Eagles

“Thanks for your help, Rosewood.” Calling her by her last name felt less friendly, he could keep her at arms length this way.

“Did you find it?” She asked happily.

“Yeah. Now we just need a Mandrake leaf from herbology. It's the last ingredient we need to collect for the animagus potion.” Talbott watched as a big wide mouth smile grew across her face.

“You said we again.”

“It was definitely an accident that time.” He assured her, but the look on her face made it obvious to him that she did not believe him. “Come on. We need the mandrake leaf.” He opened the door and left, letting Iris catch up to him.

“Soooo... We need to find the leaf for our mutual friend?” Iris asked when they reached the greenhouses.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me who it is?”

“Penny.”

“You're friends with Penny?!” Her voice reached an octave that felt inhuman and made him wince as her face showed obvious shock.

“Why are you surprised that I'm friends with Penny?”

“I'm just surprised because you two are very different.” Iris told him honestly. He just looked at her and did his best to wipe any feelings off his face. He understood what she meant, Penny was very friendly, and very outgoing. Two things he very much wasn't.

“Let's look for the mandrake.”

“Oh, I know where the mandrakes are!” Iris waved him off as she walked down the length of the greenhouse to some plants near where Sprout stood and taught during classes. “Here.” She pulled a pair of small sharp snips from her bag and snipped the leaf off. His eyebrow twitched, thinking it was both interesting and rather terrifying a thirteen year old was carrying around a pair of sharp snips with her everywhere.

“Nice work, Rosewood. Let's bring these ingredients to Penny, she'll know how to brew the potion.”

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Once in the library, almost to the table Penny sat at, he realized people might think that-

“Iris! I didn't know you and Talbott were friends!” Penny gushed when she saw them arrive together.

“Are we friends Talbott?” Iris asked, placing her head in her hands, as she sat down, looking at him hopefully with her bothersome big eyes.

“We're working it out.” He told her instead of no, because he didn't want to cause friction between him and Penny.

“I'm so happy!” Penny exclaimed, quietly, “did you bring the ingredients?”

“We have the untouched dew, a mandrake leaf, and the chrysalis of a Death's-Head Hawk Moth.” Talbott pulled the ingredients from a pocket inside his robe, and slid them over to Penny.

“All we need now is a strand of the drinkers hair before the incredibly complicated brewing process!” She clapped her hands together, excited to get things underway.

“I love that you said that with such enthusiasm.” Tonks laughed.

“Penny is like Snape if Snape was nothing like Snape.” Rowan added, still looking down at her book.

“Are you going to drink the potion and become and animagus, Penny?” Iris asked.

“I'm mostly just excited about the challenge of brewing the potion. It's very advanced.” She told Iris. Talbott watched the two girls, he had heard Iris mentioned before by Penny, and seeing the two of them now he surmised they were thick as thieves. Throw in Tonks, and that was almost to much for him. Thankfully Rowan seemed to be a good quiet sort of girl, so that helped to manage the situation.

“And the potion is only one step in the process of becoming an animagus.” Talbott reminded the pair of girls.

“Becoming a metamorphmagus is much easier.” Tonks boasted.

“You have to be born a metamorphe....” Rowan finally looked up from her book to give Tonks a questionable look.

“Exactly! I literally didn't have to do anything!” She laughed loudly.

“Very funny, Tonks.” Penny giggled, “now, let's work out how to brew this potion, then we can work out who's going to actually drink it.” She said in a way that made it sound like she may be even doubting herself.

“It says here that the first transformation is painful and frightening. Better not tell Ben.” Tonks laughed.

“That's if it goes correctly, you don't want to know what happens if the potion goes wrong.” Talbott warned.

“The Animagus potion seems even more complicated than Polyjuice potion, are you sure you can brew it Penny?” Iris asked her, cautiously optimistic.

“I never doubt myself when it comes to potions, Iris. The question is do you trust me enough to drink it?”

“Of course I trust you, Penny. But, don't you want to drink it?” Iris asked Penny, her eyebrows knit together.

“We all do, but you should go first. Becoming an Animagus will help you find the cursed vaults and find your brother.” Penny smiled at Iris. “I can always brew some more for the rest of us.”

“Thank you Penny, what should I do to prepare?”

“For starters, put that Mandrake leaf in your mouth and keep it there for an entire month.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. If you accidentally swallow it or remove it from your mouth you'll have to start all over again.”

“What then?”

“Then it gets especially complicated, but you have thirty days to ponder that.” Penny smiled in a knowing way.

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Thankfully, Talbott was able to keep away from Iris, and her golden retriever like energy, for almost a moth. That was until Penny asked him to teach Iris the animagus spell. He originally wanted to say no, but he owed Penny a favor for what she did for him. So he groaned, and a few hours later he was in the Charms classroom waiting to meet Iris.

The door opened and the very first think he noted was the lack of bright yellow wellies. She must have just came from class, because she was wearing a more lax uniform minus her robes. Her tie was missing, the first few buttons were popped, and her long white blonde hair had been pulled back into a french braid. He hated to admit, but she was a lovely girl to look at.

“Thanks for helping me learn this Animagus spell, Talbott.” She greeted, a bright smile on her face.

“Well, I'm probably best suited to teach it, so...”

“Why's that?” She asked, and he simply ignored her and looked away.

“We'd better hurry. If you're drinking the Animagus Potion you need to learn this spell before the next storm. Repeat the incantation 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus'. You'll have to preform this spell every dawn and dusk until you drink the potion. You may sense a second heartbeat when your wand touches your chest.” He instructed her. To his surprise, she was a fast learner and followed his instructions to the T. He was remarkably impressed with her, and he wondered if he had judged her prematurely. “I think you've got it. Cast the Animagus Spell, Iris.”

“Awe, you called me Iris...” She smiled his way, and he mentally slapped himself. The last thing he needed was a distraction like her. “Amato Animo Animato Animagus.” She recited and touched her wand to the center of her chest, and there was a warm reddish orange glow.

“Did you feel anything?” He asked.

“I thought I might have felt a second heartbeat but it could have been my imagination.” She shrugged, telling him honestly. His eyebrow quirked again. Normally people would lie, and say yes of course I preformed it correctly... But Iris told him honestly.

“Well, you'll need to preform that spell every dawn and dusk without fail until the next electrical storm. In the meantime, we should talk to Professor McGonagal.” He told her, leaving the classroom, figuring she would catch up with him.

The stroll to Transfiguration was quiet, but once they reached the classroom-

“Why are we going to see Professor McGonagal?”

“Don't ask me, ask the cat.” He pointed to the grey tabby sitting on Professor McGonagal's desk.

“Are you mad?” She asked, but still smiled. Then her smile faded when she saw the cat suddenly transform into non other then McGonagall herself.

“No, Miss Rosewood. He is simply better-informed. The two are often mistaken.” She folded her hands elegantly in front of her.

“Professor McGonagall!” Iris stuttered.

“You know I'm an Animagus. Why are you so surprised?”

“I've never seen you change before.” Iris told her, “it was amazing!”

“Well, now you have. What can I do for the two of you?” She asked, not harshly, but bluntly.

“Iris is considering becoming an animagus. I thought she should talk to you about it first.” Talbott interjected.

“It's certainly something you should consider carefully before coming to a decision.” McGonagal had a tone in her voice where it sounded more like a warning. “There are always advantages and disadvantages to everything.”

“We understand that bad things can happen if the process goes wrong, we've been over that already in our studies.” Talbott explained, and Iris gave him a look of shut up please, because she had not been privy to that information yet.

“Yes, there is however a extraordinary amount of effort and risk involved.” McGonagall explained. “Once you become and Animagus, you will also need to register your status with the Ministry of Magic.” She looked sharply to Talbott. “Isn't that right, Mr. Winger?”

Talbott suddenly felt very warm, his tie seemed to tight, and like the room was closing in. He very timidly nodded and said,

“... Yes, Professor.”

Iris looked over at him, with one of her eyebrows raised, gauging his reaction. She had never seen him anything but cool, calm, and collected. At the moment, he actually looked... Guilty.

“Talbott... Are you already an Animagus?” She asked, treading lightly. Talbott looked at her, and felt those bright blue eyes starring into his soul, but not in the way that McGonagall's did... Iris seemed to genuinely care, there was a softness in her eyes that he hadn't seen in a very, very long time. Before he could answer Iris's question, McGonagall stepped in.

“An unregistered Animagus. An oversight Mr. Winger has assured me he will rectify sooner rather then later. If he does not,” she looked at him sharply again. “I will view it as a personal affront and drag him to the Ministry myself.”

“Yes, Professor.” Talbott had become extremely uncomfortable and Iris picked up on it.

“Thank you for your time Professor, but unfortunately Talbott and I are late for a Sphynx club meeting.”

“Of course, have fun.” She smiled and turned to her desk. Iris looped her hand around Talbott's elbow and pulled him out of the room. “Why don't you just register?” She asked when they were out of class and away from the eyes of Professor McGonagall.

“Why don't we play a game of gobstones? We can talk over it.” He told her, his head hung and looking straight at the ground. He did not want to tell her, he hadn't known her long enough for him to trust her yet. Hell, he hadn't even told Penny and they had been friends since first year. This girl he had only met a couple times. Yet there was a strong pull in his chest to go ahead and tell her what he had harbored inside. “I'll tell you what happened in my past, and ask you a question that could determine your future.”

“Goodness you are cryptic.” She said bluntly, looking over at him. He still didn't pull his eyes from the ground until she yanked him to the left harshly. He was about to yell at her, but then realized he almost walked straight into one of the large Stone Knights. “I understand you're upset, embarrassed even, but you at least need to look where you're going.”

“Well well, looks like you've adopted another pathetic friend.” A high pitched voice carried over and Talbott looked up to see Merula laughing, and to see Iris shoot her a look that was murderous.

“Make fun of me all you want, Merula, but leave others out of it!” Iris spat harshly, and it was the only words Talbott had heard leave her mouth with any sort of venom in them. Merula recoiled, and mumbled something before turning her attention back to her group of Slytherins. “Ignore her.” Iris mentioned as they entered the courtyard. He just nodded. “So, you you going to tell me why you haven't become a registered Animagus?” She asked as she dug inside her bag, and pulled out a little black bag with a set of gobstones.

“I want to, but I don't know if I'm ready.” He told her the truth, she at the very least deserved that after he had witnessed her propensity to truth. “The only person I've ever told is Professor McGonagall.” Talbott quickly redirected the conversation. “If you do become and Animagus, what animal would you want to be?”

“I think you're just buying time, so you don't have to tell me your story.” That felt like an arrow straight to the heart. He had always prided himself in being one that was hard to figure out, that way he could keep people out of his carefully constructed wall of fortitude. He couldn't help but curl up one side of his mouth. Iris was clever, and he admired that.

“I am.” He nodded.

“I thought an Animagus doesn't get to choose their animal form?”

“They don't but take this seriously.” He encouraged her. “Pretend that your answer will determine what type of animal you'll become. Most people choose familiar animals. Something they already know and love.” This would also give him information with which he could further analyze her.

“I think a little songbird would be nice. I used to watch them out the front window when I was young, and it has brought me many happy memories.” She smiled brightly.

Her answer surprised him, traditionally birds were symbols of freedom, and if one preferred certain ones over others that also was telling of certain aspects. He himself was an eagle, birds that symbolized bravery, wisdom, and connection to the spiritual realm in the folklore of his ancestors. Songbirds, like what Iris mentioned still had great symbolism though, intelligence, luck, purity and grace... All things he saw in her already.

“So.” She pulled him from his thoughts. “Are you going to tell em your story now?” He was becoming increasingly fascinated by this girl. So he smirked,

“if you can beat me at Gobstones, I'll do more than that.”

She actually beat him, and rather quickly too.

“So,” she smiled devilishly across from him, resting her chin on her knuckles. “What's your story, Winger?”

“Good game, Iris. Something tells me this isn't your first time playing Gobstones.”

“I've learned a trick or two.” Her smile only grew. “Ready to talk?”

“No.” He shook his head, and watched her face fall, “but I need to. I want you to understand why I haven't registered.” He motioned for her to stand and take a seat on the fountain. She quickly followed and sat next to him, patiently waiting for him to continue. “My parents opposed the Death Eaters in the Wizarding war. They weren't in the Ministry or any special organisation, but they wanted to help fight the Dark Lord's rebellion. My mother was an Animagus, so she taught me how to become one just in case I ever needed to escape.” He informed her, and he turned, once again looking at the ground. He however looked to his right when he felt a warm hand placed on his arm in a show of solidarity. “When the Death Eaters finally came to our home, changing forms helped me get away. My Mum and dad didn't make it.” There was silence for a moment.

“I'm so sorry Talbott. The War ruined so many lives.”

“If I had registered as an Animagus, the Death Eaters might have known. They could have caught me, and killed me too. I've been afraid to register just in case it ever happens again.”

“Talbott... He's gone, he's dead. He's never coming back.” Iris told him in a gentle voice, trying to reassure him, but still understood his nightmares. “Thank you for sharing that with me though.”

“It feels... Good, to tell someone. I think it may feel even better to finally register. Mostly because it will get Professor McGonagal off my back.”

“Well, good luck with that.”

“Good luck to you too, Iris. If you become and Animagus, I hope you get to turn into a bird.” He told her, and actually meant it. He wanted for her to be able to turn into what she wanted, and if a little songbird was it he hoped she got it. Before iris could say anything to him, he decided to show her his little secret and transformed into his eagle form. The reaction on her face was priceless.

He found out a few days later, after a electrical storm, from Penny that Iris had not been transformed into a little sweet songbird. He actually smiled from ear to ear when he heard what her animagus was... An Eagle. I giant. Freaking. Eagle. One not even indigenous to the continent. Iris and Penny had looked it up in some books and found out her animagus form was what was known as a Harpy Eagle.

Talbott, being Navajo, found great meaning in the symbolization of animals in mythology and history so after his conversation with Penny he found himself studying in the library about Harpy Eagles.

Harpy Eagles are huge, powerful hunters that spend their lives in tall, remote tropical forests in Central and South America. Named for the Harpies of Greek mythology, gruesome women with the bodies of birds, these eagles fly from tree to tree in search of food, rarely venturing into the open sky above.

Feathered in varying shades of gray with a white belly, the Harpy has a strong hooked beak, and distinctive tall feathers that stand out straight from its head.

Harpy Eagles are massive. Females, larger than males, are three and a half feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds. That’s heavier than the largest Bald Eagle. Their rear talons measure a full five inches, ideal for plucking sloths and monkeys from the trees. Harpy Eagles are the most powerful eagles in the world weighing 9 kgs (19.8 lbs.) with a wingspan measuring 2 meters (6.5 feet). Their wingspan is much shorter than other large birds because they need to maneuver in densely forested habitat

Harpy Eagles may not be the Hounds of Zeus, but they are legendary in their own right. However, human persecution and ongoing cutting of forest are threatening these eagles, who raise just one nestling every two or three years. So each one is precious—and spectacular.

The harpy eagle, or simply harpy (Harpia harpyja), is considered by many Brazilian indigenous tribes as the personification of tribal chiefs, a symbol of eagerness and prowess. Its eye-sight is eight times more powerful than that of human beings, and this bird is one of the most feared hunters in Brazilian forests.

In Greek mythology and Roman mythology, a harpy (plural harpies, Ancient Greek: ἅρπυια, romanized: hárpyia, pronounced [hárpyːa]; Latin: harpȳia) is a half-human and half-bird personification of storm winds.

Talbott had thought that a little songbird would have fit Iris well, but the more he read, the more he knew that the Harpy Eagle was exactly the personification of Iris Rosewood.