Dinaer

When Harry awoke on the morning of his seventeenth birthday, he was shocked to discover a set of black wings protruding from his shoulder blades. Had it happened to someone else Harry would have described the wings as gorgeous. They were so black as to be almost blue, and the long sleek feathers were soft to the touch. They were almost as long as Harry's body, just grazing the floor behind his feet, and when he stretched them out fully the tips touched either side of the room. But as such, the wings were his and Harry could only describe them as horrifying. 'What the hell am I supposed to do?!' Harry mentally shrieked. He debated writing Dumbledore but decided against it, he could only imagine how the letter would go, 'So I woke up this morning with wings, any ideas as to what I should do about them?'

In his horror, Harry had completely forgotten that it was his birthday, so when an owl rapped on his window five minutes later, he had to fight the urge to "stun first, question later." As with all his birthdays since his eleventh Harry was assaulted by owls and packages. From Ron he received a new broom servicing kit, to which Harry could only laugh darkly. "Sorry Ron, doesn't look like I'll be needing a broom to fly anytime soon." From Mrs. Weasley a new jumper with a snitch sewed onto the front. Magic tricks from the twins, a new notebook from Hermione and the expected rock cakes from Hagrid. The last owl came forth bearing two letters and Harry accepted them, thanked all the owls by offering them some of Hedwig's food, then sent them on their way.

Harry looked down at the letters in his hand. One envelope bore the scrawling handwriting that he knew belonged to the Headmaster and the other was blank. He made to sit down on his bed, and after a brief struggle with his new appendages, that ended with Harry leaning forward awkwardly with his wings halfway expanded across the mattress, he opened Dumbledore's letter first.

Harry,

Happy Birthday. This is, as I'm sure you know, your coming of age. What you might not know is that to a wizard it can be a life altering experience. This is the year you would come into any inheritances you might have in your family line, not just monetarily, but also blood-wise. Creature blood that is. I'm sure you have many questions and the other letter you hold in your hands will have most of the answers. I'm sure you will have questions after you read it, which I will be more than happy to answer. I will arrive at noon to pick you up from the Dursley's and we will be able to speak then. I hope you are having a better summer than most.

Yours Eternally,
Albus Dumbledore

Harry couldn't help but feel confused, and he prayed that whoever the next letter was from it held some answers. Harry quickly opened the envelope and began to read.

My Dearest Harry,

I am writing this letter after just having gained the knowledge of your prophecy. If you are reading this, it means that all of our protective measures were not in vain, but that James and I are no longer with you. I am so sorry that you were unable to grow up with your mother's love, but I hope that you have had a loving and fulfilling life nonetheless. You will be reading this on your seventeenth birthday (Happy Birthday!) and I am sure you have many questions. If this is indeed your coming of age, than you should have just awoken with a beautiful set of black wings. That is not all that you have awoken with. You have just come into your creature inheritance, from your father's side. My son, you are a Dinaer. You may have heard of them but there is a large chance you have not, as they are rather dark creatures and do not often live with humans. They're unprotected in the Creature Act of 1809 due to dark connotations, so it is imperative that you play it safe and don't let anyone know what you are. You will be taught about all of this, so please don't be distressed. Which brings me to my next point...

Harry, please forgive me for choosing to keep this a secret from you, but at the time this information was near deadly to you. My husband, James Potter, is not your true father. That doesn't make you any less of a Potter. We both love you very much and would do anything to protect you. When I was young, I fell in love with a man I knew I shouldn't. He was quiet, dark and everything my mother warned me against. We spent many years together, and loved each other very much (never think that you were born of anything other than great love) but we led a dangerous life of dark magic and destruction. When I became pregnant with you I knew I had to make a terrible decision. I left my true love without even telling him of his child, and ran to a dear friend of mine Sirius Black. I told him of my predicament and he introduced me to James. Our marriage may not be one of passionate love, but it is one of friendship and for that I am eternally grateful to both him and Sirius.

Harry, the only person that can help you is your true father. He too is a Dinaer. I am leaving this letter with Albus Dumbledore with the instructions to keep it secret and to introduce you to your father today. He too, will recieve a letter today from me with the truth that I probably should never have kept from him.

Also, as I'm sure you must be wondering, you do not truly look like James Potter. When you were born we placed a number of spells and charms on you to contain your true identity. I'm sorry Harry but it was our only choice at the time. Upon reading this letter the charms and spells will cease to be effective and you will assume your true identity.

Harry, I wish there had been another way, I truly do, but at the time this was our only option. I love you more than I can put into words, and I will never forgive myself for keeping this all from you and your father.

With All My Love,
Lily Potter


Suddenly Harry felt a tingle of magic ghost along his skin. It took all he had to keep from screaming in pain as he felt his bones lengthen slightly, his face slimming down to become more pointed. He held his hand in front of his face and moved his longer paler fingers. When he stood, he felt lighter, and that in itself was odd because even without a mirror Harry could tell that he was taller. Using his wand Harry took advantage of his adulthood by conjuring a full length mirror.

Stepping in front of the glass, Harry's mouth fell open. He'd never been prone to vanity, leaving traits such as that to people like Draco Malfoy, but now, looking at his reflection, he couldn't honestly say he wasn't gorgeous. His hair was now as black as his wings, and much less ruffled which caused it to fall around his face and into his eyes. His eyes were still the same as ever, as was his nose, but his facial structure was completely changed. He now had a much slimmer face, no longer chubby with childhood. His high cheek bones caused the emerald green of his eyes to become much more prominent. His entire build was much longer, willowy, and even the wings added an intimidating beauty to the picture before him.

'For some reason I don't think my robes are going to fit.' He thought. And suddenly Harry's mind was reeling. James Potter wasn't his father! He had a father! Who was his father?! A million questions danced through Harry's mind as he continued to watch himself in the mirror. Harry dug through his trunk and found his emerald dress robes from fourth year and transfigured them longer and more open in the back to accommodate his wings. He tore off Dudley's old rags and spelled himself clean before dressing in the garment. Harry couldn't help but preen at his appearance, when a stray thought struck him.

"Bloody hell I look like Snape" He said aloud, laughing darkly to himself as he thought of the Potions Master's reaction when Harry walked into his classroom next year. Harry and Snape got along better now, after a long sixth year spent working through Occlumency which Harry was finally able to master, but he didn't think the older wizard would find it too funny when Harry showed up looking almost the spitting image of himself.

Once dressed, with wings effectively hidden, Harry repacked all his things, which didn't take too long, then glanced at the clock. Eleven forty-five, Dumbledore would be there in fifteen minutes. Harry levitated his trunk into the hallway and walked into the sitting room to face his family. When no one acknowledged him, he cleared his throat causing them to look up.

"What the hell are you wearing Boy?" His uncle asked callously. "And I see you've finally decided to comb your hair! Go change and get started on your chores."

"Actually, it's my seventeenth birthday." Harry's voice was low and deep, all the nervousness he'd ever felt around his family gone. Was it just the fact that he finally had his magic backing him up or was it his new found heritage he wondered.

"Why do you look so different?" His aunt tried to ask before being interrupted by her husband.

"Do you want a present?" Dudley snickered at that. "I told you to go change, now go."

"I've come of age. I'm leaving and I'm not coming back. I beg you try to stop me and give me a reason to pay you back for every rotten thing you've ever done to me." Then Harry turned to leave when he heard his uncle say "It's about time. Now go get yourself blown up like those idiot parents of yours."

Harry was holding his wand against his uncle's chin before he'd taken a step. "If you ever speak ill of my family again, so help me God Dursley you will forever rue the day you took me in. Do not tempt me for it would be far too easy." He released his uncle and threw him to the floor. When he spun around he saw a man standing in the doorway watching him.

"Professor. I'm sorry." But his voice held no apology.

"Do not worry Harry, it was a long time coming." Albus said. "I thought we would take the Knight Bus back to Hogsmeade so that we have a chance to talk. I'll just send your things to Hogwarts." He gestured with his wand and his trunk and bird cage were gone.

"I'm staying at Hogwarts? I thought I'd go to the Burrow."

"After our talk I have a feeling you may want to stay at Hogwarts, but if that is not the case, you may of course join the Weasley's for the remainder of the summer. Now come along Harry, we should be going."

Harry glanced back at the Dursleys who stood cowering behind the sofa, before following the Headmaster out to the street. He thrust his wand into the road and after a short conversation with the driver and another brief struggle with his wings, he and Harry were seated at a small table.

"Well Harry, I'm sure you've read your mother's letter and have many questions, foremost among them, I'm sure, is the question of your father."

"Please tell me who he is." Harry begged, but it wasn't as convincing in his new tone of voice as it had been in his more childish one.

"I will, but first I want you to know that he has just learned he has a son. He is feeling many things, most of all guilt at not having been there for you-"

"But he couldn't have been there for me!" Harry interrupted.

"We know that Harry, but the heart does not always feel what the mind tells it it should. He is also feeling fear Harry. Fear of you rejecting him as you father."

"Why would I reject him Professor? All my life all I've wanted is a parent. Why would I push that away now?"

"You two have not always gotten along in the past Harry." Dumbledore said gently. And suddenly Harry's stomach dropped with realization. He couldn't believe it.

"Professor... Do I look like my Father?" He asked quietly.

"Oh yes Harry, very much so. You have your mother's eyes of course."

Harry looked up at the Headmaster. "Professor Snape is my father." He said quietly, not a question, but a statement. Dumbledore looked into the young man's eyes and uttered a seemingly innocent, "Yes."
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