Chapter Two - Flashbacks and the Shadow
Two days earlier...
Professor McGonagall circled the large black panther, sharp eyes taking in every detail of its form. "Well Mr. Potter," she said at last, "you have achieved a full transformation incorporating your clothes. Well done, dear boy."
The panther, which had been sitting on its haunches, became a crouching young man with a faint pop. Harry Potter stood, straightening his glasses as they appeared on the end of his nose and giving her a small smile. "I'm glad I was able to manage it. It'd be rather embarrassing to transform and leave my pants behind or something."
After almost a full year, Harry had completed his Animagus training. The paperwork had been filled out the previous week and sent to the Ministry, but he hadn't quite gotten the hang of integrating all of his clothing into his panther form until now. His glasses were also rather hard to integrate, but after several attempts he'd gotten it right, impressing even McGonagall, who sometimes forgot her own during the transition to cat form. Most people who tried the Animagus transformation never completed their training because of how difficult integrating could be, in terms of concentration and power levels.
Remus Lupin opened the door a smidge and looked in. "Are you two done yet?" he asked, smiling at Harry.
"I do believe we're through," McGonagall declared, looking sternly at Harry. "Don't let me catch you misusing your new abilities, Potter. I didn't spend the past year coaching you in Animagus transfiguration for foolish pranks."
"Professor, you have my word that I will not use my Animagus form for pranks or anything ridiculous," Harry promised.
She smiled. "Then be about your business, Mr. Potter."
Feeling happier than he'd been in a long time, Harry joined Remus in the corridor. "I take it Dumbledore wants to see me then," the teenage wizard said.
Remus nodded. "Somehow I think he knew you'd finish today. And just in time, too."
Harry frowned. "In time for what?"
"Ah...er...I think Albus should tell you," Remus said with a slight smirk that clearly said I-know-something-you-don't-know.
Harry sighed and rolled his eyes, causing Remus to chuckle and ruffle his hair. "Don't worry about it so much," Remus advised. "You'll like it, I promise."
Harry made a slight scoffing sound, but smiled and continued walking. They reached the gargoyle that guarded the headmaster's office within a few minutes, and Remus gave the password (today's candy was Ice Mice).
"I wish I could tell my friends about this," Harry said as they rode the moving staircase upwards. "I think they're worried about me hurting myself or something."
"I'm afraid your friends must remain in the dark for a little while longer," Dumbledore said apologetically as the pair entered his office. "Please, sit down. Lemon drop?"
Both of them declined the sour candy as expected, so Dumbledore turned to face Harry in all seriousness. "This summer, I have reason to believe that Voldemort will be attempting to kidnap young Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger to use as bait to lure you to him."
Harry was not altogether surprised at this news, though he didn't look too thrilled at having his suspicions confirmed. He briefly considered saying so, but thought better of it and nodded instead.
"Now, the Weasleys are safe," Dumbledore continued. "Young Ronald has both parents in the Order, as well as four of his older brothers. As such, he is very well protected and it is unlikely that Voldemort will be able to get at him."
"What about Hermione?" Harry asked worriedly. "Her parents are both Muggles."
Dumbledore's sky-blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ah, that's where you come in."
The teenage wizard blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"Yes. With your newly-attained skills, you are fully capable of providing any aid she may require in fending off Death Eaters, as well as being hidden in plain sight, as it were."
"Wait, wait," Harry exclaimed, running his hand through his perpetually-messy hair. "You're saying you want me to turn into a panther and be Hermione's bodyguard?"
The headmaster nodded. "Ms. Granger will not know it is you, of course. As far as she will know, a rather intelligent panther was found wandering near Hogwarts that needs a home for the summer. Being a cat-owner already, and possessing a great deal of knowledge and free time, she is the ideal candidate for the caretaker of the panther. This will provide her with adequate protection, let her do as she wishes for the summer without interference, and place you well out of Voldemort's sights, should he decide to attack you directly rather than through your friends."
Harry thought about it for a moment. It's true, he decided. If someone did find some sort of big, smart, well-mannered cat and needed to have someone watch it for a bit, I'd definitely recommend Hermione. Smiling slightly, he relayed these thoughts to Dumbledore.
"I'm delighted you think so," the elderly wizard replied, looking very much as if he were thrilled by Harry's words. "Before sending you to the Grangers' house, however, I would like you to stay in your panther form at Grimmauld Place for a day or two. Remus can help you modify your behavior so that you appear as nothing more than an animal, albeit a rather intelligent one, rather than the wizard you are."
"Will Hermione be safe until then?" Harry asked, shooting a glance at the rather smug-looking werewolf in the chair next to him.
"The Order has been watching her carefully ever since she left Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters," Dumbledore assured him. "Once you take up your post at her side, we can reduce the guard from four Order members to just one, besides you. She will indeed be safe and secure until you have the chance to join her. When Remus and yourself believe your behavior is good enough to keep anyone from becoming suspicious, Charlie Weasley will escort you to the Granger household."
~~~~~~
Present time...
By the time the panther finished his lunch, Hermione had come downstairs. Lazily, he wandered in the direction of the stairwell, Crookshanks at his heels. The two cats made their way to Hermione's room, and Harry butted his head against the door to close it. Crookshanks lay down in front of the door, ears alert for signs of Hermione's return.
With a nearly-inaudible pop, Harry stood in human form and sat down at her desk. Pulling a piece of parchment from his pocket, he lifted a small whistle around his neck and blew gently. He couldn't hear anything, but moments later his snowy owl swooped through the open window and landed on the desk.
"Hey, girl," Harry said softly. "Hedwig, I need you to deliver a message for me, okay?" Hedwig offered her leg for him to tie the parchment to, which he did. "Take this to Hermione, but wait until she's back in this room. Go fly around the neighborhood first to give us some time."
The owl took off, soaring out the window and out of sight. Satisfied that the plan was working so far, he opened the door slightly and transfigured again, letting Crookshanks nudge the door all the way open.
A few minutes later, Hermione joined her feline companions in the bedroom and picked up her Potions textbook. Before she could open it, Hedwig gave a hooting call and glided in.
"Hedwig!" Hermione exclaimed, seeing the parchment on the owl's leg. "Is this for me?"
Hedwig held out her leg in affirmation, and Hermione untied it and gave her an owl treat. With that taken care of, she turned to the letter and read it out loud. "Dear Hermione. I'm sorry for not answering your letters before, but I've been unable to send anything by owl post until today. I know you must be awfully worried about me, but I am in a safe place and hopefully no one will find me before September. Professor Dumbledore says you probably won't be seeing me in Diagon Alley or Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters, so please tell Ron and the others that I'm fine. Hopefully I'll be able to send you another letter before September rolls around, but don't be worried if I can't. Current circumstances being as they are, I can't make any promises. I'm looking forward to seeing you at Hogwarts again. Take care. Harry."
Harry was rather glad that panthers couldn't blush, because he'd had no idea that Hermione read his letters out loud before. Thankfully, Hermione didn't notice his unease. "Well, that wasn't too informative. Though I suppose turnabout is fair play..." she mused out loud, absently reaching down to pet the panther. "Hedwig, I don't suppose you'd stay around for me to write a letter to Ron?"
Harry's snowy owl hooted, blinking large amber eyes at the witch and making no move to leave. Smiling slightly, Hermione quickly pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment and wrote a note to Ron. "Dear Ron," she muttered as she wrote. "I just got a letter from Harry. Apparently Dumbledore has sent him into hiding and isn't allowing him to send much owl post. I think he was only able to send one letter, and he asked me to tell you that he's fine and we won't be seeing him until September. You don't happen to have any idea where he might be hidden away, would you? Clues point to Hogwarts or Grimmauld Place, but he hasn't straight-out said where he is. Maybe he's in disguise or something. Well, if you find anything out, please let me know right away."
She signed her name and carefully folded the note, tying it to Hedwig's outstretched leg. "There, take that to Ron at the Burrow." Hedwig spread her wings, casting a short glance at the large black panther before leaving yet again, this time on a long trip to Ottery St. Catchpole.
Hermione looked down at the panther, which had begun a light purring sound and leaned into her caresses. "And as for you," she said, "I think you need a name. I can't just keep calling you `panther' now can I?"
The large cat rumbled as if in agreement, raising bright green eyes to look into her own brown ones. Inwardly Harry was feeling nervous, wondering if she would catch on to who he really was, or if she'd give him a silly mythological or historical name of some kind.
"You do look an awful lot like my friend Harry," she said absently, and it took all of his concentration not to give her a shocked stare. Instead, he attempted to distract her by nudging her arm with his muzzle, getting her to continue petting him. She giggled softly. "You've both got the same green eyes and messy black hair, after all...but it would just be too weird if you were ever in the same room together. Plus I think he might be a bit embarrassed if I named you after him."
Thank Merlin, he agreed. She doesn't know it's me, and she's not going to name me after myself. Spiffing!
"I think `Shadow' would be a nice name," she decided at last.
Harry blinked in surprise at the completely normal name she'd just suggested. Well I am her shadow, I suppose, he thought to himself, and purred in agreement. She smiled at him, gave him one last stroke along the back of the neck, and opened her Potions textbook to start her summer reading assignment.
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