"Merlin, could you alert a wizard to your presence if you're just going to show up here," he said to his older self.

The dog just stared at him, tilting his head and his ears twitching. Severus took the hint and changed into his animagus form.

"You need to come with me, and bring something to use for an unauthorized portkey."

"Why?"

"Because the month is up."

He scoffed. "We need a storm. I'm good, as you know, but cannot create one of those in Scotland in December."

"I know where one will be. In Brazil."

He sighed. It was … inconvenient, especially this close to the Christmas break. However, he could admit there was no time like the present to see her training to its end. And it seemed somewhat important she do so, if his animagus self was going to stay with her. He had no idea what things would be like next week let alone next month to put it off until then. And, doubtful his other self would remember every storm that happened!

"And Potter will let her leave? She will leave him?"

"I will bring her to you and then you will have to tell her to tell him that she's going to the store to get more supplies, and that it might take her all day to get everything they need. She's going to try to stock up before Christmas now before it gets closer and they might be looked for. Something like that."

"All right," he said. "I will need to tell my deputy headmaster that I have been called away."

"Of course."

He left then and returned a short while later. In addition to telling Alecto he was leaving for a short while, he collected some potions that might assist her if she had any difficulties with the transformation. He was assuming she wouldn't, but especially if they were going somewhere unfamiliar like Brazil, he preferred to be prepared.

It was … odd letting a dog guide him in apparition, and he presumed their final stop was near but still away from their current campsite. Severus disillusioned himself without even having to be told to.

Not too much later Ziggy joined him with Hermione. He couldn't help but … stare at the witch for a moment before allowing her to see he was there.

His mate. He hadn't physically seen her since being told of their connection. It was odd to think. Did she suspect that was her relationship with Ziggy? Would she be upset to find out it was him? He was Ziggy. That there were two of them.

"Miss Granger," he said and she gave a startled gasp.

"Headmaster."

"Ziggy has informed me that you have completed your month with the Mandrake leaf."

"Oh, yes, Sir," she said, glancing at Ziggy.

"And he prompted you to gather the other items necessary?"

"He did."

"Good," he said. He extended his hand to the bullmastiff, petting him. "Good boy, Ziggy."

"Go tell Potter that you have some errands to tend to for food necessities and what not. That you're going to try to beat the Christmas rush and those days before snatchers may up their efforts to try to find you in places so may be gone for some time."

"Okay," she said with a slight frown. She glanced at Ziggy he noticed who woofed. "I'll be back."

She returned a bit later.

"Does he suspect?" Severus asked.

"No, I don't think so. I told him I was going to do that and also try to scout out somewhere new and discreet for us to camp. Somewhere that maybe we can actually stay for more than a day or two. He has no reason to think I'm lying to him."

Other than the fact that she was, of course.

"Okay," he said. "I have an unauthorized portkey. Are you ready to do this?"

"Yes, Sir," she said. She was a trusting thing, wasn't she? Of course, she had Ziggy … implying he could be trusted. And he could be.

"Before I take you. Before we do this, there is something I must show you."

"Okay." She sounded … if not suspicious, definitely cautious. He couldn't blame her.

He changed then, staying in his bullmastiff form only for a few minutes so that he could stand next to Ziggy and she could see they were the same dog, scarring aside, before changing back.

He could see her mind working.

"How?"

He smirked a bit, pleased she came to the correct conclusion. The logical assumption would be that they knew one another and shared similar animagus forms, not that they were the same bullmastiff.

"He," he said, gesturing to Ziggy. "Is me from the future. May 1998 he told me."

"Why did you tell me?"

"Because before we do this," he said, gesturing to Ziggy again. "You needed to be aware."

"That's why you trust him," she murmured to Ziggy. Severus couldn't help but smile at that. 

Would she change her mind? Would she go back to camp? Would she continue to trust him? Would she stop trusting Ziggy? He could see her thinking, likely weighing her options. Finally, she took a deep breath and sighed heavily.

"All right. If you know where an electrical storm is, take me."

She grabbed onto the refuse bag he'd brought with him as he mumbled the word to activate the portkey.

She seemed to realize only too late that Ziggy would not be able to go with them. She apparently understood then why exactly he revealed himself to her as he had before accompanying her on this task. Ziggy would remain behind, ensuring Potter remained safe from outside the perimeter of their campsite.

They arrived, and Severus went to the area Ziggy had reported the electrical storm to take place. The area Ziggy suggested obviously offered them privacy, which they would need.

"So, you two have talked?" she asked, blushing profusely.

"We have. Since you left the Weasley's home, he doesn't come to see me as often as he did the week prior to that. He has told me things about the war, his memories of this time. Our conversations are not overly personal. I don't know him, other than he is me. Whatever you're blushing over he has not disclosed. He wouldn't do that."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I think Severus is fine."

Her eyes darted up to meet his, clearly surprised by that permission being granted to her. If she were anyone else, he would not do so.

"You will understand why I'm telling you that in a moment."

As Ziggy said, the storm came to pass. And it was a good one. He could understand now why his older self had remembered the news reports about it. She followed the steps exactly as she should. He wished there was something he could do to alleviate her discomfort and pain. She at least smartly removed her clothing, except her top and bottom knickers, so she wouldn't lose them. He knew when she realized what her form was going to be. That it was going to be the female counterpart to his.

Eventually, the mate to his bullmastiff appeared, and he stared. He couldn't help it. He believed Ziggy, because he couldn't fathom him behaving in such a fashion for any reason but the witch being their mate. However, to see it with his own eyes. To feel it in his own skin. It wasn't a tingle exactly, but his body was telling him to transform, too. To run with his mate. To claim her.

"You are beautiful," he murmured. Brindle colouring just like him. Interestingly, her left front leg was discoloured as his was when he was in that form.

She howled somewhat softly, and he chuckled as he grazed her ears with his hand.

He saw when she scented him and brushed her head against his thigh. And then she bounded away from him. She didn't stray far, but she was clearly getting accustomed to being in this form.

He watched as she got her legs about her.

Eventually, once confident she was okay, he changed into his form, joining her in exploring the area in these forms.

He growled when he scented her and her ears perked up.

"What is that?" she asked.

He huffed. "You are our mate." In this form it was incredibly strong.

She gave another howl, and he shook his head.

"What does that mean?"

"It means exactly what it sounds like. He said that he was aiming to come back to me earlier, around the time Black escaped from Azkaban. I suspect he was sent to you this past summer instead because you needed me. Him. Us. That someone thought that we could help you."

Silence as she dropped to the ground and rolled onto her back. He gave a snort, observing her clearly enjoying being able to play in the rain. She stood finally and shook the water, and mud, off of her before returning to his side. She nuzzled his shoulder, butting the top of her head under his mouth. She seemed to think she needed to do something to get his attention. She clearly didn't realize that it was very focused on her right now.

"Do I let him wear the locket?"

It was a good question. He truly did not know the answer. He knew of horcruxes, but didn't know anything about the item. Ziggy had told him what it was and what it did to them, but that wasn't the same as wearing it. He was certain that Ziggy likely wasn't aware of just how bad wearing the locket was to the witch and wizards involved in the hunt for the various items.

Still. She deserved an answer. And if Ziggy wearing the locket gave them some … peace. Well. It was not his decision to make, though.

"We will do whatever is required to keep you safe, including wearing a cursed item."

"But I don't want him, you, to be hurt."

"You two will have to discuss that. I cannot decide for you, or for him."

"Did you know?"

"Who you were? No. Not until he told me. I had no idea. He told me he only knew the day he appeared in your home."

"And you are accepting of this?"

Another good question. He'd expect no less from this witch.

"I don't have a choice!"

She growled then, turning from him. Her tail that a moment ago was wagging wide and fast, clearly happy, was now stiff and held high. He gave a low growl.

"That is not how I meant it. Do not run from me, Hermione. We are not in familiar territory. If you get lost, I may not be able to find you or to stop you from getting harmed. I just meant, the choice was made for us. You are who was chosen for me and vice versa."

"And Ziggy."

"Yes, and Ziggy."

"What if he can never shift back?"

"You are already … engaging in activities with him, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then what difference would it make?"

She was quiet, and he sighed.

"Hermione, we do not need to make decisions tonight. It was important you complete this training. That is why I'm here with you tonight. The timing wasn't ideal for either of us to be away so long, but it was necessary. I can acknowledge that. Let's win this war, and then we can decide a great many things. I do need to get you back. Ziggy can work with you on getting your experience changing."

"Thank you, Severus."

"Thank you for trusting me. I know what it looks like."

"Well, Ziggy hasn't steered me wrong yet."

"Nor would he - I - ever." He brushed his cheek against hers. She licked him then and he lifted his head a bit so she could get his neck. He couldn't deny he liked her … affection. "I am going to change back now in case you have difficulties doing so."

She did eventually get back to being Hermione, and she flushed a bit before walking up to him still in just her top and bottom knickers. She leaned in then, setting a hand on either cheek and kissing him. He was taken aback by the gesture.

Never in a million years would he expect this out of her finding out they were mates. That he, a form of him, had been with her for months now.

Her arms slid around his neck and she pressed against him.

Merlin, he could feel her curves, her warmth. And despite the night air being much cooler than it had been when they started because of the storm and her state of … undress. Well, she was warm due to just having changed forms.

She didn't draw away immediately. Instinctively, he slid his hands to her hips and then around her waist, meeting her kiss. Lips parted ever so slightly, but neither took the initiative to deepen it or do more than kiss. It was not the time nor the place, and both seemed to know that.

She drew away after more than just a moment. He took her in: face flushed, lips swollen, eyes closed.

"Definitely mine," she murmured.

He couldn't help but laugh. He couldn't argue with her, because he definitely knew now that she was indeed his.

"Let's get you back then. I know Ziggy will be waiting."

After she dressed, they returned to where they had left. Ziggy was, in fact, laying in some brush waiting for them.

He growled when he saw Severus brush his hand over Hermione's arm.

"Easy, Ziggy. You are the one who gets to be with her every day."

He barked then with a low growl of annoyance. Severus chuckled.

"Oh, this is going to be fun. She is ours , remember, Ziggy." The bullmastiff whimpered, brushing his cheek against the ground where he lay. Severus stooped, grazing Ziggy's ears with his hand. "Work with her on getting better at the change. Preferably when Potter won't see her. She is still deciding on allowing you to wear the locket. Perhaps you can convince her that it wouldn't be a terrible thing to allow you to share in the duties of wearing it. I told her it was a decision you two would have to make."

"Woof."

He stood then, returning his attention to the witch. His witch. Ziggy stood, too, and went to their witch's side.

"One last thing, Hermione. While we can communicate via Phineas' portraits, exercise caution while doing so. Do not reveal anything you wouldn't want to be said to anyone else. He is still a Black, even if he realizes he must be stopped. I would recommend telling me nothing specific about your plans, if you discover any of the other items, or the locket."

"I understand."

He stepped toward Ziggy again, brushing his hand over his ears. He stooped then, looking his older self in the eye as he cupped the underside of his mouth with his other hand.

"Take care of our mate, Ziggy."

He barked and brushed his head against Hermione's thigh. He took that to mean Ziggy would do exactly that. He knew he would if he was in Ziggy's position.

Severus apparated then, back to Hogwarts. A glance at his watch when he returned told him that he'd been gone for about six hours. Too long? Probably so, but he hoped he'd given a legitimate enough sounding excuse. Since Ziggy had told him who Hermione was to them, Severus had subtly laid the groundwork with the Carrows and the Dark Lord that he had a muggle woman he saw occasionally. It was her dog Alecto heard once in a while because he took care of it sometimes when she traveled for her job. Thinking of the Carrows. He just hoped that they hadn't done anything he couldn't fix.

Her first transformation into her animagus form. Done.

She now knew the truth, not just about who Ziggy was, but who she was to them both. Unlike Albus, he did not prefer to talk in riddles or keep things to himself. He wanted the witch to know.

He thought it was imperative.

Hopefully, not a mistake.

"Where were you, Severus," Albus asked when he returned to the headmaster's office.

"I had things to attend to."

The former headmaster huffed in his portrait. Typical. It wasn't so fun for him getting a taste of his own medicine!

Story ©Susan Falk/APCKRFAN/PhantomRoses.com