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Chapter 4: In the Eyes

Harry woke up the next morning in a very foul mood. For one, Ginny had left him bewildered. He thought she fancied him and she had returned the kiss, but she had turned him down. The other thing that put him in a foul mood was he had received his schedule at breakfast only to find out that he had Double Potions that day with Snape as his last class. He would get to dread potions all day and then ruin the rest of his night by actually having it.

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked him.

Instead of answering her, Harry got up from breakfast and stomped to his first class.

"A bit touchy, isn't he?" Ron asked as he grabbed his fourth piece of toast.

Hermione pondered this thoughtfully before replying, "Yes, I suppose he is. I wonder if it has something to do with Ginny?"

"Ginny? Why would it have to do with Ginny?" Ron asked, looking a bit bewildered.

"Well, if you hadn't noticed, Harry and Ginny spent a significant amount of time together last night, alone. Now, Ginny isn't at breakfast and Harry is stomping off. Don't you think it's a bit peculiar?" Replied Hermione.

"Ginny?" asked Ron with his face in a state of disbelief.

Hermione sighed. It was hopeless. Ron would never get it. She grabbed her bag and Ron so that they could avoid being late. They both had Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall – and Harry.

Hermione and Ron entered into the Transfiguration classroom and looked around for Harry. They saw him seated near the front of the classroom. They went to sit near him. Ron sat to the right of Harry and Hermione to the right of him. Hermione didn't want to be so close to Harry when he was in a foul mood.

Before Ron or Hermione had a chance to say anything, Professor McGonagall walked in.

"Today, we will be starting on the more advanced subjects of Transfiguration. I am going to take each of you aside to gauge how far you will be able to go in here. While I am coming around, I want everyone to begin reading about Animagus on page 316 of your textbook," Professor McGonagall stated in a brisk manner.

Since, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were in the front row, there turn would be soon. McGonagall reached Hermione first and asked her to step behind the curtain that she had set up previously. Once behind the curtain, McGonagall placed a silencing charm on the two of them so that no one else would be able to hear their conversation.

"Professor McGonagall, how come you are gauging us in silence and behind a curtain?" Hermione asked as this all seemed quite odd.

"Miss Granger, these are very troubling times and if a student has certain abilities, then I do not wish them to be found out by certain others."

Hermione nodded in understanding. It was hard to know whom to trust anymore and she was thankful that she had so many she could.

"Your technique so far has been flawless or near to, and I have no doubt that you have already read the entire book for this class," McGonagall began. "As you have undoubtedly noticed, I assigned the class to read about Animagus, I will be learning over the next few classes, who has the talent to become one. Then, I will set up individualized times to work with those that do show the possibility. I would like you to try now since you have already read the section," she finished.

It was true; Hermione was the best in the class and had already read the book, but she was a little shocked that she would actually be attempting to turn into an animal. She was also a little nervous after the Polyjuice incident in her second year when she had accidentally used cat fur instead of human hair.

"Take your time, Miss Granger. I understand it is a difficult process, " McGonagall said soothingly.

Hermione gave a small nod and tried to place the theory into practice. She concentrated on focusing her magic into changing her being. She concentrated on her bones moving and changing. She could feel herself changing, becoming.

'This hurts,' was Hermione's last human thought. Hermione opened her new eyes and looked up at her professor.

"Very good, Miss Granger. I am pleasantly surprised that you were able to change completely. Most cannot do so their first time. Would you like to see yourself?" McGonagall asked as she produced a mirror.

"Mreow," Hermione in her new form replied. 'Did that come from me?!'

McGonagall brought the mirror down so that Hermione could see. She was a black cat with a little pink nose. Hermione looked at herself trying to find the distinguished marking. Almost all animagus have an unusual marking. Then, she looked up. Of course, she had been so busy trying to find the marking that she overlooked it. That and it was very subtle. Her eyes. They had changed into blue cat eyes, but they maintained the golden flecks, and cats do not have golden flecks. Pleased with herself, she looked back at McGonagall.

"Miss Granger, please attempt to turn back into your human form."

Hermione found this to be easier than changing into her cat form. Her body remembered how to be human.

"Wow, that was amazing!" Hermione said excitedly after turning back.

McGonagall gave her a pleased smile. "We will begin your training as soon as possible. You will need to learn all the finer points of being an animagus and of being a cat. Are you able to meet at eight in the evenings?"

"Um…I will after I finish serving detention with Professor Snape."

"How long do you have to serve detention?" McGonagall asked her sternly.

"A month." Hermione replied a bit sheepishly while looking down at her feet. 'It really isn't fair. I'm going to have to scrub cauldrons or something instead of learning more about being an animagus.'

"I'll talk to Professor Snape about serving detention with me instead, seeing as how important this is."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

"Now, don't give Professor Snape any reason to reject my proposal. Understood?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Good," replied McGonagall and with that she lifted the silencing charm and called for Ron.

Hermione took this as her cue to return to her desk.

"What did Professor McGonagall have you do?" Harry asked her as soon as she got back.

Hermione leaned over as close as she could get before whispering, "She wants to see who demonstrates any talent at being an animagus."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she said. Harry seemed to be in a better mood. She decided to risk asking him what happened last night. "Harry, did something happen between you and Ginny?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now," Harry replied heatedly before claming up again.

Hermione decided not to push the issue, but at least she knew for sure it was about Ginny. 'Maybe I should try talking to her.'

Ron came back and Harry was called.

"So, how did it go?" Hermione asked Ron.

"I think well. I was able to transform a little bit and she said she would work on it with me."

"Great!" Hermione whispered. She couldn't wait to find out what he might be able to turn into and tell him about her form, but she would have to wait until they were in private.

When Harry came back, neither Ron nor Hermione decided to question him, as he seemed to be a foul mood. The three read in silence until the end of class.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked silently to lunch. Hermione decided that Harry needed to be cheered up and in order to do that she needed to find out what happened with Ginny. As they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione spotted Ginny eating at their table alone. She excused herself from the boys and sat down next to Ginny.

"Hi, Ginny."

"Hi," Ginny said gloomily.

"Do you want to talk about what's wrong?" Hermione tried to ask tactfully. She didn't want to rush Ginny.

"Just…Can we go somewhere else to talk?" Ginny asked. She knew she could trust Hermione. They had become really good friends over the last couple of years.

"Sure. Let's take some food with us," Hermione said. She also wanted to make sure Ginny ate something since she didn't see her at breakfast. They grabbed a few napkins and placed some fried chicken and bread on them. Then, they made their way out of the Great Hall to talk.

Snape narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the two girls leaving the Great Hall at the beginning of lunch. 'I better follow them.'

He excused himself from the staff dining table. He spotted the girls and followed stealthily a good distance behind them. They reached their destination, which was the Astronomy tower, and he heard them talking. He crept closer to the doorway so he could make out what they were saying.

Hermione and Ginny started off chatting about light subjects before coming to rest on Harry.

"I thought you fancied him, Gin," Hermione said softly.

"I do. I really do, but I can't be with him right now!" Ginny cried out.

"Why?" She asked Ginny. She didn't understand the girl's reasoning.

"Harry didn't fancy anyone the first couple years. Then, he fancied Cho. Now, he fancies me and I can't be with him! It's really not fair!" Ginny had started softly and ended up screaming. "All because of this stupid prophecy!"

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed as the realization dawned on her. "You're afraid he won't make it."

"Yes! And I don't want to be the cause! I don't want to distract him! I'm so scared!" Ginny yelled before she broke down crying.

Hermione scooted over next to the trembling girl and put her arms around her in a comforting embrace.

"Shhh, shhh…it will be alright," Hermione said in an attempt to comfort her friend.

"How can it be?" Ginny asked between sobs.

Hermione thought about how to approach the delicate situation. "I think you should be with Harry."

Ginny looked up at Hermione in puzzlement.

"He's miserable without you. He won't be able to concentrate without you. Also, by being with you, it will give him something to live for when it comes time. He lost Sirius, please don't let him lose you too," Hermione pleaded.

Ginny stopped sobbing and pondered everything that Hermione had said as she wiped her tears away.

"You're right. I'm going to talk to Harry. I'll see you later?"

At Hermione's nod, Ginny left to find Harry.

A sudden movement of a black robe caught Hermione's eye. She ran out of the Astronomy tower door and peered down the ladder only to lock eyes with the feared Potions Master.