"Hmm…" Harry muttered lamely, "Transfiguration with the Slytherin Ø years…"
"Amy, you seem more excited about this than you should be," informed Ron, very confused.
"In my school in America, we never got to have classes with any other houses. We were basically confined to our own house. It isn't that fun because I grew up with the people on the other house teams," Amy replied, keeping her excited appearance. Harry just shrugged.
"Now, just because you are all in your Ø year, it doesn't mean should not remember how to transform a tortoise into a teapot," announced Professor McGonagall. "Now, I want you all to pair up…" immediately everyone began choosing friends from their respective houses. "You didn't allow me to finish," Professor McGonagall smiled. "I want you to partner up with someone from the OPPOSITE house by alphabetical order." As if on cue, everyone groaned. "I believe that you all can survive simply grading your partner's teapot and then returning the tortoises to normal before you return to your seats. Now, Millicent Bulstrode and Lavender Brown…"
For a few minutes, Professor McGonagall read out a list of names until she came to Malfoy's name. "Mr. Malfoy, normally I would have you paired with Mr. Longbottom, but it has come to my attention that we have a guest with us for this year. Miss Labadie, you will work with Mr. Malfoy," she told the two.
Amy nervously walked to the table to work with Malfoy when Professor McGonagall put a hand on her shoulder. "I trust that you can show Mr. Malfoy here a thing or two about the art of Transfiguration," she winked, then quietly added, "Not to mention show the class a thing or two about Animagus."
"Um…" said Amy hesitantly. She looked to Harry, who smiled sheepishly. "Harry, you didn't!" she mouthed angrily. She was about to decline to McGonagall, but she was already calling out more names. Amy sighed and went to the table where Malfoy waited patiently.
"What was that about?" asked Malfoy, who had already begun transforming his tortoise.
"I suppose you'll see soon," she sighed sadly, starting the transformation as well.
"So what is American like?" queried Malfoy.
"How did you know I was from America?" asked Amy.
Malfoy smiled. "Secrets don't stay secrets long at Hogwarts. Besides, I guessed from your accent and your, um… highlights I think you call them."
Amy smiled and looked at him. "Well, you are partially right. I am from America, but these aren't dyed highlights," she began to explain. She was about to tell him where they came from, but couldn't get the words out. Suddenly she glimpsed his pot, which was the most elegant thing she had seen in her entire life. She slightly gasped, dropping her wand, stopping the transformation of her pot.
"What's wrong?" asked Malfoy.
"Nothing," answered Amy, "I just… your… its really… oh never mind…" she sighed, looking at his confused face.
Unfortunately, in the pause, the tortoise, which was mostly porcelain at the moment, spotted a small bag of carrots on the desk of Professor McGonagall. It began walking towards the desk, but as it stepped off the table, due to the laws of gravity, it plummeted to the ground and smashed into a thousand pieces.
Suddenly, Amy heard the crash and looked down at the floor where both her tortoise and her wand lay. She quickly knelt, trying to piece together the broken pieces. However, Professor McGonagall was coming. Malfoy tried to pick her up by the shoulders, but she stayed glued to the ground.
"Get up! The professor is coming to get the grades!" hissed Malfoy.
"Screw my grade, I just killed the poor thing!" she snapped.
"Grading?" asked Professor McGonagall when she got there.
Suddenly, Malfoy did something somewhat involuntary. "Perfect A," he spat out, pointing to his own teapot. "She can't grade mine, as it is on the floor. In unfortunately broke."
"Very well," the professor said. "You can do another tortoise for me later, Mr. Malfoy."
Amy stopped fumbling with the pieces a minute and quickly stood up. "What in blazes are you doing?" she demanded, beginning to go after Professor McGonagall.
"It's ok, I can just make it up later," Draco said, catching her by the shoulder.
"But you don't understand," tried to tell Amy, "I'm going to demon"-
Draco interrupted her. "Really, it's OK," he said. Amy just stood there, confused.
Later after everyone finished his or her tortoises, they returned to their seats. Amy fumbled nervously with her quill. She kept shooting small and confused glances at Malfoy, who did not look at her.
"Miss Labadie!" called Professor McGonagall.
Amethyst's quill flipped out of her hand as she was called upon. "Yes?" she squeaked. Suddenly she remembered what she had to do and kicked Harry in the leg.
"Please come front and center," ordered McGonagall.
As Amethyst stood up, Harry just smiled at her. "Don't worry, you'll do fine," he winked.
She walked to the front of the room to where McGonagall stood. "I thought that you all might like to know that we have an Animagus with us here today," she said to the class, pointing at Amy. A small murmur went rolling through the class. "Miss Labadie, are you willing to give us a small demonstration?"
Amy nodded nervously, mouthing to Harry, "I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill you!" She stood back and sat on Professor McGonagall's desk. For a few moments she sat there, simply closing her eyes. Suddenly she began to shrink and change color. Within seconds, she became a small, black fox with a simple collar. The only thing that resembled her human form were small patches of fur on her forehead that were reddish colored.
As the Gryffindor house applauded for her, the Slytherin house simply grumbled. Only one Slytherin seemed slightly intrigued. Amy tried to walk around the desk, but within a matter of seconds, she grew in size and quickly transformed into her human form once more, toppling off the desk. All the Slytherin students roared with laughter, but the Gryffindors stood up to see what had happened.
"Miss Labadie?" asked McGonagall in a half worried tone.
Amy stood up and brushed herself off. "I'm fine, I can only hold my transformation for ten seconds before I involuntarily return," she sadly admitted. She glared at Harry and mouthed once more, "I'm going to kill you!" Then she turned guiltily to Malfoy and gave him a look that purely said, "I told you so…"
Draco, who was still busy being slightly impressed, simply shook his head and shrugged, giving her a look that said, "Whatever."
"Still, that is quite impressive for a Ø year," informed Professor McGonagall. "Ten points to Gryffindor." The Gryffindor students cheered, as Amy blushed, returning to her seat.
"That was amazing, Amy!" squealed Hermione with delight. "When did you learn to do that?"
Amy was about to answer when something caught her eye. She slightly turned to see that Malfoy was silently applauding. Amy's jaw dropped slightly. Quickly, she turned to see if any of her friends had seen, which they hadn't. She turned back to Malfoy, but he was talking to Goyle and Crabbe. "It's just something I picked up from my mom's old library," she replied absentmindedly.
"See, you did fine," whispered Harry.
"Yes, but I'm still going to kill you! How could you tell her, especially when you knew I can't hold a transformation?" Amy hissed angrily.
"But I didn't really," replied Harry, "Just listen to McGonagall."
All four turned back to the professor's lecture. "Miss Labadie is one of the youngest Animagi in nearly a century. I noticed her name on the list of legal Animagi and confirmed my suspicions with Mr. Potter. Hopefully, you can learn from her example this year," she told the class proudly. "Your only homework for tonight is to write in a reasonable paragraph what animal you would became if you were an Animagus and why. Class dismissed."
As the two houses left, Millicent walked with Malfoy. "What a show off," she huffed angrily.
"Can I deck her, boss, can I?" begged Crabbe.
"No!" sharply replied Malfoy. When he saw the surprised look on his companions' faces, he quickly lied, "I mean, she isn't worth it. She after all, is a lowly Gryffindor. In any case, I will be the only one to take care of her." His followers regained their sly smiles. He sighed with relief. Never ever, EVER would he let to ANYONE to know that he was going the slightest bit soft. The consequences could have been hazardous to his reputation as well as his health. Already he could picture being put into a leg-lock curse for a month.
***
"And did you see the absolute look of jealousy on all the Slytherins' faces?" laughed Ron heartily. "I could have died happy right there," he declared.
"Ron, please, it isn't anything to boast about. I fell of the God forsaken desk!" Amy disagreed.
"Amy, don't be so hard on yourself!" Hermione coaxed. "Do you realize one of the last youngest Animagi was your father? He would be so proud of you! Besides, we have something else we can shove in Malfoy's face…"
"Hermione!" Harry said, slightly shocked at her.
"Yea… Malfoy…" Amy repeated half-heartedly. Her thoughts drifted back to him. She wanted to tell her brother about what he did for her, but wouldn't they only think he was trying to get leverage on her? Was he? Amy really didn't think so. In fact, she felt that he was much nicer than he would let on. After he had finished turning the tortoise back, he stroked it and whispered, "I told you I would get you back to normal."
"This calls for a celebration!" cried Harry, snapping Amethyst out of her deep and pensive trance.
"Trip to Hogsmeade?" suggested Ron.
"How can we?" asked Amy. "Tonight's not a Hogsmeade night for the castle."
The three looked at each other. "I think it's time I showed you a gift from dad," said Harry, taking her back to the common room.
***
After a quick trip to the Three Broomsticks, the four sat in the common room, laughing gaily. Almost everyone at the pub had double taken Harry and Amy before rubbing his or her eyes. Like everyone else though, the poor victim noticed very distinct differences about the twins.
"Tomorrow we get out of classes early, why don't we take another trip?" suggested Ron.
"Maybe," thought Hermione, "But only if I don't need to go to the"-
"Library," Harry and Ron chorused again. She just glared at them.
"I'm sorry guys," apologized Amethyst, "I wish I could but I have to…"
"Don't tell me YOU have to go to the library too," sighed Ron, rolling his eyes.
Amy shook her head. "I wish it was just that. I somehow got myself stuck in a position where Professor McGonagall wants me to write an essay two scrolls long about how I learned to become an Animagus," she explained, "That will probably take me nearly an afternoon to do." For a moment she thought, and then looked at her watch. "In fact, maybe I should start it now…" she thought out loud, going to her dorm.
"I think it's official," whispered Ron to Harry, "Your sister is Hermione's clone in your body."
***
Draco Malfoy paced his dorm while the others were in the Common Room. That had been a close call back at Transfiguration. He wasn't sure if he would be able to make up another quick excuse like that. In fact he had dug an even deeper grave than just needing to make excuses. His comrades were now starting to pester him about how he was going to get back at Amethyst for being a little miss perfect. The truth was he COULDN'T get back at her, he didn't WANT to, but he couldn't disappoint his public…
"Any new ideas?" asked Goyle, booming into the dorm.
Draco almost jumped at the sudden intrusion, but quickly regained his composure before Goyle could see his fear. "No, and I would have had one if you hadn't broken my train of thought," Malfoy snapped, lying again.
"Sorry, Draco. I'll be more quiet," apologized Goyle.
"Fat chance," Malfoy murmured to himself. He continued to pace around the room, thinking of ideas.
Goyle silently watched his leader pace, amazingly not getting dizzy. "I'm telling you, boss, just let me and Crabbe get a good swipe at her, it will be easy. She wouldn't look so great anymore!"
"Goyle…" Draco rolled his eyes.
"Right, silence, sorry," Goyle quickly shut up. He returned to watching Malfoy pace. "I'm going to steal food from the House elves with Crabbe. Want to come?"
"No, I'm going to THINK," Malfoy answered. As he watched his crony walk out of the dorm, he breathed a deep sigh of relief. "That was far too close. I need to think of something quickly. It needs to be something lasting, something that will get me the recognition of the others for at least a week. However, it can't be something that will make her hate me for the rest of the year… it has to be…" suddenly he spotted himself in the mirror.
He quickly stalked up to it and looked at his face. "My goodness, are those whiskers?" he asked himself. "After all, I am 10 + Ø and…" Malfoy suddenly had his answer. He stroked his chin, laughing hard, prouder of himself than he ever had been before.
***
"Hmm… this is lovely," thought Ron aloud. "First we have Transfiguration with Slytherin Ø years, in which we totally humiliate them. Now we have Potions with them, in which they will probably kill us."
"Oh don't be so pessimistic, Ron," scolded Hermione. "After all, we are only having a review on the Hair Growth Potion."
"Hermione, need we remind you that only six people the other day were able to concoct the Hair Growth Potion, namely you, Amy, and four other Slytherins?" asked Harry.
"What about Neville?" Hermione reminded.
"Well… he half got it right," began Ron. "He did manage to get the potion to work. Unfortunately he did almost end up making the test subject choke on hair, so that doesn't really count."
"Speaking of Amy, where is she?" inquired Hermione.
"She was still working on her essay and said that she would meet us at the Dungeons," replied Harry.
The four entered their gloomy dungeon classroom. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry spotted his sister, who had already taken a seat along one of the potion tables. They sat down beside her.
Malfoy, who too had been waiting in his seat for the potions master to arrive, smiled as he watched the trio sit by their new friend. He turned to his comrades and whispered, "Now watch the fireworks fly." Quietly, he took out his wand and muttered a small spell.
Amy looked before her and noticed a small rose before her. "My goodness, was this here before?" She took it in her hand and noticed a small note attached that read, "To Amethyst." Harry, who had turned to talk to her, was only able to get out a smile before Amy interrupted. "Thank you, Harry!"
"But I didn't do anything…" he said.
Amethyst looked at the rose. "Well, then… ah well." She held it up her nose and inhaled deeply.
Suddenly, Millicent pointed at the girl and began laughing wildly. All the Slytherins turned and began laughing hard, too. Gryffindors turned to see what was going on. A few snickered a bit while others made disapproving faces.
"What's so funny?" asked Amy.
Hermione's jaw dropped. She quickly pulled out a mirror from her sack and gave it to the girl. Amy looked at it and gasped. Her face was covered in a full-grown beard. Quickly, she snapped her head in Malfoy's direction. He winked at her and smiled malevolently. His fellow Slytherins patted him on the back and rooted.
"What is going on?" bellowed Professor Snape. Immediately the class went deathly silent.
"You there," he pointed to Amy, obviously not seeing the obvious. "Tell me what… who in blazes are you?" He finally realized the very obvious. The Slytherins began laughing all over again until he glared at them.
"Amethyst Labadie," Amy answered quietly, trying not to cry.
Snape had a weird look upon his face, like he ate a lemon to fast. "Well… um…" he stuttered. "Who, who did this?" he asked, "Speak up now."
Everyone turned silently and looked at Malfoy. "I did it, sir," Malfoy answered bravely.
"Mr. Malfoy," said Snape. "Interesting use of our lesson from the other day. Five points to Slytherin." All the Gryffindors looked at each other, indignant. Malfoy, however, didn't want that to happen. He looked to Amethyst, who was on the verge of tears.
"But professor!" Hermione was about to complain loudly. "What about Amethyst?"
"Silence, Miss Granger," snapped Professor Snape. "Your friend is fine. Go to the Hospital Wing if you must."
Silent tears dripping down her beard, Amy got up to leave. Hermione, Harry, and Ron stood up to, but Professor Snape stopped them. "I don't recall you three gaining full-grown beards. Miss Labadie can make it herself," he told them curtly. Amy left alone, but before she did, she threw a terrible look at Malfoy.
For the first time in Draco's life, he did not feel good about making a Gryffindor feel miserable. Her gaze had burned straight through him. In fact he almost felt… sorry! He quickly wiped the thought from his mind, but it kept sneaking up on him during class…
***
"Amy, are you alright?" asked Harry after classes were over. The three had come to visit her in the Hospital Wing.
She nodded slightly. "Madam Pomfrey says that all the hair will disintegrate in three hours or so," Amy mumbled, staring out the window.
"If you want, we can stay with you, we can always go out tomorrow," suggested Hermione.
"No, go on," Amy shook her head. "I don't want you to be bored inside the castle just because I was stupid." The three nodded, smiled, and were gone. She really did not understand it. How could he possibly be so sweet at one moment, and the suddenly malicious and unmerciful the next?
"How are you feeling, dear?" asked Madam Pomfrey, bustling in.
Amy slowly turned her head to answer. She was still feeling confused, so maybe that's why the room was spinning. Everything was getting warm; she couldn't hold herself up anymore. "I feel…"
"Oh goodness!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, rushing over to the bed and catching her before she could fall off the bed. "You must have an allergic reaction to the potion!" She helped her back into the bed. "You will be staying here for MUCH longer than just 3 more hours! Professor Snape will be getting an earful from me today!"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~