Monday, February 21, 1994
(Ministry of Magic)
The Ministry was, as always, loud in all the wrong ways.
Footsteps echoed through polished corridors. Quills scratched behind closed office doors. Somewhere nearby, someone was arguing over cauldron import regulations with enough passion to suggest their entire bloodline depended on it.
Personally, I found the place entertaining.
Politics, bureaucracy, scandals. The Ministry was essentially a theatre production with less competent actors.
I adjusted the fall of my robes as I walked, cane tapping lightly against the floor.
Today, however, I had a very specific destination.
The Animagus Registration Office.
An office so neglected that most Ministry employees probably forgot it existed.
Hardly anyone became an Animagus, and even fewer actually registered.
Which, frankly, was understandable. Wizards had an unfortunate tendency to dislike paperwork.
The directions I had been given led me to a small corridor tucked between Magical Transportation archives and an office dedicated entirely to wand permit renewals.
Exciting neighbours.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room was small and quiet. Dusty in that particular Ministry way that suggested someone occasionally cleaned it, but didn't care enough to do a good job.
A single desk sat near the back wall, several filing cabinets lined one side, a clock ticked lazily overhead.
And there was absolutely no one inside.
Typical.
I sighed dramatically and lowered myself into one of the waiting chairs.
"Well," I muttered, crossing one leg over the other, "one would think a man of my importance deserved immediate service."
The room, tragically, failed to agree.
While waiting, my thoughts began to drift.
The past few weeks had been… eventful.
A masterpiece of spontaneity, really.
After my entirely inspired marriage to Rosmerta at the little chapel, I had, naturally, informed Aurora the next day.
I had expected outrage, possibly tears, and potentially thrown objects.
Instead, Aurora had merely shaken her head with a smile.
"You took long enough," she had said.
Which, honestly, felt unfairly reasonable.
She had been surprised by how private it all was.
No grand spectacle.
No dramatic announcement.
No fireworks.
No orchestra.
No enchanted doves carrying flower petals.
Apparently that was too unlike me.
Though she had smiled when she said it.
And she had been genuinely happy for Rosmerta.
Merlin knew Rosmerta deserved happiness more than most.
Then came the honeymoon in France.
I had rented a villa overlooking rolling countryside and narrow cobbled streets.
Beautiful mornings.
Long walks.
Wine.
Sightseeing.
And privacy.
Lots of privacy.
Rosmerta had proven remarkably enthusiastic once removed from behind a tavern counter.
A deeply delightful discovery.
I smiled faintly at the memory.
Then, upon returning, I had immediately sought out Albus Dumbledore for my first Animagus transformation.
That had been deeply satisfying.
The old man had attempted to maintain his usual air of omniscient calm.
But I had seen it, that brief flicker of surprise in his perpetually twinkling eyes.
Tiny and subtle.
But present nonetheless.
Proof that even he had not expected quite what I became.
Which, naturally, pleased me enormously.
The office door suddenly opened and I looked up.
And blinked.
"Well," I said brightly. "Tonksie."
There stood Nymphadora Tonks.
She paused upon seeing me, then blinked as well.
"Gilderoy?"
I rose immediately and crossed the room.
Naturally, I hugged her.
Her eyes widened slightly as she accepted it, still somewhat awkwardly.
We were, after all, navigating familiar territory in unfamiliar circumstances.
Marriage proposals after what should have been a definitive breakup had a way of complicating things.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. "I was told a new Animagus was registering."
She looked me over, and then her expression shifted.
"…Wait. Is it you?"
I stepped back and flashed one of my finest smiles.
"Do you see anyone else?"
She rolled her eyes immediately.
"Yes," I continued. "It is indeed I. The great Gilderoy Lockhart."
She rolled her eyes again and moved behind the desk to sit down comfortably.
"You're the one registering me?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "After I told Bonesy I was pregnant, she moved me to office work."
She leaned back slightly.
"I mostly handle small departments now. Paperwork. Registrations. Filing."
Her face twisted faintly.
"It's not that terrible. Just boring."
Then her expression brightened mischievously.
"You should've seen Bones' face when I told her who the father was."
I smiled.
"Oh?"
"She tried to hide it," Tonks said, grinning. "But she was absolutely jealous. Looks like you have an admirer."
I placed a hand dramatically against my chest. "Oh, I have countless admirers."
Then I softened my smile. "But do not worry. I only have eyes for you."
Tonks smiled.
It was a pleased little smile.
But then I added: "And Aurora and Rosmerta too, of course."
Her smile vanished instantly.
Ah.
Timing.
Such a delicate art.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed a clipboard.
"Right," she said. "Let's get to work."
She glanced up.
"Take your clothes off and show me."
I blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
She kept a perfectly straight face. "Procedure."
I tilted my head. "But clothing transforms with you."
"So?"
"So why would I need to remove them?"
Her eyes narrowed theatrically. "Are you questioning Ministry authority?"
"I am questioning your competence."
"Careful," she warned. "I could throw you in a holding cell."
"That is abuse of authority. I should report you to an Auror."
"I am an Auror."
I sighed dramatically. "Ah. Foiled again."
She grinned. "Exactly."
"Very well," I said, lowering my voice shyly. "If you insist."
I slowly reached for my coat.
Tonks immediately burst into laughter.
"Alright, enough," she said. "Just transform."
I smiled. "Ruining my fun."
"You have way too much fun."
I glanced around. "This office is far too small for my magnificence."
Tonks gestured toward what I had assumed was a storage closet.
"There's another room."
She opened the door and I stared. The room beyond was enormous.
High ceiling, wide floor. Large enough to comfortably house an elephant.
Or something similarly magnificent.
"Will this do?" she asked.
I stepped inside. "It's passable."
I looked around critically. "A touch lacking in decoration."
Tonks sighed. "Just transform already..."
"So demanding."
I handed her my cane. "Hold my staff."
She accepted it and I moved toward the center of the room.
"Prepare yourself," I said grandly. "For greatness."
"Just do it."
"No appreciation for anticipation."
"Gilderoy."
"Fine."
I inhaled slowly.
Magic shifted beneath my skin and the transformation flowed effortlessly.
Bones reshaped.
Muscles expanded.
Height lowered.
My body folded smoothly downward as golden fur rippled outward across my skin.
Hands became paws.
Nails turned into claws.
Strength settled into every limb.
Power.
Weight.
Grace.
And then, instinctively, I roared.
The sound exploded through the room, loud enough to shake the walls.
Tonks instinctively stepped backward, which was entirely reasonable, considering the animal standing in front of her.
I lifted my head proudly and my mane cascaded around my neck in luxurious waves of gold.
Magnificent.
Majestic.
Perfect.
I gave my head a slow shake and the mane swayed once again beautifully.
Almost artistically.
Then I looked toward Tonks, expecting awe or admiration.
Perhaps speechlessness.
But instead, all I got was a snort, then another.
And suddenly she was doubled over laughing.
Actually laughing, bent nearly in half, holding the wall for support.
The cane nearly slipping from her grasp.
I stared in confusion.
I remained perfectly transformed.
No missing limbs.
No unfortunate mutations.
No visible deformities.
Everything felt flawless.
So why exactly was she laughing so hard?
The enormous lion tilted his head.
What exactly was so funny?
…
Ministry of Magic
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Animagus Registration Office
Official Animagus Registration Report
Registrant: Gilderoy Lockhart
Date of Registration: Monday, February 21, 1994
Classification: Registered Animagus
Ministry Reference Number: AR-1994-021-L
---
Animagus Form Identification
Species: African Lion (Panthera leo)
Sex: Male
Primary Fur Colour: Golden
Eye Colour: Blue
---
Physical Measurements
- Height at Shoulder: 4 feet 3 inches (1.30 metres)
- Total Length (nose to tail tip): 9 feet 7 inches (2.92 metres)
- Estimated Weight: 36 stone 6 pounds (231 kilograms)
---
Distinctive Features
- Unusually vivid blue eyes not commonly observed in natural lion populations.
- Exceptionally large and well-maintained mane with pronounced volume and symmetry.
- Mane colour matches primary fur tone, though appears slightly brighter under direct light.
- Mane structure bears notable resemblance to registrant's human hairstyle.
- Transformation displays smooth magical transition with no visible instability or incomplete shifting.
---
Behavioural Notes
- Transformation completed without difficulty.
- Subject displayed immediate comfort and full control in animal form.
- Vocalisation produced a notably powerful roar with strong resonance.
- Temperament during observation remained calm, confident, and highly self-assured.
---
Registered By:
Auror Nymphadora Tonks
Animagus Registration Office
Ministry of Magic
…