.

I'm super glad you all seem happy with Harry's wolf form. I was worried it seemed a little cliché but I have my reasons.

. . .

#mylittlehazmat:

Wow, thank you! Yes, I want them to admit it also but it's just not time yet.

#Tlcatlady:

Interesting you think that about Ron, you might be surprised.

#Onyx:

Actually, I had written a part similar to that…

. . .

Harry was alone in the Great Hall studying with the rest of the school. He wondered where his two friends were at this hour because they had promised him they would be there also. Professor Snape was there, it was his day to monitor the students studying, but that didn't mean Harry felt very good about sitting alone. He kept glancing up at the older Wizard every so often, and each time he would catch the man looking in his direction.

He blushed at the latest glance and ducked his head, trying but failing to concentrate on his homework. Pouting gently and giving up completely after a few futile moments, he began drawing his Deathly Hallows-come-always symbol along the bottom of the page and sighed at the situation he was in. It still made his heart flutter when he thought about the image he saw in the mirror; Valentines Day had been and gone but he couldn't help but wonder if deep down there would be a chance with the man.

He glanced up again, just in time to see his Professor spin around and walk the opposite direction. He huffed and smiled at the black clad back as his Professor walked away. No, he didn't stand a chance and when they left at the end of the year – hopefully he still does – he tried to imagine the sour man with a partner. A shiver ran down his spine and an unsavory emotion bubbled within his stomach. That image was too painful to imagine, but he had to forget that he was interested in his Professor. He couldn't look at him and admire the way he stalked around the room, or how he could dominate everyone with just a look, one sultry glare in the perpetrators direction.

He was so screwed.

"Potter, that does not look like homework." Tensing, he hadn't realized the man had backtracked and snuck up behind him.

He glanced up and over his shoulder, noticing the older Wizard had both hands in his pockets and was looking down on him expectantly. Damn, I really need to tell him about my transformation, he sighed and turned back to his work. It seemed his Professor wasn't going to walk away straight away, so ripping out a page from his book, he dipped the quill into his ink and quickly penned a quick message meant for his Head of House only.

He slipped the parchment under his arm and along the table, then glanced over his shoulder to see black eyes sliding over to where the note was on display. He wouldn't have done this if it were a crowded table, fact was there were at least five seats between him and the next person in each direction so it was safe. It was clear the moment the older Wizard had seen the note when a hitch in breathing was heard, even as quiet as it was. Immediately, he understood what he'd just done and bit his lip, pulling the parchment back and tucking it back into his book.

"When?" He felt something tickle lightly at his ear and neck as the man bent down to speak quietly to him, a hand resting on the table beside him.

Now, anyone seeing this situation wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Well, they might have but Harry still had a track record for getting into trouble and no one outside of his immediate friendship group, plus a few Slytherins and Professor's knew that he was getting therapy. This meant the conversation would be safe and if not, then he wouldn't currently be shuddering because he could feel heat emanating from the closeness of his Professor's body.

"Valentines Day." Harry whispered back, keeping his head down; to which he heard a low growl and felt his stomach twist.

"That was the reason you came to see me, was it not?" The disappointment was evident.

"It's complicated."

"Too right it is, Harry." Severus was disappointed, "Detention this evening, Potter." He continued in a normal tone, if not lower than usual due to the nature of the study hall.

As an after thought, he moved back into his students space and clarified their location so the teen didn't get any ideas that this was going to be a leisurely and light hearted chat. Harry grumbled, he hadn't been to the man's office in many weeks and registered the tone as one that meant he was in trouble. Well, at least it was off his conscience now and he could start to prepare for the tongue lashing. Unfortunately, when he was about to get back to work and somehow save the homework that had turned into an entire page of always symbols, Professor Flitwick approached them both and spoke softly to the Slytherin Head of House.

"Potter." The squeaky voice called, and Harry turned around, "Professor McGonagall would like to see you promptly."

Please tell me that's not why Hermione and Draco aren't here, he panicked and quietly packed away his things. This was just what he needed on top of it but it was bound to happen, wasn't it? He risked a glance at Professor Snape who was looking down the end of the hall at something but he still apparently had his attention on his Slytherin because he spoke.

"Tell the truth."

"I can't guarantee that." Harry stood and looked the man in the eye, his face hard and slinging his back over his shoulder.

He could tell the man wanted to say something else but considering the setting he was impressed to see his Professor internalize it all. Whatever was about to happen, he had no doubt that his Head of House would be informed anyway and he hoped that it would be before he had detention that night.

Knocking on the door, it swung open and he was met with an unsurprising sight that also made his heart sink. At the top of the stairs, Hermione and Draco were standing with their heads bowed and Professor McGonagall looking very stern with them both. She hailed him in and he walked carefully but cautiously towards the group. He wanted to maintain an air of ignorance and desperately wanted to know what the other two had said prior to saying anything, so for lack of a better expression, he wore his confused mask. Looking between all three of the occupants as if he didn't understand what was happening and why he was there.

"You wished to see me?" Harry asked hesitantly, knowing full well why he was there.

"I thought the deductions would have been made clear upon seeing your accomplices, Potter." Minerva responded bluntly at him and he gripped the strap on his bag tighter.

"She knows, Harry." Hermione said softly, and he saw her flushed face that showed she had indeed been told off prior to him arriving.

"I should have known this was not a coincidence when Severus came to me when school resumed. What is his involvement?"

"Professor?" This time Harry was genuinely confused.

"Professor Snape caught Draco and I in the library one night…" Hermione added, as if it would help explain why their Defence Professor's name was being thrown about.

"Very well, the reason you are here Potter is because Miss. Granger approached me yesterday informing me that she has begun the process of unlocking her Animagus. Mr. Malfoy has also come forward following the incident that occurred through the weekend that Severus brought to my attention. Using a very scientific and accurate calculation Potter, I have concluded that your involvement is also true."

Harry rolled his eyes and looked to the floor.

"I will take your silence as confirmation. Miss. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, you may leave. Your lessons begin tomorrow afternoon, come prepared."

"Yes, Headmistress." Draco said solemnly, but mainly because Harry was about to be chewed out extensively and gave his friend an empathetic smile before he left.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Hermione whispered, taking hold of his hand gently, then leaving also.

He watched them go, angling his body towards the door and watching as it closed behind them but not without one more sad glance from his Ravenclaw friend. When he was alone with the older Witch, he let the bag slip off his shoulder and half threw, half kicked it to the floor just in front of her desk.

"I'm disappointed, Potter."

"Seems that's all everyone ever is these days." He replied sarcastically.

Minerva wasn't impressed with the attitude and steeped her fingers, resting her elbows on the arms of her large chair. She considered what she was going to say next, perhaps a demonstration of the technique so she could see for herself if Hermione Granger's account of his form was correct.

"Why do you think that is?"

"Because everyone has this image of me, they want to put me in this neatly defined box and pretend that everything is okay. It's not though and I feel restless."

"Is that why you thought to take on this journey to become an Animagi?" Minerva wondered what had motivated him to do such a dangerous act.

"I've always wondered what it would be like to try it. My father did it, along with his friends who were all able to achieve their forms. No, I didn't know if they struggled with it but it seems rather straight forward, if not lengthy."

"You speak as though you know it well." Minerva sat forward and Harry bristled at the likeness she showed from her predecessor.

"Obviously…" Harry narrowed his eyes but that was only through confusion for where the conversation was going, "What Witch or Wizard would embark on such a difficult process if they didn't do their research?"

"That wasn't what I was referring to, Potter. Your friends came to me for help, I can only assume that because you have not, that you do not require my assistance." Harry swore her accent thickened as she spoke but what surprised him even more was the lack of anger.

"Harry," Minerva stood and walked around her desk, "I am not the evil Witch that needs to be feared. Do you think your father and his friends embarked on their transformations alone?"

Harry blinked at her, wondering if she was implying what he thought she was.

"In fact, when I found out what they were up to I took it upon myself to ensure they did so in a safe environment, away from prying eyes. Their reasons for doing so were genuinely for Remus, and I know this because prior to their involvement during his full moon, it was I that would look out for him."

Harry blinked again, his emotions starting to build.

"You aren't a bad person for wanting to do this for yourself, however I must impart to you the seriousness of the implications should you have done this once graduating or if it hadn't come to light. I am going to ask you, and you will tell me the truth. Have you completed the process, are you a Wizard with Animagus abilities? Think very carefully before you ans – "

"Yes." Harry cut her off, Professor Snape said he needed to be truthful and he would honor that now he knew he wasn't going to be arrested.

"I see." Minerva patted him on the shoulder and then went quiet.

Harry then wondered if he'd done the right thing. Did he now show her? Should he offer, or would that get him into trouble? It couldn't really get much worse than this though and he took in a deep breath, wondering if a transformation was even possible now that he didn't have the moon for guidance. He had been too scared to attempt it again since the incident and closed his eyes to concentrate on finding the magic he needed.

"Go on, Potter." The Headmistress's voice was loud in the silent room, "Show me."

Focusing his energy, Harry found the wolf waiting for him and imagined himself as one with the animal. He could feel gravity taking his body down towards the floor but it wasn't too low that he couldn't see over her desk. He blinked at her from this new height and flexed his hind legs and shoulders as he got used to the feeling once more. He felt different, his skin felt like he was wearing a thick winter coat that had no lining but his backside was the opposite and he tried to turn around and look at himself only to find that he wandered in a circle.

"Well I never." Minerva commented, coming around the side of her desk once more and folding her arms as she looked down at the dark grey wolf.

"This is splendid, Harry." Albus commented from his portrait but Minerva whipped round and reminded him that he wasn't supposed to be there.

"The last thing I need is for the other students and staff to hear about this, Albus. You remain silent or I segregate your portrait into an isolated and undisclosed location."

That promptly put the grey Wizard in his place and he remained silent, much to Harry and his Headmistress's satisfaction. She looked him over carefully and pursed her lips, deep in thought. Each animal had their own distinct markings that could be used as an identifier and if she was going to be filling out the necessary paperwork for her student, she needed to know what these were. She had her own of course, what kind of cat had oval rim-like markings on their face unless they represented glasses that she wore regularly?

"I wonder what markings you have." She mused and she stepped forward, crouching in front of him.

Feeling intimidated by the scrutiny he was receiving and self-conscious that he was now just as tall as her as she dropped lower to the floor, he sat awkwardly. He looked at her, blinking every so often and watching as her own eyes scanned his body. Following her gaze down, he knew she was looking at his front legs but the realization that something, a little more intimate, could be seen at this angle he brought his paws together and blessed the Godric Gryffindor that she couldn't see how red his face would have been.

"There appears to be no mark on your forehead like I would have thought, but then your scar has disappeared, hasn't it." She spoke mainly to her and then picked up Harry's right paw which was almost as big as her hand, turning it so she could see the underside of his leg.

Just as she had thought, there were narrow lines that could be seen in the fur from where his self-inflicted scars were and wondered if that meant he had more on his other leg. Nodding to herself, she placed it on the floor and then went for his left paw, turning it as she did with the other and noticing thicker, bolder lines on this arm.

Harry saw them too and his heart sank at the carvings of two lightning bolts that could be seen amongst the fur. It was pinked flesh he could see rather than darker fur markings but now he knew that they would be what identified him if he were ever caught doing something he shouldn't.

"You appear to be in remarkably good health, Potter. A little thin perhaps, but not uncommon for the Gray Wolf. You may change back now."

Harry did so and pulled his Slytherin robe around his body, ducking his face to avoid having to look anywhere but the floor.

"What happens now?" He asked timidly, looking off to the side as the older Witch went back to her desk and shuffled around with some papers.

"I will document what I have seen and when the paperwork is completed, then I will get you to sign it."

"That's it?" Harry looked at her.

"I am not sure what you were expecting, Potter. A handshake and job well done?"

"N-No, that's not what I meant. I'm not in trouble? Where's the detentions and threat of getting kicked out?"

"Well, if you're offering to put yourself into detention, then I see no reason not to comply with your urgent wishes."

Grumbling, the brunette shook his head, "I thought it was against the rules?"

At this the Headmistress let him see a light smile and she shook her head gently as she formulated a response to her students concerns.

"It is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. I will instruct you to not broadcast this accomplishment to the wider student body; we do not need the others running around endangering my students. You, Harry, are not known for listening to rules or adhering to them and therefore it would be a waste of my time to expect you not to have run along and done this regardless."

Harry puffed an amused snort, she knew him too well, "Fair enough."

"I understand things are still hard for you, adjusting to this new life without the pressures of war, so I will let this slide and stand alongside you. In the meantime, if there was anything else you wished to discuss, I would be open for catching up." She would never openly admit Harry was her favourite student, but she did miss the daily interactions with him.

Considering he owed her a great favour for not having him thrown out of school and sent to Azkaban, he reasoned that spending an hour with her on more casual terms wasn't the worst thing he had done. So, he agreed and they moved through to the little alcove behind her desk and shared a cup of tea with a biscuit, discussing everything from the Christmas break to classwork.

. . .

Stepping through the threshold into the Defence classroom, Harry lamented that he missed meeting his Professor in his living quarters because this seemed so formal and cold. It reminded him of a time where there was a considerable amount of distance between them both and it wasn't a memory he wanted to hold on to, especially when he felt like he was about to lose something very precious.

"You're late, Potter." Severus barked from the top of the stairs and Harry stopped where he was, halfway between both doors.

"Should we reschedule then?" Harry bit back and holding his hands out either side of his body.

"I see the Headmistress has left you in a marvelous mood." Severus snapped, folding his arms as he stood at the top of the stairs.

"Oh, it was wonderful. It was just like old times with the three of us being told off. I can't wait to do it all again with you. Tell me, should I start screaming now so the rest of the castle knows you're about to add me to a potion?"

For all intents and purposes, Harry had no idea why he was goading the man like he was but it felt so good to let some of it out. He hadn't realized it at the time but these angry bursts had been building steadily for months; he just hadn't felt comfortable enough to say them. Now however, he was at an awkward fork in his journey knowing that he shouldn't be such an asshole but wanting to distance himself due to the romantic implications of being constantly friendly with his Head of House.

"Congratulations, Potter. It seems that in the process of finding your spirit animal, you've also reverted to being the arrogant, self-absorbed individual that your father was. Let me guess, on my way through the corridors I will find myself face to face with a stag, prancing about as if he owns the castle."

"That's rich, sir. Better to be a majestic Prongs junior than a hostile beast that wants to pounce on any student that appears weaker than them!" Harry could only imagine that if his Head of House were to do this process he would be a blood thirsty tiger or crocodile.

They eyed each other fiercely after that, Harry was enjoying the release a little too much but he still exercised some restraint and waited for the man to bait him again. When it didn't come however, he felt the adrenaline of their back and forward banter disappear and he relaxed his shoulders.

"Feel better?" Severus leaned his hip against the railing, his arms still folded.

"Much." Harry sighed, feeling exhausted and the man motioned for him to come up.

"Before you walk through that door, leave the attitude where it is." Severus commented as he positioned the two chairs in front of his desk off to the side, much to his students' confusion.

"That's been building for a few months."

"I assumed as much; there are clearly therapeutic effects for us both." Severus continued, waving at the empty space as if expecting Harry to do something.

The teen just looked at him and shrugged but was given a glare instead. He then clicked as to what he was supposed to do and groaned. He had just been through this with the Headmistress and was now supposed to go on show again? What if things happened and hands were placed in areas that interested other parts of his body? It was dangerous and he was apprehensive.

"Professor McGonagall looked me over, I'm fine."

"And I'm asking for you to show me your form, Harry. I would rather know what I am looking for when I do nightly patrols because as you have not claimed your Invisibility cloak back after a month, it is safe to presume this will be your new technique." The older Wizard leaned against the wall and folded his arms once more, giving his student a glare to enforce compliance.

"Very good, that was not difficult, was it, Potter?" Severus quipped, earning a snarl and finding himself fascinated at the way his students body reacted.

Ears flattened against his head, stance widening, teeth shown and tail curled partly between rear hinds. The teen came just below his hip, so a tall wolf but not padded out like one would normally find. He deduced malnourishment to be the cause of this and continued his observations only to find that Harry had a mind of his own and started sniffing the ground before going towards the fire. With a glance over his shoulder and through grey fur, the teen made eye contact with him before slumping along the floor, laying on his side and soaking in the flames warmth.

Severus supposed that was as good as he was going to get and rolled his eyes. If that was how the teen wanted to play things out then that was fine with him, he had marking to do and he would do it now whilst he had his student in detention. A loud huff and sigh caught his attention once he'd sat and from the angle of the wolf's body he could see the patches of missing fur that ran the length of both front legs.

Yes, it certainly seemed that those scars were going to stay with him regardless of what form he carried himself as. It put a bit of a dampener on the success of the transformation but when Harry's head twisted upwards and found him looking, he quickly looked away and focused on his work. Harry hadn't seemed overly distracted by them so he wasn't going to bring it up now. If the Headmistress already gave him a going over, then she would have seen them also and the comments made about their appearance.

. . .

Arriving at the Great Hall, the tables and benches had been shifted aside to allow the students to spread out and work on their dueling. Severus had elected not to set up the dueling stage for now, rather saving that for the odd occasion he wanted to have a pair demonstrate. There were several groups of students that were clustered together and Severus went to the front of the room, grabbing their attention as he weaved through them all.

He didn't want to necessarily teach the students anything new, this was a time for them to become proficient in their course content which was why the older students were going to spread themselves out and take on smaller groups. Some had done so already, a large bundle of younger years surrounding the Head Boy who was talking to them animatedly. Scouting the hall for a particular group of Slytherin's he came up null and shook his head in a resigned fashion; he likened Harry's attendance as flaky and inconsistent but he didn't see a reason why that would be the case.

Reading over the teen's list of interests and proficiencies this sort of activity was precisely what he was good at. He could not put aside and forget that the teen successfully commanded Dumbledore's Army, this was exactly what that had been. It was frustrating to see Harry not participating and if he didn't show up at all he would be questioning it for the simply reason of wanting to know why he wasn't there.

"Ron, for goodness sake, just leave me alone." Severus turned his attention to the side of the hall where a familiar voice was heard but refrained from outwardly showing his interest.

"Just explain to me why you're with Harry. You didn't even give us the chance to work things out." At this his ears perked up.

"I'm not going to discuss this again. Go away, leave me alone. If you can't understand such a simple instruction there's no wonder you're failing class!"

The Ravenclaw seemed to finally snap and Severus would normally have found this quite entertaining if it not for the sobering idea that it appeared Harry had a girlfriend. The thought caused a halt to any and all thoughts which allowed him to identify an unpopular sick feeling in his abdomen. If what had been said were true, then why hadn't anything been brought up? Did Harry really isolate himself that much with love and romance; or was he just annoyed because it hadn't been brought up in conversation?

"Mr. Weasley, if you cannot concentrate on the reason we are gathered here, then please make a swift exit." Severus commented, snapping back to what was right in front of him and the distressed Witch.

The Gryffindor didn't need to be told twice and scampered away which left Granger standing with her head bowed and appearing to fluster. Severus didn't want to say anything else, it wasn't his place to get involved and he certainly didn't owe the girl anything.

"Thank you, sir."

He hadn't expected to hear such vulnerable words from her and when she glanced up at him, he could see the stress of her situation clearly. Conflicted in how he should proceed, he simply nodded at her before casting his eye back over the crowd and monitoring the students. He was quite impressed with how the event was progressing, all thanks to the seventh years and senior students pulling rank and taking on a few students at a time.

As he wandered the perimeter, he noticed that he had a tail, a Ravenclaw one that stood at a distance but seemed to go everywhere he had. Coming back to stop at the head of the room, he spun quickly to see that she was indeed following him and considered his options. Glancing about the room, he could see that the only other person she might have been close enough with, Draco, was in the thralls of explaining something to the first year Slytherins that had attended.

"Miss. Granger," He nodded for her to come closer, "You may leave if you do not wish to be here. As I mentioned at the beginning of term, attendance is not compulsory."

"I remember you saying, sir." She replied timidly and he narrowed his eyes, not out of irritation, but curiosity and checked the time, "Are you implying I should leave?"

"In light of recent events, I would expect there to be a substantial weight of emotions building that would benefit from coming forth." Severus certainly had an ugly emotion building when he envisioned his Harry with a girlfriend, regardless of whether it was the Witch in front of him.

"Naturally, but it's not effecting me." Hermione answered hesitantly.

"Anyone can see that it is, Granger. Go and find Potter. I'm sure he would enjoy your company at present." He managed to keep his voice level, even though it was the opposite of what was happening internally.

"Well, I would but…" She hesitated and made sure no one else was within ear shot, "He's with Hagrid having a physical examination."

"Pardon?"

"Oh uhm, Harry… Hagrid is assessing his form." Hermione wasn't sure if she should really be saying this but knew that their Defence Professor knew about Harry's Animagus.

Well, I suppose that explains where he is, the older Wizard concluded. At this, he wandered off once more, spying a group of sixth years that turned as one to ask him a question. He was glad to note that the Witch hadn't followed him this time but appeared hesitant to leave; finally however she wandered over to Draco and sat behind the group. Severus didn't want to think on it anymore, he actually wanted to be outside where his Slytherin was being observed by the Care of Magical Creatures Professor.

Harry was having the time of his life, Hagrid threw a dead squirrel high in the air and with his new ground speed, vaulted off from his starting position and ran after it. With his wolf senses, he was interested to note that he didn't mind the taste of dirt and fur that caught in his mouth when he brought the animal back to his friend. In fact, he was rather enjoying this game of throwing and catching, much to Hagrid's and the Headmistress's amusement.

The physical hadn't gone too badly, Harry felt a lot more comfortable in front of Hagrid who poked and prodded his limbs and stretched his mouth to look at his teeth. He was growing accustomed to the various movements and extra strength he'd gained from his animal form also, he could run faster than he'd ever done so before and it gave him confidence for exploring. On his trot back towards Giant, he looked off into the distance at the tree line to the forest; he could smell the various plants and animals that lived there. Oddly enough, everything had a distinct scent and he wanted to explore them all but still felt hesitant about going in there alone.

Dropping the squirrel in front of Hagrid, he sat down with his tongue hanging sideways out of his mouth due to his ragged breathing. One large hand landed on his head and patted it, stroking the fur back and pushing his ears down, which was nice but it didn't feel like it did when someone else carded their fingers through his hair.

"He seems in good health, Professa'." Hagrid commented, seeing that their game of catch was coming to an end.

"Wonderful, thank you for taking the time, Hagrid." The Headmistress was almost beaming and Harry believed that she was secretly very happy that he had accomplished this.

Harry wanted to keep going and reared up, pushing the squirrel with his nose in the Giants direction. There was a deep chuckle where the Grounds Keeper complied with the obvious request but Minerva had seen enough and trudged up the hill. In the distance she could see a figure dressed in black standing inside the stone circle, apparently trying to be discreet. Her colleague was watching the scene below, eyeing the wolf run up and down the green field and his expression softened.

"I have to say this is the first time all year he's outwardly shown any enjoyment." The older Witch commented as she came to stand beside Severus.

Thinking back to his interactions with the teen, he had to disagree. There had been one other time when they had been at the Malfoy's for Christmas, hearing Draco and Harry both laughing as though nothing was cared for in the world. He had seen a few smiles since then, but seeing how much fun he appeared to have now, those smiles paled into comparison. Perhaps he wasn't doing a good job of rehabilitating his student as first thought.

He was about to turn around and retire back to his rooms for the afternoon when he noticed the wolf stopping halfway back to their gentle Giant and sniffing the ground. The snout then went into the air and in one fluid motion the animal turned its full attention to the two of them up the hill. From this distance, Severus couldn't tell exactly what was happening but he saw the tail starting to wag as if it was happy to see them. Not understanding, he glanced at Minerva who was smiling down at the scene below them.

"I can't help but see Sirius down there, playful and carefree at that age."

Frowning, Severus turned back and watched the grey wolf working himself up more, he could tell because the tail had begun to wag more violently. It made the other two very happy but for the sour Slytherin Head of House, it left him confused. The next thing he heard was a howl, a deep but youthful wolf call that echoed in the natural environment. At this, the animal calmed enough, seeming to have done what he had intended to do and went to walk back towards his other friend.

"The least you could have done was waved, Severus." Minerva shook out the cold she was feeling and tsked at her colleague.

. . .

I honestly love this playful Harry, it was fun to write.