Sirius had fully embraced his identity as a dog.
Lying on Hermione's shoulder, Su Er watched speechlessly as the big dog Harry and the others had named "Snuffles"-actually Sirius in his Animagus form-bounded playfully around everyone, pretended to lunge at a poor pigeon that had stopped for a brief rest, and even spun in circles chasing his own tail...
Harry was overjoyed, laughing heartily at Sirius's antics.
"Hey, just let me hold you..." A finger poked the thin but fluffy, glossy fur on Su Er's body. It belonged to Ginny, who had just tumbled down the stairs and nearly hurt herself.
No, I refuse!
Su Er shook his head firmly in refusal. What a joke. Although he currently looked like an animal, he was a genuine wizard inside. And with his girlfriend right there, how could he possibly let a rather pretty girl cradle him in her arms?
Nothing of the whole "right in front of the wife" variety was going to happen, of course.
"Just once. Hermione, could you let me hold him?" Ginny had no intention of giving up and turned her request to his temporary owner, Hermione.
Hermione glanced at the little badger on her shoulder with the hint of a smile.
"I don't mind. You could try tempting him with a steak."
Although Hermione's tone was calm, her eyes held a very strong threat-the sort that said, try it and die.
"But I've already tried sliced bread, bacon, and freshly baked little fish..." Ginny said dejectedly.
"Hurry up, stop dawdling." Mrs. Weasley looked down at the pocket watch in her hand. "We have less than half an hour. Pick up the pace! Quick, quick, quick! And you, Snuffles, don't forget your duties!"
With Mrs. Weasley urging them on as though cracking a whip, everyone hurried along