.

#CallicaXx:

Eek, does it? I actually take that as a massive compliment :D I'd liked to have hoped my writing style has improved since that story. I've re-read Broken recently and there are so many things I would have changed. I'm glad you're enjoying this story other than impending death because of our precious Severus. Xx

#Tlcatlady:

Panthers are cool aren't they? *happy sigh* - *very, very happy dreamy sigh*. As for the prison fic, I was thinking AU non-magic. Like, real life crimes that involve larceny, manslaughter, grand theft auto, distribution of class A drug, etc. But obviously ties to the HP series. Two rival gangs, Deatheaters and Marauders… get what I mean? Anyway, it was just a thought. Still no where near planning it out properly.

#kamylla:

I like to think that Minerva is strict but fair. That's how I'm trying to write her but I'm trying not to make her decisions based around the fact that he is Harry Potter. It's a bit of a tough one to balance I'm finding. :D I'm so happy you like my writing, it gives me so many warm fuzzies when I see people enjoying my creations. Thank you!

#delia cerrano:

I understand, it's just a thought at this point. Read the explanation I gave #Tlcatlady for my thoughts so far on it.

. . .

Heeding the advice given by his Head of House, Harry slept and stayed in bed for the remainder of the day. In the week, minding his own business, an owl swooped down and landed beside him, nearly missing the bowl of cereal Draco was attempting to consume. He'd never seen this owl before, it was jet black and smaller than Hedwig had been but apparently it had a letter for him, so he took it hesitantly. I wonder who you belong to, he thought pulling the loosely folded parchment in his hands and opening it up.

Harry, the Headmistress has been informed. Tell her the truth, do not hide anything.

S.S

"Shit." Harry whispered looking to Draco and trying to see the head table out the corner of his eye.

"What is it?"

"He told Professor McGonagall. I think that's highly unlikely she'll expel us, but Professor Snape has suggested we just tell her the truth. When she asks us to see her, I'll do the talking."

"Should we tell Hermione about this?"

"Is she even here?"

"Given its Valentines Day, I would assume not." Draco commented wryly and with distaste.

"What?" Harry shrieked.

"Why does this surprise you, look around!"

And Harry did, noticing the floral arrangements and red or pink cards being flown around the room. He had been so focused on himself and what was happening immediately around him with friends and Head of House that he hadn't even realized the worst possible day in the entire calendar year had already sprung upon them.

"Dear Godric, why…" He groaned, absently stroking the black feathers of the owl that was suspiciously still standing on the table.

Actually, now he thought about it he should go and find Hermione and make sure she was okay. She wasn't in the hall but Ron was and he seemed to be reveling in something Cormac was saying about a girl if various vulgar movements were any indication. The sight made his blood boil and he grew extremely angry, very quickly. However, the owl apparently didn't like this response and squawked loudly before nipping him on the finger and flying off.

"Just like your bloody owner." He hissed, putting his knuckle into his mouth to stop the blood and Draco huffed with amusement.

"It's still weird to think you're really close to Professor Snape." The blonde commented, looking up at the head table to find his Godfather sitting down at his customary spot.

Harry, who still had his knuckle in his mouth and now stuck there between his teeth, turned his head towards his friend before eyes flicked to the front of the room. The comment stung him to a degree, it must have been weird for Draco to watch this happen because he had known the man for much longer than Harry had and possibly knew more personal details about his life.

"Does it bother you?" Harry removed his hand for a moment to speak and examine his finger before putting it back in his mouth.

"Not really, why?"

Harry didn't reply, he just shrugged off his interest in the question before locking eyes with the very man they were discussing. A light frown was given but Harry narrowed his eyes and shook his head when he noticed the black owl landing on the front table. His Professor seemed to understand and let a brief smirk pull at his lips but quickly turned his attention elsewhere as did Harry.

By class time, Hermione had finally shown herself but elected to sit as far back to the door as she possibly could. When Harry saw his friend, he could tell she was upset even though she didn't outwardly express it so he decided to keep an eye on her instead. In doing so, he could see Ron glancing over his shoulder every so often to look at her and the newest Slytherin found himself growling in response.

Typical Ron, Harry thought, catching him for a third time looking over at the Ravenclaw Witch and desperately wanted to say something for him to stop. Professor Vector wasn't known to be forgiving with interruptions and calculating that he was already skating on thin ice with everyone he decided to keep his mouth shut.

Potions was a different matter altogether and Draco turned to Harry with a smirk, looking away from their Professor in order to work out what would make the loudest and stickiest mess for the Gryffindor's. Hermione was preparing her Potion beside them so in hushed tones they deduced one particular ingredient that was in the storage cupboard to do the trick.

"He'll know something is up if I ask, you go in and do it." Harry whispered, seeing their Professor on the other side of the room.

Nodding, the blonde carefully walked to his destination, holding a jar of something he was inspecting and without a hitch managed to sneak into the cupboard. Looking about, he found the fizzing fireball rock and snuck one into his pocket before coming back out, feigning a confused expression just he was bailed up by their teacher. Of course, when putting his mind to the task, Draco was a rather fluid liar and after flashing a perfect smile, Professor Slughorn was on his way back to the front of the class.

"Okay, you can levitate it. Just give it a few minutes, he should be at the most pivotal part." Draco whispered, Harry the dusty rock.

"Whatever it is you two are doing, can you not?" Hermione said, not so quietly, shooting them a dark look.

Harry felt his heart sinking at her words, she was short and the tone clipped. This was an irritated Hermione, not one that was half amused at their antics, she was serious. Draco of course didn't know this and snickered as he slipped the wand from within his sleeve; Harry blocking the Witches view from what was happening. Just as he opened his mouth to say something as a way of explaining himself, there was a gargled sloshing that came from across the room before the dangerous rattling of a cauldron on its stand.

In the next moment, Harry and Draco were lined up against a damp and mossy wall in the Dungeons after class with a Ravenclaw pointing her wand at them viciously and threatening their existence. Yes, Hermione Granger was livid.

"I don't know what part of this you think is funny, Draco but I can assure you sticking your nose into other peoples business isn't nice. And you, Harry, why would you risk things further by participating? We're all under the microscope right now and somehow you missed the part where you would be exempt from getting in trouble? Whatever it is you and Professor Snape talk about, I can assume even he can't save you from some things."

Draco felt his cheeks flushing and Harry simply looked at the ground as they were both being told off. Both Slytherin's knew that their actions were only defending the Witch, they both wanted to protect her from being hurt even though they were for different reasons. Harry couldn't be upset with her however, he had crossed the line and knew full well she was capable of taking care of herself.

As she continued to berate them, Harry caught sight of something developing off to his right and turned his head a fraction to see the faintly ghost-like image of a bushy tail disappear around the corner, a corridor that only led to one place he frequented on Wednesdays. In his heart, he felt possessed to follow it, but in that moment he felt the slap across the back of his head that brought him back as Hermione finally finished her rant.

"Hermione, I'm sorry." Harry found himself saying.

"You two need to be more careful." She commented, her face still hard but her tone softening.

. . .

Finding himself alone, Harry wandered slowly up to dinner to hopefully make amends with his best friend. He had been stupid and reckless once more and she was right, what if the Headmistress or their Head of House had heard of the incident if Professor Slughorn had reported it? He knew there would be more trouble ahead but as it was, he had not heard from anyone about the incident or the other thing he would be bailed up on. He considered this a win.

Looking into the Great Hall from an angle, he decided to give it a few more minutes before entering. The night was clear tonight and with the wide opened doors, an oddly warm winter breeze encircled him and he found himself wandering outside. The moon was bright, one day after a full view and it sung to him.

I've read that the moon can boost the process… But I suppose that would only happen in strong cases.

He examined the white globe carefully, noticing how it seemed like there was a face looking down on him. He smiled at that, amusing himself with the idea that there may have been a man in the moon. This was a world that had magic, really anything was possible, wasn't it?

[… Man in moon. He watches, observes. The man shows the light in darkest of nights….]

A weird sensation came over Harry at this point but he didn't fight it, he let the wave move through his body and emulate in his chest. It was light, happy and magical. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment and let the peace sink in through his body.

Opening his eyes once more, he watched the moon, apparently the moon did have a man in it and he was looking down on Harry right now. Unfortunately, he broke concentration when he heard the small shuffling of feet, looking over his shoulder it was Hermione who caught the movement and continued around the fountain.

"Hermione…" Harry saw she had been crying vehemently, her skin blotchy and eyes very red.

"H-Harry…" He responded, sniffling and hiccupping as she spoke.

He didn't really know what to say but slid across the bench and held out an arm to wrap it around her shoulders. There had been few times he'd seen her upset, and even less seeing her this upset. It was clear why however, it was Valentines Day and she had recently broken up with her boyfriend, but this was different somehow. He didn't know how to pinpoint his reasoning, but she seemed hesitant to speak about whatever it was that was on her mind.

Hermione leaned sideways and into her friends' arms, feeling little comfort but more than she had before and felt less alone. Having to deal with her break up to Ron had been bad enough but to have her two friends trying to interfere had confused her, not to mention the stress of having to deflect the red heads advances after Potion's class. She hadn't told either Slytherin about this, but it was time she opened up and spoke about it. Luna and Padma had been good listeners but there were only two people that knew of her sacrifice to the war and one of them she was leaning against.

It had hit like a bludger after breakfast, she had been doing some thinking towards the future as the threat of getting into trouble had brought forward something in her mind. Harry was the only one who would understand this, Ron knew of it but he still had a family to go to when he graduated. Hermione… Well she didn't know what she would be doing now that she had no boyfriend, no parents and no home.

"It's just hit me now…" She started, her voice hollow.

"What has?" Harry asked softly, his gaze looking up at the moon as he waited for a response.

"That when we leave here, I have nowhere to go. No family that knows I exist, no Muggle friends that understand magic or fighting in a war… No place to physically live…" Her voice was forlorn and it caused an ache in Harry's heart, knowing exactly what that felt like.

"Of course you do." Harry moved his head as he held on to her tighter and kissed her hair, "You think you're not welcome at Grimauld Place?" Hermione moved and blinked her sore, red eyes at him with a mixture of confusion and relief.

"Y-You'd let me live with you?"

"Well, until we find somewhere better and sell that creepy place." He smiled sadly at her, wanting her to realize she was never going to be on her own.

"We keep telling each other, you're my best friend, what kind of person would I be if I didn't expect you to come and live with me after all this is done?" Harry tucked a strand of hair behind her air and noticed the same dull grey-like ghost figure formulating in the distance that he'd seen before.

"I guess… I don't want to be a burden or anything." She said, pushing herself back into his arm, "And I certainly don't want to assume. I mean, I was hoping that in time I could go and find my parents. At least just seeing how they are and observing from a distance."

"I have no doubt that if you were to go and find them, they'd look at you and instantly go, yes that's our daughter. The brightest Witch of her age and the strongest Witch to ever take the Wizarding world." Harry tried his best to make her laugh but was satisfied when she at least smiled.

"Having you with me Harry, has possibly made this year a little more bearable." She said softly and he nodded, feeling the same way about her even though they continued to have their ups and downs.

"I can't say our weeks are ever boring when we get into heated discussions."

"They're the highlight, for sure." She sniffled and wiped her nose with the cuff of her jumper.

They were silent after this, Harry letting his friend just cry and get it out of her system so that they could go and get some dinner once the main crowds were done. In this time, he watched the moon, the bright white of the orb capturing his attention and filling his soul with an unidentifiable emotion. It was empowering and exuded strength, making him want to go back into the castle and rip Ron's head off for ever thinking that he could hurt the Ravenclaw.

"Has Ron approached you today?" He found himself asking.

"Yes. He wants me back, says he's sorry."

"And what did you say?" Harry gritted his teeth, the feeling emanating from his chest growing and the silvery figure in the distance getting closer.

"I told him to stay away, that he'd done enough damage but… I don't think he's going to listen." The words had an immense impact on Harry and his gaze hardened as he stared up at the moon.

[… Man in moon. Shows us the way, lights a path to follow…]

When Harry looked away from the bright orb in the sky, standing six feet away from him was a large wolf, silvery in its appearance due to the ghost-like transparency. It looked at him, standing with a defensive stance. It sniffed the air and looked past him back towards the castle. He still had a hold of Hermione but glanced over his shoulder and her head back towards the man doors where he saw the dark outline of someone watching them.

"Stay here." Harry whispered, standing and stumbling sideways when his vision distorted as if he were looking through someone else's eyes.

"Harry…?" Hermione watched him, not understanding why he was moving away.

The Slytherin knew, he could see clearly what she could not and walked around the fountain to see the Gryffindor robes of his ex-best friend standing in the entrance. Oddly enough, he didn't feel anger or bitterness, it was lighter than that and far more powerful.

"She doesn't want to talk to you, I suggest you leave."

"This has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, really? Then why am I here with her? Why is she with me rather than curling up with you tonight?" Harry fisted his hands, strengthening his pose when the red head started to walk closer.

"I always knew it was Harry you wanted, Hermione. I could see the way the two of you would look at each other. You're a proper slag, you know that? Don't think I haven't seen the way you fawn over Malfoy too, it makes me sick."

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Harry flinched at the viciously angered voice of the Ravenclaw who had stepped forward.

No, Harry wasn't going to let this happen, Ron had to know that he had crossed the line and if that meant he was expelled for that reason, so be it. He would protect his friend, she meant so much to him. After everything they went through, all those years of fighting, making up and having fun he would step in and make sure she was safe. The night was bright and the moon showed him the way, it was connecting with his soul and in a moment of clarity, Harry's vision was taken over.

Hermione watched in horror as Harry took a swing at the Gryffindor and covered her mouth as to not scream and attract unwanted attention. When Harry was tackled to the ground she pulled out her wand in preparation of defusing the situation when she froze. Harry was laying on his back and made the strangest noise she'd heard since their third year. It was a howl, albeit a strangled and odd one coming from a human. Then time slowed.

"You're an asshole, I hate you! Look what you've done!" Ron shouted down at the Slytherin, raising his fist and coming down on Harry with an all mighty thump.

Seeing the unmoving form of her friend, Hermione raised her wand and pointed it at Ron out of fear. A man who was willing to fight off an old friend just to get to a girl he had lost wasn't someone she trusted and when he pulled his own wand on her she started taking a step back. There was nothing endearing about the actions whatsoever.

"Come any closer and I'll hit you." She barked, holding her own.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Hermione. I just want to talk, patch things up and go back to how we used to be. I miss you, please, just give me a chance. I'll prove that I can do better and make us work."

Harry didn't really know what was going on but as he rolled over and onto his stomach, it became clear his jaw ached and head swam. It was nothing compared to what he felt coursing through his body however and getting onto all fours he looked straight ahead, right into the eyes of his ghost wolf. It growled at him and he found himself mirroring its stance with his ears gravitating down and flattening against his head. Snarling, he heard a rumble from within which was echoed in front of him. A pressure was felt along his back, as if a weight was coming down on him and he lowered his front to the ground before shutting his eyes at the uncomfortable pain. He could see a light, one that was developing within his mind, a ball of light that grew; it grew bigger and bigger until all he could see was the ingrained image of the moon looking down on him.

Hermione was opening her mouth to warn Ron once more that he needed to back off when her eyes went wide at the scene happening behind the Gryffindor. At the insanely loud and close howl from behind him, Ron jumped and turned around only to come face to face with a salt and pepper grey wolf that reared up and pinned him to the ground. Hitting his head hard against the paving stones, Ron remained frozen in place hoping the sharp teeth that gnashed right in his face didn't tear him apart.

Harry couldn't quite believe this was happening, he was in full control of his body but he could feel that everything was different. Sounds were louder, the image was sharper and his nose could pick up on a lot of different scents. However, in his rational mind, if anyone were to look outside and see this then he would be in a lot of trouble so he stepped away and positioned himself in front of Hermione. He growled loudly, almost morphing it into a bark, his tail nestled between his rear hinds and ears flat against his head.

"I suggest you leave before you get ripped apart." Hermione said, talking one step forward so Harry was partially between her legs.

Frightened of what had just happened, Ron picked up his wand he'd dropped in the fall and hightailed it back towards the castle. He ran straight past the Great Hall and into the moving staircases, taking two steps at a time until he came to an abrupt halt as he crashed into another student. Squealing, he clambered back onto his feet and disappeared down the corridor.

"Harry?" Hermione took a step back cautiously, hoping that this wasn't some cruel trick and it actually was a viciously wild animal that had come to her aid.

Morphing back into the Slytherin student he was, Harry looked at her in shock before looking down at his hands that were now in fact human and not paws. He took stock of what was happening around him, not really understanding a lot but realizing that there wasn't anyone else there and they were now alone.

"Harry… You did it." She sounded in awe and dragged him back around the fountain so they were immediately out of plain sight.

"I – How – What… It just happened, I was looking at the moon and then Ron hit me and this light, a bright searing white ball took over." At this he looked at the moon once more and realized that it had been what he'd seen.

"Wolves react and are driven by the moon, Harry. Werewolves being no exception; wow this is incredible. Harry, you've done it!" She beamed at him, her past pain forgotten as she celebrated with him.

"Oh no, where did Ron go? He's going to tell someone."

Hermione stilled at this, remembering that they had yet to be identified by the Headmistress and questioned. Well, there was nothing Harry could do now, he had mastered the ability and she hoped for his sake Professor McGonagall was merciful in his fate.

"Let's not worry about that for now, why don't we go back inside and act like nothing ever happened and deal with this tomorrow." Hermione suggested to which Harry nodded and took her hand, she noticed it was shaking but said nothing.

. . .

Harry felt torn; sitting on his bed it was heading fast towards curfew but he wasn't tired one bit. The adrenaline still circulated through his body and he had been asked a thousand questions by Draco who wanted to know how it happened. It wasn't that he was unwilling to answer these questions but he couldn't remember a lot of it, some of it felt like it happened naturally. Hermione was surprised also, she had thought that through intense meditation that the form would be achieved but there Harry had been, in the middle of a fight and suddenly burst forward as a wolf.

Professor Snape told me to go and see him if anything changed. I think this would be cause for a visit… Wouldn't it? It wasn't Wednesday but he doubted that he would be turned away. He still had time before curfew, even if it were only a few minutes, so he decided that he would just go and see his Head of House. Being Valentines Day, he'd thought a week ago of devising a devious plan to inject himself into the man's room for the night, claiming that he was there to just talk but that idea had been shot at the realization that today had been such a day.

Leaving Draco to wallow in his Animagi notes, he left and went in search of Professor Snape, if anything he could just tell the man he had found his form and then go back to bed. That would have been enough to appease the itch he had to tell someone and only his Head of House would be able to satisfy as such. Taking a deep breath when he approached the door, he attempted to calm and center himself before rapping gently on the wood.

When it opened, he heard a deep and low frustrated groan before, 'Salazar save me'.

Poking his head around the door that clicked open, Harry was surprised to see his Professor in such a state of relaxation. He was sitting in the middle of the couch, both arms outstretched and placed on the back of the furniture with his head hanging back against it also, eyed closed. One foot was propped on the coffee table and was precariously close to a short-squared glass containing an amber liquid. The image Harry was seeing set his heart rate up a notch and he cleared his throat to announce it was him.

"Ah, Harry."

"Sir, I'm sorry I'll uh, leave you to – "

"No, stay. I was not expecting your arrival, you're lucky you are not another student." Severus commented, lazily waving his student in but not moving from his spot, only sitting straighter and placing his foot on the floor.

"It is always the same, no matter how many times we tell the students about love potions. The briefing for staff never changes either. You know, Harry, I do sometimes wonder what prompted me to torture myself with teaching over all these years."

Harry let a small smile appear on his face at the man's tone and position. The always guarded and careful man seemed to be figuratively letting his hair down which was refreshing to see. Harry could understand the frustration however; he was never able to accept gifts from anyone on this day out of fear that it was a trap or poisoned with love potions.

"I've never been able to personally enjoy this day, which is a shame because I have a ridiculously sweet tooth when it comes to chocolate." Harry lamented, finally bringing himself to come into the room and sit on the couch.

"There is always at least one student who ingests a love potion. Luckily, though I may be speaking too soon, it is not a Slytherin this year." Severus turned his head and looked fondly at his student, turning his hand that was still resting along the back of the couch so he could run his fingers lightly across Harry's shoulder.

"I remember rather too well when Ron ate the gift a fellow Gryffindor had left for me. To hear Professor Slughorn talk about it, he was almost impressed at the strength of that love potion. Although, it all turned rather sour." Harry frowned as he continued the story, not noticing the fingertips on his shoulder.

Severus hummed, "How so?"

"Oh, that was the time Professor Slughorn then tried to poison all three of us with that mead."

"Yes, I remember. You were very lucky and brave that night."

"Lucky? That doesn't even cover it… Twice in one night I was targeted. Valentines Day is a rough occasion." He sat up straighter and brought his legs up so he could hug his shins, shaking his head lightly.

Severus moved forward and took the squared glass tumbler, keeping his arm almost around Harry in the process before settling back against the couch. He took in a deep breath, looking into the fire and nodded his head at what the teen had just said.

"I second that statement." He replied, raising his hand slightly as if toasting the notion and took a sip.

Harry looked down at the man's lap after this, eyeing the glass curiously and wondering what he was drinking. Usually it was coffee or what he believed to be wine so if he was hooking into the spirits then perhaps he could try and make the night a little easier. He had come here tonight with the intention of telling the older Wizard he'd made his Animagi form but he didn't want to necessarily bring it back to the topic of school.

"What prompted you to come and see me tonight?" Severus asked, enjoying his whiskey.

"Well… I wanted to tell you something but it's school related."

"Why would that be an issue?" Severus frowned, removing his hand from the back of the couch and placing it in his lap, holding the glass with both hands.

"You seem like a distraction would be good right now." Harry shrugged, suddenly not feeling so fourth coming with informing his Professor what had just happened.

Regarding his student for a moment, Severus took another sip, a longer one this time, and considered the progression of his evening. Looking past the teen at a set of drawers along the wall, he nodded in that direction and Harry turned towards where he'd motioned.

"Top right drawer. Let me see how abysmal you are at chess." He said with a smirk, earning a smaller one in return.

Harry could wait to tell the man, if anything were to happen in the next couple of days with the Headmistress, he was going to plead ignorance. She didn't need to know that he'd mastered it, especially if it was going to mean he would get into trouble. He also didn't want to make his Head of House feel inferior because not only were his schoolyard bullies able to manage the transformation, but the son of the ring leader was too. With the man seeming like he'd had a rough day, he didn't want to poor salt on that barely healed wound just yet. Perhaps in a week when things had cooled off, but right now he wanted to be with his friend and happily get defeated in a game of chess.

. . .

Thoughts on Harry's form?