I Never Intended to Become an Animagus

Professor McGonagall closed her office door but did not immediately head for her desk.

She stood beside the door, her right hand still resting on the handle, and looked at Gavin.

The office was quiet. The fire in the Fireplace burned steadily, casting two narrow strips of pale gold across her glasses.

"Mr. Gu, have you attempted Animagus Transformation recently?"

"I have." Gavin's voice was steady.

"Did you succeed?"

"No."

Professor McGonagall studied him for a moment, apparently dissatisfied with that answer.

"At what stage did you fail?"

Gavin blinked. "The weather's been bad lately."

Professor McGonagall did not reply at once.

She ran through the recent weather in her mind.

The last full moon had been on November eleventh.

A heavy rain had fallen that afternoon, but the evening sky had been unusually clear.

The weather had been perfect for receiving the full moon's light.

Then there had been the storm two days ago.

Lightning, driving rain, fierce winds—every condition required for the final Animagus Transformation.

The two events had been only a little over a week apart.

Still, there had been cases of a heartbeat appearing just one day after the moonlight had been received.

When she had gone through the process herself, the heartbeat had appeared after only two weeks. She had then waited more than two months for a storm.

So Gavin could very well have attempted the transformation already.

The claim about bad weather was utter nonsense.

And here he stood, perfectly fine, after displaying extraordinary flying skill. Every sign pointed to one truth.

He had succeeded.

He was an Animagus.

At the thought, Professor McGonagall drew a deep breath.

She went behind her desk and sat down.

It had been less than two months since she had taught Gavin about Animagus Transformation.

That meant