A/N: Firstly… Greeny (Rachel)… a special heart-felt thanks to you for all your support during my whole writing process! Your encouragement kept me going!! And now… in this chapter the whole animagus topic begins. You'll get a taste of my theories on the subject and you'll get even more next chapter (which BTW I plan to post in a couple of days since it will be really a 'part 2' to this chapter)!! I hope that you all like it. Alas, there are no D/G interactions in this chap since Ginny is away on holiday… but hopefully there are things that will keep you all interested and such!! So… on to chapter ten (part 1… hahaha!)… And I now leave with you my final words… please be sure to read, review and most importantly… ENJOY!!
All things Harry Potter belong to the wonderful JK Rowling… :-)
Chapter 10: Animagus (part 1)
Draco sat bolt upright clutching his chest… gasping deeply and desperately for delicious, precious air. Pain… a dreadful pain filled his lungs and it frightened him. Ginny. He began to fill his mind with thoughts of Ginny… the only person in the world who seemed to love him and care for him… just as he was… no questions asked. At least he was mostly sure that she did. His labored breathing slowly became easier as images of the red-head filled his mind and thoughts of initiations and Death-Eaters left it. He tried to calm himself… letting the air flow naturally in and out of his lungs.
The blond Slytherin got up out of bed and put on his black slippers and night robe. He then proceeded to walk over to his window… allowing the cold air to blow upon his face. His face was expressionless. His Ginny had left that morning for the winter holidays and he missed her terribly… her eyes, her hair… her singing, her playing… He heaved a sigh.
Draco was glad, however, since his first animagus class began later on that morning. The only thing he dreaded about the class was having to interact with fellow Slytherin, Pansy Parkinson.
Suddenly, Draco's fireplace erupted and the head of Lucius Malfoy… his father and Death-Eater… appeared. Draco scowled, but his father took no notice.
"Ah Draco."
"Father."
Lucius smirked, "Good, you are awake. I wanted to check on you as your first animagus class is tomorrow is it not?"
Draco rolled his eyes and sneered, "Yes father if you must know."
"Crucio!"
Draco fell to the floor writhing and convulsing in pain… though he would not shout out no matter how much he wanted to. That is what his father wanted and he knew it… he would not give him the satisfaction. Slowly, Draco was becoming more and more defiant towards his father when he called… and Draco knew that this was beginning to anger the man immensely… though he no longer cared. He had his Ginny… and he had his music…
"I fear that you are softening! Why is that, Draco?" Lucius's voice sounded like that of a madman.
Draco continued to convulse from the pain that was surging through his body. It felt as though a thousand knives were stabbing and ripping at every ounce of flesh on his body… as though his skin were peeling off while he still lived and breathed… it was torture… but he would not shout out.
"Well? Answer me!"
At that moment, the pain stopped and Draco lay limply on the floor, his hands clutching his head. Slowly, he turned towards his father's head in the fireplace.
"I'm not soft… I'm as hard as steel," he paused. "Whoever your informant is… they obviously don't have any clue about me at all!" Does he already know about Ginny? I'm so stupid!
Lucius looked fiercely at his son, "Really? I disagree…" The man's eyes grew wild, "You just be sure to keep me informed as to how you fair in your class. I'll be calling again soon. Hopefully you'll be more… agreeable… then."
Suddenly, Lucius Malfoy disappeared from the fireplace and the room became eerily quiet. Draco hoisted himself up and sat there for several minutes on the floor of his private bedroom. He knew that it was going to be a long two weeks… he needed to get out. So, he headed out to the one place he knew solace… the secret piano room.
***
"All right, class," Professor McGonagall began. "Now you are all here because you are interested in becoming licensed animagi. Well… hopefully by the end of the next two weeks… you will get your licenses. However, you must be able to pass the exam first," she peered over the top of her square-shaped spectacles making sure to set her eyes on every student in the class.
Draco looked around. There were not nearly as many students in the class as he was used to. He saw Pansy Parkinson of course, which caused him to roll his eyes in disgust… as well as Susan Bones and Ernie MacMillan of Hufflepuff; Terry Boot, Padma Patil and Mandy Brocklehurst of Ravenclaw; and lastly Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil and Seamus Finnegan of Gryffindor. It would indeed be an interesting two weeks where this class was concerned.
"Right then… first I want you all to think of an animal. Don't be long about it now… picture the first one that comes to mind," she paced up and down along the aisles between the desks. "This particular animal would be the one most natural for you to transform into… however, that does not mean that it is the best choice."
Draco cleared his mind and immediately the image of a snake emerged. He smiled evilly and let out a soft chuckle. 'Wonder if that'll be all right?' he thought to himself. Suddenly, the crisply clear image of the snake transformed into that of a hawk… specifically, a red-tailed hawk. He arched his eyebrows in surprise.
"Now… I assume that you all are picturing an animal."
Everyone in the class nodded and a few of the students even replied, "Yes, professor."
"Good. I'd like to speak to you each individually concerning the animal you have chosen at this time to transform into. If there are any problems, we can work it out now and determine what animal would be best for you," she paused just then and smiled. "In the meantime, you are free to read or talk quietly amongst yourselves… Bones, Susan?"
The Hufflepuff girl walked up to Professor McGonagall to begin her discussion as to what animal she would learn to transform into.
"Draco…" Pansy whispered.
"What…" he replied, annoyance evident in his voice.
"What animal have you chosen? I'm going to become a cat… just like McGonagall!"
"What's it to you anyway." She seemed way too cheerful and it bothered him greatly. What's she up to?
The blond girl pouted, "Oh Draco… the things you say sometimes… really, I don't know why I put up with you."
"I don't ask you to put up with me," he retorted.
"Hmph… well, you had better be nicer… especially if we're going to be study partners and all."
"Boot, Terence?"
"Who said anything about us being study partners," Draco hissed.
Pansy glared at the Slytherin boy, "Oh come on… who else are you going to pair up with? One of the Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs? Or are you know pairing up with Gryffindors…"
"Brocklehurst, Mandy?"
Draco narrowed his eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Pansy flinched at his words and bit her lip. Suddenly, she spoke, "Nothing really… it's just that you've been acting really weird lately and I don't like it one bit."
"Then why don't you just ignore me?" he growled.
"Brown, Lavender?"
Pansy smiled her sexiest smile, "Now why would I want to do that… after all, we have a past. A glorious past…" Obviously, the girl was trying to sound seductive.
"I told you Parkinson, you were just a mere fuck… and not even a good one at that…"
Pansy's eyes widened and tears began to well in them, "How can you say that?"
"Finnegan, Seamus?"
"Very easily… do I have to put you through another public humiliation in order to get it through that thick head of yours? This is getting to be really annoying."
"Draco Malfoy… like it or not… you will be my study partner for this class or else you'll be sorry!"
Draco could see the menacing look in the girl's blue eyes and he knew that she probably would go to great lengths to make sure that they indeed worked together. That look in her eyes was so familiar and it caused him to shudder. She is definitely up to something…
"MacMillan, Ernie?"
"Fine, Parkinson… I'll be your bloody partner… gods."
The girl smiled evilly at his words, "Good… wise decision. You won't be sorry, Draco… we'll work wonderful magic together."
The blond girl reached her hand up behind Draco's neck and caressed it. A wave of nausea swept over him at her touch.
"Malfoy, Draco?"
A feeling of sweet and wonderful relief filled Draco at the sound of Professor McGonagall calling his name. Immediately, he stood up… eager to get as far away as possible from the female Slytherin. Casually and calmly he approached the Gryffindor Head of House.
"So, Mr. Malfoy… I'm glad that you've decided to take my animagus class."
"Thank you professor. I'm looking forward to it."
"Very good. I expect much from you and I hope that you'll be willing to help out any student who has trouble, seeing as how you have the highest marks in Transfiguration for your year and all."
Draco just nodded.
"Now, what animal have you chosen?"
"Well… at first I pictured a snake…" his voice trailed.
Professor McGonagall frowned slightly.
"But, it changed to into a red-tailed hawk."
"Ah… wonderful… and very interesting."
Draco arched an eyebrow in wonder.
"Now then… your first assignment is to learn all about the animal that you have chosen. You'll find it easier to transform if you know all about that which you are trying to become. I expect a one foot long essay about the red-tailed hawk at tomorrow's class… and the incantation that you must say to yourself during the transfiguring process is 'Formam Amoveo.'"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Well… there wasn't too much fluff in this chapter… though I suppose you could say that was because Ginny was away for the holidays… but she'll be returning soon and then, yep, so will the fluff!! :-) Anyway, I hope that you all are liking my ideas concerning animagi studies… I'll go even more in-depth next chapter!! I did put quite a bit of thought into the whole thing… so I hope that it paid off in the end!
And now, of course I'd like to say a big fat thank you to those of you who've reviewed my story so far. I love all the comments, etc. that you share… and your feedback is great! I really can't thank you all enough!!
WashoopiCandi ~ Hey there! I'm glad you still like my musical theme… I am rather partial to it! Now… I'm finally introducing the animagus stuff… I hope that you like it as well! Though this really isn't the main point of the story… you know that it's important to Draco's father that he do well in the class (or course it's all for his own benefit… the bastard). There's more animagus stuff to come… but the music will resume soon… I promise!! :-) Please continue to read and review!!
Dukerbrown ~ Hey sweetheart! Yes, it was fairly erotic (the music scene from last chapter, that is)… I was hoping that people would think so!! Hmmm… about the whole sex thing… just be patient (and I mean VERY patient)!!! It will eventually come… I promise you! As for what's in store for both Draco and Ginny? There are definitely some interesting things that will happen… keep reading to find out… you'll start getting an idea beginning in chapter 12!! So… please keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
daftpunk ~ Hey! Short and sweet… thanks for the compliments for last chapter… hope you liked this one too! Please keep on reading and of course reviewing!!
:) ~ I'm glad that you liked my last chapter… now hopefully this one will be as good as my earlier ones… lots of animagus stuff… and more to come next chapter!! Keep on reading and reviewing!
Purest Evil ~ Yeah… Draco is quite the romantic in this fic o' mine!! :-) When it comes to Ginny he will definitely remain that way (well… mostly!! Muahahaha!!)… but I cannot speak for him when it comes to his interactions with other characters!! :-) Hope you liked this chap as much as the others… please continue to read and review!
SicDreamsInc ~ Kerri my darling! You really are too funny… just you wait… there is more to come concerning both Pansy and Harry!! I hope that you like what I have planned!! And your compliments are just the sweetest! Thank you!! Now, I'm hoping that you liked this chapter as much as the others… yeah, no D/G interactions in the slightest… but she's away on holiday… don't worry, she'll be back soon!! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my dabblings in the theories of animagus studies!! Ohh… about the picture!! YES!! Definitely have your friend draw one and then send it to me asap!! I would love to have drawings to go along with my stories… and I can't draw to save my life!! That would be so very awesome!! :-) Anyway… please continue to read and review!!
Crazi River ~ Thanks sweetie!! Hope you liked this chapter too… continue to read and review! :-)
TangerineChill ~ Hey there girl! Thanks for your compliments… hope this chapter was to your liking… keep on reading and reviewing!!
AnniBug ~ Ann!! You are the sweetest!! Your compliments are so very encouraging… thank you!! Yeah… I liked their whole venturing out to Hogsmeade myself… in public no less!! Hmmm… but unfortunately it's causing lots of problems… Will these issues ever be remedied?? :-) Your guesses concerning what I might do with Harry and Pansy are very intriguing indeed!! Hold onto one (or maybe two) of those thoughts… you might have something there!! And that Pansy… she definitely is trouble… you can see that she's going to be a pain throughout the animagus classes… and then some!! Just you wait to see how Draco handles her… Anyway, I'm glad you liked my last chapter… and I hope that you liked this one too! Please continue to read and review!!
ToEatTheseApplesFromYourEyes ~ Hey!! Yes… the infamous 'piano orgasm'… I like that!! :-) I'm happy that you found that part very erotic and sensual… that was my goal… and it seems as though I was successful! YAY!! I'm sorry that there aren't any musical scenes in this chap… but they'll be coming back soon… So… it seems as though my story is turning you into a musician-lover… or should I say a piano-player-lover!! LOL!! Musicians really can be quite attractive, huh!! :-) Anyhow… keep on reading and reviewing!!
Vu ~ This is definitely my fluffiest fanfic yet… but that's how I wanted it! I'm glad that you are enjoying it so much… and I hope that you liked this newest chapter! Please continue to read and of course review!! :-)
Lady Bug ~ (aka Lady of Magic) You are too funny!! There's more to come concerning Harry… he isn't out of the picture yet!! :-) Please keep on reading and reviewing!!
SaintlySmile ~ Hey Rachel! You are too sweet… and you are hilarious! Firstly, I'm so glad that I renewed your faith in music… I love it and don't know what I'd do without it!! And your guess concerning Harry and Pansy… hmmm… hold that thought!! :-) Ah yes… the piano scene from last chap… and, as ToEatTheseApplesFromYourEyes puts it, the 'piano orgasm'… That whole scene seems to have become a favorite amongst you reviewers… I'm glad of that!! I tried very hard to make it come across as erotic, etc. Anyway… glad you liked last chap… what about this one? Yes, no D/G interactions… they'll be happening again soon (though I warn you that they'll be soft… sorry 'bout that!)… and do you like my theories on animagus studies? I'll be going more in-depth next chap!! In the meantime, please continue to read and review! :-)
easily amused child ~ First off… thank you, thank you, thank you for adding me to your "favorite authors" list!! I'm so very flattered… and honored!! :-) And thanks for all your wonderful compliments… so very sweet! And I'm glad that I got you looking into the world of Draco and Ginny… my favorite ship in the whole Harry Potter universe!! :-) Perhaps you could read some of my other stories as well?? I'd love to know what you think of those too! Anyway… glad you liked last chap… now I hope you liked this one too! EEK!! Well… please continue to read and review!!
evieteen ~ Hey don't sweat it, sweetheart… but you are correct… more reviews definitely means faster posting and more writing on my part!! :-) I'm glad that you reviewed my last chap… and more importantly, I'm thrilled that you liked it so very much!!! Yes… you are most certainly right… Draco has tons of self control! He's a romantic and he really loves and adores Ginny (though notice that neither has said the 'L' word as of yet… hmmmm…)… so he doesn't want to force her into anything and he wants to make sure that the timing is perfect (you know that he's also obsessed with the whole idea of perfection… well, at least for himself…). As for Pansy… you ain't seen nothin' yet!! And as for Harry… well, his pride is definitely hurting… so what will he do and to what lengths will he go to heal his injured ego??? Keep reading to find out… and don't forget to review!! :-)
Padme Blackent ~ Hey there!! I'm glad that you like my story and thanks for your compliments! I hope that you liked this newest chapter too!! Please continue to read and of course review!! :-)
SweetThang123 ~ Yeah… Pansy is only calling Ginny that because she's jealous… you know, spouting off the first thing that comes to her mind!! There's more where that came from… so keep on reading!! And don't forget to review!! Ohh… and thanks for your compliments!
A special thanks is extended to easily amused child for adding me to her "favorite authors" list (*many hugs to you*)!
Again I'd like to re-iterate… I hope that everyone will continue to enjoy what I write… Also remember that more and longer reviews means that I'll be more likely to post another chapter quickly!!! :-)