( Hogwarts - Tuesday Morning )
He patiently waited in the Deputy Headmistress' office for his godfather to finally arrive, so he could make his escape from this insufferable school for a couple of hours and the never ending questions... 'What does it feel like to be a tiger? Does the world look different? Do you get hair balls?' were just a few of the many, many questions he'd been asked. He was grateful to the head of Gryffindor house for allowing him to hide here in her office until Sirius arrived, rather than continue to be hounded by his ever curious housemates. Already several of his more ambitious peers had taken up the challenge of becoming an animagus for themselves, under the logic, if he could do it, then so can I.
Personally, he was perfectly fine with them trying to replicate his success, since copying was said to be highest form of flattery, so it fed his growing ego quite nicely. Then there was the additional fact that he had done it first, as a mere second year, so his 'brilliance and prestige' couldn't be easily taken away from him, unless a first year did it somehow. And if it helped to promote some healthy drive and competition amongst his peers, he was game, since it would show who had the most potential and ability in the house.
On the other side of the coin, if they tried and failed, it may be even better for him, as it would also have the effect of increasing his own prestige and status and would remind everyone of the difficulty of the skill and just how impressive his accomplishment truly was. Plus if they got a less notable form, like that of a toad or a worm for instance, it would also benefit him by the comparison. So he was just fine with other students trying to copy him. He might even assist them if he felt like it, or they offered something valuable in exchange for his time... after all his time wasn't free, any minute he spent helping another individual meant one less spent helping himself and working on his many, many side projects with actual tangible value. Of course, there were some exceptions to this policy, like Luna, who he felt some kinship towards.
"Out of interest Harry, when did you start learning to become an animagus?" Professor McGonagall suddenly asked from her work desk, ending the comfortable silence that existed before.
Already expecting the question and prepared for it, he took an additional moment to further tailor his answer to the situation and the person asking. "Just before starting this school year," he offered back thoughtfully, before adding to it. "It was one of the many goals I'd set myself, for this year," the older animagus recomposed herself at this shocking news... "So 6 months all told, give or take a few days. However I did do some reading and research over the summer to begin the process and prepare myself for the challenge ahead."
"That's an impressive feat of magic Harry, especially to achieve the transformation in such a short span of time. But, I guess you had Sirius to help you out, to guide you," the cat animagus offered back. He felt like her offhanded remark about Sirius' help cheapened his success somehow.
"No actually, I took an entirely different route than Sirius and my father did," he offered back casually, whilst restraining his brewing anger and preventing any bit of it from showing on his face. He lazily turned a page of the book he had borrowed from the professor to further enhance the casual nature of his response.
"Oh, what was that?" the deputy headmistress asked, her personal interest stirring.
Smiling as he answered, "I didn't use the standard revealing potion," he said with a hint of smugness shining through. "I used intensive meditation and self understanding to unlock the ability from within. It is said that by going through this much harder, more traditional route, the wizard is granted a deeper connection and understanding with one's animal form. That was appealing to me. The modern potion shortcut actually makes that impossible."
Before she could reply with her many additional questions, the stone fireplace suddenly sprang to life cutting her off, the red and orange flames changed to a magical green colour, announcing the incoming floo connection. Just as quickly as the flames changed colour, his godfather came marching through the magical flames, a proud smile on his face with an excited sparkle in his eyes.
"Well done pup," Sirius praised with a boyish grin. "I guess I won't be chasing your tail this summer after all."
He grinned with pride as Sirius gave him a lopsided hug, "Thanks, I wanted to surprise you this summer with it, but someone decided to announce it to the entire school instead," he offered back with a hint of bitterness as Sirius' face took on a slight frown.
"Indeed," Sirius expressed in agreement.
"So you agree with my idea then," Harry asked as he put on his outer robe, whilst he closed the loaned transfiguration textbook.
"Oh yes," Sirius confirmed, as Harry spotted the look of interest Professor McGonagall gave him at this cryptic exchange.
"We should get going," Harry prompted as he made to leave.
"Deputy Headmistress," Sirius spoke in a formal tone to his old head of house, as he made ready to leave. "We do not require nor desire an escort. In light of recent events it is made clear to me that the staff of Hogwarts does not respect its students' right to privacy, after such private information was shared in such a public forum without Harry's permission. You will be receiving a formal complaint over this incident and on the advice from our lawyers, formal charges will be pressed against the school for invasion of privacy and breach of protocol regarding the heir of a Most Ancient and Noble house. This is the second time in two years my heir's right to privacy has been violated so egregiously," the dog animagus announced formally to the stunned Deputy Headmistress, whilst handing her a thick, sealed letter. "I'm also strongly considering removing my heir from Hogwarts permanently."
"Let's go Harry," Sirius barked as the two of them made to leave the office without a backwards glance, leaving behind a stunned Deputy Headmistress.
...
It took her several stupefied seconds to fully recover her wits from Sirius' announcement, as she quietly watched the troublesome pair disappear through her office floo, leaving her alone in her office with only the crackle of burning wood for company. However, she had no time to waste just sitting there, the headmaster needed to be informed about these latest events right away as she hurriedly left her office, holding the damn letter in hand.
'What the hell am I? A glorified secretary?!' she mentally grumbled, whilst slamming her office door behind her.
Striding through the near empty halls as she expertly navigated the magical staircases, she quickly arrived at the pair of stone gargoyles guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office and private chambers. "Milky Bars," she voiced, giving the two stern faced guardians the necessary password as they silently moved aside, granting her access and revealing a spiral stone staircase leading up to headmaster's office.
Pulling up the hem of her skirt, she hiked her way up the stairs just to be greeted by the same old unassuming wooden door, before she could even knock however the headmaster's voice filled the air. "Minerva, come in," the aged wizard granted, as the magical door opened by itself.
"Albus we have a problem, a very big problem," she announced right away, not giving the aged wizard a chance to offer her one of his damn lemon drops.
"Oh, what is the matter Minerva? Shouldn't you be accompanying Mr. Potter and Lord Black to the Ministry for registration?" the old headmaster enquired with a curious expression.
"That's why I'm here Albus, Lord Black is pressing formal charges against the school for invasion of privacy and breach of protocol," she stated angrily, throwing the letter on the desk, as the headmaster's grandfatherly persona finally slipped away.
"I would have preferred a prank," the aged wizard expressed with a tired sigh of disappointment, as he looked over the letter.
"Pardon me? What do you mean prank? This is not some type of game for your amusement, Albus," the head of Gryffindor house lectured.
"Nothing Minerva, just a rogue thought," Albus said with wave of his bony hand dismissing the issue.
"So what are we going to do?" she demanded, knowing that it would be the headmaster that ultimately decided the school's stance on the issue.
"I would not worry too much about it Minerva," he offered with a reassuring smile and sparkle in his eyes. "This is nothing but a political move to apply pressure to the school, which can easily be dismissed on account of the Chamber of Secrets being opened and the attempts on Mr. Potter's life and additional security methods were added to monitor the students' safety. Ultimately, we will just make a deal with them behind closed doors and make it go away. There is nothing to worry about, trust me."
...
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