“Is she alright Madam Pompfrey?” Anna asked nervously as the witch silently checked over Boudica, who mewled tiredly in her arms.
After observing Boudica’s abnormal growth rate and behavior for another few weeks, she had finally decided to take Hermione’s advice and get her checked out. While the charcoal kitten seemed to be doing fine, catching on to the English language quickly and even interacting with the other animals in the Gryffindor tower, Anna still didn’t like how fast Boudica was progressing, and even wondered if she had been somehow cursed to age faster.
Madam Pompfrey’s eyes narrowed in concentration before bustling over to a cabinet - sorting through a few glass containers. “Do you mind repeating how exactly you got to have this kitten in your possession?”
Anna shifted uncomfortably. “It was at the Quidditch World Cup - I found her in the woods.” Madam Pompfrey clucked her tongue reproachfully. “I was worried about this. Different animals and species have different growth rates, so I wouldn’t be able to tell you without a guilty conscience that your companion is perfectly fine.”
She brandished a copper vase, taking off the stopper to show Anna the periwinkle powder inside. “Karazana Dandruff - it reveals the exact scientific name of whatever creature it’s sprinkled upon.” Madam Pomfrey shook the bottle over Boudica’s form, whom looked up curiously at the glowing sapphire letters about her head: Puma concolor cougar.
Madam Pomfrey dropped the bottle, which fell with a dull clank before rolling across the floor. Anna looked up at Madam Pomfrey in alarm. “What is it? Is there something wrong?”
The middle-aged woman swallowed gravely as she held a hand to her forehead. “Oh dear. We’re going to have to tell the headmaster!” She exclaimed as she gathered Boudica in her arms before striding out of the medical wing.
Anna took 5 steps for every one of hers as she followed, their footsteps echoing across the silent castle corridors. “Madam Pomfrey - I don’t understand! What’s so wrong with my cat that we need to tell Professor Dumbledore?”
“That’s just it, Miss. Potter. Your cat is no cat - she’s a panther.”
- - -
“Ginny. Please tell me that I didn’t shut down all of Hogwarts just so that all the teachers could hold a meeting about my pet panther that they may or may not allow me to keep.”
They sat in the common room - Anna slumped inside one of the giant cushioned chairs as she hid her face in shame. Ginny smiled nervously as she patted Anna’s shoulder. “Um...Hogwarts didn’t shut down just so that all the teachers could hold a meeting about your pet panther that they may or may not allow you to keep.”
Anna groaned, sinking deeper into the cushions. “This is a disaster.”
“Are you kidding?” Fred exclaimed, wearing a wide grin. “George and I have done a lot of pranks - but we’ve never actually gotten Hogwarts shut down before. You’re bloody brilliant!”
“So how’d you do it?” George asked quickly. “Set off a stink bomb in the Slytherin dungeons so it’d somehow flood the rest of the castle - or even better, in Dumbledore’s office? Did you set fire to the Great Hall? Kill somebody?”
“Why in the world would she kill someone, George?” Ginny deadpanned as he raised his hands in surrender. “I’m just brainstorming!”
“In all honesty, we’re both just relieved that Anna managed to do whatever she did right before we took our Animagi Review. The only thing I remember is that they don’t need wands to transform - and that their patronus is the same type of animal that they transform into.”
“So why aren’t you studying while you can?” Ginny asked, but the two boys only shared a look before they bursted into hysterical laughter.
Hm-hm.
The four turned around to see Professor McGonagall, who wore a small smile as she strode over to Anna. “The Headmaster would like to see you, Miss. Potter.”
She stumbled slightly as she picked herself up and out of her chair, pinching her sides to ease her tension as she followed the professor to Dumbledore’s office.
To her surprise, Boudica seemed perfectly cheerful when she got there - jumping up and down with excitement as Dumbledore interacted with her, but when she caught the eye of her owner, she hurriedly raced over - nearly knocking Anna over. “Anna! I’m safe. O-kay.” Boudica sounded out proudly, causing Anna to smile softly as she scratched her comfortingly behind the ears - knowing what she had to do next.
She stood up, looking Dumbledore in the eye as her emerald eyes glinted with determination. “With all due respect, Sir, Boudica has to stay here at Hogwarts with me. I was the one who found her and promised to take care of her, and you can’t expect me to sit back and watch her be sent back to the Burrow because she’s my responsibility and-”
Dumbledore held a hand up to stop her, his twilight eyes twinkling with amusement. “Yes, Miss. Potter. I am well aware of that. That is exactly the reason why we are allowing Boudica to stay.”
Anna raised an eyebrow - not believing her ears. “Pardon me?”
He continued on. “Boudica has given us no reason not to allow her to remain at Hogwarts. But because her hereditary instincts will cause her to be more prone to violence, I trust that you will do your best to tame her with your unique gifts.” He winked.
She couldn’t quite hide her shock - her jaw dropping open with surprise, causing Dumbledore to chuckle. “But Professor - how did you know?”
He simply tapped his temple. “I am capable of many things, Miss. Potter.” He remarked mysteriously. “But I may have first suspected when Sirius Black told me his story - though he conveniently left out the fact that his goddaughter was another creature when you both first met months ago. But I am not incapable of putting two and two together.”
“Am...am I in trouble?” She had heard that Animagi were supposed to be registered, but Anna had decided that she wanted to keep that part of herself for herself. She didn’t want to be another name on a list that anyone could access.
Dumbledore shook his head. “It is up to you whom you wish to tell your secret to.” His eyes went to a clock beside her head. “Now I do believe it is almost time for your Potions class. It’s been pleasant talking to you, Anna. I hope we speak again.”
Anna nodded as the door automatically opened, but just as the door was about to close behind her, she turned around. “Wait - Professor Dumbledore.” He looked up. “Fred...he said something about all Animagi having patronuses that take the shape of their animal form. But my patronus is a swallow. How..how is that possible?”
Dumbledore smiled. “Your animagus form is simply another extension of oneself. Your patronus reflects what’s on the inside - what your soul gives to others and the emotion you need the most. In your case, your spirit constantly craves the swallow - a constant symbol of hope. Hope...is what others see when they look at you, and it’s what fuels you and makes you stronger.”
Anna shifted uncomfortably. “You didn’t exactly answer my question.”
“All the best questions go unanswered.” He responded ambiguously. “Now off to class, Miss. Potter. I’m most eager to witness you continue to blossom into the extraordinary witch you will become.”
YOU ARE READING
Lillian 'Anna' Potter || Goblet of Fire
Fanfic"YOU'VE PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL AND STRUNG ME ALONG LIKE A FIDDLE. THE LEAST I DESERVE FROM YOU IS AN EXPLANATION!" It was revealed by J.K Rowling that when Lily Potter originally died, she was with child. What if Lily had her second child before Volde...
