CHAPTER 6 - SUSPICION

Snape sat with Harry in front of the fire. The weather was getting colder and the two appreciated the warmth of the flames in the dank dungeon. Snape had just finished explaining his theories of Harry's botched transformation. It had been a one sided conversation, but Harry found himself agreeing with the potions master. And now that he thought about it he did remember seeing a brief image of Sirius as he transformed. But the problem was getting back to human form.

Snape seemed to read his mind.

"I have also been thinking how the antimagus incantation had no effect. It is most unusual. The only explanation would be a magical block. It is very rare, but on occasion, has been known to happen. A magical block is when a wizard's mind becomes so overwhelmed with magic at one time that he becomes stuck in a magical limbo. The effects may not be noticed until years later when the stress becomes too great. Perhaps you bit off more than you could chew. You are, after all still underage, and have very little experience with magic. Your magical block could have been caused when you were overwhelmed by the two contradicting animals both trying to claim dominance of your body."

Harry listened attentatively, hoping Snape would have a brilliant idea. But the man seemed at a loss, and Harry felt his hope falter. Being an animal was a great experience and he could handle his emotions better, but he also liked being a person. He wanted to continue his education, no matter how overwhelming it was at times. He wanted to see Ron and Hermione again. He wanted to beat Slytherin at their next Qwidditch match. Besides, things just didn't taste the same as a canine. Would he have to stay hidden for the rest of his life? Maybe he could run away and no one would ever find out…But Harry still had to face Voldemort. Perhaps that was his greatest drive to find a solution. It was ironic that the thing he had been so deperate to escape was his main motive for fixing his mistake.

It was during the wee hours of the morning that Harry snuck through the dark halls of the castle. He was under orders from Snape to retrieve his cloak and his book from the Room of Requirement. Although it was dark Harry could see just fine. The darkness ensured that none of the paintings would see him, as they too were also under orders to report anything suspicious.

Harry returned to Snape's study and found his professor hard at work grading papers. His frown and general look of distaste indicated that he'd had a long day. Harry deposited his things and went up to him. Perhaps it was a deep seeded canine instinct that made him do it, but Harry rested his head on Snape's lap.

Snape sighed heavily and rubbed his tired eyes. He sat back in thought for a few moments. Then, perhaps forgetting that it was still Harry Potter, he began stroking Harry's head. In that instant Harry knew all he needed to know about this man. He was gentle and soft and did well in everything he attempted, even something as small as scratching a dog's head.

'He's not so bad,' Harry thought. 'Just misunderstood.'

He may not be the nicest person around, but he was loyal to those that trusted him. And Harry knew that Snape would never rat him out to anyone. He was safe here with this man.

Over the next few days Harry spend his time in the dungeon, reading and skimming through various volumes of transfiguration books, looking for transformation potions, or any charm that could potentially help him. Many of the books had been retrieved from the Restricted Section by Snape for Harry to read.

Snape, in the meantime, kept going to his classes as usual, and kept hiding his secret from Dumbledore. Snape had mentioned to Harry briefly that he was becoming worried at the way Dumbledore was looking at him. Harry knew all too well what Snape meant. It was the look Dumbledore gave to anyone he thought was hiding something. It was a hard one to stare down, and one couldn't help but feel guilty. But Harry knew Snape was strong, and hopefully they would figure something out before they were discovered.

Whenever Snape had a free moment he was reading through Magus Me, or otherwise working on a potion to potentially help Harry. Snape commented several times on Breblan's words. He was, after all, a very dubious man who was not afraid to experiment. He himself had managed to transform into three different animals at different times. Snape had thought it impossible. But Breblan made no mention of how he did it. He also dedicated an entire chapter on dissection of animagi. He admitted to robbing gravesites of dead animagi and performing complex autopsies on their bodies. In another chapter Bo Breblan wrote the most detailed and insightful steps to becoming an animagus Snape had ever read.

'No wonder Potter wanted this book so badly.'

Harry had begun to feel restless. He was an animal with great energy, after all, who needed to do more than sit on his hairy ass all day reading blurred texts. After much persuasion and wagging of his tail, Snape allowed Harry out for short periods; with strict guidelines. One could almost suspect Snape was being protective. Harry could only go out when it was completely dark and never on weekends, as many witches and wizards were up late on those days. He could never be out for more than one hour at a time and wasn't allowed to venture deep within the forbidden forest. He was, however, allowed to visit Hogsmeade, a liberty which Harry indulged frequently in. As an animal he was discovering crooks and nannies of his school and Hogsmeade that no one but he knew existed.

"Here Potter, drink this."

Harry looked up from the passage he'd been reading in When Magic goes Wrong to see Snape holding out a vial of deep blue potion.

This was the fifth potion Harry was to try. The first one had made him vomit. The second caused heartburn, while the last two merely made him sleepy. Harry was in no mood to try another one of Snape's attempts. But Harry saw that Snape was tired and was genuinely trying to help him. So he humored the man and opened his mouth.

The potion slid down Harry's throat and he was glad that his taste buds weren't as astute as that of a human's. The two waited but nothing happened. Then suddenly Harry felt a tingling all over his body as his coat started to recede. It lasted for only a moment before everything returned to normal. Harry was nonplused but Snape seemed quite satisfied with the result.

"Interesting. Quite…perhaps it was the indigo root, or maybe the doxy wings…Potter, I believe I am getting closer."

Harry wagged his tail to show his excitement.

"I realize now that the way to transform you back is to release the magical block. I believe it is possible. Difficult, maybe, but possible. And I shall require much more time."

Harry was delighted. They had been working non-stop for 13 days. He was glad to have some progress. But no matter how many books Harry read through there was nothing relevant and he doubted very much that there would be anything. He couldn't help thinking that McGonagall would have the answer. But that would mean exposing himself to a third person. That would be pushing it. Yet, she was a trustworthy individual, and loyal, like Griffindors are. He decided to think a little more on it.

Winter rolled along and the castle once again became a bustle of activity as everyone hurried to cram for their exams. But Harry wasn't. He was extremely frustrated and quickly losing hope of ever returning to normal. He had looked in every book, read every anecdote that the Hogwarts library had to offer. Snape even returned one day from Hogsmeade, his arms full of large books on strange magical happenings and rare incidents of transfiguration. But they were full of rubbish, and Harry was becoming depressed. It wasn't a human depression. It was the kind of depression that dogs have when they realize that their owner isn't coming back.

Snape continued his research into a viable potion, and Harry had tested many more versions, some with unpleasant side effects.

But what killed Harry the most was not being with his classmates. He missed Ron and Hermione to a painful degree. According to Snape Hermione and Ron were caught several times out of bed after hours searching for him. Harry had been warmed by their gestures. He felt lucky to have friends like his, but he wanted to see them. He was sure they wouldn't tell anyone. But when he 'proposed' it to Snape, the man had outright refused, saying that it was too risky.

What made it worse was that Remus Lupin had come to Hogwarts to help with the search. Snape complained numerous times saying that Lupin was becoming increasingly whiny over it, and that he wished the man would give it a rest. But Harry couldn't blame him. Lupin cared for Harry and Harry cared for him. Harry knew that Remus wouldn't leave until he was found. Harry wished he could tell Remus that he was okay.

Their lack of progress was making Harry and Snape nervous. This did not go unnoticed by Dumbledore. The two experienced many close calls. One particular night still got Harry's heart pumping.

It had been an ordinary evening. Harry was finishing his supper when there was a knock on Snape's door. Harry had immediately hidden in Snape's broom cupboard and peeked through the key hole. Dumbledore was paying Snape a late evening visit. Snape greeted the man at the door quite nervously. In fact Harry had never seen the man more on edge. Harry held his breath as Dumbledore invited himself in. The old man looked at Snape with an accusing expression.

"Severus, I am at the end of my rope. The wizarding world is in a complete frenzy. I cannot delay any longer. Harry must be found."

"I agree, Headmaster," Snape said smoothly. "My contacts among Voldemort's ranks assure me that the boy is not with the Dark Lord."

"Would Voldemort tell you if he planned on capturing Harry?"

"I believe so. I am one of his most trusted followers."

"Then I am afraid I am at a loss."

Dumbledore suddenly looked much older and so terribly tired. Harry's heart twinged. He knew that Dumbledore was worried sick. It was obvious that the man hadn't been sleeping and was extremely stressed. Harry felt guilty for causing such distress to the people he cared about.

Dumbledore continued.

"I am being bombarded by ministry officials who are pushing for entrance into Hogwarts. I am afraid I can no longer keep them at bay. If Harry is to be found then it must be soon."

What Dumbledore did next made Harry's stomach drop. He looked over to the two plates sitting by the fire.

"Did you have company this evening, Severus?"

"No Headmaster. I was merely more hungry than usual."

"I see." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Then I bid you a goodnight."

And Harry could have sworn that Dumbledore shot a fleeting glance at the broom cupboard as he left. It had felt as if the headmaster was looking right at him. When inquired, Snape said he hadn't noticed. Perhaps Harry had imagined it…

AU: Plz R&R I don't know what you think of my story if you don't review! Any feedback is very welcome. Thanks for reading!:)