Disclaimer: Still don't own anything related to Harry Potter.

Form

The next week went by excruciatingly slowly in Hermione's opinion. Minerva had told her that she needed a week to get used to the school year before they could start their lessons. They had agreed on lessons twice a week, so long as no particularly stressful days came their way. Minerva had insisted that Animagus training needed a calm, peaceful approach.

Throughout the week, Hermione had, of course, almost memorized the book McGonagall had given her. She didn't, however, practice anything out of it, not wanting to disappoint the Headmistress. Practically having skipped into the Great Hall, she plopped down besides Ginny at the Gryffindor table.

Ginny looked up, startled, at the buoyant brunette sitting next to her, happily pouring pumpkin juice. "What's got you so chipper this morning?"

"My first lesson with Professor McGonagall is this evening." Hermione was grinning from ear to ear, until a low voice came from behind her.

"It would seem that the possibility of gaining knowledge is the only thing that excites Miss Granger.

Hermione felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she turned around, startled. "You bastard!" She hit Draco on the arm. "I thought you were.. er…" She paused, blushing furiously, "someone else…"

Draco laughed, allowing his gaze to fall on the head of Slytherin, who happened to already be glaring in the younger man's direction. "That someone probably wishes he had been the one who scared the crap out of you." He gave her a massive wink then sauntered to his own table, pleased with the look on Hermione's face.

Hermione turned to Ginny, about to complain, but instead began laughing at the look of utter disbelief on the redhead's face.

Ginny's mouth hung open and she barely got out her question. "What the hell was that?"

Hermione couldn't stop herself from giggling. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. I was quite sure it was just an arse pretending to be another one."

Ginny's expression quickly turned to one of mirth as she cracked a grin. "How does Draco know, though?"

Hermione shrugged. "I honestly have no idea. It's probably one of those Slytherin things. I certainly haven't told him anything about it."

Ron and Harry chose that moment to join them for breakfast. "Told who about what?"

Ginny smirked. "Oh, nothing important," She winked, "Just Hermione's undying, unprofessed love for a certain Slytherin."

Hermione groaned and looked down at her plate, not wanting to see the look on Ron's face. Harry already knew, but she had been putting off telling Ron, for many reasons. After several moments of silence, however, she ventured a glance toward the other side of the table. Harry was grinning into his pumpkin juice, eyes practically twinkling in amusement. Ron was giving Hermione an incredulous look.

"Who?" was the only word Ron could manage in his current state.

"I'd really rather not talk about this now." Her gaze traveled briefly to the Head Table where it met with the Potions Master's, causing her to shiver. She quickly returned her gaze to her friends. "Let's just say I don't believe him to be quite as much of a bastard as we used to think."

Ron opened his mouth to inquire further, but was cut off by his girlfriend.

"Won-Won!"

Hermione giggled as Lavender planted herself in Ron's lap. "Thank goodness for small mercies." She stood, gathering her supplies. "I'll see you in class, Harry."

The rest of the traveled by relatively quickly and soon Hermione was giddily giving the password to the gargoyle. He leapt aside, allowing her entrance to the moving staircase. She knocked on the door to the Headmistress' Office, happily entering when a voice bade her to do so.

Minerva smiled at the excitement she felt radiating from the younger witch. "I take you are ready to begin?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "I've read the book over so many times this week."

Minerva chuckled. "Of course you did." She motioned to the seat across from her. "Sit. I've still got a few things to finish up before we start."

Hermione obliged, pulling out the book as she sat. She quickly became engrossed in tome, hardly registering Minerva clearing her throat. She reluctantly tore her eyes from the page she was on and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry," she mumbled, "it's just interesting."

"That's nothing to apologize for. If you weren't interested, I would be wasting my time trying to teach you."

Hermione smiled. "Then I thank you." Minerva returned the smile. "So, we're ready to start then?"

Minerva nodded. "I believe so." She stood and motioned for Hermione to follow her through a door Hermione was sure had not been there a few minutes prior. The door opened into a room that was mostly empty, save for a cabinet on the far side. The middle of the room was a raised platform, perfect for a Wizard's Duel. "This cabinet," she strode over to it, "is full of potions. They are grouped together by their effects and were all brewed by our very own Potions Master. The main one we will be using is this one." She held out a vial of amber liquid that continuously switched back and forth between purple and pink, then back to amber.

"I've read about that. "Her eyes were shining with anticipation. "That's supposed to help with botched transfigurations, isn't it?"

"You know your potions." She fought to keep the smirk off her face. "Professor Snape would be pleased." As expected, a blush crept across Hermione's cheeks. Minerva couldn't help the smirk now. "I do believe Albus is still rubbing off on me."

Hermione mock glared at the older woman. "Such an unfair statement."

"That what? Albus is rubbing off on me? I believe that's just common knowledge." She smiled sweetly.

Hermione narrowed her eyes further and stuck out her tongue. "Now, shall we begin?"

"Sounds good." Minerva stood, brandishing her wand. "To make it easier on you, I will transform you into your Animagus form so you will know what you'll be working towards. Does that work for you?"

Hermione nodded. "I would greatly appreciate it. Do I need to do anything?"

Minerva shook her head. "Just stand there and try to clear your mind." She closed her eyes and waved her wand. Opening her eyes, she automatically looked down to where Hermione was no longer standing, at least not on two feet. Instead, a little lion cub was gazing up at her in a confused manner. A chuckle escaped Minerva's lips as she leant down to scratch behind the ears of the golden-brown cub. She stood back up and another wave of her wand turned Hermione back into her human form.

Hermione was sitting on the ground, head cocked at Minerva. "What was that?"

"That was your Animagus form." Minerva smiled. "You are an absolutely adorable lion cub. Though I imagine once you're a full lioness, you'll be quite formidable."

Hermione stood, dusting off her robes. "So now I know what form I should be envisioning when trying to transform?" Minerva nodded. "I can't wait!"

"Don't rush it too much, dear. That's when serious botching happens. Besides, it will be awhile before you are able to change completely on your own. It takes some wizards months, or even years, to fully accomplish their animal form. Also, don't be alarmed if you can't really understand people the first few times you transform. I will take some more time to overcome the animal mindset."

Hermione smiled. "Try to dissuade me all you want, but I'm still excited." She got out her own wand. "How do I start?"

Minerva raised her eyebrow. "I thought you had the book memorized."

Hermione heard the sarcasm and rolled her eyes. "Reading isn't the same as doing. I get the concept, but I'll do much better with a demonstration."

"Well, the way I do it is wandless, same for most Animagi." Hermione tucked her wand back into her robes. "Now, close your eyes and connect to your magic. You should feel the tendrils as they flow through your body. Concentrate on how your body will morph into your animal form."

As Minerva was talking, Hermione was doing. She was feeling for the magic that flowed throughout her consciousness. Then she felt changes start to take place. She could feel the hairs sprouting from her skin. Her eyes began to take on a yellow-ish tint and her eyesight sharply increased. The transformation stopped there, however, and she was reminded painfully of Second Year.

"You see what we wanted the potion for now?"

Hermione nodded, heading for the cabinet, not able to help purring slightly. "How many sips?"

"Just one should do for now. You aren't that far along." Minerva took a seat on the nearest edge of the platform. "I need to get Severus to whip up another batch. We'll most likely be needing it."

Hermione turned her fur-free attention back to Minerva. "You really are as bad as Professor Dumbledore, aren't you?"

"Not quite, but having been married to the man for so many years had some consequences." She smiled in remembrance. "At least I don't try to force lemon drops on people. The blasted things…"

Hermione laughed. "No, you kill them with ginger snaps."

Minerva laughed as well. "Touché. Shall we try again?"

Hermione smiled in agreement and for the next hour became quite accustomed to the taste of what she so affectionately called "Blech."

A/N: As I'm not sure how animals communicate, when the characters are in Animagus form I will be using regular quotation marks so as to avoid confusion. Thanks! :)