Black Plague

Chapter 25

It took two full moons, but I finished keeping the Mandrake in my mouth from full moon to full moon. It was disgusting. Unfortunately, the first time I tried, the Mandrake fell out of my mouth while I was sleeping, just 3 days before the second full moon. I was pissed.
I had to have that gross leaf in my mouth for almost two months straight.
Very early, the morning before the full moon I went around the pond where I buried the stone and started collecting dew off the leaves and grass, and filled a silver teaspoon. I placed it into a chrystal vial I had kept outside all night to collect the moonlight. I brought them inside and set them by my bed. Once the sun went down I pullef the mandrake leaf from my mouth and placed it in the vial and added a hair. I added the Death's-head hawk moth and hid the vial under my bed where it was dark and quiet.
Now it was time to point my want to my chest and recite "Amato Animo Animato Animagus" every sunrise and sunset. I had to do this until a thunderstorm. And eventually I would start feeling a second heart beat. The heart beat of my animal. It was all very complicated. But worth it I decided. And it didn't take a lot of time. It was just tedious and had a lot of steps. So, it didn't interfere with my studies much. I knew Draco wouldn't be doing this with me. He had accidentally swallowed his leaf a couple weeks ago while eating. But maybe this was for the best. It would probably be good if I was there for him when he changed the first time. He was like my underling. And I wanted to be there to encourage and support him.
It took about two weeks for me to feel the second heart beat. It felt very weird. But there was something almost soothing about it. And it was encouraging to see the progress. I was almost there. I kept chanting every morning and night. Making sure never to forget. I was so close. I couldn't screw up now. It was almost another week and a half before the storm came. I was at the Malfoy's, so I quickly apparated to school and walked into my dorm room I grabbed the mixture and walked back out. I decided it was best to do it at Malfoy Manor. I heard someone say my name, but I was in a hurry, so I kept walking. Once I left the school grounds I apparated away. I got to the yard and sat under a tree. "Amato Animo Animato Animagus" I said while pointing my wand at my chest. All of a sudden I felt pain. Excruciating pain. My whole body was racked with pain. Both heart beats were pounding. My body felt like it was on fire. Holy fuck! I kept reminding myself to stay calm. I could do nothing but ride it out. The pain would pass. The fire in my bones were temporary. This too would pass. I slipped my wand back in my holster as I fell to the ground. I gripped the grass and arched my back as I screamed. I heard a loud crack as bones began to break and elongate. My facial bones began shifting and changing. That hurt the most. But pain radiated everywhere. I kept trying to breath deep. Focusing on staying calm. I could do this. I could. I felt a hand softly rest on me and looked up to see Voldemort. I buried my face in his chest as I continued to scream. After all the sickening cracks of my bones stopped. I lay and rest. I panted from the excursion. I was exhausted. I felt my tail whip behind me. What! A tail? I looked up and licked Voldemort's face and chin over and over. "Thank you for being here. I needed the support more than I thought I would." I spoke in his mind. There were some times I loved having our connection. He could feel how much I needed him and came running to me. This was why I loved him. Wait, what? Fuck! I loved him. And not as a father figure either.

Oh well, I had time to think about that later. I lay on my side and looked at my body. Too tired to stand. My body was a light black. With dark black rosettes. Based in the rosettes, I was a Leopard. A black leopard. I was thrilled. I couldn't have been a cooler animal.  And it made sense. They liked to remain hidden in the background. They were solitary creatures, except for mating. And they were fierce predictors. And would do and eat anything to survive. Very much like myself. And with all the black I wore and my dark nature, a black panther made since. This was thrilling. I lay my head on Voldemort's lap and took a short nap. Trying to regain my strength.
After a bit he woke me up. "Okay Hades. Can you switch back?" I huffed but stood up. And focused on being human again. It took about thirty minutes, but soon I heard the sickening snap of my bones as I began shifting back. I took deep breaths through it and focused on my goal. Eventually I was back in my human form and I collapsed back next to Voldemort. "Fuck! That hurt more than I expected. I know that's stupid because everything pointed to it being painful, but Jesus, that really fucking hurt." I whined.
Voldemort chuckled. "Yes, I could tell. That was the first time I've ever heard you scream. Even when I laif my hand on you to finish my Horcrux you never made a sound. But I have to say, your animagus form was very impressive." I smiled up at him. "Thank you. After Draco and I learned our Patronus, I decided we would learn this next. He will probably be a swan. I told him he better be a black one. But we'll see." He chuckled. "A bird could be really handy, much like a leopard. He can fly places unnoticed. And you are stealthy and quiet. Both of you will be really useful."  I nodded. "That's what I thought. If I thought he was a peacock. I would have just done it myself. Not stealthy, not aggressive or fierce, just a pretty face. Well, they are bastards, but still, not really useful." Voldemort nodded. "I agree, you could make a great spy. Much like Wormtail."
I scoffed. "I will never be anything like Wormtail. Speaking of, I think Black is after him. He should probably stay away from the school for a bit. Or not. I couldn't care less if Black attacks him." Voldemort nodded. "I will mention it to him next time I see him." I shrugged. After a quiet moment I spoke again.
"Well, thanks again for staying with me. It really helped to have your support." I knew I needed to practice the change in order to get used to it, but right now I was too tired. It was  only about 7:30 in the afternoon, but that didn't matter I needed some sleep. "I'm going to go to bed. That zapped my energy. I'll see you tomorrow." He kissed my forehead, I felt my stomach flutter, I smiled up at him before walking off.

I began slowly trudging to my room when Draco ran up to me. "Did you do it?!" He yelled in excitement. I smiled tiredly. "Ya, I'm a Black leopard."
"Fuck! And I missed it! Can you show me?" Draco still almost yelling.
I groaned. "I'm really tired right now. It made me exhausted.... How about this, we will go to my room and I will shift. But I'm going to sleep as a leopard. I am too tired to change twice." He nodded excitedly and  followed me. I focused on my animal and shifting. It took a bit, but my bones began popping and cracking and I soon became a leopard again. It didn't hurt near as much, but it still felt unfortunately."
"Shit! That's so cool. You look bad ass!" I licked his hand in reply, trying to let him know I appreciate his praise. I lay on the bed and went to sleep with him petting my head.

It was two more months before he finally had everything done right, so he could become an Animagus. It began raining then the lightning storming started. He ran to get his crystal vial and we walked outside. We went to the side of the school and he drank his potion before reciting the phrase while pointing his wand at his heart. He instantly began screaming. I grabbed him and pulled him into my lap. Knowing how much feeling someone being there for you helped comfort you. It was awkward, he is much larger than I am. He kept screaming as I rubbed his back softly. "You're doing great Draco. You're doing so good. Just breath." I continued to say encouraging words. Telling him how brave and strong he was. What a good job he was doing. Reminding him to breath through it. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, his bones began shrinking and popping. All the while I continued to encourage him. Rubbing his back gently.
Finally it was silent. There before me was a white swan. "Aw fuck. You're white. But, Draco. You're beautiful. You did such a good job!" I praised him. I continued to pet his back. "I'm really proud of you, Drake." He hissed at me in response. I chuckled quietly. "Why don't you take a nap for a little bit before you change back?" He nodded his head and fell asleep. Soon I watched as the rain stopped and the moon began to raise from between the trees. As I looked up I saw it was a full moon. Fuck!! I completely forgot about Lupin. I shifted into my leopard form and stood guard over Draco while he slept. I shivered as I heard a werewolf howl. I knew we were safe in our Animagus form, but the fear still shot through me. For Werewolves usually only attack humans. But I wasn't about to chance it. I stayed alert and on guard.
Eventually A werewolf and big black dog came to visit us. I hissed a warning. Telling them to back off. But they kept coming closer. Not only was Lupin a werewolf, But they were both followers of the light Lord. And whether Lupin was a teacher and Black was my father didn't matter. I would protect Draco with my life. I began snarling and a deep grumble rolled out of my chest. It was a low animalistic roar. They stopped. And I quieted to low growls and hisses. I was crouched low over Draco keeping him safe. Every time one of them tried to come closer I snarled and roared at them. They eventually lost interest and walked away. I felt movement and looked down. Draco was awake just watching the whole thing. I licked his head and then we walked towards the school.
Once we were safe inside I changed back and encouraged Draco as he slowly shifted back. Draco wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you for keeping me safe." He said. Almost sounding hysterical. I kissed his cheek. "Anytime Drake. I will always try to protect you." Giving him a hug back. Holding him tight as he freaked out for a long time.