The rest of the week was relatively peaceful, the free Friday allowing Harry to spend time reading. Draco spent some time with him, but not even Hermione seemed to be able to keep up with his capability to devour the written word. The two of them soon left the Library to do other things, giving Harry some time to pour over the books.
Spending time with Hermione, Neville, and Draco was nice, but Harry hadn't seen Ron since Potions class. He had been worried that he had somehow made his friend angry at him. Hermione seemed to enjoy Harry's book suggestions, while Neville spent Friday mostly in the greenhouses, helping Professor Sprout. Each night, Neville was eager to describe all of the plants he worked with while eating dinner with the group.
However, the thought quickly slipped from Harry's mind as Saturday arrived, bringing with it his "detention" with Professor McGonagall. Harry's worry was plain to see, and his friends did their best to reassure him. Yet, despite their efforts, it didn't placate him as this was about something else entirely.
With only two attempts allowed each month, Harry had just eight chances to achieve his Animagus form. The weight of it made him shudder, and he dropped the book he'd been reading onto his bed. If he didn't succeed in this ritual…
§§Ssssspeaker is troubled.§§ Amber hissed from his lap.
"I'm just… scared, Amber. I don't want to become an animal. Dumb to the world." Harry felt Amber coil up around him, her tongue flicking.
§§Being an animal issssssn't all bad. I can teach you much about sssssurviving. After all, I am an animal.§§
Harry looked down at Amber and managed a small smile, gently stroking her head. "I suppose so. But you're different. You're not like other animals," he murmured, his hand moving softly over her scales. Despite the worry twisting in his chest and the fear gnawing at his thoughts, Amber's presence made him feel a little braver.
§§Ssssspeaker, will you be able to return to your fox form ssssssoon? I misssssss coiling around your ssssssmall form.§§
Harry smiled. "I mean, maybe? As long as I don't end up brain-dead. It all depends on if I can become an animagus or not." Harry took a deep breath as the bell chimed, signifying it was the top of the hour. It was time to go.
Getting up, Harry pet Amber a bit more before heading out of the room, almost bumping into Draco, Crabbe and Goyle standing behind him. "Potter! Are you still worried about detention?" Draco said, holding a small vial in his hand.
"Yeah, I just… don't want to get in worse trouble, I suppose." Harry said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Take this." Draco shoved the vial into his hand. "It's a Calming Draught. It'll help. Trust me. I got it from Madame Pomfrey. She said that it'd be alright for you to take it before detention, and it won't mess with anything. Whatever that means."
Harry seemed surprised. "T-thank you, Draco."
Draco looked pridegul, puffing his chest out as he grinned. "Of course! From one heir to another."
Harry laughed, his first actual smile of the day. "Alright! I'd better get going."
Harry downed the potion, wincing at its taste. It was like a rancid watermelon. However, he soon felt a blissful calm slide around him before nodding.
"See you at curfew." Harry nodded to Draco.
Draco turned and headed down the hallway, Crabbe and Goyle leaving with him while Harry hurried to the Transfiguration classroom.
Once Harry arrived, the door swept shut behind him and he saw a sparkle of magic around it that sealed it shut. "Professor?" Harry called out, noticing how all of the classroom's desks pushed aside. The row of windows at the side of the tower had been transfigured into one enormous pane, the moon's full light shining through it.
"Welcome, Mister Potter. We'll begin shortly, when the light of the moon reaches its peak." The old witch walked up, flicking her wand. The floors of the castle started to shudder, reforming and shifting in waves from her magic gliding around it. It seemed to dance at her wand's tip, moving about and happily bowing to her will. Harry thought her magic was beautiful, like a butterfly flying around and dancing through the air.
Stone was being transfigured to marble as mortar turned to silver. A large basin formed in the center of the room, and McGonagall walked to it as strange lettering appeared around the lip. She gestured at Harry before she spoke. "Now, Mister Potter. Sit in the center, and we can begin."
Harry stepped into the basin, settling himself in the center, which fit him perfectly, almost as if it had been made for him. As he sat down, Professor McGonagall began to chant, her voice steady and resonant: "Mater Magia, audi vocationem meam…"
The unfamiliar language sounded strange to Harry's ears, the syllables rolling in a way that felt ancient and powerful. But as he listened, a pulse from his necklace caught him by surprise, radiating a gentle warmth through his chest. Suddenly, he began to understand. The chant translating itself in his mind as Professor McGonagall's voice filled the room.
"Mother magic, heed my call."
"I beg you allow your daughter, the silver moon,"
"Grant this child the gift of sight."
Harry felt a tingle as McGonagall took out a needle, pricking her finger. Her blood dripped from her hand, and Harry was astonished to see it was a pale blue colour in the light of the moon.
The drop of blue blood fell in slow motion as it seemed to cause ripples in the moonlight. It struck the odd letters, causing them to glow in a pure and gleaming silvery-white colour. The blue faded as it moved between all of them. Harry felt a prickle, then a full-blown tingle through his body.
"Now, Mister Potter, close your eyes. No matter what you feel or hear, do not open your eyes until the moon passes beyond the window and the sensation you feel right now disappears. You don't have to worry; you will know when it happens."
Harry nodded and closed his eyes. Strangely, it felt like his eyes were open. He was in a dark void, up to his neck in a strange liquid. The liquid felt like he was swimming not in water, but something lighter… maybe swimming in a cloud? Harry quieted his inquisitive mind before looking around this black void. He could see nothing but black, hear nothing but silence; the only thing that he could do was look around.
The sensations intensified, burning through his body, as he peered around the void. Was this meditation? Or something else? Suddenly, he saw a red light shining from his neck. Glimmering crimson, it shone gently around the darkness and the void pushed back a minuscule amount.
Harry found himself almost cheering for the small stone on his necklace. As if it was fighting the darkness around him, pushing it back with its light. He started to focus his own magic, pushing it into the stone. The stone's glimmer shone brighter, more and more of a regal crimson as he focused himself and his magic into it.
Inch by inch, the darkness was pushed back. Little by little, a foot of the darkness receded. Harry thought he saw movement in the blackness of the void, when suddenly the sensation began to get weaker.
The darkness, as if suddenly revitalized, surged against the crimson light Harry had managed to summon, reclaiming its lost ground with force. Harry's magic trembled, struggling to hold the dark tide at bay. But then, he sensed something new—a presence, another magic that felt foreign yet familiar, like a silent companion in this strange world. It emerged from somewhere near his head, a dull, slate-gray glow that pulsed with quiet strength, pressing forward into the void and shielding him from the encroaching darkness.
Harry could feel the crimson and gray lights, almost like they were bickering, fighting each other as much as his magic was assisting. It was like trying to control a pair of angry dogs, the two attempting to feud even as he pulled the leash. That all changed as the void pressed, slamming into the two lights with Harry feeding them his magic. The slate gray seemed to remain a constant, but the crimson shone brighter.
As the crimson pushed forward and reclaimed the inches lost, Harry felt his body beginning to weaken. Like trying to hold to a rope that was unraveling, his magic started toweaken.
Like a mountain climber's pickaxe, the crimson light seemed to slam into the shining area it had fought so hard for. Its energy shone, almost forming a crystal of pure, liquid light. It felt like a barrier, a wall; or perhaps a trail marker.
Harry found himself snapped out of the meditation. His ears suddenly worked once more, pulling ckithe sound of the classroom around him. McGonagall's footsteps could be heard, as his eyes were still closed. Harry was unable to see the place he had been before. Had it even existed? Did he dream it all in some strange daydream? The tingling sensation was lighter, shrinking before it finally disappeared.
Harry opened his eyes, to see an exhausted McGonagall sink into a chair. She looked haggard and drained as she took deep breaths. "By Merlin, that ritual is exhausting…"Professor McGonagall breathed out. She flicked her wand, turning the marble and silver basin back into the stone floor. Harry was lifted up with it, soon sitting on the stone tile of the classoom.
"Did it work?" Harry asked after a moment, as McGonagall peered at him curiously. "I should be asking you that, child. Did you find your animagus form?" McGonagall asked, another flick of her wand bringing the desks back to their proper places. Her own desk moved to the front, allowing her to rest herself against it as she sank into the chair.
"I saw a void, and then a sort of light that pushed back the darkness little by little. I felt like there was something in the darkness, but even when the light was joined by a second it was barely pushed back at all," Harry explained, thinking of his experience.
"I've heard of the darkness; normally those who use this method to become an animagus have to flounder about in the dark, attempting to commune with their animal form. You say a light shines and illuminates it?" Professor McGonagall's eyebrow raised.
"Yes, and it lit up the area. Just a little, but it felt like it did something to make progress. It felt almost like a guide stone." Harry said.
"I see. Then you would do well to follow that guide stone in two weeks, Mister Potter. I believe whatever those lights are, they are attempting to guide you to your animagus form. Of course, I have no experience with this method, so I implore you to be careful."
Harry nodded to the older witch as she unsteadily rose. "Now, if you excuse me, it's been four hours. Here is a note to excuse you for missing curfew; I am going to need a long rest after that. Return here in two weeks, and we will try again."
Harry nodded as he felt the worry resurface. Waiting for McGonagall to finish writing on a piece of parchment, he accepted the note and hurried to return to the Slytherin common room. His head recounted the experience carefully as he walked through the halls.
Harry moved down the halls of Hogwarts, making his way down the stone halls. He could see the magic dancing in the stones when he concentrated, something he enjoyed seeing. Smiling, he seemed to enjoy himself watching the patterns as he walked.
As he went down a stairway to the second floor, he heard the tiny pattering of paws on stone. Curious, he peered around the corner and saw an old cat, her long fur nevertheless flowing and well-kept. The cat was quietly meandering down the hallway.
"What's a cat doing out? Did someone's pet get lost?" Harry questioned himself as he moved up. The cat turned and saw Harry, sniffing the air a bit as he approached. She seemed to be both annoyed and curious, her tail frizzing out as Harry approached.
"Hey there, little guy." The cat hissed immediately at the statement, giving a loud yowl. "Uh, girl? Little girl?" Harry said quickly, as the cat gave a soft meow in response. She sat in place and stared at him for a second with large eyes. Harry could see the magic coming off her, but it was extraordinary. It was almost like looking at a witch or wizard, but also the same feral magic he had seen before with the stone and with himself.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter. Nice to meet you." Harry says, kneeling down to make sure he didn't scare the cat. The cat, however, simply stared at him and then let out another loud meow.
Harry was curious. Reaching towards the cat, he saw her sniff his hand. When he tried to pet her, she hissed. Quickly retracting his outstretched hand, Harry shook his head. "No pets. Got it." Harry said. The cat seemed to calm, and returned to staring at the young boy.
"Well, I need to get back to the common room; I shouldn't stay out longer than I need to." Harry said, as he stood up. "Her magic wasn't the same as McGonagall's, so she wasn't an animagus. Harry had thought about that, but the cat's magic seemed far too tumultuous to be a person. It was like its magic was coming from somewhere far, far away, but Harry had never seen anything like that before.
As Harry walked down the hall, Harry noticed the cat following him. "Uh… I don't think you should follow me. I don't think any other Slytherins have a cat." Harry said quickly, but the old cat continued to follow.
Harry sighed. He'd have to make sure she didn't go into the common room, but she could follow, at least. Heading his way through the hall and down more stairs, Harry soon heard a pair of boots on the stone floor. "Seems we have someone out and about after curfew, Mrs. Norris says. Time to catch a naughty brat. Maybe I can use my thumbscrews if I ask Professor Dumbledore nicely."
Harry seemed surprised. Had a teacher seen him? Who was Mrs. Norris? Still, he reached into his pocket and took out the note Professor McGonagall had written, making his way forward. He didn't have anything to fear, right?
As Harry rounded the corner, he almost bumped into a balding man. His body was wiry and skinny, a twitching arm holding a lantern. His gaunt face gave him an almost skeletal appearance, making Harry jump in place a bit from the shadows of the lantern. How hadn't he seen the lantern's light?
"Ah hah! Caught yah!" The man said, reaching out and moving to grab Harry's shoulder. As he did, Harry could see the man's magic. Or, in this case, lack of it. He was similar to Uncle Vernon, with a bit of emptiness inside. Instead of it being purely empty, however, Harry could see magic squirming and writhing inside the man. Trying to get out, but the man's body seemed to prevent such completely.
"I'm sorry, I was heading back to the Commons Room after a detention took too long, sir," Harry said, immediately acting with politeness after he prevented himself from speaking informally. "I was caught up meeting the cat behind me and hesitated for a few minutes, but was headed there post-haste."
Harry offered the note to the man. Who was this teacher? Was he a teacher? The man snatched the note from Harry's hand, looking it over curiously. "I see. McGonagall's handwriting isn't one you can forge. Much too floaty and airy. Surprised yah aren't scared of me, boy."
"Everyone has their own appearance. If I judged on it, I wouldn't be a good person." Harry nodded. The man eyed Harry as he spoke, and then replied, "Well then yer better than most fer not doing it, that's for sure. Hop to it, now. Mrs. Norris and I will be watchin' yah, so no funny business."
Harry looked around. "Oh, is Mrs. Norris here? I haven't met her yet." Harry couldn't see anyone around. Was she one of the ghosts? The man laughed, a cackling sound that actually reminded Harry of a storybook witch. "Yah already met her, brat. She's right behind you."
Harry turned around, and saw the cat sitting there, staring at him again. "The cat?" Harry asked, turning back to the man. "Aye, the cat's name is Mrs. Norris. I am Filch, Caretaker of Hogwarts. And it's my job to punish brats that go out during curfew without permission. Yeh aren't one of 'em, so git!"
Mr. Filch waved his hand to Harry, which made the boy scurry forward. As Harry went down another flight of stairs, he could hear Filch's voice once more. "Go ahead and follow him, Mrs. Norris. Make sure he gets back to the Slytherin dorms."
The cat actually gave a meow as if she understood, hopping down the stairs to follow Harry. It was quite strange, being tailed by a cat, but he soon arrived at the hidden door. "Pureblood." Harry said, as the door opened. When he stepped inside and turned around, he suddenly noticed that Mrs Norris had disappeared.
-Author's Notes-
And so we have Harry's first attempt at becoming an Animagus! He did his best, but there's a reason this ritual was replaced by the much, MUCH easier Mandrake Leaf ritual. It's not that simple, to face your inner self and find what you are.
Of course, everyone here may already know what Harry is. The question is that I pose to you is, what species will he be? That's the question, isn't it?
Here's a hint: it's not a Kitsune.
Anyways, always looking for those who are interested in Betaing the fic. I actually am proofreading the last two chapters over the next couple days, and setting them aside for beta reading. Once those are done, I will be working on Book 2: Harry Potter and the Heirs of Hogwarts!
JK Rowling owns Harry Potter, not me.