Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 51: Animagus
Today was the day Professor Dumbledore woke up from his magical coma, and it was also the day Hufflepuff and Gryffindor shared a class together.
Naturally, Dudley was excited to see his cousin, Harry Potter. As he entered the classroom, he noticed the Golden Trio suddenly stiffen upon seeing him
'Well, it looks like they're afraid of me,' Dudley thought.
"Hi, my dearest cousin," Dudley greeted as he walked toward where Harry was sitting with Hermione and Ron in the Transfiguration room.
"Oh, hi Dudley," replied Harry Potter.
"Hey, Dudley," greeted Ron, his face paled.
Hermione just glared at Dudley, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then closed it.
"Do you guys have something to talk to me about?" asked Dudley after noticed they tried to hide something.
"We heard you sent Professor Dumbledore to the infirmary," replied Harry.
"You're sick, mate," commented Ron. "We get why you went after Snape, but why would you attack Professor Dumbledore?"
"Be quiet, Ron," Hermione interjected, trying to defend Dudley. "He must have had a reason." Harry nodded in agreement.
"Shut up, you're just like him," Ron muttered.
Dudley never liked Ron in the first place. He had even read fanfictions about Ron leaking secrets after Voldemort's defeat. At first, they were hailed as heroes for defeating the Dark Lord, but one day Ron, addicted to his newfound fame, accidentally let slip the secret of Horcruxes to the media. Well the thing is not accidentally, he just can't control his hormone.
What seemed like a small mistake snowballed and soon the Dark Lords began popping up like mushrooms. Wizards across the world got bolder and started creating Horcruxes. France had two Dark Lords, America had one and nearly every other country had one or two.
'Even though it was just fanfiction, the probability of Ron doing something like that is high enough,' thought Dudley. 'Should I separate them early and only include Harry and Hermione in the war?'
"Professor Dumbledore wanted to test my mind arts," Dudley explained. "That's why he called me to his office, but my magic was stronger than he expected, which is why he fainted."
"What?" The Golden Trio was visibly shocked.
"Yeah, it wasn't my intention to hurt him. Do you really think I'd attack Professor Dumbledore and the school didn't even punish me and here i am not getting expelled?" Dudley asked.
"Ergh," Ron mumbled. "Last year, you attacked Snape and didn't get expelled either."
"That was self-defense," Dudley countered. "Anyway, I wanna sit with my fellow Hufflepuffs. Bye."
As Dudley walked over to his new Hufflepuff friends, he overheard Ron's comment.
"Harry, even though he's your cousin, he's dangerous. Don't you remember what he did last year or when he used to bully you?" Ron tried to convince Harry.
'Well, I didn't expect Ron to become hostile toward me,' thought Dudley.
Dudley decided not to let Ron Weasley enter his circle, he must prevent Harry talk to Ron about Horcruxes.
---Animagus---
'Now I regret choosing Mind Arts over Transfiguration,' thought Dudley.
"Did something happen to you, Dudley?" asked Ernie Macmillan.
"Do you want to become an animal?" replied Dudley.
Hearing this, Ernie felt angry.
"What do you mean by that, Dudley? Do you want to fight?" said Ernie.
"Yeah, what do you mean by fighting?" asked Justin.
Dudley, hearing this, could only slap his forehead in frustration.
"I mean, do you want to become an Animagus like Professor McGonagall?" replied Dudley.
"Oh, you mean become a cat?" asked Justin. "Of course, I want to."
"Do you know how to become an Animagus?" added Ernie.
"Well, if you want..." said Dudley, before being cut off by Professor McGonagall.
"Mr. Dursley and Mr. Macmillan, what are you two discussing?" she asked sternly.
"We're discussing how to become Animagi," replied Dudley.
Suddenly, everyone stopped their incantations and stared at Dudley—even Professor McGonagall's mouth fell open as she looked at him.
"Hmmm... Mr. Dursley, meet me after school," said Professor McGonagall.
"Okay, Professor," Dudley replied with a smile.
"Professor," Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall responded with a smile.
"Can I join Dudley too?" she asked.
Like a domino effect, when Hermione asked to be included, everyone in the class suddenly wanted to become Animagi, including Ron Weasley.
"Professor!"
"Please!"
"Professor!"
"What is an AnimagI?"
"It is Animagus"
"Oh you mean like Professor cat form"
"Professor!"
The students' voices grew louder and louder, forcing Professor McGonagall to yell.
"SILENCE!"
The entire class fell quiet.
"Good. Now listen to me. Those who manage to transfigure their rat into a goblet made of metal, wood, or glass will be invited," said Professor McGonagall.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"What are we waiting for?"
Everyone eagerly flicked their wands, trying to transfigure their rats into goblets made of metal. Dudley succeeded on his first try, earning 10 points for Hufflepuff. Hermione followed, earning 5 points for Gryffindor, but the rest of the students failed.
---Metamorphmagus---
Everyone returned to their respective dormitories, except for Hermione Granger and Dudley Dursley.
"I didn't expect you to be interested in becoming an Animagus, Mr. Dursley," said Professor McGonagall.
"Just call me Dudley, Professor," Dudley replied.
McGonagall smiled, but she didn't respond directly. She just kept smiling. Of course, she might call him Dudley if they were closer, perhaps after he finished his studies at Hogwarts. But for now, being the professional she was, she preferred to call him Mr. Dursley. It was different with Hermione Granger—sometimes she would call her simply Granger or Miss Granger.
"Miss Granger, I believe you and Mr. Dursley will be able to become Animagi," said Professor McGonagall.
Hermione smiled.
"I will guide you through the process," McGonagall continued as she walked to her desk, picked up some books, and handed them to Hermione and Dudley. "Here are the details on how to become Animagi."
"Thank you, Professor," they both replied.
"Becoming an Animagus is extremely difficult, and only a few wizards manage to achieve it. Some who attempt it without proper supervision are permanently disabled because their bodies get stuck and cannot return to human form," warned McGonagall. "Vampires, werewolves, and Metamorphmagi cannot become Animagi."
Dudley was shocked to hear that Metamorphmagus couldn't become Animagus.
Author Notes: There is 28 advanced chapters on my patreon.
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