Still don't own anything. I know 5th year has been on the uneventful side, but we get to the action in a couple more chapters and then we have 6th year which I've had a lot of fun writing. Anywho, enjoy!

Faith

Early April, 1994
Fifth Year

Two years of attempts and so far, nothing, no sign or glimmer of an animal form for either Jo or Leilani. This year was feeling particularly crowded, between the escape of murderer Sirius Black from Azkaban and their 5th year O.W.L exams and crammed in between, their attempts to become Animagi.

The girls knew going in that this was not an instant gratification goal, but, at times their patience wore thin and they didn't much feel like the patient Hufflepuffs, unafraid of toil, of the sorting hat's song.

"Professor McGonagall?" Leili asked one day after class, "I was reading about Animagi over the summer and in my studying for the O.W.L's, I wondered what exactly one would have to do to become an animagus?"

"Purely hypothetical, correct?" Leili nodded. "Well, it's a very long process and one needs a certain level of skill at Transfiguration as becoming an Animagus is a kind of self-Transfiguration. This is way beyond the Ordinary Wizarding Level, of course."

"Right, of course. I was studying and going through my text when I saw a page on Animagi and I was just wondering. Can I ask, what it would take for someone with my skill level at Transfiguration to become an Animagus? Again, pure curiosity."

"A person would have to work very hard and improve his or her skill level at transfiguration to successfully complete living Transfigurations. If this were something you were interested in, I could offer you extra lessons. After you take and pass your Transfiguration O.W.L with at least an Exceeds Expectations, and if you were to continue taking and doing well in NEWT Level Transfiguration, of course," Professor McGonagall said. She was torn between making her disapproval at Leilani trying to become an Animagus on her own known, especially with the O.W.L's so close, and pleasure at the girl's interest in such a difficult skill.

Leilani grinned, "Yes, Professor, Thank you, Professor!" She turned and walked very quickly out of the classroom before running down the hall to catch up to Jo. "I need you to teach me everything you know about Transfiguration!" she panted.

"What did you do?" Jo asked warily, Leili's answering grin made Jo think that she must've done something very clever indeed.

"I asked Professor McGonagall what a person would have to do to get her to teach them to become an Animagus. Well, basically anyway, it took a bit more finesse than that but essentially I asked for private Animagus tutoring."

"Oh my god, what did she say?"

"Pass the O.W.L's with an Exceeds Expectations or better and continue into the NEWT level class and do well in it and then extra lessons with her specifically for this. So, I need to know what you know about transfiguration. I'll teach you anything you want in return," Leili bargained.

"Potions, and I'm not sure how to teach you 5 years of Transfiguration in two months…"

"I have faith in you," Leili told her.