Book 2
Kefira Walsh was always known for her daring attitude and bold nature, earning her the rightful place among the Gryffindor House. Neville Longbottom didn't believe that he had what it took to be in the house of the brave, but Kefira always...
Kefira peeked over the back of the sofa, preparing for all hell to break loose in the living room as Bandile had revealed too much, leaving her parents extremely suspicious as to what truly happened over the summer. Neville glanced over his shoulder nervously at her as the Walsh sisters were all looking around at each other in confusion. Cardel was obviously growing impatient as Bandile didn't answer right away. It wasn't like he wanted to keep the information from his best friends but he was afraid, very much like Kefira, that they would be left terrified over what he had placed on the girl's shoulder. With a heavy sigh, Bandile had no choice but to reveal what had really taken place over the summer.
"I told you that when Kefira came to stay with me that I would be showing her some magic and of course, I did but I showed her a lot more than what was appropriate for her age," he confessed. "My friends and I have been training her, in order to become an animagus."
"A what? An animatus?" Alana said, her voice quivering with nerves and confusion. "What's that?! What does that mean?"
"Relax, Alana," Bandile said placing his hands up. "It's pronounced animagus and if she properly goes through the training, she will be able to transform into an animal at will. But not just any animal, it is the animal inside of her. Her spirit animal, if you will. Many children around Kefi's and Neville's age learn how to become one back in Uagadou in addition to their schooling if they choose to."
All eyes were on Kefira as she awkwardly stared at the floor, her hands gripping the back of the sofa as she didn't want to meet her parents' gaze. She had never been big on lying to her family and she was sure if she looked up, she would see the disappointment in her father's eyes. They had always been honest with each other and for them to learn about her practicing advanced magic while she claimed to be doing something else, well, things weren't looking so good at the moment.
"She will become an animal?" Alana whispered. "What kind?"
"It is not something she can choose, it is based on the person and their personality," Bandile told her. "One normally discovers what they turn into during their first full transformation, but in some cases, a few traces will shine through during the training. For Kefira, let's just say she will probably be living up to her name."
Cardel's concern was not with what animal his daughter would turn into, but why it had been kept a secret in the first place. "If you're telling me that students her age learn this in that school that you went to, why didn't you tell us? What's the big deal? Why did you have to keep it a secret?"
"Things are different here, Cardel," Bandile informed him. " The Ministry here has very strict guidelines and protocols when it comes to anyone becoming an animagi. Often times it is completely discouraged by officials unless it serves some sort of purpose and you have to be registered with the Ministry. They write down your markings and keep it on file to keep tabs on your constantly. Currently, there are only seven on the registered list here. But I'm sure there are more that are unregistered."
