Ministry Of Magic
Sirius calmly lead him though the impressive maze that was the British Ministry of Magic, the pair of them attracting many curious looks from passing wizards and witches alike going about their daily affairs, dressed in an assortment of different styles and many coloured robes. However, instead of being led to the Ministry Registration and Records Offices, the department in charge of registering and recording known animagi, he was being led straight to the Magical Law Enforcement section of the Ministry.
They passed through a series of security checkpoints, where his wand was carefully examined and matched to ministry records to confirm his identity by Ministry security wizards. The two wizards in charge of the checkpoints were dressed in matching black robes, with a simple black leather vest beneath it offering a small modicum of spell protection, but nowhere near dragon hide. On their black robes was a shining bronze capital M, with wand going through the centre, the tip glowing, with the words Ministry of Magic beneath it.
Sirius, noticing his interest in the pair of wizards, offered further insight into their role, "Ministry Security Wizards are a branch of the law enforcement department. Their job is to provide internal security to the Ministry and other important locations, like St. Mungos. They also deal with petty crimes in some cases, whilst the Aurors deal with the more dangerous assignments. You could say the MSW are mainly passive in their duties, whilst the Aurors are more proactive in theirs with much wider powers and purview of responsibilities."
The checkpoint wizard gave Sirius a sour look at his brief explanation. "Of course MSW are much more likely to retire with all their limbs intact," Sirius added with a smile as Harry casually watched the paper airplanes fly above their heads, carrying messages between the different departments.
He considered the explanation for a second, "That's interesting," Harry noted, as they were waved through the security checkpoint, whilst realizing that it was a bit like the makeup of a Quidditch team. The Aurors were like the 'seekers,' the most high-profile team members, the most visible, the most published. Whilst the other officers made up the rest of the squad, fulfilling the other critical support roles. Thinking more about it, as Sirius effortlessly guided them through the halls, he realized that more and more of the magical world's structure was separated by rank, status and prestige as they passed several Aurors in their trademark blood red, robe uniforms.
Like their MSW counterparts, the capital M with lit wand was on their left chest, but it had the additional symbol of a set of scales, and rather than bronze, it was silver. This acted as another indicator of their supremacy over the MSW ranks, visually marking the divide between the two ministry branches.
"Good morning, Claire," Sirius offered in greeting to the pretty, young receptionist as they entered Madam Bones' reception room, the receptionist looking up from her work with a broadening smile.
"Lord Black, what a pleasure to see you again," Claire offered back with a flirtatious smile, "And who is this handsome young man with you?"
Clapping Harry on the back, "This is my godson and heir, Harry Potter," Sirius announced proudly with his own smile, pulling him gently forward so that he could shake the young brunette's hand.
He offered his own charming smile in return, not to be outdone by his godfather, "Good morning Claire, it's a pleasure to meet you," Harry offered back in his own greeting, hoping it was acceptable to use her first name.
"We have an appointment with Madam Bones for 10 o'clock," Sirius continued, after all the necessary pleasantries were exchanged between the trio.
"Of course," she nodded. "Give me a moment to announce you," Claire offered back as she got up from her desk. He discreetly watched her most pleasing behind dance across the floor, also finding his eyes drawn to her firm, sculpted legs, before he looked away, choosing to instead focus on his godfather rather than get caught peeking.
"Sirius, why are we here?" He asked carefully, casually leaning on the marble topped reception desk as they waited.
"Solving your animagus problem," Sirius voiced with a smirk as Claire made her way back to them.
"She'll see you in just a moment," the receptionist announced.
"Thank you," the two of them said in unison, as Claire gave them another friendly smile.
...
( Slytherin Common Room )
"Potter is just an overgrown cat if you ask me. I could become an animagus if I wanted to, but why would I want to become a simple beast?" Draco expressed with disdain to his two friends, Crabbe and Goyle sitting by his side, and frankly anyone else who was even remotely interested in listening to his opinion, as the two goons chuckled like the mindless minions they were.
"What idiots," Tracy voiced, from her seat on the black leather couch, in the dimly lit gothic style common room.
Smiling faintly in agreement at the assessment, "Indeed," Daphne agreed with her childhood best friend.
"You found anything yet Daphne?" Tracy asked eagerly from her seat, looking over to her best friend.
"Bits and pieces," she voiced evenly, teasing her friend with the information she had found as she causally flipped a page of her animal symbolism book. "The tiger mainly symbolizes the ideal of balance in nature, according to the eastern cultures. It's both negative and positive. It's safe to assume that in magical terms it's neither light nor dark in magical alignment, but rather a neutral force, so grey if anything, rather than black or white," she theorized.
"That certainly fits Harry's personality," Blaise added thoughtfully from her side as he rubbed his chin. "He's often playing the role of balancer in our group, and his opinion is often one of cool logic while advocating moderation."
"Yeah, it does," Tracy seconded from her chair, as she slipped her legs up onto the seat.
"What about you Tracy, found anything of note?" Daphne asked from her place, flicking her blonde hair back over her shoulder.
"Personal strength and willpower, but the tiger is also linked to the elements of shadow and fire. The shadow implies the need to hide or seal away a part of yourself from prying eyes, so it implies privacy. Whilst fire, at the same time, implies passion, aggression, or dark anger when provoked," Tracy offered, before blushing slightly at her next statement. "Then there is the powerful sexual hunger of the tiger and the need to dominate," the Slytherin trio fought the need to blush at this, as mature as they were, they were still quite young.
Several long seconds passed as the trio composed themselves before she spoke up again, "That certainly fits I think, he is one of the more powerful students in our year, arguably the most powerful," Daphne agreed with a minor nod. "But I've never seen Harry get extremely mad, or angry before, but he is an extremely private individual, so that fits the shadow part alright. And it is well known he lurks, plans and manipulates with the best of us, like any true Slytherin does, even if he doesn't wear green and silver..."
"That's true," her betrothed agreed, as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I were Harry, I would try to hide this information," the lone male Slytherin added.
"Yeah, we've all seen him annoyed and irritated, but we've never seen anything that might suggest dark anger," Tracy offered, studiously ignoring the sexual part and no one else caring to bring it up.
"But do you remember girls, what happened in our first year? On Halloween he killed a bloody mountain troll for Merlin's sake, and as far as I can recall, he didn't seem all that upset about it either," Blaise voiced calmly, as they looked at each other.
"That fits the predator stuff I'm reading about, of the tiger being both a powerful hunter and protector," Tracy voiced.
"It also says that tigers represent great physical strength and prowess," Blaise added. "It's well known that Harry works out daily, intensively. He probably works out more than any other student in the school."
"He certainly isn't fat, unlike some boys we know around here," Tracy voiced with a mischievous smirk, whilst gesturing behind her.
"We should ask Padma," Blaise suddenly announced to the pair.
Looking over her left shoulder, "Any reason why?" Daphne asked, wondering what her betrothed had in mind.
"The tiger has different meanings and symbolism in the Indian culture than it does in the Chinese sources. So far we have only looked at Chinese sources, and Padma is from India. Who better to ask?" the Italian boy reasoned.
...
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