DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.

A/N: The thing about names...there are so many of them! It's always hard to choose a name for a character because so many people are going to have to be able to picture that character with that name. I've learned that you can't possibly please everyone and have to go with the majority. Though I thank everyone for their lovely contributions, I've chosen the names that I believe best suit the animagus forms. Thanks to everyone and I hope I've not managed to offend anyone by choosing the names I did.

Chapter 5 - Battle for the Library

Harry raced up the stairs into the sixth year dorm and tossed his books onto the bed, ignoring the crack as one of the books slid over the edge and landed on the floor. Opening his trunk, he dug through its contents as he searched for his Quidditch robes, glancing up as Dean thumped into the room. Grunting a greeting, Dean dropped his books on his desk before flipping open his trunk and rifling around inside.

"I can't believe Dumbledore is allowing a preseason game." Harry called across the room, standing and shaking out the mussed and dirt stained robes.

"Neither can I. Though I'm pretty sure I saw Malfoy smirk when Dumbledore made the announcement." Dean returned, slamming the wooden lid down and scratching his head as he glanced around the room, with a raised eyebrow he dropped to his knees and peered beneath his bed.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he had something to do with it. It'll be more of a scramble then anything else...no one's had anytime to organize this seasons teams." Harry said, watching a grinning Dean emerge triumphantly from under his bed, brightly coloured robes clenched in a fist.

"Oh well, I imagine it'll be an interesting game as long as we can get a good team together." Dean mumbled with a shrug of his shoulders, dropping to a knee so he could withdraw his broom from its place under the bed. Silence filled the room as both wizards organized themselves, carefully checking their brooms over with practiced eyes.

"Too bad about Ron though." Dean grunted, using his pajama bottoms to wipe the handle of his broom to a gleaming finish.

Running a loving hand along his broom, Harry snorted and shook his head in disbelief. "Snape has it in for us as always. I suppose we should feel a little better over the fact that Zabini has detention too."

"Yeah, but me and you both know how that will go. Ron will end up doing the work and Zabini will sit there working on his nails or something." Muttered Dean, placing his broom gently on his bed before chewing on his lip in contemplation as he stared at the robes lying next to it. "Do you think these are too dirty to play in?"

"They're no worse then mine. I think we can safely assume that Ron will return with more detention then he originally had. Second day of the year and we're already losing house points; McGonagall is not going to be impressed." Harry said thoughtfully, shaking out his robes before sighing mournfully and poking a finger through a large rip across the back. "I'm going to go and find Hermione, I want to see if she can fix this hole."

Dean was in the middle of pulling his Quidditch jersey over his head and mumbled something that had Harry shaking his head and scooping up the ripped shirt. Jogging down the stairs, he paused at the base of the stairs leading into the girl's dorm and called Hermione's name, fingers toying with the engraved railing leading up the shadowed stairs. Rolling his eyes when she failed to appear, he bellowed her name again and blushed when a seventh year witch yelled back. Grumbling unhappily, he wove his fingers through his messy hair and headed for the portal, it seemed Hermione was in the library.

XxXxX

Harry paused upon entering the large room, his eyes ghosting over the shelves loaded with books and the handful of students sitting at the tables arranged in one of the spaces. Miss Pince glanced up at his arrival and placed a finger to her lips in warning, frowning when the door slammed closed behind him. Holding his hands up in surrender, he tiptoed between a pair of bookshelves, one hand absently trailing across their spines. He froze when he reached the end, eyes meeting suspicious blue orbs that narrowed when he stepped from the shadows. Internally, the Stag grunted before shaking his antlers and pawing the earth, nervous about continuing into the open.

"Harry!"

His name was hissed softly, jerking his attention from the table of Slytherins to where Hermione sat alone. Glancing over his shoulder, he eyed Malfoy for a long moment before striding to where the Gryffindor witch sat among a pile of open books, her fingers stained with ink.

"Hermione, can you fix this for me?" Harry asked, placing the torn shirt atop her pile of books and pulling a chair out. Sitting down, his eyes traveled lazily around the room, taking in the shelves packed with books and the variety of lamps placed haphazardly throughout the area.

Hermione made a soft humming noise as she examined the ripped jersey, turning her nose up at a particularly nasty stain on the left elbow. "Sure Harry, I'll also give it a quick clean."

"Thanks Hermione." Relieved, Harry sat back and tugged one of the large tomes on the table towards him, raising an eyebrow when he read the title. "'In the Company of an Animagus'. What exactly are you researching Hermione?"

"Not now Harry." Hermione murmured as she waved her wand over the tear, watching as small threads began to carefully weave through the shredded edges of the rip. The next flick of her wand had the dirt and grime vanishing from the material, leaving it a bright red trimmed with gold. "I'll tell you later, when we're in a more private location." Her eyes traveled over his shoulder and he knew she was watching the Slytherins. It was the sudden narrowing of Hermione's eyes that had Harry freezing in his seat.

"I need that book mudblood." The feminine voice was like ice, emotionless yet forewarning of the violence that would ensue should her wish be dismissed. A long fingered hand with nails painted emerald green splayed itself across the book resting before Hermione. Harry turned slowly and peered up into the pale face of Pansy Parkinson.

"I'm using it, you'll have to wait your turn." Hermione muttered, hands latching onto the book and tugging it from beneath the other witches fingers. Harry's eyes widened as Pansy's hand locked around the other half of the book, leaving both witches clutching one end of the tome and glaring at the other. Harry sucked in a deep breath as Hermione's eyes narrowed and she tugged gently on the book. It was with little thought that he slid from his chair and scooted out of the way, the female Slytherin had obviously never seen an enraged Hermione.

Draco leaned back in his chair with a sigh, reaching up and loosening his tie with a practiced hand. His eyes rested on Harry as the dark haired wizard backed slowly away from the arguing witches. He snorted as his Tiger growled a soft greeting at Harry, the animal obviously eager to tangle with the other wizard again. He straightened the sleeve of his robe, before glancing at Pansy, raising an eyebrow at the expression on her face.

"I want it. Now." Pansy growled softly, jerking hard on the book and narrowing her eyes as Hermione tightened her grip. Draco shuffled his papers in agitation, rereading the question he had just completed before the argument broke out. A low thump had him looking up and snorting as Pansy yanked on the mudblood's book. He had no idea why Pansy wanted the book but she was being pretty insistent.

"I'm using it." Granger hissed, planting her feet and pulling hard on the book. Draco bit his lip as he watched the witches pull on the ragged text. It was with a low rip that the book came apart, leaving Granger and Pansy both clutching half. Their startled expressions had him chuckling softly, glancing at Harry who had a hand pressed over his mouth to hold in his laughter.

Emerald eyes danced merrily, meeting his own blue eyes without fear or anger. Draco snorted softly, Gryffindors were stupidly fearless. They considered everyone friends until they were stabbed in the back. The Tiger rumbled angrily at this thought, tail lashing as the massive cat began to pace. Draco frowned, pushing the Tiger down with a shake of his head.

"Look what you did you stupid witch!" Pansy hissed, staring down at the part of the tome she held, eyes narrowing dangerously. Growling under her breath, she dropped her part of the book on the table before Granger, whirling around and marching towards him. Draco winced at the thump and crack, carding a hand through his hair as he watched Pansy turn on her heel slowly.

"You wanted it so bad, you can have it!" Granger yelled, reaching for the other half of the book resting on the table. Pansy swooped down and scooped up the shredded book from where it lay on the floor, smirking as she tapped her hand on it lightly.

"What have you done to that book?"

The back tables quieted, as everyone turned to look at the Librarian. Draco pushed back his sleeves and crossed his arms, waiting for the next act in the Pansy show. Dropping the book, Pansy pointed a finger in Granger's direction, face full of accusation. "She did it! She ripped my book!"

"Miss Granger?" The librarian asked softly, eyed widened in shock. Draco watched as Granger shook her head in denial, mouth opening and closing as she sought to come up with an excuse.

"I'm afraid I can't allow such treatment of the reading material, Miss Granger; ten points from Gryffindor and a I'm also removing your library privileges for the next two weeks." Draco thought the Gryffindor witch was going to burst into tears. Pansy smirked and glanced at him with a look of glee, eyes shining with pride over her win.

"Miss Parkinson, your punishment shall be the same as Miss Granger's. Please leave the library immediately, both of you." Madam Pince collected the damaged book and tapped one foot as she waited for the girls to gather their books. Groaning at the eviction, Draco gathered his books carefully and trailed after the angry Pansy, glancing over his shoulder at Harry. The dark haired wizard had one hand resting on his friend's shoulder and was speaking quietly with the librarian, obviously trying to curry some favour for Granger. Shouldering his bag, he glided through the doors and paused at the sight of an enraged Pansy, the witch was stomping and growling under her breath.

"Why didn't you say something? She revoked my library privileges!" The Slytherin stormed, accepting her bag from Draco.

Draco in turn, raised an eyebrow and began walking down the hall, knowing Pansy would calm down in a minute. "Well?"

"Hmph, like I should tell you. All that yelling and arguing, and I broke a nail to boot. All to find out what Granger is reading. Next time you're on your own Draco Malfoy." Pansy muttered, raising a hand to expect her broken nail. The thought that she'd just got them done obviously very important to her. "She was reading a book on identifying animagi in their human form. I think she might be on to us, or rather you."

Draco nodded in agreement, slowing down as he headed down the stairs into the dungeons. Ignoring the thought that Harry knew about him, he smirked as he recalled the fight in the library, shaking his head as he wondered what Pansy would do to keep him from telling Blaise about her little tussle with the Gryffindor witch.

Ron stood before a large washtub, pink rubber gloves pulled past his elbows as he scrubbed a dirty cauldron. His eyes narrowed as he looked over his shoulder at Blaise. Curling his lip, he shook his head and emptied the large cauldron, glaring at the thick mixture coating the inside.

"Having fun yet Weasel?" Blaise called softly, the sound of his voice making Ron grit his teeth and clench his hands around the cauldron.

"It'd be a lot more fun if you were helping." Ron growled, turning slowly and leaning on his elbows, eyes resting on the blue gloves sitting on the table next to the Slytherin. He wasn't really surprised that the other wizard was doing nothing because that was simply what the Slytherins did; ff they could get away with it that was.

"I don't know Weasel. I'd really hate to ruin your fun, those gloves go with your robes so well." Blaise mocked, rolling his eyes as he returned to filing his nails, ignoring the quiet growl that reached his ears.

"Well if you weren't planning on using yours you could have said so." Ron snarled, hands fisting as he pushed down his wolf, acknowledging the animal's willingness to defend his pride with a silent thanks. He shifted and turned back to the tub full of bubbles, glancing down at the last cauldron resting on the shelf. With a relieved sigh, he hauled the heavy metal up and dropped it into the tub, narrowing his eyes as drops of water splattered his face. Growling unhappily, he froze when the door opened and another Slytherin wandered in.

"Can I help you?" Blaise said quietly, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he glanced at his fellow Slytherin. The room froze as the student who had wandered in drew his wand and dangled it in open threat, eyes glittering with amusement. The older Slytherin mumbled something intelligible, his eyes glued on Ron.

Ron felt the penetrating gaze, and turned slowly, hackles rising as he took in the calculating gaze of the older Slytherin. A growl of warning crept from his throat causing the two wizards too stiffen. His wolf snapped sharp fangs in the direction of the pair, a rather mild warning compared with what was too come should they try and attack him. He raised an eyebrow when Blaise flashed his teeth in threat, however the gesture was pointed at the encroaching Slytherin instead of Ron.

"I suggest you leave!" Blaise snarled unhappily, moving forwards and grabbing the lapels of the older students robes. The whispered conversation had Ron shifting uncomfortably, raising an eyebrow when the older student fled the room. "Now where were we?"

Ron stood at the sink, mouth hanging open in shock as he watched the Slytherin calmly take his seat atop a desk. "You were going to wash the last cauldron?" He suggested hopefully.

"No, I don't think that was it." Blaise muttered thoughtfully, shaking his head as he withdrew his nail file from an inside pocket. Ron scrubbed the last cauldron with little thought except for his freedom. Heaving a sigh of relief, he tossed his gloves down and picked up the robe he had shed earlier in his detention. "Oh well, I'm sure I'll think of it later. Until then, have a good night Weasel."

Ron paused in the door way but shook his head and continued on his way, eager to be back upstairs in the Gryffindor tower, away from all the Slytherins and their strange temperaments. Pulling his robe on, he hurried through the halls, sighing happily when he reached the main floor and could see the sliver of moon through the windows. Safety was almost within his grasp.

Harry paced back and forth before the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room, his hands held behind his back. He glanced at the solemn witch sitting on an overstuffed couch, her hands clenched in her lap as she stared absently into the flames.

"You do know what this means, don't you Hermione?" Harry asked softly, his ears picking up the whisper of voices from upstairs. He paused in his pacing, head tipped as he waited for her response.

"I can't go into the library for two weeks," Hermione whispered, eyes shining with unshed tears. Harry snorted at her answer and rolled his eyes, only Hermione would be worried about something like that.

"Yes, but it also means you have to return my invisibility cloak to me. It wouldn't be fair to let you use it to sneak into the library when you took it from Ron and I for that reason." Harry stated, loosening his tie before pulling it over his head. The creak of the portrait opening had both Gryffindors turning and looking, surprised to see Ron step into the Common Room.

"Harry! You'll never believe what just happened! I was serving-" Ron exclaimed, pausing in mid sentence when Hermione launched herself at him, arms locking around his waist. With a shrill sob, the witch broke into tears as she cried out her story to Ron, unaware of the look passing between the two wizards.

"You fought with Pansy and got your library privileges revoked? That's a first. I suppose you better give Harry his cloak back, you know, remove the temptation of sneaking into the library after hours." Ron said thoughtfully, patting Hermione on the back and winking at Harry.

"How can you joke at a time like this?" Hermione wailed, pulling herself free of his arms and dashing up the stairs into the girl's dorms. Harry sighed and collapsed into one of the chairs before the fire, watching as Ron scratched his head and called Hermione's name in question. A large ball of fabric came flying down the stairs, smacking Ron in the face before dropping into his arms.

"Here's your cloak, Harry." He mumbled, handing the rumpled invisibility cloak to Harry, who nodded his thanks before carefully folding the material. "I suppose I'm going to have to make this up to her tomorrow?"

"Yes." Harry answered with a roll of his green eyes, standing and heading towards the stairs with Ron trailing along behind him. Reaching the sixth year dorm, the boys crept in and moved silently to their beds, crawling beneath the covers to stare thoughtfully at the dark canopies floating above them. "How was detention?"

"Horrible, the Slytherins get weird when the sun sets." Ron grumbled, dragging the blankets over his head and burying his face in the pillow. "How was the Quidditch game?"

"Terrible." Harry grumped as he pounded a fist into his own pillow, flattening the deep red cover while attempting to ignore the Stag's hopeful request for release.

Harry's words brought Ron upright in bed, eyes wide as he stared incredulously at the other wizard. He couldn't help but yelp, "You lost?"

"No...we played Hufflepuff." Harry muttered, rolling his eyes at the question, when had they ever lost to Hufflepuff?

"That bad?" Ron questioned sympathetically, laying back down and dragging the covers up to his chin.

"Yeah, I almost fell off my broom." Harry stated, closing his eyes when he heard Ron suck in a deep breath. The next question was quite obvious to him.

"You got hit by a bludger?"

"No, fell asleep. Dean got hit by one though, he'll be spending tonight in the hospital wing for sure. I thought for a minute that their Beaters we're going to go down and see if he was alright." Harry mumbled as he began to drift off, his ears picking up the soft chuckle from Ron. He surrendered himself to darkness, knowing that tomorrow he was most definitely going for a run in the Forbidden Forest. His soul ached for it and his Stag was fighting for its freedom.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and took the time to offer suggestions. Names are as follows:

Hermione - Ginger
Pansy - Gem
Ron - Ember
Blaise - Frost
Harry - Odin
Draco - Beau

NinjaoftheDarkness - lol, poor girl! Hell, I feel the strain of naming 6 fictional characters, I don't think I'd be able to name an actual person, especially when they have to live with the name for the rest of their life.
alasid - yep, Odin was the Chief god in Norse mythology. lol, I really wanted to use Nomad but I don't see it happening in this story.
rayama - I think Hermione got put in her place in this chapter, no?
MAnny2003 - Odin is the Chief god in Norse mythology, he was also seen as the god of magic, poetry, prophecy, victory, and the hunt.
Iredesent - lol, love the insult for our star witches. Unfortunately I won't use the name Thor due to the fact I had a dog with that name several years ago, we had to have him euthanized because of his arthritis. Love the name suggestions for Ron though...
LandUnderWave - Names are possibly the hardest thing I have to come up with...the rest of the story can flow so easily then I have to choose a name and I come to a dead stop.
BloodyMarry - lol, thanks for the name, but I think there shall be only one god in this story, it was a lovely name though and I seriously considered using it.
StarAngel Caelum SunSoar - lol, you learn something every day and thanks for the suggestions.
fourth-face-of-the-goddess - My, my...what an imagination you have there, you almost had me drooling.
MirokuLuver's Friend - lol, Unfortunately I've gone with the majority on this one.
Murphyangel – lol, glad you like the names.