The Choice of a Lifetime ((Cass))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva sat at her desk and held a small block of wood in her one hand and her wand in the other. "Animago," she muttered quietly as she tapped the wood with her wand. Instantly, the cubed shape began to form into another. In seconds, a small figure of a cat sat on the desk. Minerva smiled softly. It had been years ago since she was first given that block of wood and asked to preform that spell. She remembered the day so vividly though. A young girl at the ripe age of 16. It was the day when she truly felt like an Animagus. Even if her transforming happened months later, that lesson was a rite of passage to her.

Today, Cass would be doing the same thing. Their training had been going well, and it was time for Cass to decide upon her animal form. Minerva had a deep sense of pride, knowing that their lessons had come so far. She was confident that Cass was ready. With a glance at the clock, she stood from her desk and walked to one of the student desks. There, she placed the wood which had transfigured back into a cubed shape. It was the place where Cass would be sitting. Just then, she heard the door creak and she looked up to see the cheerful young woman. "Good evening Miss Blackfire," she greeted warmly. "I sure hope you came ready to work hard tonight." Minerva waited for Cass to settle in, for tonight would mark the choice of a lifetime for her.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

The Great Hall was beginning to empty, but Cassie was still sitting at the Gryffindor House table pouring over an essay she had been working on for History of Magic. Cass' OWLS were approaching fast, and seemed that her homework was piling up around them. "You would think the Professors would cut us some slack," she muttered under her breath. Cass' quill scratched against the parchment as she finished her last couple of sentences. She needed to hurry. Just that morning, McGonogall had sent her a note. In it, the Professor had told her that they were going to be having an impromptu animagus lesson that night. As excited as she was about her lesson, she couldn't help but groan internally. She was tired, and she had been looking forward to going to bed early that night.

She smiled and waved at several acquaintances on the way to the Transfiguration classroom. By now, most people knew why Cassie headed toward the classroom at night. She hadn't kept her animagus lessons a secret. Secretly, she loved seeing the jealous looks on people's faces when she told them about her extra studies.

Cassandra soon found the familiar classroom and opened the door. "Good Evening, Professor. I'm sorry I'm a few minutes late, but I only lacked a few more sentences on a History of Magic essay." She dropped her pack beside one of the desk's at the front of the classroom. Cass sat down in her most lady like manner in a desk that held a single block of wood. Funny enough, the small object didn't even catch her attention. Normally, objects that mundane never made it to McGonogall's classroom. "What are we doing tonight, Professor? I've been studying awfully hard, and I'm almost done with that book you gave me a couple of weeks ago. It was quite interesting. You know I love the theory being transfiguration."

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva gave a knowing smile as Cass greeted her and apologized for being tardy. Cass's appearance suggested that she was possibly a bit worn by the year's workload. It all brought back memories of her own for Minerva. In some ways, she saw a lot of herself in Cass, but in others, they were totally different. That was what made everyone unique though. Still, it was reassuring for Minerva to see some of the qualities that this young girl possessed which would help her to put her ability of being an Animagus to use. Minerva was quite certain that their lessons had taught Cass how important this skill was and that it was not to be taken lightly.

"I'm glad you are enjoying the book, Miss Blackfire," she replied kindly. Then, however, in a more serious tone, she added, "I'd like a five page summary when you have the work entirely read." No matter how much Minerva believed in Cass's abilities, she knew that it would not come without plenty of hard work and determination. It was that way for many things of life, but something that Minerva felt was particularly important for the tasks ahead of Cass. There was a point in her own training that Minerva had doubts, and it was only her determination and already completed work that got her through.

"Now then, moving to tonight's somewhat spontaneous meeting," she said, gaining a bit more of the excitement that she had been keeping from Cass at first. "Tonight, you will take a giant step in your training," she explained. "No, you will not be Transfiguring," she quickly added, not wanting Cass to get a false hope. "There is still plenty of work before that will attempted. However, tonight is one step closer." Minerva levitated the small wooden block in front of Cass. "What do you see here, Miss Blackfire?" she asked bluntly. She let the block fall into Cass's hands and then waited for a response.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Leave it to McGonogall to smash Cass' hopes for at least a chance to transfigure that night. Cass' happy smile soon turned into a frown as she got settled for her lesson. She gave her full attention to the Professor, but could only raise an eyebrow when she held the little block of wood in front of her. Cass took the thing and held in her hands. It was light with no unusual weight. Unusual weights could sometimes signify that an object was not as it seemed. After inspecting the item in silence for a few moments, she looked into the Professor's eyes and gave her the obvious answer. "A block of wood?" she said more like a question than an answer. Leave it to her to be blunt. "It doesn't feel strange; nor does it have any of the characteristics of what might be a transfigured object, Professor."

She put the block out on her desk once again. "Is there something that is supposed to be...odd about this. It seems like it is just a piece of wood from a non-descript tree." She scratched her head. "Now, I know some special woods are used for shape changing potions like Polyjuice Potion. Are we doing something like that this evening?"

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva noted the disappointed look on Cass’s face when she informed her that they wouldn’t be transfiguring tonight. After she had asked Cass about the wooden block, she wasn’t surprised to hear Cass talk through the obvious thoughts when trying to decide if there was anything special about the block. She was unsurprised though when Cass concluded that it wasn’t another object that had been transfigured. It was expected though that Cass would think that, considered that was Minerva’s specialty.

Seeing that Cass probably wasn’t going to figure out what the block was, (not that it was the easiest thing to figure out) Minerva decided she would just tell Cass so that they could move on with the lesson. “Right you are Miss Blackfire, this would appear to be just a normal block of wood. However, had you read, um, I believe it was the eighth book on the list of ten that I had given you, you might recall the chapter that explained magical artifacts called Revaltons. The current knowledge is that only two dozen are known to exist in all of the magical world. Each Revalton is a seemingly innocuous object such as this block of wood. However, when the Revalto spell is cast on the object by one who has mastered the skill of becoming an Animagus, the object will morph into the animal shape that is best suited for them. As you might assume then Miss Blackfire, when I was about your age, I was given this Revalton by the wizard who trained my in the art of Animagi. When I cast the appropriate spell, this block of wood took the shape of a cat.”

“Revalto,” she demonstrated, watching the block transform one last time into the shape of a cat right before Cass’s eyes. Then, it became a block again all in a matter of seconds. “Since I wish that you too will someday train yet another Animagi, I am passing this on to you Cassandra. Granted, not all Animagi have the privelege to use a Revalton before choosing their animal, however I’ve never regretted choosing a cat as my animal form. But you may do with the information whatever you wish.” Minerva watched for a second as Cass took in the information. “Go on then, give it a try,” she encouraged.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass sighed when McGonogall revealed that the block of wood was a Revalton. "I'm sorry, Professor. Yes, I remember it being in the book by Syron. They can be made, but the spell is very intricate. Even then, there is no guarantee that the magus will know if it actually works. Only a true animagus, which are rare enough in and among themselves, can use them." She had read about them, but they were so rare! "Thank you for giving this too me, Professor. I understand that not many are intrusted with the knowledge that you have given me. I will, of course, find a student who is worthy of it, and give them the same training you have given me."

What came next frightened the young student though. "Now?!" Cass was startled at the sudden demand to perform by McGonogall. Cass was pretty sure that this was the first time that they had done any actual wand waving or magic spells in these lessons. For almost two years, the Professor had pounded theory after theory into her head. She had read more books in the past two years than she probably had read in her lifetime. True enough, Cass used to read for fun, but with all of her school responsibilities, she hadn't been able to do that for a long time. "Oh god," her knees were shaking. What a truly awesome moment this was. She was suddenly overwhelmed. Years of studyng were about to have a payoff. True, it was in her third year when Kriss Graas had given her that potion that revealed what her animal form was going to be. Could that of possibly changed? "So, this will tell me what I've always wondered." The student looked into the Professor's eyes. Cass suddenly felt so small, and so young.

Withdrawing her wand from her belt holster, Cass held her breath. Tapping the object lightly, she whispered, "Revalto." The object seemed to leave her palm and began to spin in the air. The student gasped in disbelief. Both teacher and student seemed riveted by the object.