Forever... Always

Year 3 - Animagi

    Just seven days ago, Professor McGonagall and I locked the artifact room. The reason we did this was simple: the room is untouched by sunlight and locking it will mean that it will also be untouched by people. Today after my lessons, I have to go see Professor Snape, retrieve the dew and other ingredients and make the Animagi potion. I finally get to take the mandrake leaf out of my mouth.
    It's getting harder to hide what I'm doing. Cedric and Amber are starting to question me on where I am all the time. Sometimes I tell them homework, other times it's that I'm going to see someone. I finally decided that maybe telling them I have private lessons would be the best option. I can tell them after I brew the potion.
    "May I come in Professor?" I said, gently knocking on his door.
    "Yes Dutchman, set up your cauldron and then we'll go retrieve the dew." He said calmly.
    It's unsettling to hear him being calm and almost kind. Neville told me that Snape bullies him and Harry regularly. I half expected him to tell me everything I'm doing wrong or make my accomplishments seem less than what they are, but he doesn't seem to be bothered to pick on me. If anything, it seems he almost enjoys having me in his lessons.
    I finished setting up my textbook, notes and cauldron and Professor Snape and I walked towards the artifact room. I thought I was in the clear as we headed back to his class, but I was incredibly mistaken.
    "What are you doing with him Rayne?" I heard Fred ask.
    I turned around to find Fred, George, Cedric and Amber all looking at me suspiciously.
    "What have you been up to?" Amber added, as if she was interrogating me.
    "She's taking private lessons with Severus and I." Professor McGonagall said, appearing behind me and Snape.
    "Why?" George asked, stone faced. "You're already a top student in our year."
    "Because unlike you Weasleys, Dutchman puts effort into her academics. She has the intelligents to take private lessons." Snape hissed.
    No one said anything for a bit.
    "After today Rayne will have much shorter lessons with me for a while. You'll get to spend more time with her then, but this evening, she'll be unavailable." McGonagall said, putting a hand on my shoulder.
    George gave me a look, as if he didn't believe it, but he didn't question her. They all left without another word.
    We entered Snape's class silently. I gathered the other ingredients and sat in front of my cauldron. McGonagall gave me a look of sympathy, but I tried to ignore it. I'm the one that decided on becoming an Animagus, I should have known how much work it would be and that I'd have to be away from my friends without complete explanation.
    I finished stirring the potion and asked Snape to come over and check it.
    "Practically perfect Dutchman. I'd give you points if this wasn't a private matter." He told me.
    "Might I suggest we hide it in your class Severus?" McGonagall asked him.
    "Of course. Dutchman, where in this class do you suppose will be best until the storm? It is your potions after all." He asked.
    "Would it be fine if we hid it amongst your potion ingredients? The ones that students aren't allowed to touch so that it can remain undisturbed."
    "Rather thoughtful of you. Now, I expect that I will not see you in my class outside of lessons until the storm comes."
    "Yes Professor." I said, turning to face McGonagall.
    "Have a good evening Severus." She said as she led me out of Snape's class.
    We went to her class. I knew what was next, I need to start casting the Animagi incarnation every day until an electric storm comes.
    "I hadn't asked before, but is there a specific reason you're determined to become an Animagus Dutchman?"
    "It could be a useful ability to have when I become a magizoologist after graduating. It could help me study how species interact with others. I could make discoveries that  have yet to be made."
    "I suppose then you and I are more similar than we seem."
    "Can I ask why you'd become an Animagus Professor?"
    "I become one to further my studies. Most who study Animagi use it to hide or cause trouble. I hope to never hear that you've done anything of the sort."
    It soon became strictly professional from there.
    "You are to perform this incarnation at sunrise and sundown without fail. I will have you come to my office tomorrow evening and on for the sundown incarnation, but as for sunrise, you'll have to do it alone." She instructed. "Now, place the tip of your wand on your heart and repeat after me: Amato Animo Animato Animagus."
    I did as I was told. "Amato Animo Animato Animagus."
    McGonagall told me that the more I do it, the closer I'll get to feeling a second heartbeat. She also instructed me that as soon as I feel a second heartbeat, I am to come to her if I'm not already with her. I thanked her again and then headed back to my dorm.