Like always, the Ravenclaw commonroom had a sense of classiness, it was a place of education and higher learning, where the smartest students were. Studying, working, some discussing class, some helping eachother with homework. A few were hanging out together as friends. It was always a place that seemed like it held an air of snobbery and universityness, the smartest students were here, the only sounds being some hushed talking or quills scratching. Or this was always how it seemed to her, the tower was like a more casual library, just without the librarian hushing you whenever you accidentally squeal in delight, and won't get annoyed when you keep sneaking food in. She was not sure how she got into this house, if anything she seemed to be better suited for another house, maybe hufflepuff. It isn't 7 floor to go to the kitchen, but somehow she was here, in the house of wit and education.

Akira was prowling, on the hunt, just like the cat she wasn't. She was still very sneaky, or so she thought, it was helped by her small size, even with all the sweets she ate, she remained small and light, sneaking around behind her sister and mothers back for years to steal sweets or to sneak out of her bedroom to read or play games when they went to sleep had honed her sneakiness. She was a master of stealth.

When people didn't notice her anyway, or atleast when she wasn't so out in the open like the common room was. Even with all the books she was in the open. But atleast most people in the common room were just reading or already distracted so she can sneak about, until they realize that they haven't heard her making noise for awhile and spot her. She hasn't even done anything weird in the last couple of days! Some, mostly the second years, mostly the second year girls. Were used to her making weird little noises or trying to transfigure things best left not transfigured.

She was prowling however for a reason, she doesn't prowl and hunt for any old reason! She is very logical with how she prowls and hunts. She figured she needed information, she was getting bored with classes, she's already finished all her homework, and therefore she figured it was perfect time for experimentation. She was only in her second year, and as such she won't get lessons on Animagus or Werewolves for a year. This was dumb, sure she can read books on them but there must be information told in class that is better then reading some dusty old books right?

So she needed a third year to tell her, she could ask Tim but as he's the year above he may of forgotten already, she could Eirene but she was ever so slightly worried about being interrogated for what happened to her cat and getting lectured about her sugar consumption. That left the third years, and there is one she could....

Spotted! The blond hair! The third yeariness! She pounced!

Well she didn't pounce, that would be too harsh for trying to talk, but! She crept up to him best she could before popping up like a Pop Up Pirate!

"Frank! I need answers!"

One of her hands came up clutching a wrapper shortly after.

"Also would you like a Curly Wurly?"

Frank jumped about a mile. He scrambled to catch his inkpot from spilling and cast out to cover his book with his arm. Big brown eyes and a bright colored candy wrapper filled his field of vision and he pulled away.

"Akira!" he breathed. "Why?"

Akira Hericho was nice enough. Really, she was. But she was a bit much. She had so much energy and this fixation on sweets that made one worry for her slightly. Because Frank was a year older he did feel, from time to time, that he ought to look out for her in he way housemates did.

"Just ... sorry, what?"

She was offering him some kind of long candy stick thing and had there been a question in there.

She scared him! GOOD! She was the sneakiest!

She continued to offer the Curly Wurly as she sat down next to him, making sure not to spill the ink, she didn't want to get ink on her skirt! The poor elves have enough ink to clean, let alone from her skirt and in massive patches. Its not like she takes up much space on seats anyway, she can fit anywhere, even in small cardboard boxes, although they did have to be a certain small, but she could be like liquid when fitting into places.

"I need answers, and in return I can offer you lots of sweets." She said as she offered the chocolate still, chocolate is a type of sweet right? Just like how chocolate was one of your five a day due to having coco beans in them, or banoffee pie was a five a day due to the banana in it.

"Sounds like a good trade right?" She gave a little nod to herself, it was a good trade, she was very clever with her bartering.

Frank drew away from Akira just a little without noticing. She was close, her eyes were big, and her expression was sickly sweet. He reached out and took the Curly Wurly and set it gently down parallel to his book. He realized as soon as he'd taken it that he hadn't yet learned just what information Akira was paying for. Knowing Akira it could fall anywhere in the range of friendly offering to an outright bribe. She was one of those curious sorts of Ravenclaws who sometimes went a little too far in questioning.

"Let's just say we'll see," Frank said skeptically.  To give Akira his full attention and prevent the temptation to get back to his own work, Frank shut his book.

"What kind of answers do you actually need? I'll help if I can."

He shut his book, she had his interest. That was all she needed, it meant she won here, and could get any answer she wanted. She can likely ask him what underwear Tim wears, that is something boys tell eachother isn't it? Don't they do that? It seemed like something boys did. But that could wait, she needed forbidden knowledge, or well, not forbidden but she wasn't meant to learn about until next year. Which was stupid!

"You've had the lesson on Animagus and Werewolves right?" She asked enthusiastically. Her eyes lighting up like an eager puppy. She wanted to learn! And she would settle for Frank right now! Although Frank is a ravenclaw so he's perfectly good for teaching also, he likely took notes the entire time and has the entire thing written down, if not then Eirene would and she can ask her for last years notes.

"Please tell me you got notes aswell!" She pulled out another curly wurly and offers it to him, looking so hopeful.

"Sorry, what have Animagi have to do with werewolves...?" Frank propped his head up on his elbow, Akira's question not being as straightforward as he's imagined. He was happy Akira didn't want to bug him about Eirene, but werewolves? Talk about a recently incendiary topic.

Rather than let his counter question hang in the air, Frank tried to answer in good faith.

"Actually, we've not had a werewolf class yet." He wasn't even sure what class that would be covered in. It was surely a terrible curse that made a person that way, so perhaps it was for Professor Storm to cover in Defense. But he could also imagine that someone could think it's a great idea to put in Care of Magical Creatures.  He paused for a moment to appreciate that they had the Students Against Werewolf Segregation club, as chaotic as it was.

"But Professor Singh's touched on Animagi. Nothing really in depth but I think I have my notes."

Frank turned to dig in his backpack, which was very organized with different colored folders. He pulled out his Transfiguration notes and began flipping back to earlier in the year.

"Like I said, it wasn't a full lesson. We're only third years." He set the notes down on the table so Akira could see. The Animagus section was brief, only a half a page, tucked in between other notes on how humans can transfigure themselves.

"A witch or wizard can, after loads of practice, gain the ability to transfigure into an animal and back again whenever they like. It's said to very difficult but I've heard sevenths years have figured it out. Are you going to try for it?"

He couldn't honestly see Akira having that kind of ambition, but people could be surprising.

He did have notes! Akira almost eeped out in excitement, this was brilliant! Hopefully there was something in there that Akira had yet to read up, after all the professor was a professor and the most important parts of class was learning from people with experience, there is only so much you can learn from dusty old books, as informative as they are. It can tell you how to cast a spell but to learn how to cast it you needed to figure out yourself, like when she was practicing a patronus, it just said to recall happy memories, that did not help, what memories were meant to be happy? Does any happy memory? Does it need to be specific? Does her 10th birthday when she got a Nintendo DS count? Does her sneaking downstairs and watching My Bloody Valentine count? No, that really didn’t count, it really...really didn’t..

But Frank was smart, he would know how to take notes, and in eligible english unlike her notes where she has to try guessing what she was talking about then remember what it was. So if the professor did say anything important, it should be there. This was great! Great news! Especially when so far her attempts to discover by herself has led to partial catification and an exploding toilet, she may or may not of been involved with a exploding toilet, she was not at liberty to discuss it.

“I got told they were taught together as one is willing the other is unwilling so as a stark contrast and an introduction to the topic.” She replied in a fairly calm tone, this was serious business, as the notes were very important, she didn’t want to mess up attempts on herself and ending up with a set of animal lungs or heart, the human body was cramped enough on the inside as it was, if she gave herself lungs too big she would die extremely quickly.

She gave a good read of the notes, it didn’t seem like much, it was somewhat disappointing to her. But it meant she would need to speak to the professor at somepoint by herself, which was a scary thought. Scary in the aspect of having to be responsible. That was a grown up thing to do.

“I am trying, I’ve read a few books but they mostly talk about them, or talk about the ritual being dangerous or whatever boring nonsense. Very little has much on the way to become one. I tried brewing a potion but I have no clue how potions work. I have an idea of things I can do for it but…” She gave a small frown.

She quickly stood up and hugged herself, she didn’t like acting professional, it wasn’t her style, but she knew she had acted alot calmer for the last minute then usual, she was a very calm person! Except for when she eats sweets or isn’t calm. But she felt like it would be best to try telling him the truth before he got suspicious. “So what I’ve read there is one way to become an Animagus, which seems really weird, think about it. How would they have come up with that way in the first place? It would of been through several variations that ultimately led to that, there must be some sort of easier to understand way, or another version that works to become one we don’t know about. Do other parts of the world have different ways? Surely worldwide people didn’t all come up with one way.” She sighed and reached into her bag, grabbing some skittles. She probably sounded crazier then normal, or now she was causing more alarms then being calm, but she was frustrated at it all.

Frank was impressed, a little. It did make sense to contrast werewolves and Animagi at least as an introduction, didn't it?  He might mention that to Zeta Pepper if confusion among the younger children wasn't abating. He was further impressed when she told him two things: that she was going for Animagus and that consulting him wasn't her first step.

His skepticism gave way and his expression softened. This was more than Akira's typical sugar-high mania, she was actually interested in something interesting! Frank watched her get up and turned in his seat to face her while she chattered. She was posing some interesting questions. Frank had to gently bite his lip to keep from interrupting her. He forced himself to be patient until she finished. Or at least paused for breath.

"I'd hope that the way we have now is the best way," he started, "or at least the safest way."

He was remembering the Chinese magic seminar now and how his mind had been slightly blown at how different their magic was. "How do other cultures do Animagi...? It must all be based on the same, I dunno, cosmic core magic."

Frank tore into the candy Akira had paid him off with. "Like we didn't invent light, but there are spells that make light. Maybe that's what's going on with Animagi, just, more complicated."

Akira gave a short nod, light spells were weird, the whole process of making spells was weird, how would someone go about creating the wording, the movement of the wand and the thoughts you have to have. How did someone come up with that in the first place? Atleast Animagus would of come from Transfiguration spells and the desire to change at will to and from, the origins of that if attuned properly could go from there, but spell creation made no sense, its hard enough to cast a patronus, how did anyone create the spell in the first place?

"Yeah, but like, maybe its the safest, or maybe its just the easiest way? Or because its the fastest? Or what if. Its just the most common way." She took another skittle and seemed somewhat relieved Frank was eating the curly wurly, sugar helped you think! Or thats what she believed anyway. "What if its just because its the method that we in this country came up with, and so when you know, the empire happened, it got taken about and any other method was replaced by it even if they were easier, quicker or safer? There must be so many different ways to do it, Odin in norse mythology could transform right? What if they were really just magic users and mistaken as gods, meaning that Odin could of had a much more advanced Animagus form allowing him to turn into any creature at will?"

She slumped a little, of course could be nothing more then mythology or just changed as time went on, maybe they only became a Raven and down through history it got changed to lots of other things and into gods, she also knew she wouldn't of been the only one to have looked into this, she was young, and fairly stupid, but not stupid enough or vain enough to believe she was the only one who looked into this. Much smarter and much more skilled people would of looked into it, if she could access those research or published findings though...she was finding it hard to even figure out the way now however, so even with those she wouldn't fair much better.

Although maybe if she could meet the Headmaster at some point...properly, not just in class, she could get his help, or he would be so concerned for her wellbeing that he ensures people watch out for her and stop her before she transfigures he lungs into hamster ones and he has more paperwork to do, but it would be worth a shot, he wouldn't let just anyone go and bother him in his office though, so she would have to do something to make him take notice but not get expelled, a few toilets could be spared couldn't they? Or would that not be severe enough?

But that would have to wait, she could try finding out stuff with Frank still first before she sets a ghost on fire or does something to get him to notice.

Frank forgot the essay he was supposed to be writing and got cozier in his chair. This was far more interesting and truly the first time Frank had had a conversation with Akira that lasted more than a few sentences and wasn't about food. (It did begin with food, which is why Frank had no suspicion  of a doppleganger.)

It did seem very typical of all the witches and wizards from history they'd been learning about that the most well-known way of doing something difficult could simply just be the first way, the easiest way, or the most common way. History of Magic class was peopled with nitwits who'd experimented themselves into a lucky get. But Animagus magic, that was really very old, older than the country.

"Well, it could also be that the Norse gods were actually gods and that's what inspired ancient wix to try it," Frank posed. "The first Animagus is always said to be Greek,[1] but I don't think it ever said how he did it. And like we were taught by Greyfriar, not everyone's history gets recorded properly."

He bit off more of the caramelly chocolaty stick then added. "I hope you're not considering a short cut. Or becoming a god. It won't work."

1.	Falco Aesalon

Oooh attaining divine powers! That should probably next on her too do list, she never considered becoming a goddess but it made sense that is where to go, but then that would lead down paths others have tried to take...and part of it is immortality, attaining immortality was not something that had a great history, and seemed annoying to attain, maybe a living saint would be good enough, that seemed a good starting point. Maybe a cult here and there...she could get someone to feed her grapes if she became a cult leader...that was promising. But before attempting to become a goddess she had to get the hard part done first, which was becoming an animagus.

"No its not trying to find a shortcut its...I would like to become an animagus, but there are possibly lots of methods, but you cannot really test them if you are an animagus right? Its like trying to create a potion to turn yourself into...a veela or something. But you're already a veela. Better to test on yourself then others." A few more skittles met their fate as she considered again if it was worth pursuing different measures, on the one hand she may find a new way, on the other hand, thats unlikely especially for her age, she would be amazed if she got the normal method in the next year without staff help.

"Easiest way really may be to ask Professors I guess. But imagine how cool it would be if I stumbled upon another way!" She started to bounce with hopeful enthusiasm, it would be amazing! And who knows, maybe if you do the whatever to become an animagus, that may open up new ways to do more animagus stuff! What if there is another long forgotten ritual that leads into changing your animagus form, or gaining another? That fixes both problems of being an animagus and uncovering something! And if she managed to do something like that she could get an award and that means enough money to get sweets for life!

And her mom wont be able to tell her when its time to go to bed!

"Yes, I think actually asking and actual Animagus is probably a better starting point than asking me, but..." Frank said with a little laugh. Professor Singh who taught Transfiguration was one such chap; he could transform into a tiger. Frank hadn't seen it himself, but the rumors were credible.

He continued munching on the sweets. He was more keen on the topic than perhaps his skepticism let on. It was just that Akira was a bit off her nut and liable, in Frank's estimation, to run off and get herself in a quagmire. Frank on his own didn't have the ambition to be an Animagus. It was a very cool ability, but it just didn't strike him as practical. Besides, he figured he'd end up a newt. Although a bird of some kind would be cool.

"What do you reckon you'd end up as?"

"Well... Yeah but if can manage without professors. Then imagine how impressed they will be!" It would of been good if she avoided asking the professors, imagine their shock if she managed to do it by herself and the sugar girl that made messes and ate all the time actually was smart! Well, she thought she was smart, possibly. She manages to get her work done quickly, and its never difficult, although she does always put the least amount of effort in, and then cause she gets it done early...she forgets to hand it in until asked repeatedly.

But most people can get their homework done easily, its just boring. Thats why she puts so little work into it, its boring. Plus then she can get onto exciting stuff like sweets and she guessed reading. It means she can practice harder spells also! And hope that the water spell doesn't set herself on fire.

Frank was onto the biggest question about animagus though, what would she be? It was highly unlikely to be a magical creature, those are very rare to turn into. So she can safely discount those, she had hoped she could learn the patronus to then know what her form may be. But that is a tricky spell, worst one she has ever tried to learn. It narrowed it down somewhat, except not at all. She has been to a zoo before! There is like atleast two species of monkey!

"Well." She started. "Magical creatures I can discount, and I don't think anyone has had a dinosaur. So no Velociraptor sadly." That was disheartening. "Although I am a clever girl so maybe." She didn't expect Frank to had watched Jurassic Park, for that she pitied magical society. "I think its likely to be a cat. Although imagine if you turned into a dragon, how cool would that be? I feel sorry for those with bad forms though, like going through all this and turning into a dairy cow." Although she supposed no one would suspect a wix to hide in a farm...

Frank giggled when Akira began with dinosaurs. The first place her funny brain went was to rule out dinosaurs. Frank had to wonder if this discussion would have ever occurred in any other of the commonrooms, where the parties had to be certain to rule out dinosaurs before they could proceed.

"A dragon would be cool," he agreed. "A bit conspicuous, though. At least a dairy cow won't blow the lid off things with the muggles."

He drew his feet up under him on the chair and leaned forward, getting comfortable.

"But saying you could choose, what would you want to be? What are your top three forms? Professor Singh is a tiger," Frank began impulsively listing all the Animagi he could think of. "James Potter was a stag, Peter Pettigrew was a rat, Sirius Black was a dog, erm, Professor McGonagall is a cat, one of the guys on Ballycastle is actually a bat and the rumor is one of my aunts can do a beetle.[1] I think there was a Slytherin who'd done it last year, and I think someone in Hufflepuff."[2]

Now he was starting to think what he'd hope to end up as.

1.	Aunt Marceline, Zelda's aunt on her mother's side.
2.	He's thinking of Waverly Roh-Ballentyne who managed a serval, last year, and Dion and Dax Fayette who both achieved horses two years ago.

Her top three was a good question, what would she hope for. She didn't want to be something impractical. A sea slug would be very very bad. Dying upon transforming was not something she fancied, could people become sand dollars? Or fish? Those were not something she wanted! Fish were gross! They swam in a giant pool of pee and people ate them! Also in primary a boy slapped her with a fish but that has nothing to do with her distru- disgust with fish. That had nothing to do with it, but it would still be fairly boring to go through all this and becoming a trout. Even more so than being a cow, as atleast it was good to hide in. And you could always have fresh milk...if lucky you could get fresh chocolate milk every day if you were a chocolate milk cow!

Frank had listed a few animagus, she remembered hearing of some hufflepuffs a few years ago who tried becoming animagus also, she didn't know them as it was years ago but someone from hufflepuff said they heard from an older student of some older students doing it. This was a reliable source she should check up on, find out who they were, try to get in contact with them! Other students would be more understanding right? Likely professors would just be boring and tell her to practice more and try it later, or its dangerous and thats very very boring. Adults aren't fun, they would tell her to not set off fireworks in the library because it could be dangerous.

"Well, I would probably want something either sneaky, or medium sized, good for sneaking about, but can run, mobile...also practical? Like I would hate a cow, its just a cow, they're strong but slow. A horse would be better as fast but too big." She hhhhhhhhhmed. "Top three is tricky, maybe top pick would be a cat, or a vixen, they're cats but in dog bodies. So maybe a vixen but cat is good also, if a cute cat. Siamese cats still freak me out.." She's seen Lady and the Tramp.

"Second maybe a doe? They're cute and super nice aren't they? Sneaky, good hearing, fast. I'm not sure on other animals...maybe a Hippogriff? Sure its bigger but strong, fast, strong and can fly. No one can deny you access to anywhere, free but not a tiny bird." But she knew it was unlikely, and Rigel is a Hippogriff according to himself, but if true it made it less likely she supposed.

But now she got hers out of the way...what would Frank be? Besides Eirene, he was the most Ravenclaw she knew, which isn't saying much as most people who read books she considers Ravenclaws, she saw Zeta reading and still is convinced she is a Ravenclaw. But still, that worked, maybe a Raven...