Chapter 2 Ministry Of Magic
"Cugin are you positive he is dangerous?" Headmaster Dippet asked.
"Yes, the letter tells of the destruction he will cause using the spellshaper card." I answered still in awe at what Tom had done.
"What exactly makes the spellshaper card so dangerous?" , asked Professor Huinis.
"The spellshaper card allows the user to create any spell the user wants. It takes a lot of energy, but I think Tom found some way around that problem." I replied.
"Is there anything you can do to stop it?" asked Professor Canto, the charms teacher.
"Well I can't stop the spellshaper cards from creating new spells but I can indirectly stop them by having the Elemental Spirits stop the newly created spell cards from working." I said uneasily.
"But Cugin, wouldn't that block your magic also?" Dumbledore interjected.
"Yes, but it is necessary if we are to stop Voldemort." I twiddled with the small glass bottle that hung from my necklace.
"Cugin, that would mean you would have no means of magic or defense. We could never ask you to do that no matter what the circumstances." said Dippet.
I could defend myself. I had been teaching myself how to use a wand but that was unknown by the Ministry of Magic and I could not risk telling my secret this early. I had to wait. "I am willing to do whatever it takes."
"Crash!" Something came crashing through the door. "Spedous expsloium!" I heard Dippet yell. The thing, now identified as an owl, began to slow down under the charm.
"That's one of the Ministry's owls." Said Dumbledore, who obviously must have seen one more than once.
"What does it want with me?" I thought aloud.
"It has a letter. Maybe the Ministry found out about our little problem." answered Dumbledore.
"I ask all teachers please return to your classes, with the exception of Albus, and of course Cugin." Dippet ordered. The other teachers reluctantly exited the room.
I took the letter from the sluggish owl and opened it. "What does it say, Cugin?" asked Dumbledore. I handed him the letter. He read it aloud:
Dear Professor Cugin,
We have just received word that a muggle town was totally annihilated. A survivor has notified us that a wizard named Voldemort was responsible. The only evidence of magic we could find was the remains of a spell card. It has been identified as one of yours and not a copy but its user was not you. Since this unknown wizard is causing mayhem with your spell cards we are holding you on probation from all magic of any kind until Voldemort is terminated. We ask that you have the Elemental Spirits keep any kind of spell card from working (if this is possible). That matter will take place at the Ministry office Building. Please go to the Ministry Office Building immediately after receiving this letter.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge
Head Of Muggle Protection
Dippet looked stunned. "Cugin I will come with you to the Ministry office." said Dumbledore.
"Thank you. I think we had better leave now then." I said.
Dippet began to speak, coming out of his awe. "The Ministry has no right to do this to you though I doubt even Dumbledore here could convince them otherwise."
"We'll try 'til the end." said Dumbledore. " Cugin, we must get going if you're planning on staying on the Ministry's good side."
"No use in trying that. I don't believe the Ministry has a good side." said Dippet with a smile.
My thoughts began to drift to the problem of getting to the Ministry Office Building anyway. "Dumbledore, does changing form by means of being an Animangus count as magic?"
"I don't think so. Why? Can you…"Dumbledore's voice faded.
"Yes. I have trained myself to become one. I wanted to register myself but the opportunity never came up. I can change into a griffin. I could carry you." I answered.
"I was under the impression you could not learn the magic we use." Dumbledore said, questionably.
"I guess Animangus is different." I replied, fighting the urge to tell Dumbledore I could use a wand. "We had better leave now." Dumbledore nodded yes.
We walked outside to the front of the castle. I began to transform. Dumbledore looked away as the wings sprouted on my back. My black robes ripped leaving nothing but shreds of cloth on me. Soon a beak replaced my mouth. My body was covered in fur and feathers. My hands took the shape of talons. Once the transformation was complete I walked over to Dumbledore and nudged his arm. He climbed over me, as if riding a horse. I flapped my wings a few times, then let the magic of the griffin guide me in flight.
A few minutes later we came to the Ministry Office Building. I transformed back to human. Dumbledore cast a transfiguration spell that repaired my clothes that looked like rags. Then we began to walk toward the Ministry Office Building.