Harry ducked behind a boulder as the spell skimmed overhead, white-hot and singeing. It sprayed across the rock behind him in a splash of white, turning it ochre and rancid as the mosses died. The attack paused, and Harry heard a low gasping breath off to his left. A greasy dark figure was curled at the base of the boulder.
"Snape," he whispered.
"Hsst. Find your own refuge, Potter," Snape hissed at him. His black eyes gleamed in the dark. "Perhaps your aim is to bring the attack down on me you spiteful little wretch, but rest assured: unlike your besotted fans, I will take no extraordinary measures to save your hide."
"I ought to leave you here," Harry said, stripping off his outer cloak. "But I'm not like that. I'll transform, and you can climb up and we'll get out of here."
"Transform?" Snape sat up a little, seeming startled. Then he sneered. "Taking after your family and marking every tree, are you? You Animagi are all alike. You think it's a solution to everything."
"Take it or leave it, Snape," Harry said, in a tone that Hermione would protest. "You can go ahead and transform yourself then."
Snape froze.
Harry added in the cold sudden silence, "McGonagall told me you learned. After you found out about Sirius."
"Black would have never gotten away with so much had he not had the audacity to attempt that in school!" Snape uncurled from his crouch at the base of the boulder. "If you know so much then surely you comprehend that it is not necessarily useful. No one, not even Dumbledore, can choose the form."
Harry bundled his cloak around his waist and drew his wand, nodding absently. "You can climb up onto my fur and hang on."
Snape paused, his eyes sliding to the left and right, as if seeking escape or guidance. Finally he said, "Very well."
Within seconds the dark shadow of Snape shrank and elongated on the ground, wriggling. It lightened and squirmed. Harry took a step back. At his feet was a writhing, silvery centipede, almost a foot long. It crawled towards him, rising up on its front legs eagerly as Harry backed away.
After a long moment, it darkened and Snape appeared in its place.
"Afraid, Mr Potter?" he said in a low, pleased voice.
"I'm afraid I might step on you," Harry said in disgust.
"I would not recommend it." Snape leaned closer until Harry could see his yellow teeth. "This particular variety is especially poisonous."
"I'm not afraid," Harry said, and hardened his jaw. To prove it he drew his wand and circled the complex patterns in the air. His body began to stretch and lengthen, fur bristling along his face, itching.
Then Harry stamped his hooves, tossing his antlers a bit, trying not to let the whites of his eyes show. But he couldn't help it in this form. Stags were fast; but they were also hunted and fearful.
"The more fool you," Snape answered as he seized an antler. He gave a slow smile and leaned closer. "Stay absolutely still as I climb," he said in Harry's ear. The ear flicked. "Or else I won't be able to prevent the bite."
~*~*~*~*~
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