Chapter 14: Animagus Training
Thankfully for Harry, some time elapsed before any sign of Voldemort reappeared. It was the beginning of December, and snow blanketed the ground; Harry, however, was more concerned with his first Animagus lesson, which would take place that Thursday. "So have you chosen a form yet?" asked Hermione as they trekked to the greenhouses for Double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, "No not yet," said Harry, "and I'm starting to get more and more nervous about it. Unless I come up with something by Thursday it won't be much of a lesson." "Speaking of out-of-class lessons, how's Occlumency coming along?" asked Ron. Harry shrugged, "I think I'm doing pretty well but Snape apparently thinks I'm bloody awful. He never says I'm doing better, just keeps telling me to practice."
"Well obviously it must be working," said Hermione, "you haven't had a nightmare once since you started, have you?" Harry reflected on this for a moment, then said, "You're right about that. I just now realized that I haven't had one since the summer. It almost seems strange not to have them." "But it's a good thing, Harry," said Hermione as they entered the greenhouse, "so long as," she lowered her voice, "You-Know-Who can't get in your mind, you'll be safe." "Yeah, that's what I thought until October," he said warily, bringing Ron and Hermione to mind of the events that had occurred then.
They both shifted uneasily, then settled in for their lesson; "Everyone put on your gloves," said Professor Sprout, donning her own pair of dragonhide gloves, "today we will be learning about Spiky Bushes, which are highly volatile. I suggest everyone use caution around them, as they will shoot spikes at you should you intimidate them or touch them the wrong way. Now, a group of three to each bush, if you please." Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the nearest Bush and waited for further instructions. "Very good, very good," said Professor Sprout, going to her own Spiky Bush, "now can anybody tell me what the medicinal properties of Spiky Bushes are?" Hermione's hand shot up.
"Miss Granger?'
"Spiky Bushes are commonly used for curing rashes, warts, or other maladies that are inflicted magically. They do not work on naturally induced skin irritations."
"Very good Miss Granger! Take fifteen points!"
Harry and Ron exchanged glances; Hermione was sounding more and more like a text book by the minute. Ernie MacMillan of Hufflepuff begrudgingly smiled at Hermione, and said, "Job well done." Ernie being overwhelmingly pompous most of the time, Hermione took his complement to heart.
After their Herbology lesson Harry and Ron agreed that some wizard chess was in good order, despite the fact that Hermione harked on them about doing their Potions essay, which, she said, was twelve inches and due in two days. At six inches a night, according to her, they hardly had time for games.
Harry and Ron, however, thought otherwise.
Yet that evening they were working diligently on their essay, wishing that the six inches would miraculously appear on its own. It did not, however, no matter how many times they stared at the parchment, although finally Hermione agreed to have a look at their essays and correct any mistakes made, which were undoubtedly many considering their boredom. Harry looked out the window with longing for the spring, when the bulk of the Quidditch season would hit. Their practices and their one game, which had been cancelled, were hardly enough to sustain him till the spring. "Let's go down to dinner," said Ron with a yawn, "I think we need a break from this nonsense."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but felt her stomach rumbling and finally agreed, "I'll finish the Arithmancy homework when I get back, I s'pose," she said, putting down her quill. The three of them climbed through the portrait hole a minute later, the Fat Lady gossiping avidly with the witch from the portrait down the hall.
They were walking down the corridor by the statue of Merlin when Hermione rounded the corner ahead of them and was promptly knocked over. They heard a resounding "Argh!" from around the corner, and before Ron or Harry had a chance to see who it was an angry voice boomed "MISS GRANGER! TWENTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR! WHAT IS IT WITH YOU AND YOUR SNEAKY ATTEMPTS?! AND WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING NEXT TIME!"
Ron and Harry did not have to be told who it was.
A very, very angry looking Professor Snape whipped past them, muttering something about Hermione being a strange girl with a twisted mind when Harry noticed that Hermione wasn't the only one now down on the floor.
Ron was doubled over laughing on the stone floor.
"Oh I swear it was an accident!" moaned Hermione, her bag broken and books askew, "Harry you believe me don't you? I didn't know he was there I promise!" "I know Hermione," said Harry with a giggle, helping her to her feet and collecting a few of her books. "Reparo!" she said, fixing her bag and looking very put out. "Ron! Shut UP!"
That Thursday Harry had two lessons with Snape; one in Potions and one in the evening for Occlumency as well as Animagus training. Despite Harry's protests, Lupin had reassured him that Snape knew better than he about being an Animagus mostly because, "Professor Snape really is an Animagus, Harry. I'm a werewolf, and that's not the same thing."
They went to the dungeon with some apprehension, mostly because Hermione was almost trembling with a mixture of rage and fear. "Why the nerve of him..." she grumbled, "...him and his yellow teeth and greasy hair...hook-nosed git..." Harry and Ron resisted laughter, mostly because they were about to enter the classroom. There they found the potions recipe already waiting on the board; today it would be a Healing Draught, and it looked to be one of the more complicated potions. Lately, it seemed as if Snape had been pushing them more and more, with increasingly complex potions that none of them had encountered before.
They began working, and Snape did not appear until halfway through the lesson, at which point he swept past Neville and scared the blazes out of him. Subsequently, he stirred his potion clockwise instead of counterclockwise, and Harry could only imagine what would happen as a result. Slowly, gradually, the clock wound down and eventually it was only twenty minutes from the end of the lesson. Harry corked his sample flask and placed it in the rack on Snape's desk, then waited.
It only seemed natural that Snape should choose to pick on Neville yet again.
"Mr. Longbottom, have you finished with your Draught?" said Snape silkily. "Y-Yes sir, right here," he said, holding up his flask nervously. "Very good," said Snape, "Miss Granger, please come to the front of the class." Everyone looked around and watched as Hermione kicked her chair away and stood in front of Snape's desk, where he towered over her menacingly, black eyes flashing. He snatched Neville's flask out of his hand, then shoved it into Hermione's hands, "Today, class," he said, turning to face the students, "we are going to see if Mr. Longbottom has correctly mixed his Draught. If he has, Miss Granger should be feeling better than normal, as if she's exceedingly happy. If not...we'll see."
The Slytherins waited with bated breath; they were all hoping Neville would fail. In turn, the Gryffindors were praying that Neville would pull through again as he had the last time Snape had put him on the spot. Hermione looked into the flask and saw nothing but darkness; she wouldn't know until she drank it if it was wrong. Hoping it would taste like lavender, as it was supposed to, she took a heavy drink, sputtered a bit, then waited.
Nothing happened.
The Gryffindors cheered.
Neville had made it again.
Snape's upper lip curled with anger and he said "Sit down Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor! I've told you before not to help him!" She nodded, "Yes, sir." Just then Harry noticed that Hermione wasn't looking at all well; she was almost green. Snape went walking past her and began snapping out the homework assignment, "Twelve inches of parchment on the properties of-" "Professor look out!" shouted Harry as Hermione keeled forward, looking even greener than before. Snape caught her by the shoulders as she fell forward, passing out as she did so, and he laid her down on a desk quickly.
He shook her shoulders slightly, but she did not awake; pulling back one eyelid and inspecting carefully, Snape spat with anger, "Longbottom you idiot! You gave her a Sleeping Draught!" Neville's eyes grew wide, "Oh no! I knew I added the wrong-" "Shut up and get out Longbottom! Twenty points from Gryffindor!" shouted Snape, "Now get out of my room you witless boy!" Neville ran from the room, hardly remembering to grab his bag. "Twelve inches on the properties of the Healing Draught! Class dismissed!" he shouted. No one had to be told twice, none of them willing to bear the brunt of Snape's wrath, and they scurried from the room as quickly as possible.
Harry and Ron looked back to see Snape mixing up an antidote to the Sleeping Draught Neville had concocted, and Harry worked up the courage to ask, "Is she going to be okay sir?" Snape's head snapped up to look at Harry and Ron, and he glared, "If I can counteract what that idiot boy did...possibly. Now get OUT!"
Harry and Ron ran all the way to Gryffindor common room to find Neville whimpering in a chair, "I don't know how I passed the O.W.L. for that dreadful class!" he groaned, "Why am I in there?!" Harry and Ron looked at Neville sympathetically, "Don't worry too much about it Neville. He's just a nasty bitter old man," said Ron, "that doesn't like anybody." Harry shrugged, "Besides, he's just trying to get to you. Ignore him and he'll go away eventually." Neville nodded after a minute, then said, "I feel terrible about Hermione. Is she going to be all right?" Harry and Ron neglected to mention what Snape had said, although Harry lied, "Yeah, Snape said she'll be fine."
That evening Hermione was not to be seen, although rumor had it that she was in the hospital wing. Neville, consequently, was feeling terrible by the time dinner came round. "I mean it's like when he walks by I just lose me mind!" he said, "I can't concentrate whenever he walks past me because I think he's going to curse me!" Harry glanced up at the High Table and saw Snape glaring down at them, almost as if he knew that they were talking about him, and for a moment Harry remembered Dumbledore's remark a year ago about Snape being an accomplished Legilimens.
After dinner Harry went to the dungeons for his Occlumency and Animagus training, still unable to settle on an animal of choice. Hermione had commented that a snake would be useful, and he knew that she was right, but he dreaded being that much more like Voldemort. A lion would be neat, but also large, and he wasn't sure how well that would work. He had even thought about becoming a mongoose, so as to kill snakes easier, especially snakes like Voldemort, but that was more of a venomous thought than a good one.
He knocked on Snape's office door quietly, somewhat hoping he wouldn't be there, but a minute later a voice said "Come in Potter." He entered in silence and was just closing the door when he heard "Legilimens!"
"TARANTALLEGRA!" shouted Harry, watching as Snape's legs danced wildly and uncontrollably. "Finite Incantatem!" said Snape, this time releasing himself from the spell. He dusted himself off and got up from where he had fallen on the floor upon the spell's release, "Better," he said casually, "but you must be faster Potter. Your speed is not at all quick." Harry wasn't sure how much quicker he could get until Snape did it again.
"Legilimens!"
"Scourgify!"
"Finite Incantatem!"
So this pattern continued on for some time until Snape finally said, "All right Potter. We'll stop for tonight. We need to begin your Animagus training anyway." He got up from where he had fallen on the floor yet again and said, "And your animal of choice is...?" Harry hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well sir, I don't...I mean I have a few ideas, but I don't really know what the advantages are."
"Such as...?"
"Well sir, Hermione suggested I change into a snake, but that just seemed a little too near what Vold-I mean the Dark Lord is. Since we share a few similarities...I just...I don't want for there to be another one. And Ron suggested a lion, which I thought would be useful, but I don't know what with it being so big. I mean, it's not very easy to get out of a tight spot unless you want to kill somebody is it? And then I was thinking about a mongoose, since mongooses kill snakes and can be pretty vicious but are relatively small," he added.
After a minute Snape said, "It's your decision Potter, although I suggest you choose between the snake or the mongoose. Either one is relatively helpful, whether you think it brings you that much closer to the Dark Lord or not." Harry was at a stalemate, then suddenly remembered something very particular about Snape, "Sir...you're an Animagus...what...what are the advantages of being a snake?" Snape sat down at his desk and observed Harry with a look on his face as if he were sucking on a lemon, "Snakes are useful in many ways, Potter. They're small, fast, and lethal. Those three characteristics alone make them some of the most feared creatures known to man. But of course, there are disadvantages; when out in the open you risk having your head hacked off or being stomped on, despite how easy it is, usually, to scare off attackers.
"I like the snake personally because it is a smart fast animal; but of course, your Animagus form, Potter, should somewhat be an imitation of how you feel about yourself in your own human form." "How so? Sir?" said Harry. "Well Potter, if you're a bookish know-it-all like, for example, Hermione Granger, then perhaps you should be an owl. If you're a meddlesome, irritating old hag like, say, Dolores Umbridge, then perhaps you should be a toad. After all, nobody really likes toads do they? And since nobody really likes that overbearing Umbridge woman, it only makes sense. You understand now, I'm assuming, unless you're being unusually thick tonight." "And," he added, "you are a Parselmouth, so you've that advantage on you. A snake, despite all your misgivings, might be worth it."
Harry nodded, ignoring the multiple insults he had received, and instead said, "So what about if you're a middle-of-the-road sort of person who just tries to do what's right?" Snape caught hold of Harry's obvious reference to himself and said, "A slug." Harry felt rather put-out, but didn't say anything. After about five minutes of this Snape said "Oh great gargoyles Potter just pick something, the night's wasting and I've things to do!" waving a hand at him as if to say 'Hurry it up.'
Harry felt nervous as he spoke, "Yes, sir. I...I choose...I choose the snake." "Finally," muttered Snape, getting to his feet, "stand up Potter." Harry stood, and Snape said, "Now for the first few times you transform you'll be using a potion. This helps your body identify with the form it will take and eventually stay with for minutes, hours, or even days at a time. As I'm sure you can at least halfway understand, the body is not used to abrupt changes back and forth, so beginning Animagi use the Animagus Elixir to help ease the change." He turned his back on Harry and began pouring something into a flask, then turned back, "Hold this for a moment."
Harry nodded as Snape continued, "Now if there's one thing that can mess up a beginning Animagus it's the actually type of animal they choose. For instance, although I'm a snake Animagus, I can't verily transform into a boa one minute and a garden snake the next. I can only choose one form of snake; in my case, an Asp." 'You're only off by one consonant,' thought Harry with a polite smile as Snape elaborated on the subject. "So the first thing you should do, Potter, before we go any further, is pick a type of snake. A specific one that you can visualize easily."
Not knowing too many snakes, Harry asked, "Er, what if I don't know very many types? Sir?" he added hastily. Snape sighed irritably, "You could at least have picked an animal you know something about. Just think of some sort of snake that's small and poisonous but not weak like a garden snake or some other rubbish like that. But I wouldn't choose a constrictor either; they're too large and can be seen too easily." Harry thought about it for a minute; the only snakes he'd ever seen were the ones in Aunt Petunia's garden or the one he released from the zoo, and all of those were the wrong type.
"Today, Potter," said Snape irritably. Harry thought for a moment, then said, "What about a King Cobra?" Snape reflected on this for a moment and finally replied, "Interesting selection. The hood of the King Cobra does not always have to be out, so you could hide somewhat easily as a regular snake. It's poisonous, can spit venom...also very fast...you'd just have to choose to be a medium sized one. Those snakes can get quite large. You can visualize it then?" Harry nodded, "I've seen one once before in the snake pit at the zoo." "I didn't ask for you to elaborate, I said can you visualize it?" Harry nodded angrily, "Yes sir," at this point growing more and more irritated with Snape insulting him.
"All right Potter, let's try it," said Snape, "the first thing you need to do is clear your mind completely. No other animals, people, objects, anything; a blank canvas, if you will." Harry closed his eyes and visualized a blank canvas, and everything quickly went away, Harry now more adept at this since his Occlumency training. "Keep your eyes closed Potter," said Snape, "and imagine the King Cobra. Imagine every little detail about it, from the eyes to the scales to the rattle to the hood, every little detail."
Harry was imagining quite well when suddenly Snape said, "Now drink." Harry put the flask to his lips and swallowed automatically, the snake still fresh in his mind. His eyes whipped open as he realized that he was getting smaller and smaller and Snape was getting larger and larger. He seemed a thousand feet high, and the desk loomed next to Harry, looking more like a mountain than a desk. He shuddered, and heard something rattle, then realized.
I'm a snake.
Harry saw Snape's lips move, but he could not hear...then he remembered...snakes can't hear... Snape was rummaging for something on his desk, scribbled something, then put a piece of parchment down in front of Harry's tiny, beady eyes.
Now imagine yourself in your human form.
Harry felt the urge to nod but could not; his head merely swayed back and forth, almost as if he were smoother than liquid. His tongue hissed in and out of his mouth, and he could taste the air. He could even taste Snape, who seemed, from here, to taste more like a thousand different tastes of potions ingredients. The desk tasted of wood, the parchment sheet before him tasted of age and ink. He tried to speak but only hissed more, and he shuddered; the rattle followed suit.
Snape gestured to the paper again and Harry followed his advice. 'I'm Harry Potter, I'm six foot with crazy hair that never lies flat, I have green eyes, I have a scar and wear glasses...' Harry suddenly felt as if he were growing faster than the speed of light, and suddenly he was standing next to Professor Snape, who grabbed him by the shoulders and held him firmly. "I can't...I can't stop swaying!" said Harry woozily, glasses slightly askew, and he giggled slightly. "That's a side effect of the potion," said Snape, forcing him to sit down, "unfortunately it has a large alcoholic content due to the needed smoothness of transition. You'll be fine in a minute."
Harry's eyes felt as if they were going every which way, and he looked up at Snape, "You seemed way taller from down there," he said, pointing at the ground. "Yes, well, that's what it's like being a snake," said Snape, almost smirking at the idea that Harry Potter was basically drunk in his office. After a few minutes, however, Harry was recovering, "That felt so strange," said Harry, now fully aware of what had happened. "And I couldn't hear...I had forgotten that snakes can't hear...but I could taste! I could taste a thousand things all at once!" Snape leaned against his desk easily and crossed his arms, "The hearing is probably the only true disadvantage of being a snake, but once you learn to read lips it becomes much easier." "Hang on, you can read lips? Sir?" added Harry. "I have to if I want to know what's going on while I'm a snake," said Snape, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.
And finally Harry understood how Snape always seemed to know what he was saying at the Gryffindor table.
Thankfully for Harry, some time elapsed before any sign of Voldemort reappeared. It was the beginning of December, and snow blanketed the ground; Harry, however, was more concerned with his first Animagus lesson, which would take place that Thursday. "So have you chosen a form yet?" asked Hermione as they trekked to the greenhouses for Double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, "No not yet," said Harry, "and I'm starting to get more and more nervous about it. Unless I come up with something by Thursday it won't be much of a lesson." "Speaking of out-of-class lessons, how's Occlumency coming along?" asked Ron. Harry shrugged, "I think I'm doing pretty well but Snape apparently thinks I'm bloody awful. He never says I'm doing better, just keeps telling me to practice."
"Well obviously it must be working," said Hermione, "you haven't had a nightmare once since you started, have you?" Harry reflected on this for a moment, then said, "You're right about that. I just now realized that I haven't had one since the summer. It almost seems strange not to have them." "But it's a good thing, Harry," said Hermione as they entered the greenhouse, "so long as," she lowered her voice, "You-Know-Who can't get in your mind, you'll be safe." "Yeah, that's what I thought until October," he said warily, bringing Ron and Hermione to mind of the events that had occurred then.
They both shifted uneasily, then settled in for their lesson; "Everyone put on your gloves," said Professor Sprout, donning her own pair of dragonhide gloves, "today we will be learning about Spiky Bushes, which are highly volatile. I suggest everyone use caution around them, as they will shoot spikes at you should you intimidate them or touch them the wrong way. Now, a group of three to each bush, if you please." Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the nearest Bush and waited for further instructions. "Very good, very good," said Professor Sprout, going to her own Spiky Bush, "now can anybody tell me what the medicinal properties of Spiky Bushes are?" Hermione's hand shot up.
"Miss Granger?'
"Spiky Bushes are commonly used for curing rashes, warts, or other maladies that are inflicted magically. They do not work on naturally induced skin irritations."
"Very good Miss Granger! Take fifteen points!"
Harry and Ron exchanged glances; Hermione was sounding more and more like a text book by the minute. Ernie MacMillan of Hufflepuff begrudgingly smiled at Hermione, and said, "Job well done." Ernie being overwhelmingly pompous most of the time, Hermione took his complement to heart.
After their Herbology lesson Harry and Ron agreed that some wizard chess was in good order, despite the fact that Hermione harked on them about doing their Potions essay, which, she said, was twelve inches and due in two days. At six inches a night, according to her, they hardly had time for games.
Harry and Ron, however, thought otherwise.
Yet that evening they were working diligently on their essay, wishing that the six inches would miraculously appear on its own. It did not, however, no matter how many times they stared at the parchment, although finally Hermione agreed to have a look at their essays and correct any mistakes made, which were undoubtedly many considering their boredom. Harry looked out the window with longing for the spring, when the bulk of the Quidditch season would hit. Their practices and their one game, which had been cancelled, were hardly enough to sustain him till the spring. "Let's go down to dinner," said Ron with a yawn, "I think we need a break from this nonsense."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but felt her stomach rumbling and finally agreed, "I'll finish the Arithmancy homework when I get back, I s'pose," she said, putting down her quill. The three of them climbed through the portrait hole a minute later, the Fat Lady gossiping avidly with the witch from the portrait down the hall.
They were walking down the corridor by the statue of Merlin when Hermione rounded the corner ahead of them and was promptly knocked over. They heard a resounding "Argh!" from around the corner, and before Ron or Harry had a chance to see who it was an angry voice boomed "MISS GRANGER! TWENTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR! WHAT IS IT WITH YOU AND YOUR SNEAKY ATTEMPTS?! AND WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING NEXT TIME!"
Ron and Harry did not have to be told who it was.
A very, very angry looking Professor Snape whipped past them, muttering something about Hermione being a strange girl with a twisted mind when Harry noticed that Hermione wasn't the only one now down on the floor.
Ron was doubled over laughing on the stone floor.
"Oh I swear it was an accident!" moaned Hermione, her bag broken and books askew, "Harry you believe me don't you? I didn't know he was there I promise!" "I know Hermione," said Harry with a giggle, helping her to her feet and collecting a few of her books. "Reparo!" she said, fixing her bag and looking very put out. "Ron! Shut UP!"
That Thursday Harry had two lessons with Snape; one in Potions and one in the evening for Occlumency as well as Animagus training. Despite Harry's protests, Lupin had reassured him that Snape knew better than he about being an Animagus mostly because, "Professor Snape really is an Animagus, Harry. I'm a werewolf, and that's not the same thing."
They went to the dungeon with some apprehension, mostly because Hermione was almost trembling with a mixture of rage and fear. "Why the nerve of him..." she grumbled, "...him and his yellow teeth and greasy hair...hook-nosed git..." Harry and Ron resisted laughter, mostly because they were about to enter the classroom. There they found the potions recipe already waiting on the board; today it would be a Healing Draught, and it looked to be one of the more complicated potions. Lately, it seemed as if Snape had been pushing them more and more, with increasingly complex potions that none of them had encountered before.
They began working, and Snape did not appear until halfway through the lesson, at which point he swept past Neville and scared the blazes out of him. Subsequently, he stirred his potion clockwise instead of counterclockwise, and Harry could only imagine what would happen as a result. Slowly, gradually, the clock wound down and eventually it was only twenty minutes from the end of the lesson. Harry corked his sample flask and placed it in the rack on Snape's desk, then waited.
It only seemed natural that Snape should choose to pick on Neville yet again.
"Mr. Longbottom, have you finished with your Draught?" said Snape silkily. "Y-Yes sir, right here," he said, holding up his flask nervously. "Very good," said Snape, "Miss Granger, please come to the front of the class." Everyone looked around and watched as Hermione kicked her chair away and stood in front of Snape's desk, where he towered over her menacingly, black eyes flashing. He snatched Neville's flask out of his hand, then shoved it into Hermione's hands, "Today, class," he said, turning to face the students, "we are going to see if Mr. Longbottom has correctly mixed his Draught. If he has, Miss Granger should be feeling better than normal, as if she's exceedingly happy. If not...we'll see."
The Slytherins waited with bated breath; they were all hoping Neville would fail. In turn, the Gryffindors were praying that Neville would pull through again as he had the last time Snape had put him on the spot. Hermione looked into the flask and saw nothing but darkness; she wouldn't know until she drank it if it was wrong. Hoping it would taste like lavender, as it was supposed to, she took a heavy drink, sputtered a bit, then waited.
Nothing happened.
The Gryffindors cheered.
Neville had made it again.
Snape's upper lip curled with anger and he said "Sit down Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor! I've told you before not to help him!" She nodded, "Yes, sir." Just then Harry noticed that Hermione wasn't looking at all well; she was almost green. Snape went walking past her and began snapping out the homework assignment, "Twelve inches of parchment on the properties of-" "Professor look out!" shouted Harry as Hermione keeled forward, looking even greener than before. Snape caught her by the shoulders as she fell forward, passing out as she did so, and he laid her down on a desk quickly.
He shook her shoulders slightly, but she did not awake; pulling back one eyelid and inspecting carefully, Snape spat with anger, "Longbottom you idiot! You gave her a Sleeping Draught!" Neville's eyes grew wide, "Oh no! I knew I added the wrong-" "Shut up and get out Longbottom! Twenty points from Gryffindor!" shouted Snape, "Now get out of my room you witless boy!" Neville ran from the room, hardly remembering to grab his bag. "Twelve inches on the properties of the Healing Draught! Class dismissed!" he shouted. No one had to be told twice, none of them willing to bear the brunt of Snape's wrath, and they scurried from the room as quickly as possible.
Harry and Ron looked back to see Snape mixing up an antidote to the Sleeping Draught Neville had concocted, and Harry worked up the courage to ask, "Is she going to be okay sir?" Snape's head snapped up to look at Harry and Ron, and he glared, "If I can counteract what that idiot boy did...possibly. Now get OUT!"
Harry and Ron ran all the way to Gryffindor common room to find Neville whimpering in a chair, "I don't know how I passed the O.W.L. for that dreadful class!" he groaned, "Why am I in there?!" Harry and Ron looked at Neville sympathetically, "Don't worry too much about it Neville. He's just a nasty bitter old man," said Ron, "that doesn't like anybody." Harry shrugged, "Besides, he's just trying to get to you. Ignore him and he'll go away eventually." Neville nodded after a minute, then said, "I feel terrible about Hermione. Is she going to be all right?" Harry and Ron neglected to mention what Snape had said, although Harry lied, "Yeah, Snape said she'll be fine."
That evening Hermione was not to be seen, although rumor had it that she was in the hospital wing. Neville, consequently, was feeling terrible by the time dinner came round. "I mean it's like when he walks by I just lose me mind!" he said, "I can't concentrate whenever he walks past me because I think he's going to curse me!" Harry glanced up at the High Table and saw Snape glaring down at them, almost as if he knew that they were talking about him, and for a moment Harry remembered Dumbledore's remark a year ago about Snape being an accomplished Legilimens.
After dinner Harry went to the dungeons for his Occlumency and Animagus training, still unable to settle on an animal of choice. Hermione had commented that a snake would be useful, and he knew that she was right, but he dreaded being that much more like Voldemort. A lion would be neat, but also large, and he wasn't sure how well that would work. He had even thought about becoming a mongoose, so as to kill snakes easier, especially snakes like Voldemort, but that was more of a venomous thought than a good one.
He knocked on Snape's office door quietly, somewhat hoping he wouldn't be there, but a minute later a voice said "Come in Potter." He entered in silence and was just closing the door when he heard "Legilimens!"
"TARANTALLEGRA!" shouted Harry, watching as Snape's legs danced wildly and uncontrollably. "Finite Incantatem!" said Snape, this time releasing himself from the spell. He dusted himself off and got up from where he had fallen on the floor upon the spell's release, "Better," he said casually, "but you must be faster Potter. Your speed is not at all quick." Harry wasn't sure how much quicker he could get until Snape did it again.
"Legilimens!"
"Scourgify!"
"Finite Incantatem!"
So this pattern continued on for some time until Snape finally said, "All right Potter. We'll stop for tonight. We need to begin your Animagus training anyway." He got up from where he had fallen on the floor yet again and said, "And your animal of choice is...?" Harry hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well sir, I don't...I mean I have a few ideas, but I don't really know what the advantages are."
"Such as...?"
"Well sir, Hermione suggested I change into a snake, but that just seemed a little too near what Vold-I mean the Dark Lord is. Since we share a few similarities...I just...I don't want for there to be another one. And Ron suggested a lion, which I thought would be useful, but I don't know what with it being so big. I mean, it's not very easy to get out of a tight spot unless you want to kill somebody is it? And then I was thinking about a mongoose, since mongooses kill snakes and can be pretty vicious but are relatively small," he added.
After a minute Snape said, "It's your decision Potter, although I suggest you choose between the snake or the mongoose. Either one is relatively helpful, whether you think it brings you that much closer to the Dark Lord or not." Harry was at a stalemate, then suddenly remembered something very particular about Snape, "Sir...you're an Animagus...what...what are the advantages of being a snake?" Snape sat down at his desk and observed Harry with a look on his face as if he were sucking on a lemon, "Snakes are useful in many ways, Potter. They're small, fast, and lethal. Those three characteristics alone make them some of the most feared creatures known to man. But of course, there are disadvantages; when out in the open you risk having your head hacked off or being stomped on, despite how easy it is, usually, to scare off attackers.
"I like the snake personally because it is a smart fast animal; but of course, your Animagus form, Potter, should somewhat be an imitation of how you feel about yourself in your own human form." "How so? Sir?" said Harry. "Well Potter, if you're a bookish know-it-all like, for example, Hermione Granger, then perhaps you should be an owl. If you're a meddlesome, irritating old hag like, say, Dolores Umbridge, then perhaps you should be a toad. After all, nobody really likes toads do they? And since nobody really likes that overbearing Umbridge woman, it only makes sense. You understand now, I'm assuming, unless you're being unusually thick tonight." "And," he added, "you are a Parselmouth, so you've that advantage on you. A snake, despite all your misgivings, might be worth it."
Harry nodded, ignoring the multiple insults he had received, and instead said, "So what about if you're a middle-of-the-road sort of person who just tries to do what's right?" Snape caught hold of Harry's obvious reference to himself and said, "A slug." Harry felt rather put-out, but didn't say anything. After about five minutes of this Snape said "Oh great gargoyles Potter just pick something, the night's wasting and I've things to do!" waving a hand at him as if to say 'Hurry it up.'
Harry felt nervous as he spoke, "Yes, sir. I...I choose...I choose the snake." "Finally," muttered Snape, getting to his feet, "stand up Potter." Harry stood, and Snape said, "Now for the first few times you transform you'll be using a potion. This helps your body identify with the form it will take and eventually stay with for minutes, hours, or even days at a time. As I'm sure you can at least halfway understand, the body is not used to abrupt changes back and forth, so beginning Animagi use the Animagus Elixir to help ease the change." He turned his back on Harry and began pouring something into a flask, then turned back, "Hold this for a moment."
Harry nodded as Snape continued, "Now if there's one thing that can mess up a beginning Animagus it's the actually type of animal they choose. For instance, although I'm a snake Animagus, I can't verily transform into a boa one minute and a garden snake the next. I can only choose one form of snake; in my case, an Asp." 'You're only off by one consonant,' thought Harry with a polite smile as Snape elaborated on the subject. "So the first thing you should do, Potter, before we go any further, is pick a type of snake. A specific one that you can visualize easily."
Not knowing too many snakes, Harry asked, "Er, what if I don't know very many types? Sir?" he added hastily. Snape sighed irritably, "You could at least have picked an animal you know something about. Just think of some sort of snake that's small and poisonous but not weak like a garden snake or some other rubbish like that. But I wouldn't choose a constrictor either; they're too large and can be seen too easily." Harry thought about it for a minute; the only snakes he'd ever seen were the ones in Aunt Petunia's garden or the one he released from the zoo, and all of those were the wrong type.
"Today, Potter," said Snape irritably. Harry thought for a moment, then said, "What about a King Cobra?" Snape reflected on this for a moment and finally replied, "Interesting selection. The hood of the King Cobra does not always have to be out, so you could hide somewhat easily as a regular snake. It's poisonous, can spit venom...also very fast...you'd just have to choose to be a medium sized one. Those snakes can get quite large. You can visualize it then?" Harry nodded, "I've seen one once before in the snake pit at the zoo." "I didn't ask for you to elaborate, I said can you visualize it?" Harry nodded angrily, "Yes sir," at this point growing more and more irritated with Snape insulting him.
"All right Potter, let's try it," said Snape, "the first thing you need to do is clear your mind completely. No other animals, people, objects, anything; a blank canvas, if you will." Harry closed his eyes and visualized a blank canvas, and everything quickly went away, Harry now more adept at this since his Occlumency training. "Keep your eyes closed Potter," said Snape, "and imagine the King Cobra. Imagine every little detail about it, from the eyes to the scales to the rattle to the hood, every little detail."
Harry was imagining quite well when suddenly Snape said, "Now drink." Harry put the flask to his lips and swallowed automatically, the snake still fresh in his mind. His eyes whipped open as he realized that he was getting smaller and smaller and Snape was getting larger and larger. He seemed a thousand feet high, and the desk loomed next to Harry, looking more like a mountain than a desk. He shuddered, and heard something rattle, then realized.
I'm a snake.
Harry saw Snape's lips move, but he could not hear...then he remembered...snakes can't hear... Snape was rummaging for something on his desk, scribbled something, then put a piece of parchment down in front of Harry's tiny, beady eyes.
Now imagine yourself in your human form.
Harry felt the urge to nod but could not; his head merely swayed back and forth, almost as if he were smoother than liquid. His tongue hissed in and out of his mouth, and he could taste the air. He could even taste Snape, who seemed, from here, to taste more like a thousand different tastes of potions ingredients. The desk tasted of wood, the parchment sheet before him tasted of age and ink. He tried to speak but only hissed more, and he shuddered; the rattle followed suit.
Snape gestured to the paper again and Harry followed his advice. 'I'm Harry Potter, I'm six foot with crazy hair that never lies flat, I have green eyes, I have a scar and wear glasses...' Harry suddenly felt as if he were growing faster than the speed of light, and suddenly he was standing next to Professor Snape, who grabbed him by the shoulders and held him firmly. "I can't...I can't stop swaying!" said Harry woozily, glasses slightly askew, and he giggled slightly. "That's a side effect of the potion," said Snape, forcing him to sit down, "unfortunately it has a large alcoholic content due to the needed smoothness of transition. You'll be fine in a minute."
Harry's eyes felt as if they were going every which way, and he looked up at Snape, "You seemed way taller from down there," he said, pointing at the ground. "Yes, well, that's what it's like being a snake," said Snape, almost smirking at the idea that Harry Potter was basically drunk in his office. After a few minutes, however, Harry was recovering, "That felt so strange," said Harry, now fully aware of what had happened. "And I couldn't hear...I had forgotten that snakes can't hear...but I could taste! I could taste a thousand things all at once!" Snape leaned against his desk easily and crossed his arms, "The hearing is probably the only true disadvantage of being a snake, but once you learn to read lips it becomes much easier." "Hang on, you can read lips? Sir?" added Harry. "I have to if I want to know what's going on while I'm a snake," said Snape, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.
And finally Harry understood how Snape always seemed to know what he was saying at the Gryffindor table.