A/N: Apologies for the delayed chapters. And many thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I'm happy you thought that my portrayal of Lockhart was accurate.

In this chapter: The never-ending struggle between cats and dogs. Gingerhead and Fang meet again. And I can't write Hagrid talk. So bare with me.

The cat who walks alone: A line tribute to Kipling.

CHAPTER 8: Gingerhead goes south.

Severus Snape rolled over in his bed, happy that it was Saturday. No imbecile students or annoying colleagues would bother him today. He had planned a trip to London to spend some quality time with his most favorite person: himself. As sleep's fog left his mind, the first of his senses that was awakened was his smell. Pushing back the locks of hair that fell over his eyes, he reclined to his side and saw the orange cat lying on the floor, belly up and heavily breathing. And scattered on his dungeon floor there were traces of thrown up food. And judging by the stench, the bathroom would be in a far worse state. Sighing, he waved his wand mumbling a cleaning spell and the floor was restored to its previous immaculate state.

Gingerhead mewed pathetically, but did not move.

"I have warned you. Now, suffer, orange menace," he hissed and walked to the bathroom.

The situation was indeed worse in there. Cursing through his clenched teeth, Snape cast another cleaning spell. That cat had actually devoured eight bowls of tuna salad the previous night. If today he suffered from indigestion or, even better, food poisoning, he was perfectly happy. At least he would leave him alone for the day.

Feeling better by this thought, he began to get ready for his day out.

~*~

Gingerhead's POV.

Oh, my aching tummy!

Come hear and comfort me, you worthless human! Can't you see that I'm dying here? I need my tummy rubbed, my ears scratched and my fur groomed.

No? Well, then you are worth of every bit of the little 'something' I left in your shoes.

Stop smirking, will you? It was NOT the tuna. It was the vegetables in that accursed salad. I'm a carnivore, for crying out loud, not a sheep. My major food groups include meat, poultry, fish, flowers and book pages. Lettuce and carrots are not in any of these groups. Were you trying to poison me?

Oh, if I get the house elf that made this in my claws...

Hey, I'm sick! Where are you going? Come back here and pet me!

~*~

Severus Snape closed the dungeon door behind him and headed for Hogsmead where he could dissaparare safely to Diagon Alley. In his path the corridors were clear of students, as everyone made sure not to lose any points from their Houses due to the foul mood of the Potions Mater.

As soon as he reached Hagrid's hut, he momentarily stopped his walk to ask the half-giant if he had seen any black hyacinths blooming in the Forbidden Forest yet. The flower essence of this rare plant had certain mystical qualities very useful to his work. Just as he was about to leave Hagrid, he heard a familiar sound behind him.

Of course. That monster must have more than nine lives.

"Hello kitty," said Hagrid and Fang stood up to greet the cat. However, as soon as cat and dog locked eyes, Fang began to tremble and hid behind Hagrid.

Snape watched the incident with increased interest.

"Do you know this cat, Rubeus?" he asked in a silky voice.

"Oh, yes, Professor," Hagrid was quick to reply. "I found him outside the 'Three Broomsticks' sometime ago. Poor thing, he seemed to be so starved that I offered to buy him lunch. Bless his soul, that kitty can eat two times like Fang here."

Snape looked at the cat's huge yellow eyes and snickered.

Ah, but we both know you have your limits, don't we?

Gingerhead lied on the lawn, raised his hind leg and began to wash his privates. And Snape turned his attention to Hagrid again.

"So, if I understood well, you are responsible for this little creature coming to Hogwarts." His voice was icy cold; he could have well accused him of bringing Armageddon.

"Well, Professor, you see, the poor thing followed me all the way from Hogsmead. It was evident that he longed for a family and a home, and I was sincerely hoping he would stay with me. But then there was that incident with Fang here..." Hagrid stopped his tale to pet the cowering dog behind him.

"What incident?" asked Snape, curious.

Hagrid stared back at him for a long moment, not sure if he should tell him more.

~*~

Gingerhead's POV.

Yes, I'm still alive. Disappointed?

And guess what? I'm hungry. Feed me.

Oh, hello, Hagrid.

Hello, doggy. Do you want to see my claws again? I think you missed one the last time.

That's right, hide behind your master, dog.

I am the cat who walks alone and I need no home or human to control me.

Just lots of tuna and a Potions Master to serve as my scratching post.

~*~

"You see, Professor Snape," he started, "it was a chilly night about two weeks ago. We had just finished our supper and we were looking forward to dozing off before a nice fire. That kitty had licked his plate clean, then ate my leftovers and stole Fang's remaining food. Poor Fang is an angel, so he let the starving kitty to have it without raising a single objection. But then Gingerhead walked over and curled on Fang's favorite spot in front of the fireplace." Hagrid turned to look at the trembling dog behind him.

Snape looked at Gingerhead who was innocently chasing his tail.

Save it for Hagrid. You can't fool me, cat.

"Fang has a kind heart, but I fear he's not very bright, Professor," he continued. "He looked at the napping cat in front of the fireplace, then looked at me, then at the cat again, as if trying to make up his mind. Then he tried to push him slightly to the side with his paw, so that they could both share the warmth." He paused again and looked at Fang's wet eyes. "You shouldn't have done that, stupid dog," he said tenderly.

Snape could very well guess what had happened next. The past few days had taught him a lot about feline intelligence and motives.

"When kitty felt Fang's paw, he jumped up and hissed and spat as if the Dark Lord had suddenly walked in. Fang tried to apologize by licking the cat's face. And that was another thing he shouldn't have done. Gingerhead jumped up and hooked himself on Fang's face with all four sets of claws. Blinded by fear and pain, Fang tried to shake him off, but in vain. Then he began to run blindly in my hut and cause havoc in his path. In the end, almost everything was shattered or damaged, poor Fang was bleeding from all over his face and that cat was blissfully sleeping before the fireplace, purring. The next day I took him into the castle, hoping that he would find friends among the other cats." He paused to stroke the dog's head. "Poor thing, he still has nightmares about it."

And Severus Snape felt like crying and laughing at the same time.

~*~

Gingerhead's POV.

What? Let that dog to lick your face, and let me see how you like it then.

On second thought, perhaps not. If the dog licks your face, he might get food poisoning. One less dog in not much of a loss, but then Hagrid might want to adopt me in his place. And no, thanks. You haven't tried his cooking.

Are we done yet? I'm bored.

~*~

When Snape left Hogwarts with a happy Gingerhead following his lead, he feared that this day would very easily turn to a disaster. The shops of Diagon Alley were not made to handle such hazards like the cat.

On the other hand, if no one could link the cat back to him, he would be perfectly fine.

After all, it was not his cat.