Animagus Adventures

Jester on Fire

Rating: G
Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 24/03/2007
Last Updated: 03/05/2007
Status: in_progress

It's Harry's seventh year, and he's offered the chance to become an Animagus, along with one Draco Malfoy. Lovely. Add that to the inexplicable clench he feels when hearing about Hermione's boyfriend Ernie, approaching NEWTS and more and more secrets, it's not setting up to be a very good term. Will an unlikely friendship and some very useful talents help Harry, and possibly another, get what they want? Either way, it's sure to be one hell of an eventful year...

Chapters

1. Chapter 1

2. Of Disturbing Dreams and Ferret Kings

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Of diapers and sun-burnt Somalians

A/N: AU fic, no voldy, no death eaters, no Draco and his father being death eaters and no Harry/Ginny.

“Mr Potter and Mr Weasley! Pay attention! If I have to make another remark on either of you, you will both have your tongues stuck to your pallet until the end of the month!”

The current date being the 3rd of October, they didn’t want to spend 4 weeks with that punishment and took Professor McGonagall’s threat to heart and stared at her in the best look of interest they could muster. They ignored Malfoy who was sniggering somewhere to their right.

“As I was saying. You were all introduced to Human Transfiguration in sixth year, and this year we will delve ever deeper into its murky waters. Today we will be studying Animagic”

As she pronounced the last word, every student seemed to sit up a bit straighter and there was no mistaking the dead silence that had spread: everyone thought being able to turn into an animal at will was the epitome of cool magic.

“It is one of the most dangerous forms of Transfiguration, in that it could result in permanent mutation for example, like a lion’s tail or donkey ears staying on in human form.” A few sniggered at the ‘ears’ comment. “Animagi are very rare, and all those with such a magical capability are carefully logged into the ministry files.”

At that Harry and Ron shared a knowing look, fully knowing of 4 Animagi who were not listed. Normally Harry would have glanced at Hermione to share a look to remember her capture of the beetle in 4th year, but he knew she wouldn’t respond, no way would she be interrupted in Transfiguration class. He did notice though that she had scribbled the name Ernie on the edge of her long notes parchment. They had been going out for a week now, their both being Head Prefects having brought them together. It disgusted Harry to no end, yet he couldn’t figure out why, except maybe that it was just over-protectiveness.

“Only powerful minded wizards or witches are able to transfigure themselves successfully into animals as it needs for the most part a strength of will and concentration” she looked pointedly at Ron and Harry “and then a simple accompaniment of a good understanding of the Transfiguration principles involved.”

She then demonstrated a quick morphing into her cat form and back, then proceeded to explain the principles that she had made sound so simple. The class droned on, everyone’s attention porously giving way and they all fell into a silent stupor, except of course for Hermione.

Malfoy kept turning to look at Harry, trying to catch his eye to taunt him some more, but he never managed to time it right. Finally the bell rang and all the students quickly folded their things away and got up to leave the class.

Just as Harry was about to pass into the corridor the professor called his name, an unhappy tone audible in her voice. He groaned and turned around, walking over to her desk. Ron turned as well, and followed Harry, figuring it was because of their lapse in attention. At the desk, Malfoy was waiting, a bored look on his face, and the two other boys wondered what he was doing there. Did he find out that it had been them who tie-dyed Filch’s robes with some Earnest’s Wacky Indelible Paint and then told McGonagall about it?

“Mr Weasley you may leave, this only concerns Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter.” Though her choice of words suggested there was a choice, there certainly was none, and Ron silently left, without even so much as a backwards glance at Harry.

Harry’s worry washed away to be replaced by intrigue. What did she want with them both? He threw Malfoy a disgusted look before returning his attention to the Transfiguration teacher.

“I trust you both listened closely to the lesson.” They both looked down, betraying their actions.

“I presumed as much. Then, as you both would have known if you had listened, Animagic is an extremely difficult branch of Transfiguration. But” she paused for effect, successfully ensnaring their attention “the process may be easier with certain circumstances. Very few know that the skill of Animagic, though not exclusively, is hereditary, meaning if a parent is an Animagus, then the child will already have a head start in that branch.”

Harry felt a strong excitement grow inside of him. His father had been an Animagus, so maybe he could become one too!

“Both of you having an Animagus parent, I will tutor you two separately from the class, since you are already advanced biologically.”

“So we’re getting extra classes and work?!” exclaimed Draco disgustedly.

“It is not compulsory. It is only if you choose to try to become an Animagus.” She answered calmly, probably expecting the question. “But I warn both of you, I will not stand for laziness, this is an extremely difficult course, there is a reason so few become Animagi.”

“Um…Miss, will we be together during these extra classes?” asked Harry, already knowing the answer but hoping he might be wrong.

“Of course Mr. Potter, will that pose a problem?” she fixed them both with a daring glare, and they both shook their heads ‘no’.

“Good, then I will be waiting for you in this class tomorrow evening at 7 a-clock should you choose to follow the course. Your peers must not know of this, lest they consider it as special treatment. So no boasting or anything of the sort. Is that clear Mr Malfoy? You will tell them you are having detention for having tie-dyed Mr. Filch’s robes.”

Oh crap.

“But we didn’t do it, miss!” They said in unison. Harry took the usual road when in trouble. Denial, Denial, and yeah, Denial.

“That remains to be seen,” replied McGonagall “but since the culprits have not been caught, we shall let the school believe it was you two. Neither of you have a, how should I say this, exemplary record so it should come to no surprise to your classmates. You may leave.”

The two teens exited the class with a low “Goodbye Professor” and as soon as they were out of ear-shot expressed their displeasure at being put together.

“I can’t believe I'm going to have to see your face even more now, with these extra lessons and all.” shot Draco as they walked down to lunch.

“I’m looking as forward to it as you are, snake-breath.” Harry shot back.

“I don’t see why she’s bothering with you Pot-head, there’s no way you’ll become a successful Animagus.”

“Well maybe they wanted to train one who wouldn’t become a tiny bouncing white ferret.”

The memory of fourth year shut him up and he clenched his fists. They reached the five-tabled room and parted ways, insults serving as their goodbyes.

They met up in front of McGonagall’s office at the appointed time and entered with nothing but glares exchanged. They found their teacher sitting at her desk, scribbling something on a sheet of parchment. She pointed to the two sole chairs in the room in front of her desk and as they sat down their jaws fell slack.

The board was filled with writing, and there were underlined incantations with diagrams on the sides illustrating some transformations. This is going to be a long night. Harry sighed inwardly.

“Welcome. I am pleased to see that the both of you have decided to make the best of your genetic advantage and follow the course.” She stood up. “Now then, as is always the case in Transfiguration, we will first study the theoretical side, as in the methods and principles of becoming an Animagus.”

“I will expect nothing short of your undivided attention. There will not be any tests, but at the end of every lesson I will expect a written summary of what we have studied. Any considerable fault or omission will be punished by a week’s detention.”

“I would take notes if I were you.” She added menacingly.

“Now then, let us begin…” And ensued a long and boring, however educational, tirade on the physical principles of Animagic, the methods, what one must think, the concentration needed etc…

After an hour and three quarters, McGonagall waved her wand, the board going blank, and ordered them to write out their summaries.

They both scribbled furiously, trying to get as much out while it was still fresh.

An Animagus is a wizard capable of turning into an animal at will. The process requires an unwavering concentration for the wizard must picture his body morphing into the animal and must imagine his physical status while he is in said form. For this reason, it is necessary for the wizard to know his form before any possible attempt at a transformation. The Freulodorus Ritual must be performed for one to discover his inner animal. The first Animagi were African and Amazonian Tribal Shamans who would enter a drug induced slumber and awaken with the image of their forms. Freulodorus, a Renaissance wizard who never achieved his goal of becoming an Animagus, dedicated his whole life to studying the arcane branch of Transfiguration. His studies on dreams and their meanings helped him create a ritual where one would see their animal form without the need of drugs, but with the need of a magical aid.

Harry reread his summary, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. Though it seemed terribly short for an hour and three quarters worth of lecturing, it was a summary, and he didn’t bother to write down the life of Freulodorus or describe what happened to the arrogant wizards who tried to transform spontaneously without the right visualizations.

When they gave Professor McGonagall their summaries, she pointed her wand at them and they instantly duplicated themselves. Another intricate wand movement and the copies momentarily flashed purple. She handed the copies back.

“I will consider these to be known perfectly by the lesson next week. They are enchanted to look like copies of page 274 of your Transfiguration manuals. Only you are able to read the actual contents, others will only see what you will tell them is your detention assignments. Once more, I remind you that no one must know of these lessons. If I hear that one of you has told anyone, I will make sure the person will wish that all they had gotten was pages to copy. Goodnight boys.”

They left in silence, both boys still amazed that they were getting this chance to learn how to change into animals and imagining which animal they would turn into. Professor McGonagall hadn’t explained how the ritual was done, so all the two boys could do was guess and dream about turning into dragons and lions.

The first few lessons were completely dedicated to the theoretical portion of Animagic, which the Transfiguration Professor maintained was a crucial step to becoming an Animagus. It was incredibly draining in itself, but both managed to never forget anything at the end of each lesson in their summaries.

They were spurred on by McGonagall’s promise that they would be performing the Freulodorus ritual soon. Soon they would know what their respective forms were.

Harry’s conversations with Draco grew less saturated with insults, and they were more friendly towards each other, since they couldn’t talk about the lessons with anyone else. One night in particular brought them closer together than they had ever thought they would get.

They had just exited the classroom, as always at nine o’ clock, and Professor McGonagall had just informed them that next lesson they would finally be performing the Ritual. The excitement they felt overruled their contempt for each other and they openly guessed what they would turn into.

“Next week Potter, you will be seeing me turn into a dragon right in front of your eyes.” Malfoy said, more hopeful than arrogant.

“Sure Malfoy, and the Merlin wore diapers to sleep.” Harry replied ironically.

“Hey! Though I wouldn’t put it past an old man like that. I bet Dumbledore wears diapers.”

“Now that’s something I would pay to see!” They both laughed.

It was strange how in just a month and a half they had gone from arch-enemies who practically spat at each other to joking with each other. Harry was seeing a different side of Malfoy. Did he dare say a fun side?

Harry learned that Malfoy, who had always hated him and vice-versa, had quite a sarcastic edge to him and was surprisingly funny when not directing his irony at Harry or his friends.

But these friendly exchanges were restricted to the moments where they walked back from their secret lessons. During the day, they reverted to their ‘normal’ behavior of insulting each other. But even those were growing fewer and less intense.

Could we possibly be becoming friends? was a thought that disgusted them less and less as the lessons passed.

Just as they were rounding the corridor to the staircases, they heard voices and Malfoy pushed Harry into a pitch black alcove. They weren’t past curfew, but Malfoy was a Slytherin. Full stop.

He held his hand over Harry’s mouth and whispered “Shut up Potter, let’s see who it is, maybe we’ll learn something interesting tonight after all.” And though Harry glared daggers at him, he did stop struggling, and trained his ear to the conversation approaching them.

“You didn’t have to patrol with me you know, I’m a big girl.”

“You haven’t stopped saying that since we left our quarters, has it never occurred to you that maybe I like patrolling with you?” This one was a male voice.

Malfoy rolled his eyes and grimaced, but did not utter a sound.

“Thank you”

And then a sort of commotion could be heard, followed by a gasp, a sound like a whip cracking, an outraged cry of “Ernie!” from the female voice and then running, with Ernie shouting apologies after the girl.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what had transpired, and even though Harry had recognized the voice, it wouldn’t have taken a genius either to figure out who it had happened to.

Harry’s face was progressing to a shade resembling that of a sun burnt Somalian when Malfoy released him, though the blond kept his eyes on the corridor the scene had taken place in.

“Okay I think it’s clear we can –“ and then he caught sight of Harry’s murderous demeanour. Malfoy looked like Christmas had come early.

“Oh this…this is just too perfect!” His grin was that of a seven year old unwrapping a full set of Power Rangers for Christmas.

Harry was fuming. That…that scumbag, that shit-eating donkey humping bastard, he tried to…to molest Hermione! Ok that might be a bit strong, they are going out but…I am going to kill that horny Head Boy.

His thoughts grew darker and he never paused to question why he was having such a deep-set rage-filled reaction. He only stopped his blood-shedding thoughts when Malfoy’s laughter echoed through the corridors.

“What!?” Harry seethed.

“You…you…” he just couldn’t get it out through his laughter.

Harry patiently waited, thoughts of ripping Ernie limb from limb still occupying the forefront of his mind.

Finally, Malfoy calmed down. “Whew, that felt nice. So, it seems our favourite Golden Boy has fallen for the not-so-favourite know-it-all.” His grin was still plastered across his face.

Halfway through thoughts of dancing on top of Ernie’s spilt guts Harry registered what Malfoy had said.

“Are you completely incompetent Malfoy or did you not notice that it was Macmillian out there with Hermione, and not me?”

But his grin was still set. “Oh I noticed that, and I know you noticed it too, but it affected you much much more than it should have my poor Potter.”

“He forced himself on her!” He reasoned, but a part of him acknowledged the statement.

“Aye, he did, but she gave him a good wallop and I'm sure an earful once she stopped running, and that’s all personal relationship stuff for them, nothing for you to meddle in. And yet, here you are, seething as if MacPompous there raped your own girlfriend.”

“I don’t expect you to understand the depth of my relationship with Hermione.”

“Oh trust me, I know of the ‘depth’ of your ‘relationship’ with her, it’s you that is deluding yourself into thinking that you’re in a right pissed mood just over a platonic friendship.”

Harry was speechless. Could it be true? Could he have feelings for Hermione? Could he possibly be falling for his best-friend? Worse yet, could it be thanks to Malfoy that he was actually realizing it?

“Maybe…maybe you’re right..” Was it true? Hermione, the only one to have always stood by him, always there with a helping hand, insufferably and perpetually right, caring, wise, the list goes on and on…and now, would “my heart’s desire’ be added to that list?

Malfoy was slightly taken aback. “Wow, you sure took it better than me.” He stated off-handedly, not really realizing what he was saying. One second…two second….

Click!

Deer caught in headlights look! Oh shit! Tell me he didn’t hear that…

“What!?”

Oh fuuuuuuck. “Um…well…” Malfoy just couldn’t find the words to explain away his blunder. How could he? He had barely understood what he was feeling the day before.

“You’re telling me that you, Slytherin King of Full-Blood Supporters is in love with a Muggle-Born?”

The relief that washed over Malfoy was almost palpable. He almost laughed at how dense the saviour of the world could sometimes be. “No you twat, I don’t fancy her!”

Blunder number two by King Slytherin. Too much emphasis on the pronoun.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiit.

“Then who are you in love with?” Harry was utterly confused. He just found out he was in love with his not-single female best-friend and he was chatting with Malfoy of all people of their hearts’ desires. Somewhere someone was really screwing with him.

“Alright Potter, I’ll admit it, I have feelings” he grimaced “for someone, and what I said before was that I didn’t want to admit to myself that I actually did have these feelings. And it’s not Granger.” For some reason, Malfoy actually felt relieved. Like a slight weight had been lifted from his chest. Maybe this ‘sharing’ thing wasn’t so bad after all.

“Malfoy! Who.Is.It?” Harry articulated.

“I swear Potter, if you laugh, I will kick your ass so badly you’ll be vomiting your own excrement.” He paused. Was he really going to tell Potter one of his deepest secrest? Oh fuck it, he’ll be unbearable if I don’t tell him.

He mumbled something nearly incomprehensible but Harry caught it. He didn’t laugh, he didn’t even say anything, he just stared in awe.

“But…” he gushed “but she’s like…the anti-you, how can you fancy her?” Malfoy simply shrugged.

“It’s not as if I chose to fall for her. I guess her spunk caught my eye…”

“Yeah, spunky is the perfect word I would use to describe her actions towards you.” Harry replied sarcastically.

“Watch it Lightning-boy, I can do a Bat-Bogey hex just as good as her.”

Both boys leaned against the wall, contemplating the predicament they were faced with.

“Damn it Potter, we are the two most wanted boys in this school, and we fall for the ones that are actually taken. By the way I can’t even imagine what the Weaslette sees in Neville of all people.”

Harry laughed then stated simply. “He genuinely and sincerely cares for her.”

Malfoy mockingly imitated him. “Because all girls find that dashingly sexy!” He sighed.

“Malfoy?”

“Yeah”

“I never thought I’d say this, but we’re going to have to work together.”

“You think Merlin really did wear diapers?”

“Maybe…”

“Well then I guess we could work together in a world where that exists.”

And since that night, a friendship was formed, based on secrets they dared not tell anyone else. And a promise was made, a promise to help the other get his heart’s desire, and so they would.

Eventually.

To be continued…

[A/N: This was ages in coming, and it was an answer to a challenge posted back in September that I only managed to get satisfactory now. Just a few things to get cleared, McGonagall knew that Harry’s dad was an animagus coz Remus told Dumbledore in Harry’s third year, and Dumbly told McG. I don’t know if Dumbly or Merlin wore diapers. Any other questions, ask in a review. Thx for reading!

Challenge restrictions follow:

Plot:
* For reasons that you may or not want to produce, Harry and Draco are trained together on how to become Animagi by Professor McGonagall. Their training is complete, and they are a ***** and a ***** (surprise, surprise!).
* Hermione and Ginny are dating some two people (could be Krum and Neville or whoever else you want to put them with).

* On a particularly sulky moment, Draco and Harry realize their problems are similar and decide to team up to break the two (seemingly) happy couples apart.

Here are some musts:
* No one knows about their training, except for the professors.
* Whatever they decide to do to break the couples, they must be in their animal forms (and avoid teachers, of course!).
* Should finish in, at least, with HHr. Bonus is DG.
Some musts were omitted for the sake of the suspense of the fic.

Finally, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t keep the name of the person who posted this challenge, and though I searched like hell, I couldn’t find it again since it was so many months ago. Thank you very much for the inspiration and I hope you like my rendition..]

2. Of Disturbing Dreams and Ferret Kings

Chapter 2: Of Disturbing Dreams and Ferret Kings.

A/N: I know it’s been ages, but my Muse is playing games with me, she decides when I write, not me. Hope you enjoy it.

Harry was kneeling in the middle of the classroom, exactly in the middle of a large circle of ancient runes. A complicated diagram was drawn underneath him, he barely understood how McGonagall had drawn it, let alone what it did. Slivers of smoke escaped four purple candles placed on the circle’s perimeter, making the room smell strongly of Frankincense and Myrrh.

These were the only source of light in the whole room, and he could barely see Draco in the corner, watching in poorly-restrained awe. His Transfiguration teacher however, was clearly visible right in front of him, chanting some archaic formula in a firm voice. Sweat pearled on his forehead and his knees were beginning to complain, but Harry could stay here for hours more, he had been waiting for this for far too long.

It was the Freulodorus Ritual.

McGonagall’s chanting slowly quickened, and the smoke started swirling together over Harry’s head, falling back down after meeting at a summit, making it look like Harry was trapped in a swirling smoky fountain.

The fumes were beginning to make him light-headed, and he welcomed it, like he had been told to do. His eyesight blurred and a ringing sound covered all others. He was acutely aware of all his nerves, and his spine felt like it was filling with icy water.

He passed out after a few seconds, and the dull thump as his body hit the floor was the only sound in the room as its other two occupants looked on with enraptured patience.

His vision was still terribly blurred when he woke up, feeling completely disorientated. Everything slowly came into focus and he found himself in one of Hogwarts’s corridors, but he couldn’t tell which. He got up and took a few steps, wondering how he had gotten there, missing the fact that his feet made no sound as they slapped the stone floor.

Just as he was passing a classroom, the door swung open too fast for him to jump out of the way. But strangely, he didn’t get hit. The door was now open behind him, he had somehow gone through it, just as he went through Filch a half-second later when he exited the classroom, bounding towards another corridor.

“What the hell?”He spoke out loud.

But before he could really ponder what indeed was happening, Madam Pince followed through the doorway, looking rather dishevelled, compared to her usual impeccable standards. Harry jumped away from her, shouting in surprise, but she didn’t look at him. She just looked left and right, then sped off in the opposite direction that Filch had, not even having glanced Harry’s way.

Harry thought he was going to feel sick. This meant that they…Pince and Filch were…uugh…

“Well, I guess I was right when I told Hermione they were an…urgh…item. That’s definitely something I’ll have to tell her, after all, it isn’t everyday that I’m right.”

But how did he go through them? Why didn’t she notice him? Had he died during the Ritual? Was he now a ghost? He thought better to drop that disturbing line of thought.

“Think Harry, think. The Ritual, it makes you dream, so is this…a dream? A very disturbing and horribly realistic dream really, but it is a possibility…

Before he could wonder about the significance of dreaming about Filch and Madam Pince ‘going at it’, he heard two people laughing from the next corridor, and their footsteps told Harry they were getting closer.

He hid behind a big statue of two kneeling wizards pointing at what looked like an apple with confused and argumentative looks. He didn’t know if he would remain ‘invisible’ to whoever was coming but he didn’t want to test it.

Just as he thought they were going to pass into the corridor, he saw two people dash for the darkened alcove in front of him, and he didn’t get a chance to see if he could recognize them.

He did however see a pitch black cat stroll regally through the corridor, and he stared at it, dumbfounded.

This didn’t look like Mrs. Norris, this cat had a bizarre zigzagged tail and had a gray shadow around his eyes. Its legs seemed slightly tilted towards the inside of its body, how could a cat have knobbly knees?

It disappeared around the next corner to the staircases, and Harry was wondering whose pet that had been. Somehow he felt he had already seen it, though he couldn’t figure out where.

His confusion was interrupted by two new voices entering the corridor. He turned back to the initial corridor, and it all clicked. There, walking way too close to each other than Harry thought should be legal between two Head Prefects, were Hermione and Ernie.

This was a memory. So he must be hidden with Malfoy just in that alcove in front of him. So that’s why no one could see him! Though this meant that Filch and Pince really were an item…

But ju

st as t

Though, why was he in a memory? This was supposed to be a dream, why was he reliving a recent event?

As if to answer his question, he felt the world around him give a massive lurch and he was back in the classroom, standing up somehow, with a worried looking McGonagall looking at him and a bored looking Malfoy in the back. It took him a while to regain his focus and boundaries and readjust to his surroundings.

“Mr Potter, I see you have resurfaced. How did it go?”

He didn’t know what to say exactly. “Umm…it was…good?”

“What did you see, Mr Potter?” Harry noticed Malfoy peeking up at that.

“I saw…” he shivered as he remembered the first thing he saw, he would never look at the caretaker the same way again. “I was in a memory, it was actually of a night not too long ago Miss. But I thought it was supposed to be a dream, wasn’t it?”

“Ah but it was. Not all dreams are completely fictional. There are many different things that one sees when performing the Freulodorus Ritual, memories are not uncommon however. I do not need to know the details of the dream, I just need you to focus on it, and tell me if there was anything that did not pertain to what really happened.”

He paused and remembered the dream. He decided not to bring up the inter-staff relationship he had discovered, but apart from that, couldn’t exactly recall anything out of the ordinary.

“No Professor there wa –“ and he spotted the drawing on the chalkboard, where McGonagall had used her own transformation as example. The cat!

“Actually there was! There was this cat that just pretty much strolled through my dream randomly. Was that actually my animagus form?” He tried to keep the excitement out of his voice.

“Describe the feline to me.”

“It had this strangely shaped tail, zigzagged, and it was all black, except for these gray circles around its eyes. I don’t really remember anything else though, it was so random…”

She gave him one look over and actually smiled. “Well Mr. Potter, I think it was indeed your animagus form. The physical similarities confirm it as well. Would you call the tail lightning-shaped?”

Professor McGonagall saw it click in Harry’s head and was amused by the childish grin that swept his face. Before Harry could say anything, Draco was pushing him out of the diagram.

“Ok your time is done now, it’s my turn.”

And the Ritual restarted, this time with Harry as spectator. It was a lot more boring on this end of it, but Harry couldn’t wipe the silly smile from his features: he would actually be an animagus!

Though McGonagall hadn’t made it explicit, the Freulodorus Ritual is more than a way to show one’s animagus form, it is also a basic eligibility test, showing you whether or not you have the possibility to become an animagus. And Harry had passed!

He admitted to himself that he wanted Malfoy to pass too, continuing alone would almost ruin the experience, and well, maybe he had fun walking back to the corridors with Malfoy too.

Finally, Malfoy stood up, then opened his eyes, slowly refocusing on the room like Harry had.

“Mr. Malfoy? How was it then?”

He threw her an anxious look, and turned away. “It was fine.”

“Was it a modified recollection like Mr. Potter’s?”

“Err no, it was a dream. No reality, just fantasy.”

“Well what happened then? Do you know what your animagus form is?”

“Well, the dream kind of points to it, but I think I need to do the Ritual again because I’m sure it must be wrong.”

“Nonsense. Mr. Malfoy what did you see?”

Harry could guess why Malfoy was reluctant, after all his boasting, he wasn’t a dragon, and that must have touched his Slytherin pride a tad. But was his form that bad for him to be so reluctant?

“Well I saw myself, and I was in the hallway, and there was Potter, and um, that old Professor Moody, and I lifted up my hands and…oh hell… I lifted up my hands and these…these ferrets just came from everywhere to attack them.”

Wait, thought Harry that means that…that Malfoy is…his animagus is a FERRET!!!

He burst out laughing, and even McGonagall was having trouble keeping a straight face.

“Were there any similar features?” she managed to ask with a forced neutral tone.

If looks could kill, Harry would be about 40 feet down in a smoking crater with the look Malfoy was giving him.

“Well they were all beige coloured, kind of like my hair Miss.”

“Mr. Potter, calm yourself. Now.”

Her tone sobered him up like a bucket of icy water.

“As for you Mr. Malfoy, though I suppose there was more to the dream, I assure you it all points to the ferret.” Harry couldn’t help snorting. “Mr. Potter if you cannot control yourself perhaps we should leave your training at that, hm?”

Noooooo no no “No Miss, excuse me, I will control myself.”

There was a pregnant pause, while the two boys waited for their teacher’s instructions.

“Alright, both rituals went faster than I had presumed, so this leaves us with some free time. If both of you feel you are up to it, we could begin a simple transformation.”

Malfoy’s disgruntled look lightened slightly, and Harry looked determined. They both nodded, so the Professor continued.

“Alright, so now we begin the practical part of the course, the part I assume both of you have been waiting for.” She waved her wand and the room was spotless, smoke-less, and odourless as all that remained was a desk and newly lit candles along the walls.

“Now then, I will ask for your absolute concentration in this, because this is where things get dangerous. I will not accept any foolishness or rashness. Do I make myself clear?” The room seemed to get darker and the boys felt a chill at the bottom of their spines. Again, they simply nodded.

“Very well. Extend out your hand like so, and picture the animal you will eventually turn into. Now, picture that animal’s paw that corresponds to your extended hand. Picture only the paw, we will only be transfiguring one hand tonight. Then, when you have that image set in your mind, think Animorphum.” Her extended hand suddenly morphed into that of her tabby cat’s front right paw, and the startling differences in proportionality were rather disconcerting.

Both boys though, didn’t manage any change at all. “Concentrate boys. Show me that all our lessons and concentration exercises were not for naught.”

Harry started sweating and he felt very hot around his temples. He pictured the black cat’s front paw, trying to single it out from the rest of its body. Closing his eyes, he thought Animorphum. He opened his eyes, hopeful, but his hand was still extended, nothing different.

“Woh!” exclaimed Malfoy. “Did you see that!? My hand was full of fur!”

“Hmm, yes Mr. Malfoy, it did change, but it is barely a partial transformation, you must concentrate more.” McGonagall, always the kill-joy.

If Malfoy can get somewhere, I must be able to do it too. He scrunched his eyes closed and thought hard about the paw, pictured it fully in his mind, even pictured his hand transforming into it like the Animagus in front of him had done, and recited the incantation.

He knew he had succeeded before opening his eyes, as a strange weightless feeling overcame his right hand. His opened eyes confirmed it, and it freaked him out to see his right forearm mould into an extremely thin hairy black paw.

“Very good Mr. Potter. Well done.”

They both turned to Malfoy expectantly and Harry gave him his best prideful look as he challenged him to do it.

Malfoy’s eyes flared and he stared at his hand like he was trying to burn a hole through it. A few seconds later, it slowly shaped itself into a tiny blond claw-like paw. It looked even stranger on Draco’s arm, it was about a third of Harry’s paw.

“Marvellous. I am impressed by both your ease at this. It took me at least an hour to turn my hand into a cat’s paw, and it turned out to be the wrong paw.” Harry was surprised by the insight into McGonagall’s youth, Malfoy seemed completely oblivious, still staring at his ‘paw’ with a mixture of disgust and disbelief.

She cleared her throat. “Now, to get your hands back, it is the exact opposite process. Think of your hand, and recite inwardly Humanimorphum.” She demonstrated easily as her hand shifted back and forth from cat form.

They both managed it on the second try, probably thanks to their other hand helping the visualization.

“Excellent. You have both done very well and I suspect that the next lessons will pass by very quickly. I warn you however, this is only the beginning, do not attempt anything more than this for now. I expect both of you to have mastered this transformation by next week. Goodnight boys.”

“Goodnight Professor” they said in unison as they stepped out of the classroom.

They spent a few moments in silence, both contemplating their Animagus forms, in awe at the prospect of finally being able to change into an animal soon.

Harry was first to break the silence. “So Malfoy, should I call you King Ferret now?” He couldn’t help at chuckle.

“Yeah yeah, laugh it up Potter, you just wait until we can fully transform and I whoop your freaky-tailed kitty arse”

“Oh no, Malfoy the bouncing ferret, what will I do?”

“Okay shut up now. How fares the Hermione affairs?”

“Well, even after Macmillian imposed himself on her, she’s still completely bonkers for him. I really don’t know what she sees in that pompous git. I thought she’d have dropped him on the spot after his stunt the other night.”

“Yeah well, I doubt little miss bookworm has much confidence in herself when it comes to boys, so maybe she thinks it’s the best she can get.”

“Wow Malfoy, that’s deep for a blond ferret.” He said half humorously and half in wonder.

“What can I say, I am a man of many skills and talents.” He said with a smile that betrayed his sarcasm.

“Getting girls doesn’t seem to be one of them though, judging by Ginny’s still happy relationship with Neville.”

“Ah, all in due time Potty. Give my plan time to work itself out.”

“Ah yes, the piss-her-off-so-much-she-realises-she-loves-me plan. Foolproof…”

“Potter, we’ve got to take matters into our own hands. These girls don’t know what they’re missing with us. But they’re both so smitten with their dudes that they don’t notice it. We need to break them up, there’s no other way.”

“No objection here, but how to do it?”

“This is where we will put my Slytherin brilliance to use. At the moment, they’re happy, so there’s no problems. We need to get them unhappy, and for that, we need to find out what makes them unhappy. We’re going to have to learn their likes and dislikes, so we’ll need to follow them around I suppose, and we’ll need to amplify their dislikes in their boyfriends, while doing all the right things in their eyes ourselves. Soon enough, they’ll end up hating their boyfriends, and loving us.”

“And this following them, you think Hermione wouldn’t notice me following her while she did her rounds with Macmillian?”

“Not if you’re a cat she won’t.”

“Perfect! I didn’t know you had it in you to think so well, Malfoy.”

“I try…”

“Alright then, I’d say we have about two weeks until McGonagall approves for full transformation, and that’s where we really set the plan in motion. But what do we do until then?”

“We make preparations.” Malfoy had a devilish glint in his eye. “I think we should prepare anything that could prove useful in breaking the two happy couples up. You suck royally at potions, so I’ll prepare some useful potions.”

“I’ll contact Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, see what fun stuff they can supply, and I’ll look through some of the books I have on amusing hexes and spells.”

“Excellent. Looks like we’ve got it all figured out, nothing can go wrong.”

Of course, most things are always easier said than done…

[A/N: The Animagus forms were dictated by the challenge restrictions, so please don’t tell me you thought they should’ve turned into wolves or phoenixes etc… Questions however, are most welcome. Next chapter, we get some insight on the two girls and their relationship, as well as some duly awaited transformations.]