Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

A/N: I'm so glad you are all enjoying this so far! And, of course, your continued reviews make me super happy. ^.^ I do apologize for the long wait, but school got really crazy all of a sudden, as did work. Hope you like the update though!

A/N2: As I'm not sure how animals communicate, but when the characters are in Animagus form, I will just be using regular quotation marks to avoid confusion. :D

Finally

It took Hermione two months to fully transform into her Animagus form, and one more to be able to understand humans. During the third month, Minerva would change into her own form so she could instruct Hermione on how to turn back to her human form. By the fourth month of lessons, Hermione could easily switch back and forth and could use human reasoning as a lioness. Her form had grown as well, now about the size of a large dog. She and Minerva could no longer play because one swipe of Hermione's paw could sweep Minerva halfway across the room. Today they planned on stretching their legs. Minerva insisted that Hermione's Animagus form needed to run around outside in the fresh air. They chose to visit Hagrid's hut, where they could shift. No one would think twice about a lioness emerging from Hagrid's.

"Are you ready?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically, her excitement building as she thought about being able to run full speed outside.

Minerva smiled. "Let's go then." She led the way to Hagrid's hut.

Hagrid grinned widely when he opened the door for the two women. "I was beginning ter wonder when the two of ye'd be comin' down. Come in, come in." He stepped back, allowing Hermione and Minerva entrance, then shut the door. By the time he turned around, there were two cats in place of the women. He laughed. "Shoulda known ye'd be somethin' like tha', Hermione." He leant down to behind her ear and she nuzzled his hands. Chuckling, he stood back up and opened the back door. "Enjoy your run, ladies."

Hermione practically shot out the door while Minerva followed at a much slower pace. The young lioness, using powerful muscles, covered lots of ground before she realized Minerva wasn't anywhere near. She turned back to the hut and could just make out the small tabby picking her way through the pumpkin patch, trying to catch something. She snickered, as much as a cat can, and bounded back to Minerva.

Once she was close enough, she called out. "What poor, defenseless creature are you picking on now?"

Minerva jumped, startled. She whipped her entire body around, arching her back. When she realized it was just Hermione, she sat, flicked her tail, and began licking her paw. "There was a very annoying bird sitting on that pumpkin, but you scared it away quite proficiently." She gazed up at Hermione. "In fact, you probably scared half the animals this side of the Forbidden Forest. I doubt they're used to a lioness' roar."

Hermione flicked her tail and raised her head and roared again. This time she could hear the scattering of small animals throughout the brush of the forest. She bared her teeth. "I'm in the mood for a run. Try to keep up?"

Minerva lightly growled and pounced on Hermione's back. "Eat my snow." She leapt off and hit the ground running, leaving Hermione standing there stunned.

"Why you little…" She flexed her muscles and bounded after Minerva, quickly gaining ground.

Minerva made it almost to the lake before she noticed they were not alone on the grounds. As it was a Hogsmeade weekend, she wasn't expecting anyone out here. Whoever it was appeared to be wearing a black cloak or blanket. She heard Hermione coming up behind her and turned, trying to get her to stop, but the younger girl sped past her.

Hermione briefly paused when she say the figure by the lake, but decided to take the opportunity to scare a fellow student. She hunched down so she could crawl towards the unsuspecting victim. A few feet away, she stood to her full height and roared.

A fully grown black panther leapt to its feet, growling. Minerva made it just in time to stop the fight before it began. "Hermione, back down."

The lioness hesitantly obeyed, sitting back on her haunches, but keeping her muscles tensed. The panther immediately followed suit, its gaze on Minerva, head cocked.

"Come on, Hermione. We need to get back inside. The students should be getting back soon." She started back to Hagrid's, but realized Hermione was still staring at the panther. "Hermione!"

Hermione tore her gaze from the eyes of the other large cat and followed Minerva. When she glanced back, the panther was already turning the corner to the back of the castle. The two women thanked Hagrid for the use of his house, then went back to the castle.

"What, or who, was that?"

Minerva shook her head. "I can't tell you that." She'd been sporting a smile ever since she'd returned to her human form.

Hermione let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. I'll just have to find out myself." She gathered her books and headed for the door.

"You won't find anything in the Ministry's records. Some Animagi are not registered." Minerva chuckled when Hermione's shoulders slightly sagged. "Oh, and I thought we'd start going over lesson plans starting next week."

"How do you do that?" She turned around. "How do you know exactly what will stump me and then turn around and give me something to look forward to?"

"I don't want you to become completely discouraged. I have no doubt you will eventually find out who the panther is."

Hermione opened the door to the staircase. "Eventually, huh? That had better be soon."

Minerva chuckled. "Go see what your friends brought back for you." She paused. "I'm also going to allow you to transform by yourself. I feel you have earned it."

Hermione grinned widely. "Really?"

Minerva nodded. "That doesn't mean you can roam the halls as a lioness, but you may play with your friends. I suggest the Room of Requirements."

Hermione looked at the woman incredulously. "I really shouldn't even be surprised that you know about that room…" She smiled and left a smiling Minerva, running down the staircase. She practically flew to the Entrance Hall, excited to see her friends. Wanting to surprise them, she hadn't been giving them any details on her lessons with Minerva. She made it all the way to the hall before she thought of a different plan. Grinning, she made her way up to her rooms.

Ginny swatted Harry's arm away when he tried to put it around her waist. "Nope." She grinned. "That's not gonna make up for it."

Ron sniggered. "She's right, mate." His arm was slung across her shoulders.

Harry pouted. "It was just a snowball."

"A very big snowball." She shook out her hair. "We'll just see what Hermione thinks." She looked around the Entrance Hall. "Where is she anyway? I thought she was supposed to meet us here."

Ron shrugged. "Maybe she's in the library."

Ginny shook her head. "She just came from lessons. She never goes straight to the library." Her expression brightened. "She must be in her rooms"

The boys followed her up to the Head Girl's room. "King" was the password of the month, so Salazar swung open to admit them into Hermione's rooms.

"She's not here, Gin." Harry started back to the entrance. "Let's see if she went to Gryffindor Tower."

Ginny kept walking. "She's probably in her bedroom." The boys hesitated. "She'll be clothed, morons."

A thunderous roar filled the rooms as soon as Ginny opened the door. A young lioness was crouched on Hermione's bed, tail whipping back and forth. Ginny shut the door quickly. Harry and Ron stared open mouthed at each other and Ginny, then the door.

"What the bloody hell is that doing in there?" Ron was backing away from the door. "Do you think it did anything to Hermione?"

Before the others had a chance to answer, the bedroom door opened and Hermione stepped out, smiling. Seeing the bewildered looks on her friends' faces, she cocked her head. "What's the matter? Never seen an Animagus before?"

Ginny was the first to get over the initial shock, running over to Hermione and throwing her arms around the older girl. "I can't believe you finally did it!"

Harry grinned. "I was wondering how you got fit so quickly."

"What do you think, Ron?"

"I think it's bloody brilliant." He grinned. "Now we can scare the little Slytherins."

"No, Ron. We will not be scaring any Slytherins."

The whole group laughed at the sudden disappointed look on Ron's face.

A/N: So, I would kind of like to apologize for the molasses-type quality this story has. I was rather hoping they would be together by now. But I suppose my fingers have a different idea. I promise they will be together eventually! Keep R&Ring, Loves! 3