Order Only: I want to volunteer

[alt_terry]

I stayed up all night thinking about this.

I'd like to volunteer to come to Hogwarts. If I pose in my Animagus form as, say, a pet of a staff member, I could teach the transformation to anyone willing to learn it. Pansy, I understand you're hoping you won't get picked, and Draco and Hydra, you're depending on occlumency. But if Ron and Hermione want to learn, I could work with them personally. It really helped me, when I was learning, to speak to Sirius. I think I could help short-cut the time you'd have to spend figuring it out. Maybe even dramatically.

What's more, in my form, maybe I could serve as an additional set of eyes and ears looking out for the four of you, hearing what the other candidates say. Nobody cares in the least what they say in front of a dog.

If one of the staff would agree to pose as my 'master,' I promise I won't let anyone see me in human form except someone in the Order, and we're sure that we're private. There isn't any rule at Hogwarts that says a staff member can't have a friendly, very well-trained dog, is there? Maybe the caretaker's dog might be best; that way I'd have lots of chances to move around the school freely. I won't be any bother; all I need is a corner with a blanket, and I won't trouble your privacy. I know I was a dog at Hogwarts for close to a week five years ago. But if, say, after I transformed, someone with a wand did a simple transfiguration spell over me to turn my fur all black, I bet no one would recognize me.

I come of age this week, and I've really thought this through. My friends at Hogwarts helped me when I was nothing. They gave me magic, and helped me escape from Carrow. This is a way I can pay them back.

Please let me do this.

Comments

Private message to Terry

[alt_sally_anne]

Are you at Moddey these days or Sherwood? Has Mrs Longbottom said anything in person?

This idea makes me really nervous. Hermione has a portkey but you won't have one. If anyone recognises you you'll have no chance to talk your way out of it, you know? You can't apparate out of Hogwarts.

Re: Private message to Terry

[alt_terry]

I'm at Sherwood, although I come back to Moddey every Sunday night for dinner. I haven't seen her to discuss the idea in person.

I realise there are risks, but if we consider them carefully, I don't think they're too unreasonable. I really do think if the colour of my fur was altered, or maybe shortened, nobody would recognise me. I'll always have my wand with me for the very direst of emergencies, of course, since it's kept in my bracelet. And if worst comes to worst, if I could get off the grounds--and I can run quite fast as a dog--I can always apparate away. But I wouldn't be in human form very often. Just when I'm with one of you, in a safe location. I figure I'd be the Professor most of the time. Eating and sleeping. That isn't a hardship at all.

(There's a small part of it that's purely selfish, I'll admit. I would like to be back at Hogwarts. And to see all of you.

It would be wonderful to be back there knowing I'm never going to see the git coming around a corner.)

[alt_ron]

I don't think it's up to me at all, but sure. I'm working with Professor Dumbledore, but it couldn't hurt to talk to you about it. Do you think you need to be here, though? Because it would be dangerous. You'd want to change what you look like, for sure. (I wouldn't want to bet that some of the Gryffindors wouldn't remember if they saw the Professor at Hogwarts again.)

[alt_terry]

I'm going to meet with Mrs Longbottom tomorrow night, and we'll talk the idea out more fully. Obviously, I don't want to do it if it'll put me or anyone else in danger, but I really do think it might help.

I'll let you know.

[alt_alice]

I'll have to give some thought to this, Terry. Perhaps we can talk further tomorrow, when you come to dinner?

I can see how it would be quite useful to work with Ron in person, if that's something he wishes to pursue in earnest. I'm unsure about the safety of your being there round the clock, however.

Private Message to Terry

[alt_alice]

There's also the matter of whether Severus would be able to take you on. He's got a considerable amount of work he's undertaking at the moment, and although I'm sure you'd make an effort to not be burdensome, it would be an additional responsibility for him to have you there.

Perhaps if you were able to assist with some of his more basic needs in the laboratory, that might help -- but Terry, if he believes it would be too much, I'm going to have to defer to him.

I'll talk to him.

Re: Private Message to Terry

[alt_terry]

Thank you. Of course I'd be more than happy to help with brewing, sure. I helped Madam Pomfrey with the simpler stuff in the hospital wing, so I have experience. If he's worried about having me around in his quarters, you can tell him I learned to be really quiet from all the years with Carrow. But he still might not like it. I have the idea he's the sort of person who really needs his privacy.

If it doesn't seem like a good idea to him, maybe Cedric's suggestion is a better one. And if I stay with Cedric, you can tell Mr Snape I'd still be willing to help with the brewing.

We can talk about it tomorrow.

Re: Private Message to Terry

[alt_terry]

I had another thought, which I just mentioned to Cedric. Is there anyone at Hogwarts who could tell I'm really a human when I'm in my Animagus form? Professor McGonagall could tell, five years ago, but I was transfigured by the git then, not an Animagus, and I'm not sure whether that's different. I am sure Professor Dumbledore probably could have told back then, too.

What I'm worried about is Professor Dolohov or Professor Rabastan. Maybe Professor Dumbledore would know? He taught them both, and he'd have an idea how good they are at Transfiguration, wouldn't he?

[alt_cedric]

We don't really know each other at all and this would be an adjustment on both our parts, but do you think it would be better to live on the grounds or in Hogsmeade? You'd have a good reason to be anywhere around the grounds as I'm back and forth everyday. Plus good reasons to not be on the grounds whenever you needed to be somewhere else.

[alt_hermione]

I think that sounds like a lovely option, and it would be wonderful to see you, Terry!

[alt_terry]

Thanks!

I'm going to talk with Mrs Longbottom tomorrow night, and I think she wants to ask the staff members at Hogwarts what they think. I hadn't thought of staying with you, but it's a very good idea, too.

[alt_terry]

I just thought of something.

When I was transformed into a dog by the git, during the first year, Professor McGonagall could tell at a glance that I was really human and changed me back. Can only someone who's worked with Transfiguration for years and years do that? I wonder if the Animagus transformation is different and no one can tell? Because there's Professor Dolohov. He wasn't at Hogwarts when I was.

If he can spot me as a transfigured human...yeah. That would be bad.

I don't suppose you can ask him. Especially if you show up with a new pet a week later. The coincidence might make him wonder.

Maybe Professor Dumbledore can tell us the answer to that.

In any case, if we do this, I should probably stay far away from Professor Dolohov. And Professor Rabastan, too. Just in case.

Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_lupin]

Kingsley, are you going to mention him trying to bite that bloke at the shop's grand opening?

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_sirius]

I've been wondering that much as well.

Also, even if he does have someone alter his appearance after changing, he'll need somewhere well-protected for it and that person will need to be absolutely certain it's the same each time. Cedric's offer makes much more sense to me and is probably safer for all concerned.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_kingsley]

Do you think it make a big difference, to have an actual Animagus to teach you? Terry certainly seems to think so, but then, we don't know if he's a good teacher himself.


I think I like the idea of him staying with Cedric better, too.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_sirius]

Well .... I managed it on my own but that was during a summer when my father had practically imprisoned me in my room and I had nothing else to do but keep at it. James wasn't far behind, though I did help him with the last trick or two. And then we both helped Peter along.

From what I've seen of Ron, he's capable of it. It's just a matter of time. A coach isn't going to help on that score but it can't hurt, either.

Though one thing that gives me pause is that Terry's first transformation was in that moment of blind panic when he was fighting for his life. I'd hate to see Ron have to wait for similar circumstances.

Of course, I'm sure I could nip up there for Hogsmeade visits and we could work together then, too.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_sirius]

Anyway, it's just occurred to me that he's got Dumbledore helping him. He taught Transfiguration for decades. If he hasn't mastered the transformation himself, then he certainly knows the theories (what there are) inside and out.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_kingsley]

Good point, Remus. I was going to stop by Moddey tomorrow to drop off some supplies, and I'll speak to Alice.

Truthfully, the bugger probably deserved it, but still. If Terry can't control himself, this isn't a good idea.

We mustn't forget that he killed Carrow while in his Animagus form, too.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_lupin]

I'm not worried about him killing anyone -- that was an extreme situation. But the trouble is, given the circumstances -- twenty-one students competing for the 'honour' of Death Eater initiation -- I can pretty much guarantee you that he will encounter buggers who deserve it.

If he can't control himself -- no matter what he hears them say, no matter what he sees them do -- then he can't do this.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_kingsley]

Agreed.

I wonder how much what happened at the opening was due to the instinct of his Animagus form. I mean, his form is a mutt, not a breed like a Shepherd or a Doberman that's bred to be a guard dog. But it was Fred and George's premises, and I suppose, as strongly as he feels toward them, he might have been extra protective. But then I imagine he might feel protective of all of his friends among the younger cohort. And yes, I'm sure there are going to be some tense situations in the castle these next few months, with this competition.

It's difficult. He can't prove a negative, that he'll never snap or snarl again, after all.

Re: Private message to Sirius and Kingsley

[alt_lupin]

True enough. Alice has spent rather more time with him than most of us; she might have some insight.