Rise Of House Cason

Art spent an extra hour in Dumbledore's office trying to summon one patronus at a time. It would cause to much discussion if three patronuses came out of his wand at once, not to mention all three were magical beasts. With Dumbledore's help and practice, Art was finally able to summon each individual patronus at will.

Art left Dumbledore's office late at night, exhausted but excited that he finally mastered the Patronus Charm.

The weekend was here and Art had to wake up early for his lessons with Madam Pomfrey. Seeing Art walk into the hospital wing, she smiled and called him over. She liked this student of hers who listened carefully to her every word and was able to master the spells she taught him.

"Professor Pomfrey." Art said politely, walking over to her.

She smiled, enjoying being called a professor. "Today there isn't much going on so we will go over potions and plants that are common." she told him, bringing him over to a small desk where she brewed a Blood Replenishing Potion.

Art concentrated on her actions and grabbed his own ingredients and tried to create the potion. The morning went by quickly as he assisted Madam Pomfrey with different tasks. Leaving the hospital wing, Art went to the Room of Requirement to research the animagus process. Entering the room, he started to take notes of ingredients he needed.

The process is extremely difficult and can result in disaster (such as permanent half-human, half-animal mutations) if done incorrectly. A witch or wizard must keep a single mandrake leaf in their mouth for an entire month (from full moon to full moon). If the leaf is removed or swallowed, the witch or wizard will have to start over again. At the next visible full moon (if the night happens to be cloudy one will have to start over) the wizard must spit the leaf in a phial within range of the moon's pure rays. To the moon-struck phial, the wizard or witch must add one of their own hairs, a silver teaspoon of dew that has not seen sunlight or been touched by human feet for seven days, and the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth. The mixture must be put in a quiet, dark place and cannot be in any way disturbed.

The next thing that must happen is for the wizard to wait for an electrical storm, whenever that might be. During this waiting period the wizard must, at sunrise and sundown without fail, chant the incantation 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus' with the tip of their wand placed over the heart. When, at last, there is a lightning storm, the wizard ought to move immediately to a large and secure place, recite the incantation one final time, and then drink the potion.

It was the end of January soon so he would have to wait for a few days but most of the ingredients wouldn't be that difficult to acquire. He quickly sent an order to the potions shop in Diagon Alley for the ingredients. During Herbology he was able to pick a Mandrake Leaf without anyone noticing.

Art continued his lessons with Snape, acting like what happened before the break never happened but because of what happened, Art concentrated more on mastering Occlumency. His memories were his and no one else's.

Fred and George were doing well in class, impressing the teachers and Art himself. The twins were very skilled wizards especially in charms. If it wasn't for Quidditch Art thought they could be at the top of the class. Soon the full moon came and Art put the Mandrake leaf in his mouth and used a sticky charm to place it on the top of his mouth. It felt awkward for a bit especially when eating but he soon adjusted. In the Great Hall, three large owls landed in front of Art carrying packages. Art paid the money and the owls took off.

"What is that for?" Fred asked, watching Art place the packages in his bag.

Fred also eyed Art, wondering what he was up to.

Art smiled and said, "I will tell you later." He shot a glance at the teachers table and saw that Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape were all looking at him. McGonagall had a worried look on her face while Snape had the same cold look as usual. Dumbledore had a slight smile as he slightly nodded at Art.

Fred and George saw this and held their curiosity for now but make a mental note to ask Art about it later.

Back in the common room, Fred and George cornered Art, not giving him any chance to escape.

"Okay tell us." they said in unison.

Art rolled his eyes and made sure no one was around and just for extra protection he casted a privacy ward. "I am trying to become an animagus. Those are the potions ingredients for it."

The twins eyes went wide as they looked at Art. "Art that is high level transfiguration. Are you sure it is safe?" Fred asked, a little worried.

Art laughed, "It's not that difficult, just time consuming." he explained.

George look turned excited, "Then can we do it with you." he asked, excitement on his face.

"I can help you but there is a catch. You must learn the Patronus Charm first. It can possibly tell you what animal you might change into." Art agreed, knowing the twins would do it with or without him. He figured that it would be safer if he assisted them.

"Patronus?" they both asked confused.

"Of course I will help you. Meet me at the 7th floor corridor tonight." Art said mysteriously, walking away from the twins.

Though the twins were young, Art fully believed in their capabilities. Later that night the twins met Art where he said. Art wish he had a picture when they saw the door materialize in front of them. Entering the room, they looked around in wonder.

"Okay. The Patronus Charm is high level spell that creates a shield of positive energy that protects you. When you fully master the spell it will take the shape on the animal you connect most with." Art explained, entering his teacher mode.

The twins nodded, he had their complete attention.

"Now the incantation is easy. 'Expecto Patronum', but you must concentrate on a happy memory. The happiest memory you have." he explained.

The twins nodded seriously. A look of concentration appeared on their faces as they both yelled, "Expecto Patronum!"

A small amount of white mist came out of their wands before disappearing.

"Excellent start!" Art said, thoroughly impressed. "But really concentrate on the memory. Remember what you were feeling when you were there. Again."

The twins practiced until late, producing white mist from their wands. Though they were disappointed, Art assured them they were doing excellent. They headed back to the common room telling them to practice when they can. He also told them the secrets of the Room of Requirement but not to tell anybody else.

The twins continued to work hard throughout the rest of the week, asking Art for a couple pointers but mostly practiced by themselves. Lessons continued and Art would often visit Hagrid now. Hagrid showed him many beasts and even took him into the Forbidden Forest. Nifflers, Unicorns, Fire Crabs, Threstrals and even a huge three-headed dog that Hagrid raised called Fluffy. Art found the Nifflers hilarious as they like to steal and store shiny objects. They looked like fat platypuses to Art and found them incredibly cute. Fluffy, at first, tried to intimidate Art but quickly started acting like a normal dog that wanted his affection.

Weeks went by and Art only had a week left until he made the animagus potion. He prepared all the ingredients and vials for the night and prayed that it would be a clear night. Art hadn't seen the twins very much outside of classes due to Quidditch and practicing the patronus charm.

Art smiled at himself, thinking that their mother would love to see this side of Fred and George. One day, after Transfiguration the twins grabbed both his arms and dragged him down a deserted corridor.

A proud smile hung on their faces and they both said in unison. "Expecto Patronum!"

Two large magpies formed from the white mist and flew around them.

"We did it." Fred said proudly.

Art looked at them stunned. In less then a month they mastered the Patronus Charm. Even Art underestimated them and their skills.

"Excellent! Amazing!" he said sincerely. "And magpies! That means you will be able to fly in your animagus form!"

The twins nodded their heads excitedly, they couldn't wait to fly around.

Art laughed inwardly, thinking that magpies were the perfect animal for these troublemakers.

"After I complete my transformation, I will order the ingredients for the potion and tell you what you need to do." Art told them, wanting to focus on his before his helped the twins.

They nodded and thanked him for helping them. They asked if they could continue to use the room and Art told them it wasn't a problem.

Finally the full moon came and it was a clear night. Taking the mandrake leaf from his mouth, he quickly put it into a vial and added the ingredients. Finishing the potion, he placed it in an abandoned classroom in the dungeon, placing wards up so it wouldn't be disturbed. Now all he needed was an electrical storm and he would be an animagus.