Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

AN: I ended up using a canon character introduced in OoP but I don't think there's any reason I can't.

Chapter 5Friendship and Family Ties

Harry felt better the next day mostly because most of the students who had seen him play didn't go on and on about the dive. But they did tell him how Sean kept boasting about what a good flying teacher Harry was, and about how much he'd learned.

Sean and Stan had also begged him to come to the next practice, swearing they wouldn't tell anyone. Harry finally caved in (although he didn't put up much of a fight) and agreed.

It was the end of the day on Friday and Harry sat at his desk in his classroom. He would have preferred to sit in his office but it was too small and if Voldemort came in, it would be too painful in the confined area.

His Lesson plans were finished for the next week, so he found himself again staring at his letter to Ginger. How was he going to tell her?

"What are you doing, Harry?" said Voldemort from his chair across the room.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" said Harry.

"Well, judging by that tormented expression," said Voldemort. "I'd say you were still trying to figure out how to tell your wife about me."

Voldemort dematerialized then re-materialized behind Harry. Harry's hand hit his scar.

"I wish you wouldn't do that," muttered Harry.

Voldemort chuckled, leaning over his shoulder. "I see I was right."

"You know everything, Voldemort, so why do you bother to ask?" said Harry. "And would you mind not reading over my shoulder. You've all ready given me a headache."

Harry felt Voldemort straighten behind him.

"So why haven't you told her, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"You know why."

"But I don't," said Voldemort. "Seems to me, she'll be angrier that you didn't tell her than about the fact that I'm haunting you."

"I don't want to upset her," said Harry.

"And you don't think she'll be upset and angry when she does find out?"

"I'd just as soon make it later than sooner," grumbled Harry.

"But she is your wife," said Voldemort. "She has a right to know, especially since, as our contract states, after she gives birth, I can go to your house if you are there."

"Don't remind me, Voldemort," said Harry. "I remember quite clearly what I agreed to."

"So tell her, Harry," said Voldemort. "Before she finds out on her own."

Voldemort sounded so smug, Harry got angry. "Look," said Harry, standing up and turning around at the same time. "This is none of-"

Voldemort grabbed Harry's face and Harry gasped in pain. "Have you lost your temper with me, my son?"

Harry leaned on the desk to keep himself on his feet as he stared into Voldemort's eyes.

Voldemort looked away briefly then turned back to Harry with a very satisfied looking smile.

"Do come in, Mrs. Potter," said Voldemort.

Harry swallowed hard. Voldemort held his chin firmly but out of the corner of his eye, he saw his wife stepping further into the room. Harry could bet she'd been standing there for a while and Voldemort had known - which was the reason for all the questions.

Harry legs were getting too weak to hold him.

"That wasn't very nice," rasped Harry.

Voldemort stared hard at Harry. "So who ever said I was nice?" said Voldemort.

"Don't look at me," said Ginny.

Voldemort chuckled.

"Let go of him, Voldemort," said Ginny.

Voldemort simply let go and Harry hit the floor.

Voldemort turned to Ginny. "You look radiant my dear," said Voldemort. "How is Harry treating you?"

Ginny ignored him and rushed around the desk. She put an arm around Harry as he pushed to his hands and knees.

"Harry, how could you keep this from me?" said Ginny.

"How could I not," said Harry softly.

Ginny helped him into his chair. "Damn it, Harry, you're not alone anymore."

"I know, Ginger," said Harry. "I'm sorry. It's just-"

"Don't even go there, Harry," said Ginny. "I said for better or worse." She sent Voldemort a glare. "Even if he always makes it worse."

Voldemort chuckled. "I always did like you, Ginny," said Voldemort.

Ginny stood up and faced him. "You - out. I want to talk to my husband."

Voldemort's expression altered. "Careful, Girl," said Voldemort, his tone menacing. "As you can see, I can still touch him. I can still put him in agony. Do not provoke me."

"Yes, well, I will hear all the whys before I leave," said Ginny. "So kindly leave us alone."

"Not in the contract, my dear," said Voldemort. "I don't have to."

Ginny looked at Harry who looked away. "Another contract?" said Ginny. "Great." Ginny continued to look at Harry who still had his hand pressed to his scar. She must have realized he was still in pain.

She looked around. "Rowan," she called out.

"Harry," said Voldemort.

"I didn't call her," said Harry with a grin. "Ginger did."

Rowan soared into the room, looking tired (she had been busy since Voldemort's return), and Voldemort vanished. Rowan landed on Harry's chest and cried his pain away.

When he looked up at his wife there wasn't a pleasant look on her normally angelic features.

"Ginger-"

"Spit it out, Harry," snapped Ginny. "I want to hear all of it."

Harry sighed and told her everything. They were joined over dinner by Hermione who helped gloss over some of it. They had finished the meal and Hermione and Ginny were discussing courses of action when Nagini slithered in.

Great. "What is it?" Harry asked the snake.

"The master is very annoyed with Mrs. Potter," said Nagini.

"Oh?" said Harry.

"Yes. The master made you tell her your secret but she was not appreciative," said Nagini.

"Meaning," said Harry.

"The master thinks she should tell you her secret."

"Her secret?" said Harry, puzzled.

"Yes, the one she is hiding from you."

Harry blinked at the snake and turned to Ginny. "You're keeping something from me, Ginger?"

Ginny looked at the snake with sudden alarm. "What did she tell you?" said Ginny.

Harry told them.

"Oh, dear," said Hermione. "Voldemort knows."

"What does he know that I don't," demanded Harry.

Ginny bit her lip. "Oh, Harry."

Harry sent Rowan out of the room and called Voldemort. When he appeared, Harry demanded again, "What's going on?"

"Harry, think," said Voldemort. "Didn't you notice that when I forced you to sign the documents I said it was for the heirs?"

"Yes, but Ginny comes from a large family," said Harry. "We're bound to have-" Harry cut himself off and looked at his wife. The heir was the first born and Voldemort had used the plural form. George and Fred were Ginny's brothers... Harry stood up.

"TWINS," he nearly shouted.

Ginny bit her lip again.

Astounded, Harry stared down at her. Not one, but two. He paced away running a hand through his hair.

Voldemort chuckled at his reaction. "An heir for Gryffindor and an heir for Slytherin, Harry," said Voldemort. "The prophesy working once more."

Harry ignored Voldemort. "Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked his wife.

"If you saw your face just then, you'd know why," said Ginny stubbornly.

"But something that important-"

"Oh," challenged Ginny, "And being haunted by the century's most evil dark lord isn't important?"

Harry's jaw dropped open but he couldn't respond. Guilt converged on him again. Because of him now his entire family would be plagued by the nuisance that was Voldemort.

"But," said Harry.

"You're worried enough," Ginny went on. "You wouldn't even go to the opening feast because I had an upset stomach."

Harry was at a complete loss. Ginny had had brothers - people she loved and who loved her all her life to argue with. Harry had had no one.

He had never had a serious row with Ginny. Harry had every right to be angry but couldn't seem to get over his guilt. And Ginny wasn't finished with him.

"Damn it, Harry," said Ginny. "Why must you-"

Ginny clamped her mouth closed as Voldemort went directly to Harry and pushed his hand to Harry forehead.

Harry hit the ground as a scream tore out of him, echoed by a scream from both Hermione and Ginny.

Ginny fell to the floor next to Harry and wrapped her arms around him.

"I told you, girl," said Voldemort. "Do not provoke me."

Ginny looked up at him, stammering. "I-I didn't."

"But you did," said Voldemort. "You pushed Harry into a corner of his own guilt. Harry doesn't know how to argue with people he loves. You provoked me by hurting my son."

"Then why punish Harry?"

"He is not suffering from the trauma of your guilt, right now," said Voldemort. "Is he?"

"Harry," cried Ginny.

Harry couldn't speak. The pain had hit so quickly, it had shocked his system.

"Rowan," shouted Ginny.

Harry shut his eyes. Voldemort had just provocation. Rowan couldn't come.

"Rowan!" shouted Ginny again.

"She can't come," said Voldemort. "Harry knows it. Will you let him bleed to death?"

Gasping through tears, Ginny sneered, "I despise you."

"Help Harry," said Voldemort simply.

Ginny scrambled to her feet and dashed into the hall screaming for help. Hermione settled next to Harry, pressing some sort of cloth to his head.

"I'm sorry, Harry," said Voldemort.

"I know, Voldemort," said Harry weakly. "But you were right. I can take it from you. I can't take it from her."

Voldemort nodded. "Call Rowan, Harry. I will concede."

"You never fight with me or Ron, either," said Hermione.

Blackness was converging on Harry and he still felt the blood flowing down his face. "I can't contest," rasped Harry. "You were provoked by my wife and punished me on my own behalf. You're still protecting me, aren't you?"

"Yes, Harry," said Voldemort. "You are still my son."

Harry heard the sound of pounding feet.

"Please move away from him," cried Ginny.

Voldemort drifted back a few meters. "Do you understand now, Mrs. Potter?"

"Yes, I understand," said Ginny. "You're still a monster."

Harry cried out as he was moved to a stretcher.

"Oh, Harry," cried Ginny.

Severus was pressing something to Harry's scar as Hermione tried to wipe the blood off his face.

"Think hard, Ginny," said Voldemort. "When you figure it out, Harry can contest his punishment and call Rowan."

Ginny stood up again and looked at Voldemort. She opened her mouth but closed it again as Voldemort moved closer to Harry.

"Who has Harry fought with, Ginny?"

"He's fought with Ron," said Ginny.

"Has he?" said Voldemort. "You've heard them argue?"

"Well no," said Ginny. "They didn't speak to one another."

Voldemort nodded. "And what happened when Harry argued with the Dursleys?"

"I don't know."

"I believe he was locked up and starved," said Voldemort.

Ginny gasped with what sounded like horror. Harry turned his face away.

"Wait, Severus," Voldemort told him as he moved Harry's stretcher.

"And Sirius," Voldemort quizzed Ginny.

"Harry doesn't argue with Sirius."

"Correct," said Voldemort. "Who does he argue with?"

"Only you," said Ginny her eyes narrowing.

"And what happens?"

"You put him in agony," cried Ginny.

"And what about Hermione?"

"He never-" Ginny stopped, her voice softening. "He won't fight with people he cares about."

"Very good, Ginny," said Voldemort. "Harry grew up not truly caring for anyone. Now he has people he cares for. He won't fight with them. He doesn't want to lose what he never had. He'd rather-"

"He'd rather suffer," squeaked Ginny.

"Yes, Ginny," said Voldemort.

"You did that for him," whispered Ginny.

"Yes," said Voldemort. "He can take it from me. He can't take it from you."

Ginny leaned over Harry. "Oh, Harry. I'm so sorry," cried Ginny. "I'm so stupid. You're so stupid. If you think you could lose me, you're deluded. I love you, you idiot."

Harry couldn't see her face but could hear the emotion in her voice. He closed his eyes.

"I'll just have to learn to put up with my in-laws."

Voldemort chuckled. Harry snorted on his own laugh and groaned as pain tremored through him.

"But," said Ginny. "I have every right to try to argue with my husband with or without your interference, Voldemort. So I contest you punishing him."

Voldemort drifted across the classroom. "I concede."

He vanished and Ginny called Rowan. She came.

Rowan, now at the end of her cycle wasn't a full strength. She was able to stop the bleeding, restore his sight and take most of Harry's pain away but Harry was still weak as he entered his class Monday morning.

The class took one look at him and groaned.

"It wasn't anything one of us said, was it?" said Cindy.

"No," said Harry, sitting down as his desk. "My wife visited this weekend." Harry sighed. "I hadn't told her about Voldemort yet. She was a tad miffed."

Several boys laughed.

"Well I should think so," huffed Missy.

"Wait a minute," said Sean. "She provoked him and he punished you?"

"Yes," said Harry. "I'm the only one he can hurt, remember."

"That's not fair," said Dawn.

"So who ever said I was fair," said Voldemort as he materialized in his chair in the back.

Harry flinched.

"Then why-" started Missy.

"It's obvious," said Cindy, cutting her off.

Voldemort chuckled. "That girl is so much like Hermione it's almost annoying."

Harry leaned back in his chair and smiled. The class glared at Cindy who frowned, turning red.

"Cindy, I'd take that as a compliment," said Harry. "Voldemort knows Professor Weasley can run rings around his semantics games." Voldemort stood up and Harry held up a hand. "Please, Voldemort," said Harry. "You know it's true for the most part and you've already done enough damage."

Voldemort studied him. "You are still in pain." Voldemort stated the obvious.

Harry sighed. "Rowan did what she could."

Voldemort sat down. "All right, Harry."

Harry turned back to Cindy. "So tell us. Why did he punish me?" quizzed Harry.

"Well, I would think it's Voldemort's threat of torture manipulation."

"Go on," said Harry.

"She is your wife," reasoned Cindy. "I doubt she would like to see you in - well, like that. By her knowing he can do that to you, he can control her."

Voldemort chuckled. "Very good, Miss Larsen."

"Well that sucks," said Missy.

Voldemort laughed outright.

"Then I'm right," said Cindy.

"Yes," said Harry. "And although it does indeed suck, my wife has a strong character and a solid constitution."

"She needs it to be Mrs. Harry Potter," said Voldemort.

Harry ignored the remark. "She's also never feared Voldemort."

"Hmm, yes," muttered Voldemort. "Courageous little chit. Always yelling at me on Harry's behalf."

The class laughed at his grumbling tone and Harry smiled.

"Complaining, Voldemort," said Harry.

Voldemort stared back at Harry with seriousness. "Oh, no, Harry," said Voldemort. "I doubt she'll do it again now."

But Harry kept smiling. "Oh, I don't know. Ginger loves good repartee too."

Voldemort sent Harry a challenging grin. "I'll look forward to it then."

"I'm sure you will."

"Did she come for a reason?" said Voldemort. "Or was it a social visit?"

"Does my wife need an excuse to see me?" said Harry indignantly.

Voldemort chuckled and smirked at him. "Nice try, Harry."

Harry shook his head in surrender and held up his arm. "She brought me my watch. I left it home the last time I was there."

"She came all the way here to bring you a watch?" said Cindy with surprise. Then she dropped her gaze. "Er. Sorry, Professor."

Harry looked at her. "It's all right," said Harry. "It does sound extreme but this watch is special." He sent Sean a glance. "It was made by the same people who created the Marauder's Map."

While several of the students who were in the common room started whispering, Voldemort spoke up.

"Really? Do tell us," said Voldemort.

Harry was sure the last thing Voldemort wanted to hear about was his father and Sirius. "Let's just say," said Harry. "That with the right commands, this watch will voice several opinions on whatever they think the wearer should be doing at that particular time."

"Complete waste of time, if you ask me," said Voldemort.

"Oh?" Damn Harry's curiosity. "Why is that?"

Voldemort chuckled. "Because, my boy, the only opinion that matters is mine, of course."

Harry laughed - had to, but a knock on the door stopped Harry from responding.

"Come in," said Harry.

Remus Lupin entered the room and crossed it, looking ill and tired.

"Ah, hello, Remus," said Voldemort.

Remus stopped and sent him a surprised glance. He sighed. "I had hoped Sirius was playing a nasty joke on me," Remus said to Harry.

"Tell me about it," said Harry.

Harry introduced Professor Remus Lupin as the best DADA teacher Harry had had at Hogwarts and announced that Remus would be teaching with Harry for the next few days.

"Why?" said Sean.

"Why indeed," said Voldemort, knowingly.

"Voldemort please," said Harry. "It's a surprise. Play along with us."

Voldemort stared at Harry. "At what concession?"

Harry sighed. "Must you be so difficult?"

"Oh, but I must," said Voldemort. "What do you offer?"

"What do you want?"

"Is everything a negotiation with him?" said Remus.

"Usually," said Harry. "But I think he has something specific in mind right now."

"How well you know me, Harry."

"So what is it?" said Harry.

"You will let me visit Ginny one day this week," said Voldemort. "To see this repartee of hers."

Harry considered it. Ginger could take it. It would actually help and she would insist on it.

Harry looked at Remus. "Wednesday," they both said.

Voldemort nodded knowingly. "I understand," said Voldemort. "Very well, Harry. I will play along."

Remus paced the front of the class. "I will be teaching you about boggarts, dementors and werewolves."

The class groaned.

"We already covered them," said Sean.

"Have you faced any of them?" said Remus.

The class looked at one another.

"Er. No," said Missy.

"Well Professor Potter found a boggart, so you will all fight it first hand." He turned to Harry. "Are you sure your strong enough for this?" said Remus.

"Yes," said Harry.

"Where is it?" said Remus.

"Staff room again," said Harry. "Annoying the hell out of Snape."

Remus laughed. "Too bad Neville isn't here."

Reminded of Neville, Harry decided he would definitely go to Hogsmeade over the weekend.

Harry got up as Remus directed the class to the door.

"I don't suppose I could persuade you to stay here," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled. "And miss our favorite class fighting a boggart," said Voldemort. "Harry, don't be so silly."

Which meant no.

"Just keep your distance, then," said Harry.

"Will you beg me?"

Harry sighed. "I'm asking."

Voldemort smiled. "All right, Harry."

They all entered the empty staff room and Remus quizzed them all on what would happen when the boggart came out. They all knew that if would change into what ever the person facing it feared most.

They all knew the spell (ridikulous) to fight it and Remus told them that they would all get the chance to face it.

"Now when it gets to Professor Potter," Remus said and looked to Harry. "Are you sure you're-"

"Remus, give me a break," said Harry.

"What is the problem?" said Voldemort, sounding bored. "Harry isn't afraid of anything. I certainly never scared him. What could it change into? His wife?"

"Very funny, Voldemort," said Harry.

Remus went on. "As I was saying, when it gets to Professor Potter, it will turn into a dementor."

"A dementor?" said Voldemort interested again. "Oh, Harry, I'm impressed."

"Why is that impressive," said Missy.

"My dear girl," said Voldemort. "It is impressive because it means that what Harry fears most is fear itself."

The class looked at him. Thankfully, Remus continued.

"Professor Potter will show you at that point, the way to fight a dementor," said Remus.

"Harry has a strong patronus?" said Voldemort.

"Yes, Voldemort," said Remus. "It charged off 100 dementors in his third year."

"Really? One Hundred? His third year?" said Voldemort.

Remus looked up. "Yes," said Remus. "Why are you so surprised? You know how powerful he is."

"Well yes, but at 13..."

"Can we get on with this," said Harry self-consciously, trying not to notice how the class was looking at him again.

Harry watched the boggart change into various scary monsters and giant insects which the students all made to look silly.

"Ready, Harry?" said Remus.

"Yes," said Harry, moving forward. The boggart turned to him and changed. Cold filled the room.

Harry heard his mother pleading but waited. He heard her screams.

"Now, Harry," said Remus. "Finish it."

Harry raised his hand. "Expecto Patronum," said Harry. The silver stag erupted from his hand and charged toward the dementor/boggart who tripped over his robe.

The sight of the monstrous and menacing creature falling over it's feet was funny and the class laughed. The boggart exploded into a waft of smoke.

"All right, Harry?" said Remus.

"Remus," said Harry with exasperation.

"For heaven's sake," said Voldemort. "What is the fuss? What happens when Harry comes across a dementor?"

"You don't want to know, Voldemort," said Harry. "Believe me. You don't."

"But I do," said Voldemort. "Remus must know."

"Remus knows because I didn't understand why they effected me worse then anyone else," said Harry. "I used to pass out. He taught me the patronus spell."

"Tell me, Harry."

"No, Voldemort," said Harry as they all went back to the DADA classroom.

"I'm asking, Harry."

"Will you beg me?" said Harry with a grin.

"I'll wager Miss Larsen has figured it out," said Voldemort.

Harry sent Cindy a glance. She looked like she was deep in thought. "Maybe," said Harry with a shrug.

"She'll tell me," said Voldemort. "But I'd rather hear it from you."

The class took their seats and Harry fell into his chair behind his desk.

"I said no, Voldemort," said Harry.

Voldemort drifted over to Cindy. "Miss Larsen?" said Voldemort.

"I have no idea what could be so bad that Professor Potter would pass out," said Cindy but she ruined her ignorant comment with a sweet smile.

"Ah, so your class is loyal as well," said Voldemort.

Thankfully, the bell rang. The class left, talking about the boggart and the dementor. Voldemort followed them.

"Where are you going, Voldemort?" said Harry.

"Your second year Ravenclaws are coming, Harry," said Voldemort. "I'm going to play with Hermione's Slytherins."

"Why don't I believe you?" said Harry, distractedly playing with the chain around his neck.

Voldemort chuckled and vanished.

Harry sighed.

"So, I'll see you Wednesday night," said Remus.

Harry turned to him but Remus' eyes were on the medallion Harry was absently running along its chain.

"What's that?" said Remus.

Harry shrugged, looking down at it. "Just an old piece of jewelry. I've had it for years."

He remembered Voldemort's comment when he noticed Harry wearing it.

I knew you'd favor this one.

Remus took the gold phoenix medallion from Harry's grasp and looked down at it. At the angle he held it, the gem stone eyes, one red, one green, appeared to glow.

"I've never seen you wear this before."

Harry took it from Remus' fingers and dropped it back under his robe. "I normally wear it under my shirt," said Harry simply.

The second year students started filing in.

"Why?" said Remus.

Harry pulled out his notes for his class and leaned over his desk. "Why?" echoed Harry, unwilling to actually admit that it reminded him of a happy holiday.

"Because it's a nice piece," said Remus looking impressed. "It does look old."

Harry pulled it back out and looked at it. The detail was exquisite and the inscription on the back appeared to be a very archaic looking imprint.

"Have you ever have it translated?" said Remus.

Harry looked back up. "Hm? What?" said Harry, frowning.

Remus nodded toward the medallion. "The markings. Did you ever have them translated?"

Harry's frown got worse. "Translated?"

Remus laughed softly. "Getting dense, are we? Translated from whatever language it's in."

"You can't read this?" said Harry, holding it up.

Remus' smile vanished. "Can you?"

"Of course," said Harry. "It says," Harry looked down at the pendant and read, "If truth is timeless, death is a deception."

Remus quickly pulled it away from Harry to look at it again. "Harry, where did you get this?"

Harry gently took the medallion back and dropped it again under his robe. "Why?" said Harry defensively.

"Because you just hissed at me," said Remus, still looking alarmed. "It's obviously written in Parseltongue."

Harry blinked. Parseltongue? It made sense to Harry. "Voldemort gave it-"

"Voldemort!"

Remus lowered his voice as the students had gone deathly quiet at his outburst.

"Harry, you-"

"Remus, relax," said Harry, now exasperated again. He had to stop him before Remus went into protector mode again. "I told you. I've had it for years. It's just a medallion."

Remus didn't look convinced.

"I'll see you Wednesday," said Harry, gesturing at his class. "I have to teach."

"Has Hermione seen it?"

"Remus."

"I'm going, I'm going," said Remus. "But have it checked out, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Harry, waving as Remus finally nodded and left.

With a sigh, Harry turned back to the class.

***************

On Wednesday evening, Harry arranged to have his 6 year Gryffindors meet him in one of the tower classrooms. He had originally wanted to have all his elder student present, but Albus had told him it would be too dangerous with that many present, so he was forced to pick one class. Since he had started with his Gryffindors, he felt obligated to finish it with them.

Harry stood back and gave Remus the floor. They talked a little about how the boggart/dementor made them all feel then he began talking about werewolves.

He explained wolvesbane to them but he wasn't really telling them anything they hadn't learned before. When they started to look bored, Harry stepped forward.

"What would you do if you met a wizard who happened to be a werewolf once a month?" said Harry.

"Run," said Rufus. The class snickered.

Harry shook his head at them. "Seriously."

Missy raised her hand and Harry nodded at her.

"Well, it really isn't their fault, right, having been bitten. And, well, if they take the wolfsbane, then they're safe to humans," said Missy.

"Go on," said Harry.

"Well, unless the person is a complete git, then what's the problem?"

Harry nodded. "Right, but being a 'complete git' is a human characteristic. So you would judge the werewolf on its human characteristics?" quizzed Harry.

"Oh course," said Missy. "An animal can't help what it is."

"Can't it?" said Harry.

A very large, black dog sprang into the room, snarling and growling. It bared it's teeth at Remus.

The class was alarmed for only a minute.

"Everyone knows that is Sirius Black," said Sean. "He's not going to hurt anyone."

"Fargo, sit," said Sirius as he strode into the class room. He looked at the class. "What was that?"

"Hello, Sirius," said Harry. "Have you met my godfather?" Harry said to the class.

Harry watched as they absorbed the information with open mouths. Their eyes moved to the large dog, who had not moved and was still in an aggressive stance in front of Remus.

Remus Lupin had not moved a muscle.

"All animals can be trained and controlled," said Harry. "Fargo is an Auror dog."

"An Auror dog," gasped Cindy, her eyes snapping to Remus with dawning.

"Fargo, retreat," was called from the doorway.

The dog immediately turned and padded towards the door, where an Auror stood beside Snape.

"Thanks, Tonks," called Harry to a woman with hair a horrid shade of pink and she and the dog left.

Severus Snape entered the room holding a goblet and Harry turned back to the class.

"A werewolf is a magical beast," Harry reminded them. "It can not be trained or controlled. The wolfsbane makes it somewhat docile and other animals can moderate it's temperament. But it is still a wild creature."

Severus smirked as he continued into the room. "Not one of your brighter ideas, Potter," said Snape, holding the cup out to Remus. Remus drank it quickly, trying not to choke too badly on the taste as Snape glanced around. "And where is the Dark Lord?" said Severus. "I'd have thought he'd be very interested in this."

"He's visiting Mrs. Potter," said Sirius. He looked over at Harry. "She's fine by the way."

"I know," said Harry. "I checked on her after dinner."

Harry noticed that everyone was looking around, puzzled. Everyone except Cindy, Harry noted with satisfaction. Her eyes never left Remus.

"So, what's the surprise?" Sean finally asked.

The cloud cover outside the window drifted and moonlight streamed in.

Remus had gone rigid and began to shake. With an eerie snarling sound, he began to change. The class gasped as he hit the floor on all fours, his shoulders hunching and his head lengthening.

The room was deathly silent until the transformation was complete. Then the werewolf circled a small spot of the floor beside the desk in front of the room and laid down.

Sirius transformed and padded over to the wolf and laid down as well.

Everyone started to talk at once and Harry quickly quieted the class down.

"I want you all to understand that Professor Lupin didn't have to do this," said Harry. "It is a terrible burden. It isn't the same as being an animagus."

"Show them, Potter," said Severus.

Harry looked over at Snape who nodded. With a sigh, Harry climbed onto the desk. The class looked on curiously.

Harry dove off the desk and transformed.

The class gasped as the black hawk with piercing green eyes and a silver lightening bolt shaped streak on it's head circled the room.

"Professor Potter is an animagus?" said Sean.

"Obviously," retorted Cindy.

Harry landed back on the desk and transformed again so he was sitting on the desk as he normally did.

"Wow, Professor," said Rufus. "That was-"

Harry held up his hand for quiet.

"That was choice," said Harry. "I can change at will and it is painless. And I can hear and understand what goes on around me." He looked down at the wolf and the dog then back to the class. "Professor Lupin has no choice and it is very painful, which is why I stressed that he didn't have to show you tonight. As you can see," Harry gestured at the animals on the floor, "the wolfsbane has made him safe for humans, but it wasn't always an option.

"Mr. Black, my father and Peter Pettigrew all secretly became unregistered animagi to be with him during these time because they called him friend, because they cared.

"Tell me," Harry bade them, "What does this tell you?"

The class was quiet for a few minutes and Harry let them think.

"It's not what you appear to be but what's inside that is important," said Missy.

"That's a start," said Harry.

"Being yourself isn't always easy," said Philby Tompkins, a small, quiet boy, who rarely spoke up in class.

Harry stared at the boy. "That is most definitely true and although relevant, not what I'm getting."

Cindy's hand shot up. The class groaned but Harry smiled.

"Go ahead, Cindy," said Harry.

"It's about friendship - loyalty," said Cindy.

"Go on," said Harry.

"Well, look at the dog - I mean Mr. Black," said Cindy, trying to vocalize her thoughts. "And well, when Voldemort first appeared here Mr. Weasley came right away and Professor Weasley - once she understood, well..."

"Go on."

"If you have friends..."

Cindy seemed to be faltering for words. Sean finished for her.

"No matter what happens, you're never alone."

Harry nodded at them with seriousness. "Yes. Take a look around. See - know who you can trust." Harry looked over the class and he couldn't help thinking of Draco, wondering why he hadn't come. He had sworn he'd be there.

Totally overlooking the fact that Draco had no way of knowing that Harry could use his help, Harry felt hurt. His hand closed around the medallion through his robe.

Harry shook it off. Draco had been there when it mattered, he reminded himself.

"That," Harry went on to the class, "Friendship, can sometimes be the best defense against the Dark Arts."