The Heart of the Subject

"Ok class today we are going to continue on with the subject of Human to Animal transformation. Now who can tell me the difference between a Shapeshifter and an Animagus?"

Professor McGonagall looked around the room thoroughly unsurprised that Hermione Granger was the only one with her hand raised. "Alright Miss Granger."

"An Animagus is a wizard who has the ability to turn himself into an animal. The animal is a pale reflection of the personality of the wizard. A Shapeshifter is a wizard who has an animal form. The animal form is a strong reflection of the personality of the wizard since in many ways the Shapshifter carries some of the traits of the animal when in Human form."

"Very good Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor. Now can anyone tell me are shapeshifters Beings or Beasts according to the Ministry?"

"Yes Mr. Longbottom?"

"They are Beings Professor and have been for over a hundred years."

"Well done Mr. Longbottom. Five points to Gryffindor."

"Now this class is in for a real treat. We have the good fortune to have a student with the shapeshifting gift among us and he has graciously agreed help with our class discussion. Mr. Weasley if you will please come up front."

Ron blushed a bit and went to stand in front of the class. Then he turned to look at Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Weasley would you please tell the class what it's like when you are in animal form?"

'Well my sense are heightened especially my sense of smell and I have to concentrate to remember what some things are like doors and wands are for I also sort of think of all the people I'm around as three types. The first type is my pride, they are mostly Gryffindors and a few friends like Luna and Susan. The second type I think of are predators, these are the people I normally think are up to no good."

"What is the third type Mr. Weasley?"

Ron paled and then blushed "The third type is prey, Professor. Any one I don't think is part of my pride and I don't recognize as a predator is prey."

"Thank you Mr. Weasley, now when in your animal form can you tell the difference between students."

'Yes Professor in fact I can tell when people I know are heading my way in animal form long before I can in human. I can also follow people if I need to by the scent trails. I can also tell if they are male or female. If they are healthy or sick, young or old and.." his voice dropped a bit "if they are in a state of physical agitation."

"I don't understand what he means by physical agitation Professor." Neville spoke up.

Professor McGonagall looked at Ron and he finally said "Well it can mean angry, very sad or...aroused."

"Are you saying you can tell when girls are feeling randy?" Seamus blurted out.

"Mr. Finnigan that's not the way we speak in class." McGonagall chided.

Everyone laughed until Ron replied "Yeah I can." at which point all the Gryffindor girls started to blush furiously even Lavender.

After a moment Lavender spoke up "Hermione said you have some of the traits in Human form as well. Can you tell who is ran..in a state of physical agitation while in Human form?"

Now it was Ron's turn to blush furiously "If I'm in the same room with them I can."

"Wicked" Seamus laughed.

"If we can get back to the class discussion, if you would be kind enough to transform for us just a moment then we can discuss shapeshifters in their animal forms."

Ron got quiet for a moment and looked at the ground then he sort of stretched into his lion form and started to walk back and forth swishing his tail behind him. Then he walked over towards the Gryffindor students and started sniffing them. Soon after that he was rubbing his cheeks along Hermiones hips.

"Can anyone tell me what Mr. Weasley just did?"

Harry's hand shot up in the air.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"He's marking her with his scent. Basically he's saying she mine and I'm willing to fight for her."

Now Hermione was blushing furiously.

"Very good Mr. Potter ten points to Gryffindor."

Dean looked at Harry who just shrugged "I saw it on Muggle TV once."

By this point most of the Gryffindor girls had started to run their hands through his mane and over his back.

"I knew you had to be an animal to live in that house those disgusting Weasley's live in." Draco Malfoy said a bit more loudly than he meant."

Harry looked around for a second and started to make exaggerated sniffing sounds "Does anyone smell urine? Oh wait Malfoy must have seen Ron again." he smirked.

Malfoy turned white as a sheet and stalked over to the corner and flopped down.

Mean while Ron had rolled over on his back and was batting at the air with his paws. Lavender reached down and started scratching his chest and belly.

"Miss Brown you do understand that despite the fact he is in lion form that is still Mr. Weasley whose chest and belly you are scratching." Professor McGonagall said loudly.

Lavender stood up quickly her face flushed "I forg..." then she turned around to see Hermione whose eyes were blazing and had both of her fists balled up.

Lavender felt a sharp pain on her face and then everything went balck.