ursus major [ability one-shot]

[Deleted]

Thunder rumbled deep in Poe's chest, and he took a deep breath, ozone rippling over his skin. The storm was rolling in, and Poe tipped his head up to the sky. He wasn't sure what the exact requirements were for a thunderstorm, but he was going to wait for the rain to begin, just in case. It wasn't a long wait whatsoever; thunder crackled, lightning hissed across the sky, and then the steel-grey clouds opened up. Poe took a deep breath, letting the moment spill over him as the rain dripped down his cheeks and through his shaggy hair. His life wasn't going to be the same after tonight, and he wanted to savor these last moments before the change happened - both literally and figuratively.

His cloak whipped around his ankles as the wind whistled happily, but it didn't stop Poe from being able to reach into his pocket and withdraw the vial of his potion. He uncorked it with a practiced movement, raised a silent toast to an unknown companion, and drank the contents down. Under other circumstances he might've been nervous about brewing the potion correctly, but the raging storm around him had an oddly calming effect on him. It was almost as if he could quiet the storm around him by simply being peaceful on the inside.

The ritual wasn't yet complete, though. Poe cleared his throat before incanting, "Amato Animo Animato Animagus." His voice was strong and sure, and he didn't have a moment to doubt before he could feel his body changing. Everything in him grew and shifted, but rather than being painful, it felt like a piece of him was sliding into place. The transformation was startlingly quick, and Poe immediately tried to figure out what he was. Quadripedal, which was to be expected - and large, which was less expected. He lifted what would have been his right hand, and found a paw in its place. Poe blinked, surprised at how well he could see even in the dim lighting of the storm, but quickly returned his focus to the paw.

He was a bear. Poe laughed, but it came out as an odd whuffing sound through his bear lungs and muzzle. That just made him laugh harder. His trainees were never going to believe this! Poe knew he ought to be at least a little put out - bears weren't exactly practical for everyday use - but it made so much sense that he couldn't be upset. He had always wanted to protect and serve, and there was no animal more notorious for its protective skills than a bear. Besides, charging at someone as a bear would make them think twice about messing with Poe, however mild-mannered he might've seen as a human.

Poe was grateful he had chosen a secluded spot to transform, though; a Muggle seeing a bear in the "wild" would've been a cause for concern. He couldn't bring himself to change back, at least not yet. He had a new body to get used to.