The Cunning and Ambitious

Chapter Nine

I walk into the Transfiguration classroom for class and there at her desk, is Mcgonagall as a cat. As always I'm intrigued by her ability. Ever since she had shown it off in one of our first classes, Mcgonagall's ability to become a cat is one that somehow I knew that I must gain. I make a mental plan to learn it as class begins and I begin paying attention.

At 3:30, when classes end and we gain free time, instead of going back to the common room to play with Buffy, which I usually always do, I head down to her class again.

"Miss Hall?" she says, "What are you doing here?"

"Um, professor, I was wondering how you can turn into a cat and back. You see I would like to learn how."

"It is not some spell that you can just say and turn into an animal, Miss Hall."

"Then I would like to know what it is." I explain,

"Miss Hall-"

"Please, professor."

She pauses, "A witch or wizard may become an animagus, if they choose, however it is a very long, difficult, and dangerous thing to do, because of this, most do not become animagi."

I take this all in, "Okay. What else?"

I can tell she looks slightly frustrated.

"Well, one can't choose what you become, for one, they only become like the animal their soul has the greatest attachment to. One must also register themself to the Ministry of Magic."

I shrug, "Alright, so will you teach me?"

It's this statement that make her even more frustrated, "No, Miss Hall. I won't."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't wish to teach any first year to become an animagus."

"Alright then, who taught you?" I ask.

"Miss Hall!" she exclaims

"I want to know!" I burst, then sighs, "Please, professor. If you won't, then will you at least tell me how I can learn for myself."

She pauses, "Professor Dumbledore taught me, back when I was in Hogwarts and he was my transfiguration teacher."

I swallow.

"Could you ask him to teach me as well?"

"Maybe."

                                                                                   ∼⛦∼

A week has gone by and I have no idea if Mcgonagall has decided to do me good on that favor. If she doesn't, then well, I have no idea how I could ask Dumbledore to teach me myself.

I get up out of bed, struggling since Buffy was sleeping on my stomach and I didn't want to make her angry at me. I get dressed for class and fix some stuff on my homework. Daphne wakes up first, looking very confused in her pajamas and bunny rabbit slippers. She changed and we head down to breakfast where we're joined by Tracey. Just an ordinary day. Before long the owls arrive and I fear a visit from Alfred, but he doesn't come. An owl does come for me, though. It drops my letter and leaves so fast that I could barely examine its features.

"Wonder who that could be" Tracey says, yawning. My best friends know exactly how Alfie looks and knows that owl wasn't him.

"Yeah..." I open the letter.

Dear Miss Araminta Hall,

Earlier this week, Professor Mcgonagall went to me telling me of your wish to become an Animagus. She also told me that your ambition was misplaced and that you shouldn't follow your dream. I disagree. I will teach you. Please come to my office Tuesday afternoons at 5 every other week starting next week. My password is Lemon Sherbert.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

"Holy cow..." I say, after reading the letter.

"What is it?" Tracey asks.

"Remember how I told you about my visit to Mcgonagall?"

"Asking if you can become an Animagus?" Daphne responds, "How could we? Just remember I'm strongly against it."

"You're always against everything." Tracey complains playfully.

"Well, Dumbledore is going to teach me!"

"Really?" They both gasp at the same time.

"I can't believe it. I'm going to be taught by Dumbledore!" I say.

"Well, I'd be disappointed by anyone less." Daphne remarks.

"True." I smile.

"So when is animagi theory begin?" Daphne asks,

"Next Tuesday." I tell her, "Why? Any plans?"

"Yeah," she replies sarcastically, "Our all girl night where we destroy the school!"

I laugh. "I can't believe I forgot!"

I finish my eggs.

"Well, class is about to start soon, so we best be going." Tracey states,

"Yeah." I wipe my mouth and get up, shrugging my bag on as we leave for class

                                                                                   ∼⛦∼

Tuesday finally arrived despite seeming to last forever. When it was 4:30, I said bye to my besties and leave for Dumbledore's office. I had located it last Sunday so I luckily had no problem getting there, the only problem would be getting back, depending on how long I was going to be there. I didn't want to miss dinner. I walk up to the gargoyle statue in front of his office and say "Lemon Sherbert." The gargoyle jumps to life and moves aside, I go up the stairs leading to his office and knock on his door.

"Come in" I hear Dumbledore say, I open the door and walk in.

His office is quite beautiful. There are so many glimmering trinkets everywhere. I love it instantly.

"Hello professor." I say.

"Hello Miss Hall." he responds. "So I've heard that you want to become an animagi?"

"Yeah, that'd be awesome."

"Let's begin." He smiles as his eyes twinkle.