Hey guys heads up this is the last chapter before Hermione is found out and returns to her actual human form (spoiler)
I'd just liked to make a note also as to why Minerva, Albus and Severus haven't been able to identify Hermione as being human. Firstly, A. Hermione's not a registered "Anigamus". B. Hermione's only significant markings are the black lines from the previous abuse that she had suffered at the hands of her uncle. C. I'm pretty sure Animagus' can't sense other Animagus' Otherwise Wormtail would've been figured out a long time ago. D. Hermione hasn't done anything out of the ordinary to make them think otherwise. She's just seen as a smart cat. If she were of to of been found out it would've been her age when Poppy cast the diagnostic test. If Hermione had been like 20 years old they would've thought otherwise. Also, I'm assuming that baby animals would be extremely rare going off the case that most people become an Animagus when they're almost adults in the wizard world. So it's extremely rare to have a kitten animagus.
So, without further a due.
Please enjoy.
Chapter 10: Perfect Timing
The past couple days went by in a blur with Hermione finally able to build some form of routine. Hermione had been spending a lot of time between Charlies, Minerva, Severus and Hagrid. They had built up quite a well read routine. In the morning, Minerva had classes and would often place Bear with Hagrid where her and Fang would run around chasing each other as Hagrid attended to his duties as groundskeeper.
By lunchtime Hermione would then proceed to the Great Hall in search of Minerva for sustenance as Severus barely spent his lunch in others company. Minerva, by that point would generally hug and coo Hermione until she had to return to her next class. Which, for a Monday happened to be third year Transfiguration. They were learning how to turn an owl into some form of glasses which excited her to no end. She was usually seen perched on Minerva's desk watching the children as their eyes lit up in success at their achievements. Hermione had to stop herself from wanting to be apart of it. It usually upset her to think to much about the seclusion she faced as a cat.
She had indirectly tried one day as the student's were practicing. Hermione had decided she would jump onto a Ravenclaws desk and try and make friends with the bird instead. But rather than the bird attempting to play with Hermione. It tried to peck her. She was told off by not only the owl itself but Minerva had caught her and so did the flustered Ravenclaw student who was not a fan of cats, much to Hermione's dismay.
After that class, Minerva had decided to finally sit down with just her and Bear. She had cuddled the poor cat and spent a bit of time together talking to the animal about her problems. It seemed stupid but to Minerva. It made a huge difference. As she ran her thin fingers through the tufts of fur, she wondered why she hadn't of gotten a familiar previously. It was quite relaxing.
"I don't know why Severus wants to turn you into something your not" She cooed the kitten as she held her closed.
Hermione agreed by mewing and nuzzling herself into the crook of Minerva's neck.
"Ooch you are a softy" She chuckled as she turned to her beast transfigurations books before sighing. As much as she wanted to win this bet. She couldn't do it to Bear. She loved the kitten in this form and didn't want her turned into a beast just for Severus' amusement. She was such a kind and innocent kitten. Why ruin that in an attempt to turn her into some kind of monster.
She closed the book, much to Hermione's delight.
"If Severus wants to turn you into a tiger so badly; he can do it himself" She stated stubborn enough to stand up for the kitten. She did know the consequences if Severus did figure it out. She might as well get used to wearing green for the rest of the year. She groaned before her eyes shifted to the small creature that was purring and cuddling the older woman so happily.
An unconscious smile crossed the woman's lips as she rested the kitten on her chest and innervated one of her muggle romance novels to hover while she adjusted to the kitten's cuddling.
From 2-4 Hermione would usually join Charlie for his free period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They usually ended up going to the library together and he would both sit and read together. Charlie had found it peculiar that the cat was reading but he didn't know much about Kneazles at that time to question it. He brought it down to the fact that Bear was smart and she was just looking at the pictures and was illiterate. So he took the time out to read to her which Hermione was forever grateful for.
On the other days Hermione decided to wander the castle as everyone was busy. Hermione had put an effort in to learn all the hallways so she wouldn't get caught. It wasn't until Wednesday she decided that she needed to change back to her human self and start figuring out what she needed to do. She knew she wanted to read books, however, she was only able to do that with Charlie present.
She paced along to the Ravenclaw common room, stopping before then to go into the Prefect's bathroom. In order to do that though, she had to change back.
It took over a minute to be able to fully transfigure herself back to say the password which she was then instantly let in. Checking the coast was clear, she ran up to the mirror checking herself over.
The first thing she noticed was her dark, sunken eyes with large purple rings under both. A white scarred line ran diagonal down her cheek. She had two white lined scares on the top of her forehead. She inspected them more as she pushed her unruley hair back. She had two diagonal splits on her right eyebrow. She had two healed cuts on her nose where her uncle had broken it. When she lifted her nose up she could see one of the nostrils a lot smaller and more ovally shaped compared to the other. It still stung in pain as well.
As she looked at her neck she only appeared to see the tops of a hypertrophic, redish scar just protruding from the centre of her collar bone with the rest hiding under her stop. She touched the collar he had given her thankful that he had charmed it to allow it expand as she grew. One blessing at least.
She reached the hem of her dirtied, bloodied shirt trying to lift it but was met with severe resistance and pain. She screamed in agony as she pulled on the top finding that it was practically stuck to the scarring of her back. She collapsed to the ground, tears falling down her face as she panted for breathe. She panicked wondering why it wouldn't come off.
As she calmed down a little she finally stood up and turned her back to the mirror trying to see what had happened. Her eyes lit up in fear, where her shirt felt like glue to her back were patches of thick blood blood where her uncles scarred words should have been. They blotched on her upper and lower back, sticking to the wounds and making it impossible to take her shirt off without assistance. She cried harder. She needed help.
After around 10 minutes of panicking Hermione decided she would at least attempt to have some form of a proper, solitary bath. Something which she had not had the pleasure in in such a long time. She saw the large bath across the far end of the room and decided to remove her pants and underwear seeing that they were the only two items she was able to remove. She gently lowered her lower body on to the stairs and proceded to wash them as much as possible. No doubt they would take ages to dry. She presumed that she'd be staying in here until she student's bothered to flock in.
It took a while for her to be fully emerged in the hot bath. She hadn't had anything like it in such a long time. She felt absolutely amazing despite the stinging pulses that were running down her back due to her wounds. Still, she had dealt with worse pain before and it wasn't nothing compared to this. She was in heaven.
After attempting to wash her hair Hermione got out the bath and left her pants on the floor. She decided that she was going to attempt the tiger transformation before they did. She had no intention of being transformed into a tiger unless if it was of her own volition especially if it risked her being exposed. But then again, she stared down at her ratty shirt and pants that sat away from her.
She needed to figure out how she was going to proceed before she ran this home out. She knew as the mornings got chillier that she would be unable to leave this home and move back onto the streets but she couldn't stay an animal forever until she found a place that she could hide away and be human so she could at least learn again. For gosh sakes, there was a giant library mocking her. That's excludes Minerva's and Severus' pile of books that lay in their dormatories.
She sighed.
And the only way she was going to be able to get to it is by working out their timetables so she knew where they'd be. For example, she knew tomorrow that Minerva had five classes as according to a timetable she had found on Minerva's desk when she was teaching. That meant that the witch wouldn't be in her rooms all day. It meant that Hermione could practically learn as much as she could until her hearts content. She was amendment about finding a way to turn herself into a tiger before either of them could.
She knew from the childhood stories on witches that spells on people came at a price and with Hermione's luck; she'd be the one wearing the price.
Hermione had left the bathroom two hours later. She felt bad but she was skipping Severus today and heading straight back to the rooms to relax and sleep. She did feel bad for the man. He didn't seem to have anybody. Much like Hermione.
She ran down the hall.
"How about this one, dear. Ben is three years old. He's described as a shy but well mannered child. He plays well with other children and has a very bubbly personality"
Hermione was regretful with entering Minerva's quarters. To say the least, she should be with Severus. At least he wanted her. Minerva's infatuation with adopting a child had put Hermione in sour mood. She idly sat by on the couch watching as they sifted through piles and piles of files of different profiles of adoptive children. Each one Hermione was jealous of for even being considered. She noticed Albus didn't wear the same positive attitude as his wife. With every male name she called, a slight scowl irritated his lips. He didn't want a male child that was for sure and it put Hermione in a somewhat happier mood.
She had been watching them both for the better part of an hour. Her head rested neatly on her paws.
"I thought we agreed we'd get a girl"
"I know dear, I'm just scanning through our options. From the 120 files we have on record from both Scotland and England, we only have about 3 magical children and two of those are males"
"Whose the third?" He asked curiously brushing his beard.
"Celestein. She's eight"
"Perhaps we should make up possibility piles. I'll put her as a maybe" Albus concieded thinking both their options were rather limited. He really did want a magical child but he was prepared to sacrifice that for the happiness of his wife.
Albus shook his legs out muttering something about him not being young anymore before coming to sit down next to Bear who was still observing Minerva.
"What do you think, Bear?" Albus asked ruffling the fur on her head.
She wanted very much to hiss at the fact that they were thinking of adopting anyone but her, but then again. She didn't feel like she belonged here either.
"Oh please, Albus. A cat isn't going to make a decision for us"
"Perhaps not my dear. Though it may help with at least some small insight. Kneazles are quite good judges of character no less"
He picked up one of the files and showed her the picture.
Without bothering to read the bibliography she shook her head.
"See there you go. She's helping already" Albus chuckled earning a glare from his wife.
He picked up another file. Hermione noticed the picture. A small scrawney girl with blonde hair and sunken eyes.
"Ooh she's a domestic abuse case"
"What is?"
"This one?"
"Chelsey, 4 years of age. Was removed from her home after her father and mother were caught beating the poor girl outside a local shopping centre. Says parents were arrested and the are currently looking for a permanent home"
"Oh the poor dear" Minerva sat down next to her husband placing her hands on her mouth and continuing to read.
Hermione gulped feeling guilty. She shouldn't have been so quick to judge knowing the children were possibly in the same position as her. She had never considered that. She had always assumed Albus and Minerva wanted a normal child who hadn't seen the edge of the blade pointed at them. Who was essentially human. Not like Hermione. She didn't believe herself human after her uncle had told her so.
She purred in pain close to tears.
"What do you think of this one Bear?" Albus asked.
Her sullen eyes looked into his bright cheerful ones.
Hermione gulped. She felt awful for judging. At least these children were human. As her uncle had told her, she was a good for nothing little swot who deserved to rot. Who was nothing more than an animal. Nothing more than dirt. Her bottom lip quivered in pain as a whimper escaped her lips.
Nodding her head she turned back to the couple to give them her answer.
"Mew" ("She deserves a home more than I do") She grabbed her stuffed teddy bear in her teeth and jumped off the couch leaving the room towards the bedroom.
"Ooch where are you off to Bear?" Minerva called out but the cat refused to acknowledge her.
Minerva tsked. She'd have to ask Bear in her Animagus form once the animal had stopped her strop. Honestly, the animal was just as bad as a child.
"That's possibly two down Albus and about 100 more to go" Minerva ran her fingers through her hair.
The headmaster sighed. "I'll put the kettle on"
They had spent over three hours looking through cases until they decided to go to bed. Minerva had spent about 10 minutes trying to find Bear.
"Ooch, that bloody cat" She checked under the coffee table for her but she was unable to find her. Perhaps she wanted to be left alone for a while. Minerva sighed standing up and brushing her gown.
"Well, if she's just going to sulk; she can sleep in the living room tonight"
She walked back to her room leaving her bedroom door slightly ascew in case Bear wanted to come back into the bedroom during the night.
Hermione awoke about 30 minutes after Minerva and Albus went to bed. She had been sleeping on the dining room chair for the last couple of hours trying to ignore them fondling over cases of children who needed a home.
She jumped up on the couch and wrapped her tail round her body as she cozied herself next to the fire.
Minerva woke up in the middle of the night hearing a sharp scream pierce the air. She instantly threw the covers back and shook her husband awake.
"Albus, Albus. Wake up" She shoved him.
He groaned turning to his side.
"5 more minutes, Minerva"
A child's crying pierced the room alerting the older man. His eyes shot open as he threw back the covers.
"Oosh" She grabbed her wand running towards the door.
Hermione felt like she was having a panic attach. She grabbed her chest in pain, sweat running down her forehead. She felt like she was back there again. Back at her uncles. Back with the beatings. Tears streamed down her face. Her face. She stared down at her hands, noticing she had returned to her human form.
"Oh no" She muttered before hearing heavy paced footsteps running towards her. She groaned in pain. Closing her eyes and focusing on her cat form.
The door slammed open with a woosh. Minerva's eyes surveyed the room. Nothing. Nothing but...Bear. Bear was staring at her scared to death.
"Ooch. Bear was that you?"
Bear gulped backing away as she came close to her.
"Gosh, you've got a set of lungs on ya girl" She picked her up and inspected the mere kitten.
"Ay did you have a nightmare?"
Bear nodded hesitantly.
"Ooch, you poor dear" She hugged the kitten before turning to her husband who was still half awake.
"My dear. What on Earth was that noise? I swear I heard a child crying"
Minerva chuckled lightly.
"Cats are very capable creatures, They can of imitating a baby's cry. I believe Bear was just lonely and calling out for us" She kissed the kitten's head.
"Come dear"
Albus ran his hand through his hair.
"Me or the cat?" Albus asked curiously.
She chuckled as Albus watched the couple return to their quarters.
Hermione spend the next three days close by Severus and Minerva. It mainly involved Hermione attempting to meditate and turn herself into a tiger. She figured, if she could do it before and transform in a cat, she could do it again and transform into another type of cat at least.
So, every spare second she got of not being stroked or nuzzled by the two, she spent meditating. It wasn't until Wednesday at 3pm that Hermione had some type of a break through. She had been idly sitting on Severus' desk as he dealt with the unforuntate task of scrubbing cauldrons, seeing as he had not given any one detention for that day.
He appeared both slightly disgruntled yet relaxed at the same time as he read through yet another chapter on transfigurations. The guy was motivated to say the least. Hermione wished he'd just put the book and leave it be. They had a good thing going. Why ruin that?
Hermione jumped off the desk and sat in his chair out of eyesight from him. She began meditating again. Only this time, she felt an influx of tingles zip through her arms and into her chest. She didn't realise what was happening at first but somewhere along the lines she felt the shift. Her nose felt bigger and so did her body. Although, she felt completely drained. Panting heavily, she laid down on the chair wanting to sleep. She only got about 5 minutes to relax before her keen hearing picked up his movement. He was walking towards the potions ingrediants room. Thank god.
Hermione jumped under his teaching desk and shifted back into her human form. Sweat dripped down her whole body. The shift this time had been exhausting. She gulped in an intake of breath as she huddled her knees up to her body and rested her forehead on her forearms.
She smiled to herself happily wanting to laugh. What took the professors over two weeks to figure out, she had managed the feat in two days. Maybe she did belong here or maybe perhaps here wasn't her destiny. She had learnt to change into both a cat and a tiger. Maybe she could even learn to turn into a bird. That way she could just fly away. She'd be able to make a life for herself. Granted it would involve beggining, borrowing and lastly, stealing. Much to Hermione's morals against stealing. She'd be okay.
Her future was looking somewhat bright again.
She jumped as she heard the sound of a couldron drop to the ground. Hermione gulped in shock instantly transforming back into her kitten form before she looked around the corner to see Severus staring at a small black cauldron in anger. Considering how far it was away, Hermione deduced that he must have thrown it against the wall.
"Bloody Gryffindores ruining my cauldrons"
Hermione's impecable eye sight could pick up a chip in the side with a small break running down the side of the cauldron. She wondered if that was from Severus or the student. Either way, she didn't want to get on the man's bad side. She had practically almost jumped out of her skin when she heard the clatter. Hermione slid herself back onto the table and onto her pillow as she continued watching the man polish the cauldrons by hand.
She didn't know when she had drifted off to sleep but she was lulled awake by the sounds of a vilanous laugh.
Her eyes fluttered open and stared at the man with a cheshire grin as he marked the page he had been looking at.
"Finally, the bloody spell. Minerva's going to be paying a heavy price for this" He laughed.
Hermione shuddered in fear.
Badda-Boom.
Please Review.
