Dumbledore smiled, his face crinkling into a thousand lines.
"Don't worry," he said, "you're not in trouble. I was just curious what a first year would be doing outside at midnight. I'm glad I came, you're turning out to be an interesting student." I tried to think of something to say, anything.
"How long have you been dancing?" Dumbledore asked.
"Uh, about 7 years," I replied.
"I'd like to see how we could develop your talent. A witch who can use dance as a form of magic is a unique person, I've never heard of anyone else like you. Your abilities could prove very valuable. If I can find a teacher, would you be willing to train yourself?"
"I..., yes. I mean, I'd love to," I said.
"Well, I'll see what I can do. I'll let you know when I've arranged things. Meanwhile, you'd better be returning to your dormitory. You should get some sleep." With that Dumbledore swept off into the shadows and disappeared. I practically skipped back to my dormitory, and tripped over Mrs. Norris on the way. I felt like I'd swallowed a balloon. I was going to dance! When my parents had gotten my Hogwarts letter they had been so proud. Their daughter was going to be a witch! I had also been really excited, but was doubtful. I didn't want to stop dancing. Before the letter I was certain I was going to be a professional dancer when I grew up. It's hard to explain how I feel when I dance, it's like all my doubts fall away. Anything is possible. I couldn't give that up. But my parents thought it would be better for me to become a witch. I had the luck to be given the gift of magic, something my muggle parents had never imagined. I had access to a whole other exclusive world. And it is difficult to earn a living as a dancer. So I decided to go to Hogwarts, delighted, but feeling as if I were missing a limb. But now! Now I might be able to have the best of two worlds! The possibilities were endless. I wanted to stomp and shout, but thought better of it, not wanting to wake anyone. I crept into my dormitory, and flopped onto my bed. I fell asleep with my clothes on, but with hope in my heart.
I slept late the next day and during breakfast the Slytherin I had met was back from the infirmary. He plunked down next to me, looking kind of embarassed.
"Umm, I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Josh," he said.
I grinned. "I'm Rachel."
"Yeah I know, you kicked Potter's butt," he said. I laughed.
"Actually Harry's nice, we're kinda friends," I told him.
He looked confused. "But, he's a Gryffindor,"
"And?" I asked. He looked up and smiled crookedly, staring at me for a second, his eyes looking slightly sad.
"I guess I was being an ignorant git again," he said.
"I'll go introduce you," I offered, grabbing his arm and starting off. Harry was sitting with a pretty girl with soft mousey brown hair. I sat down next to them. Josh remained standing looking kind of uncomfortable.
"Hey Harry," I said. "This is my friend Josh." Harry looked up and grinned.
"You guys having a good first week?" He asked.
"Yeah, except for Snape, the slimeball." I said. Harry and Josh laughed. The brown haired girl shook her head at me.
"Just don't get on Snape's bad side," she said.
"Oh. Yeah. And this is Hermione," Harry said. "Usually Ron is here too, but he's sleeping in, lazy bum." We talked about teachers and students and how easy it was to get lost. Josh sat down and joined in, laughing his easy laugh. Harry looked up.
"Here comes Ron,"
I looked up. A boy was walking towards us with the reddest hair I had ever seen. It was actually the color of a carrot, and was flattened to one side of his head and stuck out on the other from sleeping on it. He was tall and gangly, but walked like he wasn't any taller than Professor Flitwick. He slumped down at the table and rubbed his eyes.
"Oy. Harry, why didn't you wake me up?" he asked.
"Thought you deserved some sleep," Harry said. "This is Rachel and Josh, they're first years."
Ron frowned and rubbed his forehead. "What are they doing here, aren't they Slytherins?" He growled.
"Somebody's grumpy this morning," sang Hermione, buttering her toast. Ron stuck his tongue out at her.
"They should go sit at their own table," He said, not looking up. I shrugged and got up.
"Guess I'll see you guys later," I said. Harry smiled apologetically, and Josh and I went off to class.
The next week zipped by, me feeling as if I'd been hit by a cheering charm. I daydreamed about dancing in class a lot, and once when I wasn't paying attention I made the apple I was trying to put a hover charm on spin around the class room, screeching the French national anthem while trailing pink streamers. In dueling club a sixth year named Cho Chang defeated me. She seemed nice and smiled at me afterwards. I went to see Professor McGonagall after class, having spent the previous night frantically writing the assignment. I handed it to her and she looked down over her glasses, reading it quickly.
"Very good, a sensible choice. But transforming into a merlin will be difficult and dangerous. Once you make the transition it may take a while to get used to flying," she said. She handed me a roll of parchment written in her own tidy scrawl and littered with miniscule diagrams. "I'd like you to look over these steps to transfomation. You will need the additional merlin feather to complete the transition at first, but as you become more experienced you will no longer need it. The most difficult part will be returning to your human form. But you will absolutely not attempt a transformation before I see you again. Come the day after tomorrow and we will begin to work."
I thanked her and left, sprinting back to my dormitory. I had in my hands everything necessary to become an animagus! Except a merlin feather. I had always admired these birds of prey. They were intimidating for so small a bird. They had a certain fierce beauty and determination. I didn't find it surprising that the most powerful wizard of all time chose to call himself after this bird. But where could I get a feather? I didn't think they used merlin feathers in potions. The only person who would deal with birds would be... Hagrid. I had only seen Hagrid on the grounds, but he seemed quite... large. He could squash me with his pinky toe. He wouldn't though, would he? I truly hoped not. There didn't seem to be any other options, so I set out to his shack.
The grounds were somewhat quiet except for usual night noises, though here night noises were much more interesting than in my muggletown. There were sniveling snickers, hoarse barks that do not belong to any sort of dog that I know of, and other various creature utterances. I made my way quickly to Hagrid's hut, looking nervously at the forbidden forest and raised my hand to knock on the door. Before I could knock, Hagrid opened it.
"What are ye doin' out there? Come inside, it's warmer."
I shuffled inside greatfully.
"Ye must be Rachel, yer a first year aren't ye?" He asked. I nodded, trying to muster the courage to ask.
"Eh, I was wondering if you had a merlin feather," I squeaked. He smiled broadly and got up. He thumped over to one side of his cabin and reached into what looked suspiciously like a giant hollow fang. He pulled out a soft blue gray feather, white tipped, and stroked it lovingly.
"Pretty little critters, aren't they. Strong willed as anythin'." He handed the feather to me. "Take good care of it. If ye ever need anythin' just visit." I thanked him profusely and dashed back to my dormitory.
I sat on my bed and drew the curtains around me. Picking up my wand, I whispered "lumos!" In the silvery light I studied the parchment. Becoming an animagus seemed to involve several spells, most of which I wasn't familiar with. I wasn't sure that I could do this. 'Why don't you try? McGonagall won't know and when you do it for her you'll be ready.' I half expected a little devil to pop up above my head. I couldn't resist. I hopped down, careful not to make a sound. The floor was freezing under my bare feet, someone must have left the window open. I checked the parchment one last time. Pulling out my wand I traced a circle around myself, "Circulus proteccio!" A wave of golden ripples surged up from the floor to the cieling. When I touched one I felt a tiny shock of energy. I raised my wand again, "Imperfetto!" My body felt as if it was dissolving, and I panicked for a second. I felt so tired. I'd just sleep. But my mind protested, 'you're still here!' I shook my head and put away my wand. My body seemed to be made of mist. I pulled out the feather and held it to my chest. "Falco columbarius!" Nothing happened. I could feel myself weakening, and I fell to my knees. An invisible hand was pushing me down. I summoned the last of my strength. "Falco columbarius!" The weigh was lifted away and I was floating. My body was stretching and compacting, and I had feathers. I had done it!
The golden ripples had disappeared, and with my new eyes I could make out the most intricate details. I stretched my wings and felt pure joy in my feathers. My legs now had the keenest talons, and I shivered with my new found power. I gave my wings an experimental flap. There isn't enough room in here to really fly, I told myself. The window's open, go outside. I took off.
Through the window and out over the grounds. My wings easily found the natural rhythm of flying. It was like riding waves. I didn't make a noise as I powered myself through the air, then let the wind carry me where it would, tickling my feathers. The slightest twitch of a single feather changed my direction, and it didn't take me long to figure out how to spin, turn, and dive. I let an updraft carry me high into the clouds, hovered there for a second, then pulled in my wings and dropped. I plummeted toward the ground, the wind whistling, then shrieking around my body. So fast I couldn't breathe. That tree was closer than I thought it was. It was too late, my right side slammed into the branch and a stabbing pain shot through my wing. I tried to spread my wings and pull out of the dive, but I couldn't move anything. I continued to drop, helpless, gaining speed, straight into the forbidden forest.
"Don't worry," he said, "you're not in trouble. I was just curious what a first year would be doing outside at midnight. I'm glad I came, you're turning out to be an interesting student." I tried to think of something to say, anything.
"How long have you been dancing?" Dumbledore asked.
"Uh, about 7 years," I replied.
"I'd like to see how we could develop your talent. A witch who can use dance as a form of magic is a unique person, I've never heard of anyone else like you. Your abilities could prove very valuable. If I can find a teacher, would you be willing to train yourself?"
"I..., yes. I mean, I'd love to," I said.
"Well, I'll see what I can do. I'll let you know when I've arranged things. Meanwhile, you'd better be returning to your dormitory. You should get some sleep." With that Dumbledore swept off into the shadows and disappeared. I practically skipped back to my dormitory, and tripped over Mrs. Norris on the way. I felt like I'd swallowed a balloon. I was going to dance! When my parents had gotten my Hogwarts letter they had been so proud. Their daughter was going to be a witch! I had also been really excited, but was doubtful. I didn't want to stop dancing. Before the letter I was certain I was going to be a professional dancer when I grew up. It's hard to explain how I feel when I dance, it's like all my doubts fall away. Anything is possible. I couldn't give that up. But my parents thought it would be better for me to become a witch. I had the luck to be given the gift of magic, something my muggle parents had never imagined. I had access to a whole other exclusive world. And it is difficult to earn a living as a dancer. So I decided to go to Hogwarts, delighted, but feeling as if I were missing a limb. But now! Now I might be able to have the best of two worlds! The possibilities were endless. I wanted to stomp and shout, but thought better of it, not wanting to wake anyone. I crept into my dormitory, and flopped onto my bed. I fell asleep with my clothes on, but with hope in my heart.
I slept late the next day and during breakfast the Slytherin I had met was back from the infirmary. He plunked down next to me, looking kind of embarassed.
"Umm, I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Josh," he said.
I grinned. "I'm Rachel."
"Yeah I know, you kicked Potter's butt," he said. I laughed.
"Actually Harry's nice, we're kinda friends," I told him.
He looked confused. "But, he's a Gryffindor,"
"And?" I asked. He looked up and smiled crookedly, staring at me for a second, his eyes looking slightly sad.
"I guess I was being an ignorant git again," he said.
"I'll go introduce you," I offered, grabbing his arm and starting off. Harry was sitting with a pretty girl with soft mousey brown hair. I sat down next to them. Josh remained standing looking kind of uncomfortable.
"Hey Harry," I said. "This is my friend Josh." Harry looked up and grinned.
"You guys having a good first week?" He asked.
"Yeah, except for Snape, the slimeball." I said. Harry and Josh laughed. The brown haired girl shook her head at me.
"Just don't get on Snape's bad side," she said.
"Oh. Yeah. And this is Hermione," Harry said. "Usually Ron is here too, but he's sleeping in, lazy bum." We talked about teachers and students and how easy it was to get lost. Josh sat down and joined in, laughing his easy laugh. Harry looked up.
"Here comes Ron,"
I looked up. A boy was walking towards us with the reddest hair I had ever seen. It was actually the color of a carrot, and was flattened to one side of his head and stuck out on the other from sleeping on it. He was tall and gangly, but walked like he wasn't any taller than Professor Flitwick. He slumped down at the table and rubbed his eyes.
"Oy. Harry, why didn't you wake me up?" he asked.
"Thought you deserved some sleep," Harry said. "This is Rachel and Josh, they're first years."
Ron frowned and rubbed his forehead. "What are they doing here, aren't they Slytherins?" He growled.
"Somebody's grumpy this morning," sang Hermione, buttering her toast. Ron stuck his tongue out at her.
"They should go sit at their own table," He said, not looking up. I shrugged and got up.
"Guess I'll see you guys later," I said. Harry smiled apologetically, and Josh and I went off to class.
The next week zipped by, me feeling as if I'd been hit by a cheering charm. I daydreamed about dancing in class a lot, and once when I wasn't paying attention I made the apple I was trying to put a hover charm on spin around the class room, screeching the French national anthem while trailing pink streamers. In dueling club a sixth year named Cho Chang defeated me. She seemed nice and smiled at me afterwards. I went to see Professor McGonagall after class, having spent the previous night frantically writing the assignment. I handed it to her and she looked down over her glasses, reading it quickly.
"Very good, a sensible choice. But transforming into a merlin will be difficult and dangerous. Once you make the transition it may take a while to get used to flying," she said. She handed me a roll of parchment written in her own tidy scrawl and littered with miniscule diagrams. "I'd like you to look over these steps to transfomation. You will need the additional merlin feather to complete the transition at first, but as you become more experienced you will no longer need it. The most difficult part will be returning to your human form. But you will absolutely not attempt a transformation before I see you again. Come the day after tomorrow and we will begin to work."
I thanked her and left, sprinting back to my dormitory. I had in my hands everything necessary to become an animagus! Except a merlin feather. I had always admired these birds of prey. They were intimidating for so small a bird. They had a certain fierce beauty and determination. I didn't find it surprising that the most powerful wizard of all time chose to call himself after this bird. But where could I get a feather? I didn't think they used merlin feathers in potions. The only person who would deal with birds would be... Hagrid. I had only seen Hagrid on the grounds, but he seemed quite... large. He could squash me with his pinky toe. He wouldn't though, would he? I truly hoped not. There didn't seem to be any other options, so I set out to his shack.
The grounds were somewhat quiet except for usual night noises, though here night noises were much more interesting than in my muggletown. There were sniveling snickers, hoarse barks that do not belong to any sort of dog that I know of, and other various creature utterances. I made my way quickly to Hagrid's hut, looking nervously at the forbidden forest and raised my hand to knock on the door. Before I could knock, Hagrid opened it.
"What are ye doin' out there? Come inside, it's warmer."
I shuffled inside greatfully.
"Ye must be Rachel, yer a first year aren't ye?" He asked. I nodded, trying to muster the courage to ask.
"Eh, I was wondering if you had a merlin feather," I squeaked. He smiled broadly and got up. He thumped over to one side of his cabin and reached into what looked suspiciously like a giant hollow fang. He pulled out a soft blue gray feather, white tipped, and stroked it lovingly.
"Pretty little critters, aren't they. Strong willed as anythin'." He handed the feather to me. "Take good care of it. If ye ever need anythin' just visit." I thanked him profusely and dashed back to my dormitory.
I sat on my bed and drew the curtains around me. Picking up my wand, I whispered "lumos!" In the silvery light I studied the parchment. Becoming an animagus seemed to involve several spells, most of which I wasn't familiar with. I wasn't sure that I could do this. 'Why don't you try? McGonagall won't know and when you do it for her you'll be ready.' I half expected a little devil to pop up above my head. I couldn't resist. I hopped down, careful not to make a sound. The floor was freezing under my bare feet, someone must have left the window open. I checked the parchment one last time. Pulling out my wand I traced a circle around myself, "Circulus proteccio!" A wave of golden ripples surged up from the floor to the cieling. When I touched one I felt a tiny shock of energy. I raised my wand again, "Imperfetto!" My body felt as if it was dissolving, and I panicked for a second. I felt so tired. I'd just sleep. But my mind protested, 'you're still here!' I shook my head and put away my wand. My body seemed to be made of mist. I pulled out the feather and held it to my chest. "Falco columbarius!" Nothing happened. I could feel myself weakening, and I fell to my knees. An invisible hand was pushing me down. I summoned the last of my strength. "Falco columbarius!" The weigh was lifted away and I was floating. My body was stretching and compacting, and I had feathers. I had done it!
The golden ripples had disappeared, and with my new eyes I could make out the most intricate details. I stretched my wings and felt pure joy in my feathers. My legs now had the keenest talons, and I shivered with my new found power. I gave my wings an experimental flap. There isn't enough room in here to really fly, I told myself. The window's open, go outside. I took off.
Through the window and out over the grounds. My wings easily found the natural rhythm of flying. It was like riding waves. I didn't make a noise as I powered myself through the air, then let the wind carry me where it would, tickling my feathers. The slightest twitch of a single feather changed my direction, and it didn't take me long to figure out how to spin, turn, and dive. I let an updraft carry me high into the clouds, hovered there for a second, then pulled in my wings and dropped. I plummeted toward the ground, the wind whistling, then shrieking around my body. So fast I couldn't breathe. That tree was closer than I thought it was. It was too late, my right side slammed into the branch and a stabbing pain shot through my wing. I tried to spread my wings and pull out of the dive, but I couldn't move anything. I continued to drop, helpless, gaining speed, straight into the forbidden forest.