WRITTEN FOR THC, YEAR 7
Gryffindor, DADA
Drabble
Prompts:
(animal) rabbit
Word Count: 945
Severus had been enjoying a glass of Firewhisky and making snide comments to himself about the Potions' magazine he was perusing when the door slammed open and in walked an irate Draco Malfoy. Severus barely managed to keep himself from whipping out his wand and hexing the intruder.
At the tender age of five, Draco had already learned the proper way of sauntering into a room and attracting everyone's attention, and the blond child often used it to his advantage. His black robes billowed out around him as he dramatically crossed the room, a movement that caused Severus' chest to swell with pride. He had taught his godson well, and he would be damned if the boy began walking around like Lucius. Severus abhorred the delicate way Lucius swayed his hips while he walked; it was sickening.
"Uncle Severus!" Draco demanded Severus' attention, and the latter sighed as he turned towards him. Lucius and Narcissa had left him in charge of Draco at Malfoy Manor while they went to one of their charity balls, which meant that Severus was supposed to cater to the child's whims.
To Severus' disbelief, Draco stood there cradling a rabbit to his chest. It was a tiny little thing with white and black fur. The rabbit's blush-pink nose twitched, but it didn't move, and Severus soon realised why. Its left rear paw dangled in the air, and Severus immediately deduced that it was broken.
"Where did you get that?" Severus asked, frowning at Draco. "You don't know where it's been."
"I found him running from some stray dogs outside," Draco explained offhandedly. "Dogs are evil. Anyway, Uncle, I want your help."
Severus sighed and placed the magazine on the table before he turned to Draco. He knew Draco wouldn't leave him alone unless he helped him. "Make it snappy."
Draco snickered at his phrasing but quickly composed himself and raised the rabbit in the air, its rear legs dangling under it. "He's hurt. I demand you help him."
Demand. Severus barely stopped himself from scowling at Draco. He made a move to grab the rabbit from him, but the rabbit refused to budge. It even had the audacity to let out an angry grunt at him!
Severus turned the full force of his glare on the creature and snarled, "Either you come here yourself, or else I'll have to drag you by your stupid ears."
Draco gasped and immediately clutched the rabbit to his chest, covering its ears with his right hand. "Uncle Severus! Don't be mean to him. He's hurt!"
Severus gritted his teeth and said, "Very well. You tell it to come to me."
Draco nodded and looked down at the rabbit. "Listen to me, Harry Hopper. Uncle Severus is not nice, but he won't hurt you. He knows how to make all sorts of potions, and he'll make you feel better. Okay?"
Wait… Did I hear him right? Severus asked, "Did you say... Harry… Hopper?"
Draco nodded, still staring at the rabbit pointedly. "Yes. I named it because it was hopping. Take him"–he extended the rabbit to Severus once again–"and make him feel better. I want to show him to Blaise and Theo. They don't have any rabbits, but I do."
Severus pursed his lips to hide his displeasure at the rabbit's name, but he carefully took the animal from Draco, being gentler this time. Supporting its rear with his other hand, Severus tried to get the rabbit to stand on the table, wanting to check if any other legs were broken or injured.
The rabbit didn't take kindly to the attempt. The next thing Severus knew, there were little brown pellets on the palm under its rear. Draco took one look at the brown balls and burst into peals of laughter. Severus scowled at him, but it wasn't enough to stop the boy from cackling like a madman.
"Stop laughing, Draco, or else I won't make hot chocolate for dessert," Severus hissed threateningly.
But tears continued to stream down Draco's face. His shoulders trembled as he pointed at the pellets on Severus' palm. "Harry pooped on your hand! Wait until Father hears about this!"
"You will not tell your father about this. I forbid it," Severus growled, wishing he could Obliviate the boy and kill the rabbit by dropping it. But he knew Draco would be most disappointed by his actions. So, he sucked it up and pulled out his wand.
Draco's laughter instantly vanished at the sight of the wand. "Don't hurt Harry Hopper!" he cried. "I'll tell Father!"
"Oh, stop your whining, boy," Severus snapped. "I'm not going to hurt this… thing. I'm healing it."
"Okay, then."
Draco stood by impatiently as Severus cast an Episkey on the rabbit's leg. It flinched, and more pellets fell on Severus' palm. Draco snickered and slapped his hands over his mouth when Severus glared at him again.
Severus waved his wand over the leg and cast a Bandaging Charm on it to ease the rabbit's pain. Once he was done, he handed it back to Draco and said, "Here. Now, get this thing away from me."
"Harry Hopper thanks you from the bottom of his heart," Draco said solemnly, holding the rabbit to his chest. A childish grin formed on his lips as he glanced at the brown pellets stuck on Severus' hand. "I think that's how he shows his love for you."
Severus growled under his breath as he cast an angry Scourgify on his hand to get rid of the disgusting excrement. He really hoped Draco didn't tell Lucius about it. He knew his so-called friend would never let him forget the incident.