In their chosen quiet corners, each wizard meticulously pointed their wand towards their heart. With practiced ease, they chanted the incantation they had repeated countless times: "Anima, Animato, Animagus." The peril of becoming an Animagus lay in the precise pronunciation of this spell. A single mistake could be catastrophic.
Fortunately, Harry and the others succeeded perfectly. Suppressing their fear, their fearlessness became their most ordinary, yet most remarkable, attribute. Their excellence was simply undeniable. Incantation complete, they each downed the blood-red potion.
A sharp, searing pain followed, accompanied by the distinct sensation of two hearts beating in unison within their chests.
...
"Do not fret, Minerva."
Inside the Headmaster's Office, the usual atmosphere of hushed anticipation was absent. Albus Dumbledore sat serenely, sipping a cup of tea. Gellert Grindelwald watched with amusement as Minerva McGonagall paced anxiously before them.
"It is easy for you to say, Albus," Minerva McGonagall responded. "But consider this: barely a handful of wizards in the entire world can master Animagus. Many brilliant and experienced individuals have failed."
"Worry not. What is there to fear?" Gellert Grindelwald dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand, both reassuring and stating a simple fact. "With Tom Riddle involved, there is no 'what if.'"
"..."
Minerva McGonagall regarded the two old wizards with a look of profound intensity. "You place far too much faith in him."
"You are far too anxious, Minerva." Albus Dumbledore sighed gently. Only those at their level could truly comprehend Tom Riddle's extraordinary nature.
However, Minerva McGonagall was partially correct: they were exceedingly confident in Tom Riddle. Perhaps it was because they had carried the weight of the world on their shoulders for far too long. Now, this 'tough guy' appeared, treating their burden as a mere parlor trick. It was inevitable they would feel a sense of relief, perhaps even a touch of complacency.
"Now, now, Minerva," Albus Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "Look at Severus. He is neither nervous nor concerned."
"..."
Severus Snape, having been called upon, merely glanced up. He wasn't indifferent; he was simply reserved, and his inner thoughts were always carefully concealed.
...
As the potion slid down his throat, Malfoy felt as if his body was being ripped apart. A strange, potent magic surged through his veins, causing excruciating pain.
Thump, thump...
He heard two hearts pounding violently within him. He fought to remain calm, battling the pain and suppressing the savage, primal instincts that threatened to erupt within him.
Whoosh—
A low growl echoed in his mind—the sound of a true beast!
Sharp canines, gleaming claws, pale fur...agile, powerful, and unbelievably strong.
Could it be... a wolf?
Malfoy imagined himself transformed, a wild, bloodthirsty Animagus!
Thump, thump...
The two heartbeats seemed to merge, growing stronger and more powerful by the second. The wildness threatened to overwhelm him.
Malfoy felt his muscles swell; a savage power lay dormant within him, ready to explode.
So wild! So powerful! This is... the terrifying beast I, the second most handsome Death Eater, have become!
Malfoy suppressed the urge to howl, his wildly pounding heart making his brain feel congested. With a final surge of will, he quelled the inner beast. An unprecedented sense of ease washed over him. Although a strange, peculiar thought lingered in the back of his mind, it posed no threat to him now.
The agony of the transformation did not frighten Malfoy. Minerva McGonagall had prepared him for it. He would not resist, he would not panic, and he would certainly not allow his animal instincts to push him toward foolishness. As he accustomed himself to his new form, Malfoy looked down.
Just as he had vaguely imagined, the creature was strong, with sharp claws and pale fur...a carnivore! Perfectly befitting his image as the ultimate macho wizard!
Malfoy extended his claws, tilting his head back, eager to stretch his wild, powerful body...
Looking around, he saw the items he had prepared were overturned. Although he managed to control his animal instincts and maintain rationality, the primal struggle could not be avoided. Wait, why does that chair look bigger than me?
Malfoy paused, momentarily puzzled. He felt like something was wrong, but before he could think further...
"Yo-yo~ Moo~"
A strange, yet vaguely familiar deer call came from behind him.
Turning, he saw a tall stag, but... it was far too large!
Like Malfoy, Harry recognized him instantly, even in his animal form. He remembered his earlier taunts to Harry, only to be proven wrong. Again. Harry had become a large animal, nearly the size of a mutated stag!
The two "people" exchanged a knowing glance and nodded before attempting to transform back.
Malfoy visualized his human form as clearly as possible, as did Harry. After several attempts, they awkwardly shifted back into humans.
"Harry! What in the world did I just turn into?!" As soon as he could speak, Malfoy grabbed Harry's shoulders, shaking him violently. "Was I a wolf? I looked at my paws; they looked like a wolf's, right?" A bad feeling gripped him, and his voice trembled.
Slightly dizzy, Harry raised a hand to stop him. Thinking for a moment, he said, "I remember, it looked a lot like... a skunk?"
"..."
Harry felt Malfoy's grip loosen. His eyes glazed over, his gaze blank, and he slumped down, muttering, "Skunk? I'M A SKUNK?!"
Seeing Malfoy's distress, Harry suppressed a laugh and tried to comfort him. "Actually, maybe not? It's a little different from a black and white skunk. It could be some other animal."
Harry's words brought a flicker of life back to Malfoy's eyes. "What's the difference?"
"You turned pure white."
"Isn't that still a skunk? A bloody albino skunk!"
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thank you for 100 powerstone