Realisation 3

Harry saw the pages turn and he reached a page where the ink was different and is similar to the one used by the British Ministry of Magic.

'Step 1: Do Your Homework...

…in Transfiguration and Potions at least. Becoming an Animagus requires a witch or wizard to be skilled in both these areas to stand a chance of achieving such a complex transformation.

Step 2: Carry a single Mandrake leaf in your mouth…

…for an entire month – from full moon to full moon to be precise. Yes, we're serious. If you swallow the leaf or remove it from your mouth at any point, you have to start the whole thing again (no one likes to see that happen). You then have to find a 'small crystal phial that receives the pure rays of the moon', put your saliva-filled leaf inside, and add one of your hairs.

Step 3: Add a silver teaspoon of dew from a place that neither sunlight nor human feet have touched…

…for a full seven days. And if that wasn't hard enough, you then have to add the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth to the crystal phial as well. Then put 'this mixture in a quiet, dark place' and leave it alone until the next electrical storm. And really leave it alone – don't even look at it. Don't even think about looking at it.

Step 4: While waiting for the storm, you must place your wand tip over your heart…

…every sunrise and sundown and speak the following incantation: 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus'. If you keep repeating your incantation, 'there will come a time when, with the touch of the wand-tip to the chest, a second heartbeat may be sensed.' Don't change anything! Keep going. Keep waiting for that storm!

Step 5: As soon as lightning appears in the sky, go to the place where…

…you've hidden your crystal phial. At last! If you've done everything right then you will 'discover a mouthful of blood-red potion inside it.' Then move somewhere where you aren't going to alarm anyone or place yourself in physical danger during your transformation. An Animagus transformation party is definitely a bad idea.

Step 6: Place your wand-tip against your heart and speak…

…the incantation 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus' and drink the potion. You will then feel fiery pain – lucky you – and an intense double heartbeat.

Step 7: The shape of the creature into which you will shortly transform will appear…

…in your mind. The instructions ten warn: 'You must show no fear/ It is too late now, to escape the change you have willed'. Yikes!

Step 8: When your transformation is complete you are strongly advised to pick up your wand…

…and hide it somewhere safe, so you can find it post-transformation. To return to human form, visualise your human self as clearly as you can. Don't worry if you don't change back immediately, 'with practice, you will be able to slip in and out of your animal form at will, simply by visualising the creature'. Once you're an advanced Animagus, you should be able to transform without your wand.

The (many) things to be wary of…

When the process of becoming an Animagus goes wrong, it often goes seriously wrong. We're talking horrible half-human, half-animal mutations here, with no known cure.

The first transformation is usually uncomfortable and frightening. Clothing and items such as glasses or jewellery meld to the skin and become one with fur, scales or spikes.'

'When you first transform, try to avoid panicking otherwise the animal mind 'may gain the ascendancy' and you could do something stupid or dangerous.

Generally, wizards prefer to have their clothes Transfigure with them, to escape the embarrassment of reappearing naked'.

Harry read and saw lines form below it.

'How is it? Don't you think it's stretching a bit too far? What are all those ridiculous things like an electrical storm? What do you consider an electrical storm?

Anyway, you can opt for whichever is comfortable for you and go that path. But be careful, becoming an Animagus is different from mastering a mind art.

That may protect you and your mind from invasion or attack. But this helps you in the most unfavourable situations and allows you to do some more. All the best, champ.'

Ended the line as the book shut. Harry knew what to do now. He is going to work hard to become an Animagus. Schpeel's version, that is.