From now on I shall have you all to myself" the old crone hissed at James with a wicked sense of pleasure "at least, in your true form"
"What do you mean?" James gulped. This didn't sound good.
"If any of my friends, enemies, associates - or anyone else for that matter - were to find me consorting with a naked young man who posesses no magical ability it would raise all sorts of awkward questions. So quite simply they won't. You will be suitably disguised in their presence."
"Disguised how?" James wanted to know urgently.
"I do not permit visitors to my house, so you are safe to stay as you are while you are inside" Elspeth began "But whenever you venture outside these walls, whether of your own volition or to accompany me somewhere, you will instantly take on the form of an animal and remain that way until you return"
"What kind of animal?" James asked nervously.
"Could be practically anything" the witch shrugged "It's not completely random though. You won't become anything that is too big to get back into my house. That would be a little unfair on you"
James stared open mouthed, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"So that's it" Elspeth smiled, looking rather pleased with herself "That's yout curse."