Chapter 2: So It Begins


The combined seventh-year (technically seventh and eight year) class was buzzing. New classroom, a pile of leaves on the desk, and a hastily delivered parchment last night indicating a massive schedule change.

"I bet it's a new subject," Hermione preened happily. "They must be testing it out on the seventh-years. Ooh, I hope it's healing magics! That's been left out of everything! Or even ritual magic! They never go into detail about those besides in old texts, and maybe they'll-"

"C'mon, 'Mione," Ron whined, "it's probably nothing. A Order of Merlin party or something."

"They handed those out months ago!" Hermione contradicted quickly. "This is something new!"

"Hey Granger!" Malfoy sneered from his desk. "Maybe they're finally giving a course in beauty magic just for you."

"That explains why you're here, Malfoy," Harry jumped to defend his friend, "doesn't it?"

Simultaneously, the two doors to the back of the room opened and the two Heads of Houses entered. Silence pervaded as the approached the front of the room, and stood together.

"Good morning, seventh years," McGonagall greeted with a surly grimace. "Now, we have called you here today to present a rare opportunity. As you know, there are a few disciplines within the transfigurative magics that require extensive time and study to master. Alchemy, transmutations, animation . . . and becoming an Animagus."

Theo leaned forward to Draco. "They're letting us study that in school? I thought it was dangerous."

"As long as I don't turn into a ferret," Draco hissed back. "Damned Gryffindors would never let me live it down."

"Silence!" Snape barked. Eyeing down the class, he continued. "We have decided to give you all the choice to study, and potentially become an Animagus. Be aware, however, that it is not easy. Firstly, any who accept the challenge will be given a mandrake leaf, which must be continuously in their mouths for the next 30 days. You may not chew the leaf, or use any magic to prevent you from swallowing it. You may not swallow any magical potions, so those of you with pre-existing conditions are out."

"No pain potion?" Ginny murmured to Hermione, as both girls had looked panicked. "Please tell me you have that muggle medicine."

"I'll send for some," Hermione murmured back.

Pansy was similarly stricken, leaning over to Daphne Greengrass. "How am I going to do it?"

"Food is, of course, allowed," McGonagall continued, "provided there are no magical ingredients. Unfortunately, much of Hogwarts' feasts are prepared with items such as brewing sugar and magical beasts, so anyone who elects to work towards their transformation will be sitting at a specifically allocated table with specially prepared foods. With the other seventh years from every house."

The clear animosity between Slytherin and Gryffindor was apparent then. They glared at each other, though Draco didn't glare. Instead, he winked at the resident Gryffindor princess who turned a lovely shade of pink and glare at him in return.

"Each days, 12 hours apart and consistent for the next 30 days, the incantation Amato Animo Animato Animagus must be chanted with the Mandrake leaf still in your mouth," Snape instructed. "I strongly advise doing so alone. At the end of 30 days, you will place your mandrake leaf in a tube, labeled with your name, and present it to me. I will brew your potion, and you will consume it at the 32 day mark. You will know within the week if you are successful."

She entered down at the class. "We have decided that any of you who successfully transforms within 39 days of today will be awarded 50 points for their houses. The house with the most Animagi transformations will also earn a very rare prize."

Harry and Ron shared a very eager grin. They were going to win the prize for Gryffindor, if that was all there was to it. They were the Golden Trio, of course they'd win.

Hermione huffed. "Are they trying to pit us against the Slytherins?"

"Now, should any of you wish to participate in this optional instruction," Snape sneered, "you may come forward an get a mandrake leaf and a parchment with the spell on it."

Harry and Ginny and Ron and Daphne and Pansy were the first four up there.

"Out of my way, Weasley!" Pansy barked, pulling Ron away from the table.

"Oi, go manhandle Malfoy, Parkinson!" Ron snapped.

Malfoy rose when he saw Hermione still sitting in her seat, thinking. "Opting out of this one, Granger?"

"In your dreams, ferret!" she snarled, pulling her bag up to her shoulder and stomping over to the desk.

Snape and McGonagall watched as one by one, everyone in their classes took the challenge. They eyed each other quickly and nodded. The games were on.