Chapter Four, Animagi

As the months seemed to fly by and bleed into one another Khalida and her friends dedicated themselves to learning all they possibly could and improving sparring under her grandfather's firm and strict tutelage. Before each duelling session he'd order them to complete two laps around the lake to increase their stamina, speed and endurance while making sure they were as fit as possible with no exceptions; apart from Khalida if she was having a bad day (pain wise) she was reduced to one lap and if the severity kept on increasing then the number would be lowered accordingly.

During the last month, just before the term broke up for the Ostara holiday, Khalida along with Luna, Neville, Draco, Fred and George were also learning how to become Animagi under the tutelage of her Uncle Siri; which in the day of Fred and George's seventeenth birthday they all completed the full body transformations.

They had been working on the process for a month now, holding a Mandrake leaf in their mouths for a month while the potion sat on a window sill in clear view of the sun and moon for the full lunar cycle and could finally add the leaf and drink the potion which they did half an hour ago. However, Khalida didn't need to drink the potion on account of James being an Animagi it became easier to complete the transformation. But she needed to hold the Mandrake leaf in her mouth, the same as the others, as the leaf unlocks the animal from the depths of your Magical Core.

"Okay, you should be able to see your Animagi forms in your mind-scape. It'll look like either the habitat of your form or where you feel most comfortable. Let the feelings of your forms wash over you as you become one with your form. Your magic free and washing over you as it feels complete." Sirius coached, his tone low and comforting. Coaching the teens who were all meditating when suddenly creatures started appearing in his and Remus's lounge.

The girls (Pansy, Millicent, Tracey, Daphne and Astoria) along with Blaise and Theo watched raptly with intrigue and fascination. They hadn't wanted to become Animagi but thankfully Professor Sirius, Remus (who had become teaching assistants for Ancient Runes for Sirius, and D.A.D.A years 1-3 for Remus after what had happened at the Second Task, Mad-Eye being the guest speaker for years 4-7). As well as Professors Monty and Charlus had allowed them a one time entrance to Sirius and Remus's accommodations to support their friends as long as they were quiet. Sirius had the largest grin possible as he literally vibrated with pride as he watched his beloved Goddaughter and her friends complete the transition. He knew Regulus was going to regret working today when he sends him a Patronus later.

Looking around at the animals before them (feeling thankful they'd had the foresight to clear a space in the living room), Remus couldn't help but feel the animals reflected Kali and her friends perfectly.
Draco was a Welsh Green Dragon with some white blonde scales which matched his hair, and who was curled up on the rug before the roaring fire.
Neville was a sandy brown and dark brown Mountain Lion with hazel green eyes, and who was curled up in between Draco and Fred's grey Coyote form; whereas, George was a red coyote that was lying on Fred's other side.

Luna was a tiny speckled owl (a Spotted Owl, if Monty was not mistaken) with ice blue eyes just like Luna's.
Khalida was a beautiful sandy-white Fennec fox with Kali's stunning emerald eyes curled up against George with Luna perched on Fred's shoulder.

"Wow." Astoria whispered in wonderment.
"I'm so proud of you, Habibti." Monty said proudly, scratching Khalida's ears, a smile and tender look appeared in his eyes as he watched Khalida's eyes close in bliss as she let out a cooing purr while the girls, Blaise and Theo watched in a stunned silence as their eyes shone with amazement. "It means sweetheart in Arabic." Monty explained to the confused teens. "I learnt it when I first met Farrah," a loving besotted smile took over his face at the mention of his wife, "trying to impress her and earn points from her father who was Sultan at the time."

Monty knew Regulus, Arthur and Jamal would be ecstatic but also gutted that they'd missed it. "We're proud of all of you." He added, smiling at the other teens.
"That we are," Sirius, Charlus and Remus agreed. A look appeared in Charlus and Sirius's eyes before they both burst into loud laughter and chortles.
"What are the pair of you laughing at?" Remus asked, completely baffled.
"Kali...Regulus's mark...fox." Sirius gasped between laughs, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"What?" Blaise and Theo asked, confused, sharing a look with each other. Taking a moment to calm themselves while gasping for breath, Charlus and Sirius wiped away their tears and tried again.
"James would find Kali's fox form both funny at the irony because Reggie's soulmate mark is that of a little fox, but he'd also want to curse someone. Most likely Reggie. No, he'd definitely want to curse Reggie." Charlus explained once he was calmer only to descend into laughter once more and was quickly followed by Sirius and Monty as well.

Remus just rolled his eyes at them and turned back to his niece and his students who were waiting on them.
"Ignore them, they're idiots." Remus told them with a slight scoff and donned his "professor mode" as Sirius, James and Reggie would say. "Congratulations to all of you." He praised smiling widely at them. "Now, all you have to do is think of yourself as human. How you look, how you feel, how you think. Everything that makes you human." Remus coached,
Smiling encouragingly at them as their bodies started to shake and be absorbed in light, while ignoring his husband who was bouncing around the room in pure joy at the successful first go at becoming an Animagi their Goddaughter/niece just underwent.

"That was wicked!" Fred and George exclaimed, beaming widely and overcome with joy, once they had regathered their bearings. To have their idols coach them through the process of becoming Animagi and to help them think up their very own Marauder generation-two names was a dream come true; and it was all thanks to their little sister Khalida Elionwy Jamie Potter.
"We already thought of names for most of us, Uncle Siri." Khalida told him, sitting beside him and snuggling into his side as she accepted the hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows from her grandfather.

"Don't leave me in suspense, Kali. What is it?" Sirius asked eagerly.
"I'm Mischief." Khalida told them.
"We're Chaos -" Fred.
"And Mayhem." George finished.
"Very aptly named." Monty laughed to the three of them, earning beaming smiles back from the trio as the Yule Ball played in everyone's minds.
"I'm Rêve." Luna said serenely. "It means dream in French."
"And I'm Briar." Neville finished, as Khalida suddenly gasped jumping up from her seat to grab hold of Draco's hand.

"Kali? What's wrong?" Draco asked, concerned.
"You know how you didn't know what to pick for your name and didn't want us to think of any until we saw your form," Khalida started, bouncing with excitement, "well, what about Dreki? It means dragon in Old Norse. It's strong and unique while still having the same ring to it and match our names!" Her emerald eyes shined brightly as they filled with hope. Hoping her dear friend and cousin will like the name she thought of. Slowly a wide smile stole across Draco's face, while squeezing Khalida's hand in comfort and reassurance.

"I like it!" Draco exclaimed. "I really like it. Thanks Mischief." He added teasingly, his whole countenance slight with joy and laughter.
"No problem Dreki." Khalida returned, eyes sparkling with joy as she got to act her age with her friends. The whole issue with the tournament pushed from their minds for now as they got to be kids instead of training to survive what's coming next.

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Arabic to English translation:

• Habibti: sweetheart.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update!!!! There are other ways to say whether you liked this chapter or not!