* So... I had this idea while I was writing one of my essays and decided to run with it... I thought it was pretty cute in the end. I am planning on writing a few more chapters if anyone is interested in it. *

Drip…drip…drip. The sound of the cold liquid hitting the hard stone floor echoed through the small confining bathroom. The room itself was rather quite large but the current aura it held made it feel ten times smaller than it was. A tall yet frail student was curled up in the corner, their head covered by the hood of their robes. The student, a boy of roughly sixteen, had his thin arms wrapped tightly around his shaking knees as he rocked himself in a soothing motion. A few sorrowful whimpers escaped from his dried and chapped lips as clear crystals slide down his pale face. Concerned words resounded in his head as emerald eyes danced within his mind. "You don't have to fight alone…"

Another whimper escaped the cloaked boy as more taunting thoughts flooded his corrupted brain. His usually pristine green robes soiled by the leaking water around him. "I'll protect you…" A tidal wave of emotions smashed into him like his foot did with the Gryffindor's face on the train. He was breaking, shattering into a million irreparable pieces and it frightened him. His pride and belief had led him down a path of destruction and doubt. Try as he might, he couldn't find any way out. There was no way to let go of this life or to find hope for those like himself. The sickly male had been marked by his 'lord'… no hope was left for him to cling to.

Then without warning that blasted raven-haired youth had confronted him in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom; he had said those tantalizing words that circled in an already delirious mind. Anything the shaking lad might have had, any ounce of hope, was crushed when his fear took hold and he cast the Cruciatus Curse. His mouth had muttered the incantation too quickly for his brain to stop which petrified him more than his soul shattering. Agonizing screams bounced in his ears as the curse hit its target and made the other male convulse in excruciating pain. Finally, after what had seemed like an eternity to the pale boy, the curse ended and with it the screams. It was then that the boy-who-lived started to plead with his attacker. "Malfoy… please… don't do this… Draco…"

He fled, Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin ice prince fled like the coward he believed himself to be. His blood had frozen when the chosen one had begged for Draco to let him help, let him save the blond from damnation. That thought alone terrified the sole Malfoy heir; after all, why would Potter want to save him, his rival and enemy since they had met? So, he ran, ran and hid in another bathroom, the prefect's bathroom. The frail boy's broken whisper was amplified by the silence surrounding him, threatening to destroy him. "I'm not worth it… not worth saving. I'm too far gone for even the boy-who-lived too help."

"Do you really believe that?" A soft voice asked. The pale boy jumped to his feet in fright, his hood cascading down his slim shoulders. Draco raised his wand, ready to cast one of the unforgivable curses on the unwanted intruder. He stopped himself at the sight before him. No human nor ghost stood in the room with him, just a small black ferret.

He rubbed his eyes furiously; he had to be hallucinating, the past was haunting him. The fact it was a ferret didn't faze him, though he did wonder how it got in the prefects bathroom. It hasn't surprised him ever since Professor Moody had transfigured him into the fluffy critter. Moody hadn't transfigured him at all; the crazed professor has simply induced his animagus form. Ever since that day in forth day, Draco could not only transform into the mini beast but also speak to them. The ability was much like Potter's own parseltongue, except there was no special language; it was more like telepathy. Malfoy hated his new talent in a way; yes it helped him escape unsafe conditions but now it was mostly true every time that red-haired weasel called him a twitchy ferret.

Whenever the boy was distressed, a furry friend would always be there, much to the other Slytherin's amusement. So in all honesty, finding this small dark creature wasn't such a shock in any possible way. No, the haunting part was the animals shining emerald eyes. Draco released a heavy sigh as he slid back down to the filthy floor. "Great, just what I wanted… a ferret that reminds me of him."

"I'm sorry if I startled you. Please call me Snitch." The familiar said calmly as he scampered over to the human's side. Without a worry the sleek rodent crawled onto the boy's lap and nudged his hand, hoping to sooth the panicked child. "If you don't mind me asking, who is him?"

Draco laughed softly at his companion's antics. "Snitch," he questioned briefly. Stroking the pets head was soothing his frayed nerves. "It's nothing, you just remind me of someone I want to avoid right now."

"Who?"

"I'm not sure if creatures know of him or not… his names Harry Potter. He's known as the boy-who-lived."

The ferret tilted his little head up to stare into sterling silver orbs. "If he's the boy-who-lived then why are you avoiding him?" The tiny animal asked curiously. Bright emerald inquired silently, many unanswered questions flashing in their connected gaze. "I could attack him if you want me to?"

Draco chuckled appreciatively. "No, he didn't do anything to deserve that." The boy quieted suddenly, the clear glaze of sorrow shining in his unfocused eyes. "I had never thought I'd say this but… I'm the one at fault this time." The boy's words dropped off into a whisper. His head was bowed low, platinum hair falling in his eyes. The small creature knew the child was in pain; something was crushing him from the inside. But what could the fluffy friend do; he was after all, just a ferret.

"What happened? Maybe I can help." He inquired with concern. Snitch wanted to protect his new companion; he could see the brokenness inside Draco. He couldn't save the boy if he didn't ask for help. The animal whimpered, "I don't like to see you upset."

Draco gave the mini beast a small, appreciative smile; the words warming his frozen heart. "Thank you Snitch…" he breathed out quietly, the unnecessarily large room swallowing his words. His overbearing stress slowly ebbed away to something much more bearable. The blond yawned; as his stress disappeared, exhaustion took a firm grip and threatened to bring him down. A startled gasp escaped the pale boy as the ball of black fluff climbed onto his shoulders. "What are you doing?"

"I believe it's time that you went to bed little one."

The boy snorted in irony. "I don't think your one to call me little." The amusement quickly faded from his glistening silver pools. "You'll stay with me… right?" Uncertainty and hesitation laced his quiet voice. The tiny ferret rubbed against the frail boy's cheek; one word echoing between their minds.

"Always..."

* Let me know what you guys think... Was it good? Was it bad? Suggestions are welcome but I might not go in the direction you suggest.