maybe we're just lovesick [grey]

[grey xavier slater]

If it happens eventually, then I have something to look forward to.

Might not look good, but I’d toss a couple galleons in to see it happen. Would definitely add to the fact that ticking off a Hufflepuff is probably not the smartest move either. Refraining from beating someone up must be hard.

No kidding? (That’s to you being an animagus and that the Patronus isn’t always the same). Though I think a crow would be relatively useful, considering they’re everywhere.

Almost every afternoon and weekends. I’m trying to hand my club activities over to younger members because they need to learn how to run everything without me around. That makes for a lot of free time.

@poet

[Deleted]

That would be the most interesting fighting ring in the world – you pit two people of different houses up against each other without regards to any physical attributes and see who people bet on. I don’t condone it, though, because fighting for profit just seems bad.

Yeah, no kidding on both counts. My Patronus is a goose, and while bird forms are all well and good, geese aren’t able to perch on buildings or whatever inconspicuously the way some other birds can. I think my Animagus form – a pit bull – just draws on a different part of my personality than my Patronus does, the part that wants to protect and defend.

How does the first weekend in February sound? The first lesson will probably just be me learning more about your Transfiguration skills so we can figure out where to go from here.

grey xavier slater

[grey xavier slater]

Ever watch those muggle fights? They beat each other to hell and back and make millions off it. I could see professional dueling doing the same thing, if it ever became legal that is. I’m sure there are underground clubs for it somewhere.

A goose would fit in nice at the local park.

That makes sense though. Still wouldn’t mind the crow, to be honest. They’re pretty smart creatures, from what I’ve heard. That would be one way to show everyone I don’t slack off as much as they think I do.

First week in February. Got it. Should I mention this to my Transfiguration professor at all? I don’t believe she’s an animagus, so I’m not sure how much direction she’d be able to give me on it past a certain point. At least not as much as you could. What I’m asking is, do I need permission from some higher power to start training for this?

@poet

[Deleted]

I was never really a fan of them, probably because my mum – who’s a Muggle – didn’t watch much television, let alone boxing matches. I’d be afraid for professional duelists, mostly because the kids who tried that sort of thing would be too cocky and end up getting seriously hurt.

Sadly, parks are not where I like being. Cities are much more my pace.

I don’t know much about crows, but if you say they’re smart, then I’ll believe you. Do people think you’re unintelligent, then, or just unmotivated?

The higher power you’d need to notify would be the Ministry, but they don’t really grant permission so much as keep tabs on what’s happening. Unless you’ve committed a felony (and I know you haven’t) they’re not going to try to intervene. Even if they did, it’s not like they can do much to stop you. I’ve attached a copy of the intent to learn, but until you’ve actually completed the transformation, you don’t need to register officially. As for telling your Transfiguration professor, I would prefer if you didn’t, just because my own status as an Animagus is something I’d prefer to keep between as few people as possible.

grey xavier slater

[grey xavier slater]

True. Didn’t think of it that way. Then again, any difficult spells being used with it would be out of the capabilities of younger witches and wizards. Hell, some seventh years can’t even manage upper level techniques.

Doesn’t New York City have a park right in the middle of it? At least that’s what I’ve heard.

Probably a bit of both, though it’s mostly motivation issues. It’s kind of funny too, because everyone knows I head the student run paper, but that doesn’t change their opinions. Not that they matter to me in the slightest.
Roger that. I’ve looked it over and signed everything to send in within the week. As for the professor and you, no problem there. I don’t believe she’d be much help in the actual process aside from reciting what she knows about animagus (I’m almost positive she isn’t one).

@poet

[Deleted]

I don’t think it would matter if it was out of their skill range – some people would try even if they knew they weren’t capable. I worry about your year, honestly. You’re going to be thrown into a world in a whole lot of chaos and I’m not sure how prepared you are. Not a critique of your teachers, but what you need to know normally and what you need to know in wartime is different.

It does, but most of the people who go there are tourists are runners. Not the kind of people I like.

People can be strange, choosing to ignore evidence if it doesn’t fit in their preconceived notions of what it should be. I’m glad that you’re not letting other people get you down, though. Self-confidence is a good trait to have. Apathy? Not so much.

Excellent! I’ve heard that you can be taught how to be an Animagus by someone who isn’t one, but it takes a serious bit of research. That’s what I did – researched the theory and learned how to apply it. I hope it’ll be easier for you with a human teacher, though.

grey xavier slater

[grey xavier slater]

I guess we’ll grow up fast then. It has happened before, no reason that it won’t happen again.

But you can turn into a dog? Isn’t that your dream? Or did we decide that you’re the lazy kind?

I think apathy is a rather strong skill to have sometimes. Gets others to leave you alone.

I expect it should be easier. Not that this is an easy technique to begin with, from what I understand. If it was, then everyone would be turning into animals.

@poet

[Deleted]

For me, the problem is that you’ll either grow up fast, or you won’t get a chance to grow up. And I dread that second option.

I can turn into the dog. It was never really a dream of mine, but it let me help more people…And look at me now, writing poetry instead of protecting the world. How the mighty fall, right?

Please tell me that you at least let someone in. You can’t be apathetic towards the entire world.

From what I understand, the reason most people aren’t Animagi is because it requires a certain level of skill, but also a certain level of dedication. If you don’t have both, then you’re dead in the water. And normally by the time people realize they want to be Animagi, their Transfiguration skills are already too poor to be redeemed easily or they’ve lost their work ethic. Let’s hope you’re young enough and driven enough that both of those things are true.

grey xavier slater

[grey xavier slater]

Then I guess it wasn’t meant to be.

That fits the laziness then. Maybe the dog has taken over too much. Don’t get me wrong, nothing terribly awful about writing. It’s just a dog eat dog world out there for writers. Pun intended.

A few here and there. I’m not that much of a soulless bastard, though you’d be surprised how much fan mail I get stating I am after I run articles in the school paper.

I’m dedicated with my newspaper, so that should be enough. Suppose I could pull a little extra motivation out of the tank for this though (I’m joking, seeing as that probably doesn’t translate well through writing).

Well, next weekend is the chosen day, so I’m going to use the rest of the week researching what I can on this.

@poet

[Deleted]

Sadly, I can’t really undo the process of becoming an Animagus, and being a dog is right useful sometimes, so I guess I can stand a little bit of laziness… Though I have to admit I am getting a little restless. I take really long runs at nights most of the time to get out all of the energy. I’m going to elect to ignore that pun.

Will prodding any further about who you let in yield any results, or should I just give up? And some people just can’t handle bad press. It’s a shame.

As long as you have one thing, the skills might be able to transfer. And don’t worry, the joke translated well enough – I didn’t immediately cringe, at least.

Good luck with your research!

grey xavier slater

[grey xavier slater]

Sounds like being a dog does have its bonuses. Almost everyone is bound to like you too. Ever been caught by animal control?

Giving up is probably a better idea. And right? Not like I’m making up things about them. Honest journalism. I don’t try to slam people in the paper unless they did something that deserves it.

That’s good to know. I’m rather proud of my Transfiguration skills as well, so maybe I can pull this off.

This animagus business is pretty interesting so far. How do you plan to get onto the grounds if you aren’t a Ministry employee anymore? And where should I meet you?

@poet

[Deleted]

Nope, I haven’t. Animal control only seems to go after the ones causing trouble, and I never cause trouble. (…Most of the time).

Public defamation, perhaps? Though from what I’ve heard of Hogwarts, it’s not the newspaper doing that, but some Gossip Witch? I’m still hazy on the details of that one.

I think you can.

Anyone can get onto the grounds if they have a reason to be there, and go through security. I have a reason (a private lesson with a potential Auror) and I intend to go through security, so I should be fine. I’ll send you an owl the day of to organize the place.

I don’t expect I’ll receive a response in time for the weekend, so unless you have any further inquiries, feel free not to respond at all.

grey xavier slater