#Merlenyn:

School terms are unusual for me, I'm from the other side of the world so my bad, our school terms are different. Hehe thought I did my research oops.

Everyone else, thanks for all the awesome reviews. Love you all. Pleas keep commenting.

Waking the next morning, Harry was momentarily disorientated. It was too light and it didn't smell right, then a huge snort and snore from his left made him fling his eyes open and look in that direction, heart beating fast. He calmed down when he realized he was in Gryffindor Tower, he'd thought for a moment that he was having a bad dream, he huffed at that, as good as a nightmare, he thought and rubbed his eyes of sleep. He looked around the room properly and saw all his friends sound asleep. He thought it must have been around six thirty, which was the time he had started waking up so he knew he had another half an hour before he needed to get up and shower to get ready for the day.

He finally clicked as to why Snape woke this early each day, it was so when school came round he didn't feel groggy for getting up earlier. He hummed in thought before rolling onto his side and looking out the window and took in the mountains in the distance. He felt the necklace moving with his body and he held it for a second before deciding he'd just get up. That way he had the time to wander round as Jade, before he was required for breakfast. He briefly thought he should wait for Ron and Hermione but he felt like his feline form was calling to him so he decided to get up.

Wandering around the castle this early was exciting, there were so many different smells and places to explore, so he reigned himself in and only wandered round for ten minutes and then hid in an alcove until people started coming in for breakfast. He didn't have to wait long and his little head popped out to see Snape stalking into the hall. He smiled sadly to himself, and despite what Ron had said last night about Potions, he hoped that they did have it first thing this morning, that way he'd be able to see the man.

"Hello, Harry Potter." A dreamy female voice said and Harry jumped in fright before looking up at the culprit.

Luna was staring down at him so he reared back into the alcove and changed before coming back out and looking rather worried.

"Morning, Luna. Uh…"

"Your secret is safe with me." She said and went to walk off.

It always struck him as odd that she was able to see things others couldn't, even more so that she knew that it was Harry and not a random cat. He was sure she hadn't seen him change, he saw her walking into the Great Hall and Harry followed her closely, coming to sit next to her. She smiled at him before helping herself to breakfast and he leaned over.

"Hey, look it's kind of a new thing for me and, uh, you couldn't keep it to yourself could you?" He whispered, aware of the others that were now drifting into the hall and began to worry his lower lip.

""Of course, Harry. I know it is something secret. I won't tell a soul, although I do like your collar." She smiled at him again and he relaxed and smiled back.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. Anyway, how was your summer?" He asked and she went into a detailed explanation of how she had troubles with some whacky creature Harry had never heard of before.

As she was speaking, he looked past her and spied Snape sitting next to the Headmaster looking sour and sipping on what was presumably coffee. He caught Harry's eye for a second and Harry felt his heart speed up for a second before he looked away as did Harry. He really hoped they had Potion's this morning.

"Mate, you're up early. Where the hell did you get to?" Ron said as he charged up the isle and sat in front of him and Hermione came to sit next to Harry.

"Morning guys. I thought I'd just get an early start you know?"

"No." Ron said miffed before stuffing his plate full of food.

"I do." Hermione sniffed and smiled reassuringly to Harry before grabbing some toast for herself.

They sat chatting quietly amongst each other before the Heads of House went about distributing their student's timetables. Harry quickly grabbed his and scoured the Monday classes only to have his heart sink. No, they didn't have Potions on Monday morning, and no he didn't have it until Tuesday. Ron on the other hand was over the moon and started thanking the stars and Quidditch players for the consideration. Harry rolled his eyes at his friends' reaction although he had to laugh at the dramatics. Hermione, as usual had this look in her eye as she read her own timetable and Harry frowned as he read it.

"How many classes are you taking, Hermione?" He asked as he couldn't see any study breaks at all.

"As many as possible, you know how…" And Harry tuned out as she talked non-stop about getting as much knowledge as possible so she was equipped for life outside of school.

Harry sighed as he looked over the rest of his week. He may not have had Potions on Monday's but he had it every other day for two hours which was odd but he guessed that with the extra knowledge and brewing they were expected to do it made sense that they had two hour blocks. He looked at his friends empty plates and then stood, they had to go back up to the Tower and get their bags and books before class and this reminded Harry of the short distance from the hall and the dungeons. He longed to be back there but it hadn't even been twenty four hours yet, he told himself off for being so soppy and decided that he would put these thoughts aside and focus on his studies. It was the only way he was going to survive.

As predicted, the day went slowly and the homework was immense so Harry decided to hit the library. Harry almost wished that he'd had a camera for Ron's expression when he said this, but Hermione was over the moon and offered to go with him. Seeing his best friends walking towards the library, Ron was conflicted but he decided that he'd go with them even though there was a chess tournament starting up back in the common room.

A few hours after classes had finished, and Harry was putting the finishing touches to his Charms essay that was due in a couple of days as well as his Herbology report. Ron had buggered off an hour after they started so it was just Hermione and Harry left but he didn't really mind. It was a good thing that he had Hermione's self inking quills in him because it took him half the time to write than it normally would. He thanked Hermione again for his present and offered her the spare one he had in his bag for her to finish off her own homework and was surprised when she refused.

He shrugged and sat there after packing his things away and let his head fall on the table, letting the cool wood soak into his forehead felt good but he really wanted to curl up in a grey ball in front of the fire. He decided that he'd head out of the tower just on curfew so he could wander the halls uninterrupted but until then he was getting antsy.

Finally, just as it approached dinner, Hermione threw her hands up in the air, stretching and announcing she was done. He smiled at his friend and dramatically applauded her efforts, earning a giggle from her as she massaged her cramped hand. They stood after this and grabbed their bags before heading straight to the hall for dinner. They were right on time and Ron had saved them seats towards the front of the hall by the head table. He was grumbling.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" Hermione hissed as they both sat down and Ron looked murderous.

"That bloody dungeon bat has only gone and taken twenty points from Gryffindor because we were having fun." He sulked and Harry frowned.

"Why what did you do?" Harry asked.

"Was about to play a prank on some Slytherin's and he caught us loitering the dungeons before dinner started." He continued to sulk and shoved mashed potato into his mouth.

At least you got to see him, Harry sulked himself and looked sadly down at his place setting. He decided to risk looking up at the man but he was intent of focusing whatever was on his own plate so he didn't look up but Harry noticed that he was frowning slightly. Harry went to pull his necklace out to hold it but thought better of it because he knew there would be questions that he didn't want to answer. Harry tuned back into Hermione and Ron, Hermione scolding him for being so irresponsible and losing the points she gained for Gryffindor. Harry winced when Ron said that he technically evened out the points and was then assaulted with a range of different tones from Hermione. Harry put his face in his hands; his friends could be really embarrassing sometimes.

Tuning out of the argument, Harry went off into his own space and before long, he found himself standing with his friends as they made their way back to the common room. Once there, Harry ditched his bag and went to sit on the couch in front of the fire. He decided tonight that he would get stuck into the Charms book that Flitwick had given him for his birthday and an hour into it he felt like he couldn't put it down. There was no way he was letting Ron get his hands on this book, the Slytherin's would be in serious discomfort with some of these spells, but he had to laugh at some that he read. Hermione had joined him at some stage, although he wasn't too sure and had her own book as she curled up next to him on the couch.

Harry yawned and looked around the common room, there were only a handful of people left now as the rest had gone to sleep and Hermione was heading that way as well. He decided now was as good as anytime to disappear, so he stood and stretched with Hermione and they both made their way to their respective dorms. Harry decided to wait a few more minutes and got changed into his jeans and hoodie before heading down the stairs again. The others who were in the common room were all preoccupied so he easily slipped out into the corridor and walked the length of it, finding himself at the staircases and quickly made his way down to the entrance way. There, he changed and went about sniffing the ground and heading outside.

He was too chicken to actually head outside though, from this height the world looked so much scarier and with his improved hearing he was too scared to advance in fear of being eaten alive. So, instead, he sat on the cold stone floor looking out into the courtyard. He felt the cool evening breeze rustling through his fur and decided to turn back inside the castle, he decided, just because he could, that he would head towards the dungeons. He only did this so he could feel the familiarity but he stopped when he got to the steps. He wasn't super small, more the size of a miniature fully grown cat but the size of the steps was a little daunting.

Hearing a scuttling noise to his right, he subconsciously licked his lips and went on a hunt, stalking towards the noise in a predatory kind of way. He was so focused on finding the noise, he'd neglected to hear some footsteps coming up behind him until it was too late and he turned to run after a tiny mouse but bumped into a pair of hard legs and fell back on his rear end. Looking at the black legs, he gulped and kept looking up until he saw Snape's unamused face. Harry backed up, even though he wanted to be curled up in front of the fire whilst the man read behind him, and went to run away as he knew there was a small crack in the wall no too far from where he was but he apparently wasn't quick enough and felt a hand come under his chest and his feet leave the floor.

He tried wriggling around in the firm but not too tight grasp but one look down at the floor told him he wouldn't be happy if he fell from this height. Therefore he stayed still and let his limbs go limp as he was carried up the staircases and along the corridor towards the Gryffindor tower. It wasn't until they reached the tower that Harry realized the man hadn't even said a word to him and he looked over his shoulder the best he could to read the man's face. Harry frowned but was then pulled from his thoughts as he was placed on the floor outside the portrait and the man went to walk away. Harry, in his desperate state to be near the man let a meow slip out but the man didn't stop and disappeared around the corner.

He was devastated. He'd completely ignored him and hadn't taken any points or given detention. There was nothing. He knew that things were supposed to go back to normal but was he really so harsh as to not even say anything. He mewled which echoed in the deserted corridor and changed back into his human form before speaking the password and slinking into the common room.

The next morning as Harry sat in the hall for breakfast, Harry stared down at his timetable. Double Potions, last class of the day. Oh joy, he thought. He was feeling a range of emotions this morning. Lost because he wasn't in the dungeons, sad because the man had caught him last night and not said a word, and confused because everything else was going on inside his head. He hadn't had the best night sleep last night either and had resorted to laying out in front of the fire in the common room so he was very stiff from the awkward position, he wished for the black fur rug to sprawl out on.

He was so dazed with his own thoughts he hadn't realized he'd been staring straight at Blaise Zabini at the Slytherin table until Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle started laughing at him and Ron nudged him. He blushed and looked away which only made the hackling louder from the Slytherin table and Malfoy accused Harry of having gay tendencies.

"Hey, you alright mate?" Ron asked.

"Uh, yeah, yeah I'm fine." Harry said flustered and not caring what was said after he left he stood and walked out of the hall feeling rather foolish.

Of all the people he could have fixed a point on, it had to be a Slytherin. Jade was looking rather appealing at the moment but he resisted and headed towards McGonagall's classroom for his first class of the day.

By lunch he was already fed up with everything and was debating whether or not to go to Potions. He had decided not to go to lunch and was currently sitting outside in the Muggle courtyard in his cat form laying in the grass, soaking up the sun. He heard a few people passing but because the courtyard was rather unfrequented he knew he'd be safe from most people, especially Slytherin's. His heart dropped and his mood soured even further when he heard the bell because it meant that it was time for Potions. He padded over to the bathrooms where he'd left his bag, and checking no one was about changed back into his human form and grabbed his bag before trudging down to the once adored dungeons.

"Look out, here he comes." Malfoy taunted as Harry came to stand next to Ron and Hermione.

"Shove off, Malfoy." Ron tried but it only fueled Malfoy.

Laughing harder and making rude gestures towards Harry, he looked down blushing at the attention. Not how he wanted the day to go. He sighed and turned around so he didn't have to look at the Slytherin's but jumped when he heard the door bang open and Snape barking at everyone to get inside. Harry wasn't looking forward to this and was currently experiencing mixed emotions about it all. He kept his head down as he walked inside and found a spot at the back with Ron and Neville, refusing to look up.

"Oi, look at him." Malfoy said not too quietly and Harry knew they were talking about him.

"Yeah," Goyle chuckled. "What a poof." He jeered and Harry slumped in his seat.

"Silence." Snape snarled slowly and the class went deathly quiet.

"I realize that it is the second day of the school year, and I know that all of you will still be dreaming of the pathetic time you called a holiday. But for once in your damn near miserable lives, I need your full attention for the content we will be covering today." Snape drawled in a bored fashion and turned towards the board and waved his wand.

"That means you, Potter. Leave Blaise alone." Malfoy whispered across the room and Harry hid his face.

He was mortified.

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy." Snape growled at him and Harry heard Ron snicker at the Slytherin Prince being told off.

"Now, as I was saying…" Harry tuned out, he already knew all this, as he'd read the textbook before school had started and from the other books on potions he'd read from Snape's shelves so he didn't really need to listen.

He was nudged in the side and he looked over to Ron who eyeballed him and motioned towards the front. He looked over to Snape and the man was looking at him expectantly.

"I'm waiting." He said with arms across his chest and Harry swallowed.

"Sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention." Harry replied weakly and the man raised an eyebrow.

"I realize that, hence the question, Potter. Mr. Malfoy, care to help out Mr. Potter here." Snape drawled, not looking away from Harry and he was beginning to feel very small.

Snape's eyes never left Harry as Malfoy started on the explanation to the question and there was something stirring in the bottom of Harry's stomach as they looked at each other. Snape wasn't sneering as such, he had more of an uninterested look on his face that was mixed with intrigue. Harry swallowed but he couldn't break the eye contact.

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Ten points to Slytherin for listening. Mr. Potter, you have earned yourself ten points being deducted from Gryffindor and a detention, stay after class." And he turned to his desk and the front, walking up to it and told them to start on their potions.

Harry sighed and raked a hand though his hair. Really wasn't how the day was supposed to go, he thought, but then again, how was the day supposed to go? He pulled his potions book out and found the correct page before prepping his ingredients and following the instructions. It seemed to be a relatively easy potion and he was pleased it was turning out so well. Before time was up, Snape got up and started doing his rounds starting with the Slytherin's. Harry's heart started beating a little faster as the man neared his table and he found it increasingly harder to concentrate, he didn't want to be told off and he knew that the man would point out all the flaws like he usually did but he passed. He didn't say a word. Just to make sure Harry hadn't been imagining things, he looked up as the man stood behind Neville and stuck his nose up at the contents without even acknowledging Harry. It seemed bizarre.

"Right, times up. Bottle your potions, write your name on them and hand them in." Snape growled and went to sit at his desk.

"Homework, by tomorrow you will have a two foot essay outlining the properties and uses of the ingredients used today. Be prepared, we will be brewing tomorrow as soon as you arrive."

Harry bottled his potion and then set about cleaning down his station and packing his bag. He had to see the man anyway so there was no point in going up prematurely.

"Try not to cry, won't you, Potter." Malfoy laughed as he walked past with his cauldron towards the sink. Harry did his best to ignore him, but the comments were starting to get to him.

"Oh, and try not to jump Blaise, yeah?" Then he went off laughing with his bodyguards and they left the room.

Harry looked over to Hermione and Ron who just gave him a sad look before leaving and he caught Blaise's eye as he walked out of the classroom. For someone who was at the butt of Malfoy's joke, he didn't look at Harry with disgust, rather it was one of intrigue and Harry frowned as he looked around the classroom to find he was the only one left.

Slowly he walked up to Snape's desk and placed the potion with the others and stood awkwardly in front of the desk, looking down at his feet. He swallowed hard when he heard the door click shut and he turned around to find the door had indeed be closed. He looked back round when he heard Snape clear his throat, so he looked up.

"We aren't getting off to the best start are we?" He said and relief filled Harry's body. He thought the man was going to yell at him.

"Could have been better." Harry mumbled and looked back down at his feet.

"I realize you were given the gift of tapping into your Animagus ability, however I have to warn you of the consequences of being out after curfew." Snape said curtly.

"Yes, sir."

"Why were you out?" He asked curiously coming to stand in front of his desk and leaning on the edge a few feet away from where Harry was standing.

"I just… I just wanted to get out." He replied shrugging and refusing to look up.

"Harry, look at me."

He did.

"What's going on with Mr. Malfoy?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Being his usual annoying pain in the ass." Harry quipped and Snape raised an eyebrow at his response.

"So I haven't done anything." Harry clarified, and Snape nodded.

Harry looked down again, tears threatening to fall down his cheeks as he thought about how bad the last couple of days had gone. He just wanted to be a week in the past where he was doing whatever he wanted and hanging out with Snape. His control slipped and a tear rolled down his cheek. He harshly wiped it away and Snape came to stand closer in front of him, pulling his chin up with a finger and their eyes locking. The warmth from the man's fingers seemed to radiate through him and he nearly sighed in content.

"Please, Harry. Keep your head high. Ignore, Mr. Malfoy if you can." Snape's voice was calm and caring.

Harry nodded slightly and Snape removed his fingers and putting his hands by his sides. He seemed to look around the classroom for a second as if contemplating something and then he got a smirk on his face. Harry was baffled.

"I would dismiss you, but you have a detention to complete." He said looking too pleased with himself and he motioned for Harry to sit at the front desk.

"Seeing as I can't think of anything to assign you, I am going to let you start your assignment. I will give you the rest of the hour then you are free to go."

"Okay, thank you, sir." Harry said, giving the man a tight smile and he happily got started on his homework. At least it's not writing lines, he thought and smiled as he scanned through his potions book.

Snape announced when the hour was up and Harry set about packing his things away. There was an hour before dinner so Harry decided he'd just go straight to the library and find the last bit of information he needed to finish off his essay. Snape came to stand in front of the desk and regarded Harry carefully until Harry finished what he was doing and looked at him.

"Please do try and stay out of trouble, won't you." Snape said, amusement in his voice.

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything." Harry quipped back and Snape raised an eyebrow at him unconvinced.

"Right." He said unconvinced and went to walk Harry out of the classroom.

They parted ways in the doorway, Snape walking towards his quarters and Harry walking up towards the library and he felt a little better about the situation. He understood that Snape was just trying to be careful but it still irked him that the man was his usual snarky self in the classroom. He sighed, and he guessed this was what he was just going to have to get used to. He raised a finger and brushed the area that Snape had touched, he hadn't realized when he was standing there that his chin was tingling from the touch. Just this thought made him grin like an idiot and he had to hide it before someone questioned him.

"Oi, where did you get to tonight? We thought you'd been used as potion ingredients." Ron said to him as he walked into dinner than night.

"Sorry, he had me writing lines. Then I had to do the potions homework." Harry sighed, lying easily to his friends and sat down with exhaustion for dinner that night.

"Well, sorry Harry but you've only got yourself to blame." Hermione chipped in as he started to fill his plate.

"Yeah, yeah." He said vaguely not paying attention to her.

His attention was adverted when he looked just behind her to see Malfoy and his gang so he looked away as quickly as possible and found Blaise eyeing him from a few spots down. He had a peculiar look on his face, and from experience he knew nothing good came from that kind of look so he looked away, willing himself not to blush but he did. Merlin, stop staring, Harry told himself but there was something about the boy that was interesting. He had a quick glance at the head table to spy Snape and he was in deep discussion with Dumbledore but did glance over at Harry for a split second, his face softening only a little before the mask was back up and his attention back on the Headmaster. That was enough though, enough to allow him to believe he wasn't about to abandon what had transpired between them over the holidays.