Professor Snape's Maledictus

Chapter 14 - Lessons

Mai POV:

Few students were out in the halls at this time, they are expected to be in lessons. I whistled cheerfully as I flew over head of students. Some greeting me politely, to which I chirped back a response every time. 

My direction lowered as I glided down the staircase and into the dungeon hallways, only then flapping my wings again to keep the speed up and into Professor Snape's classroom, where he's rather coldly teaching first years.

"Now for that potion, the ingredients are in the book and we went over them last term. Hurry up and get everything prepared to brew the boil-cure potion" Professor Snape growled lowly, his face softening though and he held his hand out, to which I obliged to and took within my talons, balancing myself with my wings and then ruffling them close against my body. 

Professor Snape drew me in close and gently pet my head as he sat down in his seat, Probably looking like the antagonist sitting in his office petting his just as evil pet. I ruffled my wings and looked over at the first years before hopping to my perch at the front, then proceeding to watch the students to make sure none cheat. 

They were made to work in pairs. My eyes scanned to the back and I saw a child sitting down, bickering with his partner, I narrowed my eyes and flew over, landing on the nearest perch and listening in silently.

"I told you to do it" The boy growled lowly, making the girl next to him tremble in fear. "So I expect you to do it right. dumbass" That certainly isn't language an 11 year old should be using, Merlin sakes.

The boy noticed my distasteful gaze and locked eyes with me. I looked between him, the potion and the girl. He seemingly took the hint pretty quickly and got up to help her.

"O-on second thought I better make sure you don't mess it up" He stuttered out, probably now cursing himself for stuttering. But much to his dismay I kept my gaze on him for five minutes longer with him periodically glancing up at me and shrinking in fear under my gaze.

Professor Snape's POV:

I watched in fascination by Mai having this boy cowering just under her gaze, I guess her pale blue eyes against her black feathers really helped with her appearance. Sometimes though I swear her eyes lighten in color and almost look white. Freaky but pretty.

I glared at the boy once he glanced at me for help, making it rather obvious I am taking the side of my friend in this situation. My gaze looked around the different cauldrons and the failed concoctions that sat there, some kid somehow managed to brew a completely different potion, and I honestly don't know if I should be pissed or impressed with that.

"alright times up, you all failed pretty miserably, I suggest you go and do some research before next lesson because you will be trying again. Get out" I coolly said and turned my back to them as they shuffled out. 

Sitting in my seat at the front, I sighed and furrowed my eyebrows. "I have a class full of idiots"

Mai POV:

I heard him grumble and sulk, causing me to make my way over and coo at him, grabbing Professor Snape's attention. 

"Come now Birdie, You have to assist in McGonagall's class now" My eyes widen at his words and I hoot in disagreement. "Don't worry, she won't transform you into anything, She knows you've gone through that process more then enough"

I glared daggers at him and began to peck him, not hard enough to actually hurt though. He let out a chuckle, "Okay Okay! Lets go" He said between chuckles, picking me up and placing me on his shoulders.

My talons gripped his shoulders and I glared at any student who give Professor Snape the stink eye. They quickly shrink down under my gaze and I'm not too sure why, Is my owl form that intimidating? 

Timeskip

I stand on the perch mounted on the wall in Professor McGonagall's room, watching the class shuffle in and flinch at seeing Professor Snape and his pet sitting by Professor McGonagall. 

"I hope you all are doing well. Today we will be learning about the transformations of Maledictus'" She secretly turned to me and mumbled an apology, I simply gave her an understanding nod. "Turn to page 745" 

The students flipped to the right page. "Now, who can tell me about a Maledictus?" A small girl with a ponytail put her hand up. "Miss Emzy"

"A Maledictus is a woman who can transform at free will into an animal, But eventually they loose the ability to transform between both and are stuck as the animal" McGonagall nodded with a smile.

"10 points to Ravenclaw" The small girl beamed cheerfully and looked pretty happy for getting her house some points. 

McGonagall smiled and nodded at Snape, granting him permission to leave, to which he quickly took. McGonagall approached and offered her hand out, muttering softly. "May I tell them your story? Particularly the side effects you had?" I nodded in agreement and wrapped my talons around her hand.

McGonagall approached the front again and cleared her throat. "As you all know, we now have a school pet owl, Mai here isn't a typical owl though, as you can probably see from her appearance. But she is a Maledictus who has been forced to take her animal form permanently." A few students gasped and others looked at me sympathetically. "But she is still as clever as she once was. She has given me permission to inform you on her story, her transformation into an owl" 

As she explained, I stood on her hand, looking over the students silently. 

"She would walk outside in the dead of night and fall asleep in class, Professor Snape looked after her when her condition got worse" I looked up at her and unfolded my wings at a sudden movement. 

"Now, I'll let her fly round the room down and do her thing, but I want you guys to focus on noting any behavior she does that does not lie within normal owl behaviors" McGonagall smiled and let me fly off.

I landed on the owl perch and plucked one of my feathers, making my way onto McGonagall's shoulder and gently hooked it on top of her ear before backing off. She took it off and pinned it to her jacket with a smile. "Thank you Mai" I nodded and nuzzled down into my own body and closes my eyes to drift into a sleep.