A/N: My dearest readers, I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far. Anyone who is reading this story for the first time will not know the difference in these last few chapters of It Happens in Threes. But readers who have already finished the story once (or possibly more times) will notice that this story is about to take a twist that hadn't occurred in the original version. So, whether you've been through It Happens in Threes before or not, you're about to read a previously entirely unwritten chapter! I hope you enjoy it. Please review. It makes staying up late to post worth the trouble!
- CHAPTER NINETEEN -
The Unregistered Animagus
The following weekend my relationship with Fred had returned to normal. Of course, by normal I mean Fred once again returned to behaving the way he had acted before he had snogged me on the Quidditch pitch. He was flirty and touchy and behaved as though nothing had occurred between the two of us. It was as if we had gone in a circle. The whole thing was exasperating, but after our last blow-out, I didn't want to deal with another fight. I couldn't really figure it out, but my best idea was that perhaps to Fred that is what our relationship entailed. Maybe the small signs of affection were just a mark of the bond between us as close friends. Whatever the case, I decided to put it to the side, as more pressing matters were on my mind.
My last day of exams passed fairly easily, much to my pleasure. Aside from a near disastrous incident in Potions, I thought I had done fairly well with my O.W.L.s. Although the heads of houses had met with all of the fifth year students about what they would like to pursue in their future careers, I hadn't managed to come to any sort of conclusion. I had opted to do as well as I could in my tests and hope the result would allow me to enter the functional wizarding world without difficulty. What I wished to do with my life was thus far entirely unknown. But honestly, what fifteen-year-old could possibly know where their future was to be?
The term was soon coming to an end, and Professor McGonagall insisted we increase our usual Animagus meetings to once a week. She wanted to ensure that I would be able to continue the regiment over the summer on my own. Upon returning for my sixth year, McGonagall would re-instate the practice of transfiguring me into a cat. The break would give me some time to relax, but she did not want to take the chance that it may cause a setback in the progress I had made.
My meetings with Professor McGonagall had been going well. In fact, she seemed very pleased with me as of late. I suppose she had taken a great liking to me with all of the hard work I had been putting into the process. It was likely the first time she had ever seen me acting with any sort of passion towards a subject that did not include goofing off with the Weasley twins. Every time she spoke to me she seemed almost proud. It was a nice exchange for the usual stern looks I received from her during classes.
"Self-transfiguration is one of the most difficult types of magic in existence," she explained to me on our last meeting before the end of term. "It takes very talented witches and wizards to complete the process, and even then guidance is almost always given."
"Almost always?" I asked curiously. "Does that mean I could learn to do this on my own if I wanted?"
"Well, certainly you could," Professor McGonagall said, "but it is an extremely risky procedure. It is particularly difficult when you begin your first changes, and to do it unsupervised is not advisable."
"Do you know anyone who ever has completed the transformation without being trained first?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair. I don't think there had ever been a time when I had held on to a teacher's words so intently.
"There have been rumours that students once at Hogwarts were able to train themselves without supervision," she said with a doubtful expression. "But that is highly unlikely. A fully trained wizard has a difficult enough time with this kind of magic, never mind children."
"Students? Here?" I asked, very interested. "How would they go about such a thing?"
"Like I've said, Miss Christie, it is a highly improbable story. A student wishing to become an Animagus on their own would have to have access to the knowledge contained in the book I've leant you, as well as a superior knowledge of potion-making. They would also need a partner who was skilled in human transfiguration. It is simply unrealistic to believe any underage witch or wizard could accomplish such a thing single-handedly."
"Supposing they could," I pressed, testing Professor McGonagall's patience, "would that mean they wouldn't need to register with the Ministry of Magic?"
"It is against the law to be an unregistered Animagus," she said with a stern face. "It certainly is possible, yes, but if the culprit were to be caught they would indeed have to face the consequences of standard wizarding law."
I nodded absent-mindedly. I had a strange inkling in my mind that this was somehow relevant. Although it certainly didn't matter to my progress whether a student had been able to become an Animagus on their own, I couldn't help but feel it was important. It was as though an unanswered question in my head was trying to point me towards vital information. I couldn't make a single connection as to why it would be significant, though.
Just like my meetings with Professor McGonagall, the days that had followed my row with Fred had passed without incident. The reason for this was mostly due to the fact that I wasn't much in the mood to hang about with the twins. I was a bit ashamed to admit it, but I was avoiding Fred. He seemed downright barmy lately, and things between us had gotten undeniably strange. At times he acted quite normally around me, and then there were moments when the look in his eyes made me frightened. I kept expecting him to snog me when we were left alone, and I wasn't too fond of the idea, despite the fact that I most certainly did have feelings for him. It seemed every time he came close to acting as though he fancied me, he would jump back two steps and pretend it had never happened. It was confusing, and I wasn't willing to put myself in the same sort of situation again.
Upon my decision to stay away from him, I opted to remain upstairs in my dormitory and read up on the Animagus book Professor McGonagall had lent me. I wasn't much for research when it came to schoolwork, but I found the subject fascinating. Not only was I excited to actually become an Animagus, but ever since the conversation I had had with McGonagall, I was increasingly interested in finding out more. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, exactly, but I felt sure that the answer lay within the pages of text.
I had pulled the curtain around my four-poster bed and settled myself in for some reading. None of the girls were around, so I had the whole room to myself, but I didn't want to risk anyone walking in and seeing my subject of interest. I still wasn't at all keen on having anyone know what I was up to.
An Animagus holds powers beyond those of a regular witch or wizard. Although disguise is of utmost desire for witches and wizards wishing to become an Animagus, there are other advantages.
I scrunched up my face and stared down at a few drawings on the page. The first was of a towering blood-thirsty wolf, standing on its hind legs about to attack a frightened-looking cloaked witch. Right next to it, the same witch was drawn in a second sketch, transforming into a rabbit. The werewolf seemed perplexed, but no longer agitated.
Animagi are immune to the wrath of werewolves, amongst other human-animal crossbreeds. As the primary desire of a werewolf is to attack other human beings, an Animagus in his or her animal state is perfectly safe.
That was interesting. I wondered if I'd ever come face-to-face with a werewolf and get to try it out for myself. I flipped the page over, and my eye was caught by another sketch in the middle of the sheet. This creature I recognized instantly. I almost dropped the book in excitement, and read the passage hurriedly.
Animagi are also strangely immune to Dementors. This is thought to be caused by the fact that although Dementors feed on the energy and emotion of human beings, they are unable to sense animal emotion. Self-transformation is one of the very few defences against a Dementor attack. The only other proven defence is the Patronus Charm.
I gasped and nearly dropped the book.
Suddenly dots began connecting in my head and my heart was racing furiously.
That was it! That was the answer!
Sirius Black escaped from the Dementors at Azkaban because he hadn't been in his human form. He was an Animagus!
It came to me so quickly that I was sure I couldn't be wrong. It didn't even occur to me that I might be jumping to conclusions. With excitement coursing through my veins I scrambled out of bed, taking the book with me. I hadn't even begun to think about where I was going before I was racing down the stairs and through the common room.
I wasn't aware of where I was going as I hurried through the castle corridors. I knew I had to tell someone my theory. Although Sirius Black had not made an appearance at Hogwarts since the episode with Ron, I knew it was far too dangerous to keep the information to myself. It was very possible that Black was using human transfiguration to gain access to the castle. It would explain his ability to escape from Azkaban unnoticed, and made his double entry into Hogwarts much more feasible. However, this went beyond just the protection of the school. If the Ministry of Magic knew that Sirius Black was an unregistered Animagus it would help them track him down. It was a matter of public safety and I knew I had to report it.
I was rushing through the corridors, still trying to make up my mind about who I was going to see when I heard the unmistakeable voice of caretaker Filch speaking to Mrs. Norris. I stopped abruptly, hoping he hadn't heard my footsteps, and held my breath. It sounded like he was on the hunt for misbehaving students. I knew he would never give me the benefit of the doubt. I had been caught breaking rules with Fred and George so many times that it would be thick of me to think he wouldn't jump to the same conclusion this time. Trying very hard to be silent, I slipped into an adjacent corridor to avoid running into Filch and his disgusting cat.
I continued through the darkening hall, running through my list of options in my head. Was my theory really important enough to take straight to Professor Dumbledore, especially at an hour when I should be in my common room and certainly not roaming the corridors alone? I had to admit my idea was a little bit harebrained. I had no real evidence that Black was in fact an Animagus. On the other hand, I couldn't think of another way he'd be able to dodge Dementors on three separate occasions without being seen. If he were using a Patronus it would certainly draw a lot of attention.
I could go to Professor McGonagall, but I somehow couldn't see her taking me seriously. Even through all of the extra time we had spent in private lessons, I doubted she would be impressed with me. She had been the last person to warn me not to be wandering out after hours. I didn't want to disappoint her again, especially if I turned out to be incorrect about Black.
No, I wouldn't go to McGonagall.
Perhaps Professor Lupin?
He had an excellent knowledge of Dark Magic, as proven in his exciting Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, and he could probably confirm or deny my theory just as well as Professor McGonagall could. I wasn't sure how much he knew about human transfiguration, but I felt as though he were my best bet given the situation.
My mind made up, I hurried quickly and quietly through the cold corridors towards Professor Lupin's office. I had never been inside, but I knew exactly where it was thanks to the Marauder's Map. I had even seen him watched him pace between his ink-drawn office walls before Fred and George had given the map to Harry.
I reached Lupin's office feeling out of breath. I had nearly sprinted down the halls, not wanting to get caught wandering. I knocked on the door quietly at first, but when I received no answer I pounded on it again more loudly.
There were no sounds coming from inside the room, but I very suddenly heard a clatter from down the hall. From the sound of the cackling laughter it was unmistakeably Peeves the Poltergeist out causing trouble. I gave a start when I heard a second voice. Professor Snape was nearby, and from the sound of the commotion he was coming in my direction.
Without hesitation I pushed open Professor Lupin's door (thinking idly it was stupid of him to leave it unlocked) and closed it quickly behind me. I ducked into a dark corner and listened intently for the noise to pass. I heard Peeves cackle off into the distance, followed by Snape's sweeping footsteps hurrying by. They faded quickly and I knew I was safe.
Coming out of the shadowy corner I looked around. The light was dim inside the room and Professor Lupin's things were surprisingly orderly. Perhaps his shabby appearance had led me to believe he would be untidy in other areas of his life, but that was not the case. He had very few personal belongings, but seemed to own (or had borrowed) many books about defensive magic. There was a large empty tank sitting in the far corner of the room, and a large trunk on the ground in front of his desk. The top of his desk was littered in a few scattered papers.
My heart leaped as I recognized one of the scrap pieces of parchment instantly.
It was the Marauder's Map.
I rushed over to the desk and picked up the parchment, whipping out my wand from my pocket.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I said, pointing my wand at the map.
The familiar ink lines of the castle filled themselves in, reaching the far ends of the page. I found the small ink representation of myself immediately and watched to see if there was anyone coming. The corridor looked deserted. I turned my attention, then, to seeking Professor Lupin. I hadn't expected him to be anywhere but his own office, but I doubted he had gone far.
My eyes flitted across the map, searching quietly in the silent room. Most students were in their common rooms, but here and there were a few names of couples who were clearly snogging in out-of-the-way corners. I snickered as I noticed Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater hidden behind a tapestry on the third floor. Obviously they were taking a break from their patrolling duties.
My eyes moved suddenly to a group of people who were outside on Hogwarts grounds. The names Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and—my heart skipped a beat—Peter Pettigrew. I pulled the map closer to my face, sure I was seeing things. But no, I couldn't be. It wasn't the first time I had seen Pettigrew's name on the map.
I watched the group of four as they suddenly scattered. Peter was running away and Ron was chasing him… That didn't make any sense! As I continued to watch, however, something infinitely more frightening happened. Another dot had come streaking towards them. It was labelled Sirius Black.
I let out a horrified yelp just as the door to the office swung open. I looked up in shock to see Professor Lupin looking at me with a startled expression.
"Miss Christie, what—"
"Professor!" I yelled, hurrying towards him with the map clutched in one hand and my Animagus book in the other. "It's Black! Sirius Black is at Hogwarts, look."
I shoved the map under his nose, pointing frantically at the spot where Sirius Black had just collided with Ron Weasley and Peter Pettigrew. Professor Lupin's eyes widened in alarm and I watched as he seemed to piece something together. I could see understanding coming to him, and he was very suddenly pulling his wand out from his robes.
"Juliet," he said sternly, turning to leave the room, "go back to Gryffindor tower."
"What?" I said, feeling bewildered. I dropped the map and my book on his desk and followed him out of his office. "You're barmy."
"Do as I say," he told me, quickening his pace. I was sure he was heading out to find Harry, Hermione and Ron and I certainly was not going to disappear in the middle of the action.
"I'm coming with you," I said, rushing to keep up with his long strides. If those three were in trouble I could not leave in good conscience. Even with Professor Lupin going to help them, I was certain he wouldn't be able to take Black on his own. The man was a maniac. I wasn't claiming to be utterly fantastic at defensive spells, but the idea of leaving my young friends alone when I could potentially assist was barbaric.
"I really must insist," Professor Lupin said, although he made no move at all to stop me.
"And I must insist harder," I muttered as he took off at a sprint. I was following just slightly behind him.
He managed a quick glance over his shoulder as he ran. "Alright then, but keep close."
I was astonished that he was giving me permission to come along. Despite the fact that I wasn't going anywhere while the others were in danger, I would never have imagined that a teacher would lead a student into such a highly dangerous situation. It was as we were exiting the castle and heading towards the Whomping Willow—a spot the others had been near—that I remembered the second peculiar name that had showed up on the map.
"Professor!" I yelled, still sprinting behind him. "If Black is here to kill Harry, then why is Peter Pettigrew here? I thought he was dead. I thought—"
"Sirius Black is most certainly not here to kill Harry Potter," Lupin said. We had come to a stop where the Whomping Willow was in sight. Harry, Ron and Hermione were nowhere to be seen.
"What do you mean?" I asked, squinting through the darkness up at him. "What's he here for, then?"
"Peter," he answered. "This way."
"What? Peter… but why?" I stuttered, feeling utterly bewildered. "Wait—Black's an Animagus," I said, realizing at once that I had entirely forgotten the reason I had left the common room in the first place.
Professor Lupin's eyes snapped to mine. We were only feet away from the Whomping Willow's wild limbs.
"How do you know that?"
"You knew?" I gasped.
"It's a long story," Lupin said, "and we haven't got the time. Come."
I watched in horror as Lupin jogged right up to the thrashing Whomping Willow, dodging branches swiftly as he went. Feeling terrified, I sped up, launching myself towards him.
I only made it a few steps, however, before a gigantic branch came swooping into view. I felt an enormous stab of pain in my stomach, and then I was airborne. The last thing I was aware of was Lupin's yells of surprise as I landed several yards away. Immediately after I felt another crack of pain as I smacked my head on the cold ground and everything went dark.