I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. All rights belong to JK Rowling. I only own Sheridan and some of the creatures she works with. I like to thank my friend Sam for helping as she always does, and my beautiful and lovely girlfriend Carissa, who helped keep me motivated and inspired.
"Merlin's Beard! You've done it again my dear boy!" Slughorn cried in excitement. It had been a couple of weeks since the weekend spent with Sheridan, and Harry, with the Half-Blood Prince's book, had finished a Sleeping Draught with high marks. As usual, Slughorn thought the boy was a genius, even though the book was practically giving the answers to him! Hermione found this to be rather irritating. She had spent the last three days actually studying at the library, and it still wasn't enough compared to the bloody Half-Blood Prince. Remarkably, she had found that her sessions were often spent alongside Daphne, much to her surprise, and while the two witches spent the afternoons studying for various class quizzes and school work; Pansy was off to Quidditch practice. Not so much by choice though, as Malfoy literally dragged her to the practice fields at every moment. With tryouts quickly approaching, she was determined to make it on the team, and thus she needed to practice. This, however, was not to the likening of either witches. With Hermione's excessive studying and Pansy constant practicing, the two only saw each other during the nights they spent in the Room Of Requirements.
"You know that's not true Hermione." Pansy said, running her fingers lightly through the brunette's hair. Hermione laid face down in a pillow. She had been snacking lightly on chocolates as she tried to console the brunette."You're the brightest witch Hogwarts has ever seen, and probably ever will see for a long time." Hermione made to speak, though it came out muffled, it's had caused Pansy to giggle. "What?"
"I said, it's infuriating. Harry's ego has become bigger then Ronald's, and that's saying something!" Hermione turned over so that she could face Pansy,"I just don't know what to do Pansy." She frowned. Pansy's heart went out to the girl, she could understand why something like this bothered her girlfriend. Hermione had always been one who worked for the things she wanted, especially her grades. And here comes Potter with this blasted book, and cheats his way through Slughorn's class. No wonder Hermione was frustrated. Leaning down she pressed a gentle kiss to Hermione's lips. Hermione gave a shy smile as the other witch drew back. "Do you mean it?"
"Hermione, do you really have to ask?" Pansy gave the witch a grin, arching an elegant brow as she reached over and placed a piece of chocolate into her mouth. It was Hermione's turn to grin as she playfully chided her girlfriend.
"You're going to get sick eating all of that candy you know. Are you going to share?"
"Nope." Pansy huffed playfully, she smiled at Hermione's pouting face.
"It's not as though you need the candy Pansy." Hermione grinned, choosing her words carefully. "Do you remember your last addiction to sweets? You told me you got as big as a house!" Pansy gasped overdramatically.
"You said we would never speak of that again!" She stood, fists clenched with fake rage. Hermione met her stance with a playful smile.
"I lied." She replied earning a pillow aimed at her face, which she easily ducked from. She however did not expect Pansy to be behind the pillow, and in a mere movement, the Slytherin girl tackled the Gryffindor, and the two began a playful wrestle. Hermione, despite her stature, was a lot stronger then Pansy expected. She had somehow managed to get Pansy pinned under her. Pansy however wasn't weak. She rolled the both of them over so that she was on top, proving that she was stronger then Hermione by a mile, being an athlete after all. She'd played a lot of muggles sports over vacations, and her teammates had been mostly males. Hermione rolled her eyes and grinned maliciously.
"Figures you'd want to be on top Pansy…" She teased, giggling at the blush that crept over her girlfriend's face. Taking that as an opportunity, she locked her arms around her, Pansy squealed as Hermione managed to top her once again and turned to a desperate measure.
Pansy writhed underneath her as she began tickling her, roaring with laughter and an onslaught of colorful words that made Hermione gape. Tears were brought to Pansy's eyes, streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to get a solid hold. Finally Hermione took pity on the Slytherin and rolled off her girlfriend, leaving her flushed and sprawled on the ground. Once she recovered her breath, Pansy met with the shy and innocent smile as Hermione ate her chocolates. Crawling up beside her, the two sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Suddenly, Pansy shouted, as if she'd made an discovery.
"Just Primate!" Pansy grinned with satisfaction. She'd looked as if she'd unlocked a great secret. Hermione raised a brow as she licked her fingertips of any spare chocolate.
"Pardon?"
"J.P, that's what It stands for, I'm sure of it. Right?" She gave her a bright smile. she didn't wanna do it, after such a satisfied look, and days of trying to coax it out of her, how could she crush her girlfriend latest attempt?
"Nope, wrong again." By simply stating the obvious. Pansy's face fell, and soon she flopped back against the pillow with an overdramatic sigh. Looking at the time, she shot up again.
"We have that class with McGonagall soon. Are we still practicing transformations?" Hermione nodded sitting up.
"Yes, seeing as there are still some who can't fully do the transformations and back. I think you'll do wonderfully Pansy. You've been practicing, and the last time you managed the full transformation and back again. I think you've got it down."
"Well, I have a pretty good tutor…" She smiled at the blush Hermione gave, her own lips forming into a teasing smile.
"Th-thank you Pansy…"
"Huh? Oh I wasn't talking about you, I meant Sheridan." She wiggled her brows, earning a scowl.
"Oh, well if that's the case, then I won't study with you anymore." Pansy responded with a look of mock terror.
"You mean I won't have to study ever again? Oh no Hermione… I'm shaking in my boots." Pansy scoffed, reaching over for some more chocolate.
"You won't think it's so funny when you start failing your exams, and I won't sit near you. You won't be able to copy off me." Hermione smirked as real terror appeared on Pansy's face, followed by a sad pout.
"Aw, Hermione! You wouldn't dare have me fend for myself!" Pansy whined as Hermione stood. Getting dressed, the brunette pulled the other girl along so that the two of them could be on their way to McGonagall's class. Along the way they met up with Harry, Ron, who was still had a bruised face, and Lavender.
"There you are. Where have you been?" Ron, as usual, thought he had a right to know every little thing Hermione did, and who she did it with. Harry sighed in annoyance.
"Not this again, Ron I told you to stay out of her business." Before the redheaded boy could come up with some sort of comeback, he visibly paled and quickly clamped his mouth shut.
Sheridan was coming down the hall towards them with two abnormally large wolves, one black and the other white, trailing behind her. Remembering that the woman didn't necessarily like him, he quickly pulled Lavender along and the two left faster then anyone could say 'Quidditch'.
"Was it somez'ing I said?" Sheridan asked as she joined the group, the pleasure it gave her when she saw the boy flee before her was obvious in her smirk. It wasn't as if she'd ever spoken to the boy either. She sometimes wondered what sort of tales the youngest Weasley had told about her.
"Having a night stroll?" Harry asked, familiar enough with the Aya, the white wolf, that he was petting her lightly.
"Oui, I am on Mon way to Professor McGonagall's she 'as asked me to 'elp in zis lesson." She explained as the small group continued on their way. Joining Ginny, Luna, Daphne, Cho and Neville before they reached the class.
"Then you're an Animagus as well?" Asked Pansy, she and Hermione strolled arm in arm as the older woman lead them. Sheridan shook her head, but then nodded.
"It is… different for my kind… we summoners, as we 'ave a pact with ze creature's and animal we chose to be wiz, zere are certain, techniques and zing's we must learn along ze way. Oui, you could say zat I am like ze animagi type. But I am not limited to just ze single form of one animal or creature." Sheridan explained now having their attention, they were met with Parvati and Amber along the way. "But it is zrough touch zat I am able to perform such an task. And It is raz'er painful."
"Will we get to see it at the lesson?" Ginny asked, twirling Luna for no apparent reason. While the latter giggled lightly, Sheridan nodded with a smile and just as quickly she furrowed her brows. Looking quickly behind them, the entire group stopped their movements in response.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked, looking and scanning the corridor.
Sheridan blinked, "noz'ing… I zought I smelled somez'ing…" Her voice trailed as she continued moving a moment later.
"Wait a minute," Cho began with realization, they had just exited the doors of the castle. "We're not doing the lesson inside?" Sheridan smiled, tapped her nose, and nodded. She lead the motley excited group to into the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid usually held his classes. Going off the path, they went a ways before they were greeted by the rest of their group and Professor McGonagall, who was standing rather impatiently.
"That's enough dilly-dallying around. Pair up so that we may begin. Everyone did as she instructed and quickly paired up with their usual partners: Daphne with Cho, Ginny with Luna, whom she had continued to twirl in her arms, and Hermione and Pansy. For those who couldn't decide for themselves, McGonagall quickly assigned partners, the same groups as she usually did. So Neville was paired off with Amber, Harry with Draco, although the platinum-haired wizard didn't whine and make a big fuss this time, and the remainder formed the trio group of Ron, Parvati and Susan. Parvati wanted nothing to do with Ron after the way he'd treated her sister, so of course, she seemed rather hostile to this arrangement, though she keep quiet about it. "Tonight's lesson will determine how the environment effects you and your Animagus form. You have noticed I have asked Miss Lightrose to join us. Miss Lightrose if you would please?" Professor McGonagall motioned for her to speak.
"Merci, Professor McGonagall." Sheridan smiled, "Oui, you may notice zat in your Animagus forms, you feel zat you are more, 'ow you say… grounded to ze earth? It is because you are more in tune with ze earth and its mana. Zere is no oz'er creature so in sync wiz ze earth zen its animals, which is what you are in zat form. Zough in ze Animagus form, you are still able to zink as a human does, zough you feeling will not be as… complex. 'Oo knows what Mana is?" Sheridan paused, her hand resting on one of her wolves soft fur.
"Mana is an concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. It is commonly know or rather suspected that is what sustains the magical core within Witches and Wizards. However, Mana for a summoner is the very thing that keeps them alive, it is more then a substance or Energy Core for them. It is life for a summoner because no other person, Human witch or wizard is ever as close to Creatures and animals alike as they are." Hermione spoke, being the only one who as usually knew what she was talking about. That fact made her happy, and It made Sheridan happy as she grinned at the complete response.
"Oui, of course you, 'Ermione would know zat." She winked, "In your Animagus forms, you will find your pull to ze earth stronger when you are outdoors raz'er zen when you are inside. Some of you may even develop an keen animal trait." She finished looking back over at McGonagall who, herself, seemed impressed with Sheridan's knowledge. She once again took her stand in front of her small class.
"As we've practiced, each and every one of you today will take your Animagus form, you will then join Ms. Lightrose for the night. Let's begin. Longbottom, if you please?"
Hesitantly, Neville took his stand, grumbling something about having to be the first one to go, he closed his eye and mentally called his change. It was slow, and for a moment, Neville had thought he'd made a mistake. That is until he began shrinking and shaping in size. In less then a minute, where Neville Longbottom once stood, now stood a brownish Mountain Beaver. Pleased, Professor McGonagall sent him off to Sheridan's side. The rest followed suit one after the other. Amber had become a graceful and springy otter, Cho had managed the beautiful form of a Golden Retriever, and Daphne of course flawlessly took her form as a Dingo. Both playfully barked and nipped at one another as they join both Neville and Amber at Sheridan's side.
With some difficulty, Susan had finally managed her Koala state and Parvati joined her as a pigeon after several tries. Following behind the two was Ronald, who ironically and comically took the form of enormous wild pig. His ivory tusks protruded from his gums, his form was large and massive, high and wide at the shoulder tapering to the hips, his head was narrow with an impossibly long snout. Ironically, whatever fur he had took the Weasley hair color. And while Ron had slightly shrunk in size, Ginny grew. Showing a surprise aptitude for the change after sitting in on that session as Luna's partner, Ginny had been allowed into the class and now she had taken the form of one of the most beautiful mares Sheridan had ever seen. Luna idly perched on her back as a golden feathered owl. Ginny trotted the both of them over to Sheridan, looking rather smug as she towered at least a head over the others. She snorted in Ron's general direction, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and had them continue.
Malfoy had taken his form as white ferret, silently he made his way into the group and curled up as far from the group as possible. Hermione thought he'd been acting odd, almost ill. She had asked Pansy about it, but the girl knew no more then anyone else. Watching Malfoy, Hermione hadn't noticed the black dog that sat at her feet, until Harry barked. Startled, she glanced down and smiled at him. Patting him once on the head, his form reminding her of Sirius for a moment and how at that moment, he seemed to be looking out at her from Harry's eyes. The boy- dog, then scuffled off towards the group. Realizing it was her turn, Hermione took a breath, and in a matter of seconds the Gryffindor had taken her lioness state. Feeling proud and mighty, Hermione roared, as she often did, before circling Pansy. She brushed her tail against her thigh lightly, almost seductively, as a rumbling purr sounded from her chest. Suddenly Pansy felt nervous, especially being the last one to go. Slowly, she took her place, and with a calming breath she mentally called her form. She'd practicing been with Hermione ever since they began the course, and she'd accepted her form during their last practice. She managed to perform it perfectly ever since then. She could do it again. She crouched down, and felt the stages as her body morphed. Her skin darkened into a dark midnight to match her robes, hair grew into fur on her skin as her face shifted and lengthened. Her hands began to shape and morph in to claws, painful at first but then quickly the pain subsided. It was a matter of seconds before Pansy finished and sat on her haunches, she gave a mighty roar that rivaled Hermione's as she'd taken the form of a beautiful black Panther. Both enormous felines padded over to Sheridan, flanking the summoner like her wolves did.
Once finished, Professor McGonagall explained to them their lesson for the night in further detail. They were to spend the night or how ever long they could in their animagus form, they were to stick close to Sheridan who would keep an watchful eye on how the forest would affect their new animal instincts. Having made clear the assignment, Professor McGonagall bid the students good night and left them in the care of Sheridan. Sheridan of course had other plans for the lessons.
"You cannot learn if I am zere to, 'ow you say, baby-sit you? You are to work in pairs or teams, as you 'ave been zese pasts several weeks. Zere is a lake in ze forest edge, you are to work togez'er and make it zere. For some fun, mon Summon's and I will try to keep you from zat task. I will not be zere if you are in danger. If you should encounter a situation, return to your 'uman state and simply fire an red flare wiz your wands, I will send a summon as soon as possible." She explained, and without warning she'd vanished into the trees. She was gone, leaving thirteen Animagi teenagers alone with no way to communicate with each other, other than through gestures and whatever sounds their forms made.
'This is fantastic… ' Hermione thought as the groups slowly departed in their pairs. Ginny, with Luna now perching on her head, had galloped away at near top speed, while Cho and Daphne trotted off into the opposite direction with Harry and Malfoy alongside, becoming the trio of dogs and an ferret group. Ron, with a puffed chest, lead Parvati and Susan, though unlike Harry and Hermione, it was doubtful he had a clue what he was doing or where he was going. That left Hermione and Pansy to themselves, and unlike Hermione, Pansy still had little experience venturing inside the forest. That effectively meant she'd be following Hermione. And so, with a rumbling purr, she began following the lioness into the trees.
Ok so yeah, short chapter… Or I think it's kind of short because there's not much going on, but that normally happens before something bad happen!
*dramatic music* Yes the next chapter is going to have some stuff going on.
Sorry for the delay, its kind of hard to write without idea's and have been having writers block, but I am determined to finish this, if that what the readers want. Please Rate and Review, its helpful for the future of this fic. Um Please forgive my mistakes, I am currently without a beta. So… Yeah hope you enjoy!