"Very well, Mr. Potter. Where are your things buried?" The unlikely duo had just landed in the Dursley's backyard. Harry got off the broom and began looking around.
"I'm not sure, sir. I was in the cupboard when they took everything." Harry walked around the darkened yard, looking for any recently upturned earth. Thank Merlin the Dursley's weren't the brightest of creatures; Harry found a small mound in the farthest corner of the yard. He began digging, and pulled the cloak out first, then the wand. Harry frowned as he held up the cloak; it was covered in mud. Snape walked up behind the boy and with a wave of his wand, the cloak was clean. He ignored the puzzled expression from Potter and remounted his broom.
"Come on, Potter, I haven't got all night." Harry nodded and pocketed his wand, then draped the cloak over himself. Snape cast another invisibility charm on himself and the broom and they took off.
"Potter, where is your owl?"
"I sent her to the Weasleys for the summer. If she stays here, she's not fed and taken care of properly."
"Neither are you, I might add." Harry paused, wondering what had caused this change in Snape. Surely it wasn't because he had seen the way he was treated; if anything, Snape would taunt him about it. Deciding to push those thoughts away for now, he concentrated on staying on the broom. He didn't really feel comfortable clinging to the potions master, so he was attempting to stay steadied on the broom by himself, which was proving more difficult that first imagined.
Hours later, they landed in a secluded clearing and dismounted. Snape pulled two small boxes out of his cloak and handed one to Harry. He sat down on the ground and pressed the small indentation on the side of the box. At once, a three-course dinner laid itself out in front of him. Harry's eyes widened and he followed suit. Soon, both wizards were eating in an uncomfortable silence, and Harry ventured polite conversation.
"Thank you," when Snape didn't even acknowledge, he continued, "I mean, I know you didn't have to come for me. But thanks."
"If you must know, I did have to come for you; the Headmaster was rather adamant. Finish your meal in silence. I would like to return to Hogwarts as soon as possible."
"Yes, professor," Harry replied. He was still very curious as to how Snape became an animagus. Was it legal? Who knows about it? Before he realized he'd taken a bite, he was finished, and Snape was staring at him. A rustling in the bushes drew both their attentions, and a bear rushed out and directly for Harry.
Out of instinct, Snape transformed and jumped on the bear's back. Harry steadied back away from the melee as Snape was thrown across the clearing, landing on his feet, and turning back to the bear. With a panther to deal with, the bear shortly forgot about Harry. Not being stupid, Harry drew his wand, ready to help his professor in any way.
The panther emitted a deep growl, which, to Harry, epitomized Snape to a tee. Suddenly, Harry was very glad he wasn't the bear. The bear, for its credit, realized this was not a battle it could win, and instead turned back to Harry. It reared up to its full height, then charged. Just before a large paw would have swiped Harry out of existence, something large and black intercepted the claws. He hissed in pain as he was hurled out of the way, and Harry stared in wonder. Snape had just saved his life, probably killing himself in the process. Thinking quickly, he stupefied the bear, and rushed over to the panther's side.
"Professor? Come on, please wake up! Ennervate!" Harry had said it with such force, that Snape woke with a jolt. Instantly, he changed back, and a large gaping wound was evident in his right side. He tore cloth from Dudley's old shirt and dressed the wound as best he could. Offering his hand, Harry stood, and helped the older man stand as well. Harry summoned the fallen the broom and positioned himself and Snape on it. Draping the cloak over most of them, he launched up and wrapped his arm around Snape's middle to keep him on the broom.
He flew faster than ever before, driven by some unidentifiable urge to save this man's life. Casting a quick spell, he discerned the direction of Hogwarts and took the most direct path, not caring who saw him.
After thirty minutes, which seemed like hours to Harry, the castle came into view. Pushing the broom harder and faster, finally landing at the doors. He threw down the cloak and broom, hearing an audible snap! He lifted the cloak to see his wand laying limp next to the broom. He groaned loudly, but realized he had more important things to worry about. Supporting a barely conscious Snape, they hurried to the Hospital Wing. On his way, he ran into Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor house ghost.
"Nick, go get the Headmaster and tell him to come to the Hospital Wing, now!" Harry barely slowed to bark the order, and the spirit was off in a flash, flying through the ceiling at an alarming rate.