Finally! *sighs* So much has been going on. I apologize for such delay and I usually write frequently. As my dog passed away five months ago and it was difficult to write again. Then, tied between two jobs and trying to prepare for college got me so busy to the point of barely any time to write and now in college. I will try to post a chapter up more often and now I'm down to one job on campus, which reduces the busy schedule of mine. Yay to more time!

Forgive me on time skipping in this chapter, I have my reasons! I hope it isn't confusing. If it is, please ask and I will clarify it in the next chapter.

Enjoy!

After a week later, Dusk gathered little information that Potter has been doing. It was easy to conclude a few things…

The boy's aunt would tell him what to make for breakfast and expects him to stick with her plans or he wouldn't eat. His cousin has often tried to chase the cat to annoy Potter, but then chases Potter for a while until he was outside and locked out. His uncle would yell off his ears and call him freaks or boy, but the anger rising out of the whale was an issue. After dealing with this, Severus within him wondered why he didn't run away from the beginning. There was much more than Potter had led on.

And the training was clearly meant for Remus. Harry wanted his 'godmother' to be prepared for everything and all, but what exactly? What were the plans? It drove him insane to be left out. Who could keep this quiet from anyone in general? It irks him no less.

However, Potter made sure he took decent care to him by feeding him, playing with him – much to a fail in playing, and protecting him. It was strange, but it was all to spy on him for safety.

Today was a little different than other days. His aunt told him to make a quick breakfast before they had to leave. They weren't specific what they were doing. His uncle hit him with a newspaper and claiming that the freak was wasting their time!

Dudley was still asleep and wasn't going with them. Harry managed to hurry up and allowed them to eat. He quickly left them alone until they left the house.

Dusk found it strange, but they pestered the boy and abused him to no ends. A quick image of his alcoholic father yelling him and demanded to bring those drinks to him or he would get his arse spanked hard. The cat shook his head and picked up to see Harry checked on him curiously.

His hand gently soothed his back, "No chores for the day, thank Merlin!" Rested his head against the edge of the sofa.

Dudley was out and all the boy could think was napping. Dusk didn't know what else to do, but think about the time he has already been here. It felt like a month, but only a little over a week.

Meow. Go figure, it was something he could do. Being a cat wasn't something he had in mind, but he was here as a spy. Potter held him and closed his eyes while petting the little creature.

The grumbling stomach awoke them and a soft chuckling escaped the lips of the Gryffindor.

"Yeah, I better eat before they come home." He snorted.

It was an unusual to have the house to himself and they often send him across the street. That and he suspected that they didn't want him to bring in anymore cats in due to Dusk. He couldn't blame them. Having Dusk and Hedwig were enough to handle! Harry carried Dusk in his arms as usual and headed over to the kitchen.

Dusk watched him lost in his thoughts, something going on, and he couldn't use his best legilimency skill due to being an animagus. Not only that, it would alert Potter of his purpose and causes some conflicts for the war plans. Albus would have difficulty to succeed the ending of the war.

The boy set him on the table, not caring about his soft fur scattering everywhere, and watched him. Potter flickered his hand and the magic drew the ingredients out and began to cook itself. Lately, Dusk observed little magic until now and understood that the boy was much advanced. The consistence of training the werewolf was to assist for the upcoming war, yet, puzzled him how Potter could know what to expect and be prepared properly.

"Hey Freak-" An immediate silence followed, causing Harry to spun around on his arm with his brow rising.

To see his cousin to be home earlier than he planned, he braced himself for any bloody fight or argument coming up. Instead, Dudley stood there with his jaw dropped and unable to speak further. His hand shaking, slowly rising to point out the magical activity going on in the kitchen, and stood there.

"What Dudley?" He grimaced, not appreciating the reaction, and crossed his arms.

The boy blinked, "It's like the show…" His head tilted, "You can make magic do cooking?" Finally overcoming his shock shell, blinking continuously and lowered his hand.

The Gryffindor rolled his eyes, "In a wizard world, yes, but still have to do some work. Is this going to be a problem or will I have to hex you quiet?"

His cousin shook his head, "N-no. I…thought they're supposed to be evil magic and sort?"

Harry stared at his cousin, wondering where that had come from…then again, he should have known better. Dusk watched both of the boys in their unusual conversation and eyed the miniature whale relative. Naturally, meowed gently and Harry turned to him.

"Feeding time…right." Harry snapped his fingers and 'POP !'

The food bowl appeared in front the tom cat and eating began. Dudley witnessed how calm Dusk was around Harry, still recalling the scratches and brief injuries.

"He's used to your magic?" He pointed at the dark fur creature.

Harry nodded, "Yes, I think he feels safer with magic." Shrugging off and headed over to the stove and helped stirred, "I'm not cooking for anyone else today."

Dudley walked up to the stove and saw how floating ingredients are pouring the stuff together, while his wizard cousin stirred everything and cooked like nothing difficult.

"Erm…can I try your food? It doesn't look bad." His stomach grumbled, adding more to the hint.

Somehow, the Gryffindor wondered how he managed to change his cousin's attitude for a short time. If anything, the boy only knew how to make a simple sandwich.

"…if you set up the table?" Eyeing his cousin anything unexpectedly.

He grinned and hurried to gather plates and silverwares. Dusk eyed the relative of Potter's and did not eat. Once the plates were set down, meowed and backed away from the boy suspiciously.

"Oi! You stupid cat, I'm here for food, not you." He snorted.

Dusk hissed, trying to show that he feared no one, and Harry rolled his eyes. Somehow, he wondered why Dudley even bother trying.

"Just ignore him, Dudley. You didn't exactly impress him to trust the first time." He shrugged.

"That's 'cause I haven't played with it." The house shook with thundering and lightening struck as Dudley leapt onto the chair for his life.

The emerald eyes twitched and narrowed as he faced his cousin, hatred growing for such comment, and dark magic coating the young wizard. His cousin white as a sheet when he saw how cross Harry was and nearly fell off the chair. He shuttered and shook his head to his own defense.

"You can pick on me, but picking on a defenseless cat," He sneered with such disgust, "That isn't right." He gritted his teeth, while dark magic drawing out the dangerous kitchen tools and floating and creeping over to Dudley for the aim.

The boy gulped and barely spoke. He eyed at everything around him.

A soft meow caught Potter's attention and he looked to see the little one staring at him. Harry blinked, felt this one was telling him something, and watched him waved his paw towards the floor. His realization hits him and quickly drew in his magic from attacking. He walked over and picked Dusk up.

"You aren't much of a jumper, are you?" He chuckled.

Somehow, the food and plates were following Harry and Dusk out the kitchen and upstairs. While leaving Dudley pale as a ghost, dropping his jaw…

To Dusk, the wizard within him, was worried what would have become Harry if he went onto the darker side. The boy did not need a murder reputation to the list and have who-must-not-be-named take advantage of the boy. To witness such raw power was petrifying and there were no chances of knowing the outcome later on. Perhaps…just perhaps he was grateful to be a cat. He preferred Potter as a caring person, not an evil boy. Dusk doubted his cousin would attempt anything like that again…especially someone conjuring ability that could extend beyond his imagination.

Since his discovery on the rare magical device that allowed to remove magical suppression or advanced, it explained how Harry could do magic much at ease. However, why hide it? The Gryffindor could easily advanced classes like Miss Granger, but there were more to the story than he realize.

Harry fed him the food he made on a separate plate and enjoyed the solitary time. The tom cat did not know much of him, yet, he hasn't felt unsafe before. Did the boy made it as a habit to save and protect people as he wishes to do so? There were too many questions, but it would have to wait later.

Even last week, Harry was training Lupin to control his own magic and improve. Lupin managed to grasp it in an attack that Harry sets and provides for the man, but why?

Summer was going to be a long holiday…he wished he could be human once more. It would satisfied the situation better and direct answers, but that would alter the plans and Dark Lord would kill him immediately. The safe and only ways to go about it was to be a spy, even in animagus form.

"Come on, Dusk!" Harry sighed, "We need to get going! You'll love the Weasely family!" He grinned, magically packing his things for the last time.

The black furred head popped out of the bathroom and blinked, as if he 'understood'. Harry chuckled and gathered him into his arms.

"No more of my relatives. Now, off to my family for a change." Harry dragged his trunk and owl cage out of the house, walked onto the street, and walked straight through the magical portal.

Dusk still found himself awed by this transportation, but he could not help it when it remains unknown. He recognize Lupin as they walked through and the man took care of Harry's trunk.

"I told them that I'd be bringing you to them. You've got some time, cub."

Harry snorted, "Obviously. But you know, Mrs. Weasely, she will want to stuff me. Summer hasn't been that bad at all."

Remus nodded, "Considering your aunt ruled it that a cat knows who are evil and who is good sort of people. I take that making the amends did not suit well for your aunt?" He softly chuckled.

Potter shook his head, "With ineptias in her head?" He set the cat down, "She's merely letting me eat and do less of chores. She kept Vernon away from me, which seemed to do them better. Dudley…still an idiot."

The werewolf shook his head. All summer long, he knew Dudley had been strange and did things that Harry didn't approve…especially targeting Dusk.

"I take it he's taken a liking to you?"

The cat watched them, but he didn't like the fact the werewolf was getting rather too closely to Potter. The boy was unaware of what was going on, but he suspected it would be nothing to worry about.

The Gryffindors headed into the kitchen and sat next to each other. For once, the animagus leapt onto the boy's lap and laid down. Harry didn't mind and continued as he normally does. Remus and Harry spoke about the spells they needed to overlook and training, but nothing was new. The wizard within the cat found it difficult to discover the plan and nothing has changed since day one.

"Why don't you stay for the night?" Remus offered, "I'd like to continue on the training at least once more." The man smiled.

The forest cat's ears flickered. What did he just hear? His heart raced…no. They need to go to the Weasely tonight…no changes there. Harry hummed questionably at the man and blinked a couple of times at his confusion.

"Don't you think you're doing alright? You managed to, erm, do it within five seconds and I don't see how further we can go."

Remus got off the chair and stood in front of Potter, "I'm certain it would not hurt one more time."

Noting the lack of personal space, Dusk felt himself panicking! NO! NOT HIS POTTER!

Naturally, his claws struck out and broke the surface skin deeply upon the boy-who-lived. Harry tensed up and yelped, as Remus backed up immediately and drew his attention to the bleeding arm.

"Oh! Dusk must not liked personal spaces invaded! Forgive me, Harry!"

Harry scooped Dusk off his arm and set him down on the ground. He breathed and gripped his wounded arm.

"Um, yeah, he just…it happens. I'll go wash myself in one of the bathroom and heal this up. It's no big deal, Remus." Harry smiled.

The werewolf nodded and relieved to be forgiven. He sheepishly smiled at the small creature and knelt down to the cat's level.

"I did not mean to frighten you," Before he could finish, Dusk ran off.

The Norwegian forest cat ran upstairs and found another bathroom. He quickly closed the door with his head and immediately transformed to his human side. He breathed in and out too quickly for his liking. Severus held himself up by the sink and stared at the sink, seeing his left hand with bloody fingernails…

He muttered a couple of spells to keep himself safe in the bathroom. He could not afford to be caught. Why did he has to do that!? He took a gulp and looked at himself in the mirror in front of him. His onyx eyes widen to reveal a problem…a problem he has never dealt or known about. A tail in his human form…why didn't that fade as he turned back to himself?

The only person he knew enough to trust…oh, this was not to end well. He pulled out his wand and prepared to call.

"Minerva McGonagall!" His wand tapped the mirror, transitioning to watery-like, but presenting a face he recognized.

A confused woman, but immediately recognized him, "Severus. I hadn't heard from you all summer. I was worried about you, young man." She frowned.

Severus shook his head, "Not the time to discuss, McGonagall. I need your expertise," Gesturing the obvious tail, "Why did this not disappear after animagus form is done?"

The witch understood his situation and realized what it had meant. She did not know how to approach the matter for the young man, however, he did not look like the type to avoid the information.

"It is temporarily. It will fade by tomorrow. However…" She grimaced, "Depends on how you look at it, considering there is no way of changing things. It is seems that you have recently marked your mate and claimed them as yours by your animagus."

"…marked your mate and claimed them as yours…" echoing in his very thoughts.

It sent the shivers to his spine and core. Perhaps to contact her was the best decision to do. Harry Potter…is…his. Mate. His mate. Oh, bloody Merlin…he could imagine telling Potter about this and it would not do so well.

The witch didn't speak after telling him. She was afraid she sent him to shock. Was it someone he didn't approve of? Perhaps she could assist him before it continues to get worse.

"If you do not want this person to be your mate, there is a ritual you would have to do and it will require your current mate to be involved to remove it." She added in, hoping to relieve his shock.

The Slytherin frowned, "No…I want…" He gulped, "Him."

Minerva was delighted to hear for a change. Perhaps there was hope in the young man! Something has changed in her former student and it was shaping him to become a better wizard.

"Oh, delightful! I'd like to meet him, Severus. Are you able to bring him here tomorrow, perhaps? Albus will be thrilled to hear you have a mate." A smile her was difficult to say no.

Why did he contact her? Ah, yes…Albus would possibly change the plans and force the mate relationship immediately. He groaned softly at her excitement.

"Let's not tell the headmaster, McGonagall…after all, he does not know that he is my mate now. Perhaps another time." He hummed quietly.

The witch sighed, "I supposed, but it is not like every day to meet someone to be your mate."

"Believe me, I am going through much the same myself. I best join the others."

She nodded, knowing Severus would not wait a second for her to say good bye. Severus ended the communication and the reflection of his tail mocking him.

Harry…Potter…as. His. Mate. It was not going to end well. He was not certain how the boy would react. Lastly…his jealously had better not run his life again! That werewolf will certainly get the taste of his revenge!

For now, slipping to his usual animagus side and began to stretch to the comfort side. He meowed to test his completion form and felt satisfied for now. He went to search for Harry somewhere and began acting like a cat.

"…why aren't I healing, though?" Recognizing the voice, Dusk followed the sound.

A hum, "I am not certain. Perhaps you overexerted yourself with your magic and it needs a break?"

"That could be, or that bloody quill's side effect."

"I do not think it works like that, though. However, considering that blasted witch forced you to use it and could very well cast a spell for future scars."

Snorted, "I wouldn't doubt that. She's the insane ones."

"How about bandage up and we can start on the training?"

Teeth gritted, to hear the former professor dared to attempt a move upon his mate? He was not going to allow it!

Meow!

"Oh, Dusk!" Harry popped his head out the doorway, "I ought to feed you," Harry's hand swirling around the bleeding arm for the bandage to wrap properly, "How about some chicken to make it up for today?"

Dusk nodded once and Harry scooped him up. Remus smiled and joined along, knowing he has Potter staying for the night.

"Why you need training? You're doing fine, Remmy."

The man stood next to him closely, "Perhaps I should demonstrate?"

Harry shook his head, "Let me feed my cat first. Then, we can see what's going on?"

The werewolf easily accepted it with a grin and Dusk wasn't liking this anymore than necessary. Potter belongs to him now, not the werewolf! He basked into the boy's arm and kept an eye on the enemy.

"Of course. I will meet you in the training room," Remus patted the boy's shoulder and headed out the kitchen.

The young Gryffindor prepared Dusk's food and paused…what did happened there a moment ago? Puzzled to Remus' behavior today and grew suspicious. He hurried to make the food into the small bowl and set it down for the cat.

A knut for thoughts?