Harry Potter and the return of the Dementors

It seemed that nobody really had a good night's sleep that night. The fifth years spent the night worrying about Harry, while other people also had bad dreams all around Gryffindor Tower. In fact, it was the same with all of Hogwarts. In fact, Harry's dream happened at the same time as everyone else's.

It also happened to be the time that the dementors arrived at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore didn't like it at all. The last time the dementors were at Hogwarts, things were far from pleasant. This time, Dumbledore didn't even have a say in it. The Dementors, if they wished, were allowed into the common parts of the castle. They weren't allowed in classes and any place where a password was required. Dumbledore worried about the students however, and he knew better than anyone that the Dementor's Kiss wasn't reversible.

The door to Dumbledore's office opened, and Professor McGonagall walked into the office.

"The Dementors are already having an effect on some of the students, at least in Gryffindor Tower. I hope things don't go too badly," Professor McGonagall said to Professor Dumbledore.

"Hmmmm," Dumbledore muttered. "We can't do anything about it. I feel that Madam Pomfrey will be quite busy this year." Dumbledore remembered when the Dementors came to Hogwarts two years before. He had a thought.

"How's Harry? The dementors seemed to affect him quite badly last time. We may need to start that animagus training he asked for, assuming another form protects your mind somewhat."

"Potter had a bad dream last night. He's got more than his fair share of problems at the moment, as you already know. The dementors aren't going to make it easier for him."

Meanwhile, in Gryffindor Tower, the students were stirring. Harry got out of bed quickly, and got into the shower first. Upon finishing, he woke up the first-years and then moved over to where Hermione and Ron were standing.

"Harry," Ron said. "You ok? You probably woke up half of Gryffindor Tower last night."

"Yeah," Harry replied. "I'm fine. Sorry for waking you."

Behind them, Hermione groaned. Harry and Ron turned around to see what was wrong.

"Double Potions first thing back...." Hermione said glumly.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to the Potions Dungeon, where Professor Snape was waiting. When class started, Professor Snape said to everyon,. "This year is O.W.L.s year. Thus, for the first time, I will let you assign yourself to your own benches."

Harry, Hermione and Ron couldn't believe it. Eventually, everyone was paired. Harry with Hermione, Ron with Neville.

Snape spoke to the class in a menacing way. "Now that we are paired, we will begin making our first potion. I have been given permission from the ministry to allow you to make this controlled substance. It shouldn't be too taxing on fifth years," Snape looked squarely at Neville, "to make Veritaserum."

The class looked at each other, not believing it. Snape continued. "When we finish, we will conduct some testing." At this, Snape looked at Harry menacingly. Harry, in return, felt sick.

The class went to work. Harry didn't like this at all. He looked at Hermione, who was sitting next to him. Hermione looked back at him, a worried look on her face.

"Don't ask anything you don't already know, Hermione," Harry muttered to her under her breath. The conversation that Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dudley had at the party came back to Harry now. He didn't want to take Truth Potion.

Hermione looked back sympathetically. "OK Harry, I won't. Just simple stuff like your birthday ok?"

"Thanks," Harry said as the cauldron boiled.

Due largely to Hermione's efforts, Harry and Hermione's potion was a clear colour by the time they had finished. It looked like the substance that Snape had in that little vial he showed the class last year. Snape came over to their bench and looked at the potion. Then he said the words Harry hoped he wouldn't.

"Potter. My favourite time of the class. Testing time."

Harry gulped, then slowly made his way to the front of the class. Snape took part of the potion out of Harry's cauldron and put it in a vial. He gave that to Harry.

"Drink the potion now." Harry, although scared of what was to come, drank the potion. It tasted like water. Instantly, Harry's mind started swimming. He felt like he was under the Imperius curse. He wondered if he could fight this potion...

Snape's voice boomed in Harry's head. "Have you been in my private storeroom before Potter?"

Instantly, Harry said, "No." Snape was surprised. He was sure Harry had stolen supplies before, but in fact Hermione and Dobby the House-Elf had. Harry was surprised at the way his mind reacted to the question. He decided to try to fight the potion.

A voice sprang up in Harry's head. It was telling him that he didn't have to answer if he didn't want to....

Snape was back. "When is your birthday Potter?"

Harry replied, "31st July." He didn't have to lie. Snape decided that the potion was working. He asked one last question.

"Did you help Sirius Black escape?"

The voice was back. You don't have to tell him anything.

Harry smiled. It was the same voice that helped him fight Imperius. Harry decided to say something though.

"Did you have a good night's sleep Professor Snape?"

The class exploded with laughter. Snape was not pleased.

"What was that Potter?" Snape was also confused.

Harry smiled at Professor Snape. He barked, "I'll ask you something easy! We'll see if you can fight this potion!"

"What is the password to Gryffindor Tower?"

Harry had fought the potion's effects off. The potion was now just an annoyance in the back of his mind. "I'm not meant to tell the class that, Professor Snape. But I'm sure you'll be able to confirm that the password to the Slytherin common room is 'Pure Blood'."

The class gasped. Snape looked faint. "It just can't be possible...you can't fight Veritaserum."

"Class is over!" Snape barked as he collapsed into his chair.

Hermione looked at Harry. "How on earth did you do that?"

Harry laughed. "Same way I fight Imperius. I can do it, but I don't know how."

"Well," Hermione continued. "It's just quite odd. Veritaserum is the strongest truth potion there is. That's why the ministry is so keen to control its use."

Harry thought for a moment, then asked, "So, Veritaserum is like liquid Imperius?"

Hermione explained further. "Not exactly. With truth potion, you can't control a person completely, it kind of frees up all resistance between your mind and your mouth."

Harry was confused. "But, if that's true, how on earth..."

Hermione looked at Harry in a curious way. She then said, "Actually, I was hoping that you could tell me that. It would be a useful thing to be able to do."

"I suppose that you'll just have to work it out for yourself, as usual," Harry replied brightly.

The day went on like clockwork, Professor McGonagall pushing the class even harder than usual. Transfiguration was seriously hard work now, the students learning how to change each other's forms. Although Professor McGonagall said that this would be very useful when the need arises to hide from impending danger, the class, which was just the Gryffindors, started laughing.

"May I ask what this class finds amusing with learning how to change each other's forms? It is very advanced transfiguration if you are to do it properly, and, of course, be able to change the person back to their original form."

Harry knew exactly why the class found this amusing. Last year's episode of 'Malfoy the amazing bouncing ferret' was firmly lodged in everyone's mind. At this point, someone in the class let loose a cough which sounded suspiciously like "Malfoy!"

Professor McGonagall then understood. "I see you remember the episode last year when another student was transfigured into an animal. You should never perform this spell without the other person's permission. Ever. If I ever catch you performing this spell on another student without permission, you will be severely punished." However, Harry couldn't help seeing a small smile escaping Professor McGonagall, despite what she had just said.

Professor McGonagall caught eye contact with Harry during this class. It seemed that she was watching his efforts closely. Harry, who was paired up with Ron, had managed to change parts of Ron's body, but never all at once. He was, however, successful with changing him back to his original form. By the end of the class, only Hermione was successful at completely transfiguring Neville into a cat that closely resembled Crookshanks.

Professor McGonagall was pleased. "I did not realistically expect a student to be able to perform this task after only one lesson. However, Miss Granger has managed to do just that. Five points to Gryffindor. As for the rest of you, if you can find another willing student to practise on, it would be interesting how far you have progressed before next lesson."

At this, Professor McGonagall finished the class, but called Harry over as the class departed. Ron and Hermione waited at the door, as the three had the afternoon off, and were planning to visit Hagrid in his hut.

"Potter, after dinner in the Great Hall, would you like to commence the animagus training that you asked for?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Yes please," Harry replied simply. He hoped that it wouldn't be as hard as the last lesson was.

Professor McGonagall seemed to read his expression. "The animagus transformation is not like ordinary Transfiguration. Performed without a wand, only certain people will be able to do it. Out of these, some people can do it quickly, others take extended periods of time. We can only see how you go tonight. We will meet in the third floor corridor, which despite the warning of the staff, you familiarised yourself with in your first year."

"Thank you," Harry said simply. Professor McGonagall was doing him a favour. She didn't have to train him as an animagus at all. Professor McGonagall smiled back at him, and Harry made his way to where Ron and Hermione were waiting for him.

As the three made their way to Hagrid's hut, they could see some Dementors in the distance, heading toward them. Evidently, they were taking their job of guarding Hogwarts seriously. As they drew nearer to Harry, they started to affect him. Harry reached for his wand quickly, ready to drive the dementors away with a Patronus. However, in his haste, Harry got the tip of his wand caught on the end of his pocket, and the wand went tumbling to the ground. Harry went to pick up the wand, but it was too late. He started to hear his parents' voices, and then the world faded to black as Harry fell into unconciousness.

Harry woke up about ten minutes later, safely in Hagrid's hut. Looking down at him was Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore. Ron gave Harry back his glasses, and the four snapped back into focus in front of him.

"Ahhh. Yer awake again, Harry. Yer feeling OK there?" Hagrid asked Harry.

"Yeah, I'm ok," Harry replied, sitting up. Then a horrible thought struck Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore, are the Dementors allowed anywhere on the school grounds?" Harry asked

Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Not everywhere. They are allowed to go any place in the school where a password is not required to enter. So they are not allowed in any of the dorms, or my office. They are also not allowed in classrooms. Why do you ask?"

Harry sighed despondently.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked. She was still worried about Harry. Although he had cheered up somewhat since the end of the holidays, he still didn't look his normal spirited self some of the time.

"I'm fine," Harry replied. "It's just that, because of the dementors, I think I might have to sit out Quidditch this year. I'll decide after the first training session whether I'll really be able to play with them around."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other, the same look on their face. This was dangerous. In his harder times at the school, Harry relied heavily on Quidditch as a distraction from things. Without Quidditch, Harry could rapidly fall into a bad state....

Professor Dumbledore took Ron and Hermione aside, having seen the look on their faces. He, too was worried about Harry.

"You two worry about Harry quite a bit, don't you?" Professor Dumbledore asked as an open question to both of them.

Hermione answered, "Well, he really hasn't been himself this year. Cedric's death hit Harry hard, I think, and sometimes Harry becomes...lost. Unless something happens, I suppose he's also lost Quidditch. I'm scared that Harry might try to do something silly. It doesn't really seem that he has much to look forward to now at all."

"Professor Dumbledore, is it possible for you to put a password on the Quidditch pitch? That way, the dementors wouldn't be allowed in, and Harry would be ok," Ron suggested.

Professor Dumbledore was reflective. "It could be possible, the same way as I put the age line around the Goblet of Fire last year," Professor Dumbledore answered. "Not that it did much good," Professor Dumbledore added.

Professor Dumbledore continued. "There's also something that I have to ask you two to do. I've been keeping an eye out for Harry this year, and it seems that he really isn't his usual self, for whatever reason. Could you two also keep an eye out for Harry? I don't want to lose another student this year, especially not Harry. If anything's wrong, could you tell me?"

Ron nodded, while Hermione replied, "I think that's a good idea. We've been looking out for Harry this year as well. I hope he'll be ok."

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "So do I, Hermione." Then he thought of something.

"I don't know if Harry's told you, but I think that you should know. Starting as of tonight, Harry is training with Professor McGonagall to become an animagus. I'm not sure what form he's decided on yet myself, but I'm sure that he'll let you know sometime soon."

Hermione was surprised. She stole a look at Ron, who was also visibly surprised.

Ron muttered, "I can't believe that he didn't tell us...."

Hermione, Ron and Professor Dumbledore walked back to where Harry and Hagrid were. Harry still looked rather sad, although he was walking around, drinking out of a mug of water Hagrid had given him.

After they left Hagrid's hut, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Professor Dumbledore made their way back to the castle. As they walked, Professor Dumbledore said goodbye and turned to examine the Quidditch pitch. Hermione knew what he was thinking.

The three sat under a clump of trees near the castle. As they sat, Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, while he looked reflectively over the Quidditch pitch in the distance.

"Harry, is there anything that you want to say at all?" Hermione asked gently.

"Er. Actually, yes. I haven't really gotten around to telling you, but I've decided that I'm going to train as an animagus. Unless you plan to train as well, I'd prefer that you didn't watch as I might look rather stupid if it didn't work properly..." Harry responded.

"What form are you going to take?" Ron asked, interested in what form Harry would assume as an animal.

"You'll have to wait and see," Harry replied cryptically. Ron accepted this as an answer.

They sat there for a while, and when Ron and Hermione stood up, Harry didn't stir. He still sat in the same position, staring over the Quidditch pitch. Ron moved his hand rapidly in front of Harry's gaze, which caused Harry to look at Ron. Hermione was standing next to him, looking down at him curiously.

"Harry, you've got to stop doing that. You're starting to make me worried about you," Hermione said.

"Doing what?" Harry asked, confused. He didn't do anything to Hermione or Ron.

"Don't worry, Harry," Hermione said, pulling Harry onto his feet. As they made their way up to the castle, Hermione put her arm around Harry's shoulders, as though sharing a burden with him. Harry felt fortunate to have friends as good as Ron or Hermione. Harry decided that he would have to find some way to repay them in kind, if the opportunity arose.

After dinner in the Great Hall, Harry went off to the third floor corridor, to begin his animagus training. When he arrived at the corridor, Professor McGonagall was waiting for him.

"Before we start today, Potter, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Firstly, What form are you going to take?"

Harry had already decided. "I'm going to take the form of an owl."

Professor McGonagall smiled. "Yes, it suits you quite well. The other thing I need to ask is that whether you have ever performed wandless magic?"

Harry thought for a while. "Yes, I have. When I'm exceedingly angry or scared, it kind of pops out".

"That is good. You may yet be one of the people who can do this quite easily. Ok. So now we start. Concentrate on your arms."

Harry did this, not knowing why. Concentrating on his arms, he felt that he could feel every element in them, the bones and his muscles, the blood flowing through his arms. In the distance, he heard Professor McGonagall say, "Use an inner focus to transform their shape until they become wings. Make them the right size, we don't want to get into any bad habits early".

Harry shifted his focus. He imagined his arms turning into owl wings. He wanted it to happen. This was the same as when he regrew his hair in the cupboard under the stairs. He used all his willpower to try to make it happen. Suddenly, something started happening. It felt that time had slowed down. In what was a very short period of time, Harry felt his arms lighten, seeming to melt into shape, feeling very much like liquid. Harry's muscles started to contract as his arms shortened, and his shoulder joints moved backward slightly. Then, Harry felt feathers sprouting from what was once his arms. Finally, the sensation stopped. Harry looked at Professor McGonagall, who was looking at him in complete shock.

"Potter, this is an absolute miracle. I have heard of nobody who has achieved transfiguring part of their own body on their first attempt. I myself took a week to achieve what you have just done, and I was considered one of the quick ones. You have passed the first and hardest stage. Now it is just a matter of extending your focus to the rest of your body."

Harry quickly transfigured his arms back to normal. The reverse process was much easier, as Harry was much more used to having arms than wings. When his arms returned to normal, they were quite sore. Professor McGonagall then said, "Potter, if you feel that you are ready, could you try to transfigure your whole body? I don't mean to rush you, but you've already progressed very far and we have only been here about 10 minutes. It now seems, to me, that you could learn how to do this in one night. In case something goes wrong, I'd suggest that you sit on the floor before trying, that way you won't fall if anything happens. The way to perform the transformation is to do each part of your body separately but quickly."

Harry said, "Yeah, I feel up to giving this a go." Harry sat on the floor. "Here goes..."

Harry regained his focus and moved them onto this arms again. The sensation started again as his arms were transformed into wings sitting upon his back, and then Harry shifted his focus onto the other parts of his body. Harry felt his neck shortening as his head was transformed into that of an owl. Although not dropping his focus, Harry noted that he felt his glasses becoming part of his face, the frames and lenses melting into his face, becoming one part. Once Harry's nose and mouth had transformed into a beak, he shifted his focus again onto his torso. Harry felt like his insides were melting into a puddle on the floor as his torso shrunk to the size of that of an owl. At the same time, Harry felt his insides shrinking to fit his new form. As always, once the feathers had sprouted, it was time to change focus, this time, onto his legs. It was a different sensation from the rest of his body. As Harry transfigured his legs into owl legs, he felt all the bone inside getting compressed into something quite small and strong. As Harry's feet were being transformed, he felt his shoes, like his glasses, becoming part of his foot, and then transforming into that of an owl. Harry had done it, without really knowing how. He stood up, and looked at Professor McGonagall, who now looked a lot taller than normal. She was looking down at him, smiling, but with a look of absolute disbelief on her face.

"I can't believe it," Professor McGonagall said, pinching herself. She then took a handkerchief out of her pocket, and transfigured it into a mirror. She used this to show Harry his new form. Harry tried to say something, but only emitted a hooting noise that reminded him exactly what form he was in. In the transformation, part of Harry's mind had also changed to that of an owl. Looking past Professor McGonagall, his eyes caught onto a roof rafter. It just seemed natural for him to perch on it. Flapping his wings furiously, Harry managed to take off from the floor, but once airborne, he found that he could stay in the air easily. Harry felt a sense of freedom, in fact, this experience reminded Harry about his first time on a broomstick. After flying up and down the corridor, Harry perched onto the roof rafter.

"Actually, this turns out quite well for the next thing I need you to do, Potter. Could you come down here?" Professor McGonagall stuck her arm out for Harry to land on. Harry glided down and landed deftly on it. "As you're an owl now," Professor McGonagall chuckled to herself. "could you deliver these?" She tied one note to his leg, addressed to Hermione and Ron, and put another on the floor for Harry to pick up, addressed to Professor Dumbledore. "Come back here when you're finished."

Harry took off and flew out the window. He then realised something. For some unknown reason, he discovered that he knew where any person was at a given time. It was like having his own 'Marauder's map' within his head. Flying easily through Professor Dumbledore's window, Harry dropped the note on Professor Dumbledore's desk, in front of him. He then flew out of the window and around the castle to Gryffindor Tower, where he found Ron and Hermione milling around. He landed on Hermione's shoulder, the note hanging from his leg. Hermione was starting a sentence.

"I hope Harry's going to be ok, and that Dumbledore can fix the Quidditch pitch. Without Quidditch, Harry wouldn't have anything to take his mind off things. It could really build up on him," Hermione had said.

Ron replied. "Yeah, Harry looks like he really needs a break from things. Like, he's not as bad as he was at the end of the holidays, but without Quidditch...like you said, lets hope that Dumbledore can fix the pitch."

Hermione reached over to Harry and untied the note from his leg.

"Ron," Hermione said, "Professor McGonagall wants us to meet her and Harry on the third floor corridor."

At this point, Tim came into the common room, as Ron and Hermione were walking out. "Hey! Where are you two going?"

Hermione looked around. "We're just going to meet Harry, ok? We'll be back before long."

Tim then asked, "Hermione, is Harry ok? He seems kind of...I don't know."

Ron then replied, "Tim, we're not so sure ourselves about that. We're hoping as much as you that he's ok. In the meantime, could you make an effort to try to keep Harry happy? I don't want him getting depressed." Ron was about to say "again" but decided against it. Harry flew out the window, back to the corridor on the third floor.

About 10 minutes later, Professor Dumbledore, along with Ron and Hermione walked into the corridor. Harry was sitting on the rafters again, on top of Professor McGonagall. Harry decided that he would perch on Professor McGonagall's shoulder, so he flew down. This way, he was on the same level as the rest of the people in the room, and had a better view.

"Absolutely miraculous. One night only!" Professor Dumbledore exclaimed.

Hermione looked deep in thought while Ron asked, "Where's Harry?"

Both Professors chuckled. Hermione spoke up. "I think I know where Harry is. May I, Professor McGonagall?"

Professor McGonagall smiled. "I'm sure Potter won't mind."

Hermione walked over to Professor McGonagall, followed by a still confused Ron.

Hermione reached over to Professor McGonagall, shoulder, and picked Harry up from it. Once Harry was perched safely on her forearm, Hermione looked at the owl that was Harry.

"I thought so," Hermione said simply.

"What did you think?" Ron asked Hermione

"Ron, look at this owl closely. I think you'll see something."

Ron looked intently at the owl. He thought it odd that an owl would have green eyes, and then he saw markings around the owl's eyes that looked remarkably like...Harry's glasses.

"Hello Harry," Ron said simply. Ron felt like he was meeting Harry for the first time, on the Hogwarts Express. Harry could only hoot in return.

Professor Dumbledore then said, "Harry, could you please assume your natural form? I'm sure Ron and Hermione have more than a few questions to ask you."

Harry flew onto a table that was on the side of the corridor. After assuming the sitting position, he focussed inwardly and transformed himself back to the Harry Potter that everyone recognised.

"Harry!" Hermione almost shouted at him. Hermione ran over to Harry and hugged him tightly, while Ron moved over and ruffled up Harry's hair.

"How long have you been able to do that?" Hermione accused.

"Um...only about an hour, I think," Harry replied.

"How long has it been Professor McGonagall?" he then asked immediately.

"About that, Potte,r" came the reply from Professor McGonagall.

Ron spoke up. "How does it feel like as an owl?"

Harry smiled. "Actually, quite pleasant. Flying is the best though, this is the first time I've been able to fly without a broomstick. Plus, I don't think I'll ever lose you two again, for some reason, I seem to know where everyone is when I'm an owl."

Professor Dumbledore explained, "Harry, when you transform into another animal, part of that animal becomes lodged within the wizard in that form. Magical owls have the ability to locate specific people at any given time, so, I guess you could as well."

Hermione looked at Professor McGonagall for an explanation. "Professor McGonagall, animagus transformation is very difficult and requires lots of talent for wandless magic, which is why so few wizards and witches are ever successful, right?"

Professor McGonagall looked at Hermione, puzzled at where this conversation was headed. She had thought Hermione was going to ask for training herself, but this didn't seem to be the case.

"That's correct, Hermione," she replied to the question.

"So...how did Harry manage to learn how to do that in one hour?" asked Hermione.

"Actually, I'm as surprised as you at the way Potter just transformed on his first attempt. I've never seen anyone do that at all," Professor McGonagall admitted.

"Professor McGonagall, it's getting late now, and we've somehow managed to remove all the Gryffindor prefects from Gryffindor Tower. I think these three need some rest," Professor Dumbledore said.

The three took their leave from the two Professors, and walked back to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione and Ron questioning Harry all the way back. Upon reaching Gryffindor Tower, the three climbed through the portrait hole, and went to sleep.

"Good night, Harry," Hermione said as she made her way to the girl's dorm, while Harry and Ron went to the boy's dorm, after checking on the other years.

However, that was far from the reality, for Harry anyway, for he did not have a good night at all. Instead, Harry caught a glimpse of what was to come. Harry could see the room clearly in his sleep. There were three men in the room, which had a table in it. Harry recognised the three men immediately. They were Wormtail, Lucius Malfoy and...Voldemort.

Voldemort moved over to a shelf behind him, and took a large scroll from it.

Upon opening the scroll over the table, Harry could see that it was a map. Marked on it, were all the wizarding sites all over Britain. Harry made out Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3/4 and Hogwarts as places he recognised. Voldemort started talking, obviously oblivious that Harry was watching on behind him, in his sleep.

"We have done it. At last, the wizarding world will be in my control. The Ministry of Magic has no idea of this yet. But they will know. Soon."

Wormtail asked, "We are few in number...how are we able to perform this great task?"

"FOOL!" Voldemort bellowed. "We are not going to do much at all. You see, I have organised a little 'arrangement' with the Dementors, who happen to be guarding every magical site of significance. There is no chance of failure. Checkmate, I believe. My loyal servant here," Voldemort pointed at Lucius Malfoy, "has cunningly arranged this. You will be greatly rewarded. With the strength of the Dementors on my side, not even Harry Potter can stop me now."

Voldemort broke into laughter, while Wormtail and Lucius Malfoy smiled triumphantly.

The dream faded out as Harry woke up, sweating and trembling. What was this new arrangement with the Dementors? Harry picked up his wand and lighted the wand-tip with a simple charm. He could see on a clock that the time was 3:30 am. Harry resolved that he would tell Dumbledore, first thing tomorrow. Harry extinguished his wand, and went back to sleep, his wand in his hand. He had a suspicion that he would be needing it soon.