As the week went on, we were all practicing like mad. Dad and Uncle Lupin kept talking about how it's their dream, second generation mauraders. James has been watching from the pictures on the wall and he's just as thrilled.

I spent half my time alone in a room in the house. Anywhere I could find one. I have to know what my animagus is, it's been killing me! I'm so clueless! I mean, the problem is, there are so many possibilities, I don't know where to start. I've been achieving more and more of my animal. So far, it looks to be some sort of dog, the paws are large though, I can't get a good enough look to see if there are claws, like cat claws, to see if it could be some sort of wild cat. When I do, I lose focus completely. But, I have been able to hold it longer and longer. I'm sure I'll be able to hold my form under my control soon.

I know Natalyn practices too. She waits till night, when everyone is asleep and things are quiet. I only know because I woke up to go pee one night. She told me that's how she's been practicing. Harry just walks from room to room trying to shift. It's kind of funny watching him walk around with little horns.

"Gracie!" Nat screamed, running through the door. I opened my eyes, paying attention to her, but keeping that small ounce of concentration in the back of my mind, letting me hold your form.

"Yes?"

"Okay wow. That's really good! But you have to shift back. Now!"

"Why?" I asked, starting to panic. I felt my control slipping, I took it back quickly, willing myself to change back.

"Ron and Hermione are bringing Ginny up here!" She hissed, looking at the stairs behind her. I nodded, grabbing a book that was laying on my night stand. I lay in bed, pretending to read. "I found we guys! Don't worry Molly, she's alone! She's reading a book!"

There was a pounding of footsteps on the stairs, Harry came in first, crossing the room to sit beside me on the bed. "Molly? Oh! Mione, Ginny, Ron!" I yelled, pretending to be shocked. I jumped off the bed and raced towards them, giving them each a hug.

"Hey Gracie!" Ginny took a seat in one of the bean bags Mione took one on the edge of Nat's bed.

"Hey Gracie! How're you?"

"Pleasantries Mione? Really?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I'm good, how are you holding up at the Weasley's?" I watched as her face paled.

"So many boys. Poor mannered, pranking boys. My first day there I woke up magically bound to my bed!" She snapped, glaring as the twins walked into the room. I started laughing loudly. She thinks that's bad? Wait till they lock her in a room and set off a hundred dung bombs, or use one of those things that makes your hair some outrageous color.

They did that to me, but ended up in more trouble than usual. You see, the hair colors are meant to be funny and make you look stupid, but my hair ended up the same color as Ginny's. we actually look a little bit alike. We could have passed for sisters, but this only upset her. It made her think she looked stupid all because a prank. So naturally, I made them pay. I went with a classic. Itching powder in the boxers. Ahhh the memories!

Anyway, the twins came up to tell us about dinner. "It's ready!" Fred started, looking around Natalyn and I's room.

"Mum says to wash up,"

"Or she'll have your head!"

"Dumbledore is coming!" George finished, taking his leave of the room.

"Dumbledore? What's he doing here?" I asked, looking at the others. None of them seemed to have a clue. "Hm. Well we better head down!" I started walking towards the door, but Harry wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me backwards.

"Gracie love, not that I don't think you look beautiful no matter what, but I don't think Ms. Weasley would approve of your wardrobe!" He smiled, releasing me. Ron and Hermione were laughing as I looked down at my attire. Sweat pants and a tank top. And I had my hair yanked up. I forgot that I changed before practicing. It makes it easier when your comfortable.

"Oh er, yeah. Probably not. Girls? Wanna help?" They all nodded eagerly, Ginny running towards my closet. I ended up wearing a black v-neck with a hot pink belt in the middle, a jean skirt, and my converse. Mione did my make up while Natalyn did my hair.

Ginny continued to find my jewelry. It was then that I noticed they were all already dressed up. They know what's going on! I was about to protest when Ginny hand me hot pink bracelets to wear. And the ring Harry got me in first year. I but them both on with a smile. Looking in the mirror, they had curled my hair, which is all of our favorite style, and done my make up to perfection. I drug on my converse before heading downstairs.

At the last minute, Ginny clamped her hands over my eyes, making me stumble on the last step. "Ginny? What on earth are you doing?"

"Keep going! Just walk straight, we won't let you crash!" She giggled, steering me side ways. I decided to just go with it. That's all I know to do. I made it to my destination safely apparently. "I'm going to move my hands on three. Okay?" I nodded, trying to peak through her hands. "One, two, three!"

"Surprise!" They chorused, everyone was in the kitchen smiling at me, even Professor Dumbledore was here, but why? That's when I realized, I forgot my own birthday!

"Aww! Thank you guys so much!" I giggled, smiling at each of them. Harry kissed my cheek, coming to stand next to me.

"You didn't ask all day about your birthday. No one said anything to you, did they?" Dad asked, smiling at me. I smiled back, but a blush crept onto my cheeks.

"No. I um, well, I didn't ask because I sort of forgot." I mumbled, dropping my eyes to the ground. A lot of people laughed, even Dad, but he wrapped me in a hug and spun me around.

"Happy birthday princess!"

"Thanks Daddy! Everyone I love is here, all of my best friends, my family, everyone!" I smiled, looking a everyone. "And everyone in this room is my family!" I said, giving them each a stern look. I watched as smiles spread wide across their faces.

"Come on dear! Lets eat!" Molly whispered, wiping at her eyes. We all sat down at the table and ate a huge dinner. Then she brought out a cake that looked remarkably like a quaffle. "Do you like it?" She asked, sitting it down in front of me.

"I love it! It's a quaffle! I have a quaffle cake! This is so cool!" I exclaimed. "I miss quidditch, we so have to play sometime over break!" I giggled, smiling at everybody, even Professor Dumbledore.

"Definitely sweetheart. Now, can we cut your quaffle cake, because I have to say, it looks really good?" Dad asked, looking at the cake no nodded, giggling. After we ate, they all gave me a gift, even though I told them they didn't need to do that. Dad got me a new broom servicing kit. One had looked at a while back in Diagon Alley and really wanted. After telling him how much I loved it, I moved on to the Weasley's gift. Molly, Ginny, and Arthur got me a perfume that makes a wizard go crazy. Apparently it's sort of like a love potion. I like it! I sent Harry a quick smirk after opening this one.

Mione got me a new book, but it wasn't a regular book. It had my name on the front and inside, it wrote. "This is a journal. In here, you can keep any secret in the world, no one but the owner can open the book, making it completely safe! Love, Mione" I thanked her thoroughly for this. I could definitely use it. Ron got me sweets, the twins joke products, Uncle Remus a bracelet with the face of a wolf on it the top, howling at the moon. He sent me a wink when I opened it. On the back, there was a message, 'so I'll always be close to your heart!'

Professor Dumbledore bought me a book on mischief and making your own wizarding tools, with a not that said, 'for the next generation of mauraders'. Dad and Uncle Lupin got a kick out of this. And lastly, Harry got me a necklace, with a heart shaped pennant. It was truly beautiful and I put it on immediately. Along with all the other jewelry I'd gotten.

I told everyone how thankful I was even though get all waved it off like it was nothing. After everything had settled down, and our guests had left, all went upstairs to practice before we went to bed. I hadn't had a chance to start before Harry knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I smiled, making room for him beside me on the bed.

"Did you have a nice birthday?" He asked, sitting down in his designated seat. I smiled at the thought. I nodded furiously and felt my smile spread.

"I can honestly say it was the best birthday I'd ever had!"

"I'm glad! I love you Gracie!"

"I love you too Harry!" He kissed me softly, but it wasn't a snog. No, this kiss was much better, making the moment even more special. We sat there for a minute, just smiling at each other while Lilly and James cooed at us in the background. But someone had to break the silence.

"So, how far are you with your transformation?" He asked, still smiling.

"I don't know. I have complete control over it now I think. Based on how I handled it earlier. But I haven't completely transformed, I'm not sure how much exactly goes. I get farther every time I practice!"

"I saw you earlier remember? I know! I'd say if she try's one more time, she'll have it. Her whole bottom half was the and her arms. She's doing great Harry!" Nat walked in, beaming at me. She crossed the room to sit on her bed, but, if I was over have formed, shouldn't she know what I am?

"Natalyn! What was I?" I asked, jumping up.

"I don't know for sure, but some sort of dog thing. You had a tale!" She said, smiling at me. "I swear if you try again, you'll have it!" I nodded and closed my eyes, focusing my whole body on my form. I imagined what I had already seen. The small things, I opened my eyes, watching as Natalyn and Harry, and everything else in the room for that matter, started to grow. Which means I'm shrinking. Suddenly, I'm on all fours and about the height of Harry's waist.

"Wicked!" Harry grinned, staring at me. I looked down at myself, I'm a wolf, I think. I went to yell in triumph, but it came out a long howl. Dad came running immediately, wand pointed. I ran up to him, pushing myself up so that I could lick his face, payback!

"Uncle Sirius, meet Gracelyn Black!" His eyes widened as he stared at me. I tried saying hi, but of course it was a bark. He smiled down at me with a grin.

"Well, you really are a second generation maurader aren't you padfoot?"