Chapter Three: Animagus

The parents froze, fear and protectiveness flashing in their eyes. They turned to Lupin, looking for confirmation. Patrick stood, ready to defend his son. Lupin was now utterly confused. He looked at Mal, then the parents, then back to Mal.

An astonished "What?" was all he could manage.

"You can smell me," answered the boy calmly. He sat comfortable on the sofa, but Lupin could see a tenseness in his frame, as if he was ready to spring at any moment. The wolf recognized at once another predator, standing ground on its territory, ready to defend it if necessary.

Mal tried not to let his instincts take over, but he could sense the wolf in the professor getting stronger, fighting for control. He began to feel territorial and defensive. He struggled to regain control and watched the man across from him do the same.

Finally, taking a deep breath, Lupin calmed. He held up his hands innocently, trying to appear harmless. "I'm sorry. Sometimes the wolf reacts strongly to other predators." He looked intently at Mal. "It's only happened with other werewolves in the past, which you are not. Care to explain?"

Mal, who had calmed as well, looked to his parents. They nodded, although Patrick remained standing, placing himself firmly between the professor and his son. Mal accepted his father's protectiveness, though he doubted it was really necessary. He smiled and stood as well.

"Let's go outside." He led the way and first Angela, then Patrick, and finally Remus, followed him through the kitchen and out the back door. Patrick stopped Remus with a hand on his shoulder while Mal walked a bit further and stop ten feet in front of them.

"What's going on?"

"Just watch," said Patrick softly. "Go on, Son."

Mal grinned. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then jumped. It looked like he was about to dive right into the ground but as he fell his body rippled and suddenly he was a grey wolf. Lupin's breath caught. This eleven-year-old was an animagus. He was about to say as much when the wolf took a few bounds and then rippled again, becoming a buckskin stallion. Remus could hardly breathe. Next the stallion, who hadn't broken stride, reared up and launched itself into the air, shifting yet again, this time into a sleek falcon. The falcon soared through the air, diving and gliding in wide loops. Remus couldn't help but smile as he got the distinct impression that Malachi was showing off a bit.

"Enough showboating, Mal. Come on down."

Remus watched in awe as the falcon dove from fifty feet in the air and, just before colliding with the ground, leveled out, then pulled up to it was nearly vertical again and then shifted back to a wry, grinning eleven-year-old. As he jogged back over to them in long, easy strides Remus noticed for the first time how fit and tan the boy was. Probably spends every moment he can outside, Remus thought.

As Mal slowed, Remus realized all three Crowley's were now looking at him expectantly. Remus cleared his throat, tried to speak, cleared his throat again, then finally said, "Well that was…unexpected."

"Your son is a natural animagus," Remus said. They were all seated back in the living room, once again sipping ice tea. Mal didn't seem tired in the slightest after his little demonstration. He was sitting across from Remus, leaning forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped, hanging onto Remus's every word. His parents weren't much better.

"Most animagi are not," he went on. "A witch or wizard can become an animagus, but the process takes several years of study and discipline. They have only one form, and that form is registered with the Ministry of Magic. A natural animagus has not been recorded in over 300 years." He paused here, thinking. "It might be best if you kept this quiet, Malachi. The wizarding world it often wary of anything new or unknown." At this Malachi groaned.

"I've been keeping this quiet my whole life," he said, frustrated. "I thought I could finally be myself.

"It'll be okay, Sweetie," Angela said, trying to call her son.

"Sorry, but what do you mean your whole life," Remus asked, looking from one to the other. "Are you saying you've been able to transform like that for years?"

"Mal first transformed when he was three," Patrick said. "It took him awhile to gain control, but once he did he started testing his limits. At first he needed to see the animal he wanted to transform into and it took him a good five minutes of intense focus to do it. Now, as you just saw, he does it as easy as breathing." He smiled fondly at his son. Mal smiled back, though Remus could still see the frustration on his face. Making a decision, he spoke.

"Would you mind if I sent a message to Headmistress McGonagall?" he asked. "She is an animagus herself and would likely be more helpful." They all nodded and he pulled out his wand and cast his patronus, a wolf. As it ran off Mal watched curiously, his previous frustration forgotten for a moment.

"What was that?"

"A patronus. It's a charm that is mostly used for defense against dementers, but can also be used to send messages," Remus explained. "It's quicker than an owl and you don't have a floo." This led to a whole new line of questioning and they were still coming when Minerva apparated to the front doorstep with a loud pop.

"Someone's here," Mal said just before a sharp knock at the door. He went to open it before anyone else could move and returned with the stern looking ex-transfiguration professor.

"Hello, I'm Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts," she said to the staring parents. "What's the matter, Professor Lupin."

After glancing briefly at the Crowley's for permission to explain, which they gave with a nod, he replied, "Mal here is a natural mult-animagus, Minerva. I thought it best to contact you as you have more knowledge in this area."

She looked shocked for a moment, then composed herself and sat. "Well then we have much to talk about."

Approximately five hours and many glasses of ice tea later, the witch and wizard left the small cottage. They had discussed at great length and decided that, while they would not tell anyone of Mal's gift, he would be allowed to roam the grounds, as long as he was careful not to be seen, and he would be allowed to tell his friends his he deemed them trustworthy and loyal enough. McGonagall did insist that he tell them when and who he informed. He agreed, happy to finally have people besides his parents know the real him. Remus warned him not to explore the grounds on the full moon, or anywhere for that matter, as he was not the only werewolf out there. He also asked that he use caution if he tried to transform into any magical creatures. Mal assured him that he had long ago learned his lesson about not doing the proper research first, and that he would be careful.

They had also discussed Hogwarts a bit more, since that was the original purpose of the visit. Mal learned all about classes and ghosts, rules and quidditch. He couldn't wait. They were also given several pamphlets designed to introduce muggles and muggleborns to the magical world, one of which a list of suggested books that Mal hoped to purchase in Diagon Alley.

Before the professors left Remus made plans to meet them in London the following Tuesday to go to Diagon Alley. The Crowley's were all looking forward to it, Mal especially as Lupin said there would be other muggle-born students with them.

The Crowley's waved goodbye, then sat silently in the living room together, each lost in their own thoughts.

AN: This is my first attempt at fanfiction so reviews are greatly appreciated.