Harry Potter and the Australian
by Roff
Chapter Three
Hogsmeade was bustling with students third year and up as they entered the snow covered town. Some of the professors and a few aurors were seen around keeping an eye on things.
They walked up to the town with Ron and Hermione but separated into just couples once they arrived. Harry and Jessica wanted it to feel like a real date so they went around the town on their own.
Harry made sure he showed Jessica all the sites and explained all the different stores. They bought some extra paper, pens, and ink from Scrivenshaft's. Then picked up some chocolate and other sweets from Honey Duke's.
They also visited the Shrieking Shack where Harry explained the history and why the Whomping Willow was planted at the entrance to it on Hogwarts grounds. He told her all about what he knew of his dad, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and how they were known as the Marauders while at school.
Jessica found it all fascinating and humorous at times, especially when he told her about the Marauders.
They were strolling along holding hands when Harry asked Jessica a question quietly from out of the blue. They spoke quietly to make sure no one overheard them.
"Jess, how would you like to become an animagus? That, of course, is assuming you aren't one already."
"Thanks for asking, but I've already accomplished that as part of my mission to help protect you. We tried to cover all bases, as it were. Since you asked though, does this mean you're an animagus too?"
"Yes! I finished the transformation this summer."
"So did I. I was glad to get it done before we had to come here. It took me close to a year before I made the full transformation."
"Sounds about right. My godfather got me started and taught me as much as he could during our limited time together, so I completed the training on my own after he was killed. He left me plenty of great notes though. One of my house elves was on standby if I happened to get stuck."
"Since I assume you want to keep this a secret, as do I, let's not discuss it more now just in case someone can hear us. Instead, let's wait until we're back in our special room before we show each other, alright?"
"Sounds like a plan."
They ended up eating lunch with some of their friends at the Three Broomsticks before heading back out on their own for the afternoon.
Later that evening when they were alone in the Room of Requirement, they decided to show each other their animagus forms.
"Who's going first, Harry?"
"It doesn't matter so let's go with tradition and say 'ladies first.'"
"Okay, here goes," Jessica told him and changed into her animagus which only took her a couple of seconds.
"Woah! You're a honey badger?"
She was colored like a typical honey badger with a black body along with a silver back that had a white stripe that separated the two colors and ran all down her body from her head to her tail. Harry walked all the way around her to get the full view.
"Those guys aren't afraid of anything and will fight whatever they have to, no matter how big. They're tough as nails, Jess, and their bite is unbelievably powerful. They can even bite through tortoise shells."
She changed back in about a second.
"You know a good bit about the honey badger, Harry," she said impressed.
"I read up on it when I was trying to figure out what my animagus was. It was not a honey badger, in case you're wondering. However, like yours, my animal is not native to my home country. The honey badger is found in Africa, not Australia."
"Correct!" she said then looked over at him. "Well, don't keep me in suspense. Let's see it, Harry."
Harry nodded and changed. It only took him about a second.
"Oh my! What sharp teeth you have! Your form is a bit bigger than mine. You're black like a Tasmanian Devil but that's not what you are. We have those in Australia so I know that's not it. But, what are you?" she paused thinking it over as Harry pranced around letting her see all sides of him, not acting anything like his animal. Suddenly, she said, "Oh, I remember. I was thinking these guys are always brown, but they can be black too. You're a wolverine, aren't you. That is amazing, Harry!"
Harry stood on his hind legs, put is claw up to his nose and tapped it a few times indicating she got it right on the nose.
"Wolverines have a super powerful bite too and sharp claws, although my honey badger has bigger claws."
Harry then changed back into himself.
Jessica sidled up to Harry and put her hands around his neck, looking him in the eyes. Harry put his hands on her hips.
"I think we'll both be able to do a lot with our animagus forms, Harry. Don't you?" she asked him.
"Oh, I'm counting on it," he assured her as he nodded his head. "In fact, it wouldn't hurt to work on using our forms when we are dueling these dummies. Figure out the best times to change and find ways we can take advantage."
She nodded then said, "I like the way you're thinking."
"I manage to do that on rare occasions," he confessed.
She smiled then kissed him.