Transformation at Hogwarts: Part 8
#8 of Harry Potter
I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OTHER CHARACTER IN THIS STORY. THEY ARE ALL COPYRIGHTED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER!
I am so glad to be back! I want to apologize once again for not updating. If you would like to know why this happened, please check out my latest Journal. Everything is explained in there. Now, without further ado, Transformation at Hogwarts: Part 8
"There doesn't seem to be anything we can do about the curse that has befallen four students at Hogwarts. Every willing staff member has been searching through all of the books in the Hogwarts library, including the Restricted Section." Professor Albus Dumbledore peered over his half-moon spectacles at the woman in front of him. His face showed a calmness that he wasn't feeling inside.
"So I assume, Professor, that these four students will be half-human, half-animal for the rest of their lives?" Head of the Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Amelia Bones, looked back at Dumbledore with a small frown on her aging face.
"That is correct, Madam Bones. We do know how one student came to be this way, however. Ms. Hermione Granger, with the help of Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Ron Weasley, concocted a Polyjuice Potion this past school year. Instead of adding a bit of the intended target, Ms. Granger accidentally added a hair from a cat. As you know, Polyjuice Potion is not meant for animal transformations. Ms. Granger knows that she is bound like this for the rest of her days." Dumbledore looked up at Madam Bones, patiently awaiting her response.
"Professor Dumbledore, if I may ask, is she contagious in any way? Could that possibly be why the three other students transformed?"
"It had occurred to me when I first heard what had happened. But after testimonies from students and Professor McGonagall, that theory has been laid to rest. Mr. Weasley's wand was damaged before the school year had started, and yet he was forced to use it during the year, due to his family's financial situation. During a Transfiguration lesson, his wand acted of it own accord, sending out a spell that is obviously beyond any student's capabilities. This spell hit Mr. Potter and rebounded back to Mr. Weasley. Both boys were knocked unconscious and brought up to the Hospital Wing. As for the fourth victim, that still remains a mystery." Dumbledore finished, staring up at Madam Bones.
After a few minutes, Madam Bones looked back at Dumbledore. "So the thing that must be done is to figure out what spell hit the two boys. After we figure that out, we should learn the cause of the fourth victim. Until then, keep those four under surveillance at every opportunity. I will be expecting an owl from you every week with a full report about these four students and any changes. Thank you for your time, Professor." With that, she stood up, gave a small bow, and walked out.
Dumbledore sat for a few minutes more before he too stood up and left. He walked out into the Atrium and headed directly to the apparition points. He pulled out his wand, spoke into it, waved it, and watched a silver phoenix fly to it's destination. He then apparated out of the Ministry of Magic and into Hogsmeade.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. They were joined only by a mysterious man, who Hermione pointed out must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Do either of you think that Professor Dumbledore has figured out a cure for us," asked Ron.
"What do you mean 'us'? I'm stuck like this for the rest of my life, according to Madam Pomfrey," pointed out Hermione.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione! I forgot that you weren't affected by the curse." Ron looked at Hermione apologetically.
Hermione gave him a small smile. "It's quite alright, Ron. I've actually gotten over the fact that I have fur and a tail. Once you get used to it, it really is quite a bit more comfortable than just skin." She looked over at Harry, who hadn't said a word the entire trip. "Is something the matter, Harry?"
Harry looked over at one of his best friends. "Yeah Hermione, everything's fine. It's just that I have a slightly uneasy feeling about our situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying being part canine, but it just feels...wrong. I think it has a lot to do with the spell that was used. That has to have something to do with Dark Magic, I'm almost sure of it." Ron and Hermione gave him a knowing nod, but stayed silent for a few minutes.
"If Dumbledore has found a cure for the curse, I'm not quite sure if I'll accept it," said Ron. "I mean, I'm quite a bit more warm than if I was fully human. And being warm is a luxury at Hogwarts in the winter." Harry and Hermione laughed, which made Ron start to laugh. Soon, all three were holding their sides, trying to control their laughter so as not to wake the man in their compartment.
He watched the Hogwarts Express roll past him. He stood up, stretched, and shook the tangles out of his long, thick fur. He waited until the train had passed him by before he started to run. His target was on that train, going back to where it thought it was safe. Little did it know, it was in more danger than it had ever been in before. As he ran, he though back to the last newspaper he had read. The Daily Prophet had reported that Albus Dumbledore, the current Headmaster at Hogwarts, had found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The running creature knew the new professor, had known him since his own days at Hogwarts. They had been friends, along with two other boys, from their first year all the way through their school career.
The creature continued to run, thinking of everything that had happened after they left school, to the fateful Halloween night, to the day in Muggle London where a large explosion took place. He thought of the long, hard years he had spent in prison for the crime he had not committed, yet. He caught up to the train and ran alongside it. He passed windows that had students' faces pressed up against them, watching the giant creature run. He paid no attention to them. He began passing train cars, quickly glancing up at the windows. He slowed down, letting the train pass him once again. He watched the windows, until he saw his targeted compartment. There, leaning against the window, was his Hogwarts friend, Remus Lupin. From what he could see, Lupin looked a little on the sick side. He knew about Lupin's condition. His other two friends knew about it as well. He watched Lupin for a little longer before running past the train, closing in on his destination. Sirius smiled to himself, knowing deep down that the Marauders would once again be united sometime that year.