"Time to return you, mutt." He picked the fluffy ball of fur up and opened his door, making his way to the Great Hall, where Lunch was still being served. "On your best behaviour. I will not be seen with an unruly animal." He smirked at the deadpan look he received. His eyes are very expressive. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind, along with those of how he'd miss the company, and briskly made his way through the dungeons, absently holding the pup close, running his hand through its soft fur.

*

Chapter 4

Harry relaxed in his professor's arm, as the free hand soothingly stroked through the fur on his back. He was starting to wonder if it was such a good idea on his part to insist to be 'returned' like he had. Snape had been kind to him, after all. He definitely felt different when he was a puppy, he'd realised that when he'd noticed how different his thoughts were to those of when he was human. He found he was more willing to cuddle when he was a puppy, easily scared, and less judgemental than what he was as a human. He'd been snuggling with Snape after all…

He couldn't wait to find his way to Professor McGonagall and ask her to reverse his current state of Animagia.

Finally, they reached the Great Hall. Students were enjoying their Saturday lunch and chatting amongst themselves as usual. Thankfully, Professor Snape was a man who liked to make stealthy entrances, and kept to the shadows, sneaking his way to the staff table. Harry was grateful.

"Severus, what is that in your arms?" McGonagall asked as Snape passed her chair.

"It's a kneazle. What does it look like?" He rolled his eyes, holding Harry up, under the arms for her to see. Realising it was his chance, Harry struggled, hoping to get Snape to let him go, so he could get McGonagall to reverse the spell.

His plan worked. Severus scowled and put him on the ground. "Bloody dog…" he muttered.

Harry trotted up to McGonagall and pulled on her robes with his teeth. He growled a bit and let go, pretending to walk away, only to look over his shoulder and twitch his head, to indicate he wanted her to follow.

"I don't think that's a dog, Severus." She smirked and followed the puppy out of the Hall.

*

Severus blanched. If that wasn't a puppy… he was not looking forward to the humiliations this would bring him. If anyone knew he liked animals… he was doomed. And if word got out that he rubbed someone's stomach… and let them sleep with him… Merlin! He'd bathed them! He suddenly needed to sit. He made his way to his chair at the Staff Table and sat down, pouring himself some strong tea. He needed it to calm himself. Before he killed whoever that dog was!

*

Relieved, Harry let McGonagall pick him up and take him into her office, and sat him on one of the chairs before her desk.

"Now, let's see who you are, shall we, my dear?" She pointed her wand at Harry and cast the reverse charm.

He could feel that familiar tingling sensation going through his body again, and the room got smaller. The smells and sounds dimmed and he was back to his old, human, self. He breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to his Head of House to be such a perceptive, wonderful teacher.

"Mr Potter!" She sounded surprised.

"Hello, Professor. And thanks."

"It's quite alright… how on earth did you get turned into a puppy?"

"Well, you see," he fidgeted, wondering whether or not to tell her about both him and Hermione, or just himself. He figured Hermione was a smart witch and wouldn't get herself into this kind of trouble… "For the past month or so, I've been… studying up on being an Animagus. I was meditating, trying to find my Form and… I didn't mean to, but I accidentally turned into a puppy." He couldn't meet her gaze. He knew he sounded like an idiot student. And to have his Form be a puppy! He was more than a little embarrassed at that. And now that he was back to being human, the way he'd acted as a pup was very embarrassing. He'd peed in his teacher's room! He'd let his teacher pet and bathe him! He felt his cheeks heating up and looked at his hands, clasped in his lap.

"Mr Potter… twenty points from Gryffindor for your lack of common sense! You should not have done something so dangerous by yourself! There are much worse consequences for those kinds of actions! Be thankful you were lucky and only ended up as a dog for… how long were you like this? I saw you in class, yesterday, and at supper." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I… I did it after supper, Professor. I was in the dungeons, in an old classroom. That's how I came to be with Professor Snape… I got lost and wound up outside his door." He still didn't look at her. He was so embarrassed!

"I see. And… Professor Snape thought you were someone's familiar?"

"Yes."

"And you didn't try to get him to realise you weren't a dog?"

"No. But, I didn't think it would be wise to let him know… if you know what I mean." He chanced a quick glance at her and saw she was forcing down an amused smile.

"I guess not. Well, Mr Potter, if that is all…"

"No, Professor, it isn't. I want to try it again… with you here, just in case." He hoped he could do it again.

"Very well, Mr Potter." She leant back against her desk, folding her arms, wand still in her hand.

"Thank you, Professor." He closed his eyes and focussed on the puppy again. Pulling it forth, he felt the tingling sensation once more. When he opened his eyes, he was back in the puppy's body. But something felt different.

"Well done, Harry. But, can you turn back?" She stood at the ready, just in case.

A few seconds later, Harry was human once more. He grinned.

"And, once more, if you please. Just to make sure." He nodded at her instructions and focussed on his now bigger form. Success! "Very good, Mr. Potter. I must admit, I am very impressed. It usually takes at least a year for a person to master their Animagus form. Fifty points to Gryffindor!" She winked at him, and shooed him from her office.

"Oh! Professor, could you… not tell Professor Snape it was me?" At this she grinned.

"Of course not, my boy. Student-teacher confidentiality and all that…" she winked again. "Anything else?"

"Yes. Why am I not a puppy anymore? I mean… when I changed back, I was fully grown."

"You see, you were a puppy because it was your first transformation. Now that you're used to your second body, your magic has allowed you to 'grow up', as it were. I trust you'll use this ability responsibly…" at his nod, she eyed him critically before finally sending him on his way.

Grinning, Harry made his way to the dungeons and turned back into a dog.

AN: I'm sorry this took so long. I was travelling and didn't have access to the internet! I will try to update this every Saturday AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

See you on Saturday!