"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.

*

Chapter 5

Harry was halfway there; halfway to the Potions Master's rooms. He stopped. I don't think this is such a great idea… he'll kill me! He sat down for a moment, absently scratching his ear with his hind foot. I think he'll need some space… with that thought, he changed back to his human self and headed back to Gryffindor Tower.

*

One week later

Severus was pacing his rooms, growling every so often, as he thought about that damned dog. He couldn't believe he'd thought the mangy thing was an illegal familiar. He shuddered at the thought of what was going to be whispered around the school, now that someone had seen his… nice side. "Fucking dog… who the Hell was it? If I ever find out…" he trailed off, hearing a scratching at his door. The little bastard has balls… he growled once more, making his way to his door, intending to threaten the life out of whomever it was that had the gall to pose as an animal and make a fool of him.

At his door was an owl. It was a plain brown, barn owl. A school owl. It hooted impatiently, sticking its leg out for him to take the letter.

Severus growled as it nipped him before flying into his rooms. Damn animals… They want a bloody reply? Ugh! He slammed his portrait closed and plonked inelegantly onto the couch, un-scrolling the parchment, wondering who the hell wanted to correspond with him at this time of night.

Professor Snape,

I know you aren't keen on seeing me again. Especially now that you know I'm not someone's familiar. I'm not ready for you to know who I am yet… but I would like for us to keep visiting. I've found that I quite enjoy your company.

Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. No one will ever hear of how nice you are.

It wasn't signed. Impudent mongrel.

"How nice I am?" He couldn't believe his eyes. He read the note again. He cast anti-spying spells all over it, wondering if this was some kind of nasty little prank. There was nothing on it. It was simply a note. He sighed, looking disdainfully over at the barn owl perched on the back of his desk chair. "What do you think? Should I allow it?" He received a low hoot in reply. Wonderful. I'm talking to an owl now. He grumbled as he made his way to his desk to pen a quick reply.

*

Harry emerged from the bathroom, followed by a cloud of sweet-smelling steam. How he loved the soaps at Hogwarts. He hummed happily as he climbed into bed, ready to go to sleep and forget his troubles.

A tapping on the window disturbed his happy sleep-filled thoughts. He sighed, opening the window to let in an owl.

But not just any owl!

"He replied!" he laughed happily, not quite so tired anymore. Taking the note from the owl, he flopped down on his bed and read Professor Snape's reply.

Student,

This is not my usual practice, but I will accept your request for visitations. However, discretion is advised and appreciated. I assume you are no longer a pup. It will be harder for you to manoeuvre around the castle, unnoticed. I will give you time to transform before each of our meetings, allowing you to keep your anonymity. For now.

If this is a prank, you will be sorry.

Professor Severus Snape

Potions Master.

Harry grimaced. He thinks it's a prank. Poor guy. He must be so lonely. He grabbed a clean piece of parchment and a quill to give a reply before finally heading to bed.

Professor,

This is not a prank, I promise. While I was stuck as a puppy, you were… nice. I'm not ready to reveal who I am quite yet.

Thank you for accepting my request. I'll see you tomorrow night, after dinner. I'll meet you in the corridor to your rooms at seven.

PS. Should we come up with something better than 'Student'?

*

Severus scowled down at the letter he'd received just moments before. Smart arse, little brat. Fine. If he wants a name, I'll give him one. He made a short reply once more, not admitting he was looking forward to seeing his new… friend.

Mutt,

Seven is fine. Don't expect petting.

And no animals on the furniture.

S.S.

*

Harry was excited. He'd been waiting all day for this! He was going to visit with Professor Snape.

He'd waited a week before contacting his professor at all, just to give the man a cooling-down period. He didn't want to anger him any more than he already had. Well, not too much more… he smirked, wondering how this evening would go. He picked at his food, not terribly hungry. He was too excited.

"Mate, you need to eat something. You're wasting away!" Ron said, piling food on top of what Harry already had. "Mum's right you know. You don't eat enough!" He nudged his friend until he complied. When Harry pointedly took a large mouthful of peas and corn and potato, Ron nodded, satisfied with his mothering, and went back to his own meal. Though, Harry knew he was still being watched.

"Where's Hermione?" He asked, as he made a show of stuffing his face again.

"She's up in the Tower." He sighed, "She's still trying for… you know…" he used his knife and fork as some kind of horns or antlers to emphasise his point of Hermione's attempt at Animagi.

"Oh. Well, she hasn't been doing it with me… for a week!"

"She's kinda sore at you, mate. She said you were a bit… mean." Ron looked away, shovelling more food into his mouth.

"Oh, pff. I just told her to stop bothering me."

"And, I guess you got what you wanted, yeah?" He sprayed gravy and meat chunks all over Harry's face, as he turned to answer. "Heh… sorry…" His cheeks and ears went bright red as he wiped Harry's scowling face off with his napkin.

"Thanks," he deadpanned. "Well, I'm off. I'm full, Ron," he stopped any more complaining about his less than satisfactory appetite, motioning to his nearly empty plate. "That, and you just ruined any appetite I had." He flicked his friend in the forehead and walked off, chuckling at Ron's scowl. Bloody mother hen…

*

Severus left the Hall at six-thirty, not able to bear the thought of thinking each boy that left the room was the little Spaniel puppy he'd taken care of the week before. He hated it when his heart jumped at the sight of one of his students leaving the Hall, not able to tell which way they were headed when the doors closed behind them. It drove him insane to think about his up-coming 'social' event. He shook his head, sighing.

He organised for a tea service to be delivered to his room at seven. He didn't think it would be too bad for an Animagus to have tea… and if it was, then it was their own fault!

He looked at the letter he'd received that morning, sitting on his desk.

"Mutt"… I like it. Suits me. And you. You're a bit grumpy, aren't you? Remember, when you hear the knock at your portrait, give me a moment to change.

See you tonight!

Mutt

He smirked. Cheeky brat. Then he scowled. He's not amusing! Not at all!

He looked up at the knock on his portrait, his heart thudding in his chest. He counted to ten before going to answer. He'd told his portrait not to ruin who it was. He'd given his word his guest could keep his anonymity. He intended to keep it.

Opening the entrance to his rooms, he looked down, wanting to see how his little… companion had turned out.

He wasn't disappointed. He took in the shiny coat, the neatly clipped fur, the wagging tail and the lolling tongue. He stepped aside. "Come in."