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.

[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_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.

[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.

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?