Chapter 27 – Nonet

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It was the middle of November. The seasons were mid-transition between fall and winter, which left the days a touch chillier and the wind a bit harsher.

Working in her classroom and grading papers, was one of the most diligent and reliable professors to ever teach at Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She carried the reputation of being hard, but fair; intelligent and kind. Strong in her beliefs, with a sharp temper to match her tongue. All her students, as well as her peers—including the Headmaster—showed her the respect she so rightly deserved.

Her name was Minerva McGonagall, and she was Hogwarts' Transfiguration Professor.

With a furrowed brow she looked over a student's essay for what had to be the third time now. The teacher removed her spectacles and massaged her tired eyes.

I don't know if it's my sight or Neville's paper that's making this such a trial to read….

….

….Or maybe it's my age….

The witch took a deep breath before delving back into her work again. As she readjusted her glasses and ventured a start into the fourth battle with the parchment, a distant sound of whooping could be heard outside. Through her window she saw small red and yellow specks whipping through the air.

McGonagall watched the Gryffindor Quidditch team practice their maneuvers and felt a soft pang in her heart. It reminded her of when she was younger and part of the Quidditch team. She recalled the wind on her face, the thrill of the match, and the feeling of absolute exhilaration like it were just yesterday. After a moment of thought, she couldn't remember the last time she rode on a broom.

The longer she watched the soaring students, the more she reminisced back on how blissful those days truly were. She remembered the times of practicing her Animagus transformations. How she played in the school's fields and napped under the comfortable sun as a feline. It had its own unique joy to transform your being and act on whatever instinct you wished. Many of the teachers and students mistook her for a stray, which was additionally enjoyable for her.

Looking on those times now passed, McGonagall cracked a bitter smile to herself. Trying not to think on it any further, she reached for her wand to close the blinds. The professor gave it a few waves, but the drapes only responded with a slight shake.

She frowned down at her wand and tried again. This time she managed to move the blinds, but in very slow fashion.

McGonagall stared down at her wand again.

It's old….I must procure a replacement….

A deep, soulful sigh escaped her.

"Looks a bit frayed,"came a young voice.

When McGonagall turned to the source, she saw an elegant red fox sitting on the window sill. The drapes she closed a second ago were now blowing in the open wind.

"Greetings, Professor."

From the playful tone it spoke in, McGonagall could imagine a young woman smiling pleasantly; despite the fox not having a human face.

"Hm. And greetings to you, as well. I do not recall any students practicing Animagus transformations, so I am rather curious as to who you might be?"

"How do you know I'm an Animagus and not some magical fox?"

"Because I have the oddest feeling we've met before, and I'm sure I've no acquaintance to any magically talking foxes."

The Animagus named Grimm gave a light chuckle.

"Well, how about that."

McGonagall couldn't help but admire the fox's vibrant coat. With its crimson fur accentuated by the shining sun, it brought heat to one's eyes. The professor couldn't help thinking she wanted to pet her, but fought down the impulse.

"You know, ever since I learned to take this form, I've always wanted to go out and play with you someday. Just run out and venture into the Forbidden Forest, or something of the like. Perhaps that day is today?"

"I'm a bit too old to 'play' or go on adventures."

"You're old?" Grimm teased.

"Hmph."

"If you come with me, I'll impart to you a very rare gift."

The professor chuckled sweetly.

"You sound like those mischievous faeries of old fables, who whisk away naive children. Or perhaps a tempting apparition trying to prank me with the lure of false riches."

"Perhaps. But you're too old and wise, so I'm sure I wouldn't be able to trick you."

The girl's emphasis on old provoked another "hmph" from McGonagall. As suspicious as the fox was, she couldn't help but feel a sort of giddiness at the thought of playing along with the young sprite's request. Whether it was the ridiculously open friendliness, the playful tone in her words, or the set up scenery out of fairy tales, the fox Animagus seemed to be pushing all the right buttons. And of course, the simple promise of "a rare gift" pulled at the heartstrings of any adventure lover.

"Sly," McGonagall commented.

The one word brought a detectable smile from Grimm.

"I will be keeping an eye on you for any sign of trickery."

The fox made a deep bow.

"But of course…Now let's go! Hurry! Hahaha~ !" Grimm leapt up and down on her four paws, and jumped out the window.

"Wait!" the professor called out.

But the fox was already making its descent down the side of the tower.

I must be daft… McGonagall thought.

Then with a devilish grin, she morphed into her cat form, and chased after her mysterious companion. The soft grass tickled her feet as she ran and caught up with the fox. They both sprinted across the fields, and into the Forbidden Forest.

Together they weaved through the trees, took turns leading, and chased each other for playful sport. The fast moving pair came across all manner of creatures and stunning sceneries on their "quest".

McGonagall had forgotten how immense the Forbidden Forest was. She remembered Dumbledore showing her a map once, and most of the landscape remained uncharted to this day. By estimation, the forest was something about ten times the size of the school, or larger.

In a wide grass clearing, McGonagall and Grimm ran into a herd of wild unicorns. The two dashed about beside the white stallions and dared to ride on some of them. They would hop to another, and then another like a wild game of hopscotch. When they had their fill of that, the pair detected a familiar presence nearby.

Not ten seconds into the trees did they find a rather large man and his dog. Fang barked at the fox and cat, almost breaking away from his owner. The incessant woofing was quickly silenced by a piercing hiss from McGonagall.

"HAHA! Cat shut you righ' up, didn' she, Fang?" Hagrid laughed. "Whoa!"

The fox began running dizzying circles around him, and then climbed up his shoulder. She butted her head against his fondly.

"Hrah hrah hrah! Well! Aren't you ah beauty!" he exclaimed, while petting her. "Don' think I've ever seen you around befor'. Hm…." Hagrid stared at the cat. "But I think 've seen you…" He scratched his beard in thought.

"Not a word to anyone, Hagrid."

"Buah! Professor McGonagall?!"

"Not. A. Word….To anyone."

Hagrid's back immediately straightened and he gave a stiff nod.

"Yer secret's safe wif me. But if I may say, 'is ain't nothin' to be embarrass'd about."

"Hehehe~!" Grimm giggled and hopped off Hagrid's shoulder.

After bidding goodbye to him, the fox and cat continued their journey.

They passed along more amazing sights ever seen only by a handful of individuals. The two taunted giant spiders and outran them when the arachnids gave chase. Against the professor's better judgment, they did the same to some centaurs, who took high offense to having their tails pulled. Though any misgivings by McGonagall and Grimm were shed away by the simple, but fulfilling delight in their freedom and superior agility.

Finally, they reached the end of their quest; a frontier edge off a steep cliff. The two looked down and could barely see the bottom through the shadows.

"Hm. So what is our nex—?!"

Midway through McGonagall's sentence, her fox friend shoved her over the edge with her back leg.

Oh….She would have given me detention for a whole year if I did that while I was still a student.

The cat fell far and fast, uncertain of what would happen next. Her legs spread out like a paratrooper trying to gather as much air resistance they could. Eventually, the ground rose to greet her and her feline instincts assumed control of her body.

*FWISH*

The cat landed into a thick pile of leaves, safe and sound. Her heart beat like mad. She felt tingly from her toes to her pointed ears. A moment later, her betrayer joined her in the pile of leaves.

*FWISH*

Grimm laughed playfully like she'd done so many times before, and McGonogall swatted some leaves in her face.

"I knew you would be fine~ Even if the leaves weren't here, cats always land on their feet, don't they?"

"A very poor excuse if there ever was one."

"Still. It was fun. Wasn't it, professor?"

McGonogall swatted some more leaves at the fox.

"Hahaha~ !"

"I would prefer you not test more of my feline qualities, if that is your intention. Specifically, the one concerning nine lives."

"Ah ha~ Caught on to that, did you?"

"I was correct?"

"Calm thoughts, professor. I was only kidding—for the most part."

"You'll forgive me, if I don't feel particularly trusting at the moment."

"That's okay. Well then, a question for you." Grimm started to circle McGonogall with a pensive stride. "Do you know the myths concerning a cat's Nine Lives?"

"Hm. I've read several," she answered.

"Then stop me if you've heard this one before.

Once upon a time, there was an immortal. A witch who lived through the ages and watched all those around her die and fade. After this happened several times, she grew saddened and retreated to a life of isolation, never wanting to befriend someone again only to watch them die. Wishing for a true partner to keep her company forever, a cat appeared before her.

'I will not leave you,' she said. 'I will be with you until the end of your days and the days after.'

The witch agreed to her company and they became friends.

Unfortunately, after some long years, the cat died. Alone again, the witch made the same wish and found a new cat before her, making the same promise as the previous one. The immortal opened her heart again only to have her new friend die as well.

This cycle repeated itself, and every death took away a piece of the woman's heart. On the ninth time, the witch refused the cat's offer. It was then, the feline revealed she was the same one who returned to her over and over again in a new reincarnation.

The witch wept and when her friend died for the ninth time, she took the final piece of the witch's heart with her. Both of them able to rest their mortal bodies and begin the next journey beyond death."

Grimm halted her step at finishing the story. Seemingly out of thin air, the fox now held a beautifully carved wand in her mouth. She strode before McGonagall and laid it at her feet.

"During the immortal witch's life, she forged a wand made from the nine cat claws from her friend's nine lives." Grimm paused and cracked a foxy grin. "At least, that's how the story goes. Don't know if it's true, but either way, I present to you your gift."

McGonagall reverted into her human form and picked up the wand.

The moment she touched it, she felt the artifact warm to her touch. Almost like a cat purring softly to her fingers. The wand had chosen her new master.

"Precarious one, isn't she? Most wand allegiances are won through battle, inheritance, or have to be brand new. This one on the other hand chooses outside of those rules. What say you? I remember you needing a new wand regardless."

McGonagall chuckled softly.

"Does she have a name?"

The fox invoked a single word, almost soft like a whisper.

…

"Nonet."