Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter! :D

I've noticed that I'm NOT GETTING ENOUGH REVIEWS! :C

If you guys don't tell me what you think of the story, I can't tell if most of the views are like, *ugh, such a terrible story* or *oh, that's nice. I'll check back in 3 weeks!*

Because if you guys don't like this, I'll write shorter chapters and update less often, instead of devoting hours of my time to this story.

Please review: I will ONLY post a chapter if in the previous one has at least 2 reviews from different people, nice or critical, I really don't care. If you post a critical, say something nice too. Bittersweet, right? ;D

The ease in which he had transformed into his Animagus form seemed to be a reward for the pain he had experienced the first time. When Harry looked in the mirror that morning, he nearly jumped out of his skin. He stared in shock at his reflection and his eyes widened in horror. He gingerly touched his face.

"Oh my GOSH!" He exclaimed in panic. How was he meant to see anyone like this? It would be all too obvious that he was training to be an Animagus, and the Ministry would register him, and the papers would paste his photo on the front page, and the whole point of being able to escape any threats quickly and discreetly would be as useful as shredded dragon scales.

He frantically grabbed his wand and a sharp pain shot up his right hand. He cursed himself and cast a Tempus charm quickly. He almost sighed in relief when it read 6:00. He could hopefully slip into Hermione and Ron's rooms without being seen. His left hand ached and he winced. He couldn't even hold his wand properly- his right hand was shaking weakly. Harry hurried to his wardrobe and carefully put on his Gryffindor uniform. He didn't even bother to look at his hair before he threw the hood of his cloak up. Thankfully it covered most of his face. He slipped his wand in his pocket and got out of the room after a brief struggle with the doorknob.

He peeked his head out to check if Malfoy was in the room. It was good that he wasn't- he was the last person Harry wanted to see in his current condition. He opened the door with more success this time and he stepped out into the corridor.

Was there anybody there? No. Was anyone going to come? He listened carefully. No. He closed the door behind him and said a brief hello to the dragon, then he headed to Hermione and Ron's room door. Then he stopped abruptly. All he knew was that they had to live close to his rooms if they could hear him and Malfoy fighting. He looked around, unsure of what to do. Then his eye caught on something. There was the snake that Claw had talked about! Perhaps it guarded Hermione and Ron's rooms? He prayed to Merlin that it did.

"Umm... Hello, snake. I'm Harry Potter and I am a bit lost, could you help me?" he asked politely.

The snake yawned and uncoiled itself. It stared at him for a few seconds, blinking. "Pleased to meet you, Harry. Claw has told me much about you, though, if I may say so, you do look rather strange today."

Harry flushed. "Yes, I need to find some friends who can help me called Hermione Granger and Ron Weasely. Do you know where their rooms are?"

The snake flicked it's tail. "Why, yes. Although they are not blessed enough to speak my language, they are very nice. I guard their door, as a matter of fact. Do you know the password?"

Harry shook his head and fidgeted nervously. How am I meant to get in? I'm so stupid, I forgot to ask them! "Erm... No, sorry. We just moved into our rooms recently, and I haven't asked them yet."

The snake tipped its head to the side, seeming to consider something. "Well, I suppose I can trust you. The password is Chocolate Weasel."

The door behind the snake swung open. Harry couldn't believe it. "Th-thank you very much!" He stuttered. The snake chuckled Dumbledore-like.

"You're welcome, fellow Gryffindor." It looked at Harry expectantly. Harry muttered another quick thank you before he walked into the room. The door swung closed behind him. There was soft red velvet carpet underfoot, with the classic Gryffindor gold on the wall. The ceiling, however, was a pretty swirl of colours from all the houses. The furniture was identical to his rooms, however. When Harry finished looking around he listened carefully and instinctively pricked his ears. He frowned in annoyance and concentrated. He could hear muffled exclamations that must've belonged to Ron, and a second later the right door burst open and a very flustered Ron almost tripped on his way out.

"Oi, Hermione! 'Mione! What's happened? I need help over here!" He shouted. His hair was a mess, almost rivalling Harry's wild mop. He appeared to be in his pyjamas, still. He was just about to pound on the left door, Hermione's, Harry assumed, when he realised he wasn't alone.

"Harry! What are you doing here? How did you get in?" He yelped.

Harry replied in a clamer manner. "The snake let me in! I need you and Hermione's help." Then he noticed that Ron was in the same situation, except much worse. He burst out laughing and his hood fell down as he revealed what he looked like. Ron released a breath.

"I was hoping I wasn't the only one!" He said, relieved. Harry's laughter ceased slowly. When he was able to form a coherent word, he asked, "Why don't we get 'Mione to help us?"

Ron thought for a moment. "Oh, yeah, that's what I was going to do before, wasn't I?" He turned back to Hermione's door. He knocked impatiently. "Hey, 'Mione! Come out!" There was no reply. He tried again, knocking four times. "Hey, open up, 'Mione, or we're coming in!"

There was a small squeak that Harry's keen ears picked up. Ron sighed and entered Hermione's room, Harry following him. The sight before them was slightly surprising. Hermione was dabbing at her cheek with her wand, which acted like a wet tissue at the tip. There was a tube of mascara on the table, next to neat piles of books rigid in rows of respect. It appeared that Hermione also had the same problem as them.

"Hermione!" Ron gasped, surprised.

"You never wear makeup!" Harry said. Then he came to an awful realisation. If even Hermione had to use make up, which she hated, to cover it up, then what were he and Ron supposed to do?

Hermione groaned in annoyance. "Follow me outside, boys." She demanded. "You don't just barge into someone's room like that!"

Ron and Harry exchanged a look. "Sorry, Hermione." They chorused. She sat down in one of the chairs and crossed her legs. She inspected Ron first.

"You make such a big commotion sometimes, you know, Ron."

The sleek fur that looked magnificent on his snow leopard form clashed horribly with his red hair. It was a shorter version but it covered his entire face, even his ears. He looked like something the first years would have magiced up in Hagrid's class. "Do you know any way to cut it off? I've tried ten razors already!"

Hermione looked disappointed. "Sorry, Ron, but I forgot to warn you. The first day, you can change really easily. It's just giving you an idea of what it's like. The morning after, you will feel pain in the places you put more weight on than you are used to." That would explain my hands, Harry thought. "And also, the day after, you will experience some, *ahem*, slight changes in your appearance based on the animal you chose for a week." She rolled her eyes at his disbelieving look and gaping mouth.

She turned to Harry and held back a gasp. He had the yellow-brown eyes of a coyote, still with a lingering predatory look. He also had the elegantly curved ears of a stag. It was a weird combination, but not as bad as Ron's face.

Ron scowled. "It's not fair! How come Harry gets better hearing and eyesight while I just have a big furry face?"

"Stop complaining, Ron." Hermione said. "We'll have trouble hiding those ears of yours, Harry. You'll just have to wear a hood all day, then. I can put a charm on them so anyone looking wouldn't notice the fur if they weren't looking closely. Your eyes, however, I can't change that with magic because the changes can't be hidden completely. But you can see alright, can't you?" She asked.

Now that he thought about it, Harry recalled, this morning he could see perfectly well without his glasses. He was just too distracted to notice. "So what do I do now?" He looked at Hermione hopelessly. Surely everyone in the school would notice his eye colour change!

"Well," Hermione thought, "You could wear your glasses and cast a reflecting spell, so the light will hopefully disguise you well enough."

"But what about me?" Ron wailed. "I can't cover it up with make up like you!" Hermione turned back to him.

"Just do a sparkle charm on your face, then maybe all the sparkles will cover it up. Or you could wear a mask all week- your choice!" She said brightly.

Ron groaned.

"Guys," Harry interrupted, "We've got breakfast in two minutes!"

Ron groaned again, reminded of the humiliation looming in the horizon.

The trio just had time to finish their disguises before they headed out to the Great Hall. Amongst the many people crowding the corridor, it seemed that their disguises were working pretty well.

Just when they rounded a corner, Harry stopped short.

I know, I know, cruel place to end, but I promise you the next chapter will be good and a bit longer than this one. I've spent ONE WHOLE HOUR working on this! Ugh, I can't believe that writing takes so long.

Reminder: If I DON'T GET AT LEAST TWO REVIEWS FROM TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, I WON'T POST THE NEXT CHAPTER! l:C

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry I have to put that new rule out there. Tell me, if anyone's in Australia, are you looking forward to the holidays?

IceMistyWolf