been acting weird lately.'

'Perhaps he's become a Quidditch fan,' Harry suggested.

After Sirius had invited Harry to come up to his room after the feast, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender went to visit Hagrid. They hadn't had as much of a chance to visit with Hagrid lately, especially as he wasn't teaching them anymore. Harry banged on the door loudly.

Hagrid opened the door in surprise.

'Is you, I'm glad ya've come'

Hagrid invited them in and offered them tea.

'I'm going off for a couple of months now right after the feast tonight' Hagrid said, 'now Charlie's trained up a bit. I've got to go and do some work for Dumbledore, up north.'

He winked at them. It must be operative's work, perhaps something to do with the giants; otherwise I'm fairly sure he'd tell us what he was doing.

Harry looked up as Hagrid continued to talk.

'I'll be gone until bout Christmas, then I'll be back good as new to take over the firs and secon' years again. Yabrother'll have his work cut out until then Ron.'

Three of them knew better than to ask Hagrid where he was going, the three of them had grown up a lot, given the additional responsibility Dumbledore had given them. They realised that Dumbledore considered them as adult members of the operatives unofficially and if they were to know about a mission they would be told. There were reasons why things were kept secret.

They wished Hagrid goodbye, Lavender being particularly glad that Hagrid was going, because that meant he couldn't find weird creatures for Charlie to teach them about.

They headed up towards the Great Hall with Crookshanks in hand reliving the heart throbbing moments of the Quidditch match.

*~*

Draco Malfoy was sitting in Professor Àille's office waiting for her to return after the Quidditch match. He had been doing a lot of thinking. In his hands he held the letter he had received that morning.

He had known what it was immediately. It was sealed with a blood red seal, the seal of the house of Malfoy. After he had found somewhere quiet he opened it.

You have been chosen to serve the Dark Lord. He has chosen you not only because you are destined to be his servant, but also because you have shown that you have many skills that will be beneficial in serving the Dark Lord. You will be initiated on a surprise date over Christmas break.

The time had come. He must make a decision.

The point of no return had arrived.