Edited: July 2021.

The Doctor was gaping at the teacher that stood before the class. She had been, just a moment ago, a common house cat.

"THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!!!" the boy denied.

McGonagall eyed the child. Well the personal transformation was a common part of her introduction to Transfiguration. It was equally common for muggleborns to be caused some distress over it. Which was, actually, the purpose. So that children could see magic expand far beyond what they formerly assumed. Especially to muggle borns, that enjoyed a good bit of Science Fiction.

Unfortunately... this child went beyond that.

"You're clearly not a Shifter, the magical signature is all wrong. Not a Lycanthrope either, as you don't have a trace of demonic ancestry. The Magic was far too limited to be any form of Alteration. I doubt you could change into any other form. Some kind of physical projection of the Astral Subconscious?"

"Astral Subconscious?" Malfoy blinked, staring at the boy.

Strangely it was the Nott boy that explained. "It's what muggles mistake for 'Spirit animals', an echo of the more beastal side of human nature."

"Weeeell," the first boy clicked his tongue. "Bit of both really. Part higher being guardian, part the individual's own subconscious. Very difficult to explain, that."

"Mister Lethbridge-Stewart, I presume?" McGonagall made the connection.

This must be the Time Tot hybrid, from Unit. That would explain how he knew so much about magic, but couldn't comprehend such a thing as an Animagus.

It didn't come as a surprise, that he was able to talk himself through the spell mechanics, just by seeing it cast. Any fully trained wizard could. Even if it be near impossible to cast, himself, without proper instruction. The boy was able to figure out the "Why", not the "How".

At the boy's nod of confirmation, at his name, McGonagall called. "10 points to Slytherin, for being able to figure out the nature of an Animagus transformation."

The boy still looked at her oddly, studying her carefully, trying to figure out how to cast the spell, just by looking.

"Sadly, this spell is specifically designed for wizards. It would not react well with your magical pathways." Particularly that of a hybrid, but Poppy informed the boy wished to keep that private. Which Minerva found strange, given the boy would have an easier time, in Slytherin, if it was known he had some wizard blood, and wasn't a pure bred subspecies. Regardless, she intended to respect his wishes.

Harry walked nervously at Snape's side. Occasionally shooting glances at Dudley. Who walked on the other side.

They had spent a rather long and awkward day, shopping. Much of it was spent in silence. As Dudley was too frightened by all the magical gizmos to say anything. Where Harry had been awed, his first time through Diagon Alley... Dudley genuinely looked scared while exploring the much more tame Village of Hogsmeade.

The fat boy got right next to Snape, pressing against him and holding his hand for comfort.

Harry didn't tolerate that for a moment. "Does Dudder-kins want to hold my hand to?"

Snape suddenly reached out and... took Harry's hand.

The "Boy-Who-Lived" flinched at the touch. Expecting pain. However, when none came, he allowed himself to be mortified.

"PROFESSOR!!!" Harry gaped, looking at his, comparatively tiny, hand inside the tall man's.

"Yes Harold?" Snape's voice was innocent. Not something that came natural to him.

Harry gulped, but judged it would be safe to ask. "Ca-can I have my hand back?"

"But I thought you wanted someone to hold your hand?" Snape eyed.

Harry blushed. Finding this an odd way to punish him for teasing his cousin. It was cruel and unusual!!! That's what it was!... and... kinda nice. No one had ever held his hand before. Not even to keep him from wandering. Much less for comfort.

Harry's conflicting emotions turned to anger, as Dudley bent behind Snape's back and stuck out his tongue. However, that immediately went away as Snape spoke.

"Dudley, just as I will not allow your cousin to tease you. You may not tease him."

Harry full out smiled, as Dudley looked flabbergasted. He had NEVER been scolded for harassing "the freak". If anything, it was encouraged.

The boys both took a moment. To think on what this meant. Harry was glad to have the plaque, on his door, verified. He really would be treated equally. He finally had a real family. One of fairplay and food. He had even been allowed to eat at the table, with Dudley and his newest caretaker... he was part of the family. Harry might have gotten chastised, but so Did Dudley! It was a revolutionary concept!!!

Meanwhile Dudley was... confused. The Adult freak was still acting so... normal. Even more normal then his own parents. Dudley was getting scolded, like his neighbor friends. His parents had never done that.

Quickly shaking his head. Dudley refused to think about his parents. He refused to cry in front of the freak. He buried all thought of his perfect life.

Just then, he felt Snape's hand squeeze a little tighter... and he nearly lost.

"Can we go back!" Dudley suddenly stopped walking. Which caused everyone else to stop.

Snape looked down at the plump child. Clearly seeing the boy's distress, The man called for his elf.

"Young Master Dudley Dursley Sir, needs himself a good cry." Twinkle explained to the annoyed owner of green eyes.

Snape had left the elf to look after Harry, as he took Dudley to the boy's room.

"Just as Young Master Harold Potter Sir did, last night."

Harry blushed at the reminder.

"Good Master Severus Snape Sir, thought to keep Dudley busy would help," The elf explained. "But Dudley needs a gentler approach. He is, after all, a Hufflepuff... one that just lost his parents. However rotten they was."

Harry shifted, uncomfortable. "I just wanted the ice cream I was promised." he should have known better then to expect an adult to keep their word... although it wasn't really fair to think that. Not when Dudley was mourning his parents...

"And Young Master Harold Potter Sir, shall have his ice cream. After Dudley calms down, and once family dinner is consumed."

Family Dinner... it had a nice ring to it.

"Will you be joining us?" Harry asked the elf, who immediately got misty eyed.

"Young Master Harold Potter Sir, is much like his mother," She informed. "She always asked Twinkle to join her at meals... Twinkle regrets how adamant she was against it... but Twinkle thinks, this is not the time, maybe tomorrow. Good Master Severus Snape Sir, needs private time. To get to know his new charges."