Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 25

When Minerva heard my secret, she gasped, "No wonder I could not find you in the register of Animagi! You haven't registered yourself."

"Registering the fact that I am different than other witches and wizards? I think not! That is like wearing an open target on myself. Anyone foolish to do that is mad as a hatter." I snorted.

"Can you transform fully into any creature you desire? Oh, I've studied all the theories and articles there are on metamorphmagi." Like a young school girl, the dark haired woman patted the water and sent splashes rippling around herself.

Hopefully, she would not speculate about the fact that I could also look any age and take any human form I desired. Instead of telling my newest friend anything more, I decided to reveal to her one animal form to satiate her curiosity. Under the water, I dove and allowed my body to relax into one of my favorite appearances.

When I surfaced, Minerva let out a gasp of fright and back paddled to the coast. My magnificent white scales and black horns shimmered from the lake water, but I was not done transforming. Water shot from my wings when I snapped them open, and droplets streamed off my tail when I reached the shore. I looked over at Minerva with my dragon eyes and she cowered with awe.

"Merlin's beard," She whispered, putting a hand to her mouth.

"Not quite." My growl was deep with age. After stretching my wings for a few minutes and allowing McGonagall to see the dragon I became, I returned to my human form and put my dress and robe back on.

"Do you know how scarce a creature you are? How in the world did you master your powers so well and at such a young age?"

Astonishment mixed with respect as the curious professor babbled. Minerva stumbled putting on her robes and shoes in excitement. I found it rather refreshing to know she too enjoyed adventure and was not afraid of new things; after all, Minerva was an adventurer. If I was indeed going to make friends, I wanted a friend with a kindred spirit. Something inside me even wanted to tell her simple truths about myself. "At an early age, I was trained to fear my nature, but I learned its benefits and spent many months perfecting what seemed impossible at first. However, now that you know, I would appreciate it if you did not tell anyone. It's a gift, but also a burden." I admitted searching her green eyes for affirmation of trust.

"It's been a long time since I've had an actual friend who was fearless like you." Hearing the woman say this made me happy; this was her agreement of silence. But she did urge me to at least tell Dumbledore; I grit my teeth.

"Would it matter that much?" I asked weakly, and held her hands in a plea. "Please, I rarely use this magic," I lied, begging her to keep the knowledge of my shape shifting abilities from the one person who might already have a hunch of who I really was.

The sloping shoulders of the professor hitched up a bit and then she sighed, "Well, alright." I could feel the addition she wanted to finish with: but if anything strange happens and I know it's you, it is my duty to tell Dumbledore.

I nodded and understood that this woman was a staunch supporter of duty and she was loyal to her school. Finally, I had someone who knew my secret; I found a friend, but needed to be careful not to alienate her into any enemy. Minerva turned with a shy smile, "Oh, I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone—

Even though her last words faded, I sensed her modesty and understood swimming naked in a lake would not be a piece of information she wished to be floating around in student conversation. McGonagall's nervous laughter made me smile and nod; what a dear little thing.

Returning to my office, I found a most unsavory scene. Three first year boys were at my door, but all were highly absorbed with unlocking its iron latch. "PETTIGREW, POTTER, AND BLACK!" I roared and they yelped with fright. Looking frantically up from the lock, the three boys shuffled to scatter, but I whipped my wand around and caught each one of them by their ankles. Touching my door knob, it unlocked and I walked into my office. The three boys hanging in midair were then helplessly placed down into three chairs I conjured. With a slam, my door shut and I turned to look the three Gryffindors in their tiny faces. "What exactly were you three doing?" I seethed, attempting to keep my voice calm.

"Nothing." Potter and Black both said in serious tones.

I narrowed my eyes at them and turned to look at the trembling chubby boy sitting between the two dark haired boys. "Mr. Pettigrew," I smiled, "what were they doing?"

The little mouse-like boy's resolve was not as strong as his friends. With a squeal and a few tears he broke, "Quirinus pinched a book from us! So James and Sirius throttled it out of him that you had the book now. They decided to steal it back from your office!"

Both Black and Potter thrust elbows into Pettigrew's sides and he doubled over gagging. "ENOUGH!" I growled and leaned down at the two bullies. "Mr. Pettigrew, you may leave." I said, vanishing the chair beneath him and watching him scurry to the door. Out from the corner of my eye, I saw the chubby boy stifle a snigger and escape from my office.