I am sorry for the bit of a longer wait. I am doing my best keeping up with you guys! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Sam eyed the badger as it nosed its way around the trees, searching the ground for earthworms to snatch up. Sam stayed where he was, keeping still and low to the ground. The badger would eventually cross his path and then he'd leap. He didn't usually go for badgers; they were peaceful creatures among red foxes – as long as no fight for food rights were involved. And their size made them trickier to take down than a common rabbit. And badgers had a lot of fight in them. But today, he was craving the thick, rich meat a badger had to offer. Just today. Just one badger to satisfy his needs and he'd leave them be for a while more. Oh, he could smell the meat already – cooking in his fiery breath and sizzling to a creamy goodness. Sam licked his lips in anticipation.

The badger moved along, unaware of the fox's ambush. It just kept to itself, snacking on earthworms. Sam nearly held his breath as it neared his location. This was so perfect. If he could just get a good grip on the neck, he might be able to snap it fast enough before the badger turned on him, forcing him to fight to the death. It would be worth it. It had been a long time since he last had badger meat. This would all be worth it.

The badger paused right in front of Sam's hiding place to snack on the dead bird Sam had caught and left as bait. Beautiful. Just beautiful. His plan couldn't be going more perfectly.

Let it snack, Sam thought, watching the badger with restrained eagerness. He'd let the badger enjoy its last meal. Sam waited a minute, listening to the sounds of crunching meat and bone. He smiled as he adjusted himself swiftly and quietly, rising just enough to be able to pounce at the badger's neck. With years of experience, he made no sound, no movement, and the badger just kept eating. It would just take one pounce . . .

Roar!

Faolan, the half-grown tiger cub, came running out of the bushes after the badger. The badger bolted away with Faolan at its tail.

: Faolan! Sam yelled.

Wasting no time, Sam bolted after the tiger and the badger, keeping in the trees to the side of them. If he could just get ahead of the badger, he might be able to perform a side attack. Running as fast as his legs could carry him, Sam was neck in neck with the badger. He inched a bit closer, but before he could even think of pouncing, the badger dodged left and dove into a burrow in the ground. Sam sighed in defeat.

Faolan pounced on the hole in the ground and dug at it aggressively, sending dirt flying everywhere.

: Leave it, cat, it's gone, Sam snapped.

"I was so close!" Faolan growled, still digging. Sam could hear the Badger hissing down below. It must be trapped down there. But a wise hunter knew to never fight with a trapped, frightened, sharp-toothed animal underground.

: I said leave it!

"I'm only helping," Faolan said, leaping away from the hole and following Sam as the fox walked back through the forest to the manor. Faolan leaped around him, and while the tiger cub was much larger than him (who was normal fox-sized), Faolan knew to obey Sam at all times when he was out with the fox when Severus didn't feel like shifting into Freyr and joining them. "I was right at his tail and one more leap and he'd be dead. Did you see me?"

: Yes, I saw you, Sam snarled, turning and snarling at Faolan, who stopped dead in his tracked and cowered in front of him like a little puppy. What have I told you about interfering with my hunting?

"I was just trying to help," Faolan mewed softly, his voice still carrying much more cub than full grown tiger. "You were just sitting there. It was right in front of you."

: I knew exactly what I was doing! You cost me a rare opportunity.

"Sorry," Faolan, lowered himself more to the ground, large amber eyes staring up at Sam, his stomach pressing into the dirt and his head resting on his paws that were too big for the cub's body. "I didn't mean to."

Sam glared down at the tiger cub. He was still upset that he had lost the badger, but while Faolan had been in the wrong, the cub did believe himself to only be helping. Besides, what did a twelve-year-old energetic and unfocused half-grown kitty know about hunting strategies? Sam sighed.

: I thought you were climbing. Wasn't that what you wanted to do?

"Yes, but I saw you and thought you might need help."

: As I've told you the last few times, I do not need your help.

"Right."

"Do we have a problem here?"

Sam and Faolan looked up to see Severus staring down at them, his arms crossed but a curious expression on his face. Faolan leaped away from his cowered place in front of Sam and over to his father, leaping up and biting down on the man's arm playfully. Severus tried to wrestle his arm free, but ended up being knocked down by his rambunctious cub.

"Okay, easy, you win!" Severus chuckled, sitting up on the ground, Faolan sitting next to him.

"What are you doing out here?" Faolan asked, his mind telepathy strengthening thanks to Sam's lessons. Faolan did well speaking through telepathy as a tiger, but when he shifted back into Harry, he couldn't communicate that way at all.

"Thought I'd go for a stroll and see where my two troublemakers were," Severus said. He smirked at Faolan. "It looked to me as though you were in for it with Sam."

"Well . . ."

: Nothing serious, really, Sam said, trotting over to Severus and sitting down next to the man. Just trying to get the same old lesson to sink in – stay out of my hunting!

"Ah, that lesson," Severus said, ruffling Faolan's head, who used a large paw to swat at Severus's hand. "What'd you make him lose this time?"

"I wasn't trying to make him lose it!"

"Sure."

"Really!"

"Mm-hmm."

Faolan snarled slightly at Severus who cuffed an ear lightly and said, "Remember who you're snarling at or I'll shift and remind you."

For a moment, Faolan was tempted to get Severus to do just that. He huffed and pouted in a cubbish way.

"It was a badger anyway, probably wouldn't have tasted very good."

"A badger?" Severus frowned at Sam.

: Don't judge if you haven't tried it, Sam tilted his own head at Severus, offering a wide foxy smile.

"I don't think I ever will try it. You have some . . . acquired tastes."

"I almost had that badger, too!" Faolan proudly said.

"Is that why I don't see the body anywhere?" Severus mocked, looking around the trees purposefully. Faolan jumped on Severus and knocked him flat on his back once more, biting gently at the man's arm again. After a rough tussle, Severus managed to push Faolan off himself.

"Enough, Faolan," Severus said, though he smiled. "Merlin, if someone just hiked by here at this moment . . ."

: They'd say, there's the loony man who plays with a dangerous tiger and talks to a wacky fox. Let's give him a three-mile radius so we don't catch his madness.

"You're hilarious," Severus commented dryly. Severus pushed off the ground and looked down at Faolan. "Change back, Harry."

Faolan shifted back into Harry who smiled up at his father.

"You know my hunting is getting better, Dad! Admit it."

"I will," Severus smirked. "You hunt just like a Gryffindor would: you rush in, no plan, no brains, no gain."

"Hey," Harry protested. "I'm getting better."

Severus snorted and wrapped a shoulder around his son and began walking back home with him. "Yes, you've gotten better. But you still need to work on strategy. Not all animals freeze like deer in the headlights at the sight of a large predator."

"I know."

"Tomorrow, you leave for the Weasleys. Are you ready?"

"I was ready weeks ago!"

"I'm going to miss your cheeky little attitude," Severus teased, pinching Harry's cheek for emphasis. Harry rubbed at his cheek more for show, glaring at his father. Harry looked back at Sam, who was sitting in the same place still, watching them leave.

"What are you waiting for, Sam?" Harry asked.

: I'm debating if I could make another attempt on a badger, the fox answered, though there didn't seem to be a lot of confidence in his voice.

"Come on, Sam," Severus encouraged with a motion of his head. "I'm sure you'll enjoy lamb chops more."

: Lamb, huh? Sam seemed to think it over, his ears turning out in opposite directions before Sam finally ran forward, catching up to the Snapes. I'm in.

"Dad, can I go now?" Harry asked for what felt like the hundredth time, standing in front of the fireplace with his bag, ready to leave.

Severus rolled his eyes as he casually sipped his tea at the dining table. Sam lay at his feet in amusement and waited patiently until he Harry was ready to leave, knowing exactly what Severus was up to. The boy could have left a half hour ago. But Severus wasn't going to tell him that. It was nice giving the boy random reminders and little tasks to do before he left for his friend's home. It gave Severus just a little more time with his son who was so eager to leave the nest. Severus knew he'd have a hard time when Harry turned eighteen (that's right, eighteen – not seventeen!) He'd keep Harry around as long as he could legally.

"Did you move Hedwig to my room?" Severus asked, calling out to his son. "It'd be easier for me to take care of her if she's in my room next to Phantom's perch."

"Oh, right, good idea."

Severus listened as Harry's bag plopped to the ground and feet scrambled up the stairs. After a few quiet moments, Harry ran back down the stairs and picked up his bag.

"Okay, she's in your room," Harry informed. "Can I leave?"

: What about his bed? Sam suddenly said, picking up his head and looking up at Severus with a sly smile. He didn't make his bed this morning. A shame it is to leave it in such a state for a week.

"Ah – yes – good point, Sam," Severus smirked. "Did you make your bed, young man? I am not your servant and you will not leave your bed a wreck for an entire week."

A loud groan and steps up the stairs. Severus sipped at his tea, trying to keep himself from laughing. A few minutes later, he could hear his son running down the stairs once more. But instead of stopping in the living room as he had done before, Harry came into the dining room.

"You're messing with me, aren't you?" Harry smiled at his dad.

"Come here," Severus smiled, holding out an arm and Harry eagerly embraced his father. Severus placed a kiss on Harry's head. "Did you make your bed?"

"Yes," Harry answered. "Now may I go?"

"I'm going to miss you."

"Me too, Dad. Love you."

"Love you, too. You may go now. And don't forget this mutt."

: Mutt? Sam snarled, standing to his feet. I'll show you a mutt, you –

"Watch it," Severus warned with a mock glare.

: Oh, don't worry, I'm watching myself baka yarō, Sam smiled, trotting out of the dining room. Let's go, Harry.

"Well, go with Sam," Severus said, giving his son one last squeeze and a kiss on the head. "I'm going to purchase a Japanese dictionary and I'll see you in a week."

Harry laughed, "Bye, Dad."

Harry ran after Sam and Severus heard the floo flare up. He didn't mind the quiet when Harry was away visiting friends, but he knew he would miss his son terribly. Why did he agree to these sleepover events? And what on earth did that fox say? I should have bought a Japanese dictionary years ago. Severus shook his head and picked up the Daily Prophet to continue reading.

Meanwhile, Harry and Sam arrived at the Weasleys', where Molly was waiting expectantly by the fireplace.

"Harry, dear!" Molly greeted happily. "Come in, come in, don't be shy. Why, hello Sam!"

: Morning, Mrs. Weasley, Sam greeted, bowing his head respectfully.

"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley," Harry greeted, trying to imitate Sam's respectfulness.

"Oh, drop it, you two," Molly waved their formalities aside. "I'm just Molly. Ronald! Harry's here! Come in, come in, all the way."

Harry stepped out of the fireplace, Sam trotting at his side. He followed Molly to her large dining table where what looked like a lunch of sandwiches was all set out. Bowls of apples, bananas, and oranges were set around the sandwich platters. Sam was already licking his lips, his ears perking and his three tails wagging.

"I made sandwiches for lunch," Molly explained, walking into the kitchen. "It's simple, I know, but I've made blueberry tarts as well. Have a seat, don't be shy. I'll get you and Sam a plate."

Harry sat in a chair at the table, Sam jumping up in the seat next to him. Sam would sometimes sit in a chair to eat his meals like a person, which amused a lot of students at Hogwarts. Plates flew out to the table and set themselves in front of each chair. Harry wondered if he could just grab a sandwich when Ron came bounding down the stairs.

"Hey, mate!" Ron greeted.

"Hey, Ron!" Harry smiled as Ron came to sit in the chair on the other side of Harry.

"I'm glad your dad let you come visit. This will be great!"

"This is all Ron's talked about," Molly smiled as she carried a tray of blueberry tarts out. She set them down in the center. "These are for after you've eaten your sandwiches and fruit. Fred! George! Percy! Come down here and eat lunch! Ginny, dear, could you carry out the juice?"

Harry turned in his chair and looked in the kitchen at Ginny, who had been reaching for the juice but froze when she saw Harry turn. They made eye contact for a brief second before Ginny's face turned as red as her hair and she quickly excused herself from the kitchen and retreated to a different place in the house.

"That's my sister, Ginny," Ron explained, grabbing a sandwich and studying it. "She just got her Hogwarts letter. We've planned a trip to Diagon Alley this week. Do you need anything?"

"No," Harry answered, reaching for a sandwich as well. "Dad and I already did our shopping. He likes to do things way before it's even necessary."

"Corned beef," Ron made a face. "I've told Mum I don't like these sandwiches."

: I'll eat anything, Sam suddenly said, resting his head down on his empty plate. But without opposable thumbs . . .

Sam gave Harry a side-long pointed look.

"Oh," Harry grabbed a sandwich and put it on Sam's plate. "Sorry. I forgot."

: Grab that apple, too. No – the big red one. Yes, that's it.

Harry added the apple to Sam's plate and looked back at Ron just as Fred and George appeared at the table.

"Hello, Harry," the two greeted.

"Hey, guys!"

The twins sat on the opposite side of the table and smiled mischievously at Harry.

"Ever seen a car fly?" One of them asked.

"I can't say I have," Harry smiled, remembering a time in the previous reality when the twins and Ron had come to his rescue. It was so distant . . . and he felt like there was another incident, but it was beyond his memories now.

"Well, do we have a treat for you."

"Dad's new toy he's playing with."

"Modified it to turn invisible and . . ."

"Shh, lean in . . ."

"It can fly," the twins finished in a whisper.

"We were thinking of taking it for a spin . . ."

"You will do no such thing," Molly said, returning to the table with juice and pouring glasses for everyone. "That car is to be left alone by everyone! And that includes you two. If I catch anyone in it, near it, or even staring at it, you'll be sorry – mark my words. And I'll tell your father to get rid of it once and for all! I still can't believe that man – telling me he just wanted to study it, but no . . . how could I have been so . . ."

Molly's voice trailed off as she walked back into the kitchen. Ron looked terrified while the twins' eyes gleamed with trouble, each boy taking a sandwich and an apple that they rolled around on their shoulders before taking a bite.

Percy never did come down for lunch, but Ginny did return and she avoided looking at Harry as she ate her own lunch, smiling at Sam's antics as the fox gladly caught berried the twins threw across the table to him.

"If you're going to eat like animals, go outside!" Molly said in annoyance after a while.

"Hey, Harry," Fred smiled, "care to play some Quidditch outside? Two against two? You and Ron against us?"

"Sounds like a challenge," Harry smirked before his eyes widened. "Oh no! I forgot my broom!"

Harry wondered if he should even bother floo-calling his father for his broom – he was sure he would get an earful for such an oversight. The twins just smirked and said Harry could borrow Charlie's old broom. Harry smiled happily. At least he wouldn't have to call his father. And Charlie wouldn't mind him borrowing the broom. Harry picked up the last blueberry tart on the plate, the twins having inhaled them.

"So, do you think we can take them?" Ron asked.

"Of course!" Harry reassured his friend. "They might be older, but we are smaller and will fly faster!"

Suddenly, Harry felt teeth nearly nip his fingers as Sam swallowed the tart he had been holding, licking his lips.

"Hey!" Harry snapped. "That was mine!"

: My apologies, Sam tilted his head with a smirk. If you were wondering, it was delicious.

"Gee, thanks."

"Oh, no worries, dear," Molly smiled, carrying out another plate of tarts, adding several to Harry's and Sam's plates individually. "I have plenty to spare."

Harry picked up a tart and took a bite of the juicy, fruity, crumbly treat while Sam licked his lips eagerly before inhaling all the tarts on his plate in a few bite before licking the plate clean. Harry laughed at Sam.

"You're such a hog."

: At least I don't get it all over my face, Sam said, licking away a bit of blueberry off Harry's cheek. Harry scrunched his face at the feel of Sam's rough tongue.

"I doubt you even taste it! And don't steal anymore of mine."

: I shall try to refrain.

Harry stood and followed Ron to join the twins outside, who were getting out the brooms. Sam watched Harry disappear from sight before chowing down on the remaining tarts on Harry's plate.

"Well, so much for trying," Molly said, her, Ginny, and Sam the only three at the table.

: You'll make more, he's nothing to complain about. And while you're at it, you should make some of these with blackberries. Oh, I can smell them now!

Ginny giggled at the fox sniffing the air longingly. Molly just rolled her eyes at him.

"If you like them so much, you should make yourself a bunch."

: Oh no, you don't want me in a kitchen. I'm a fire hazard all around.

Later that night, after many matches of Quidditch (which Harry and Ron won only one game of), Harry and Ron found themselves collapsed in Ron's room, easily falling asleep from the busy and draining day. Sam had gone out on his own to explore the land surrounding the Burrow. The two boys slept peacefully, until . . .

"Wakey, wakey, sleepyheads!"

Harry and Ron wiced as bright lights flooded the room and groaned. Harry opened his eyes and looked at where the light was coming from to see the twins in a Ford Anglia car – a flying Ford Anglia car. He jumped to his feet and approached the window, Ron doing the same.

"What do you guys think?" Fred called out to them from outside Ron's window.

"Blimey!" Ron shouted. "Are you two mad! You're going to get in so much trouble, put that back."

"Oh, come on Ronnykins," George teased. "You've been wanting to fly in it as much as we have. So, get in and we'll take you for a ride!"

"And if Mum or Dad catches us?"

"Then they catch us. But won't it be worth it?"

"One-time offer," Fred added. "Going once . . . going twice . . ."

"Okay, okay, wait a second."

Ron grabbed his slippers and fought to slip them on his feet, hoping around a bit.
"Come on, Harry," Ron encouraged.

"I don't know," Harry frowned at the car. "Won't your parents be mad at you? I don't want anyone to get in trouble or . . ."

"It's okay, Fred and George are good at not getting caught. And even if we did, they're good at accepting their punishment."

"And," Fred said, "it's all on us if we do get caught. We forced you two to come along."

"See? And it's kind of true. We'll be fine."

Harry grabbed his own slippers and slid them on with more ease than Ron had done. A thought struck him – what if Molly informed his father about this? But if the twins accepted all blame, would this incident be like the others that Molly decided not to tell Severus about. One of those boys will be boys and that's not something to fret about phrases? Harry felt his stomach twist uneasily. Was this a bad decision? What if they were seen?

"Okay there, Harry?" George asked. Ron looked at Harry as well.

"I just got thinking," Harry said. "Won't someone see us? Like Muggles?"

"Don't worry," the twins waved their hands dismissively. "Dad figured all that out. You'll see."

Harry felt the tension slowly leave his body. That may do more with how charming and convincing the twins were, but he smiled and followed Ron to the window, climbing into the backseat of the car. Once everyone was settled, the twins smirked back at them.

"Ready?"

"Where are we going?" Ron asked.

"Just wait and see!"

Harry smiled as the car flew forward, excited about this new, late night adventure.

Baka yarō – idiot (roughly translates to "you idiot") So, I had wanted to make this longer and include the late-night trip, but I realized that that would make this chapter twice the size they normally are. So, I'm cutting this one a shorter than usual, but don't worry – you'll thank me for it in the next chapter! Just think: this means the next chapter will be nice and long. I hope you enjoyed it!