The Oxyuranus Perspective
By silvershadowwolf24

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

The following applies only to this chapter, and will change in the future.

Warnings: None.
Genres: General.
Rating: G/K
Pairings: None
Notes: I like this chapter, because Draco is slowly learning about Harry.

Chapter III
First Look

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The train came to a shuddering stop, and Draco suddenly understood why Selene had stretched herself until she was jammed against both sides of the small trunk: It prevented her from being slammed into the aforementioned sides. Selene made quiet hissing noises, and although Draco couldn't actually hear said hisses; he assumed she was laughing at him.

Draco huffed, and flicked his tail at her in annoyance, but joined her in stretching himself out. He was ready for it when Potter picked up his trunk. He held himself tightly in place, and felt that the trunk was deliberately being held still as Potter walked, evidently so as not to disturb the cobra. Draco could see through the hole in the trunk, and determined where they were going. He couldn't hear anything, obviously, being a snake.But he could smell.

He could tell when they reached Potter's relatives. They smelt foul (to his tongue, anyway), and Draco could easily tell they were muggles. Another thing Draco could sense were moods and emotions. Two of the muggles were very unhappy, which confused the Malfoy heir. Weren't they supposed to be happy their 'Little Prince' was back? The other muggle was excited, but Potter was saddened and resigned.

Draco was terribly, terribly confused. The trunk was set down, and then with a jerky movement, they were bathed in darkness. Evidently, they were in the boot of a car. At least, Draco assumed it was the boot of a car. He knew that Potter didn't travel to his home in a horse-drawn cart like he did. His mother had had to explain to him during first year that Potter was leaving in a car.

The car ride was uneventful, so it passed slowly, in Draco's opinion. When they did stop, the trunk of the car was opened, and Draco was momentarily blinded. Selene was obviously used to it, seeing as how she didn't react.They went inside a house, Draco could tell by the sights and smells. They didn't move far into the house when the trunk was jolted, and they were once again shrouded in dark. This time, Draco could smell something musky, and slightly bitter.Nobody moved or made a sound, until Draco 'heard' in his mind some quiet, and whispery words.

::Selene, you can come out, now. Just remember to stay quiet.:: Selene slid past Draco, and flicked her tongue at him as she did so. Draco understood it as a sign to wait. Everything was dark, and very quiet (even though Draco couldn't hear anything, he could sense everything was very still).

::Dante? Come out.:: Draco hissed, as his tongue flickered out. Selene must have told Potter about him. Draco slid through the small hole, and finally saw where Potter lived. He couldn't see anything at first, only the shadow that was Potter, then his eyes got used to the slightly different lighting (it was still very dark), and he saw that he was, in fact, in a cupboard. Draco looked around, horribly confused, and then looked back to Potter.

The Boy Who Lived was obviously having trouble seeing, so Draco moved closer. Evidentially, Potter had seen him, because, suddenly, there was a hand underneath his nose. He flicked his tongue over it, then gently began draping himself over the hand and arm. Potter shivered slightly, then pulled Draco up so he was nearly eye level. Hm, Draco thought, did Potter know his eyes glowed? Then again, unbeknownst to him, Draco's eyes glowed as well. ::Dante, where are you from?:: The whispery tones made their way inside Draco's head, and in Potter's voice, it suddenly seemed very erotic.

The Malfoy heir shifted, then replied, not knowing his own hissing voice became very soft and, indeed, whispery (as he couldn't hear it himself). ::I lived near the castle that you humans called 'Hogwarts'.::

There, that was a good lie. How Draco loved being a Slytherin. Potter cocked his head to the side, and Draco finally saw Selene. She had climbed up Potter's other arm, and curled heavily around his shoulders. Draco suddenly found the entire picture very hot.…Damn. Draco knew he was gay, a fact he had kept well hidden from his father, but to find Potter hot? Potter's voice broke him from his thoughts.

::Why did you come to me?::

::I heard there was someone who could talk to snakes,:: Draco thought quickly. ::I wanted to meet him.:: Harry nodded, and seemed to believe him, because he didn't ask any more questions. Maybe it hadn't occurred to Potter that he wasn't a snake at all? After all, people must regularly get animals coming to them. They couldn't possibly be their schoolyard rivals in Animagus disguise. Draco had no intention of asking for Potter's help about his scaly problem. Now, he wanted to find out more about the Boy Who Lived.

::Dante, what kind of snake are you?:: That was a question he hadn't been expecting. And one he couldn't answer.

::I don't know. I've never had to tell anyone what I was.:: Draco held his breath, very aware of the cobra gazing at him. He didn't know if he was meant to know his species or not. Selene gazed at him for a moment, before flicking her tongue at him. She then signed.

'I don't know either, but I know you are very venomous.' 'Venomous' looked like 'dangerous', and almost like 'deadly', but Draco got the gist.

This was going to be fun.