The Return Of Ham

The first thing I did when we landed beside Hagrid's hut, was clamber up onto Le' Felix's head and gaze frantically through the crowds of cheering kids. Themboa was already on the ground, swarmed by students who were speaking rapidly to him.

But the one thing that shocked me more than the first time I kissed Severus Snape, was the girlie squeal that emitter out of my throat when I caught sight of the billowing black robes of said man. Not even thinking, I grabbed the leather harness that was wound about Felix's head, swung down and slammed myself into Severus's chest. He stumbled backwards, but was able to keep his arms around me.

But, of course, our joyous reunion was cut short when Hagrid grabbed me up into a bone crushing hug. Serious, I think I heard a rib crack. All the Professors' were thumping me on the back and welcoming me back to the school. A flock, that's all that I can say, of first years went around. Hugging me, jumping up to kiss me on the cheeks and Chrystal Skinner even fell to the ground and wrapped her arms around my legs.

"Hey, hey. You guys, I'm gonna fall." Too late.

Themboa stepped through the kids and helped me up. Taking my time, I introduced him to all of Hogwarts.

"You came back." Even through the noise, I could hear Snape's short statement. It was soft enough that only he and I could hear it.

I smiled and stepped closer to him, "Yeah, got a problem with that." I stood up on tiptoes, just about to kiss him, when. . . . .

WHAMMMM!

Something solid connected with the back of my head and my lips were smashed more forcefully against Severus's. After a few seconds of lip action, we finally pulled away to find out what had hit me. I rubbed my head with a cringe, and found myself being laughed at by none other than Ham. The tiny fire dragon had perched himself on the head of Peter MacKenzie, his mouth opened in a dog-like grin. MacKenzie looked just as happy.

"Hey Ham, getting jealous?" I smirked when my companion lifted his scaled face and gave a haughty look as if saying, "What? Me?"

Severus chuckled softly behind me and slid his hand over mine. I smiled back at him. Later that day, it took a few hours to get the kids into class and even then, Mcgonagall had let them have the rest of the day off, knowing that no amount of threats or warnings could subdue her students. It was at dinner when the Great Hall was filled with everyone that was connected to Hogwarts. Even Mr Filch and Mrs Norris sat at their own little table in the corner. Gryffindors sat with Slytherins and Ravenclaws were dotted here and there. Not one of the long tables were occupied by it's own house. Everything was mixed and matched, even the food.

Apparently, the house elves had been so happy of my return that instead of the usual large buffet of dinner first, all that appeared on the platters and dishes in front of us were desserts. Cream pies, strawberry curd, pancakes, chocolate mousse, malva puddings, and an assortment of flavours of ice-cream.

Some butterbeer had been emergency ordered from Hogsmeade and it was like a merry school party at Hogwarts that evening. Ham flew through the candles that drifted around in the ceiling, screeching till someone would toss a piece of food up into the air for him. He would then dive down and catch the morsel before swooping back into the air to repeat the action.

Hagrid decided during the night that Ham should eat more, and took up a silver dish of sponge cake and threw it with more force than neccessary. I laughed loudly until tears were rolling down my eyes. Ham had seen the flying food, but instead of trying to get at the plate, his eyes had widened to the size of saucer's and he let out a tiny hiss before he dropped right into a faint. I'll admit, I was worried when I saw him falling. But he landed sorta gracefully, if you call kasplatting into a bowl of jelly gracefully. I sorta like the word "Kasplat!".

Through the whole time that night, I sat next to Snape with our hands linked on top of the table. Everyone had seen us kiss outside, so they had assumed we'd been having a relationship while I worked at Hogwarts.

But when one by one students left to go bed, all the teacher's started disappearing to the respective quarters. I stood up to go to my room in the tower. I was just walking up the steps to moving staircases when a small tug on my vest brought my attention to tiny Chrystal Skinner. She looked up with large grey eyes and said, "Can you come with me to the Gryffindor commonroom?"

"Ok. C'mon."

We walked together to the seventh floor, all the while Chrystal chatted endlessly about her cat that hadjust given birth to five kittens.

"Do you want one?" Came the sudden question.

I looked down at her with a soft smile, "Do you think I'd be a good owner?"

Chrystal's face scruched up cutely. Hey, I may be a dragon aura, but I know when something cute is walking next to me! The fair young girl's cleared up after a minute and returned to it's usual bright, sunny expression.

"Yes!"

And that was it. We went up to the seventh floor corridor and Chrystal told the Fat Lady portrait that password. We stepped inside the circular commonroom and for a moment I was overcome by shock. That's right, shock! All the Gryffindors had snuck food and drinks inside and they were all there, partying the rest of the night away. But when I entered with Chrystal, they all turned to me and shouted, "WELCOME BACK!"

I spent about three hours in with the Gryffindors'. Three seventh years asked to dance with me, but I refrained from slow songs that popped up now and then. It was about 3am when I managed to get the students to their dormitories and it took a half hour more for Chrystal to explain to me what I need for a kitten. In two weeks I could choose one of the critters to take with me, and I made a mental note to warn Severus about the new family member.

When I eventually got to my room, I was able to grin warily at Sevie, who'd stayed up just for me. He sat stiffly on my bed with Ham circling his head like a vulture who was considering where to dive to get his piece of rotting meat. Waving Ham away, I sat next to Snape and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"I, have a headache."

I heard Snape snort, but couldn't find the energy to whack him.

"You want to go for a very early morning swim in the lake?"

I lifted my head and stared at the dark haired man. Then smiled slyly, "Ok. But don't remember your swimsuit, alright?"

A little cute, a little romance. I like this chapter. And I know how it feels when you just finished a party and then you're surprised with another. . . . IT ROCKS! Please let me know what you thought and leave happy, party-animal reviews! Luv ya.

P.S. I feel really happy at the moment. ^_^ ^_^ ^_^