Trick 16: Messing up and becoming a Strange Animal!

Ace returned to the library and looked at the book on the table before slamming the table with his fist angrily. He closed his eyes and let out a breath before loosening his fist and focusing on the book.

He threw himself into his research and studies to distract himself. He had been doing this since he got to Hogwarts. Even after the Mirror of Erised showed him his deepest desire, he still chose to run.

He refused to acknowledge the fact that the entire reason he came to search for the Eye was to run away from 'Kate's' lie. In fact he was devastated by the event, hence the reason he had been staying in Hogwarts instead of leaving.

Ace looked at the words and rubbed his eyes, sighing to himself as he closed the book, unable to focus. He picked up his things and went to sleep in a depressed mood.

Hopefully things will be better tomorrow…

A few weeks passed

The night before students were back from Christmas break, Ace was standing outside, looking up at the sky with pursed lips. He specifically picked up a Wizard's Weather Report for tonight, apparently there was supposed to be a storm tonight!

He looked up at the storm clouds and when a crack of thunder sounded, Ace took out his wand and placed it over his heart, chanting "Amato Animo Animato Animagus!" before drinking a little potion.

He froze and groaned painfully, vague roars sounding in his voice as he began to morph from human to something else!

The flashes of lightning lit up Ace's transforming figure as he shrank smaller and smaller, roaring like a wild animal.

Finally after a few minutes, a small animal was standing on 4 legs.

Ace looked down to see 2 black paws with little pink pads. He fell on his behind and looked at his 'feet', only to see the same.

Ace was awed, he really transformed!

He pounced up and scurried off, unsure of what he had become.

He ran through the halls of Hogwarts finally coming to a mirror before behind stunned.

What stared back at him was a little black cat, however… Clearly he had done something wrong as he had two long tusk-like fangs stemming from his upper jaw!

Ace panicked, touching his fangs with his little paws, clearly not knowing what to do. He heard someone coming and jumped into the air, flicking his tail behind him as he landed on a stone pillar.

Snape was walking by and paused, looking around suspiciously. Ace let out a breath of relief before jumping down in front of him. Snape looked at the little animal with a wary gaze but the cat started gesturing strangely.

He looked down and Ace tried to explain what happened to him. Snape looked at him and said "I can't understand…" Ace plopped on the ground and thought for a moment before turning left and right, gesturing with his claws for paper.

Snape really just wanted to leave but decided to entertain whoever it was, handing him a piece of paper.

Ace clawed into the paper 'It's Ace.' Snape took a look and started walking away, completely unbothered. Ace was stunned and turned his head, meowing at Snape, who ignored him.

Ace bit the paper and ran after Snape, showing him the paper, which had 2 huge holes in it now…

Snape scowled, "I have no time for your nonsense, Brand." Ace slapped the floor and clawed in 'How do I change back?' Snape paused for a moment, looking at Ace, asking with mild disbelief "You didn't figure that out beforehand?"

Ace shook his head and patted his fangs, meowing in distress. Snape wanted to laugh and stared at Ace for a few moments before suggesting "You should see McGonagall for this. I'm not an Animagus."

Ace bit his cloak and shook his head frantically, putting his paws together and shaking them, making a praying gesture.

Snape looked at him before finally flicking his robe and saying "Envision your former self and will yourself back." as he stormed off, seemingly having his night ruined.

Ace sat on the ground and held his chin in a very human-like way before closing his eyes and repeating 'Turn back, turn back, turn back' over and over in his mind.

His body started to change and he opened his eyes looking at his hands as he cheered, "Awesome! Haha!" then he froze as he realized a big problem…

He was currently naked!

Ace transformed into his Black Sabercat form and scurried off, going back to his room.

A while later

Ace was sitting in front of Dumbledore, saying with worry "Did I mess it up?" Albus laid back against his chair, humming "Have you thought that perhaps it isn't a cat but a Sabertooth Tiger?"

Ace frowned and scratched his head, replying "But the traits don't match up. The only thing that resembles a Sabertooth is the fangs." Albus tilted his head and asked "May I see?" Ace blinked and transformed, standing on Dumbledore's desk.

Albus touched Ace's fur, humming to himself, asking "It seems you may have made a slight error, Ace. Although compared to the other failures I've seen, you can be considered as a lucky one. I've seen a wizard permanently become half-human half-animal."

Ace froze and stared at Dumbledore in shock, he chuckled, adding "This isn't very much to worry about, although it is a bit conspicuous… Perhaps they can retract like claws?" he paused before smiling, "I would consult Professor McGonagall."

Ace shook his head frantically and Albus chuckled softly, saying "Very well, practice well then." Ace hopped off the desk and strutted away in his thoughts when Dumbledore said "Oh and Ace?"

Ace turned back as Dumbledore smiled "Be wary of the Restricted section literature. Some pieces are… 'animated' to put it lightly." Ace was speechless, why did this old man know everything? He nodded and hopped out of the room, flicking his long tail behind him.

He walked along the halls thinking about his fangs. He could retract and extend his claws, why were his teeth any different?

Obviously this logic was absurd but he was a human that transformed into a cat, anything was possible.

He perched on a table in the library and thought about it.

It should be possible, right?

Then he thought, if he could transform into a cat could he get bigger? If he was really a Sabertooth, then he should be much bigger, right? Or did the form never change.

Ace paced on the table, perhaps every Animagus started from a baby of that certain animal? His form was a bit smaller than a normal cat, but then again he had fangs so that wasn't a clear indication of anything.

He focused on his fangs while thinking about them retracting, envisioning them turning into normal cat fangs.

He sat there and trembled, trying to make something happen.

Unfortunately, nothing happened at all!

Ace sighed and laid on the table, flicking his tail as he flipped open the book, reading in his cat form.