Ch. 29 Fluffy and Keir
(Some of the dialog in this chapter has been modified or taken directly from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.)
Tabatha was actually starting to enjoy her walk through the castle with Professor Quirrell. The longer he spoke with her, the less his very predominate stutter seemed to be; perhaps he was starting to feel more comfortable. However Tabatha noticed that Quirrell seemed to be very interested in her life before Hogwarts, asking her question after question, even after he was told many times that she didn't remember anything before the morning she arrived on the lawn. Quirrell was also increasingly inquisitive of was her strength and speed in learning magic, and how he had heard that she was more proficient in some areas than wizards and witches who have been magical their entire lives.
"I..it would s..seem your very smart, I have pegged you for a R..ravenclaw no doubt." Quirrell pondered as they continued to walk.
"I don't think I belong in any house." Tabatha sighed. "I don't believe in the houses."
"N..no? Why is that?" Quirrell inquired
As Tabatha gave her explanation on why she disagreed with the idea of houses she didn't notice how they had finally made their way to the third floor. All of sudden Tabatha became deathly calm and stopped in front of a closed door; she then turned her body and silently stared at the door.
Quirrell's eyes darted back and forth nervously "A..are y..you ok M..Ms . Rewolf?"
Tabatha remained silent as she reached out her hand to the door and pulled the handle, not noticing how Quirrell exaggeratedly flinched as she tugged on the unyielding door. Quirrell did not notice that Tabatha's eyes were quickly taking on a more golden hue
Removing her wand from her pocket she pointed it at the lock.
"Alohomora," her voice had an ethereal quality to it as the lock obeyed and released its grip for her.
Tabatha pulled the handle again, easily opening the door, and walked through, entering the right hand corridor. Quirrell kept following her closely but made sure to often call over his shoulder as if he had some invisible audience.
"M..Ms. Rewolf, I .. I don't think we should be here.. P..please stop." Quirrell deliberately whined as he held on to her cloak and followed behind while using her body as a shield.
Tabatha didn't have far to go. As soon as she walked through the door she was face to face with a mammoth-sized dog with three heads, each of which did not seem at all pleased to see them.
Until today Severus completely believed that it was a safe bet that he would never find joy from the Gryffindor's doing anything in the way of an accomplishment. However, today, when Potter caught the snitch in record time, Severus would have lost. He had exited the field as calmly as possible, but managed to cross the expansive lawn in mere moments and, in fact, be the first to reenter the castle. Once he was safe from view, Severus dashed like a mad man down to the dungeon. Reaching the potions office he was hit with a wave of concern and fear as he quickly realized it was empty. The only clues left behind were two tea cups still sitting on the table by the hearth.
"Qurrille!" Severus snarled as he gritted his teeth and took off again, this time making his way to the one place he feared Quirrell had taken her. The third floor.
Tabatha hardly moved as the three angry canines heads came close to her growling and foaming. As their massive muzzles came closer to her frame, Quirrell released her cloak and flung himself against the far wall as he huddled in fear.
The three heads continued their growling assault until Tabatha calmly raised her hand in a passive order to cease the large beast. As soon as her palm was in the air, all three heads stopped in unison, each inquisitively cocking their head to the side. Tabatha gave a soft smile, her eyes glowing even more golden.
The creature sat down like an obedient lap dog, panting tongue, wagging tail and all.
"I'm sorry Hagrid left you in here," Tabatha spoke to the sitting beast, allowing for pauses from an unheard voice. "Yes six months is far too long," She continued.
"Music? Yes I enjoy Music too...The harp's your favorite?…Why yes I would agree the sound is lovely."
From behind her Quirrell's eyes were shifting back in forth quickly as he made mental notes of the conversation, at least the part he could hear. Finally his own agenda caught up with him.
"Ask him to let you pass!" He called out quite clear as he ran up and grabbed Tabatha's shoulder pushing her out of the way.
Losing her balance from his haste, Tabatha stumbled on to the floor, bumping her head on the wall. The gold in her eyes faded away, the creature's good behavior going with them. Quirrell noticed right away that the beast was no longer the passive puppy he was a moment before. Replacing him was again a snarling mass of anger and aggression, and with that Quirrell backed up as quickly as possible before running out the door leaving Tabatha on the stone floor shaking her head back and forth to regain her own consciousness.
As Tabatha finally got her bearings she looked up. Inches from her face were the largest set of teeth she had ever seen. Gasping, she tried to push herself back. Scrambling and fumbling backward as quickly as she could manage, she realized the beast was faster than she could ever be, watching all three heads rear back and strike towards her in a flash. She closed her eyes, sure she was on her way to being a dog treat, when she felt a hand grasp her arm and pull her towards the door as a familiar silky, yet frantic, voice called out.
"Confundus!" Magic poured from Severus' wand
Tabatha watched the beast stumble around as she was being whisked through the shutting door.
Severus pulled her into his arms and held on tight for a moment. She was safe. At least for now. There was a good possibility he was going to kill her.
"What in the bloody name of Merlin do you think you were doing, you could have gotten yourself killed!" Severus spat as his pulled her out of his arms and looked her dead in the eye.
Tabatha looked around the hallway in a daze for a moment. "What..? I have no idea." Her eyes dropped, shifting back and forth as she recalled the past few minutes. Slowly her face changed, her eyes widening and growing pale, as the actual weight of what almost happened sunk in.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Tabatha whimpered, as tears filled her eyes. "I didn't know, I swear I didn't know."
Severus could not bear seeing her upset and again he cradled her in his arms as he ran his hand over her shoulder.
"Ok, there there, don't cry. Come now." And with that Severus lead a sniffling Tabatha back down to the dungeon
Back in their chambers Tabatha was still sniffling a bit as she took the fresh cup of tea from Severus' hand. The feel and smell reminding her of how this all started, she explained how Quirrell had come to visit her and the idea of a walk in the castle didn't seem like such a bad idea. The conversation had been pleasant even with all the odd questions he was asking of her. Finally she explained how she really had no idea what made her stop at that door. It was like she knew that beast was behind it, but she had no fear of it all, and in fact once she was in the room with it, it seemed to converse with her pleasantly even letting her know its love for music.
Severus listened carefully taking in all the details in his mental notebook. There was only one question he had for her.
"Was Quirrell with you in the corridor?"
"I'm not sure Sev," Tabatha answered honestly. "I don't remember anything but talking to that creature."
Severus nodded his head as she spoke. He was sure that she didn't remember anything, but he was also sure he saw a flash of purple dashing off down a passage way as he was making his own way to the corridor. The same flash he remembered at the lake on Christmas Eve. Severus then noticed Tabatha give a large yawn. She had expended more energy today then she had in months. She must be exhausted.
"Tab's you should go rest," he spoke with genuine concern.
Tabatha looked over at her friend and nodded her head. He was right. As she got up, she walked over to Severus, who was leaning on his desk.
"I have no idea why this stuff keeps happening to me, but thank you for saving me, again," she gave a cocky but groggy half smile. "You really are my hero, you know," and with that she leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Good night, Sev," She yawned again as she made her way to her bedchambers.
Severus stood completely still; his cheek still felt the warm from her lips. "Night Tab's," he called out to her as she smiled, closing the door.
The warmth of the kiss spread pleasantly through his body, followed momentarily by anger.
Walking over to his desk he sat down, took out a piece of parchment, and started to write;
Professor Quirrell,
I request an audience with you to discuss certain matters. Meet me in the clearing of the Forbidden Forest in half an hour. If you do not appear I will have to take my suspicions of your stroll this afternoon with my ward to the Headmaster.
-Professor Snape
Once he was done, he carefully folded the note and placed it into an envelope. Folding the opening over, he sealed the note with hot wax. He then walked over to the window.
"Zosimos!" Severus called out.
In a moment a flutter of black feathers appeared as a large black owl appeared.
"Deliver this to Professor Quirrell," Severus gently commanded the bird. Taking the note in his talons the owl took off to find Quirrell's window.
Twenty minutes later Severus was quickly heading out of the castle and towards the forest under the cover of his hooded cloak.
As he raced through the trees he finally made his way to the clearing. There, standing in the center of it, was Professor Quirrell.
"I see you decided to take me up on my offer instead of dealing with Dumbledore," Severus coolly spat.
"I.. have no ..I..idea w…why you want t..to talk to me S.s..severus." Quirrell studdered.
"Oh I think you're well aware of the reason Quirrell. Don't play stupid with me. I know you took Ms. Rewolf on a walk and I know you both ended up in the third floor corridor," Severus's gaze was steady and cold as winter.
"O..oh… T..that… w..we just w..went for a w..walk, S..she went through the d…d..door on her..o..own." Quirrell seemed to be getting more nervous by the second.
Suddenly there was a shake in the trees above them. Quirrell looked up in fear.
"... d..don't know why you wanted t..t..to meet here of all p…places, Severus" Quirrell started to shake.
"I thought we'd keep this private," Severus growled his voice was like ice. "The Sorcerer's Stone is supposed to be a secret, after all, isn't it?" Severus' eyes bored deeper into Quirrell's eyes. "Did that stroll of yours help you figure out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet, regardless of the perils you may have placed a certain someone in?"
"B..b..but Severus, I…" Quirrell cowered before he was cut off.
"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell!" Severus spat as he took a threating step towards the cowering Professor, his hand gripping his wand so tightly that his knuckles were colorless.
"I..I don't know what y…you…" again he was cut off
"You know perfectly well what I mean!" Severus' voice got softer but harsher. It was hardly audible over a loud hoot from an owl above them. "Tell me how you used Ms. Rewolf to accomplish your..." Severus swallowed hard, the idea of someone using Tabatha made his blood boil, "…your little bit of hocus-pocus."
Quirrell looked around, confused and silent.
"I'm waiting," Severus hissed.
"b..but I ..d..d..don't…" Quirrell was practically pleading.
"Very well," Severus cut in. "We'll have another chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."
And with that he turned around and stormed off, throwing his hood back over his head, leaving Quirrell alone with his cowardly thoughts.
As Severus left the forest he was still thinking about what had transpired that day. Looking over he noticed a light coming from Hagrid's hut. Severus got an idea.
Hagrid was more than surprised when he opened the door and before him was none other than Professor Snape. Never in his whole time at Hogwarts, as a student or a professor, had Severus ever stopped by his hut.
"Why, Professor! What brings ya out 'ere this evenin'?" Hagrid inquired as he showed the Potions Master inside his hut.
Severus looked around the hut; truthfully it was not far from what he imagined the giant to have. He always did commune well with nature, so to speak. Turning to Hagrid, Severus kept his voice cool.
"Do you still have the..um.. the item I gave you the night of Ms. Rewolf's accident at the lake?"
Hagrid's eyes lit up, "The pup? Aye, o'course I have him!" Hagrid walked to the door and opened it. "Fang come!" he called as he stuck his head out into the night, then looked back at Severus, "That pup is smart I'll tell yer, he follows ol' Fang around ever'where. Speaking of dogs how's me Fluffy?"
Severus looked at the giant puzzled. "Fluffy?"
"Ya know, Fluffy? He's guarding the third floor corridor? Tell me he's alright!" Hagrid looked concerned.
"You call that thing… Fluffy?" Severus was truly amazed. "Umm, no it's fine. You should try to get back to see it… I know your close with those… those things."
"I reckon your right Professor. I'll bet he misses me," Hagrid sighed.
"Oh it's more than a bet, I heard," Severus mumbled to himself.
Hagrid then stuck his head out the door again, "Fang! I said come!" and with that two dogs entered the hut, the massively large Fang and the much smaller pup.
"Not much to him, is there?" Severus sneered.
"Well, no, not yet, but when that pup grows up he's gonna be something, I'll tell ya!" Hagrid beamed with pride. "And I'll tell you another thing, Miss Rewolf is gonna love him, just love him!"
Severus had no doubts about that and soon he was walking back towards Hogwarts, this time a small black creature at his heels. Severus had to admit the dog did seem intelligent. When he asked Hagrid how he was supposed to transport the pup back, Hagrid smiled and instructed him to just say follow. Severus scoffed at the idea at first, but now here he was making his way to the castle without even having to speak to the thing once. As he reached the entrance, he felt it would be best to carry the dog in; pups and children usually had the same reaction to each other. So he carefully picked up the pup, hid him under his cloak and made his way to the dungeon.
As he entered the potions office he noticed Tabatha sitting in the sofa by the hearth having a cup of tea.
"I thought you were going to bed," He said inquisitively as he walked over to the glowing fire and stood behind the sofa she was reclining on.
"I did, but my dreams… well let's say they weren't pleasant so I got up to have a cup of tea" Tabatha looked up and behind her and gave a smile, "Where ya been?"
Severus smiled down at her. She always looked lovely in fire light. "I thought I would retrieve something for you." With that he moved his arm from under his robe and out popped the pups head.
In an explosion of a gasp Tabatha spun around the sofa quickly and was soon face to face with not only Severus's mid-section, but also a very happy puppy that, for the first time, showed any affection as he happily licked her nose. Tabatha's hands reached into Severus' robes and pulled out the puppy.
"Oh Severus! Where was he?" Tabatha beamed.
"I had Hagrid watch him while you recovered. I would have told you, but then I would have never managed to keep you in at that point," He spoke kindly.
"Well, no animal could expect any better care than that. Hagrid is wonderful with them," Tabatha looked back up at Severus, "What's his name?"
"It was decided you should name him, since you saved him. He's just been Pup so far," Severus explained. "So what shall it be?"
Tabatha thought for a moment. "Well, I found him under the Dog Star. We could call him Sirius-"
"NO!" Severus nervously boomed causing Tabatha to glare up in surprise. "It's just that it's such a ugly name really..." Severus ran his hand though his hair and gave a sheepish grin as tried to back pedal out of it. "You can do much better… I know it".
"Well I'm glad it was my decision," Tabatha laughed, then thought for a moment. "Keir, we will call him Keir."
Severus silently sighed in relief then nodded, "Yes, I think Keir is more then suitable."
_
A/N: I just wanted to send a small note telling everyone how much I truly appreciate you all reading my store and your reviews are always a welcome sign to me. Seeing you read and enjoying my work helps me continue even through a very hectic fall semester These next two weeks will be busy since finals are on their way, and sadly I'm expected to write other things, but I will try to update if can and if not after that I have a month off to be able to enjoy fully by immersing myself in this AU of Harry Potter! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and if you did have a favorite part I'm really interested in hearing what that was.
