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Hermione and Ron had both managed to get their tails by the time Harry reached. It took Harry two hours to get his tail, and Ron managed his horn and Hermione managed everything but her head by that time.

"You'll be done tomorrow, Hermione," McGonagall said, "would you like to get registered the day after?"

"Er...Professor, wouldn't it be better if we didn't get registered? I mean, it would be no use if everyone knew what our Animagus forms are," Hermione said rapidly. McGonagall stared.

"Very well," she said, "I will keep this secret...but only till Voldemort is destroyed. I expect all three of you to register after that."

Harry smiled slightly and Hermione sighed in relief.

Just as McGonagall had said, Hermione transformed completely the next day. Ron managed two days later. Harry felt irritated at his inability to transform completely. He could transform each of his parts separately, but he could transform himself entirely into the phoenix.

"You have to feel you're the phoenix, Harry," Ron said encouragingly.

"Try and imagine yourself as a phoenix," said Hermione helpfully.

Harry tried it, but it didn't help.

"Are you holding on to some resentment, some hate, Harry?" McGonagall asked suddenly.

Harry stared at her. What had that got to do with anything?

She sighed and explained, "When you transform into a creature, Harry, you take on all the aspects of that animal. Phoenixes, by nature, are pure. They do not hate. Unless you let go of that, you will not be able to transform."

"That's harsh," Ron said angrily. "How can he be expected not to hate Voldemort?"

McGonagall shrugged, "Do you really hate Voldemort, Harry? Isn't it more like righteous anger?"

Hermione put an arm around his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Let go of Snape and Dumbledore, Harry. You understand why Dumbledore had to do what he did; let go of your resentment. You understand that Snape had no choice but to do what he did, let go of your hate..."

Harry screwed his eyes shut, but couldn't help a tear-drop that fell out of his eye. He thought of what Hermione said, and he concentrated on the transformation. He heard Hermione's squeal of delight, Ron's enthusiastic, "You did it, mate!" and McGonagall's quiet, "Excellent, Harry." He opened his eyes and stared at the mirror. He had done it. He was the phoenix. He spread his wings tentatively and flapped them. He rose in the air easily, and once he was air-borne, he forgot everything else. It felt wonderful; it felt natural; like his first time on a broom. He flew around the room and landed on Ron's shoulder. He nipped his friend's ear playfully and flew off when Ron took a mock swipe at him. He perched himself on Hermione's shoulder, and then flew to McGonagall, when she held out her arm.

"You should all meet Albus," she said, "he will be very proud."

Harry disappeared in a flash of black fire. Ron and Hermione stared, while McGonagall smiled indulgently and led them to her office.

Harry appeared in front of Dumbledore's portrait in a flash of fire. He hadn't made the move consciously, he had just thought about being in Dumbledore's - McGonagall's office, and he found himself there.

"Ah, very good, Harry," Dumbledore said happily, looking at him with twinkling eyes.

Harry flew to Fawkes' perch, which McGonagall had not removed yet.

"The boy's a phoenix?" Phineas said incredulously.

"No wonder Albus is so proud of you, my boy," said Dippet. A few others nodded approvingly at him.

The door opened and McGonagall entered with Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore greeted them affably.

Ron and Hermione transformed at McGonagall's indication.

"Excellent!" cried Dumbledore, rubbing his hands gleefully.

"Three magical creatures?" Phineas shouted. He looked more bewildered than Harry had ever seen him before.

Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. She nodded at him.

"Yes, Albus, I remember what I promised you. I will help them whenever they require."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, turning back to her human form. Ron and Harry followed.

"You're welcome at Hogwarts anytime," said McGonagall. The trio nodded gratefully.

The Headmistress walked over to her desk and pulled a drawer open. She took out a wand, fingered it and came up to Harry.

"Albus wants you to have this, Harry..." she said. She sounded strange.

Harry turned to Dumbledore, without taking the wand.

"Why are you giving me your wand?" he asked, his throat tight.

"It will help you, Harry, if you're duelling Voldemort. I'm sure you will find it compatible."

Harry took the wand, which McGonagall held out to him. As soon as he touched it, he felt a surge of power pass through him. The wand glowed. Harry's pocket glowed as well. He put his hand in his pocket and took out his own wand. Both the wands were glowing.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," he said, and turned to Dumbledore. "Thank you."

Dumbledore smiled at him.

"Let's go," Harry said to his friends. "It is time for us to leave."

"I suggest you leave tomorrow morning," McGonagall interrupted. "You're tired after your first transformation, Harry."

Hermione agreed with her, and Ron nodded as well.

"All right," Harry conceded. "Good night, Professor."

"I'm going to get the book," Harry said, turning away from his friends on their way back to the Gryffindor tower.

"Snape's book?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," he said, and sent her a challenging look.

She nodded thoughtfully.

"It'd actually be useful..."

"Perhaps we ought to check Snape's rooms while we're here? You know, to make sure that he hasn't hidden the brooch here," Ron piped in.

"Good idea," Hermione said, and Harry nodded appreciatively.

Thanks to the markers he'd put, Harry didn't have any difficulty in finding the book. He stuffed it in his pocket and they marched to Snape's rooms.

They searched the place thoroughly but they didn't find the brooch or any clue as to its whereabouts. They, however, did find an envelope saying 'For Dumbledore, in case of my death or disappearance - S. Snape.' Harry pocketed it. Hermione picked up some potions which she thought would be useful for them.

"McGonagall won't kill us for taking these, will she?" Ron asked.

Hermione smiled slightly.

"Harry has a right over these; much more than she does."

They returned to Grimmauld Place the next morning.

"Put on your new robes," Harry said, as soon as they appeared there, "we're going to Knockturn Alley."