Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Author's Note: Be prepared… It's about to get rocky.
Severus and Draco sat in the common room in Slytherin. They were intently reading a book when a small black hair first year squeaked up to them. Severus could tell the poor boy was scared.
"Yes?" Severus asked calmly. The boy slightly stepped back.
"P-professor S-Snape needs y-you in his r-r-room." The boy stammered. Draco couldn't help but grin.
"Thanks…?" Severus didn't even know the lad's name.
"Avery Carrow, s-sir." Draco perked up at the name.
"Any relation to the Twins, Amycus, and Alecto?" Draco asked the boy. Avery stared at Draco for a few seconds.
"My sisters, Lord Malfoy." Avery responded. "Alecto is my Aunt, and Amycus is my daddy." Draco looked up at Severus.
"We found a way." Draco put simply and sent the boy away. "Hurry up and see what your father wants."
Severus stared at the cage on his bed. He was afraid he'd find a dead animal, or worse, an evil animal. He was waiting for Hermione to open the cage, as she had locked Crookshanks in her room. He was entirely surprised his father had accepted him getting a pet, even though he was of Age.
"Oh god, Harry. You should have been sorted into Slytherin." Hermione gushed. Soon, the group of people had arrived in the room they shared, the room they dubbed 'The Common Room.' Severus' heart fell. Harry and Hermione were hand in hand, followed by Ron and Lavender, Ginerva and the boy who lived. When had they become friends? "Snape, you know Harry, Ron, Lavender, Ginny, and Neville." When had she EVER called me Snape?
"Of course. Ginerva has detention tonight, Neville tomorrow, Ron and Lavender sometime next week." Severus replied, before picking up his cage. He held it to his chest, walked to his room, and shut the door. He casted silencio so they couldn't hear him, and slowly pried open the cage. Inside was the smallest kitten he had ever seen. It had purr white fur, and he had no clue what breed it was. He assumed it was a Himalayan.
He just laid on the bed staring at the ceiling, the kitten making its way to him. He would let it explore. He stared at it for a few seconds.
"Alyx." He whispered, petting the kitten's head. It was as if the kitten had spoken to him. He noticed small black spots mixed in the little thing's fur. A soft knock sounded on the door.
"Severus. Let me in." Hermione called from outside the door. He heard a small scratching sound at the door. "Crookshanks wants to see you, too." Severus used his wand to unlock the door.
"Entre." Severus sneered at the air. Crookshanks was on the bed sniffing Alyx within seconds.
"What's the issue?" Hermione cut straight to the point. Severus sat up slowly.
"You brought THEM to our place. OUR PLACE. THEM! Of all people. Couldn't you bring a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff?" Severus demanded. Hermione was taken back for a second.
"McGonagall asked me." She replied. Severus moved closer to her.
"And holding Potter's hand?" Severus demanded louder. Hermione's eyes widened.
"IT was a…" Hermione started. Suddenly, Severus was in her face, their noses touching.
"If you ever bring those slime balls in again, I will hex them from the floor to the ceiling." Severus' lips barely grazed Hermione's, but suddenly they were apart.
"W-who is this?" Hermione asked as she picked up the kitten. Crookshanks followed her.
"Alyx." Severus retorted, averting his eyes from the Head Girl.
"Kneazle-Himalayan mix. Lovely." Hermione placed the kitten back next to Crookshanks.
"Did you know I descend from most of the Ancient European Royal Houses?" Severus started. He didn't feel bad for scaring her, or kissing her. He felt empowered. "I can show you the family tree that spans the whole great hall in France. There's a spell that enables you to pick a certain person and see how I am related to them." He knew that she loved to learn, similar to him.
"How far do you have it?" Hermione eyed him. It was as if he had forgotten his earlier anger.
"Way past Cleopatra, and even past Ramses the Great." He beamed. Hermione could only stare at him. "It's common in most wizarding families to be able to trace your family tree. Especially purebloods, and I may have the name of Snape, but I assure you, I am a Prince at heart."
Severus words had left Hermione in a daze. The boy she had fallen in love with in her third year was more complex than she had ever imagined. Yet, on the outside, he didn't seem complex at all. And what confused her most was the way he acted when Potter and the two Weasley's had come over. It wasn't as if either boy were dating her.
And then there was Alyx. She loved the little ball of fur. Had he gotten a cat just to have something in common with her? Or to try to lure her in? Was she ready to commit? This was, after all, their last year at school. Perhaps he could change his mind and settle down instead of travelling.
Draco wasn't sure about Severus' obsession with the Granger girl. He had, indeed, told him to become friends with her. Yet, their friendship had turned into an obsession. Would this be their undoing? Surely Severus remembered his promise to travel the world with him. A mere girl couldn't break the cousins apart, could she? Draco shook the thought off. Of course not, because blood is thicker than water, as the muggles say.
Draco looked at the girl that was lying at his feet. Pansy had always been his "girlfriend," a title she forced upon him. For a time, he had stayed "true" to her. But by fifth year, he had lost interest and pursued other opportunities. He refused to be forced into an almost loveless marriage like most of his family, including his parents.
But that would be after the tour with Severus. He was a strong believer of Family First, a motto of sorts that his great-grandfather had adopted. And by God, Severus was the best cousin and mate he could ever ask for. He lay in bed, thinking about everything, before pushing the girl from his bed. It was time he manned up.