The Animagus

Chapter 2: Gearing Up

The time of preparation was on hand, the Beluaeporis ritual page was opened as Hermione diligently practiced the wand movements. Squish flick circle squish. Wait, was that it?

Hermione double-checked the old tome. She huffed in annoyance as she waited for the boys to arrive. The boys had their first quidditch game soon, and even though it was nearing November they were driving her out of her mind. She had NEWTS to study for, after all. There wasn't much time and they didn't realize they had to review EVERYTHING from all their years here.

The Room of Requirement did outdo itself though. The lightened high-vault ceiling looked resplendent with the dark wood gleaming off the polished marble floor. Hermione smiled ruefully as she always had a secret flair for the dramatic, and it seemed the sentient castle picked up and appreciated it. The roaring fireplace easily overpowered her diminutive stature, and as she put her hands upon the mantle, realized that this would be a perfect place to curl up to read a book with someone.

She huffed in annoyance when a bout of self-pity splashed within her. Really, to think that I would be bothered with such pedantic woes. I'm a witch, for Merlin's sake. Not an insipid child who can only think from one Witch Weekly to the next.

Her mother always stressed to know herself, and to explore why and what she was thinking. A fond memory sprung up of her mother's tell-tale shake of the head because of some American trashy reality show. "See that Hermione? They need a good dose of self-esteem and self-respect. They need to discover what talents that lie within them and how to use them to the best of their ability." Rolling her eyes in an indulgent smile, Hermione thought about what talents she might have.

Definitely a bookworm. That was both a good and bad thing, though. Good for solving complex mysteries that Voldemort tries to kill Harry with, but bad for social skills. She tended to think she was competent with her peers, especially when it came to getting respect. Punching that ponce Draco in the face was well worth it, for her reputation, and for her anger. She was respectable looking, the frizzy hair tamed a bit from extended-release conditioner and the French braiding spell that she learnt from a dusty old housekeeping book.

Not that I'll ever need it at the rate I'm going. Hermione frowned again, and desperately sought the tower. She had even taken to climbing the back stairwell to get outside to the roof access, while not expressly forbidden, probably would land her in heaps of trouble and lectures if found out. Sensing her need to escape, the room of requirement morphed a solid oak wall into a balcony, and although small, put her arms on the rails and watched the Ravenclaw quidditch practice with interest. Contrary to popular belief, she did like the sport. She just thought that an occasional game should be played, without the crazed quidditch-hungry fans that seemed to pop out of the woodwork no matter where in the world you went.

She sighed as she wondered what Cormac was doing. He's kind of a lost cause, but it's better than nothing. Maybe I should invite him to the Slug club party for Christmas? She felt undecided about the whole predicament. It's not like she was madly in love with him, Ana suggested it as a way of moving on from He-Who-Shall-Remain-Pigheaded. Hermione didn't really want to play headgames, but she definitely wasn't feeling any sort of sizzle with Cormac either.

She shrugged, figuring that some meaningful relationships might take a while. But am I just supposed to settle like this? I mean, on the one hand, Cormac McLaggen is a perfectly nice bloke when he wants to be. A little poncy sometimes, but that's okay, I don't mind that at all. On the other hand, I have Ron, who aggravates me to no end, but at least there's a spark there. He gets under my skin. Not sure if that's a good match either.

Sod it all, it's not supposed to be this tough! You'd think that out of all the wizarding british I'd be able to find someone that I can at least have a constant, trusting relationship with. It's always the good ones are taken. Hermione smiled as she thought of Harry and Ginny. She loved him like a brother, no doubt, but it was still irking that her little brother is ideal "prince in shining armor." She grinned, concluding that once he got older, Harry would cut quite the dashing figure in armor.

Getting one last big breath of fresh air, she turned back to the room and realized the time. She had spent an hour of introspection, wasting valuable practicing time and almost didn't have enough time for a final meditation.

Mentally scolding herself she hurried with the final preparations. She did find that the salt circle helped to clear her mind, so that was definitely going up. As she was sprinkling, she added some strengthening and safety runes while she was at it. Can't hurt, right? Maybe then I'll finally figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be. She scowled briefly, but then her brow smoothed once again to concentrate on the task at hand.

After the salt circle and purification rite, she gently guided the tome with the pedestal near the circle. The open area had ample room with chairs and food waiting for the boys after they got done from their earlier practice and team meeting.

At least they have enough common sense to shower. Maybe there is hope after all. She did hope they took her up on the loose and light clothing rule. She figured it would be the most comfortable thing to wear, especially since the recovery process could take upwards of two hours after the spell had been cast. She chewed her lip worriedly, hoping that everything will go okay.

She finished the preparations and looked for a suitable place for a last ditch meditation exercise. She settled on a squishy but comfortable settee and closed her eyes to relax. Thirty minutes later she was awoken by the sound of a door bell from the main door. She instilled that there be a notification / identification contact to make sure she didn't accidentally open the door up for the wrong people. Constant Vigilance. Peeping through the eyehole, she saw Harry wave and Ron try to look into it to see if he could see her back. She laughed and shook her head, and allowed them in.

They stepped in and Harry whistled appreciatively while bussing her on the cheek as he walked in. They were both dressed casually, Ron in loose fitting trousers and Harry in his favorite worn out jeans. "Excellent. You wankers decided to finally listen to me." Ron messed up her hair in response getting a hex to the arse in retaliation.

"Ow! Dammit 'Mione! Watch out for my bits!"

"Not like you're going to use them anyway."

"Oooh! BBurrnnnn!" Harry laughed and high-fived Hermione while Ron flipped them off near the fire. Munching on the heap of sandwiches and pastries that Dobby brought up for them, they idly chatted about the quidditch practice and the meeting that took "entirely too long because everyone was bellyaching" in Harry's opinion. Ron muttered his agreement, and reached for his third biscuit. Hermione decided to eat lightly, just in case the dizzy sensation was worse, which would lead to her dinner on the floor if she was not careful. After stalling as much as possible, the set down to work.

Even Harry, who seemed to be gaining a certain amount in confidence was shaking his leg as he was prone to do when nervous. She quietly asked them both,

"Are you sure you are ready and willing to do this? Because there is no option B after. You will have to meditate until you complete the total transformation."

Ron looked troubled for a minute, but his expression cleared and nodded affirmatively. Harry did the same, but with less hesitation.

"Are you ready, Hermione?" he asked in reply. She smiled and nodded, no longer afraid of what was to come. As ready as I'll ever be at this rate.

Harry and Ron rock-paper-scissored to see who went first as Hermione would have to cast the spell on herself last. Ron's victory jump and dance lasted until he got to the salt circle where he carefully stepped over the lines and continue it in the middle. Harry rolled his eyes and the witch laughed at her friends antics. It had, however, lightened the serious mood and helped her to calmly collect herself for the spell.

Harry, as her co-caster stood by her side. He would be casting a ward, just in case something were to go wrong, or in case she needed him to take over for the spell. The dusty tome behind them, she soberly inquired, "Ronald Weasley, are you prepared to take on the responsibility of the way of the animagus?"

"I am."

"To protect your animal brethren, attacks be it from muggle and magik alike?"

"I will."

"Do you solemnly swear to complete your training and achieve both mental and bodily transformation?"

"I do."

"So mote it be."

With that, in a clear and commanding voice, said, "Beluaeporis." The change was instantaneous. Ron, who was standing for the ceremonial session, dropped to his knees in what was like anguish. Hermione had to physically rein Harry back, because they both knew interrupting this vital stage could be tantamount to killing Ron. She didn't like it anymore than Harry did, and only ceased her worry after a few moments when Ron's head snapped up and looked at them with a tilt on all fours.

He tilted his head further, then let out a startled, but high pitched bark. Hermione let out the breath she was holding, and smiled. When Ron made no intention of getting up, and clearly was intent on sniffing at the floor, she started to laugh. The spell itself lasted no more than five minutes, but it was well documented in the book that they would look foolish as they encountered their animagus animal mind for the first time. As he craftily pranced about the circle, Harry was nearly crying in laughter beside her. He was currently using the podium the book was on for support, mirth laden tears dripping down his face. The time was up and Ron's scampering ceased, but his face remained jubilant.

"That will be bloody useful! I can get about virtually anywhere as a fox!" Harry dried his eyes and looped an arm around Ron's shoulders. "Bloody brilliant mate! I knew you had it in you!" Ron's grin lit the room up and Hermione laughed again. She gently reminded Harry it was his turn after a few minutes of grilling Ron on his newfound senses.

Harry, less nervous that his friend went through the same change, took his spot for the presentation. His reaction was more smooth, instead of dropping to his feet, he merely sunk to the floor in a grace Hermione was not used to seeing in him. She did however, grin when she heard the low rumble of a growl that emitted from the watchful green orbs. He proceeded to prowl the inside of his wards, occasionally allowing the two humans outside that he was not pleased to be penned up so.

Ron smirked and barked at the obviously feline reaction from Harry, earning a loud hiss that startled him. She couldn't hold in her laughter, and Harry resumed his crouched stance when he came to himself. "Brilliant! Not as inconspicuous as Ron, but a panther will do. He grinned toothily."

Ron beamed at him "We're so leaving you with Malfoy in the changing rooms alone. He'll shit his pants from terror." Both boys started plotting gleefully at the demise of a certain priggish ponce of slytherin.

She poked them both in the side and said. "Excuse me boys, but I would like to see for myself what I shall become."

Sheepishly they brought her into the circle, and held their wands aloft for the wards. Hermione performed the spell on herself, with perfect diction and harmony.

She crumpled to the floor, as her body heated up. She felt like a supernova, exploding from the inside. A terrible, single, ground-shattering roar escaped her, and she knew darkness.