One lash paw slash. One last deep cut. And the leopard was still. His sightless, terror filled gaze staring blankly at the sky as yells and yowls became louder, a large shape slamming into the wolf, teeth and claws lashing at anything they could hit. But no blow could change the truth.

Harry Potter was dead.

A/N: Alright…if any of you want to kill me now, don't feel bad. I want to kill me too. But that last chapter was needed. It is very important to the plot. And, after a few suggestions from a very good friend who's reading this, I think you'll begin to like me again after these next chapters, and begin to like a new little cub as well! Also, if it says trail anywhere, that is bad spelling on my part that I did not catch. It is meant to be trIAls, not trAIls.

Oh, and for the werewolf scene, I suggest listening to AQUALUNG & LUCY SCHWARTZ - Cold, it's a part of the Breaking Dawn soundtrack, yes, but the music just matches with the tone and mood of the scene.

Don't forget to review if you want! I love reading the reviews I get. (although the flames…are just used to add power to a certain dragon that everyone loved for almost taking out the teachers in fourth year.)

"NO!" The yowl echoed in the forest as the much larger leopard barreled into the wolf. Caught by surprise, Ron hadn't a snowball's chance in hell against the teeth and claws and pure magic that ripped at him. As the others who came with him began to disapparate, Severus tossed the wolf into the lake before dashing over to his mate's body. "Harry? Harry answer me!" He ordered, placing a paw on the winged cat. "Please…answer me…"

Lily and Minerva slowly came over, stopping a bit away at a warning growl from Severus. Lily gasped when she saw what Severus was being so protective about.

"No…no not my baby…no…" No one noticed when Luna finally reappeared from the tunnels with Calix, the small leopard cub racing on unsteady legs to his fathers. A small mewl escaped the one-year-old at the smell of blood. Severus' head whipped around to look at the small kit, his gaze softening.

"'Lix…" It was the first time he ever used Harry's nickname for their son. He brought Calix closer to himself, sighing. The kit buried into his fur, the mewls of confusion and worry streaming from him. Severus finally answered with a small meow of his own. He didn't notice the three witches watching him and the kit. For that moment, it was just him and Calix. But as always, the world had to crash around them.

SPACER.

"Severus? Are you ok?"

Onyx eyes stared blankly ahead as the leopard sat on the boat. Calix was buried in his stomach fur, the small winged cub mewling pitifully. It had been mere hours since the fight. Mere hours since his claws had ripped apart the one who…

The one who killed his mate. It was hard for him to accept that fact. No, he still hadn't accepted that fact, not even when he saw with his own eyes the body. The sightless gaze, the claws that were limply holding onto the wolf's fur that had ripped out, the paws that stayed limp even when Calix nosed them. What added salt to the wound though, was that they could not bring his body back.

Minerva sighed as she got no answer from her former collogue. She understood his pain though. A small mewl from Calix was the only thing that captured Severus' attention. He looked down at the kitten before lying down, letting Calix curl up before curling around him, his furry tail shielding the kitten from view. He sighed, and or the first time in many years, allowed his emotions to show in the form of a whimper.

Minerva grabbed her wand, casting the patronus charm. A silver dove hovered in front of her as she gave her message. "The mission was a failure and compromised. We're coming back…but there was a casualty. Harry is dead." She told the patronus. The dove, sensing the sadness and urgency of the mission, wasted no time in flying up, and disappearing.

Unease was thick in Potter Manor as time went on without word from the Death Eaters on the mission. Tom was pacing, his mind searching frantically for the horcrux he could not find. Nagini and Vipera were watching quietly until Nagini tensed. Vipera shot her a questioning glaze. Nagini just shook her head, shutting her eyes and constricting against the chair she had wrapped around. Vipera began to worry at that point.

"Tom, just pacing around won't help any." Narcissa said softly. "We're all worried, but it's close to dinner time. Go eat something." She pressed.

Tom just shook his head. He wouldn't say it out loud, but being around Harry…the boy had grown on him. Like an annoying little brother, or even a son. "No. Not until they are safely back here."

"Tom that could take days, or weeks!" Narcissa protested. Ever since Lucius' death, she had become a mother hen to all the people who stayed with them. The younger ones didn't care, but the older Death Eaters protested lightly against it.

"It's no use mum." Blaise murmured, watching Hermione pace alongside the twins. "They're too worried." Even Alice wasn't her usual playful self, as if she could sense the urgency and unease. Draco was sitting on the loveseat in the room, Alice on his lap being the only thing keeping him from pacing as well. Crookshanks was beside them, lashing his tail and muttering under his breath.

"I should have warned them quicker…I should have stopped them…" He kept repeating the words, even as Alice petted him. Everyone fell into an uncomfortable silence for a while before Nagini twisted, breaking the chair like a toothpick. Hisses erupted from her as she shook her head like she was trying to dislodge something from it. Tom fell to his knees, feeling the same thing she did. He tried his hardest not to shake with the effort of trying to stay silent as pain crashed into him like a tidal wave.

Just as both seemed to calm, a silvery patronus appeared. The dove hovered over everyone before speaking out in Minerva's voice.

"The mission was a failure…and compromised….We're coming back….but there was a casualty…Harry is dead." And just as soon at it appeared, the dove disappeared. A few seconds passed before a broken sob escaped Hermione. Blaise caught her before she could fall to the floor, hugging her close. Draco's eyes widened as Crookshanks wailed. The twins hugged their blonde close, keeping Alice in the hug as well. Neville shut his eyes tightly, wishing that what he just heard was wrong. Hedwig and Vipera exchanged sad glances before bowing their heads. Even Bellatrix was silent.

"No…" Sirius buried his head in Remus' chest, shaking with held back sobs as Remus held him close, tears falling from his eyes. Moony howled inside of him, the howls echoed by Cresent's as Teddy hugged Vipera and Hedwig.

"Sirius, Remus, Narcissa, Bella, Neville, and Nagini. Go to the docks. Wait for the boat." Cracks of apparation were heard as Tom said for them to leave. He slowly stood up, his eyes glowing a ruby red color. "There will be time to grieve later." He told the rest. "For now, we need to plan a retaliation strike. We can't let him get away with this!"

Severus awoke from his fitful sleep to Calix squirming against him, trying to get comfortable on the hard surface of the boat. The Potion's Master carefully picked up the cub, setting him on his flank before flopping back down with a huff. His head rested on his paws as he gazed out into the water. 'Harry loved the ocean…' Tears pricked at his eyes, but he didn't allow them to fall. Not even when Lily's familiar scent hit his senses and her tongue rasped at his shoulder. Her eyes were closed and her ears pinned back as she washed the scratch there, gained from Ron's flailing paws. Any other time, someone would have found it a funny sight. A small cat giving the much larger leopard a bath. But now, nothing was funny.

"…why?" His voice was broken as he asked the question almost silently. "Why him? I should have been me that died, not him. He had so much to live for. So much…"

"I don't know why Sev." Lily's voice was no better, and her eyes were bloodshot from crying for her lost kitten. "I wish I did…but I don't."

"It's just not fair…It's not fair!" His voice rose to a yowl before falling silent again as Calix woke up, crying. Severus let out a shaky sigh before burying his head in his paws. He felt Lily shift and pick Calix up off of his flank and tensed, a growl rising in his throat. It was the last thing he wanted to happen. He wanted Calix close, to know that his kitten was safe, since he couldn't keep his own mate safe.

"Sev, it's alright. I'm just going to get him a bottle so he'll go back to sleep." Lily whispered softly. Severus quieted down, curling up into a tighter ball.

"We'll be reaching the docks soon, so just make it a quick bottle." Seth called. And for once, Severus hated magic. He did not want to face the others yet. He wanted to run back into the tunnels, to smell Harry's comforting scent, to curl up in the sun with him, or kiss him senseless in their shared room. Anything to feel something other than the pain. To feel that loving feeling he always got when around the younger wizard. To feel the twinge of worry that he always got when Harry and Calix weren't in his sights. Feel the slight anger that came with Harry's antics that usually landed him in trouble. It had only been hours since his little mate's death, but he missed that mischievous look Harry got when hiding from the twins and when teasing him. He missed seeing the love in Harry's eyes, missed the red tipped wings that always fluttered when Harry was angry. He missed him. Severus' claws scored the wood of the boat as fury rose to meet the misery and hate and sadness. This was all Dumbledore's fault. And he would pay.

Oh how he would pay.

Severus looked over the side of the boat once he stood up, seeing the docks, and the people waiting for them. His tail twitched worryingly. Even from this far, he could tell the two people he did not want to face were there. Severus hung his head as the boat slowly came to a stop. He leaped off of it, not waiting for anyone. The first thing he felt, as soon as his paws hit the dock, was Nagini curling around him. She hissed what seemed like comforting words while her tongue hit his cheek in a sad manner. The others slowly came off of the boat, Luna falling into Neville's arms and crying softly.

"We got the patronus." Narcissa was the one to speak, her hand resting softly on Severus' back until the leopard transformed, allowing Nagini to stay wrapped around him. "How did it happen?"

"We were ambushed." Minerva explained. "Ronald and Ms. Chang found it a good idea to attack, and brought others. Harry was facing Ronald and…we lost sight of them. He took advantage of that."

"He's not still alive is he?"

"No." Severus spoke up, taking Calix from Lily and cradling the child close to himself. "I killed him, and tossed him into the lake. We…we couldn't bring Harry's body back."

"That's the most he's talked this whole time." Lily whispered, being trapped in a hug by Sirius and Remus. Bella took Nagini from Severus, noticing how Calix wanted to be closer to his father, but couldn't because of the bulky snake. The raven buried his head in his father's shoulder after yawning. "We should get back. Calix needs a nap." Everyone nodded in silent agreement. The pops of apparation were heard, then everything on the docks was silent.

"Uncle Sev!" Draco rushed over to the group as soon as they appeared in the manor, grateful that they were already keyed into the wards. The blonde blur quickly wrapped the Potion's master and Calix into a hug. Confusion flooded his gaze though as he was pushed away, being handed Calix before Severus walked out the door. He blinked, watching the door slam shut. "Uncle Sev…"

"He's not doing so well, is he?" Hermione asked, taking Calix from Draco and bouncing the small, laughing child on her hip. Her eyes were red from crying, but she could tell that Calix didn't have a clue what was going on so she tried to avoid looking at him, keeping him happy.

"He just lost his mate. Would you be alright if you lost Blaise?" Draco countered. Hermione sighed and shook her head. "Someone should go after him though, to make sure nothing happens."

Both teens jumped as a snake slithered past them. The cobra seemed intent on getting to the door and going out. The black, sleek scales shone in the little light that was in the hallway, becoming brighter as the door opened and the snake left. "Something tells me, he's in capable hands. Or scales, in Tom's case now."

Tom made his way over to the brooding leopard that currently was taking residence in a large oak tree, two things held in the cobra's careful jaws. He looked up to Severus. The cat had his eyes closed, his claws digging into the hard bark. His eyes slowly opened to show unshed tears. He would not allow them to fall, he couldn't. He had to be strong, for Calix, and for the others.

"If I wanted to push you off of the tree, I could now you know." Severus jumped, finally noticing the snake next to him. He sighed, transforming and sitting down on the tree, his back against the trunk. Tom slithered over to him, curling up on his lap. He dropped the two items into Severus' hand. "You seem in need of this."

Severus sighed, glancing down at what was put into his hand. "Thirteen years, you damned bastard…" He took the cigarette into his mouth before lighting it. "And then you give me this."

"Just don't smoke around Calix and you'll be fine. Lily'll skin you alive if you do. But that's not why I'm here." Tom looked at him, onyx eyes meeting ruby. "You know why I'm here."

"If you're here to give me a talk about abandoning Calix out of grief over…" He trailed off, Harry's name becoming stuck in his throat. "Don't worry. I won't abandon him. He's lost one father, he won't lose both."

Tom nodded. "Good. Now, just talk about what's on your mind."

Severus sighed. He knew this was coming. He just did not know if he was ready for it or not.

Darkness. It was all around the small leopard as he opened green eyes into the blindness. The cat shook before standing up, glancing around and noticing a light. 'Is this…a tunnel?' He wondered. Light pawsteps were the only sound as the leopard walked towards the light, unnoticing of the cat matching him step for step. The leopard blinked as he came to the light, seeing nothing more than his own reflection. "Is this a dead joke or something?" He blurted out.

"No." The jungle cat jumped at the sound of another voice, looking down at the cat. She was sitting with her tail curled over her paws. The familiar form suddenly gained a name in the leopard's mind. Willow. Harry blinked, the name that he learned not even a day ago seemed so natural to him. Like he had known it since his birth 17 years ago. "This is a test that you will take alone." Her tail waved to the tunnel. "You have to make your way out of the tunnel to pass. You cannot come back through this entrance."

"What is this about? Willow, why do I have to do this?" Harry asked confusedly. What was the point in a trial if he was dead? That was it, wasn't it? Or was this a test to see if he could go to hell or heaven?

"Because, as I told you before, your first journey has come to an end, but your next is just beginning." This wasn't the same cat he had met, the young confidence seemed to be old wisdom now. Harry looked down at her. Willow was sitting calmly, her tail wrapped over her paws. The red and green wings were folded against her back. She even seemed older. Harry couldn't help but feel so young and naive compared to her. His gaze traveled back to the opening of the tunnel again and he sighed.

"What if I don't make it?"

"Oh Harry, don't worry. You will. I know you will." Willow's tail rested on his paw for a heartbeat before her image started to waver. In seconds, she disappeared. Harry was left alone.

'Well, no use in wasting time.' He thought before standing up and disappearing into the tunnels.

After a short time of walking, seeing that it was getting him nowhere, he broke off into a run. Harry followed the single path that there was until he came to what seemed like a dead end. "What the, where'd I go wrong then?"

"No where." The voice seemed to come from everywhere, but nowhere at the same time. "You have reached your first out of nine trials." Who appeared in front of him next startled the poor leopard.

"D-dad?" The stag grinned.

"So you do recognize me! Lucius lost the bet!"

"Gee dad, great to see you too." Harry deadpanned. "First trial…what is it?" He cocked his head to the side, much like a dog would. His wings fluttered anxiously, as if awaiting the chance to fly up if needed. Although, in what little space that was the tunnels, he didn't think that he could fly even an inch up. He began to wonder how a stag could fit down here! Then it hit him, his father was dead, nothing more than an image or a ghost. Of course he could fit down here.

"Oh! That. Well, the first one's simple and has to do with judgment." Harry could see the stag smile softly. "Merlin, you're just like Lily…"

"Most people say I'm more like you though." Harry admitted. "Except for…the pranks and all." His tail flicked softly before he sat down, drawing it over his paws. "And what you did to Sev…"

"How did you feel about that Harry?"

"Upset, angry, everything!" He blurted out, the fur on his back bristling. "I mean, I get that you hate him, but to do that? And then Sirius lead him to Remus during a full moon! How can I forgive you?" His voice broke off in a soft hiss. "…But I did forgive you, and Sirius. You both were young and foolish. And because of the stupid houses you never gave Severus a chance. If anyone is to blame, it's whoever started the houses, and Dumbledore!" He spat. During the little rant, he didn't notice his father's soft smile, or the glow that surrounded him for a time. "I guess…now I just feel like it was something that could've been avoided."

"That is true Harry. The only true reasons why I hated Snape was because of him being a Slytherin, and how Lily gave him all of her attention. Maybe things could've been different." He lightly touched his muzzle to the top of Harry's head, his antlers gently knocking his son's wings. "But on a better note, you have passed your first trial. You have shown judgment worthy of someone far older than yourself." Harry blinked up at his father, a purr rising in his chest.

'I passed the trial? Woah, maybe dad should've been a Slytherin! I didn't even realize what he did!' They spent some time after that just talking and getting to know each other again.

The full moon shone brightly in the sky as howls rose to meet it. Sorrowful noises filled with pain, worry, grief, and anger. The werewolf pack, led by Fenrir, were mourning the lost of a pack-mate. They barely registered the others moving about in their pack. A gang of wolf cubs lie sleeping with a fawn and leopard cub, they could feel the sadness of the adults, and in turn it damped their usual happy mood. Teddy was closest to Calix, the leopard being more of a cousin to him than any of the other cubs. None of them noticed the black leopard lurking on the outskirts of the pack though, keeping an onyx gaze locked on the cub. A soft, deep meow was all that was needed to wake the leopard cub out of slumber. His ears perked up as the meow came again and he bounded over to his father. He felt his father's tail wrap over him, soothing his wings against his back. A small purr escaped Calix, the two-year-old still blissfully unaware of the cruelty of what happened. He didn't see Harry's body, he didn't know Harry wasn't coming back. Severus picked the small cub up, taking one last glance to the wolf pack before heading South, not noticing the pair of emerald eyes that followed his movements.

"Oh Sev…" Lily whispered, knowing what her long time friend was doing. She only hoped he knew what he was doing also. She started a bit when she felt familiar fur brush hers on both sides. Moony and Sirius looked down at the silver cat between them.

'We can't just let him leave. He's part of our pack.' Moony's growl rang out.

"Moon's right. And where part of the pack goes, we go." Sirius said. Lily closed her eyes. It had been almost a week since they came back from the States, a week since her son's death. They were not the only ones watching the scene unfold.

"He needs us more than ever." Draco said softly, making his way over to them. "We do have to stay with him."

Lily looked at the young ice wolf, nodding her head. She noticed most of the younger group were around them, and realized what she should have known before. It hit her like the most powerful stunning spell. 'Harry's dead…and Severus took his place as the leader of our small "pack" as Moony called it.' She was the first one to move to where the father and son were curled up, far away from the werewolves and the emotions that surrounded them. He glanced up softly to her before dragging his eyes back down to Calix. Lily leaped silently onto the larger leopard's side, curling up on his flank. If Severus cared, he didn't show it. He showed nothing as the others curled around them too, only Sirius and Moony staying up and alert. The mood around all of them was somber, no one talked, they barely dared to do anything than breathe or occasionally adjusting their positions in their sleep.

Tom watched the scene in front of him with wonder and fury. It was thanks to Dumbledore that all of their plans were pushed back so far. Without Harry, they did not stand a chance in the war, Tom knew that. But with the young Gryffindor's death, he lost much more. Severus hadn't talked the whole week, Lily was distant with everyone but her school friends, the twins and Draco usually kept to themselves- Tom thought they were planning something though- and Hermione never left Blaise's side. The only two who seemed to go on as normal, were the Lovegood girl and Longbottom. It was strange to say the least. He would've thought that Luna would be the most effected. But the girl just went on as usual. He finally grew tired of their little grief session and walked over, red eyes glistening. "Severus, a week from now, I want you to lead an attack. We must show that bastard that what he has done will be his downfall." Only a slight nod of the broad black-furred head signaled Tom that the Potion's Master had heard him. He had no doubt Severus would listen. Anything to make the pain of losing Harry lessen.

Harry padded confidently around the tunnels that had become home to him. He had lived through the first five trials, only four to go. The second one held his grandparents, and something about healing. He had passed with flying colors. The next one, Cedric. Leadership had been in that trail and he once again passed. The fourth and fifth were tied together, pain and loss. Two people he did not recognize held those. There was some difficulty, but he eventually passed them as well. The leopard slowed to a stop as he saw the next trial. His fur bristled, wings flapping wildly as he dodged away from the attack.

"Your trial is hate Potter!" Ginny's voice rang out. Harry snarled. He waited for the smaller cat to land, then pounced, landing on her back with a paw on her neck.

"Too easy to pass, because I don't hate you. No, that would be far too easy." He snarled. "I loathe your very existence. What I felt when you died? Was pure rage." He was flung off with a well placed paw swipe to his stomach as Ginny leapt at him once more. Harry growled and leapt up, meeting her half way. "But you know who I do hate, Ginnerva?" He pinned her once more with his paw at her neck. "Your brother. For what he has done to my family, my mate!"

"I was supposed to be your mate! Not that dungeon bat!" She spat back, the hatred lighting her eyes. Harry's eyes were the same. Ginny tried to knock him away again, knocking her paw on the side of the tunnel instead as Harry leapt, swapping the paw that was on her neck as he did.

"No. He was always meant to be my mate. I chose him, my magic chose him, fate chose him. I hate your brother for taking that away from me. And that will never go away." His claws sunk deeper into her fur, feeling the scar he left when he killed her. His magic flared again, the pelts he felt before next to him were back as well. "As for you, as the leader of the Winged Cats, I hereby renounce your animagus form. No longer will you have one, even if death. You will not be welcomed with the others. You will be alone." The light that surrounded them both was blinding, and soon she was gone. 'I do not care if you shouldn't hate anyone. I have reason and purpose.' What happened made fury rise in his body. He finally had what he wanted. A family. And he was stolen away from it. His pawsteps were light and silent as he went on, as if stalking the next part of the trials. It was true what he was told, grief made anyone fearless. Yet, as the next trial came in sight, his fury began to disappear. He recognized the white fur in front of him. A pang of sadness hit him as the name finally reached his lips.

"Lucius…" He thought back to Draco and whimpered inwardly. The blonde had just lost his father, how would he feel about losing a friend?

"Harry. I'm surprised you've made it this far. Your next trial, is protection. This is not one that you can complete here, but one that you must prove just as you did with Calix." Harry blinked confusedly. How could he show protection if he was dead? Was he supposed to protect the others somehow from here? He thought of the possibilities, until his sensitive ears picked up the sound of mewling. He looked around, before looking back at Lucius. Next to the ferret, was a pitch black lion…cub? He didn't know if the cat could be called a cub though, she seemed a bit older, though she was still smaller than he was. "This is another who faced the same fate that you did, at the same time you did. Protect her as you would Calix." Harry blinked, and Lucius was gone. Leaving him with the lioness. Harry shook his head.

"Lucius! How can I do this? I couldn't even protect Calix…" He glanced down as the cub mewed.

"But you did protect him, if he isn't here." Harry shook his head. "Oh come on, he's alive isn't he?" A nod. "Then you protected him! Just as any father would, with your life. My name's Stephanie, by the way."

"I'm Harry." Harry said, thinking about what Stephanie told him. It was true, Calix was alive. He kept his son alive. But he still left him and Severus. He didn't know how long he was gone for, it could've been two minutes, or two years. He had no sense of time here. He was dead, so there was no need to breathe, no need to sleep, no hunger. Just awakeness, and a pull at his heart. Something telling him to keep moving on, to keep going. Without noticing, once again, a light surrounded him. He had to pass the trials. He could almost hear Sev's scolding voice.

'Don't you dare give up Potter!' The wave of affection that flowed through him gave him new determination. He would protect the cub, Stephanie. And after the trials were over, he would find a way back to his mate. Nothing else mattered, not even his own life. He would do whatever it took to get back to Severus.

"Alright. We still have two trials, so let's get going…Stephanie." The more he said the name, the more he began to like it. There was just something about it that clicked.

"One."

"Huh?"

Stephanie smiled up at him in the way that only felines could. "One trail. You just passed the eighth one. Love. The love you have for your mate." Harry couldn't help the grin and purr that came. If he had just passed the eighth test, that meant there was only one left! And the faster he got it done and over with, the better. At least that's how it was in his mind. He began to walk again, noticing how Stephanie stayed right beside him, trying to match her pawsteps to hers. Harry snickered when she gained a frustrated look. His pace was a strong, sturdy, and fast one. Her small paws couldn't keep up.

"Come on kit, we gotta get moving." He picked her up, ignoring the squeal of surprise as he dropped Stephanie on his back. "Because I have a mate and kit to see!" He yowled, the sound echoing in the tunnel. Stephanie gave her own yowl of triumph, and the two set off once again.

SPACER.

Harry didn't know what it was about this kit, but the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. Stephanie wasn't a hyper kit, just…informative. Harry compared her to Hermione and Luna, she had Hermione's smarts, Luna's humor, it was a perfect match. He didn't mind the company she provided either.

"So kit," He fell into the habit of calling her kit fairly quickly, once he realized that Stephanie was a mouthful. "how old are you?"

"Nine. Or, at least that's how old I was when I died. I dunno how much time's passed so I could be ten, maybe eleven or even thirty by now!"

"Oh don't say that!" Harry groaned. "That would make me forty-seven! And my mate around eighty! I do not want to think about that any sooner than I have to." He truthfully didn't want to think about age at all. It worried him. Had he missed any birthdays while he was dead? Had his gone by? Had many years gone by? Harry sighed. He wanted to go back, to just wake up and be back in the battle, to see the surprised look on Ron's face when his supposed dead enemy stood up and shredded him to bits beside his mate. To see the wonder in his cub's eyes as he told the story of the battle years from now. To rip Dumbledore apart limb from painful limb.

"Harry…" Stephanie's whimper broke Harry out of his trance. The air around them was colder, much colder than it should've been.

'Dementors? No, I wouldn't sensed them by now. What else could it be?' Harry's thoughts were trained on everything he knew. It was cold, but the ground under his paws was unbearably hot. He could feel his wings flutter and ripple with the muscles concealed under his still sleek fur. Something was different. Something else was alive.

And that was when he saw his next and final trial. Standing in front of him, blue eyes twinkling with that damned twinkle that Harry came to despise, was Albus Dumbledore.