:sigh: no responses for the last chapter, apparently not cute enough, Remember to review, I'm liking writing it, and love reviews too.  But does Pouncer make any sense? Not likely Munchies ^_^

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I don't want clever conversation,

I never want to work that hard,

I just want someone I can talk to

I want you just the way you are.

'Just the way you are' by Billy Joel

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It was strange to find this man roaming the library shelves of the restricted section, even if he were a teacher of the school.  His robes were black and billowed around his tall, lanky figure.  His hair was coal black, long and hanging around his face in fine strands.  His eyes too were dark, and though often seemed cold too many, they warmed around the large tombs of bound books.

Professor Severus Snape of Hogwarts had never seemed the type to 'warm' to anything.  He had a reputation since he was a schoolboy that did not allow him too.  He had been a shadow to everyone.  The lone figure the Marauders had teased, always in the shadow of Lucius Malfoy.  Quite but studious, he had excelled and eventually taken over the position of teaching.  No one could deny that even with the burning dark mark on his are that he had no right to be where he was.

His searching fingers paused over one volume, his dark eyes sparked with something unknown as he read the binding.  Taking it from its shelf he slipped it beneath an arm and left the library.  The Librarian favoured him a look but did not question the taking of the book, he was a teacher after all, and Professor Snape was well known for his careful treatment of books, but not necessarily students.

However, of late, the one student that Snape had been well known for making his life a misery had taken an abrupt turn.  Snape actually seemed to tolerate the young man he had at one stage hated.  He had once even shown him a smile when he was the only one in the class to do his potion perfectly.  It had not lasted long, as he had then scolded Neville who's potion had turned Hermione's skin green, but it had been enough to surprise the class.

Except for Harry and Draco, who had come to except Snape's behaviour since before Valentines day, it made them both smile too know that at least one teacher didn't mind.  But it seemed that none of them minded, and as a couple, Harry and Draco were a lot less obvious about it then most.  They did little outside of hold hands in the hallways, and the occasional kiss on the grounds.  All in all it was what many of the staff had termed 'cute'.

That didn't bother the Potions Master at the moment as he made his way from the library, a small sound stopping him in his tracks.  He turned his head, looking over his shoulder as the small kitten Pouncer stood from her seated position and padded towards him.

Snape made a slightly exasperated noise.  "Where on earth have you been?"  He knelt in front of the kitten, whom nuzzled the teacher's free hand, spooning for a pat.  Snape scratched her behind the ears and Pouncer purred.  "Don't think you can just sit there, begging for attention, I've been looking for you since he showed up here Missy-"

"Pouncer!"

The kitten's blue eyes moved from her focused attention on Snape to Draco, who was with Harry and Hermione, making their way to the Library.  Snape also looked up at them, still scratching Pouncer behind the ears.  "Is she your's Malfoy?"

"She is Professor, I'm sorry if she has bothered you.  Pouncer, come here."  The cat yawned but complied, jumping into Draco's arms.  "You two go ahead, I'll take her back to the dorms."

Snape took one last look at the bright-eyed kitten before heading for the dungeons and his room.  "At least now I know where to find you."

Ron Weasley sat by himself in the Library, actually poring over a book for a change.  The redhead had let his hair grow longer over the last few months and it now it curled in fine strands around his neck.  As Hermione sat next to him her fingers instantaneously slipped into the curls, Ron glancing at her and smiling in delight.

"What took you two so long?"

Hermione gave him a quick kiss on his lips before saying, "Harry, he ran off on me."

"And where's Draco?"  Ron, though to begin with had been horrified that Harry and Draco were seeing each other, now handled the relationship a little better.  And he seemed to actually, sometimes, enjoy the blonde's addition to their group, though he would never say it out loud.

"He had to-"

"Well well," an all to familiar voice joined them.  Lucan stood with his hands crossed over his chest, smirking at the three of them.  "If it isn't Potter and his little mudbuddies."  The sneer brought three glares to the black haired Slytherin.  It was hard to believe that anyone that beautiful could be so incredibly cruel.  And he was, his dark hair was fine and long, right down to his waist.  His eyes were the colour shining violets and his skin as fine as new fallen snow.  And for all that beauty a demon resided within.  Lucan Slythorn had become their new archenemy almost over night, it was as if Draco had fallen from grace amongst the Slytherin's and was treated with the same contempt as the Gryffindors.

Which was perhaps why he spent as much time as possible with them.

"Don't you have something better to do with your time Lucan?"  Hermione asked archly, her blue eyes snapping furiously.

"Actually, I find insulting you a much better use of my time then anything else.  Why do you ask Mudblood? Am I cutting into your smooching time with your ass of a boyfriend?"

Ron let loose a furious growl and went to stand, only to find a hand on his shoulder.  He looked up to find the livid blue eyes of Draco on the shorter Slytherin.

"Not here, beat some sense into him on the Quidditch field."  Draco smiled icily.

Lucan fumed.  "Some Seeker you are, you can't even beat a half blood.  Or maybe its because your screw-"

"Watch your mouth Lucan, I'm still Captain last time I looked, if I wanted I could easily throw you from the team.  I'm sure Pansy would make a wonderful replacement."

Lucan looked as if he were about to explode, his violet eyes widening furiously.  But he kept his mouth, with great effort, shut.  Pansy would be a horror on the field and Lucan did not want to see if Draco would carry through with his threat, knowing that the rest of Slytherin would blame him and not the Captain in the end.  He might not like Draco, but the blonde was still well respected in much of the lower and older years.

Hissing he turned from them and exited the library with more dignity them most could manage.

Draco sighed, sitting down beside Harry.  Harry smiled understandingly at Draco, entwining his fingers in the other boy's hand.  He lifted the hand to his lips, kissing the fingertips softly.

"That boy is going to be trouble…"

tbc…

So, does Snape make more sense in talking to a cat?  Possibly not, but O well ^_^  Comment