In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*Animagi

By the time next term rolled around, Briar was unfortunately no closer to discovering how to become an animagus. She had tried to get into McGonagall's office several times but each time she was either caught or didn't have enough time to search it thoroughly 

But now Gryffindor's next quidditch match against Ravenclaw was looming, and the team were at an all time high

Harry had been gifted a Firebolt from an anonymous friend and after the school had stripped it down to check it for any curses or hexes, they deemed it safe enough for him to use in the upcoming match

Their final practice was their best one ever. Every time Wood let the Snitch out, Harry caught it within a few minutes. 

And luckily for Briar, Katie Bell had landed herself a detention on the day of the match, so Briar would be playing in her place. During their last game, Remus had been unable to watch since the full moon had been that day, so now she was beyond excited to play in front of him

At breakfast on game day, when Harry walked into the hall carrying his Firebolt, Wood seemed convinced it needed to be put on display to intimidate Ravenclaw

"Put it here, Harry," he said, laying the broom in the middle of the Gryffindor table and turning itso that its name faced upward. People from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were sooncoming over to look. Cedric Diggory came over to congratulate Harry on having acquired such asuperb replacement for his Nimbus, and Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater,asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt. 

"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!" said Percy heartily as she examined the Firebolt "Penelope and I have got a bet on. Ten Galleons on the outcome of thematch!" Penelope put the Firebolt down again, thanked Harry, and went back to her table. "Harry — make sure you win," said Percy, in an urgent whisper. "I haven't got ten Galleons.Yes, I'm coming, Penny!" And he bustled off to join her in a piece of toast. 

"Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?" said a cold, drawling voice. Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him. 

"Yeah, reckon so," said Harry casually and next to him, Briar folded her arms, glaring at the platinum haired boy

"Got plenty of special features, hasn't it?" said Malfoy, eyes glittering maliciously. "Shame itdoesn't come with a parachute — in case you get too near a Dementor." Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. 

"Pity you can't attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy," said Briar "Then it could catch the Snitchfor you." The Gryffindor team laughed loudly. Malfoy's pale eyes narrowed, and he stalked away. Theywatched him rejoin the rest of the Slytherin team, who put their heads together, no doubt askingMalfoy whether Harry's broom really was a Firebolt.

Once they finished eating, the team headed down to the pitch to change into their kit and for Wood to give them a final pep talk of encouragement, before they made their way out into the cold, but sunny weather

"They're off!" Commentator Lee Jordan shouted as the quaffle was released "And the big excitement this match is the Firebolt that Harry Potter is flying forGryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice forthe national teams at this year's World Championship —" 

"Jordan, would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?" interrupted ProfessorMcGonagall

"Right you are, Professor — just giving a bit of background information — the Firebolt,incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and —" 

"Jordan!" 

"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor, heading for goal..."

Katie was stopped by one of the Ravenclaw beater sending a bludger her way, forcing her to swerve off course of the goals. She tossed the quaffle to Briar who ducked in time to avoid one of the Ravenclaw chasers coming at her, and tossed the ball into the furthest right hoop, watching it soar through

From the teacher's stand Remus had never felt so at home. Watching his own daughter and Harry playing like James and Sirius used to, feeling the atmosphere of everyone cheering or booing. For a moment he felt like he was a kid again watching James Potter flirt obnoxiously with Lily instead of searching for the snitch, while Sirius Black beat bludgers at everyone on the opposing team, or anyone in the Slytherin stands watching

"Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero, and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting itthrough its paces now, see it turn — Chang's Comet is just no match for it, the Firebolt'sprecision — balance is really noticeable in these long —" 

"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THECOMMENTARY!"

Briar couldn't help but laugh and from the stands Remus was doing the same

"You suck, Lupin!" Draco bellowed from the crowd of green and silver who were of course cheering for Ravenclaw today

"Stare at me anymore and people might think you love me!" She shouted back and shot back into the action of the game

As she was streaking towards Ravenclaw's goal again, she felt a sudden chill pass over her from behind so she whirled around and was faced with a long, black, cloak floating past her, two more behind it. Briar looked up and saw that they were of course heading for Harry, who was heading for the Snitch

"HARRY!" She screamed, catching his attention in time

Harry pulled out his wand, and without thinking he roared "Expecto Patronum!"

A silvery light shot out of his wand, pushing the Dementors away, while Harry turned his eyes back ahead of him and when he felt a cold metal reach his palm, he closed it and smiled in relief. They had won.

And Briar's amusement in the win grew immensely when she looked down below and saw that the three black hooded figures were laying on the ground, revealing three familiar faces below; Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, who were all being scolded heavily by Professor McGonagall

Suddenly she saw an opportunity. No one would be leaving the pitch for ages, either because they were celebrating or complaining. So Briar hopped back on her broom and quickly flew all the way up to the school

She sprinted through the empty corridors, to get to the transfiguration classroom and up the staircase at the back, into Professor McGonagall's office. She whipped her wand out of her robes "Accio Animagi book!"

There was a loud rattling from her desk, as if something was struggling to get out, so Briar looked closer, but found the noise was coming from under her desk. So she quickly pushed it out of the way, and from one of the floorboards under it, it flew out and into her hand

She had it.

So she replaced everything and sprinted back out of the classroom, stuffing the book in her robes and running back to Gryffindor tower, which was now filling with people celebrating after the game

She had to say thank you and make small talk to those people that congratulated her, before she could get up to her dorm and perch on her bed, drawing the curtains around it and opening the book to page one

Immediately written on the inside of the front cover were scribbles, a person's handwriting

To whoever is in possession of this book,

Do not do this. 

And her mind drowned out the noise from the common room party all night as she immersed herself in the fascination that was the possibility of becoming an animagus

At one am when the party finally ended after McGonagall told them they needed to quiet down, Briar managed to finish the book.

As a week passed, another full moon took place and when Remus returned to teaching 2 days later, and found his daughter suddenly silent in all his classes, he worried at first. And when he noted the cheeky look in her eyes, he was even more so