Please Note: This fic's rating has been upgraded to M/R. ANs and Disclaimer are below.

""snaketalk"" Parseltongue

"Shut Up & Kiss Me"
by; imLittleLily

FireEater

Harry tucked his new snake into his inside robe pocket and walked to the coaches that would take the remaining students to the Hogwarts Express.

"Harry, there you are." Hermione approached him quickly wearing a concerned frown. "We already had your trunk taken, here's Hedwig."

Hedwig looked at Harry, ruffling her feathers, telling him how annoyed she was with him due to his absence. Harry nodded, taking the owl cage from Hermione. "Thanks," he said. "I guess I was at the lake longer than I realized." Putting his finger through the cage, Harry whispered, "Sorry, Hedwig."

Gently nipping at his finger, Hedwig forgave him.

Ron was looking at Harry with a strange expression. "Where's Ginny?"

Harry shrugged. "Don't know."

Ron scowled as he glared at Harry with sudden suspicion.

""Guess I should'a told you, you look thoroughly snogged."" Draco's smug drawling voice came from Harry's pocket.

"Har—"

"Excuse me," Neville said, coming up to them in a rush. "Hermione and Ron, Professor McGonagall wants to see both of you."

"Not now, Neville," Ron said harshly with a frown at Harry. "Harry, when did you see Ginny last?"

Harry shrugged. "The funeral. Why, Ron?"

"Come on, Ron." Hermione took Ron's hand and tried to urge him to follow her.

"No." Ron shook his head adamantly. "Harry…"

Hermione pulled Ron away with sheer Gryffindor determination. The tug of war that ensued was a typical occurrence between them.

Watching his friends walking away, Harry noticed that Hermione's voice sizzled when she spoke to Ron. Sighing, Harry climbed into a coach behind him with Neville and Luna.

"He's really mad, Harry," Neville commented as he studied Harry's face. "You look like you have been snogging and Ginny is missing."

Harry frowned and started to leave to go in search of Ginny.

"I'm not missing." Ginny climbed in taking the seat next to Harry. "Don't pay Ron any mind, Harry. You know how he is."

With a sudden rush forward, the coaches began to roll away from Hogwarts. Harry nodded at Ginny, ignoring her arched brow; he turned to watch the landscape of Hogwarts pass by. Going through the front gate brought on a sensation of blanketed melancholy—chilly like the effect of dementors. Everyone remained silend as Hogwarts disappeared behind the treeline.

Trying to break through the oppressive gloom, Neville said, "Professor McGonagall is going to try to keep Hogwarts open. She says that's what Dumbledore would've wanted."

Nodding, they each succumbed to abject dejection.

Harry continued to present a facade of studying the scenery outside the window. When they stopped in Hogsmeade, he took a deep breath and released it. Stepping down from the coach onto the platform, Harry paused and studied the red engine of the Hogwarts Express.

""Geez, are you always so down?""

""Sod off, Malfoy."" Harry walked to the closest door and stepped up into the Express for the last time. In his own little bubble, he passed other students, nodding if they spoke to him, walking through the congested corridor to the back of the train.

""Hey, watch it!"" Draco yelled when Harry bumped into the carriage door , avoiding collision with a third year.

Harry snickered and patted his pocket. ""Here's an empty compartment. This'll do."" Harry stepped in, slid the door closed and placed Hedwig's cage on the upper shelf. Sitting next to the window, Harry looked out over the village of Hogsmeade.

""Fuck, let me out."" Draco squirmed in the confines of Harry's pocket.

Shaking his head, Harry lifted his robe lapel and hissed in Parseltongue, ""Just slither out. I'm not your slave; you have to do it yourself.""

Draco came up and out of Harry's pocket. Tasting the air, he moved to the center of the seat next to Harry, where he curled up, then tilted his head at Harry. ""Where to from here?""

Harry shrugged. "My Aunt's, we'll stay there until the end of July, and then I have other places to be. There's something you should know about her…"" Harry smirked, leaning down hissing in jest, ""You'll have to be hidden. If she finds you,"" Harry wagged his brows, ""she'll grind you up in the garbage disposal.""

Draco backed away in his best reverse motion slither and glared up at Harry. They were in the middle of their glare session when Ron came to the compartment door.

"Harry…bloody hell, Harry. When did you get a snake?"

Harry smirked.

Harry's snake hissed as he raised his head and glared at Ron.

Chuckling, Harry replied, "Today, Ron. I found him out by the lake. Isn't he cute?"

""Golden Boy, git. I'll bite you for that.""

Harry pulled his mirth in, resulting in silent shaking laughter.

Ron sat on the seat opposite Harry and studied the snake.

Draco hissed fiercely.

Harry bit his bottom lip. ""Draco, this is Ron Weasley."" Having difficulty in restraining more laughter at Draco's wide-eyed reaction, he asked, ""What should I tell him your name is?""

Draco brought his head up with Slytherin pride. ""FireEater.""

Harry finally released his laughter shaking his head. "Ron," he said, "allow me to introduce you to FireEater."

Ron's red brow rose high. Looking at the snake, he shook his head. "How can something so little eat fire?"

""You fucking Weasel. I'm gonna bite you!" Draco roared as he moved towards Ron intent on his goal.

Harry reached over and pulled Draco up into his hands. ""No, ya don't, Draco.""

Squirming in Harry's hands, Draco sent his tongue flashing out. ""Put me down, Potter. I want to bite the bloody arsehole.""

""NO.""

Ron observed them closely. "Harry, what did he say?"

Harry shook his head. "Ron, to be honest, you're better off not knowing. Suffice it to say, FireEater can be a moronic prat sometimes. He has an attitude problem."

Draco started wiggling again. ""Fucking wanker. Let me down!""

""Be still. If you don't behave, I'll give you to Aunt Petunia.""

Draco sissed and stilled.

""That's better. Lay here and take a snake-nap."" Harry placed Draco on the seat. ""Stay.""

Draco glared up at him.

Harry smirked as he wondered what other expressions the little snake could make. Biting his lip, he decided this would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about snakes.

Gradually the rhythm of the train hypnotized them into silence as the Express traveled south. Harry returned to his personal bubble, not even asking where 'Mione and Ginny were. Occasionally he studied Draco, who had succumbed to sleep. Hours later, he joined him.

""Wake-up, Potter.""

Harry came back from his dreamless sleep groggily as Ron and Draco both tried to wake him. More than a little surprised that they apparently had survived each other, Harry yawned and reached for Draco. ""I'm awake.""

"Hey Ron, I'm awake." Harry looked his friend over to be sure he was fine.

""He's intact."" Draco slid into the pocket of Harry's baggy jeans. ""This is gonna be fun.""

""Be still. Don't do that.""

Draco sniggered. ""Like I said…""

Harry scowled, jiggling his leg; he gave his pocket a light tap before exiting the compartment.

""Ow! That's not fair.""

""Get used to it.""

Harry stepped out onto Platform 9 3/4 into mass muddle from both students and parents alike. Everyone bustled about, gathering their trunks while talking excitedly to friends and family members. Harry sighed. Turning to retrieve his trunk, Harry pulled it up onto a trolley and placed Hedwig's cage on top, looking at her round eyes, he said, "I guess this is it, Hedwig." Surrounded by Weasleys suddenly, Harry said his goodbye somberly. "I'll be at Grimmauld Place later in the summer; maybe, I'll see you there."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Of course, Harry. We'll see you soon. You know Ron wanted to ride the Express here so he could spend more time." Patting him on his shoulder, she added, "Don't forget Bill's wedding, we expect to see you then." Engulfing Harry with one of her famous matronly hugs, she let more tears loose.

""Bloody hell."" Draco squirmed at the sudden close quarters. ""Back off, besom.""

Harry pulled away and gave the side of his leg a hard pat next to his pocket.

""Oh, you wanna play?"" Draco squirmed closer to Harry's bits.

"I have to go, Mrs. Weasley. Later, mate," he said to Ron. Making a fast get away, trolley positioned in front of him, Harry hissed under his breath loud enough for Draco to hear, ""Don't do that.""

Draco responded by doing it again, getting as close as the oversized pocket would allow.

Gritting his teeth, Harry passed through the barrier out onto the Muggle platform. The first person he saw on the other side was his Aunt Petunia with Dudley standing next to her. Uncle Vernon was nowhere to be seen.

Aunt Petunia nodded curtly at him. "Well, so you're here. We parked the car this way." Turning, she led them to the parking lot with no further explanations.

Harry looked around him with silent curiosity. The sensation grew when they reached the car and Aunt Petunia opened the boot. With one spoken word, "Dudley," she went to the front of the car and got in.

Dudley helped Harry with his trunk.

Jiggered did not begin to describe Harry's thoughts. "Thanks," he said with surprise ringing in his voice.

Dudley simply nodded and joined his mum in the front seat.

""What's happening?""

""Nothing."" Harry's voice was still in a state of surprise, therefore, Draco wasn't fooled.

""Potter."" Draco squirmed up to the opening of Harry's pocket.

Harry moved his hand fast, pushing Draco back into his hiding place. ""Garbage disposal,"" he hissed under his breath as he opened his car door and got into the back seat.

""Was that a threat, Golden Boy?"" Draco's voice sneered as he moved restlessly in Harry's pocket.

""NO—Truth.""

Draco settled down into Harry's pocket grumbling under his breath.

Harry looked out the car window at London passing, thinking of Voldemort, Horcruxes and the annoying snake in his pocket.

Aunt Petunia didn't seem prone to talk until they arrived at Privet Drive. Pulling into the driveway, she said, "Your Uncle Vernon is in Edinburgh on a business trip." Turning to face Harry in the backseat after placing the car in park, she continued, "I told him everything would be fine here while he's gone." Arching her brow at Harry, she asked, "I got that right, didn't I?"

Harry nodded silently and opened his car door. When he stepped out, he had another shock; Dudley was already entering the front door with his trunk. Harry ran his fingers through his hair and bit his lip. What the hell? he thought standing next to the car perplexed. Pulling Hedwig from the car seat, Harry entered the house to find Aunt Petunia already on the telephone.

"I told you it would be. Yes, I'll see you next Monday." Arching her brow at Harry's facial expression, she was listening to Vernon of the other end of the line. Finally, she said, "Okay, bye then."

""What's she doing?""

Harry decided to go straight up to his room. Mounting the stairs, he picked up his pace, once at the top, turning to his room at the end of the hall. Dudley was coming out of Harry's room. Harry frowned.

Shaking his head at Harry, Dudley went downstairs without saying a word.

""Bloody hell.""

""What?""

Harry entered his room, closed the door and leaned back against it. ""Fucking bloody hell. What was that all about?"" Setting Hedwig's cage on the desk, he opened her door. Still shaking his head, he moved to open the window for her.

Draco poked his head out of his hiding place. ""Potter, what are you talking about? In case you haven't noticed, I've asked that question before. What, what, what?"" Draco's voice dripped with sarcasm, even in his current form.

""In case you don't know,"" Harry sneered down at him angrily, ""no one can hear you speak. That's why I can't just go around having conversation with you."" In his anger, Harry reached into his pocket, seeking Draco and pulled him out. Opening a drawer in his dresser, he placed Draco in it.

""Hey, I can't see anything!""

""Yeah, and Aunt Petunia can can't see you."" Harry's annoyance was growing rapidly. This was not what he had in mind when he agreed to bring Draco with him. He growled under his breath.

""Right back at cha.""

Harry groaned and swung around. ""Fuck off Malfoy! I have to use the loo. Stay there.""

""Hey, don't go, tak—""

Harry turned back to the drawer hissing, ""Don't even. I'm going alone."" Harry stalked out of his room in a cloud of anger. Not realizing he wasn't alone in the upper hall, he growled under his breath, "Fucking wanker. I didn't…" Harry's eyes came up from the doorknob he had closed securely to make contact with brilliant blue eyes. Swallowing, he said, "Er…hi?"

Musical laughter filled the upper hall. "Hi ya Harry, haven't seen you in a while. How ya been?"

Surprised that she recognized him, Harry found himself with another dilemma, he didn't remember her name. That's not the only thing, git, who else would be coming out of your room? Think much? Harry's thoughts spun in a vortex as he looked at the girl before him. "Er, I'm alright…" his voice dissipated as he stared at the girl before him.

"Mona, what's keeping you?" Dudley's voice came up the stairs.

Harry arched a brow. Without really realizing what he was doing, his gaze scanned her.

Mona laughed again.

Dudley came up the stairs, stopping when he realized that Harry was there. Narrowing his eyes at his cousin, he asked, "What are you doing?"

Harry shrugged, not knowing if he should be impressed with his cousin's taste in girls or wonder what was wrong with Mona. Walking past her, he went into the bathroom trying to ignore Dudley's questions.

"What was that all about?"

Mona laughed softly and started down the stairs. "Nothing," she replied.

Harry heard them through the crack he left open in the door. Just before closing the door, Harry shook his head as Dudley grunted in laughter at something Mona said. Taking his time in the bathroom, Harry returned to his room later to open the door and find a snake stretched out on his bed. ""What are you doing?""

""Getting to know my surroundings, Potter. Damn your room is small; don't think there is enough room for both of us.""

Draco's drawl coming out in a hiss, grated on Harry's nerves. ""Perhaps,"" he whispered angrily. ""I should take you down to the kitchen and demonstrate the garbage disposal. You don't seem to get it, Malfoy, I'm serious.""

""Well, Potter, I've been thinking."" Draco flicked the tip of his tail.

Harry's black brows rose sharply at the movement.

""You won't let her do that."" Draco had the look of a smirk, if that was possible, on his face. ""You want me.""

Harry's emerald eyes grew round. Roaring, he reached out grabbing Draco and putting him firmly in the drawer, he hissed, ""You will sleep in here.""

""I don't like…""

""I don't care.""

Knock, knock.

""Fuck."" Harry closed the drawer firmly and stepped to the door. Opening it slowly, he discovered his Aunt Petunia looking at him with a confused expression.

"I heard you talking. Who were you talking to?" Peering around Harry, she looked into his room.

"Er, well…" sighing, he said, "ghosts. You know how it is, Aunt Petunia." Inside his mind he thought, Oh, yeah, Potter radgie doesn't begin…

Aunt Petunia studied him closely. To Harry's surprise, she nodded. "I heard, about Dumbledore."

Harry's heart stopped.

Aunt Petunia nodded once more when she saw Harry's reaction. "They said it was a terrorist attack." Waving her hand in dismissal of the press, she continued, "I knew better of course. How many Dumbledore's can there be?"

"It—it was on the Muggle news?" Harry was having difficulty breathing, even if his heart had started back up.

"Oh yes," Aunt Petunia said, "for several days in fact." As though she realized the topic was upsetting Harry, she switched gears. " Dudley has a match tonight. There are leftovers in the fridge. We will be back very late." Pausing with another look around his room, she said, "Just thought you should know."

Harry nodded and managed to say, "Thanks." Closing the door, Harry turned, walking to his bed, he threw himself across it with a groan.

""Psst, remember me?""

Harry laughed—the sound of Draco's voice matched one he had heard last night. Was it really only last night? The memory conjured up another problem…psst, yeah; it's me, wanna play? Groaning, Harry buried his face in his pillow, biting it as sexual frustration loomed in his mind.

""Hey, Potter, let me out!""

Harry snickered, stood up and opened the drawer. The sound of a car door closing, mingling with Mona's laughter traveled up to him through the open window. ""First,"" he said, ""we eat. Then, I have got to start working on a project I've been planning. Hopefully, the stuff I ordered from Flourish & Blotts will come tomorrow.""

""What's to eat?""

Shrugging, Harry reached for Draco and pulled him up to his face. Studying him for the first time, he said, ""I don't know what to feed you. Let's go down and see what there is to eat, then we can decide.""

Draco blinked at him and sent his tongue out.

""Stop that.""

""Ooh, testy, Potter?""

Harry snorted as he draped Draco over his shoulder. ""You don't know the half of it.""

Draco snickered. ""You're wrong, Potter.""

Harry shrugged his shoulder and went down the steps, skipping every other one.

Draco slid, swearing as he nearly fell off Harry's shoulder, ""What the hell are you doing, Potter? It's not like you can…Fuck! Don't do that!""

Laughing, Harry caught him just as simply as though Draco was a snitch.

A special Thank You to my reviewers:

DemonRogue, Draco8448, Dan-Rad,

You are Priceless.
Blessings. LL

(LL sneaking in, tightening & editing 1-19-08 ;o)

Reviews are like Chocolate Frogs . . . there is a surprise card in each package.

Let me know what you think. Thank You . . . Blessings. LL

Blanket Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. and all other characters within Potter World do not belong to me. No infringement is intended. I am making no money here; just having fun. Kudos and blessings to the literary genius JKR.