A/N: I'd like to wish everyone a most Happy Samhain… or Halloween… or whatever word it is you use for this glorious holiday celebrated at the end of October!! :-) Of course, before I say anything else, I'd like to thank my wonderful beta-reader… Greeny (Rachel)… for all her help and support with this fic!! Now… as I promised, I am posting chapter 11 asap… seeing as it is really the second part to chapter 10!! I hope that you all enjoy it… again, there will be more stuff regarding the animagus classes… and Ginny will return by the end… alas, there isn't too much fluffiness… well, maybe a little! LOL! Anyway, I also took a little stab at some humor in this chapter… I hope that I was successful!! So… on with chapter 11!!! 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 11: Animagus (part 2)
Over the next several classes, everyone was learning how to clear their minds and only allow thoughts of their specific animal to enter in. It was not an easy task to say the least. There was so very much to think about concerning the animal.
Professor McGonagall had said, "It is imperative that you know as much as possible about your animal because it makes the transformation much easier as well as more complete. Therefore… the better the transformation, the more difficult it is for someone to determine if you are indeed a transfigured witch or wizard." Obviously, the animagus, if truly skilled, could be an asset to The Ministry of Magic or become an outstanding Auror… or even a spy!
~~~
Draco suddenly leaped out of bed and collapsed to his knees clutching his chest as he desperately tried to breathe. Frantic thoughts raced through his mind… he felt as though he were dying. His heart was racing and an overwhelming sense of panic flowed through his entire body. He could feel his hands trembling. After several minutes, his gasps became longer and his air intake became easier. He closed his eyes, trying to let calmness take over… desperately pushing all thoughts concerning Death-Eaters and initiations out of his mind.
Suddenly, he heard a tapping on his window. The blond boy looked up and saw a battered old owl perched outside. Slowly, he stood up. He paused for a moment since he felt rather dizzy. Once he regained his balance, Draco walked over to his window and let the old owl inside.
The owl dropped a letter and instantly fell onto the floor. Draco arched an eyebrow in confusion. 'Is it dead?' he thought to himself at the owl's strange behaviour. He kneeled down next to the large bird… it was still breathing… it was just exhausted.
At that moment, Draco smirked… Errol! The Weasley Family owl!
Draco snatched up the letter and began to read the gently swirling letters that only Ginny could have written.
My dearest Draco,
I miss you more than you could ever know. But we'll be together again soon.
I hope that you are enjoying your class and learning heaps. I can't wait to hear all about it from you once I get back! It must be so interesting! I believe that Seamus, Parvati and Lavender are in the class as well… they had said that they were going to be taking it… well, that's what Ron had told me anyway.
Have you been playing much? I hope so since I know how much you love it! I've been playing a bit here and my mum is astounded as to how much better I've become! You really are a wonderful teacher… I thank you for that!
Well, it's almost dinner time so I must go. I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday. Remember that you are always in my thoughts and in my heart.
With all my heart,
Ginny
Draco smiled after he read her letter and held it close to his heart. At that, he heaved a sigh and made his way towards the secret piano room.
***
"Now, you've all been doing fairly well concerning your research on your specific animals. And for the most part, you've all become fairly proficient at clearing your minds of everything save your animal. The next step to learning the skill of the animagus is the most difficult." Professor McGonagall's expression suddenly became very serious.
Draco glanced around the room. Ernie MacMillan looked over at him. Draco gave him an evil glare causing the Hufflepuff boy to gasp in fear and abruptly look away. Draco smirked.
"All right everyone… in order to take the next step, I'd like for you all to pair up into sets of two. Each of you is to try and transform into your chosen animal one at a time. I'd like for one of you to say the incantation and transform while the other observes. Observers, it is your job to see if there are any obvious mistakes occurring. Transfigurers, you will probably find this spell to be more difficult than you are used to… seeing as you will not be using your wands," she paused as several students gasped. "All right… on you all go then."
"Draco…" Pansy sang sweetly.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Yeh… you first… I'll watch."
Pansy's eyes widened for she was fearful to do a spell without the aid of her wand. But she smiled and stated, "Formam Amoveo!"
The blond girl began to change shape… whiskers and bits of fur appeared on her face and her eyes turned a strange shade of green. Suddenly, a tail sprouted out of her bum.
Draco sniggered to himself. Pansy's transformation was obviously incomplete… she looked downright dreadful.
"Well… you definitely need more practice!" Draco howled with laughter.
"Hmph… well, if you're so clever… meow!"
Draco doubled over clutching his stomach.
"It's not funny! Meow!!"
Draco continued laughing and pulled out his wand, "Finite Incantatem!" he shouted.
Pansy changed back into her normal self, "Oh Draco! It's not funny… it's more difficult than it looks!"
"Really?" he drawled.
"Why don't you try it then… you'll see what I mean and then you'll be sorry!" her cheeks were red with embarrassment. "It's not the same without a wand!"
"Formam Amoveo!"
Immediately, Draco's form shrunk down into that of a bird… and not just any bird. He turned into the animal of his choice… a red-tailed hawk. He let out a shrill cry that pierced all of the students' ears.
Professor McGonagall's face bore a huge smile, "Well done Mr. Malfoy! Well done!"
Draco looked over at the professor and lowered his head. He was amazed at the sensation of being in this new form. He noticed that his eyesight was much sharper… as was his hearing. He could also feel that his other senses were heightened and that his reflexes were quicker. Suddenly, he had the urge to try and fly. Immediately, he began to flap his wings and he easily lifted off the floor and flew over to a nearby desk.
"Wonderful! Class, this is an example of what you are trying to achieve! You are to thoroughly become your animal in every way!"
Draco tried to smirk at her praising words, but found that he could not. His beak would not allow for such an expression to be shown. At that moment, he thought the words, 'Finite Incantatem!' Draco transformed into his normal blond self once again, though he was casually sitting on top of the desk he had flown to just moments ago.
Pansy walked over to Draco… her lips twisted into an ugly pout and her blue eyes flashing with an unusual fierceness.
Draco just heaved a sigh, "I told you that it was simple."
***
"Mr. Malfoy… I'm not having any luck with your son. He is impossible!"
"Crucio!"
The blond girl dropped her mirror and fell onto the floor into a fit of convulsions, "Stop it! Make it stop!"
"You will not fail me, Parkinson! You will turn him away from that filthy vagabond of a girl or you will suffer the consequences!"
"I'm trying!" she shouted as she writhed in pain on the floor. Suddenly, the pain stopped.
"Yes, yes… of course you are, my dear."
Pansy Parkinson unsteadily tried to stand up, but found that she could not. Instead she picked up the mirror and sat on the floor, leaning against her bed.
"I'll try harder… I swear it upon my life!"
Lucius sneered, "Of course you will, Miss Parkinson," he paused for a moment. "How is he doing in class?"
The Slytherin girl smiled weakly, "Very well, sir. He is the top student… he can already transform completely. I don't think that anyone could tell that he was a transfigured wizard… not even Mad-Eye Moody!"
An evil grin curled the elder Malfoy's lips, "Ah that is good news. His newly acquired skills will prove useful for us."
"Oh yes, indeed."
"Very well, then. I'll contact you again in three months time. That ought to be sufficient enough time for you to turn him away from that… that girl," he spat. It was almost as if he thought of the fiery red-head as less than human.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy… I swear it will be done… no matter the cost."
***
The holiday was nearly over and Draco had passed his animagus class with flying colors. He was so proud of himself for getting his license. The only other thing he felt passionate about besides music was Transfiguration… and of course, Ginny Weasley.
Ginny. She was to return to him later on that afternoon and words could not even begin to describe the emotions that surged through his veins at the mere thought of that. He rushed to the secret piano room… waiting anxiously for the red-head to arrive.
To pass the time, he began to play the song that he wrote for her as a Christmas present. The silvery-blond became desperately lost in the music he was creating… eyes closed, breathing labored. Suddenly, he felt small hands gently caress his neck. A shiver ran down his spine and he stopped playing.
"Ginny…" he whispered as he turned around to face the girl.
Ginny smiled at him, "Did you miss me?"
Draco smirked, "Silly Gryffindor… what do you think?"
Ginny giggled at his antics as he tightly wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head beneath her breasts. He sighed as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"So… are you an animagus now?"
"Again… you silly Gryffindor… what do you think?"
Ginny shook her head, "And you call me silly!" she laughed.
Draco released her and looked up into her big brown eyes, "You want to see what I can become?"
The red-haired girl smiled broadly, "Of course!!"
'Formam Amoveo,' Draco thought to himself. Instantly, he transformed into the red-tailed hawk.
Ginny shrieked with delight, "A hawk! You can transform into a hawk! Brilliant!"
Draco bowed his head at her and flew up onto her shoulder. Ginny gently stroked his neck and he nuzzled her cheek. At that, Draco flew over onto the piano bench. 'Finite Incantatem,' he thought to himself as he transformed back into his normal self.
"That was fantastic! How'd you do it? Is it a spell or something? Perhaps a charm? But you didn't use your wand… Or did you drink some sort of potion? Or…"
Draco kissed the tip of her nose and placed his index fingers against her lips, "Shhh…"
Ginny crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.
"I've told you before that you are beautiful when you are angry."
Ginny could not help herself and she blushed a deep shade of red, "You…" she smiled.
Draco laughed, "Oh how I adore you, Virginia Weasley."
At that, Ginny laughed as well, "So really… how is it done?"
"Well… it is a spell. But you do it without the wand."
Ginny's eyes widened, "Really? I didn't know that wandless spells could be done?"
"Well, they can… but it's really difficult. But there's more to Transfiguring as an animagus than the wandless spell. There was all this research and stuff that we had to do… quite burdensome, but very necessary to get everything right."
"I see… well, I must say that it's quite amazing to see someone other than McGonagall transform into an animal!"
Draco chuckled, "Why thank you… I trust that you had a nice holiday?"
"Yes, I did. Very lovely indeed… but I missed you so very much. I'm afraid that it's quite obvious to my family that I'm swooning over someone special… I'm surprised that Ron wasn't more inquisitive… and…"
Draco then cut her off, "So long as that someone is a dashing blond Slytherin seeker…" he hinted.
"Who else would it be you silly!" she giggled.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Well… Ginny is back… Draco is an animagus… and Pansy is determined!! :-) So, you can rest assured that things are going to start picking up quite a bit with the plot line in the chapters to come… and the next chapter starts the foreshadowing of the dark things to come in the future… any guesses?? I must warn you all that each chapter to come will get darker and darker… well, for me anyway! :-) I hope that in the end, you all will like it and such!!
And now, of course I'd like to thank all of you who've reviewed my story so far. Your comments and feedback are so wonderful! Thanks so very much to you all!!
SweetThang123 ~ Hey there… yeah, I tend to go and play piano as well when I'm frustrated… or feeling any overwhelming amount of emotion for that matter! :-) And yep… Pansy is quite forward… she gets worse… just you wait and see! I hope you like what I have her do (or hate it… but only because she's evil!!). And I also must say that you are quite perceptive about the red-tailed hawk!! Though I don't really explain it… it was definitely my reasoning as to why I chose it… just like there was a reason as to why I chose for him to be a bird rather than a snake!! But these were all subtleties that I was hoping you all would catch!! So… good job there!! :-) Now I only hope that you like this chap as much as the others!! EEK!! Please continue to read and review!!
SicDreamsInc ~ My sweet Kerri! Thanks for the support regarding my animagus theories… I really put a lot of thought into it… I hope that it all paid off!! :-) Anyway… the story, in my opinion, is about to get really interesting… the next bunch of chapters are fairly dark… and get darker and darker as you go… until the epilogue of course!! HAHA!! I'm a sucker for romantic endings!! :-) Oh… and definitely talk to your friend about the pictures… I think it would be so awesome to have pics to go along with the story!! I wish I could draw!! *pouts in the corner* Well, I hope that you liked this second half to the 'Animagus' section of my story… and thanks for all of your wonderful compliments!! You are too sweet!! Love ya… and please keep on reading and reviewing!!
Ang3l666 ~ Hey sweetie! Yep… Draco went from worrying… to not caring… and do you think it will cause him, and Ginny, trouble?? Hmmm… LOL! And you guessed it… Pansy and Harry are both going to be playing fairly significant roles in the upcoming chapters… and my sweet Blaise will be making an appearance as well… though small… :-) I'm also thrilled that you like the animagus stuff… and hopefully this most recent chapter wetted your appetite a little bit more… I really put a lot of thought into the whole thing… so I hope that everyone likes my ideas!! Now… the darker side of the story is about to start showing its colors… I hope that you like what I have in store! Thanks for your compliments and continue to read and review!!
easily amused child ~ Brittany, my dear! You are too kind! I'm so happy that you like this story… please check out my other ones as well, if you get the chance! Hopefully you will like those as well! And now… I hope that you liked this most recent chapter. Please continue to read and of course review!! :-)
Greeny ~ My dearest and 'darlingest' Rachel!! Firstly, how can I not acknowledge and thank you with each posting!! :-) Remember how I told you that I was losing confidence in the way this story was going and you kept on encouraging me to continue to write it and finish it… and then you reviewed it and you gave me such support and confidence!!?? Let's just say that I will not forget!! Thank you so very much, sweetheart!! I'm glad that you are liking how the final versions are all coming out… YAY!! And how do you like this one? I did make a couple of little changes… can you find them?? Heehee!! Please keep on reviewing these chapters… I love to hear what you think of them!! :-)
AnniBug ~ Ann!! Nope… Lucius is pretty short-tempered… he'll exhibit more of that behavior as the story goes. And then there's our little insane Pansy… and very jealous Harry!! They are both about to take on much larger roles in this story… so just you wait! :-) I'm also really glad that you like what I'm doing with the animagus classes so far… this chapter went a bit deeper into my own theories… I wonder how close they are to JKs?!?! :-) And I'm also glad that you like my choice of the red-tailed hawk… yep, the snake would have been the worst… hence why he originally saw it (can't forget his Slytherin roots now, can we) but then it changed… and notice how McGonagall was interested in his choice… I find birds are a rather free-spirited sort of animal… and it's like Draco is trying to break free from the mold that everyone is forcing him to follow… and notice that the hawk is a 'red-tailed' hawk… Ginny's hair color… a Gryffindor color. Well, I tried!! :-) Blaise will also be making a comeback… though small… believe it or not he is a rather special character in this story despite the fact that his role is so very tiny! :-) And now… from here on out… each chapter will get darker and darker… but don't worry, all will be resolved in the end… I'm such a sucker for romantic endings!! Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter… please continue to read and review!! Ohh… and I can't wait to receive your next chapter to IFYP!! YAY!!
:) ~ I'm glad you like!! Please keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
angelpuss15 ~ You are so sweet… thanks for the compliments!! I hope that you liked my latest installments… it only gets darker from here… well, for me anyway! LOL! Please continue to read and review!! Ohh… and I have to tell you!! I went to your bio and saw your name… it is the very name I plan on naming my first daughter (assuming I ever have a daughter… and assuming that my boyfriend ever asks me to marry him… eek!)… it's even spelled the way that both my boyfriend and I have chosen!! :-)
Lady Bug ~ (aka Lady of Magic) Well… first off… I wish you a very happy birthday!! :-) And secondly… thanks so very much for your sweet compliments! I'm glad that you like my choice as far as the animagus stuff is concerned… I hope you liked the rest of my ideas about it all in this chapter!! And as for the fluff… well, that's going to be muted down quite a bit now… you see, from this point forward, each chapter will be getting darker and darker (well, that is for the way I write, etc.)… but don't worry… the ending will be fluffy!! You can rest assured on that one!! As for Harry's fate… well, keep on reading to find out… and of course, don't forget to review!! :-)
A special thanks is extended to ek398 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!!! :-)