Animagi trainings ((Cassandra Blackfire))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Dipping her quill periodically into the inkpot Minerva wrote a letter. Her hand-writing was small but very accurate. All the ‘t’s were crossed all ‘i’s had their dots. Minerva appreciated accuracy and precision. A lot of the students were very sloppy with their writings. But Minerva supposed that she shouldn’t complain. Reading bad essays and hand-writing was just part of a professors job.
Signing her letter carefully Minerva folded it and placed it into an envelope. Raising to tie the letter to the leg of her personal owl Minerva stepped to the window and opened it. The owl had just taken off when there was a slight knock on her office door. Looking at the watch Minerva saw that is was about time for young ms.Blackfire to arrive.

“Come in.” Walking back to her table Minerva retook her seat as she nodded to the young girl.
“Hello ms.Blackfire. I will not be holding you here for very long today. But for the beginning I would like to know if you did your homework. I gave you an assignment where you had to analyze your personality and make a conclusion what kind of animals would be most suiting for your animagi form. I would want to read that essay.”

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass scrutinized the paper with the ferocity of a Ravenclaw during an exam. God, this was an important paper. McGonogall had assigned this essay before she left for summer break, and she had been working on it all summer. What if she didn’t like it? What if she thought it was joke? Cass twisted her hands around her quill in anxiety for about the hundredth time today. She had actually skipped charms to go over it one last time. That revision went through lunch, and then through potions. McGonogall would be angry if she knew that she has missed class for an extra curricular assignment. The large Grandfather Clock chimed fifteen minutes to the hour, and Cass gasped in alarm. Scribbling out a final word, Cass packed up her wand and books and headed to meet McGonogall.

Cass hurried up the corridor, and she exploded through McGonogall’s door. She walked into the room, gulping for air. “Hello...Professor.” She heard the clock chime the hour. Cassandra relaxed knowing now that she had gotten there on time. “I finished my essay, Professor.” Cass placed the rather long piece of parchment on the Professor’s desk, gulping away her unease.

(( The essay is as follows))

Animagi forms tends to reflect the wizard’s personality, beliefs, and body type. Most wizards do turn into normal animals suck cats, dogs, and birds. It is a very rare thing to see a mage turn into a large, wild animal such as lions, tigers, and bears. Animagi are also known to take on some of characteristics of the animal they turn into. For example, wizards who turn into dogs may have a laugh like a bark or a bird animagi may have a sharp nose like a beak.

This was a rather hard essay to write. I spent several days in the library going over books such as Magical Menagerie and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In these books, I could not find a single creature that reminded me of myself. Dogs and cats honestly seemed to tame while jungle animals seemed too outlandish or strange. I was out of my head searching for this particular animal to represent me. By mid June, I was agonizing over the answer. At the end of July, I was livid with desperation to find this animal. I was wrought by despair on the Hogwart’s Express because I still had not found the answer I was looking for.

The elusive answer finally came to me one night in my dorm room playing with my cat, Ringo. I watched him jump from bed to bed as he terrorized my new pygmy puff. I was floored by his grace, and how he hunted the little ball of fluff. As he wiggled his furry rump in the air, he licked his muzzle in a mischievous way and pounced on my new pet. After separating the two animals, I put my pygmy puff in the cage and laid down with Ringo on my bed. After a few moments, he curled up and fell asleep on my chest.

That was when it dawned on me. I wanted to be a cat. Well, no, not a cat, but a big cat. A normal house cat just did not seem like me, but this type of animal fit. The next day, I went to the library and went through several muggle zoology books trying to find the perfect animal. Suddenly, a picture of a Florida Panther jumped out at me. The small bio intrigued me:

“The Florida Panther is known as one of the most dangerous creatures in the United States of America. However, that is nothing more than a misconception. Attacking only when provoked, the feline lives in the Everglades near swamps. The animal is also an agile swimmer who usually feeds on fish like salmon. Usually weighing around one hundred fifty pounds, the carnivore is a formidable opponent to most creatures that cross its path.”

I immediately began to do more research on the animal with any time I could spare between classes. I liked this mammal. Not only was it beautiful and graceful, but it was also a creature that was formidable enough to protect itself and territory. If ever provoked in this form, I would be able to protect myself and others. Danger would also be reduced while in the wild because not many other creatures would come near it. I do understand that the creature is not native to this part of the world; so, it would be a bad idea for me to wander near big cities or where I could be sighted by humans.

In conclusion, this search did take me on a long journey. Not only did it allow for a scholarly exploits, but it also made me go on a personal mission to find what fit with me. I do know that we don’t choose are forms, but the magic chooses for us. Wizards have theorized for years on why a particular wizard becomes a particular animal. I can only hope that I am lucky enough to become an animal that fits the person that I now am.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva accepted the parchment with the essay from ms.Blackfire and read it through carefully. The girl had done her work but Minerve preferred a bit more unpersonal style. These young girls were in no position to call Minerva their friend. Due to the age difference Minerva liked the respect that came from not using ’you’referrals in essays. This was not the problem for now however.

“You have done your essay however it brings up a few intersting points. First of all you yourself do not have any say in the matter of your animagi form or certain way of telling what animal you would be turning into before you actually transform for the first time. Should such a case that you turn into a panther occur then there will be very complicated charms casted to make sure you do not attack innocent people.“ Minerva read over a few more parts of the essay thoughtfully.
“On the same matter you did not do the job I asked for you they I asked for you. I wanted to hear you analyzing your own character. While professor Hagrid certainly appreciates the info you know about animals now I wanted an evaluation of your own character. Not you finding some animal you found curious and did some research about as it had a fancy name. I want you to tell me now. What you are like and how such characteristics remind you of some animal.“

Minerva nodded and gestured that ms.Blackfire should take a seat there. “You seem to wish you would become a feline. Please share with me the characteristics inside you that would fit with the characteristics of any feline. I do seem to understand you are prone for breaking rules and creating trouble, but share your opinions with me. I promise that nothing I hear will go outside this classroom. You must also be completely honest. Both negative and positive characteristics please.“ Minerva nodded at the girl recalling her visit to the Forbidden Forest in the end of last year. But for now Minerva observed the girl and waited for her to start speaking.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass frowned at the admonishment from McGonogall. She had tried so hard on that essay, and felt extremely disheartened that McGonogall didn't think it was good enough. However, that was all cast aside when the Professor asked her to share her personal traits. Not that she didn't trust the teacher, but it was something she didn't' share. She knew her faults, and so did most of the teachers, but admitting them was something different entirely. Cass bit her lip, but she always did that when she was nervous. " Well, I do think I'm way to trusting." Cass looked up to see the teacher's expression. " I always believe that people are naturally good, and I always try to look for that. It has gotten me into trouble a few times that has."

Cass sat silent for a few moments, playing with the ring on her finger nervously. " I'm very bad at taking on more than I can handle. You know, telling someone I can do something and then getting in over my head, and then I'm one of those people who hate asking for help. So, I usually drown under the pressure." Cass began to speed ahead as she spoke about herself nervously. " Oh, and I have a terrible temper, and it is quick too. Just last week, Pyro and I were arguing about something in the courtyard, and that was one of our shorter confrontations. I had to keep yelling at him until he gave up. I hate to lose in anything; especially so when my cousin is concerned."

Cass breathed again and began to ramble on. She knew she was probably telling McGonogall more than she wanted to know, but she might as well let it all out in the open. " Honestly, I can't think of many good things because I'm horribly critical of myself. Well, that's just another bad thing about me. I'm hard on myself, and I know it. I always feel like I need to prove myself when I know it doesn't matter what others think. Oh, and I'm such a tomboy. I can't walk in heels, and I'm luck if I can get through a meal without dropping food on my shirt." Cass hesitated for a moment, trying to think of something good. She honestly couldn't be this horrible. " I'm extremely loyal to my friends, and I will help them even if I know they are wrong. I really like trying new things, but I'm really bad about respecting boundaries. I don't like being stopped from getting what I want; especially if I want it bad enough."

Cass fell silent once again. Oh god, had she really told all that to Professor McGonogall. Cassie's stomach was doing flip flops, and she cold even feel herself perspiring under her white shirt. It was suddenly hot in the room, and the air was stifling. Was Cassie being to honest? Maybe she should of put herself in a better light? It didn't matter anyway because it was now out in the open. McGonogall already knew how badly she wanted these lessons, and she knew was going to be unable to effect the proper transformation without them. Cass held her breath under McGonogall's gaze while waiting for her to speak.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva sent a very sarp glance at the young girl in front of her. “Usual confrontation? I hope I do not have to remind you NOT to duel in the hallways. I would hate to have Gryffindor use points for something like that again. Becoming an animagi is very serious work. I can’t stress that enough. So you must very seriously work on getting your emotions under control. I am certain that whatever you were arguing about didn’t require yelling.“
Minerva looked sternly at ms.Blackfire leving a pause into her speech to give her words time to reach the young Gryffindor and to settle firmly in her head.

“I am certain that you have done a lot of reserach on the topic of animagi. So I hope you do understand all the risks that come with such transformation. I will personally be taking extra care that you will not be transforming this year and it might very well happen that you aren’t going to reach your animagi form next year either. Do you understand why I will not let you transfigure? Or do you need some explaining on the matter?“

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

These were words that Cassandra didn't really want to hear. Not even next year? Cass didn't want the disappointment to cross her face, but the Professor's strong words struck her to the core. She had worked so hard over the past year to accomplish this feat, and she knew that McGonogall wasn't going to let her do it anytime soon. Cass was thinking that she might be allowed to do it in her fifth year, but McGonogall was acting like it was going to take ages. Cass stammered a reply as best she could. " No, Professor, I haven't been dueling in the hallways. I've been holding my temper as best as I can. In fact, I haven't lost any points at all this year." Of course, with my luck, that will soon change, thought Cass.

Cass was pretty sure that Professor McGonogall did not know about her continuing family drama. It was so hard to get Pyro to understand that the ideals that his part of the family held dear were wrong. However, that wasn't the point right now. " I do understand the severe consequences that can occur if something goes wrong during the transformation. The essay you had me do last year made me explore many of the things that could go wrong." Cass bit her lip as she said the last part. " I'm just eager, Professor. I do appreciate the opportunity that you have given me since many do not get it." Cassandra knew for a fact that McGonogall had not given private lessons to a student in years, and she knew there was no one in the past decade.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva looked sharply at miss Blackfire.
“I have a feeling you are still not fully understanding the situation miss Blacfire. Animagi transformations are especially dangerous in your age. You are still in such a tender age where you body has not fully developed as you continue growing. There is an 85% chance that something WILL go wrong if you try to transform right now and you would be forced to spend the rest of your life with a tail, dog ears, fur covering your whole body, feline-like nose or paws. As your supervisor I shall not be allowing such dangerous activity in my school. For the same reason I hope you shall not be trying to transform yourself. You can be certain that I will hear about such tries and will personally request special potions from professor Snape to make sure you are unable to change should you still try something on your own. Courage is very pleasing feature, but your mind must control over your desires.“

Minerva looked at the young girl in front of her thoughtfully. She could see that the young miss Blackfire was eager but she was not willing to take any risks of such grave importance.
„I hope you understand what I am saying? Now do you have any other questions for me about your transforming today?“

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass looked at the Professor thoughtfully. " Of course, I understand, Professor McGonogall. It's just that..."Cass cut herself off before she got herself into trouble. " My arguments don't matter, Professor. If that is the way it has to be, then that is the way it has to be." Cass had always been an anxious student, and waiting had never been her strong suit. She always one to get things on the first try, and studying the theory of the transformation was really beginning to wet her apetite for more. If the Professor said it was dangerous, than it was dangerous. No questions or rebuttals needed.

Cass smiled at the Professor when she asked if she had anymore questions. " Of course I have tons of questions, Professor McGonogall. In fact, many of them are still swimming around in my head." Cass took a moment before posing her query. " Even though I read those books that you lent me, I don't understand how the bone structure of a person can change like it does. With most transformations, joints and muscles have to invert, and sometimes a person has to redistribute alot of weight. I read the account on Morgana la Fey. She was rumored to be able to change into a bird, but I don't see how that can be." Cass gulped in the middle of her thought process. " If you take la Fey's second law, which is that an animagus has to redirect and redistribute her weight in their animal form, how can that be? A bird is a very light animal with hollow bones made for flight. Where would they put all that extra mass?"

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva looked a the young girl as she opened her mouth to start arguing before hopefully understanding her reasoning and closing her mouth once again. Standing Minerva walked around her desk to the back of the room picking up a small white mouse that the first years had been practicing on earlier because the question had been reasonable. “I hope you have been paying an attention in my classes, ms.Blackfire, because the answer if fairly evident. You do recognize a mouse I believe? I assure you that this is a real living mouse.”

Holding the mouse in her hand Minerva tapped it with her wand and watched how it turned into a black onyx goblet with a few decorations adorning its smooth cover.
Returning to her seat Minerva turned the cup between her hands smiling at the cup thoughtfully. “Yet that white living mouse turned into a black lifeless object. How is that possible, miss Blackfire? The mouse had bones as well, so where did they go? A cup can’t live, yet when the spell is reversed, the mouse will live on. While transfiguring we don’t only change the outer form. We also influence the mind and something inside every person that gives us meaning which is exactly the reason why transfiguration is a very difficult subject and requires much concentration. The spell told the heart of the mouse to slow down so now it is still beating, but it merely does one heart-beat in a year. However the body of the mouse doesn’t need blood to flow faster, because with the same spell we told muscles to stiffen and change and we have a cup. Every time you transfigure and change something you change the way of thinking. The mouse isn’t thinking anymore, therefore it can’t be hurt.”

Minerva looked sharply at the young Gryffindor in front of her hoping that the example had been clear enough. “This is exactly what happens when a person transforms. Your own way of thinking changes. You do not loose any of your intelligence but the way your thoughts are formed is different, but such changes require a lot of self-discipline, honesty to yourself first of all and a lot of work. We don’t really change the bones, they just draw tighter together and for our mind they seem lighter. Transfiguration is very greatly done in one’s mind. Had Morgana la Fey
had a thought about what happened to the weight of her bones while she was flying in her bird shape, then the result of it would have been death because the shock would have been too great for the bird’s mind and the consequences ungraspable. Such a thought would have never formed though, because birds simply do not think that way. It’s simply magic that can’t be explained and just has to be accepted the way it is. That sometimes gives purebloods a bit of an advantage in the beginning. They simply known that magic works like you know that there is oxygen in the air, even though you have never seen it. You just know you need to breath to live, you don’t think why you breath at every second.”

Minerva waved her wand once and then floated the white mouse back to it’s box before nodding to miss Blackfire. “I hope this is a sufficient enough answer for you. Did you have anything else on your mind today or shall we consider this meeting ended?”