Animagus

season has gone by autumn has come . 

The Room of Requirement had transformed once again, adapting itself to Jason's needs. The warm, inviting space had shifted into a secluded and quiet sanctuary, dimly lit with soft, flickering lights that mimicked the glow of autumn lanterns. Outside the enchanted windows, the illusion of a forest reflected the season's melancholic beauty—bare trees stood solemnly against a grey sky, their skeletal branches swaying gently in an imagined wind.

Jason sat cross-legged on a cushioned mat, his shoulders hunched slightly in concentration. His wand was resting on the floor beside him, and his focus was entirely on the delicate process at hand. He muttered the incantation softly, his voice steady .

Jason: "Eximerus Liberato."

With a subtle shimmer, the charm activated, allowing him to gently extract the now shriveled mandrake leaf from the roof of his mouth. It clung for a moment before coming free, the faint bitterness lingering on his tongue. He held it up to the light, inspecting it like a jeweler appraising a precious gem.

Jason: "And so ends the first step. Honestly, you'd think the hardest part would've been the magic, but no—it was eating everything through a straw for a month. Brilliant."

He chuckled softly to himself, carefully placing the leaf into a small vial lined with protective enchantments. He sealed it with a cork and added a label in his neat handwriting: "Animagus Preparation – Step One Complete."

The room was silent except for the faint sound of the leaves rustling in the magical illusion outside. Jason leaned back against a plush chair that had conveniently appeared behind him, letting out a long sigh.

Jason: "Now it's just a waiting . A thunderstorm... nature's way of saying, 'Let's see if you're serious about this.'"

He glanced at the enchanted window, his mind wandering as he watched the faux autumn scene unfold.

Jason (thinking): "Funny, isn't it? All the power, all the preparation, and it still comes down to being at the mercy of the weather. Typical wizardry. Even the mighty Animagus transformation bows to a cloudy sky But it will create a great scene."

His fingers drummed absently on the armrest of the chair. The faint scent of autumn—earthy, crisp, and tinged with the distant smoke of imagined bonfires—lingered in the air, filling the room with an oddly comforting nostalgia.

Jason: "Alright, weather gods, do your thing. Whenever you're ready."

He allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation, his mind briefly wandering from the meticulous checklist of his Animagus prepration. The vial containing the mandrake leaf sat securely on the table beside him, a quiet reminder of how far he'd come.

The thought of the next step—confronting his animal form during a lightning storm—sent a thrill through him, equal parts excitement and trepidation.

Jason (thinking): "What will it be? my guess is it's from Corvidae family."

The corners of his mouth lifted into a smirk, and he leaned his head back against the chair, eyes half-closed as he let the soft ambiance of the Room of Requirement wash over him. Autumn was here, and the storm would come when it was ready. All he could do now was wait.

====

The stands of Hogwarts were alive with energy, the roar of the students mingling with the occasional rumble of thunder from the ominously clouded sky. The day's lineup promised intense action, with the season-opening Quidditch matches featuring Gryffindor versus Slytherin and Hufflepuff against Ravenclaw. All eyes were on the pitch, and the anticipation was palpable.

The weather was typical British fare: cloudy, with an eerie, unseasonal thunder rolling in the distance. No one was particularly surprised, as the British Isles were known for their erratic weather, but the dramatic backdrop added an extra layer of intensity to the matches.

In the stands, a group of friends sat huddled together, wrapped in house scarves and cloaks. The conversation was spirited, but there was an unmistakable tension among them. Ron, Hermione, Freya, Talia, Josh, Vik, Simon, Tobi, Neville, Padma, and Parvati were all there, but one notable person was missing.

Ron: "Where's Jason? Shouldn't he be here by now?"

Vik shrugged.

Vik: "He said he had something to do. You know Jason—always off on some mysterious project."

Freya leaned forward, her brow furrowed.

Freya: "Poor Jason. He's got the talent to be on the team, but he's not even playing. It's ridiculous."

Simon nodded, his expression sympathetic.

Simon: "It's all politics, isn't it? Roger's best mates with Jeremy, and we all know Jason won't play on the same team as Jeremy."

Josh crossed his arms, clearly frustrated.

Josh: "And look where it's got us. We lost the Quidditch Cup last year, and it's looking like the same story this year. Ravenclaw's doomed without him."

Hermione: "Jason should go to Professor Flitwick about this. He's the head of Ravenclaw. He can do something, surely?"

Talia shook her head.

Talia: "And do what? Complain? Roger's the captain—it's his job to pick the team, not Flitwick's. Besides, Jason would never go crying to a professor."

Hermione looked unconvinced but didn't argue. Vik jumped in with a smirk.

Vik: "Jason said it's not like he's losing anything. If the team wants to win, they'll need him sooner or later."

Tobi, leaned in with an eager grin.

Tobi: "Well, next year, Simon and I will be regulars on the team. When that happens, we'll make sure they take Jason, whether Roger likes it or not."

Ron leaned back, looking out over the pitch as the teams took their positions.

Ron: "Let's just focus on the match for now. Gryffindor's going to wipe the floor with Slytherin anyway, and maybe Ravenclaw will actually put up a decent fight against Hufflepuff."

The group fell quiet as Madam Hooch blew her whistle, signaling the start of the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match. The tension in the air was mirrored on the pitch as players zipped around on their broomsticks.

Jason is making way through the ominous shadows of the Forbidden Forest, the storm raging above him like an orchestra of chaos. He moved with purpose, his cloak whipping around him as he navigated the treacherous terrain. The occasional screech of a spider or the glow of centaur eyes glinting in the darkness reminded him he wasn't alone. Yet his focus never wavered—today was the day. The culmination of months of preparation, study, and risk. He was going to become an Animagus, joining the ranks of only seven (legally recognized) Animagi in all of magical Britain.

Jason: "Of course, it had to be today. Probably missing Ravenclaw's chance to fumble against Hufflepuff . Hopefully, the dementors stick to stalking the pitch and not the forest."

The storm above roared, lightning splitting the sky as the thunder rattled his very bones. Jason's broomstick in his hand, a trusted steed for the task ahead.

Jason: "Ride into the storm, they said. It'll be transformative, they said. Honestly, this is either going to make me a legend or leave me as fried as a breakfast kipper."

Jason mounted his broomstick, gripping it tightly as he kicked off the ground. The Forbidden Forest shrank beneath him as he soared higher and higher. The storm's power grew as he approached its heart. Electricity crackled in the air, currents of magic intertwining with the raw force of nature.

Lightning licked at his broomstick, the handle vibrating under the intensity of the storm. Stray bolts crackled dangerously close, one grazing his arm. He winced, the familiar jolt of electricity coursing through him, but he pressed on.

Finally, he reached the storm's epicenter—a swirling maelstrom of dark clouds and flashing light. Magic and thunder collided here, a volatile dance of power.

Balancing precariously on his broomstick, Jason held his wand to his chest. The storm around him seemed to pause for a fraction of a second, as if the universe itself was holding its breath.

Jason: "Amato Animo Animato Animagus."

His voice cut through the chaos, resolute and unwavering. He quickly uncorked the phial of potion, the culmination of weeks of brewing, and downed it in one gulp. The potion burned as it slid down his throat, an odd mix of bitter herbs and electric tingles that made his teeth buzz.

At first, there was silence. Then came the pain.

It was as though every cell in his body was being torn apart and rebuilt, reshaped into something entirely new. His vision blurred, his limbs twisted, his skin prickled and shifted.

Jason: "Oh, Merlin—this better be worth it!"

His broomstick gave a sudden lurch as his body contracted, bones snapping and reforming. Feathers began sprouting from his skin, his arms morphing into sleek black wings. His wand slipped from his grasp, tumbling into the storm below as his balance shifted.

The broomstick groaned under the strain of the storm and the sudden burst of magic emanating from Jason. With a final crack of thunder, it splintered beneath him, exploding into shards as a lightning bolt struck.

Jason, now fully transformed, flung himself from the falling broomstick. A piercing caw escaped his beak as he unfurled his wings for the first time, catching the turbulent winds of the storm.

A sleek black raven now flew where Jason had been, his dark feathers glinting like polished onyx as the lightning illuminated the storm. He soared through the tempest, the wind carrying him higher and higher. Every flap of his wings felt instinctual, natural, as if he had been born to fly.

The storm seemed to bow to him now, the currents of magic no longer a threat but a part of him. He twisted and turned, darting through the flashes of light with grace. The roar of thunder no longer felt like a warning but an anthem of triumph.

The raven dove sharply, slicing through the stormclouds like a shadow. He swooped low, skimming the tops of the Forbidden Forest trees before soaring back into the heavens catching his wand. The transformation had been a success.

A black raven flew through the heart of the storm .