"A good probability if he was a spy." Minerva said crisply. "Did Remus come back with you?"
"Correspondence." Sirius explained succinctly. "We've a few new business deals in the works." He winked at Harry. "Something about Potter and Longbottom Supplies?"
"Oh?" Minerva looked to Harry for an explanation.
Harry grinned at her. "Neville and I worked out that two properties we're managing are perfect for growing and sourcing the ingredients to various potions. He's growing the plant ingredients and I'm housing the animal. We're hoping if we can supply the ingredients cheaply, we can get potions like Wolfsbane produced more readily."
"That's wonderful, Harry." Minerva said. "Remus must be delighted."
"After quizzing us for hours about whether we were doing it just to please him." Harry admitted with a smirk. "Neville told him it was just good business and it follows our political agenda on werewolves."
"Neville is a little political monster." Sirius commented dryly. He'd evidently picked up a lot from Augusta.
Minerva raised an eyebrow.
"He really is." Harry agreed happily. "Hermione thinks he's going to be Minister of Magic one day."
"Chief Warlock." Sirius countered and refrained from offering a bet in the presence of his former Head of House.
"Well, I am delighted to hear of Mister Longbottom's political prowess." Minerva said, with a small smile. "We should talk about your animagus training before Remus arrives back."
Harry immediately gave Minerva his attention. She had surprisingly acquiesced to his request for the same deal as James with a speed and alacrity that worried Sirius until she explained that she fully expected that if she didn't, Harry would find some other way.
"Now, have you read the material I gave you?" asked Minerva, falling into her teacher mode.
Harry nodded briskly.
"Tell me the three different ways you can find your form." Minerva instructed.
Sirius went back to leaning in the doorway as he listened to Harry recite the various methods: a potion that induced a trance-like state, meditation, or a forced animagus spell. The Marauders had used the first since James and he had been OK at Potions even if they hadn't been top of their class.
"I'd like you to try meditation first." Minerva said. "It is the least painful and the best way of finding your truest form."
"The book said we could have more than one form." Harry said. "How is that possible?"
"Different combination of traits may lean more to one animal than another but your total traits never leave you. When you begin several different forms may be open to you but ultimately once you've learned one, it is difficult to achieve another." Minerva said. "I had three possible forms when I meditated: a cat, a horse and a dolphin. I was drawn to the cat form above the others primarily because I thought it was the most practical. I've only ever managed to transfigure the hooves of a horse but I haven't been able to complete the transformation fully."
"We did the potion." Sirius spoke up. "Hearing of your three forms makes me regret we didn't do the meditation. I love my Padfoot form but now I'm wondering if there was a better one."
"Personally I think the Grim suits you, Sirius," Minerva said dryly, "but I wouldn't be surprised if you and James might have had the option to transform into wolves." She looked at Harry. "I would think with Remus in your life that would be an option for you too, Harry. There's a part of you that no doubt considers yourself as part of his pack."
Harry nodded. "So I guess I read up on the meditation technique and process?"
Minerva nodded. "We'll go over it at next week's lesson."
"Great!" Harry enthused. "I can't wait!"
"I highly recommend a dog form." Sirius said, shooting a teasing grin at Minerva.
"Cats are far superior." Minerva retorted, smiling.
"I was thinking of a bird." Harry responded with a rueful smirk, surprising. "I just…I love flying and it feels right."
"You are a natural flyer." Minerva said with a nod of approval. "It wouldn't surprise me if a flying form was available to you."
"I hope so." Harry said.
Sirius nodded. "I can see you as a bird." He admitted, although deep down he could admit to himself that he was hoping that Harry would choose a canine animagus form. He cocked his head, hearing Remus talking with Dobby in the kitchen. He turned to Minerva. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"I would like that." Minerva accepted.
He ushered her up the stairs before he reached out and pulled Harry to him in a one-armed hug. "Looking forward to the World Cup?"
Harry grinned. "I can't wait."
"Yes, thank you for my ticket, Sirius," Minerva said, glancing over her shoulder, "it's been a long time since I've been to a World Cup final."
"If it's anything like the Duelling finals, it should be excellent." Sirius said. The Duelling finals had been a fantastic display of skill and imagination – Harry had been enthralled.
"Filius said that it was a good match." Minerva commented as they emerged into the kitchen. "I understand Colin Blishwisk won?"
"Hilliard almost had him at the end there." Harry commented wistfully.
"Yes, and Toby Hilliard will be teaching the Duelling elective." Minerva said cheerfully. "I believe Filius was finally able to convince him by promising some private tutoring."
Harry grinned. "I'm glad I signed up for the elective then."
Sirius hid a smile at Harry's enthusiasm. He could see the change in Harry in regards to his schooling, the surge of curiosity and thirst for knowledge and skills; it pleased Sirius no end.
Remus cleared his throat. "Simeon made a fire call and confirmed his time of arrival tomorrow. He said he's looking forward to the Quidditch."
"It's just as well I bought an entire box for us to use." Sirius complained without any real ire. He figured Simeon had arranged his visit to coincide with the cup but he wasn't bothered – in fact he was pleased. Simeon was a highly trained Auror and it was good to have someone that skilled on their side given what they knew about the planned Death Eater activities even if Sirius had every intention of ensuring Harry was nowhere near the action.
"Everybody is leaving Dobby's kitchen." Dobby said sternly. "Dinner is ready for Harry Potter and Harry Potter's family."
A smile broke across Harry's face as he coaxed Dobby into coming and eating with them since Harry considered the elf part of his family; as Remus and Minerva made their way into the dining room talking about some obscure manuscript on family magic; and Sirius felt his own heart lift.
Harry Potter's family.
It sounded perfect to him.
.
.
.
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