Hey, so really sorry it has taken so long for this chapter. Life was getting in the way and I just wasn't in any mood to wright, which I am sure anyone knows means chapters never come out right when you try and push through. I have been doing little bits of this chapter when the mood struck me though and it has slowly come together.

So, finally, enjoy :)

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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

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Chapter 3- Show and Tell

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Wanting to be sure that no one saw him change Harry made Ron and Hermione follow him until the Burrow was little more than a dot in the distance. While he didn't plan to hide he was an Animagus forever he wanted to let certain people know first. While the use of a Ritual was…questionable, the most he could get was a fine for doing it in a Muggle park. While he didn't like to flaunt his money, Harry had more than enough in his Gringotts vault to last a lifetime, and that was just his trust vault. A 150 Galleon fine wasn't even a drop in the sea for Harry.

Hermione was still being quiet. Harry knew she wasn't sure how to talk to Ron and was afraid of saying the wrong thing, but it was getting weird. This was the first time Harry had known her to go so long without saying something.

Ron on the other hand seemed to be trying to take his mind off what was happening with his brother. "So, what's this all about Harry, and why are we so far away? I can barely see my house from here." Ron asked for what must have been the tenth time in the last five minutes.

It was starting to get on Harry's nerves and he was gritting his teeth the whole time, but he hadn't changed since yesterday and his skin was already starting to crawl. "Just stop asking already!" he yelled, being careful not to look at either of them because he knew his eyes would be glowing yellow.

Both Ron and Hermione jumped back, eyes wide and shocked expressions on their faces. At his outburst

Harry regretted it the moment the words left his lips and took several deep breaths to calm himself down before looking at them. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. It's just…" Harry tried to explain but couldn't find the words. Running a hand down his face Harry quickly looked around one more time to make sure they were alone.

Biting his bottom lip, his new sharp canines suddenly becoming very visible to his friends as their eyes moved to it, Harry sent one last glance at them before pulling off his shirt. If they weren't already shocked from his behaviour, the site of Harry suddenly stripping in front of them would push them certainly did.

By the time Harry was taking off his trousers Hermione finally found her voice again. "Harry Potter what are you doing, put your cloths back on!" She all but screamed at him. Her face was bright red and she was facing away from him slightly but was still looking at him out the corner of her eye.

Ron, having shared a dorm room with Harry for the last three years, was less effected but still confused. Mostly because he could see the difference from the last time he saw him "Since when do you have muscles Harry?" He asked.

Ignoring their questions Harry quickly stripped down to his pants and threw his cloths to the side out of the way. "Look I can't really explain this until I show you, so just bear with me for a moment ok? And don't scream or run, it messes with my head and believe me you don't want to see what happens." Harry told them, adding on the warning quickly.

Seeming to get over most of her embarrassment by this point when she heard the seriousness in his tone, Hermione moved to face him again. "Harry what's going on, your acting really weird?" she asked clearly worried as she moved to step closer.

Harry didn't let her get closer and stepped away, holding his hand up to ward her off.

Closing his eyes Harry's breathing started to pick up into pants through clenched teeth.

Hermione was clearly getting very worried by this point, and once again made to step closer, "Harry what's happening-" only for her words to freeze in her throat when Harry's body exploded and was replaced by his Animagus form with a loud roar.

Hermione fell back on her arse with wide eyes and went very pale, while Ron was just frozen in place. Harry chuckled at their reactions, though in his wolf form it came out as growls that only seemed to scare them more. Deciding that he would need to wait for them to get over their shock, Harry sat down and just watched them for a few minutes as they took in his form.

Hermione picked herself up after about a minute of just staring at him and made to run, her fear getting the better of her and Harry's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw it. But before she could get far and trigger his instincts to chase her Ron moved into her path and wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place while never taking his eyes off him as he watched. Through Harry was a little surprised, and grateful, when he noticed that Ron was avoiding looking directly into his eyes.

Eye contact, Harry learned, was another thing that affected him. He read up a little about dogs and wolves' behaviour and there was something about eye contact being a form of challenge and dominance, so Harry assumed that it had something to do with that.

Maybe it was something Ron had learned recently, what with everything going on with Bill.

Harry tired not to let her fear get to him, but the sight of Hermione trying so desperately to get away from him hurt.

She struggled for a moment in Ron's grip before he could calm her down enough to speak. "Hermione don't! Its Harry! He said not to run. Just stop." Ron all but shouted in her ear, his words finally getting through to her after another moment while he practically lifted her off the ground to stop her running.

Still breathing slightly heavier than normal, Hermione gave a little nod and Ron carefully let her go. The fact that Harry had made no move towards them seemed to help but she was clearly still scared.

Harry quickly change back to human form and gave them an uneasy smile, afraid of what they were going to say. "Sorry about that…maybe I should have explained first then showed you…" He said.

Both his friends were looking at him as if he had just said the most stupid thing in the world.

Eventually Ron was the one to speak first. "You think Mate, what the bloody hell Harry?" He asked, though the tension was broken when they all started chuckling.

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"You stupid! - Ow! – Irresponsible! - Ow! - Hairbrained!-"

"Hermione stop hitting me!" Yelled Harry as Hermione punctuated each insult with a punch to his chest as if to reinforce her point.

After they calmed down Harry explained about how he used a Ritual to become an Animagus. After explaining things to Ron and Hermione she was not very happy with him, as could be seen by her continually insulting and assaulting him. He could barely feel the hits but it was getting on his nerves and he was getting increasingly annoyed with each hit.

They sat on the ground with Ron across from Harry and Hermione currently next to him as she continued to call him an idiot. Ron was just laughing at the scene, which considering how down he had been since arriving Harry couldn't be angry at him for.

"Not only did you do something so stupid as to become an Animagus without us, but you used the most reckless method possible! And now look at what happened, clearly something went wrong because that…thing you changed into isn't normal. And you look different too, don't think I don't see those fangs your trying to hide behind your lips! What were you thinking Harry?" Hermione scolded him.

Harry frowned at how she referred to his wolf form as a 'thing', and growled a little with his lips pulled back and showing her just how big his teeth were. "Watch what you say Hermione, my temper is a little short now. I don't want to lose it." He warned her, his voice deep and almost a growl of its own.

His reaction seemed to startle Hermione and she backed away a little.

Ron quickly jumped into the conversation, tying to distract him and get his attention away from Hermione's words. Clearly he had picked up a few things from dealing with his brothers. "What exactly is your Animagus form anyway Harry? I mean I know it's like a wolf or something…and it's wicked, but I've never seen one that looked like that before?" Ron asked.

Harry gave a small shrug, his frustration at Hermione quickly fading as he turned to Ron. "No idea. I tried looking it up in both the Muggle and Magical World but nothing matches." He explained.

They fell quiet for about a minute after that before Hermione finally looked back to Harry and spoke in a slightly uneasy voice. "C-could you show us again? I didn't really get a good look before. If we are going to be researching tha-…your Animagus form, which we will be doing, I need a better look to know what I am looking for." She explained, catching herself before calling the Wolf 'that thing' again after Harry's reaction to it before.

Not seeing any reason to argue Harry stood up without a word and concentrated. His breathing picked up again and his muscles tensed, and suddenly the Wolf replaced Harry again.

Having expected it this time both Ron and Hermione reacted a lot better. Though still surprised and a little afraid they didn't scream or flinch away. It made things easier for Harry if nothing else. However, as they slowly moved closer to get a better look at him Harry realised something odd.

Harry felt no need to attack.

He hadn't noticed it the first time because of Hermione panicking, but Harry felt no compulsion to hunt his friends.

When he had been in the park and those Muggle girls wondered into his path all Harry could do was try not to attack. But here, now, nothing. Even as Hermione slowly ran her hand down the fur mane around his neck and Ron walked around him Harry never felt the urge to Hunt.

There was something though. A feeling inside his mind.

It took Harry a few minutes before he could identify it, and the closest word to describe it was…Pack. The moment that word entered his head Harry knew that Hermione and Ron were his Pack, his family. But not just them, all the Weasleys too. Even Bill and Charlie who he only just met, they were his pack. They had taken him in, treated him like one of their own. something in his new animal instincts seemed to recognise this fact.

It was a nice feeling, realizing he had a family. It was one he didn't have much experience with but was quickly coming to like. He could feel it in his magic, a sort of thread connecting them to him. Unseen but very clearly felt.

As the minutes passed they started to get more comfortable around him and the fear seemed to slowly fade. Ron even moved to his muzzle and started examining his teeth. Harry slowly sat down so as not to scare them again and opened his mouth wide, so he could get a better look.

Ron's face quickly scrunched up in disgust when his breath hit him. "Oh god Harry, your breath stinks!" He gagged, backing away a little.

"Ow!"

Only for the back of his hand to catch on the end of one of his teeth, leaving a small cut. Harry lowered his head and let out a whine as he watched Ron cradle his hand, Hermione quickly walking over to see what was wrong. The smell of his Blood quickly mixed with Ron's scent, sharp and metallic. Even though there was little more than a drop this close it made his nose twitch.

Harry was about to change back and apologise when Ron looked at him and smile. "Don't worry mate, it's my own fault. I should know better than to put my hand in the mouth of a…whatever it is you are." He said. Hermione pulled a hankie out of her pocked and wrapping it around Ron's hand to use as a bandage.

Seeing that Ron was ok and feeling a little playful, Harry leaned forward and licked Hermione's face. "EWW! Harry that's degusting! I'm covered in drool!" Hermione squeaked, trying to wipe said drool off with little success.

Ron started laughing at her misfortune, at least until Harry did the same to him. "Oh God Harry! This is just wrong!" He complained loudly, though there was still a smile on his face.

Hermione had a frown on her face, but Harry could see that she was trying to hide a smile behind it. "So, Harry, how fast are you like this anyway? The more details I know the easier it will be to narrow down what you are." She explained.

Getting to his feet Harry looked down at them for a moment before turning around and started running a large circle around them, kicking up clumps of dirt as his paws hit the ground. As said before, Harry was not very fast in his Wolf form, slower than a horse but faster then what the average human can run. It was large, heavy and if he was running too fast almost impossible to make a sharp turn which was why the circle he was running was so big. He wasn't slow, but it was nothing special. However, Harry made up for it with pure stamina and strength.

It seemed no matter how long he ran for Harry just didn't get tired or slow down. After about 30 minutes of running Hermione called for him to stop, both She and Ron having sat back down at some point during his run. Skidding to a stop, and leaving four trenches in the dirt in the process, Harry walked back over to them and lay down.

He wasn't even panting, something that Hermione took notice of instantly. "Well your basic movements are definitely wolf like. Though I can also see some resemblance to a lion too. You're not overly fast but your stamina is incredible just like most wolves." She explained.

Ron sent her a confused look. "What do you mean?" He asked.

Letting out a sigh Hermione turned to face Ron with a slight frown at his ignorance. "Wolves while very proficient predators are not considered overly fast. Their main advantage is stamina and the ability to hunt as a pack and coordinate while hunting. They wear down their prey, box it in and then go for either the throat to kill or the legs to hobble so it is easier to kill. They work as a team and overwhelm their prey." She explained

Both Ron and Harry could only stare at her for a moment, slowly blinking, before the red head voiced what they were both thinking. "You know everything! How is it you know everything!" he yelled before they all laughed.

The good mood didn't last long though as Hermione once again seemed to be thinking about something, a frown on her face. "But the thing is you're also clearly not a normal wolf. I just don't understand it! Not only are you a lot larger than any known species, you have clear traits from other animals. A stocky build around your shoulders and chest like a bear, a lion like main…don't get me started on those teeth of yours. Their practically prehistoric!" said a frustrated Hermione, looking ready to start pulling her hair out by the end.

Ron didn't seem worried and just grinned at Harry. "Who cares? Harry's Animagus form is badass. Maybe I should do the Ritual too? See what I get?" Ron asked seriously.

However, it didn't last long as Hermione leaned over and smacked him in the back of the head. "Don't be stupid Ron, you are not performing that Ritual. In case you haven't notice something isn't right here. The Animagus Transformation allows a Witch or Wizards to turn into an animal, the animal that is most natural to them. It's not supposed to be an amalgamation of several animals or effect their human appearance and behaviour." Explained Hermione with another frown.

Ron wasn't to be discouraged though. "So, what, Harry hit a growth spurt and is building muscle. How is that a bad thing?" He asked with a frown, though Harry noted he wasn't meeting Hermione's eyes.

Harry just lay there and watched as the two continued to argue.

Hermione was almost glaring at Ron now. "What about his behaviour? Harry said it himself his temper is shorter than it used to be. Not to mention he can't go long without changing without it messing with his head. Then there is this odd…whatever it is that he used against Bill without even knowing it. Ron, you know as well as I do that something is wrong with Harry's Animagus form!" She tried to reason with the red head.

However, it was then that Ron seemed to reach his breaking point and jumped to his feet. "But it's the fastest way to do it! The sooner I become an Animagus the soon I can help…Bill." Ron quickly lost his steam by the end, and fell back to the ground with his head low.

Hermione also seemed to calm down and looked at Ron sadly. "I though Gringotts has a safe place they can provide him to change?" She asked quietly.

Ron ran a hand over his face. "They do but…they'll lock him in a room with other werewolves that work for them and leave them in their until he changes back! I know it's the safest thing to do, but he's my brother. They also say that using the Wolfsbane Potion to control the wolf during the full moon can have side effects on the human body. You saw how Lupin looked so weak all the time? That's because he completely rejects his wolf and chains it up during the full moon with the Potion." He explained.

Clearly Ron had been doing his research. Both Harry and Hermione were impressed.

Before either could comment Ron continued. "You don't get it, Bill…Bill was always there for me. I'm the youngest son of a family with 7 kids, and the one born a year before my sister. Mum always wanted a girl, I think it's the only reason she had so many of us in the first place. Don't get me wrong I know she loves us but…I was just never really…but Bill was always there for me, for all of us. He was always looking out for use, helping my parents look after us. Even when he left home and started working he still helps mum and dad with the bills. He deserves better then to be treated like an animal!" Ron explained, tears gathering in his eyes before his fist hit the ground with a dull thud at the end.

It suddenly made sense why Ron was so eager to become an Animagus regardless of the risk. While it was unclear why, Werewolves didn't attack Animagus while in their animal form unless they attacked first, even if they didn't take the Wolfsbane Potion. Both Remus and Sirius had said how much it helped during the full moon. There was also a theory, though no one had ever really proven it, that Animagus were immune to a Werewolf Bite. No one was stupid enough to let themselves be bitten to test it.

Deciding he needed to talk Harry changed back into his human form, taking a moment to stretch. It always made him a little stiff when he changed back into human form.

When he felt relatively comfortable again Harry looked to Ron with a serious expression on his face. "I think Hermione might be right Ron. While I don't regret doing the Ritual something clearly isn't how it's supposed to be. I don't think you should do it. We just don't know enough about Rituals." Harry said, trying to explain his reasoning.

When he saw Ron's face turn red and the frown on his lips, Harry quickly spoke again before his friend lost his temper. "At least not until we know what went wrong. I can send a letter to Sirius and ask him for advice, he's from an old magical family after all so maybe he knows something about Rituals." Harry reasoned.

It seemed to be enough to defuse Ron's temper, though Hermione didn't look happy about it. Luckily, she didn't say anything, seeming to understand that it was a sensitive subject for Ron with everything happening with Bill. Harry didn't miss the odd look Ron suddenly got on his face though, at the mention of Sirius.

He could see the red head debating something before he spoke. "I know this doesn't come up much, you know with how we act. But my family is Pureblood too you know." Ron finally said, shocking both Harry and Hermione at what he was suggesting.

Hermione, being the ever curios one of the three, was the first to speak. "What…are you saying? Ron do you know anything about Rituals?" Harry could hear the accusation in her voice, though it was more for Ron not saying anything before then the fact he knew it.

Harry could practically smell how uncomfortable Ron was now. The fact he and his family are 'Pureblood' had always been a touchy subject for the Weasleys. While most seemed to be proud and lord it over other, the red heads seemed to think of it more with shame.

Letting out a sigh and running his hand down his face, Ron gave a little shrug of his shoulders. "All Pureblood families know about Rituals. It was the only way to use magic before Wands were invented. All the different Families specialised, secrete Rituals passed down only to family. The Weasley Family used to specialise in Enhancement Rituals, enchanting objects, and such. Its why dad is so good at making things, Bill such a good curse breaker…even Fred and Gorge with their joke stuff. It's kind of carried over." Ron started to explain, not looking at either of them.

"Mums side were Beat Teamers, they used Rituals to bind animals to their will. Some say they were the ones to breed the first Owls used for post, and even formed the first familiar bone. Mum was never really into it, but Bill took after that side of the family more then anyone." He continued.

Harry could seem Hermione was itching to take notes, and ask a million questions, so he quickly spoke before she could et started. "So, I guess you know more about this stuff then either of us, what can you tell me about the Rituals I used?" he asked.

Seeming to think it over for a moment, Ron frowned in deep thought as he faces took in a look Harry had often seen Hermione use when lecturing them about some random topic. "Well…Rituals are all about symbolism, the meaning behind everything. Like the fact you used Dragon Bone and Unicorn Earwax. Dragons represent the peak predatory nature, while Unicorns Prey Nature. They are complete opposites and together symbolise all animal nature. They were used a lot for the Rituals Mom's side used. After that the Ruins you used are like instructions, they direct the magic. Like how we used wand movement and words to cast spells with a wand. They give the magic its Intent. The Full Moon is a natural amplifier, adding extra power to the Ritual. That's used more on Dad's side, but its basically the same thing." Ron explained, getting more confidant as he spoke.

Ron finally looked up at Harry at this point. "The triangle, what direction were the three points set?" he asked.

Harry thought about it for a moment, only to realised he didn't know. There had been nothing in the instructions about the direction the triangle needed to point. "I…I'm not sure." He said, unsure of himself now.

A look of surprise crossed Ron's face. "Bloody hell Harry! Every little thing has meaning with Rituals, even the slightest mistake causes the whole thing to blow up in your face…literally!" He practically yelled.

Taking a few deep breaths Ron shook his head before continuing, partly muttering to himself. "Ok, so I think I can work this out. Air is East, Fire is South, Water is West, and Earth is North. You're not a fish, so you not West. Same with East since you're not a bird. If it was South, you'd be dead. Fire has no direct symbolism with animals so it would have killed you instantly. That leaves North, since you're a land-based animal. While your form is some kind of…chimera, between several different animals they are still land-based. No wings or gills. So, the head of the triangle could only be set in dead North." The red head concluded.

Harry wasn't sure what to think at the moment. He had never seen for heard Ron so…intelligent? He sounded a lot like Hermione, it was a little weird.

Unaware of Harry's inner thought Ron turned back to Harry and asked a different question. "What Sacrifice did you place at which point?"

Harry was relieved he could answer this time. He hadn't told them what he had offered yet though, it had seemed a little personal. "My Hogwarts expectance letter at the head. An old plastic army man toy I had as a kid on the left of that and a picture of my parents holding me as a baby on the right." He admitted, a little embarrassed.

Ron's frown wet even deeper in thought as he heard this, his hand moving to the points of an invisible triangle as he mutter to himself. "So, the Army man would represent the Past, your childhood. An old, probably worn out toy actually could accurately represent how you were treated growing up, your will to be strong enough to fight against it. By Sacrificing it you are saying you symbolically using your abusive childhood to represent who you were. The Hogwarts Letter at the head would be the Present. The letter was your escape, set you free of the Dursleys. Freedom…it's a very animalistic symbol, you are lucky it fits with the purpose of the Ritual. The letter set you free of your abusive relatives. Last is the Picture, representing the Future. If I had to guess I would say the main Symbolism is Family. You've never had a real family, the picture set in the future is like you wishing for family." He said, not even seeming to remember Harry or Hermione were there.

"All three Sacrifices are related to your family…its like Hermione said, Wolves are Pack animals, there strength is in numbers, their family. It makes sense that your main form is a wolf actually when you think about it like that." He finished.

Ron also finally seeming to notice the looks both Harry and Hermione were sending him, a large blush covering his cheeks. "What? I can't be good at something other then chess? Dad always said I'm good at understanding the Symbolism behind Rituals. Its not that hard to work it out." he said defensively.

Unable to keep the grin off his face, a laugh escaping his lips. "Ron you are absolutely brilliant, you know that?" Harry said, making Ron blush even more.

"I have to admit, I am impressed Ronald. I never knew you could be so…knowledgeable, at least about something that isn't chess or Quidditch." Hermione added on, smiling. Though Harry knew that at some point she would be milking the red head for everything he knew. She would probably also quiz him about other things as well, to make sure he didn't have any other hidden knowledge.

Ron's blush started to spread down his neck at this point, and he was pointedly not looking at either of them again in embarrassment. "Oh, shut up you two, like I said its not a big deal. Not even useful since Rituals are hardly used anymore." He muttered, before turning serious again.

"Anyway, based on everything you told me Harry, something is missing." Ron said, getting confused looks from both Harry and Hermione.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Well, while a there was a lot of luck involved, from what I can tell you did everything right. The Symbolise and Placement of the Sacrifices fit, and if you got the Ruins wrong, you'd be dead from the Magic backlash. Like how Seamus' spells used to blow up in his face, only bigger and with more blood and guts spraying everywhere. But something didn't fit, throwing off the Rituals slightly. Not enough to have it blow up in your face, but enough to knock the magic slightly sideways. Can you think of anything? Probably something magical not part of the Ritual itself, like your Wand?" he asked.

This time it was Harry's turn to frown as he thought back over everything that happened during the Ritual. He didn't even notice his hand moving up to his scar as he remembered the pain in his head. "Well…my scar was burning again, but it was different then the other times." Harry said.

Hermione looked very pale when he said this, eye widening in worry. But Ron was still stuck in his analysis, muttering to himself again. "Its possible…no one ever survived the Killing Curse before, it could have left some kind of residue, or an imprint. No one would even think to look for it. So, if you add the possible residue of the Killing Curse to a Ritual dealing with animals and transformation…I guess the symbolism is death…or exaggerated predator traits. So, I guess if you take the basic form of a Wolf and make it more deadly, a better predator, you could get Harry's Animagus form." Ron finally concluded, seeming a little pound of himself.

At least until his own words hit him and he paled.

All three teens shared a worried look.

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They stayed out for another few hours. Hermione insisted on Harry changing several times so she could see the way he changed and had him run around again both in wolf and Human form. Though he didn't have the chance to check it for himself before now they were able to confirm that he could run longer while in Human form then he should be able to like when in Wolf form. She also had him demonstrate the range of sounds he could make in wolf form, growls, howls, and roars.

The roars were what seemed to worry her most, simply because it should have been impossible for a Wolfs vocal cords to produce such a sound.

Hermione said at some point she wanted to examine his Wolf more closely and take measurements. She also wanted to do the same for his Human form while it was still rapidly changing so she could document it. Harry would be surprised if she had an entire book written on him by the end of it.

But eventually they needed to head back towards the Burrow for lunch. So, Harry put his cloths back on and they quickly made their way back in time for lunch.

It was an unusually quiet affair for the Weasley household. But given the circumstances Harry could understand. Bill still looked pale, his eyes darting to follow the slightest movement and his hands would start shacking randomly. Whenever it got too bad one of the other Weasley's would quickly move to help him. Laying a comforting hand on his shoulder, whispering comfort in his ear to help him calm down.

Harry didn't miss the looks the eldest Weasley kept sending him either, but the moment he turned to face him Bill's eyes would drop to the table. He seemed confused by him, his nose twitching as he caught his scent. Harry didn't actually know what he smelled like to Bill but had a feeling he could tell something was different the same way Harry could smell that Bills was a Werewolf.

He would need to talk to him soon, before he mentioned whatever it is he can smell to someone else.

Harry wasn't stupid, he knew he would need to come clean to people and soon. Too many things were happening that he didn't understand or control not to. But he wanted to wait until after the World Cup. After that, he would talk to Mr and Mrs Weasley and they could get in contact with Professor McGonagall. She did teach Transfiguration after all, and an Animagus herself.

Even if she couldn't help, McGonagall would be able to consult with Dumbledore.

But if he told them now they wouldn't let him go to the World Cup, he just knew it. All the adults would want to get him examined straight away and he would miss it.

After all, how much worse could things get in a week?

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So that's it for this chapter, again sorry it took so long to be updated. I will admit I haven't even started on the next yet, but I wanted to post this chapter since it is finally done. Let me know what you think please.