A/N: I do not own anything Harry Potter. So I'm really sorry this chapter is really late. I was on vacation and there was no Wi-Fi where I was staying so I couldn't post a new chapter. I hope these two new chapters make up for the long wait. Happy reading! XO

Chapter 33

"He really has to be here?" Annie asked as she added fluxweed to her cauldron and stirred.

"Yes, Ms. Black," answered Professor McGonagall looking up from the essay she was grading, "Professor Snape does have to be here. I've already explained to you that as the Potions Master, he will be assisting us with your potion."

"Well, he could have washed his hair before he came here," Annie muttered under her breath as she stirred the potion.

"What was that, Black?" Snape said as he looked into the cauldron to check her progress.

"Nothing," she said smirking.

"Black, I hope you know snide remarks like yours will get you nowhere in life," he sneered.

"Yes, but a bit of shampoo might."

Professor Snape's face turned scarlet with anger as turned to face Professor McGonagall who was looking livid. "Minerva, if it is alright with you, I will be leaving now. Clearly Black can handle the rest of this potion with your assistance," he said. Professor McGonagall nodded and he turned on his heel and left the office.

"Ms. Black, your comment was completely uncalled for," she said standing up and walking over to the table that Annie was brewing her potion on. "I should take points away from Gryffindor your behavior-"

"But you're not?" Annie asked looking up hopefully.

"I won't take them away if you apologize to Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall said sharply.

Annie's face fell into a slight frown. "Apologize? Yeah, that'll happen," she snorted dropping her ladle and running her hands through her hair as Professor McGonagall sighed and shook her head. "Okay, now what do I do?"

"Now you need to add a bit of your hair," Professor McGonagall answered.

"This seems all too familiar," Annie said plucking and dropping it into the potion.

"How does this seem familiar?" Professor McGonagall asked as the potion bubbled and turned clear. She picked up a goblet and dipped it into the cauldron.

"Long story," Annie said taking the goblet and waving the question away. "So what happens after I drink this?"

Professor McGonagall led her over to the couch and gestured for her to sit. "You'll see," she said sitting down behind her desk.

Annie cocked an eyebrow at her professor and lifted the goblet to her lips. The potion slid down her throat smoothly, tasting slightly like bubblegum and Butterbeer. As the last drop touched her lips, she slumped down sideways on the couch, dropping the goblet on the floor. She was passed out on Professor McGonagall's couch for a half hour in the midst of a wild dream before waking up panting. As Annie sat up Professor McGonagall came over with a goblet of water. Annie took the goblet with a shaky hand and drank.

"That was the craziest dream I've ever had," she said setting the goblet down on the table in front of her.

"And what did it show you?" Professor McGonagall asked sitting down in a chair across from her student.

"I was running around my backyard with Bandit and dad as a dog," Annie said looking stunned. "And then I was running around with dad and Uncle James during a full moon chasing after Remus as a dog. Whoa! You know everybody's been saying it for years that I'm like a puppy. I guess I should have known my Animagus form would be a dog. It is a dog right?"

"If that is what your dream showed you as, then yes, I would say that your Animagus form is a dog," Professor McGonagall answered smiling proudly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you! So are we done for tonight? I want to write to dad about this," Annie said getting up from the couch.

"Yes, we are done," she said standing up and walking over to hold open the office door. "Have a nice night, Ms. Black. I will see you tomorrow." Annie ducked out of the office and skipped down the corridor. "Apologize to Professor Snape!" She called after her.

"Never gonna happen!" Annie yelled over her shoulder as she broke out into a run. She made her way back up to Gryffindor Tower and climbed through the portrait hole and walked over to her friends sitting by the fire.

"Hey, pup, how'd it go tonight?" Harry asked as she sat down next to him pulling out her potions essay.

"I pissed off Snape tonight," she answered as she kicked off her shoes and set her feet up on the table.

"So what else is new?" Ron said snorting with laughter. "What did you do to piss him off?"

"Well, he said that my snide remarks won't get me anywhere in life so I agreed," Annie said laughing.

Harry shook his head as he chuckled quietly. "That's not all you did, I assume?"

Annie shook her head. "I may have mentioned something about using shampoo." Ron and Harry broke into fits of laughter as Hermione looked over at Annie, anger written all over her face.

"Annie, you can't talk to professors that way," she chastised her friend. "What did Professor McGonagall do when you said that?"

"She said I have to apologize to Snape or she'll take points away from Gryffindor."

"Good," Hermione said smugly, "you can do that before class."

"Oh, Hermione, I'm not apologizing," Annie said waving away the ridiculous suggestion.

"And why not?"

Harry and Ron stopped laughing and watched the exchange between the two girls with rapt attention.

"I never apologize for speaking the truth," Annie said setting her essay aside and crossing her arms across her chest.

"No, you won't apologize because it's Snape and you hate him," Hermione spat also crossing her arms.

"Exactly my point. I hate him, he hates me, I can't say I'm sorry for what we both know is true."

"You're impossible, you know that?" Hermione said throwing her hands in the air and standing up. "I'm going to bed." She walked over to the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories and walked up leaving Harry, Ron and Annie behind to finish their work.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to tell her what my Animagus form is in the morning then," Annie said looking at the staircase. She turned back to Harry and Ron who were looking at her with their mouths open in shock.

"Wait, you know what your Animagus is?" Ron asked leaning forward in his chair.

"What? Oh yeah, I'll be a dog when I make the full transformation," she said smiling between the two boys.

"A dog? Hey, that's pretty cool!" Harry exclaimed as he clapped her on the shoulder. "Sirius will be pretty proud. Are you going to write to him?"

"I was going to after I finish this essay," Annie answered picking up her parchment. "Either of you fancy sneaking out with me later to mail my letter?"

"Yeah, Ron and I will both go with you under the cloak," Harry said.

"Sounds good to me," Ron said shrugging and going back to his work. "Let me know when we're leaving."

A/N: Well, who saw that coming? It was kind of a given that Annie's animagus would be a dog. I really hope you guys enjoy the next chapter which is set a month after this because it's now time for Annie's experience at the Second Task! Woo! Thanks for reading! XO