Canis Lupus: Redux

Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me but the wonderful J.K. Rowling and last I checked that wasn't the name on my driver's license. So I'm making no money, all I have are student loans, and an ornery cat who thinks driving me bonkers is his lot in life.

One last note: I’m sure I’ll get things wrong on occasion, please, if you find something I’ve done wrong that you just need to nitpick on, send me an email and I will fix it. I can be reached at: thedarksynfullegend@gmail.com

Much love to my friends who listen to me rant and rave, my betas the CelticMuse and Darkwatch, and most of all to those of you who take the time to read and review my stories. Thank you.

Warnings: Action Adventure, Angst, First Time, Romance, Slash
Timeline: Set after Book Five: Order of the Phoenix. Canon until then.

Italics – thoughts.
. . . italics – flashback
. . . Bold italics – dream/fantasy sequence
Bold Text - Journal or Paragraph entry.

Summary – Harry has been working on becoming an animagus to spend the full moons with Remus now that Sirius is gone. Unfortunately he becomes stuck in his animal form and no one knows what has become of the young wizard. Fortunately, one Severus Snape comes across Harry and decides to adopt the stray. Harry sees a completely new side of his most hated Potions Master.

Author's Note: This story was posted before but I left the readers wondering and it was irking me that I didn't expand on scenes that needed it, and a few more things were pounding in my brain that needed to come out. So for all the readers who read, left reviews and commentary...and finally finished a year later...this one is for you.

- The Dark Synful Legend

Chapter Nine - The Rat is Out of the Bag

Peter was sitting in a chair having been bound to it so he couldn't move or transform while Minerva floo-called Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody the two Auror's she trusted. She told them that she had something they needed to see and that Kyrian was present. Keeping her tone even so they knew to call him that in the presence of whoever was there. The only one she didn't call was Albus, for she didn't trust him anymore. There was too much going on for her to do so. When everyone had arrived, she asked one of the house elves to bring refreshments, and a blanket for Kyrian to curl up on, having seen the one in Severus' quarters.

While Harry chewed noisily on a bone that one of the elves had brought for him he curled up on the blankets and watched the proceedings with interest. Kingsley and Moody were staring hard at Peter Pettigrew for of course they had heard the story of Sirius Black slaying him in cold blood but here he was in the flesh so to speak. Remus was the only one not staring daggers at Peter but was sitting by Minerva's window, staring out at the expanse of Hogwart's grounds. Once everyone had noshed on the ginger biscuits and tea, Kingsley produced a vial of veritaserum from his robes and administered it to Peter. Peter choked slightly on the liquid as he knew what it was and he fought against it not wanting to answer any questions.

"What is your full name?" Moody growled.

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Who were your friends in school?"

"Lucius Malfoy, and Bellatrix Black."

This was shocking to all of them as they didn't know that at all, since Bellatrix and Lucius were in Slytherin at the time. "What about James, Lily, Sirius and Remus?" Minerva inquired, for she had seen him following after Sirius and James all throughout school.

"They weren't my friends, but I followed them around to see what I could learn." Peter said in a flat monotone.

Remus pushed himself off the windowsill and strode over to where Peter was bound to the chair, "Why did you betray Lily and James?"

"Because I was ordered to."

"By who?"

"The Dark Lord."

"How did the Dark Lord know where to find the Potters?" this from Moody who was staring at Peter with loathing. It was his job to hunt down Dark Wizards and this one...he was devious and evil to have betrayed his friends in such a manner.

"I was their Secret-Keeper."

"Why wasn't Sirius the Secret-Keeper?" Remus inquired, the wolf in him wanting nothing more than to smash Peter's nose in.

"Sirius was too reckless and Dumbledore convinced James to switch it to me."

Harry was barely holding back his snarls of hatred, and the others were also watching Kyrian's reactions, but none more so than Minerva who loved those of her house and Harry Potter was no exception.

"Why frame Black then?"

"Because I hated him."

"Why are you here?"

"To spy for the Dark Lord and tell him the whereabouts of Harry Potter." Peter answered, still with that monotone.

"What have you told He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"Just that the wards around Privet Drive had fallen and that Snape was a spy for Dumbledore." He replied. "There was no information on Potter, as no one can find him."

Harry's eyes snapped to Peter at that statement and growled low in his throat and without any warning advanced on Peter. Oh, I'm here, Peter, and you owe me a life. You owe me YOUR life, and now, you're going to pay the piper. Peter's eyes grew wide as the dog approached him but was even more shocked when the others in the room did nothing to stop him. Harry slowly turned towards Minerva his lupine eyes shining with the desire for vengeance in his orbs and she shook her head ever so slightly.

That was not the answer that Harry wanted to hear and he lunged at the bound man, rage clouding his actions. But it was Remus who intervened and barely managed to grab Harry by the scruff of his neck. He could feel half of Harry's animal, the blood rage, the need to kill what had harmed those he cared for, the need to tear the limbs off and leave him bleeding. "Kingsley, if you would escort Peter to the Ministry..." Remus said even as Harry snarled viciously and fought to escape from Remus' iron grasp.

"I know just the cell for him. Shall we, Alastor?"

"Aye." The two men quickly gathered up Peter who was still staring at the canine in horror. It was as though he knew how close to death he had just come but the thought of spending time in a Ministry cell made him think death would be better. As soon as the trio had disappeared through the fireplace did Harry turn on Remus, his jaws snapping.

"Aht! Calm down, Harry."

I will NOT calm down! I wanted to rip his throat out for what he's done. I have no parents because of him. Remus, you should have let me eat him. Harry thought to himself as he paced in the chamber. Both Remus and Minerva looked on with worry. Voldemort knows that Severus is a spy. He'll kill him if he gets the chance, and I won't let that happen. I love him too much to lose him in this war. Harry stopped pacing then as he glanced down and only Remus would have been able to smell the blood that rushed to his cheeks heating them with the blush. When he was sufficiently calmer, Minerva let Harry out of her office and watched as he padded down towards the dungeons and Severus' quarters.

"Remus, what just happened?"

"Harry is a special animagus, while some have only one form. He has two."

"That's not possible."

"This is Harry we're talking about Minerva, anything is possible with him." Remus responded.

Minerva nodded, "Whenever something happens it is always Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. It is always those three."

"Its good that Harry has such loyal friends by his side. He's pack to me, Minerva. The wolf in me found a bond within him."

"He's a werewolf like you?"

"No, he's much more. He's a hybrid animagus."

~*~

When Harry returned to Severus' quarters he found the man sitting there sipping at a cup of tea with a strange expression on his features. He curled up on the blankets before the fire, chewing on a bone that one of the house elves had left for him. Severus on the other hand was thinking about all the things he had to do for the start of term which was right around the corner unfortunately and there was still no sign of Harry. He was still missing in action and that didn't bode well. Voldemort had been up to no good while the boy was gone, and Privet Drive was not the only muggle family that had been slaughtered, however it was the only way or so Voldemort had thought to draw Harry out of hiding but it hadn't worked. When I find him, I swear I'll do better now that I know. He was right when he said he isn't his father and there is much of Lily in him. Severus thought as he set the cup of tea down, putting his head in his hands. He found himself studying Kyrian, wondering about some of his habits. The howling in particular, the various vocal sounds he made, it was almost as though he was attempting to talk to him and of course Severus spoke to the animal never knowing who Kyrian really was.

Harry glanced up from where he was gnawing on the bone, growling softly as he pulled a particular stubborn piece of meat trying to get it when there was a knock on the door and it opened to allow whoever it was admittance. He was surprised to see Albus Dumbledore coming through the portal and dropping the bone, Harry's upper lip curled into a snarl. "Severus, Kyrian." he said, folding his hands over his robes while attempting to ignore the dog's growling. "Is there a reason he is growling at me, Severus?"

I don't trust you, nor do I have any respect for you anymore Headmaster. Harry thought, as he turned and padded into the bathroom ignoring the scowl that was on Severus' face.

"Forgive me, Headmaster, I am not sure what his problem is."

"I have made you an emergency portkey, in case you have problems at a meeting. You spoke of some at the last one when you made your report. It also has a signal for the Order."

"What good will the Order be if I am no longer there, Albus?"

"They may be able to retrieve some of the Death Eaters at least, Severus." Albus replied, "Perhaps you may want to figure out what is wrong with your....pet, he did not seem to happy to see me."

. . . Albus watched as Severus paced the length of his office with a permanent scowl etched on his features. "Severus, what did you learn at the meeting?"

"He wants me to bring Kyrian to him, so that he can be used as a spy."

"And you are objecting to this, Severus? If I may inquire as to why."

"He is not a pawn Albus."

"No, he is a dog, that I graciously let you keep in your quarters." Dumbledore responded, as he folded his arms across his chest and stared at Severus.

Severus snarled, "You are wrong, Headmaster, he is more than that, I do not want him to become a pawn in your game, which is what Voldemort is playing. He wants to rule the Wizarding World and we still have to find the Savior of that world or we will have NO world left." He snapped sharply.

"He is a pet, Severus, a mere dog that, according to a scan I did, has no magical signature. He is an animal and should be treated as such."

"You are wrong, Kyrian is a friend, a companion. I care very deeply for him and I am honored to have such a loyal companion." Severus spoke before turning sharply on his heel and with his robes billowing behind him left the office of Albus Dumbledore . . .

"I shall speak with you later, Albus."

"Of course, Severus. Good evening, Kyrian." He said in response before leaving Severus' quarters.

Harry who had been eavesdropping padded out of the bathroom and looked up at Severus, I'm sorry, Severus, but I don't want him anywhere near you or me for that matter. I don't trust him anymore now that I know what it is that I know. He's manipulated me for the last time.

~*~

Pain flared through Severus' arm as he gripped it with his right hand, hissing sharply. Harry yipped twice and ran into the bedroom to get his leash and brought it to Severus holding it in his teeth. "I am not taking you with me." Severus said. Harry dropped the leash at Severus' feet, lifting his upper lip into a curled snarl, a low growl leaving his throat as those blue eyes narrowed. "I cannot take you with me; it would kill me if something were to happen to you."

And it will kill me to lose you, Severus. I am not about to let you go alone. Harry thought to himself as he let out a pleading whine.

"Kyrian...if I take you with me..." Severus started.

If you don't take me with you, he will kill you and I will NOT take kindly to that. Harry's thoughts were racing through his head, I love you and I would die before I let that arsehole hurt you again, I saw the way you returned remember, and I am not allowing him to torture you anymore. Please, take me with you. He continued to whine this time more pitifully than before as though it would break through Severus' defenses and change the man's mind.

Dropping to a knee, Severus rubbed those ears, "I will not put you in jeopardy. Forgive me." Raising his wand, he pointed it at Kyrian, "Stupefy." he whispered, his eyes shining with unshed tears at having to hurt him, rising to go dress in his robes. Harry couldn't believe that Severus had just done that and fell to the floor twitching, as he couldn't move. He could only watch as Severus walked out of his room in the dreaded Death Eater robes the silver mask in his hand. "I'm sorry, Kyrian, this is the way it will have to be." he said, heading for the private entrance in the wall. As it scraped closed, he could hear Harry howling in anguish as he wanted to go with him desperately.

Struggling to his paws, Harry howled louder, his cries reverberating against the stone walls of Severus' chambers. Oh bloody buggering fuck, you bastard! You left me here?! He'll kill you! The thoughts raced through Harry's mind as he continued to howl, scraping at the stone with his claws, if you die, I will NEVER forgive you! His howls grew louder and more insistent and the Castle shuddered, the door scraping open and Harry without thinking raced through the tunnel and into the night.

~*~