Through The Fire

Growing Up

Harry grew older and flourished under the guidance of Remus and Minerva, or Moony and Minnie as Harry called them. He was tutored by Moony in reading and math. He didn't much enjoy it, but he discovered that he was smarter than the Dursleys ever gave him credit for.

When Harry was nine, he convinced his guardians to help him become an Animagus. Minerva had resisted the idea at first, but she relented when Albus offered his assistance. The process was long and frustrating but, after a year, Harry managed the transformation.

Remus had been expecting a stag, but it wasn't to be. He'd wondered if such a blatant reminder of James would break his heart all over again. Instead, Harry had become a black kitten with green eyes and an oddly shaped patch of white fur on his forehead. Harry's animagus form would eventually age and become an adult. But until then, Remus found himself chasing after a kitten. It made the werewolf feel young and happy again.

Minerva was delighted with Harry's animal form. She would have been proud either way, but now she had a unique bonding opportunity. So, Harry was brought to Hogwarts toward the end of summer, just after his tenth birthday.

Minerva very much enjoyed transforming and exploring the castle with the little black kitten. She was suddenly seeing Hogwarts from his perspective. She showed Harry how to climb safely and how to safely squeeze into small spaces. It seemed like a good idea to assist Harry in behaving as cat-like as possible. Harry picked up the strange lessons rather quickly. He loved spending time with his Minnie in such a way. This was something for just the two of them, and he treasured it. His mother was dead, but Minnie was the next best thing in Harry's opinion.

"Severus is especially irritable today," Minerva noted, looking down at her feline companion after one staff meeting. Harry had been curled up under her chair the whole time, going completely unnoticed. "Would you like to go cheer him up?"

Harry meowed and then purred as Minerva scooped him up. Albus followed Minerva, curious and eager to know what she was planning. Severus generally avoided contact with Harry when the boy visited Hogwarts each summer. Harry seemed to make the dour man a bit uncomfortable, though Severus avoided displaying open hostility. It was as if he was waiting for Harry to suddenly start acting like his father. Minerva was determined to dispel that notion.

She made her way to Severus' office and knocked on the door, winking at Albus as he stepped up next to her. Severus looked suspicious as he allowed Albus and Minerva into his office. He eyed the kitten in Minerva's arms, but didn't comment.

When Minerva sat down, she set the kitten in her lap. "I think we need to come to an agreement about Quidditch practice schedules," she said. "It isn't right for any team to have an advantage over the others."

Severus took his own seat and smirked at her. "You only say that because your precious Gryffindors have been losing these last two years," he retorted. "My house shouldn't be blamed for lack luster competition."

Minerva gave Harry a tiny nudge as she rolled her eyes at Severus. "If your students are so superior, than it should be of no consequence to divide practice times more fairly," she argued.

Harry jumped onto the desk, pleased that he hadn't fallen. "Minerva, remove your cat from my desk," Severus sighed.

"It's only a kitten Severus," Albus chuckled. "Let him explore."

Severus scowled but resumed his argument with Minerva. Albus watched cheerfully as Harry walked all over the desk, batting at quills and knocking them to the floor. He sniffed at every scrap of parchment and curiously eyed an open jar. He put his paws on the rim and then used his back legs to jump, wiggling his furry body into the jar. Pleased with himself, he curled up and began to purr. Albus forced himself not to laugh.