Chapter Five- O.W.L. Results

"Now, am I correct in saying that you've told no one about the prophecy, save for Severus?"

"Yes, sir."

"A wise decision but might I suggest telling your friends, Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger? You do them a disservice by not confiding something so important to them."

"All right. I'll tell them."

"Very good. You need your friends. On a different but related subject, it is my wish that you take private lessons with me."

"Private lessons?"

"I think it is time that I take a greater hand in your education."

Harry had a feeling these lesson had to do with the prophecy but couldn't see how or why.

"Two more things, Harry. First, I wish you to keep your Invisibility Cloak with you at all times even within Hogwarts, just in case. Understand?" Harry nodded. "And lastly, the results of your O.W.L.'s should arrive later today and Severus will be receiving a list of students who qualify for his N.E.W.T. classes today as well." He guided Harry to the front door and said, "I will see you at school, Harry." Dumbledore turned and Disapparated. The silver and black fox knocked and he saw the curtains twitch before the door opened a crack and a wand emerged.

"What was your first prank?" came Snape's voice.

"I sent an electric jolt into my compartment door to shock Malfoy," Harry answered. "What was your prank last year?"

"Creating a grass knot to trip Draco," was the reply before the wand withdrew and the door full opened to allow Harry in. He smiled as he shut the door. "No one would be able to answer our question but us, Harry, although Polyjuice Potion would be ineffective as we are technically animals."

"True." Harry looked at the clock and saw it was half past twelve.

"So, will Horace be teaching again?"

"He will and Professor Dumbledore said he may try to collect me."

"He very likely will. What else happened?"

"Well, Dumbledore wants me to tell Ron and Hermione about the prophecy. He also wishes for me to have private lessons with him this year."

"Private. That's one subject you know you'll have."

"Oh! Right. Dumbledore said my O.W.L. results should be arriving later today as well as your list of N.E.W.T. students."

"I hope to see your name on it," Snape replied. Given his prowess for Defense Against the Dark Arts, I'm sure he'll be on it. I won't tell him I got my dream job; it'll be a second surprise in September, one he'll learn at the Welcoming Feast.

Both mates slept in owing to the lateness of when they went to bed. Harry awoke close to noon and laid there for a time. He was feeling a bit trapped in the house. He didn't dare venture out in case a Death Eater suddenly showed up. Even with his fox form and invisibility, he could be killed. Still, Harry longed to breathe fresh air, to run and play, and just enjoy being a teenager. But I'm not an ordinary teenager. I was special the moment I was born. I'm a fox who got signaled out by a prophecy; a prophecy in which I must either kill or be killed. My life is one of violence and tragedy. If it hadn't been for Severus, I probably would have cracked last year what with Voldemort returning and the Ministry not believing me or Dumbledore.

Harry felt a rush of gratitude and love for Snape. The older fox had shown friendship toward him when Harry's true self had surfaced and was more than willing to instruct Harry in his magic and strengthen his mental focus. It had been hard to increase his mental focus and consciously keep up his illusions, but now it was hardly any effort at all; constant practice had helped in this.

The beginnings of love interest in each other had begun on Harry's first day of training. When Harry took fox form for the first time, he found his emotions were freer and less complex as a fox. He had felt love for Snape blossom in him when he had looked up at him. He was sure Snape had felt the same way when he demonstrated changing to a fox. It wasn't until the lessons of Occlumency and Legilimency that their feelings for each other came out and Snape immediately asked Harry to be his mate and the younger fox accepted without hesitation.

It had taken Harry some time to get used to having a tail, longer hair, claws and ears, especially the tail. He had to constantly remember to swish it to one side when sitting. Now, it was second nature. The ears had also taken some time. Anytime an itch happened, Harry would reach up and his fingers would brush up against his ears before reaching around to scratch. He also found that they were just as expressive as his tail and could feel them flatten, twitch, or stand erect.

I love being a fox and all that comes with it. Yes, it's bad that Voldemort knows now, but as long as he doesn't know what I can do and I stay close to Dumbledore and Severus, I'll be okay. Harry's nose twitched as the rich aroma of soup reached it and he got up to get dressed.

"Good afternoon, Harry," Snape greeted as he entered the kitchen. He gave Harry a hug and a kiss before adding, "Lunch is almost ready."

"Great." He sniffed again. "French onion?"

"Exactly and I think some buttered bread would complement it nicely." Snape waved his wand and some bread soared onto the counter along with butter and a knife. Harry set about buttering the bread while Snape set out two bowls of soup on the table along with some pumpkin juice.

"So, Harry. Any news from your friends?" Snape asked, sipping some broth.

Harry nodded. "Mr. Weasley got promoted. Something to do with the confiscation of dangerous or fake charms."

"Ah, yes. Scrimgeour created new offices to handle such things. Everyone is desperate for protection and dishonest people are taking advantage of it."

"Hermione wrote saying she's staying with the Weasleys."

"I see. Harry…would you like to stay with your friends for the rest of the summer?"

Harry looked up with wide eyes. "No. I love living with you. Besides, I'll see them once school starts."

"I love having you with me. It's lonely when you have no company save for the occasional owl post." Snape gazed at Harry who gazed back, affection for each other clearly shown in their eyes.

A couple of taps at a window caught their attention and Snape went to the window by the door and Harry drifted toward the stairs. Snape peeked out and said, "It's all right. I believe these are the owls we've been waiting for."

Harry came back down as Snape opened the window and the owls entered, one to each of them. Harry felt his heart pound as he took the envelope. Did he achieve the grades he needed to be an Auror? He slit open the envelope and unfolded the parchment inside. He scanned the results: Astronomy- A, Care of Magical Creatures- E, Charms- E, Defense Against the Dark Arts- O, Divination- P, Herbology- E, History of Magic- P, Potions- O, Transfiguration- E.

Severus looked over Harry's shoulder at the grades on the parchment. A smile spread over his face. "You got Outstanding in Potions! That's wonderful, Harry! All that studying paid off! I'm proud of you!"

Harry beamed as he read over the results again. He had gotten the grades he needed for his dream job. "Severus, this means my name is on your list of N.E.W.T. students."

"I have no doubt of that." He paused for a moment. "Harry, I know you feel trapped in here and I say we remedy that by going outside as foxes at least two or three times a week. What do you think?"

"Sounds great. How about right now, to celebrate my grades?"

"A good idea." Snape guided Harry outside where they would change forms and have some fun.