The Protector

My Animagus

Yawn. Shuffle. Yawn. Shuffle.

"Did you get enough sleep?"

"Better than yesterday," I laughed.

"Well," Hermione put on her Time-turner, "you still seem tired."

"Yeah," I rubbed my eyes, "because no amount of sleep can help when you've stayed up for 24 plus hours."

"Then you shouldn't have," she flipped her hair and flattened her skirt. "What were you doing anyways?"

I opened one of my drawers and started to pull out my clothes, "I'll tell you sooner or later."

"Is it about Draco?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, "No. Nothing to do with him at all actually."

She hummed and sat on her bed. I changed into my school uniform. I looked around as I put on my robes, "Where's our cats?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. Probably chasing that fat horse brush."

I rolled my eyes, "Oh 'Mione. Don't let our cat get Iris pregnant, or so Merlin help me..."

"He won't," she hopped off her bed. "I'm pretty sure he's neutered."

"I sure hope you're right," I pulled up my boots.

"So, where are you going, anyways?" Her voice echoed through the empty dormitory.

"Just to meet up with McGonagall," I put my brushes hair halfway up.

"Is that why you have that?" She asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "I've had it since you have."

"Oh, I never noticed," she blinked.

"I know," I smiled. "I noticed you had yours and McGonagall told me."

She furrowed her eyebrows and started to think.

I grabbed my wand, "Let's go, before we're late for our lessons."

•••

"I'm glad to see you're doing better, Meadows."

"I'm glad I'll be able to transform now," I laughed.

"Well," she nodded and walked towards the open area, "you will get tired after trying too much. I hope you got plenty of rest."

"I did," I followed her. "Professor? I have a question that I've been meaning to ask you."

McGonagall turned to face me.

Just ask her. She probably will make up a story though. Should I? I have a feeling that she'll question me...then she'll know I heard her in the corridor.

"Is Professor Lupin okay?" Dang it! That's not what I wanted you to ask!

"Yes," she nodded, "but I'm afraid he's a little sick."

"Sick?"

"Yes. Now, shall we?" She put out her arm.

I nodded and stood across from her.

"Remember what I told you. Calmly place your wand on your heart. It's going to sting, but stay calm. It will get better," she stepped away from me.

I nodded and closed my eyes. Come on, soul. Turn me into my animagus. I believe in-this pain shot through me. I yelled in pain and I felt my skin...change.

I threw my head back and howled, "ARGH!"

The pain! Good MERLIN! Bloody hell!

"Don't resist it!" I heard McGonagall's voice through all my screaming.

I tried to relax. To my success, the pain slowly died down. I ended up lying on the cold, stone floor. But to my surprise, I wasn't that cold.

I opened my eyes, and took slow, calming breaths. Everything seemed normal, but the colors seemed slightly faded. McGonagall came into view and started to clap and cheer.

"You look...stunning!" She cheered.

I heard a whine come from me, and I blinked. Did I just...whine?

I tried to sit up, and when I did something wasn't right. I looked down at my hands...little to say, I kind of freaked out.

I have paws?! I scattered around on the floor, trying to get up and steady myself. What the bloody hell?! Why do I have paws?!

"Calm down, Bridget! Calm down," McGonagall's voice was rather loud.

I had been freaking out so much, that I didn't even realize that I was now on all fours running around. I took a few deep breaths, and slowly walked over to McGonagall.

"There you go," she smiled.

I came up next to her and sat down.

"Take a look at yourself," she gestured towards the mirrored wall.

I turned towards the mirrors. I got up and walked towards them. I turned sideways, to take a view of my whole body. The fur was the color of my hair: brown with a golden highlights. My eyes were the same color as they were. My nose was very different: black, and wet. 

I'm a dog! 

I tried to talk, but instead I let out a huge, "BARK!" 

McGonagall shushed me, "Don't bark! I think your painful screaming was heard by too many already." 

I huffed as I looked at her. I looked back to myself and smiled. I'm a dog! I've always wanted to be one! And they say dream realistic. I did the whole 'playful dog' pose and started to prance around the room. The different smells! The different sounds! Do I have to go back? 

"Alright," McGonagall laughed, "here Bridget." I halted and jumped over to her. She put her hands up, "No! No, jumping!" 

I huffed and sat. 

"Okay," McGonagall spoke, "now you need to turn back. You'll need to get use to it, so you'll be able to do it tomorrow and the next. But you need to get going to class. So you need to imagine yourself. The human you. Don't let that slip out of your mind." 

I nodded, and stepped a few feet away. I took a breath, I had brown, thick, wavy hair that went to the end of my shoulders. I was about 5 feet, 4 inches. Mostly pale with slight color. Brown eyes. With my school robes on. 

I focused on my human form. I closed my eyes, and there was this bright light that was coming from around me. The pain came back, but it wasn't that bad. I was able to keep focus on my human body. I felt my skin change. The pain quickly faded. I found myself sitting on the floor. 

I opened my eyes. I saw the normal colors. I saw my normal legs and toes. I saw my normal uniform, and normal hands. I sighed. Then my mouth dropped, "I was a dog." 

"Not just any dog," McGonagall extended her hand. I took it and she continued, "You were a Brown Flat-coated Retriever." 

I hummed, "Interesting." 

"Now," she released me and I wobbled, "you need to get to class. Hate for you to be late." 

I laughed, "I'll see you tomorrow, Professor," I walked out of ROR. I checked to make sure the hallways were clear. I ran up the Astronomy Tower, towards the divination room. I made it there just in time. Nobody was there. I sat in my seat, and checked my pocket watch. 9:15 AM. 

"Welp," I sighed. "Time for class."