There were times he needed to be something else and this day was one of them. Not that he had any particular concerns to drive from his mind just a need to stretch his wings, literally. The decision to become an animagus had come early in his life and a decision he had never regretted. At the time he had no idea what animal he would transform into though there were several he had hoped for. There were even more he had desperately wished not to become. What kind of image would it present if Malcorvus Flint, Pureblood from countless generations of purebloods, powerful, influential, respected, and wealthy transformed into a mouse or sparrow? Fortunately he became something far better, majestic, noble, keen eyed, a deadly hunter rarely missing the target when it came time to strike. A black kite, a magnificent sharp winged raptor he immediately felt was perfect for him to become.

The feel of wind over his wings was exhilarating, making him feel half of his 64 years. Up here high above the bustle and smells of Hogsmeade it was easy to see the world in a whole new perspective. To feel superior far more than he already did among the lesser blooded wizarding mass of humanity. He didn't even think about the Muggles, they were always insignificant to him, beings who were both harmless and inconsequential but dangerous in their naivety. His life's work was not done to benefit them in any way but not focused on eliminating them and leaving the Earth solely in the command of wizards. He wasn't that kind of megalomaniac. Better the Muggles were guided and influenced by wizards, keep them on paths that would not hinder the advancement of wizards. Their territorial and financial wars were bothersome and hindered good trade but there wasn't much Malcorvus could do to stop them, the best he could do is use connections to influence them, ensure the results benefited him and wizardkind in general.

He felt the shift in the warm thermal air current he had been using to glide over Hogsmead and adjusted his wings to compensation. Malcorvus remembered well the challenge he faced when he first tried to fly after transforming into a kite. All the instincts of the raptor were there but it had taken some effort to tap into that knowledge and use it practically. He had fumbled a few times, flapping his wings uselessly on the ground before he mastered control of his animal form to coordinate wings, tail and clawed feet to launch into the air and take flight. He recalled the feeling of his first true flight and called out in remembered joy, the shrill call of the black kite sounding loudly in his feathered ear pits as he recalled that joy.

Deciding to indulge himself in some aerial acrobatics he dove and climbed, spinning upside down and flexed his talons to snatch invisible prey above him before turning right-side up and beating his wings to regain lost altitude. It would be so easy to lose himself in the joys of flying, to never set foot or claw on the earth again. An impossible thing as even with a kite's endurance he would need to land, need to hunt and replenish his energy or transform and eat as a man. There had been times he ate as a kite and found enjoyment in the activity, the hunt was so much different as a kite compared to the times he went fox or boar hunting. As a kite it was so much more an intimate affair, spotting prey from far away and the silent dive to reach the right altitude before striking with powerful talons and sharp beak.

He descended finally, feeling the strain of the long flight and the acrobatics he indulged in. Malcorvus may feel so much younger while flying as a kite but he still was physically in his 60's even as a kite. It was so very fortunate his age as a kite didn't exactly match his age as a human, else he would have dropped dead the instant he transformed, as black kites didn't have anywhere near a wizard's lifespan in the wild.

Circling he finally settled on branch of a tree in Padmore Park, deciding to do a little eavesdropping on the various people strolling and talking on this fine September day. It was cooler now with fall having arrived but still pleasant enough for a midday stroll.