After dinner that night they met Professor McGonagall in the Transfiguration Classroom to begin their animagus training.
"You will start by learning how to change into a simple animal form. If you possess the ability, and not all heirs do, we will move onto learning how to change into multiple forms. We may then try tackling a magical animal" said Professor McGonagall sternly. Hermione and Harry looked excited at the possibility of being able to transform into multiple animals.
"We will begin by learning the basics of the transformation – how to adjust body features, such as fingernail length. I want you to study your fingernails. Look at them, study their shape, their colour their size and length."
Hermione and Harry looked at their fingernails. Hermione studied hers – they were long, with half-moon shaped cuticles and they were painted red and gold.
Harry studied his fingernails – they were short and ragged from him biting them last night.
"Right, now shut your eyes. Can you still see your nails clearly in your mind? Concentrate on them getting longer. In your case Miss Granger, perhaps try to make them shorter. Picture them in your mind as getting shorter (or longer)."
Hermione and Harry concentrated on their nails, trying to make them grow or shrink. They opened their eyes – no change.
Professor McGonagall walked over and took Harry's hand in her own to examine his nails. "Hmm, not much change. This is common for the first try at the animagus transformation. Practise it every night before you go to bed. We'll meet again this time next week."
Hermione and Harry nodded and picked up their bags.
"Don't forget to practise!" Professor McGonagall called out behind them as they trudged off to Gryffindor Tower.