Chapter 332: The First Lesson
The next morning dawned bright.
The first light washed over the castle, turning the golden mallorn and the silver White Tree into mirrors of brilliance. Bathed in gold and silver, the stronghold shone with a sacred, sunlit calm.
A sweet scent of grass and flowers drifted in on the breeze, and the first-years—who had slept like stones—stirred awake, smiling into their pillows.
Students rubbed sleep from their eyes, glanced out the windows, and forgot drowsiness on the spot.
"Wow. That's beautiful," Anlomire whispered in Phoenix House.
Even Aranil, who had grown up in Rivendell, nodded appreciatively.
After a quick wash, the first-years made their way to breakfast in the Great Hall.
By the time they finished, it was near nine.
Anlomire, Aranil, and Adam Bailey hurried toward the Transfiguration classroom. Their first lesson of the term was Transfiguration, shared with Dragon House.
They tumbled into their seats just before the bell.
When the bell rang and no professor stood at the front, the room filled with curious glances and soft murmurs.
Then something vast padded in on four limbs through the doorway.
Students seated toward the back turned and went dead white. A few strangled on their screams, unable to force sound past their throats.
Row by row, faces turned and froze.
A wolf as tall as a man—black-backed, white-bellied, heavy with corded muscle—strode between the desks. For a heartbeat, it could have been a warg from the legends of the North.
The "great wolf" reached the front, then blurred—shrinking, twisting—until Professor Edward stood there in its place.
A wave of gasps broke over the room.
Only Adam Bailey snapped out of shock quickly enough to blurt, voice rising with excitement, "That's an Animagus! Professor Edward's Animagus is a wolf! That's so cool!"
Students who had heard the term "Animagus" nodded quickly, realization dawning; those who hadn't were promptly briefed in hushed tones, their faces lighting with the same stunned wonder.
At the front, Edward's eyes crinkled with a brief smile.
"Quiet," he said, and the room obeyed at once, though the gleam of amazement remained in every eye.
Edward's gaze swept the benches. "Mr. Bailey is correct. Animagus transformation is one of the highest achievements in Transfiguration. It allows a witch or wizard to assume an animal form at will, to disguise oneself or meet the demands of unusual environments."
He paused, and his tone hardened. "However, Transfiguration is dangerous. A careless error can cause irreversible magical injury. Those who truly master the Animagus transformation are exceedingly few. As of this moment, only five people have succeeded."
"Therefore, in this classroom, you will not experiment at random, and you will not attempt unsupervised Transfiguration. No one here will end up misshapen, mindless, or dead on my watch."
The brisk cold of his warning doused the heat of new ambition at once.
A brave hand still went up. "Professor, apart from you—what are the others' Animagus forms?"
Curiosity crackled through the room.
Seeing their interest, Edward set aside the lecture notes and fanned the spark—better to hook them well than lose them early.
"As of today, four Animagi are registered with the Ministry, including the headmaster," he said, letting his gaze travel across the faces. "Many of you have already heard the rumor. Yes—Headmaster Kael's Animagus is a phoenix, the first and only in all Middle-earth."
Even Edward's voice carried a note of reverence.
"Phoenixes are beautiful, powerful, sacred. They rise anew from their own ashes, command flame, heal with tears, embolden the heart with song, and awe the creatures of darkness. In short, they are perfection given wings."
A hush followed, wide-eyed and hungry.
"Generally," Edward continued, "Animagi can transform only into ordinary animals. My form, and that of two other wizards, are mundane beasts. Attempting to transform into a magical creature form can result in severe, irreversible harm. Becoming a phoenix as the headmaster does is not feasible for you."
"Those interested will have a chance when you reach advanced Transfiguration. You may apply to train under supervision—in my presence or that of another professor. The rule you must never break is simple: absolutely, absolutely, absolutely no private practice."
"As for the other two wizards you'll know—one is your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Brog. He is the only Animagus besides the headmaster with flight: a very handsome falcon."
"The other is Master wandmaker Bill Ollivander. His Animagus is a chameleon."
Edward shared every detail without hesitation, unconcerned about secrecy.
Ordinarily, Animagi prized concealment; the form existed to hide in plain sight. But these were public registrations, filed at the Ministry when each Animagus succeeded. Many within the Ministry already knew.
And there was another reason Edward spoke freely: each of them possessed a second, more formidable form.
"When the three of us first succeeded," Edward said, "Headmaster Kael assisted us further—and our Animagus forms evolved."
"My ordinary form is a wolfhound; my evolved form is a dire wolf. Both exist, and both are mine to command."
He let the memory of massive paws and coiled strength hang a moment longer.
"The headmaster, likewise, though he is a phoenix, can still become an owl."
"Professor Brog's ordinary Animagus is a falcon; his evolved form is a great eagle. It is not equal in size to the mightiest of the Great Eagles, but it is formidable."
"As for Master Ollivander—his ordinary form is a small chameleon. Do not be fooled. In the headmaster's hands, that form evolved into a dragon. Not a true dragon in stature—closer to a drake—but still nothing to take lightly."
"So, publicly, the three of us are a wolfhound, a falcon, and a chameleon. In truth, we are a dire wolf, a great eagle, and a dragon—three potent magical beasts."
Edward let the last words settle. "They are, alongside the headmaster, the strongest wizards under his banner."
He raised his wand and tapped the board. "Now. Quills out. Page one—first principles of Transfiguration safety. If you can't recite them under pressure, you don't touch a wand in this classroom."