Chapter 66 — An Animagus
(This is just for discussion purposes only. I don't recommend you to try it! It's very dangerous!)
An Animagus is a wizard or witch capable of transforming into an animal at will. While in animal form, they retain their thinking ability, self-awareness, and memories from their human life. Even if they remain in animal form for long periods, their lifespan remains that of a normal human.
An unregistered Animagus, once discovered, is very likely to be sent to Azkaban (be careful!).
If an Animagus makes a mistake during the transformation process, the consequences can be disastrous. Losing patience with the long and complicated procedure often results in horrifying outcomes—such as becoming a half-human, half-animal creature. There is currently no known remedy to reverse such an error.
To become an Animagus, one must possess considerable talent in Transfiguration and Potions.
The author bears no responsibility for any negative consequences that may result from attempting the following steps.
(Once again, this is for communication purposes only! Not recommended for practice!)
Hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth continuously for a full month—from one full moon to the next. Under no circumstances should you swallow or spit out the leaf. The moment the leaf leaves your mouth, the entire process must start again.
On the second full moon, place the leaf soaked in your saliva into a small transparent bottle and expose it to pure moonlight.(If the sky happens to be cloudy that night, you must begin again with a new mandrake leaf.)
Add the following ingredients to the bottle:
A strand of your hair One silver teaspoon of dew collected from a place untouched by sunlight or human contact for seven days The chrysalis of a hawkmoth
Place the bottle in a quiet, dark location where it will remain undisturbed and hidden from view until the next thunderstorm arrives.
While waiting for the storm, perform the following action every sunrise and sunset:
Point your wand at your heart and chant the incantation:
"Amado, Animaud, Animagus."
The waiting period for a storm may last weeks, months, or even years.
During this time, the bottle must remain completely undisturbed and protected from sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can cause severe mutations.
You must also resist the temptation to check the bottle until lightning appears in the sky during a storm.
If you faithfully repeat the spell at sunrise and sunset each day, you will eventually feel a second heartbeat when the wand touches your chest.
Sometimes it will be stronger than your own heartbeat; sometimes weaker. Either is acceptable.
Everything must be done precisely:
The correct spell, at the correct time, without mistakes or omissions.
When lightning finally appears, immediately return to the bottle.
If all steps were performed correctly, you will discover a blood-red potion inside—just enough for a single gulp.
At that moment you must move immediately to a wide and safe location, ensuring the transformation will not endanger yourself or others.
Point your wand at your heart, recite the incantation:
"Amado, Animado, Animagus."
Then drink the potion.
If everything proceeds correctly, you will feel intense pain accompanied by the sensation of a double heartbeat.
Your mind will visualize the animal you will become.
You must not panic.
By this stage, it is far too late to change your mind.
The first transformation is usually uncomfortable and frightening.
Clothing and accessories—such as glasses or jewelry—will merge into your body, transforming into fur, scales, claws, or spikes.
Do not resist or panic. If you give in to your animal instincts, you might do something reckless—such as jumping from a window or running headfirst into a wall.
Once the transformation is complete, you will gradually adapt to your new body.
It is highly recommended that you immediately pick up your wand and hide it somewhere safe so that you can retrieve it after returning to human form.
To transform back, simply visualize your human form as clearly as possible.
Do not panic if the change does not happen immediately.
With practice, you will eventually be able to switch between forms freely and effortlessly.
Experienced Animagi can transform without a wand.
Once again, remember:
Students without talent in Transfiguration and Potions should never attempt this.
This is an extremely dangerous human transformation.
"Peeves! I'll kick you out of Hogwarts! Professor Holmes will definitely—ugh—!"
As Douglas stepped onto the stairs, he heard Filch's hoarse roar.
Douglas was momentarily speechless.
Why did Filch vomit when mentioning his name?
Soon he caught a familiar smell, and his face instantly turned pale.
"Peeves, no one can save you this time!
I, Douglas Holmes, say so!!!"
Douglas cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and quietly approached the office.
As he passed Professor McGonagall's office, he glanced at the door in confusion.
There was such a massive commotion tonight, yet she had not appeared.
She was probably not inside.
Turning the corner, Douglas saw an astonishing sight.
The Weasley twins had somehow obtained several bedsheets.
Using magic, they had stretched them into a tent-like shelter beside the office door and were hiding underneath, whispering to each other.
Water stains dripped steadily onto the sheets.
Beside them stood Filch, completely drenched.
Yet the twins refused to let him share their shelter.
All three of them gagged from time to time.
Mrs. Norris hid far away in a corner.
Meanwhile, Peeves stood proudly with his hands on his hips, holding a bucket.
From time to time he scooped something from the bucket and poured it toward the trio.
Whether by accident or design, most of the foul liquid landed on Douglas's office door.
Douglas's blood pressure skyrocketed at the sight.
Before he could draw his wand, Peeves was already startled.
A house-elf named Kian suddenly appeared, screaming in panic.
"Oh my goodness, Peeves! What have you done?!
That was something Professor Holmes made!
You… you…
Stop immediately!"
Peeves blinked innocently.
"Ha! What nonsense are you talking about?
Why would I touch the Devil's things?
We have an agreement not to deliberately provoke or attack each other!
Don't slander me… hahaha…
I clearly heard you say that thing stinks.
If it stinks, it means it's moldy.
According to the agreement between Professor Moore and me, moldy things belong to me first!"
From beneath the sheets, the twins chimed in.
"Did you hear that? The professor made it!"
"Oh Merlin, this stuff smells worse than dung. What was he cooking in the kitchen?"
"Hehe… maybe he wants the whole school to eat it!"
"George, do you think that includes us?"
"Fred, I'm afraid it might."
"George, perhaps Filch knows what it tastes like…"
Filch's expression darkened dangerously.
If not for the immediate threat posed by Peeves, he might have dragged the twins out himself.
He spoke in a hoarse, furious voice between retches.
"I can hear you, boys!
I'll report everything to Mr. Holmes in a moment…
I doubt he'll be pleased to see what you've done to the corridor outside his office…"
The twins turned pale.
Something about tonight felt wrong.
After years of dealing with Peeves, they knew his aim wasn't usually this bad.
He claimed he was attacking them, yet most of the foul water landed on the professor's door.
They had no desire to make things worse for themselves.
Earning house points recently had been difficult enough.
From the start they had planned to hide beneath the sheets, avoid direct blame, and reappear once things calmed down.
Most of the foul liquid was being blocked by the sheets, which they had reinforced with an Amplification Charm.
Surely the professor wouldn't blame them for failing to guard the corridor.
They weren't goalkeepers, after all.
House-elf Kian burst into tears.
"Ah! Terrible Peeves!
Do you know what this is?
This was specially prepared by Mr. Holmes—!"
Before he could finish, a thunderous voice echoed through the castle.
"Immortal Binding Rope — Peach Binding!"
Peeves froze in terror.
The twins stared in shock at Peeves's panicked reaction.
Filch, however, looked overjoyed and waved at Mrs. Norris, who stubbornly refused to approach him.
Ignoring the half bucket of foul liquid still in his hand, Peeves hurled it forward and tried to escape through the wall.
But Douglas knew him too well.
Before Peeves could vanish, a silver, translucent rope streaked with lightning appeared beside him.
It wrapped tightly around him from head to toe.
The rope twisted and knotted, binding Peeves into the shape of a peach.
The more Peeves struggled, the tighter the rope became.
Because of the rope's special properties, Peeves screamed continuously in pain.
His hat—crafted by Madam Burnabil and won in 1876 from Headmistress Eupraxia Moore—fell to the ground.
House-elf Kian quickly collected the hat and the remaining foul liquid.
Peeves howled desperately.
"Ah! The ghost is dying! The ghost-killer is back!
Professor, save me!
You devilish liar—you broke the agreement!
Let me go, or the contract magic will punish you!"
As Peeves shrieked, several ghosts drifted toward the corridor.
Many looked at Douglas with clear displeasure.
The Bloody Baron of Slytherin rattled the chains in his hands and glared fiercely.
The Grey Lady of Ravenclaw gazed coldly at the scene, equally unhappy with both Peeves and Douglas.
Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Friar floated toward the struggling poltergeist.
Nick straightened his head and scolded Peeves sternly.
"Peeves, don't forget the non-provocation agreement.
You're forcing him to release that thing again.
This benefits no one."
Even the usually kind Fat Friar seemed disappointed.
"Peeves, I can't help you this time.
Don't forget—the agreement binds you as well."
Peeves stopped struggling.
From experience, he knew resistance only tightened the rope.
Still, this rope felt different.
It was hot and painful.
Blinking his clever eyes, he complained pitifully.
"I didn't break the agreement!
I attacked those two children and Filch—they just happened to be there!
Come on, help me untie this!
If he can bind me today, he could bind every ghost in Hogwarts tomorrow!
This rope has changed—it actually hurts!
I'm going to die!"
The Fat Friar exchanged glances with the other ghosts and then floated toward Douglas.
"Douglas, long time no see. Congratulations on becoming a professor.
When I told Pomona, I was truly happy for you—and for Hufflepuff as well."
Douglas took Peeves's hat from Kian and instructed him to pour out the remaining brine.
Seeing the Fat Friar approach, Douglas smiled warmly.
After that incident years ago, the Friar had been one of the few ghosts who defended him, explaining that Douglas had not been responsible.
Because of that, the ghosts had never become openly hostile toward him.
Even so, they generally avoided him.
Whenever Douglas appeared, ghosts quietly drifted away.
Even the Fat Friar would only greet him from a distance with an awkward smile.
Douglas had once suspected the ghosts had held another meeting about him.
Not wishing to cause trouble for the Friar, Douglas had never approached him first.
"Friar, long time no see. How have things been at Hogwarts these past few years?"
As he spoke, Douglas deliberately glanced at the dozens of ghosts gathered nearby.
The Fat Friar quickly replied,
"Of course I'm well.
I mean… I'm a ghost, so I suppose I always will be.
But perhaps you should remove the rope from Peeves soon.
You know… everyone hates Peeves."
✨Enjoying the story? You can support me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/MizuSan
✨ Patreon members get early chapter access, bonus content! 🥰
🎉 Plus, I'll release 1 for every 50 Power Stones you send my way! 🥳
🌊 Let's reach 80 Patreon members to unlock 5 extra chapters together