Harry and Ron had written a note to Hermione and Ginny they would be home around nine, and not to worry. They spent the night in the shack, examining their animagus forms. Harry's most distinctive markings were two dark rings around his eyes, Ron's were dots all over his face. They planned to have Ron go up in his dog form first, because Harry would be a bit obvious. They showed up at the house where Harry and Ginny lived at the time they said, but in animal form. Harry stood in the woods behind it, while Ron went up to the door.
OOO
Hermione and Ginny were anxiously waiting for Harry and Ron to get home. The two had been very secretive lately, and last night they had simply disappeared.
"You're sure they were asleep?" asked Ginny.
"Yes, I don't see why they wouldn't be." replied Hermione.
"Well, let's go back to yours, maybe there's a clue." suggested Ginny. Hermione nodded. They apperated back into the little apartment, and Hermione started examining the sitting room. Ginny was examining the kitchen when she noticed something.
"Hermione, did you see this?" asked Ginny. Hermione looked over her shoulder. There was a note from Ron, saying he and Harry would be back around nine.
"So they should be home right about now?" asked Hermione. Ginny peered out the window.
"Well, they aren't here," said Ginny. "Let's head back to Harry and I's place. They might be there, who knows?"
"Alright." said Hermione. The two apperated onto the porch, where they nearly tripped over a Jack Russell Terrier.
"I didn't know there were stray dogs around here!" said Hermione as she petted the dog. It seemed to relax at her touch.
"I've never seen this dog before," mused Ginny.
"Ginny, have you ever seen a dog with dots all over its face?" asked Hermione. Ginny shook her head.
"No, not like that." she said. They played with the dog for a few more minutes. Hermione's face suddenly gained a smirk.
"You know, this isn't necessarily a dog." said Hermione.
"What do you mean?" asked Ginny.
"You've heard of an animagus, right?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, what does that have to do with anything?" asked Ginny.
"Those dots look awfully like freckles. And this dog is a little too red for an ordinary Jack Russell Terrier." said Hermione.
"You're saying that dog is Ron?" questioned Ginny, catching on.
"Yes, which means we should look for a stag." said Hermione, still smirking.
"Why would Harry be-?"
"If Ron's done it, surely Harry did, too. He'd want to go out with his dad and uncles." explained Hermione. Ginny also smirked. The dog whined, and within seconds, Ron Weasley had appeared in front of them. He seemed slightly disgruntled. Both girls shrieked.
"And I thought you knew it was me." said Ron, grining.
"I figured we would have to force you to show yourself." said Hermione.
"Nah, I see a lost cause when I see one." said Ron.
"So, how long have you been an animagus?" asked Ginny.
"Since last night." said Ron, standing up. Hermione went slightly pale.
"Please tell me you're legal animagi?" she asked.
"Angimagi? There's only one of me." said Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Please. You might not have heard us, but Ginny and I were also looking for a stag."
"Fine, our plan backfired. We registered, don't worry." said Ron. Behind him, a rather familiar stag stepped out of the woods. Ginny's breath caught in her throat. It was a gorgeous stag, more so than any other stag Ginny had seen (Even James).
"This is going to get annoying," said Hermione. "It's bad enough trying to tell them apart from behind, much less in stag form."
"What?" asked Ron.
"Please, James's stag form looks just like this one." said Hermione.
"There are actually some differences," said Ron. "Why don't you guess which Potter it is?"
"My guess is that it's Harry, based on the fact you aren't surprised to see this stag." said Hermione.
"Alright, Potter, show yourself!" called Ron. The stag huffed, then started to change. In seconds, Harry Potter was standing in front of them.
"Maybe I should've gone to the door, they would've thought I was dad!" said Harry, making his way to the porch.
"Actually, I could tell it wasn't James." said Ginny, smiling.
"How?" both boys asked.
"I think I can recognize my own boyfriend when I see him." Ginny said simply. Harry blushed.
"Anyways, Moony and Padfoot are going to get a kick out of it." said Harry.
"Harry, they've seen your dad in stag form, they'll know it's not him." said Hermione.
"At first glance they won't know." said Harry, shrugging.
"Alright, five galleons that they'll immediately know it's not James." said Hermione.
"Seven galleons it takes Sirius going into dog form to figure it out." said Harry.
"Deal." said Hermione. The four apperated to Sirius's place.