A/N: hey guys! Omg please don't kill me for this short chapter because I promise to upload another one later today. Also don't kill me for the Draco bit...he and Harry actually come to a...truce of sorts later...so...don't...just..please wait...ok? Also, again, thank you for the awesomely kind words! You guys are all so awesome and I'd thank you individually but I just...;3; I don't know My Secret Friend by IAMX and Imogen Heap.

Chapter Three-

In your skin
To die a little death
This time there's no code word
When everyday
Frays in hollows ends
Dream sweet love submersive

[Draco's POV]

I glanced around me in curiosity. It had been a week since school had begun and already Potter had been reported as a ghost among the other students. I detested agreeing with the wretched, wriggling mass of brainless sheep, but seeing as it was Potions with Gryiffindor and Slytherin sharing breathing space- with still no sign of the ex-scion- I had to wonder if they might be right.
I for one, despite my best efforts, had only been granted mere glimpses of the brilliant creature. He'd been absent the last two dinners though.

Uncle Severus billowed into the room at that moment, all fierce snapping of cloak and wit as he berated the stragglers who ran into the room just as the bell chimed for class to start. I admired him for it really. He was like a darker Malfoy. All poise and grace. A calm, cool mask of disdain for those with less intelligence than himself. Today, however, there was something different. My eyes widened in disbelief. Since when did my godfather find it ok to go around carrying a familiar on his shoulder?

Indeed it appeared as if many of my peers had the same thoughts. It was so unusual. It was so tiny, the creature, brown with a long fluffy but thin tail. It's ears were almost bat-like, and it had a stripe of black that was painted from the crown of its head to it's rump. Currently, it was gazing at the class with wide intelligent eyes, every now and then making a small bark, or chatter that caused many to jump. Absently, my godfather reached up to pet it's head, even as the little familiar hunkered down closer to the dark man's neck, shielding itself in his greasy hair.

Our eyes met, my uncle's and mine. I raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry. Severus turned away without giving me any non-verbal reply, which astonished me enough to have me blinking blankly. My uncle never failed to answer me, even of it was a biting insult. I wondered, briefly, what it meant. What was so special about this familiar that he would risk losing his standing with the students. Or with his own House for that matter.

"That's a sugar glider, Professor Snape has on his shoulder." Blaise's voice reached my ears, causing me to turn my attention to him.

The Italian's eyes were riveted to the furry creature in question and I almost wanted to strangle him because he made me wait before he continued.

"They are nocturnal. Marsupials. They like fruit and bugs. They bond with whoever they perceive their protector to be. Whether that be human or fellow glider. They are loyal and loving. They are very hyper too. I'm surprised this one isn't crawling all over Professor Snape."

I scoffed and lifted my nose into the air with a disdainful sniff.

"Unlce wouldn't be so careless as to have a misbehaved familiar, Blaise. Use your head." I shot, disgusted that my fellow snake had had such a lapse of Mental facilities.

My fellow Slytherin had the grace to look ashamed, although you could only tell by the flicker of his dark eyes and the slight tinting of red around his cheeks. Seeing that he was properly chastised, I returned my attention to my uncle and his familiar. As the older wizard tapped his wand against the blackboard, I watched as the glider eyed the wizards and witches surrounding it. It was eerie, the way it's little eyes followed my classmate's movements.
There were even certain wizards that those orbs rested on the most. The look it spared them could only be described as pure loathing. Which I found remarkably odd, as i was sure that this familiar was new.

I swore to myself that I would pay better attention. I observed, like any good Slytherin would, and noted that often the glider and my Uncle seemed to work in unison. Like they rehearsed how they would move around each other in a classroom beforehand. When my Uncle Severus needed a potion vial, the glider would deftly climb down the dark haired professor's arm, grab a glass vial in it's paws, and waddle back. Sev would fight off a smirk at the sight but would then wait patiently for the vial. Once done, the glider, calm as you please, made its way back up my godfather's arms to hide in his hair once more.

Many of my fellow Slytherians were as gobsmacked as I was. This was Severus Snape we were talking about here. Total hardarse. Evil git. Bastard Head of Slytherin House. The only time any of us had seen this man so candid about his emotions regarding another living thing besides his House, was when Weasley blatantly boasted about how he was going to defeat the Dark Lord. Then it was disgust and no little amount of hatred.

So why was this sugar glider eliciting such emotions as amusement from my uncle? Especially seeing as no one was being humiliated to cause it. Much of the potions class was spent muddling over my thoughts as I completed the task he set the class. The Gryffindors managed to botch up most of their potions, only Granger pulling a 'passable' out of her atrocious hair. Such an annoying Mudblood. I don't see how anyone could stand her. She had horrible buck teeth, her hair appeared to have never seen a comb, and her manners were appalling. Potter had had more manners than that chit. Longbottom had blown up yet another cauldron and had subsequently been banned from setting foot in Severus' classroom ever again.
Weasley was, of course, more concerned with boasting than anything else. Blood traitor. None of the Gryffindors seemed to notice Severus' attitude change. Nor did they seem overly concerned with Harry Potter's absence.
Did they really care so little for their boy saviour? My eyes once more met my Uncle's, with a question In their depths.

"Malfoy, stay after class. Hand in your potions!" he stated coldly, much of his normal demeanor slipping through.

I refrained from showing any emotion when Weasel snorted amusedly, but I almost lost my composure when Sev snapped at the blood traitor for doing so. He was given detention and I was able to allow myself a quick smirk of smug satisfaction.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Why was Potter was absent. Why did no one seem to care? Most importantly...why did my godfather seem to have a relationship with my arch nemesis and this familiar, than with anyone else, including my father. I was brought out of my brooding by the ringing of the bell that signaled class end.

Many of the students rushed out of the room after hastily gathering their things. A lot of the Slytherians sent me curious looks but left in a dignified manner, befitting if their House. It took a total of three minutes before the classroom was empty save for Severus and myself. My silver-blue eyes traveled over the Potions Master's form, pausing on the glider, before swiveling back to meet the older wizard's eyes before glaring at me, folding his arms across his chest.

"Alright. What do you want, Mr. Malfoy."

I lifted my nose in the air, a sense of irritation stealing through my veins. How dare he talk to me like I was inferior to his halfblooded heritage! Feeling particularly vindictive, I sneered.

"I just thought it funny that all it took for you to become nothing but a kind hearted Gryffindor, was to give you a furry little creature." I drawled, smug that I didn't so much as flinch when those cold dark eyes held mine.

I was most disconcerted when said furry menace leveled me with a glare so fierce that it's intelligence couldn't be denied. Inside I quivered. Maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew?

"Mr. Malfoy, I assure you, that your observations are baseless. I am more Slytherin than you could ever hope to be. Speak so to me again and I will show you exactly what my familiar can do. What I can do. Now leave." Severus hissed menacingly, eyes narrowed in his anger.

Seeing that it might be in my best interest to listen to him, I stiffly turned and made my way out of the class room. I resolved to never confront my Uncle again. Instead I would do what any good Slytherin would do. I'd wait and watch. Silently observing everything. I would find out what was going on. I would prove to that halfblood who dared think himself superior to a Malfoy, what it truly meant to be a Slytherin.

A/N : I am so sorry! I know it's not much...it's more of a filler chapter than anything because at this point of the story I was slightly stuck...but I promise the next chapter will be better :3 Please don't yell at me for it? I know it's just nonsense...but it's meant to be lighter...because..well further on...this story gets..dark... *flails and rolls around*