Disclaimer: Well. I need hardly tell you that I don't own Harry Potter, but I shall do so anyways. I do not own Harry Potter. There, I've said it.
I realize this fic seems to hold nobody's interest other than my own, but, eh, such is the case of things occasionally. I shall attempt to persevere anyways.
The Room of Requirement was as useful as ever, but it held a special significance to the six friends now. In the memories and knowledge given to them by the founder's, they discovered that the Room was actually something of a Common Room for the Founders. For access to their personal rooms, they need only press their rings to the appropriate wall; North for Gryffindor, South for Slytherin, East for Hufflepuff, and West for Ravenclaw. Each included several rooms but the group decided that they would prefer to stay with the boys in Slytherin's quarters and the girls in Gryffindor's. Luckily, if given leave by the Heir, anyone was allowed in without a corresponding ring being necessary.
Even though the Room had been created more or less as a way to compromise between their varying tastes, the opportunities it offered were too good to dismiss. Harry, Ron, Neville and, somewhat surprisingly, Ginny, now had the abilities of a master swordsman (and woman…) where as Luna and Hermione were skilled in archery and the use of daggers. Rather than test their new knowledge where they could easily be observed, they used the Room.
Hermione, ever the pragmatist, established in Ravenclaw's rooms a new board of information, this one detailing not only their new abilities but the information they had learned. She then added a board that listed everything they intended to do.
Hermione tapped her wand thoughtfully against her chin as she studied the boards. "I think we should give some thought to pursuing our own animagus forms," she said. "After all, we know how the Founder's did it; it should be only a matter of discovering our forms." She frowned. "That's probably why Dumbledore never suspected Peter of treachery. To find an animagus form, one must master Occlumency that they may enter a deep meditative state and afterwards have the control necessary to make the change. Peter was, in essence, protected by the Marauders even as he betrayed them." Her mouth twisted in distaste before she shook her head to clear it of unwanted thoughts. "As we are already proficient Occlumens thanks to our new status as Heirs, we need only discover our forms. Also, with the memories and knowledge accorded us by the Founders, we already know how to change once we find them." She glanced at them mischievously, a small smile dancing on her lips. "Who wants to give it a try?"
As one, and with a heady sense of excitement in the air, the six changed the room to a simple one of plain comfort, and sat down to attempt the exercise. Harry was particularly excited as the thought of becoming an animagus pulled achingly on his heart-strings, feeling that this, much like flying, drew him closer to his father, not to mention Sirius.
An hour later it was revealed that Luna was a mink suitable for land and water, Neville was apparently a sun bear, Ron a red panda, Hermione a snow leopard, Ginny an Asiatic golden cat, and Harry a so-called "gray" wolf.
Knowing the process already, they decided to try the change. It came as no particular surprise when half an hour later there was a verifiable zoo in the Founders' common room.
After they each spent about fifteen minutes getting used to their new bodies, Ron changed back and suggested that they do the same. Within moments the group sat in their natural bodies, looking at Ron.
"I think it'd be a good idea if we changed individually so that we can get a good look at each other." Ron said. "That way we can get used to each other as animals, whether or not we're in animal form, too."
Ginny smirked suddenly. "Remembering that time Gryffindor snuck up on Slytherin without him knowing, eh?" Ron flushed.
"Well, yeah," he said. He added defensively, "That doesn't mean it can't be a good idea, though."
Ginny laughed. "No, no it doesn't." With that, she turned into a large predatory cat about four feet long with reddish fur, a white underbelly, and distinctive white and black lines on her face.
After Ginny came Luna, lithe and pure white, quick and agile. Neville showed off his form as four and a half foot bear, black and with a unique light orange "u" on his chest that matched the orange of his snout. Ron's animal was different. Legs, and underbelly black, the rest of his body was reddish-orange, save for some white markings on his face and ears and white stripes along the tail, also about four feet in length.
Hermione burst out laughing. She had brought out a book that identified each of their animals and included details on them. Hermione had already discovered her own form in the book. She handed the book to Harry and changed.
Almost immediately, Ron froze in instinctual terror. Hermione stretched languidly, even without her tail out, nearly four feet long. Her fur, a smoky gray with white on her belly and spots of black covering her body, was long and thick.
"The snow leopard is one of the main predators of the red panda," Harry read. "Huh, looks like she was going to get you eventually, eh, mate?" He chuckled, turning the page. "Hey, 'Mione! It says here that snow leopards can't roar. Looks like you're a big cat with a tiny voice." She hissed at him, flexing dangerous claws. "Yeah, yeah," he said absently. "Sink your claws into Ron, would you?"
Shaking, Ron transformed back quickly. "Don't say that, mate!" The red head was unusually pale. "We're still new with this animal stuff. She just might do it!" His voice rose with a terrified squeak.
Hermione turned back with a huff. "Oh, really, Ronald." She looked at him scornfully. "As if I would allow my baser instincts to-"
Out of nowhere a mouse-like creature ran past and she tensed, eyes following it intently until it ended at Ron's feet.
"Really?" He drawled sardonically, picking up the conjured mouse. He waved it around. "Because you seem unusually intrigued by this fake mouse I made." With a puff, he got rid of it, rubbing his hands briskly together. Hermione blushed as she realized what had happened. "No," he continued. "You can just stay away from me in your animagus form until we get this sorted out."
Looking chagrined, Hermione moved towards him, arms outstretched. Almost immediately, Ron shied away. A look of amusement crossed Hermione's face. She moved towards him again. Ron darted away. She did it again. Almost panicked, Ron tripped over a cushion on the floor and stumbled to his feet again.
"No!" He cried out. "Stay away from me you, you- Mad woman!" With a startled cry, he felt her arms enclose him. Part of him gibbered in terror but, soon, the rest of him realized that he was okay. This was the woman he loved. Not some terrifying beast intent on devouring him. He hoped.
The others, it should be noted, did try not to laugh, but the sight of tall, built Ron running shy from slim, feminine Hermione was just too hilarious to resist. It took the better part of ten minutes for them to calm down.
Harry handed the book back to Hermione and changed. His form was that of a pure black wolf, his eyes a startling green that the rest were sure was not natural upon such an animal. He had an almost unnoticeable tuft of gray hair on his forehead and he was a bold five feet in length. He sniffed them each in turn, identifying their scents. Satisfied, he turned back.
Hearing Ron's growling stomach, Harry spoke. "Well, we've practiced our weaponry and we've managed to become animagi in less than a day. I say we eat!"
They called on Tibby and he brought them a miniature feast. As they ate, they discussed their plans for the next day. They decided that they would go to Gringotts and access their vaults and then go shopping, the simple reason being that they had nothing but their wands and whatever possessions they'd been carrying, and the other being that for some, like Harry, shopping was something of a necessity anyways.
After eating their fill, the stress and excitement of speaking to Dumbledore and then becoming animagi overcame them, and they shuffled off to Slytherin and Gryffindor, saying goodnight to one another. Luckily, all of the private quarters included several bedrooms with connecting bathrooms as well as a communal kitchen. They all chose a room randomly and fell into bed, sound asleep before their heads finished touching their pillows.
Now, if you're reading this... if this story has struck your fancy at all, I'd appreciate a note detailing why, or even a note saying why not. Or, you know, don't. It's all cool.
Like I said. I'd appreciate it, but I'm not demanding it. ;)