Lauran's POV.

I was so excited to be back at school again but very disappointed that I couldn't bring my broom. I didn't want to play Quidditch yet, I just wanted to fly a little. It was almost time for breakfast and, as usual, Lily was still asleep. Sophie and I looked at each other and grinned before beginning our famous 'Let's wake Lily up' song. Soon enough she was awake and locked in the bathroom. I really couldn't blame her for wanting to stay in bed on Monday's. Monday involved potions and that is a good enough reason to stay in bed. I was still a little annoyed after the last potions lesson when Slug-face was telling me how hopeless I am in front of everyone. I'm pretty sure we all knew I was hopeless at the stupid subject but there was no reason to remind everyone. It's not like I needed potions anyway, Lily and Remus were good at it and if I ever needed a potion they could make it for me. When Lily was eventually ready we head down for breakfast. We excitedly discussed the transfiguration lesson that was coming up, McGonagall had told us that we would be learning about people that could turn into animals. Remus and I exchanged a look and laughed. We headed to class early, eager to learn about turning into animals. Remus and I took our seats and he leant over and whispered in my ear.

"If she makes us try to transform, you have to help me escape." He said.

I nodded, feeling sorry for him, "Alright, but I don't think you will have to go, this is way to advanced for first year. I think it will just be a little bit of theory work."

When McGonagall arrived, as predicted she told us that we would not be attempting to turn ourselves into animals, much to the disappointment of James, Sirius, Sophie and myself, Remus was overly relieved.

"Who can tell me how someone can turn into an animal?" McGonagall asked.

Remus raised his hand, "If they are a werewolf or an animagus."

McGoangall nodded, "Correct, ten points to Gryffindor. Can anyone tell me how a person becomes a werewolf?"

I raised my hand, "If they are bitten by another werewolf they become infected and transform every full moon. It is a painful process and they can not be near other people when they transform as they have the possibility of infecting anyone, or killing them. When a person transforms, they are no longer human and have no control over anything they do, it is all instinct. There is also no cure."

McGonagall nodded, "Another ten points."

I looked around the classroom and everyone was looking suspiciously at their class mates, as if suspecting them to luunge at them any second now. I looked at Remus and saw that he had noticed the same thing, McGonagall had obviously also noticed. She glanced at Remus and then continued.

"Just because a person is a werewolf does not mean that they are out to get you. Most people that are infected would like nothing more than to be a normal, healthy person. I wont lie and tell you that all people that are werewolves try their best not to infect people, as there are some who think that it is only fair to get 'revenge' by attacking people when they transform. I have met a few werewolves and they are just like everyone else except on full moon. You can not tell just by looking at someone that they are a werewolf."

A Ravenclaw boy raised his hand shyly, "Has there ever been a student at Hogwarts that was a werewolf."

McGonagall showed no sign of alarm and answered "Never in the past has there been an infected student at the school. That is not due to any form of discrimination but due to parents being concerned that their child could hurt someone, and also there are not many child werewolves. I can assure you that if a werewolf was to attend the school yo would be perfectly safe and precautions would be made to ensure that that persons transformations would not endanger any lives."

Remus and I grinned at her wording of the answer 'never in the past', not 'never'. We looked at McGonagall and could have sworn she gave us a sly wink.

"Now, who can tell me what it means to be an animagus?"

I raised my hand again, "It is a person who can voluntarily transform into an animal. I'm not really sure how, I haven't read much about it because I couldn't find anything about it in the library but I do know that you are an animagus Professor."

"Ten points for finding that out." McGonagall said, "Miss Gilmore is correct, I am in fact an animagus. Do you know what my animagus form is Miss Gilmore?"

I nodded, "A cat. And like all registered Animagi you have a distinctive marking which means you are not confused with an ordinary cat. Your cat form has marks around it's eyes that symbolise your glasses."

McGonagall nodded once and then promptly changed into the cat. The class applauded, impressed with the transformation and McGonagall changed back into herself. "As you would have noticed, Miss Gilmore was right about the markings. For homework I would like you all to describe the differences about werewolves and anamagi. Class dismissed."

I told Remus to tell Lily that I would catch up with them in a bit and waited behind to talk to the professor. When the class had left McGonagall spoke.

"Before you ask you are not going to be learning how to become an animagus any time soon Lauran."

I laughed, "I wasn't even going to ask, well, not yet anyway. I just wanted to know if it was possible for animals to be infected if bitten by a werewolf or is it only humans."

"Only humans. But as I just said, you are not becoming an animagus."

"Wouldn't it be beneficial for a werewolf to have a companion while they transform, especially if the person could prevent something unfortunate form happening?"

"I can imagine that your friend Mr Lupin would appreciate having company but not from a fellow first year for which the transformation could go horribly wrong."

"Can anyone become an animagus? How do you know what they will become?"

"Not everyone can become one, it involves being rather good at transfiguration and even then sometimes the most advanced witches and wizards are not able to transform. There is a special gene of sorts that needs to be evident for the person to be able to transform, it is possible but rare for someone to transform without the gene. As for knowing what a person will become, there is a blood test that can be taken."

"How do you find out if you have the gene and how do you take the test?"

"Lauran, even if you do have the gene I will not permit you to attempt to become an animagus."

"I didn't say I wanted to, I was just curious."

McGonagall sighed, "Alright, I will do the test for you but I will not give you any results until you have found out how the test works and instructions for how to do it, when you can tell me that I will give you your results. And I will be watching very closely to ensure you do not attempt this."

I grinned, "Alright."

She took out her wand and a small, clear vial. With the very tip of her wand, she pricked my finger and let a few drops of blood fall into the vial. When she had enough, she waved her hand over the cut and it healed instantly.

"Go to class now, Professor Hamish wont be happy if you are late."

"Alright, but one more question, is it possible for a werewolf to become an animagus?"

"I've answered enough questions, I'm sure you could look that up somewhere."

"Will do. Thanks McG." I said and left for Defence Against the Dark Arts.

McGonagall's POV.

I was concerned about Lauran's interest in becoming an animagus and headed to Albus's office to tell him of the interrogation I had received form the first year student.

"Strawberry jam." I muttered to the stone gargoyles who at once moved to reveal the staircase.

"Good morning Minerva." They greeted as usual. "Will you change us today?"

"Not at the moment, late maybe."

They looked disappointed as I stepped onto the revolving staircase. For years when I visited Albus I would transfigure the gargoyles briefly and now every time I went past they would ask. When the staircase had reached the door it was open and Albus was sitting at his desk waiting for me.

"Please sit Minerva. Wh at seems to be the problem today?"

I started to object to there being a problem but was cut short.

"Minerva, whenever you have that look and refuse to transform the gargoyles, there is a problem. Now what is it?"

I sighed, "Lauran Gilmore."

Albus looked surprised, "I thought she wasn't a problem, we discussed this last week."

"She is a wonderful student, very talented in transfiguration. We had a lesson on animagi today. She was very interested in the topic, asking if it would be beneficial for Remus Lupin to have an animal companion when he transforms. We discussed this after class and she wanted to know how one becomes an animagus."

"Did you tell her?"

"No. I told her that not everyone can do it and about the gene and the tests."

"You tested her didn't you?"

"Well considering her cousins interest in the same area and what happened to him I thought it would be best if we knew if she could follow the same path."

"She's not a Slytherin though. I highly doubt that a Gryffindor would do something so… reckless."

"She may be Gryffindor Albus but she is also friends with Black. And we both know that he is the only one of his family to ever end up in anywhere other that Slytherin, what if it is a mistake. What if…"

Albus cut me off again, "Lauran will be fine. Do you even know if she is positive?"

I shook my head, scared to take the small vial out of the pocket of my robes.

"Take it out Minerva, she might not even be able to do it."

I slowly took the vial out of my pocket and almost dropped it when I saw it had turned completely clear. I looked at Albus who looked equally shocked.

"Minerva, that is the clearest I have ever seen that test in my life. I do not mean to insult you but are you sure you did it right."

I nodded slowly, "This is not good. Should we block it? Should I tell her she isn't able to do it? Albus, what if she ends up like her cousin? At his right hand?"

Albus looked worried, "If they do not know they can not get her. Even if they do find out, we will not let them get her."