"An Animagus is a highly complex and dangerous form of Transfiguration. Becoming one cannot be accomplished overnight. An unlucky wizard might spend years working toward the animal form best suited to them. Even then, success is far from certain, and the consequences of failure can be dreadful. That is why any wizard attempting it must possess extraordinary courage..."
At the front of the classroom, Professor McGonagall spoke at length before transforming into a distinctive tabby cat in full view of the class. The markings around her eyes still resembled her glasses. This time, however, her transformation drew none of the usual gasps of amazement.
"What's the matter with you all today?" Professor McGonagall asked with a soft laugh as she returned to her normal form. "It's nothing, really. My transformation simply doesn't seem to have earned your applause."
"Professor McGonagall, we just had our first Divination lesson. We read tea leaves and—"
"All right!" Professor McGonagall frowned slightly. "Say no more. Tell me, which of you is supposed to meet with misfortune this year?"
"I am, Professor McGonagall," Harry said quietly.
"I see." Professor McGonagall fixed her bright eyes on Harry. "Potter, you should know that every year since Sybill Trelawney came to this school, she has predicted that one of her students would meet with misfortune. So far, every one of those students has remained perfectly safe. She does like to welcome a new class by predicting a death. If I weren't so reluctant to pass judgment on a colleague..."
Professor McGonagall stopped. Once she had collected herself, she continued, "Of all the branches of magic, Divination is undoubtedly the hardest to pin down. True seers are few and far between, and Professor Trelawney..."
"I told you Professor Trelawney's Divination lessons were ridiculous, especially compared with Arithmancy!" Hermione whispered,