Back in the Slytherin dormitory.
Ino opened the sealed wooden box, took out the Animagus potion inside, then picked up the Felix Felicis next to it. Without a second thought, he uncorked the bottle and drank it in one gulp.
The Felix Felicis entered his mouth, bringing a cool sensation that slid down his throat, feeling like drinking a chilled mint-flavored soda on a scorching summer day.
The coolness and fragrance instantly swept away the summer heat, leaving only a sense of freshness and tranquility.
"It feels so good..."
Ino murmured, feeling incredibly clear-headed and comfortable at this moment.
Perhaps this is the true essence of Felix Felicis, the blessing of luck, making everything go smoothly.
After a brief pause, he quickly opened his suitcase and took out a worn, scorched box of matches from a compartment in the Muggle mode.
These were the matches Old John had given him as a parting gift.
Since receiving the matches, Ino had kept them in his suitcase as a keepsake.
But at this moment, with the help of Felix Felicis, he had a feeling, as if a voice told him, that taking these matches would be very useful.
…
Outside the castle.
The clouds in the western sky rolled and changed shape continuously.
Occasionally, flashes of lightning flickered within the depths of those clouds, moving like ghosts, a precursor to a thunderstorm.
On the eastern side of the Whomping Willow, near the dock by the Black Lake.
Ino handed the Animagus potion to Professor McGonagall.
After a moment.
After thoroughly checking it, Professor McGonagall said, "The potion is fine. When I tell you to drink it, drink it. And be sure to pronounce the incantation clearly, this is very important! Do you understand?"
Facing Professor McGonagall's admonition, Ino nodded earnestly.
"Thank you! I will be very careful."
Regarding the Animagus transformation, from the beginning of preparation to now, it had taken nearly a whole year. During this time, he had read a lot of information, all of which highlighted the dangers of the magic and various real cases of injuries.
In the original story, the success of the Marauders was truly a stroke of luck.
…
Time passed minute by minute.
At some point, the wind around them gradually died down, replaced by a stifling silence.
"Be ready. When the first thunderclap sounds, and the potion turns bright red, drink it quickly," Professor McGonagall said, drawing her wand and standing by. Her voice now carried a hint of anxiety and unease.
After hearing Professor McGonagall's instructions, Ino didn't speak, just nodded seriously, knowing that this was a moment not to be distracted.
Then, he took the box of matches from his pocket, gently opened it, and saw that only about a third remained. Carefully, he drew out a match, striking it against the phosphorous side of the box.
"Sizz!"
With a soft sound, the match ignited.
It was magical! Like a beacon of hope in the darkness, like the faintest but most resilient starlight in the night sky.
The ignited match didn't blaze like a raging fire but burned quietly and profoundly in the darkness.
This faint light was warm and gentle, flickering softly, each flicker seeming to tell forgotten stories about love, redemption, and hope.
In the glow of the match, the surrounding darkness seemed to be gently dispelled, bringing a trace of warmth. The small flame, though weak, was filled with strength.
It was like the tenacity and resilience of life, a comfort to those struggling in difficult circumstances.
In this faint light, one could almost see the possibility of salvation and being saved.
The match burned slowly, like a small candle, taking over ten seconds to burn just a tenth of its length.
Ino, standing within the illuminated area of the match, felt more relaxed than ever.
The previous worries, troubles, and doubts about the Animagus transformation all disappeared, leaving only hope and tranquility in his heart.
"Boom!"
In the sky, the first clap of thunder sounded.
Ino quickly drank the bright red potion, then drew his wand from his pocket, pointing it at his heart.
"Amato, Animo, Animato, Animagus!"
After a brief delay, his breathing began to quicken, his chest rising and falling as if another heart was beating, like the birth of new life!
But this was just the external manifestation. In reality, after drinking the potion, he felt as if he were being torn in two, an excruciating pain surging through him.
However, just as he was about to grit his teeth and try to use his willpower to resist the indescribable pain, the match in his hand burned out quickly.
Then a thumb-sized flame floated in the air, burning quietly.
In a second, or perhaps even less, the small flame, as if alive, flew into his body, completing everything in an instant.
…
The pain dissipated like a tide, replaced by a warm and reassuring feeling, like a mother's embrace.
Ino exhaled deeply. Just as he was about to close his eyes and rest for a moment, he heard Professor McGonagall's voice.
"Merlin, it's so beautiful!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"Ino, you've succeeded! You've completed the Animagus transformation. You can't speak now, so just listen to me quietly! Don't be afraid or panic, I'm here!"
Professor McGonagall tried to make her tone as gentle and soothing as possible because she knew better than anyone the pain of this magic during the initial transformation.
"Listen to me! You don't need to do anything now, just try to familiarize yourself with your Animagus form. In about one or two hours, you'll automatically revert to your human form. Next time, you'll be able to control this magic yourself."
Saying this, Professor McGonagall drew her wand and pointed it at the ground, and a beautifully crafted standing mirror appeared instantly.
"Take a look, your Animagus form is truly beautiful, elegant, and lovely."
On the other side, upon hearing Professor McGonagall's words, Ino realized that he had succeeded.
However, hearing the words beautiful, elegant, and lovely, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
An Animagus form should be discreet and agile, but the words Professor McGonagall used sounded more like descriptions of a peacock.
If it really was a peacock, he would rather give up this magic. After all, a medium-sized peacock that can't run fast or fly high, besides being eye-catching, is utterly useless.
But all his worries vanished when Professor McGonagall conjured the standing mirror.
In the exquisite standing mirror, Ino saw a black swan with glossy, elegant feathers.
He was not unfamiliar with swans, as they appeared in many classic stories.
They are large birds, typically 1.2 to 1.6 meters long, with a wingspan of about 2.5 meters.
Of course, people often see only the graceful appearance of swans and overlook their abilities.
Swans, along with bar-headed geese, are some of the highest-flying birds in the world. Though it's not common, if swans were to exceed their usual limits, they might have the ability to fly high enough to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Flying at altitudes above 7,000 meters is as easy as walking for them, not to mention their average flying speed of 75-95 kilometers per hour.
With the addition of their swimming ability, swans are indeed highly versatile.