Author's Note: Hey, people. Second chapter of 'Snuffles' Stay' is right here! Thanks to those of you who reviewed so quickly! So, here, is more of that ever mind-rendering story you just can't wait to read on with ^_^; Again; Sirius plushies to those who review; Petrificus Totalis to those who don't!
Snuffles' Stay
Chapter 2
Hermione held the last breath she had inhaled for an extended period of time. Did Sirius do what I think he just did? Did he… Did he kiss me?! The thought ran through her head ever so quickly, yet, she could not figure out what the reasoning was behind it. Why would he do something like that? That wasn't something her best friends' GodFather was bound to do!
Sirius was now Snuffles, once again, playing on the bed with Hermione. Although, her body seemed to stiffen after the moment he had switched to himself, and gave Hermione's lips a playful peck. It didn't mean anything… Of course it didn't. Sirius was an outlaw, banned from the Wizarding World because of his foolish impulses that led him to believe that he could take on Peter by himself (which, he could do, if it weren't for Peter's patheticness), which had led to the death of twelve innocent muggles.
"Hermione?" Snuffles asked, his voice rich with concern.
"What, Snuffles?" Her words seemed to take longer than she would've liked to escape from her mouth, but as they came out, the harshness of her tone filled her ears.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Hermione. It's just one of those things you can't help sometimes!"
"I see. Okay, then, Snuffles." Hermione reached out and grabbed the muzzle of the dog, shaking it playfully. "I forgive you."
"Hermione?"
"Hmm, Snuffles?"
The big dog jumped onto her lap, forcing himself closer onto the bushy-haired girl underneath himself. "Please, please, please itch my back! Please, please, pleassssseeee!"
Hermione couldn't help but to chortle loudly, reaching her long-nailed fingers out to the dog's shaggy back. He's really something odd, you know, Hermione? Like a big kid, trapped in some dog's body. Snuffles' foot proceeded to thump against the bed.
"Sirius?"
"Hmm, Hermione?"
"Do you think I should cut my hair?"
"Why would you want to do that? I like your hair the way it is."
"Oh… Okay, then. But why?" The bushy haired girl questioned, stroking fevered fingers along the dog's back.
"Because it's a little different then what you'd normally see, now isn't it? It gives you uniqueness, I suppose, but then again, you're unique in yourself, because you are the cleverest Witch of your time. Really somethin' for Hogwarts, I tell you. You remind me a bit about Lily when we were back in Hogwarts. Ahhh… The days of the Marauders…"
"I bet Harry'd be pleased to find that out," she inquired, yawning softly under her breath.
"Perhaps he would, perhaps he wouldn't."
Without another word on the subject, Hermione's head lulled onto the shaggy, massive head of Snuffles, and she fell into an enhanced, dreamy sleep.
*****
Harry was holding his Eagle-feather quill in his right hand, contemplating silently over the scroll of parchment stretched out before him. He had received Sirius and Hermione's quickly scrawled letters; he was partial to the rainbowish ink, which brought the letter alive. It'd been so long since he'd actually seen Sirius, and with him staying at Hermione's, he'd be able to visit him this summer. The Dursleys weren't going to hold him back; nothing was.
Dear Hermione and 'Snuffles,'
I'll have you know that the Dursleys are doing their part in leaving me alone. I expect that after so many warnings that if 'I'm not content, all I have to do is contact my Godfather; you know, the convicted murderer,' they get the point.
The sooner I can get out of this place, the better. Dudley continues to stare at me like I'm a drumstick! The bloody nerve. He's gotten so large, now, that he takes up the whole side of a table, plus lolls over the corners. It's disgusting. Contact me as soon as you can! I need to get away from here; Hedwig's getting impatient, too. I think she wants to do something other than watch the mail-owls deliver the 'Daily Prophet' to me.
-Harry
Harry gave the letter his finishing touches, wound it back into it's small scroll-like ensemble, and attached it to Hedwig's leg, who stood patiently, leaving after administering an affectionate nip on Harry's hand.
*****
"Hedwig's at the window. Wake up. Wake up, Hermione," Snuffles added with a shake to her limp body. Her eyes shot open, gazing into those of the large dog on top of her.
"What?" she managed to stifle out, stretching her arms long above her head, the sleeves of her gown sliding down the length of her forearm in return. "Oh? Hedwig!" Hermione jumped upwards, Snuffles leaning to the side of the bed, as she opened up her bedroom window, allowing the Snowy Owl to enter.
She took the patient owl's leg, and unburdened it of it's dutiful message. Hermione smiled down at the faithful owl, stroking her gentle feathers as she unrolled the parchment in her other hand. Sirius was standing next to her, reading over her shoulder; she, however, failed to notice this at first.
Hermione gave a little screech after turning her head, finding Sirius staring over her shoulder. "Don't DO that! You scared me.
"That's surprising, as you've gone to Hogwarts for how long, now?" His eyes twinkled merrily toward her. "When're we going to Ron's?"
"I'm not sure." Crookshanks pressed his body against her calves. "Oh, Crookshanks, are you hungry? Of course you are!" Hermione bent over and picked up her large ginger cat. "Is Snuffles hungry, too?"
"How ever did you know, young Hermione?"
"Woman intuition. It comes naturally!"
Carrying Crookshanks in her hand, Sirius transformed back into Snuffles at her heels, they bounded down the stairwell. Her parents were seated at the kitchen table, both sipping from steaming mugs, Mr. Granger looking through the morning paper, Mrs. Granger glancing through a book of baby names.
Snuffles sat on the floor next to Mrs. Granger's chair, his tail wagging ferociously behind him. He began panting slowly, his head positioned to rest on the woman's lap. Mrs. Granger laughed softly, scratching him softly behind the ears.
"You're a good doggie, aren't you? What did you say his name was, dear?" Mrs. Granger questioned her daughter.
"His name's Snuffles. He's just a big baby, and will do anything for food."
"Well, look at those teeth of his! That's no condition for a just a young dog's teeth to be in! Honey," Mrs. Granger shot a glance to her husband, "we'll need to pick up a denta-bone for him. That'll clean out his mouth for a little while." She smiled down at Snuffles, fingers pulling back his lips. "He's so well behaved for a stray."
The fridge stood before her, and Hermione's legs led her toward it. She opened the door, revealing the large capacity of the white muggle structure, and its fruitful contents. Snuffles' head perched from her mother's lap, and with his ears flattened, he turned his gaze to Hermione, getting a noseful of tantalizing scents.
"I smell something realllllly good." Snuffles exclaimed. His tail wagging more vigorously on the kitchen floor informed her of his hunger.
"I take it that you're hungry, Snuffles?" She laughed shortly, pulling out left-over meats. "Here." She placed the meats in a bowl, and placed them on the floor in front of Snuffles, while occupying herself, now, with the task of feeding Crookshanks.
"Cold? You want me to eat this cold?"
Hermione shot him a rueful glare. She would have said, 'If I remember correctly, which I am positive that I do, you at once time lived off of rats, and cold meat will not make much difference,' but thought twice, as her parents were sitting at the table in the kitchen. "Go on, eat it! Silly dog."
"Oh, and Hermione, dear… Don't forget to take the animals out for their exercise today; and don't forget about the leash laws!" Mrs. Granger shot a look to Snuffles. "We've supplied him with a leash, as well. It's hanging up in the garage."
*****
Snuffles stood at the end of his tether, looking slightly disgruntled. "Tell me again why I have to be on this leash. It's uncomfortable!" His voice was slightly abashed, Hermione noticed, and in attempts to make him feel better, she gave his side a good pat.
"Leash Laws, Snuffles, I'm sorry." Crookshanks purred loudly from her side. "Yes, Crookshanks, I know." Reaching down, she managed to give the large ginger cat's back a long, loving scratch. "How far should we walk, Snuffles?"
"Well, hello, little Granger," a cold voice sneered from behind her. Hermione turned around, looking into a stone-like face, complete with emotionless gray eyes. "What are you doing on this street? The police are trying to keep the world clean, and your lot isn't helping it any bloody much."
"My lot? Please, do explain."
"Indeed, I will. The police are trying to keep whores and prostitutes off of the streets, Granger. Do get the hint, and get your filthy self out of her."
The cold voice stung her, made her want to lung out and beat the living tar out of the person who stood before her. She couldn't hex him; she was still Underage, and magicing would lead her into trouble with the Underage Wizardry Ministry office. But, she noticed only two seconds later, that Snuffles had taken matters into his own hands.
Snuffles lunged at the guy; shocked, Hermione dropped the tether that bound her to him. Jaws extended, he clamped them firmly onto the guy's clothing, causing a mad panic. "AHH! GET THIS CRAZY MUTT OFF OF ME!" He flung himself around, trying to escape the dog's grasp. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, LITTLE GRANGER. YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM ME, I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT!"
Knowing that if he bit the man, he would be in quite a bit of trouble, Snuffles stuck to assaulting his clothing rather than the man himself. When the guy began to fling himself around, Sirius let go, padding to the side of Hermione, bearing his rather large teeth at the man, as if daring him to come closer.
"I suggest you leave me alone, dunderhead, if you know what's best with you," Hermione claimed coolly. Her hand snaked out from beside her, fingers entwining themselves in the matted black fur of Snuffles. With her last words, she grabbed the leash of the dog, nudged her cat, and they were off again, back to the Granger home.
*****
"Thank you, Sirius."
Sirius stood before her, laying a large hand on her shaking shoulder. "You're welcome, Hermione."
Hermione threw herself backward, landing on the length of her bed. Sirius continued to stand next to the bed, glancing down at her. "What an arse!"
"Why would somebody say that to you?" Sirius questioned.
"I think," she paused to ponder a moment, "that he's jealous, because I would not give in to him. You notice how he called me a prostitute? Had you not been there, Sirius, I think he would have tried something with me. Tried to pass me a few pounds, and attempted to get into my trousers."
"Pounds? What're those?"
Chortling softly, she glanced at Sirius with the softest look in her eyes. "Pounds are muggle money. Anyway; thank you, Sirius, really. Thank you very much." Hermione bulted upward, throwing her arms around his midriff, burying her face in his shirt.
Sirius' hand traveled down the back of her head, and played with her fluffy hair like the many times she had played with his, when he was known as Snuffles. "Again; you're welcome, Hermione. Nobody should mess with you like that." Is this what I'm supposed to do? I must sound very stupid right now.
He sat down beside her on the bed, allowing Hermione to curl up to his form. His hands rubbed her back, and played with her hair comfortingly. To hold himself up, he slid back, pressing his back against the headboard, lying Hermione on his slowly heaving chest. Hermione, face tear-stained, hands clutching onto his shirt for protective measures, paid no never-mind, and just continued to cling.
Mmm… he thought, nostrils inhaling the sweet scent of the young girl's hair. I like that scent. It suits her well. With Hermione still clutched to his chest, he slowly fell asleep.
Hermione slept, as well. And at that moment, Sirius was not a dog. Sirius was Sirius, a man.
Hermione held the last breath she had inhaled for an extended period of time. Did Sirius do what I think he just did? Did he… Did he kiss me?! The thought ran through her head ever so quickly, yet, she could not figure out what the reasoning was behind it. Why would he do something like that? That wasn't something her best friends' GodFather was bound to do!
Sirius was now Snuffles, once again, playing on the bed with Hermione. Although, her body seemed to stiffen after the moment he had switched to himself, and gave Hermione's lips a playful peck. It didn't mean anything… Of course it didn't. Sirius was an outlaw, banned from the Wizarding World because of his foolish impulses that led him to believe that he could take on Peter by himself (which, he could do, if it weren't for Peter's patheticness), which had led to the death of twelve innocent muggles.
"Hermione?" Snuffles asked, his voice rich with concern.
"What, Snuffles?" Her words seemed to take longer than she would've liked to escape from her mouth, but as they came out, the harshness of her tone filled her ears.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Hermione. It's just one of those things you can't help sometimes!"
"I see. Okay, then, Snuffles." Hermione reached out and grabbed the muzzle of the dog, shaking it playfully. "I forgive you."
"Hermione?"
"Hmm, Snuffles?"
The big dog jumped onto her lap, forcing himself closer onto the bushy-haired girl underneath himself. "Please, please, please itch my back! Please, please, pleassssseeee!"
Hermione couldn't help but to chortle loudly, reaching her long-nailed fingers out to the dog's shaggy back. He's really something odd, you know, Hermione? Like a big kid, trapped in some dog's body. Snuffles' foot proceeded to thump against the bed.
"Sirius?"
"Hmm, Hermione?"
"Do you think I should cut my hair?"
"Why would you want to do that? I like your hair the way it is."
"Oh… Okay, then. But why?" The bushy haired girl questioned, stroking fevered fingers along the dog's back.
"Because it's a little different then what you'd normally see, now isn't it? It gives you uniqueness, I suppose, but then again, you're unique in yourself, because you are the cleverest Witch of your time. Really somethin' for Hogwarts, I tell you. You remind me a bit about Lily when we were back in Hogwarts. Ahhh… The days of the Marauders…"
"I bet Harry'd be pleased to find that out," she inquired, yawning softly under her breath.
"Perhaps he would, perhaps he wouldn't."
Without another word on the subject, Hermione's head lulled onto the shaggy, massive head of Snuffles, and she fell into an enhanced, dreamy sleep.
Harry was holding his Eagle-feather quill in his right hand, contemplating silently over the scroll of parchment stretched out before him. He had received Sirius and Hermione's quickly scrawled letters; he was partial to the rainbowish ink, which brought the letter alive. It'd been so long since he'd actually seen Sirius, and with him staying at Hermione's, he'd be able to visit him this summer. The Dursleys weren't going to hold him back; nothing was.
Dear Hermione and 'Snuffles,'
I'll have you know that the Dursleys are doing their part in leaving me alone. I expect that after so many warnings that if 'I'm not content, all I have to do is contact my Godfather; you know, the convicted murderer,' they get the point.
The sooner I can get out of this place, the better. Dudley continues to stare at me like I'm a drumstick! The bloody nerve. He's gotten so large, now, that he takes up the whole side of a table, plus lolls over the corners. It's disgusting. Contact me as soon as you can! I need to get away from here; Hedwig's getting impatient, too. I think she wants to do something other than watch the mail-owls deliver the 'Daily Prophet' to me.
-Harry
Harry gave the letter his finishing touches, wound it back into it's small scroll-like ensemble, and attached it to Hedwig's leg, who stood patiently, leaving after administering an affectionate nip on Harry's hand.
"Hedwig's at the window. Wake up. Wake up, Hermione," Snuffles added with a shake to her limp body. Her eyes shot open, gazing into those of the large dog on top of her.
"What?" she managed to stifle out, stretching her arms long above her head, the sleeves of her gown sliding down the length of her forearm in return. "Oh? Hedwig!" Hermione jumped upwards, Snuffles leaning to the side of the bed, as she opened up her bedroom window, allowing the Snowy Owl to enter.
She took the patient owl's leg, and unburdened it of it's dutiful message. Hermione smiled down at the faithful owl, stroking her gentle feathers as she unrolled the parchment in her other hand. Sirius was standing next to her, reading over her shoulder; she, however, failed to notice this at first.
Hermione gave a little screech after turning her head, finding Sirius staring over her shoulder. "Don't DO that! You scared me.
"That's surprising, as you've gone to Hogwarts for how long, now?" His eyes twinkled merrily toward her. "When're we going to Ron's?"
"I'm not sure." Crookshanks pressed his body against her calves. "Oh, Crookshanks, are you hungry? Of course you are!" Hermione bent over and picked up her large ginger cat. "Is Snuffles hungry, too?"
"How ever did you know, young Hermione?"
"Woman intuition. It comes naturally!"
Carrying Crookshanks in her hand, Sirius transformed back into Snuffles at her heels, they bounded down the stairwell. Her parents were seated at the kitchen table, both sipping from steaming mugs, Mr. Granger looking through the morning paper, Mrs. Granger glancing through a book of baby names.
Snuffles sat on the floor next to Mrs. Granger's chair, his tail wagging ferociously behind him. He began panting slowly, his head positioned to rest on the woman's lap. Mrs. Granger laughed softly, scratching him softly behind the ears.
"You're a good doggie, aren't you? What did you say his name was, dear?" Mrs. Granger questioned her daughter.
"His name's Snuffles. He's just a big baby, and will do anything for food."
"Well, look at those teeth of his! That's no condition for a just a young dog's teeth to be in! Honey," Mrs. Granger shot a glance to her husband, "we'll need to pick up a denta-bone for him. That'll clean out his mouth for a little while." She smiled down at Snuffles, fingers pulling back his lips. "He's so well behaved for a stray."
The fridge stood before her, and Hermione's legs led her toward it. She opened the door, revealing the large capacity of the white muggle structure, and its fruitful contents. Snuffles' head perched from her mother's lap, and with his ears flattened, he turned his gaze to Hermione, getting a noseful of tantalizing scents.
"I smell something realllllly good." Snuffles exclaimed. His tail wagging more vigorously on the kitchen floor informed her of his hunger.
"I take it that you're hungry, Snuffles?" She laughed shortly, pulling out left-over meats. "Here." She placed the meats in a bowl, and placed them on the floor in front of Snuffles, while occupying herself, now, with the task of feeding Crookshanks.
"Cold? You want me to eat this cold?"
Hermione shot him a rueful glare. She would have said, 'If I remember correctly, which I am positive that I do, you at once time lived off of rats, and cold meat will not make much difference,' but thought twice, as her parents were sitting at the table in the kitchen. "Go on, eat it! Silly dog."
"Oh, and Hermione, dear… Don't forget to take the animals out for their exercise today; and don't forget about the leash laws!" Mrs. Granger shot a look to Snuffles. "We've supplied him with a leash, as well. It's hanging up in the garage."
Snuffles stood at the end of his tether, looking slightly disgruntled. "Tell me again why I have to be on this leash. It's uncomfortable!" His voice was slightly abashed, Hermione noticed, and in attempts to make him feel better, she gave his side a good pat.
"Leash Laws, Snuffles, I'm sorry." Crookshanks purred loudly from her side. "Yes, Crookshanks, I know." Reaching down, she managed to give the large ginger cat's back a long, loving scratch. "How far should we walk, Snuffles?"
"Well, hello, little Granger," a cold voice sneered from behind her. Hermione turned around, looking into a stone-like face, complete with emotionless gray eyes. "What are you doing on this street? The police are trying to keep the world clean, and your lot isn't helping it any bloody much."
"My lot? Please, do explain."
"Indeed, I will. The police are trying to keep whores and prostitutes off of the streets, Granger. Do get the hint, and get your filthy self out of her."
The cold voice stung her, made her want to lung out and beat the living tar out of the person who stood before her. She couldn't hex him; she was still Underage, and magicing would lead her into trouble with the Underage Wizardry Ministry office. But, she noticed only two seconds later, that Snuffles had taken matters into his own hands.
Snuffles lunged at the guy; shocked, Hermione dropped the tether that bound her to him. Jaws extended, he clamped them firmly onto the guy's clothing, causing a mad panic. "AHH! GET THIS CRAZY MUTT OFF OF ME!" He flung himself around, trying to escape the dog's grasp. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, LITTLE GRANGER. YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM ME, I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT!"
Knowing that if he bit the man, he would be in quite a bit of trouble, Snuffles stuck to assaulting his clothing rather than the man himself. When the guy began to fling himself around, Sirius let go, padding to the side of Hermione, bearing his rather large teeth at the man, as if daring him to come closer.
"I suggest you leave me alone, dunderhead, if you know what's best with you," Hermione claimed coolly. Her hand snaked out from beside her, fingers entwining themselves in the matted black fur of Snuffles. With her last words, she grabbed the leash of the dog, nudged her cat, and they were off again, back to the Granger home.
"Thank you, Sirius."
Sirius stood before her, laying a large hand on her shaking shoulder. "You're welcome, Hermione."
Hermione threw herself backward, landing on the length of her bed. Sirius continued to stand next to the bed, glancing down at her. "What an arse!"
"Why would somebody say that to you?" Sirius questioned.
"I think," she paused to ponder a moment, "that he's jealous, because I would not give in to him. You notice how he called me a prostitute? Had you not been there, Sirius, I think he would have tried something with me. Tried to pass me a few pounds, and attempted to get into my trousers."
"Pounds? What're those?"
Chortling softly, she glanced at Sirius with the softest look in her eyes. "Pounds are muggle money. Anyway; thank you, Sirius, really. Thank you very much." Hermione bulted upward, throwing her arms around his midriff, burying her face in his shirt.
Sirius' hand traveled down the back of her head, and played with her fluffy hair like the many times she had played with his, when he was known as Snuffles. "Again; you're welcome, Hermione. Nobody should mess with you like that." Is this what I'm supposed to do? I must sound very stupid right now.
He sat down beside her on the bed, allowing Hermione to curl up to his form. His hands rubbed her back, and played with her hair comfortingly. To hold himself up, he slid back, pressing his back against the headboard, lying Hermione on his slowly heaving chest. Hermione, face tear-stained, hands clutching onto his shirt for protective measures, paid no never-mind, and just continued to cling.
Mmm… he thought, nostrils inhaling the sweet scent of the young girl's hair. I like that scent. It suits her well. With Hermione still clutched to his chest, he slowly fell asleep.
Hermione slept, as well. And at that moment, Sirius was not a dog. Sirius was Sirius, a man.