DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
FAMILIAR REMINDER:
Draco Malfoy – Damian, Black Panther/Leopard
Lucius Malfoy – Steele, Timber wolf
Severus Snape – Nerva, German Shepard
Pansy Parkinson – Midnight Jade, Fox
Blaise Zabini – Nox, Wolf
Gregory Goyle – Louise, Chipmunk
Vincent Crabbe – Thelma, Squirrel
Chapter 11 – Strengthening Bonds
"Down Damian." Draco commanded, glaring up at the massive panther perched atop the squeaking wardrobe. The panther growled and flicked his tail, eyes narrowing as Draco waved a length of silver chain around before him. Calculating emerald eyes glanced at the open door before drifting back to the wizard glaring up at him. Shifting his weight, the massive wardrobe groaned as the panther readied himself for the leap he was about to take. "Severus said you only have to be on a leash when you're outside of the Slytherin house, besides it will only be for a little. Once Dumbledore sees how well behaved you are I'm sure he'll allow me to keep you unleashed." Pleaded Draco, glancing over his shoulder at the open door, the voices rising from outside told him that Blaise wouldn't wait patiently outside much longer. A loud creak had him whirling in time to see the panther leap, sailing over his head towards the open door. Smirking gleefully, Draco whirled and flicked his wand at the door, which promptly slammed closed seconds before the panther impacted with it. Draco lunged before the panther could recover, snapping the leash onto the silver collar before whispering "Now that wasn't so bad was it?"
Harry stalked along gracefully next to Nox, slightly behind Draco and to the right. He had spent part of this stroll watching the reactions of the students they had encountered along the way and the other part studiously observing Nox. The massive wolf seemed to be more intelligent than a normal wolf; calculating the odds before moving and carefully acting according to the way that Blaise was standing or talking. Glancing back at Thelma and Louise perched on the shoulders of their masters; he observed the same watchfulness surrounding their movements. Interesting, perhaps he wasn't the only one feeling overly protective at this first stroll through the school together. They were attracting to much attention as far as Harry was concerned, the screeches from several first year Hufflepuffs was enough to deafen him and had his ears still ringing. Of course he could imagine how they looked to anyone approaching; danger and death all rolled in to one.
Draco paused before the entrance into the great hall. Glancing at Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle, he tightened his grip on Damian's leash before throwing the doors wide and gliding in like he owned the place. All eyes turned to watch the small group as they paraded towards the Slytherin table. The hall remained silent as the Slytherins seated themselves about the table, arranging themselves so they could all see Draco. Nox slid neatly under the table to lie against Blaises shins while Damian placed his back to Draco's so he could observe the students moving about the hall. Draco snapped his fingers, before carefully placing food on his plate. With a light crack a small house elf appeared behind Draco.
"Fetch Damian's breakfast and make sure the meats the freshest the kitchen has to offer." Draco ordered, not even looking up from the sausage he was covering in syrup.
"Yes Master." The house elf squeaked, giving a frightened squeal as Damian's gaze ghosted over him before he was able to vanish. Damian rumbled unhappily at being kept from his breakfast but turned at the slight touch against his back. The small piece of sausage dripping with syrup hovered in front of his muzzle before he extended his head and carefully accepted the meat from Draco's palm.
"Good boy." Draco murmured, glad that the panther had accepted the food gently rather then lunging at it. Leaning forward on the bench, he glanced at the head table before turning to Blaise.
"Well?" He whispered, "Have you heard anything else?"
"No, apparently Gryffindor house is in an uproar though. Even the Weasel and the Mudblood had no idea he was being transferred." Blaise hissed back, turning at the crack as the house elf reappeared clutching two bowls.
"Listy has brought Mister Damians and Mister Noxs breakfast." The little house elf shrilled, trying to balance the pair of bowls. Draco reached out and took Nox's bowl, handing it to Blaise who placed it before his familiar. Carefully placing Damian's bowl on the bench beside him he picked up a small piece of red meat, holding it tenderly between his fingers as he offered it to his familiar. The emeralds shone brightly under the false sky as the panther took the treat from Draco's hand before setting in on the rest of his meal. Draco returned to his eggs, gesturing for Blaise to continue.
"Well, the Ravenclaws are speculating that it's a pure power move. They think that You-Know-Who will be less likely to chase after him if he's alone and without the protection of Dumbledore, they believe he's more likely to send his Deatheater's after Potter. Now the-" A shriek cut Blaise off before he could continue with the latest gossip. The hall fell silent again as all eyes turned to look in the direction of the Slytherin table where Pansy was clutching her hand to her chest. Small drops of blood had spattered across the floor from her fingers that now bore several marks akin to the ones Draco was currently baring.
"You stupid animal! I'm going to kill you and turn you into a muff!" Her words had gasps of horror running through the hall. Pansy had already drawn her wand and pointed it at the black fox that was pulling frantically against the leash.
"Miss Parkinson, if you would please put your wand away I'm sure we can settle this." The soothing rumble of Dumbledore's voice echoed through the strangely quiet hall. Draco tensed and glanced down at Damian who had stood up and lowered his head, tail flicking gently as the panther eyed the witch carefully. Sliding a hand up the cats back towards his collar, he unhooked the leash quietly; making sure no one besides the Slytherins had seen the maneuver. For one moment it seemed Pansy was going to listen but the fox gave a particularly loud yelp that had Pansy raising her wand and opening her mouth.
"Go Damian." Draco whispered, so softly that the only ears that caught the words were those of the familiars. The panther was in flight before Draco had finished the sentence, lunging towards Pansy whose eyes only caught a glimpse of black before she was sent flying. Her wand skittered across the floor as she was ruthlessly pinned under the cat's weight and bone crushing fangs locked around the back of her neck, preventing her from saying anything. Screams ran through the hall at the sight of the panther sitting calmly on top of Pansy, holding his position, seemingly awaiting a command from his master.
"Mister Malfoy, please have your familiar remove himself from Miss Parkinson." Dumbledore said, moving calmly toward the sobbing Pansy still pinned beneath Damian.
"Damian come." Draco commanded, holding out a hand towards the big cat. The cat snarled and tightened its grip on Pansy who squealed and started screaming. Professor Snape arrived at that moment, hands folded behind his back as he calmly took the situation in while standing at what he assumed was a safe distance.
"Perhaps Draco, you should try a different method of calling your cat." Snape instructed, circling the frothing cat that perched atop a member of his house. "Try your mental bond instead." Professor McGonagall seemed to appear out of no where, mouth dropping open as she reached for her wand.
"Mister Malfoy! You will remove your animal at once!" She hollered, glaring at Draco before glaring at Professor Snape. "I suggest you assist Mister Malfoy Severus, before something goes wrong."
"No, Minerva. I believe that I will allow Draco and Dumbledore to work this one out." Severus Snape murmured softly, eyes focused on his godson.
Draco concentrated fully on Damian, studying the cat's body carefully before closing his eyes and focusing inwards. Quickly locating his magic as his father had taught him, he peered at the glowing sphere of blue that sparkled inside his chest. Frowning he looked closer, detecting something wrong with his magic flow, he moved closer to find a strand of dark green magic curled around his. Wrapping his magic carefully around it he gasped slightly and almost lost the hold he had as another presence became known to him. Feelings that weren't his own flooded his mind: a purpose, anger, hope, love, and fear. Tightening his grip on the twisting strand of green he hoped for all he was worth that it would work.
Why are you angry? Draco whispered at the strand.
There is a reason I shouldn't be? She would hurt a poor animal without reason. The voice swirled through his mind, circling his magic and echoing through his very being.
The fox bit her, isn't that reason enough? Draco questioned the voice, feeling the other presence shift inside his mind.
Yes, but why did the fox bite her? We all assume the vixen attacked because she could…familiars would never hurt their masters without just cause. To hurt you would be to harm myself and I'm no sadist. Ask her; ask Pansy why the vixen attacked. The voice hissed, anger returning. Draco quickly set out a calming feeling in an effort to soothe the presence.
Draco opened his eyes and looked at Severus, who stood patiently watching the panther who had loosened his grip but not let go of Pansy.
"He wants to know what Pansy did to Midnight Jade." Draco stated, gaze returning to his familiar.
"Miss Parkinson," Professor Snape drawled "please tell us what happened to your familiar to set her off."
"Nothing, I did Nothing!" Pansy screamed, causing Damian to snarl and tighten his jaws.
"Tell the truth Pansy, before I let him kill you." Draco warned, his anger building as the presence inside his head roared at her lies.
"Fine! She won't listen and she bites. So I haven't been feeding her in punishment. Now make him let go." Her voice rose in fright as the animal lying on top of her roared right against her back.
See, she deserves it. She deserves to feel the fear the little vixen was forced to feel. To suffer for not understanding the situation and acting without thought or feeling. The presence whispered, calm now that the situation was to be rectified.
"Miss Parkinson, to have a familiar is a privilege. You have betrayed the trust of your familiar, for that I am removing her from your care. She will be kept on Hogwarts grounds until I can contact your father to come and get her." The Head Master announced, carefully picking up the small black fox that was cowering under the Slytherin table. "Would you please have your panther remove itself from Miss Parkinson so I may speak to her face."
Damian, could you please get off Pansy? Draco questioned the voice that lay content within his mind.
Of course Draco, you have only to ask. With that the voice faded, still present, but faint as if it had moved on. Draco watched as Damian glided from atop his perch towards him, stopping before rubbing hid head against Draco's extended hand.
"Good Boy." Draco murmured sitting down, allowing the cat to rest his head in his lap while gently running his fingers through the velvet coat. Emerald eyes closed as a soft rumbling purr was emitted from the panther. The hall stared in awe at the gentleness between the pair, Draco Malfoy who was always hexing and casting biting comments at everyone sat quietly petting his panther oblivious to the rest of the school.
"Miss Parkinson, for your behaviour you will lose one hundred points from your house and perform detention with Mister Filch for one month. The mistreatment of any animal is unacceptable, but this type of treatment to a familiar is unforgivable. The relationship between a familiar and its master is one of uttermost trust, as demonstrated by Mister Malfoy and his familiar, you have injured your familiar's sense of trust and she will most likely never forgive you. Hagrid, if you would be kind enough to take care of Midnight Jade until Mr. Parkinson can come and retrieve her it would be most appreciated." Handing the fox to Hagrid, Dumbledore glided from the hall. Pansy burst into tears and fled the hall, scattering students in her wake.
Draco accepted his time table from his head of house, groaning unhappily as he looked over it. He really didn't want to go to potions at the moment, especially potions with the Gryffindors. Peering over he raised an eyebrow at Blaise who grimaced and nodded, obviously in the same boat as Draco. Patting Damians head softly he rose, and headed back down to Slytherin House to get his books before class started, an unleashed Damian following close on his heels.
A/N: Certainly not my best chapter but a chapter none the less. Thank you for all the amazing reviews I've been getting. LOL, and I never thought I'd get this thing to fly! I also learned that I can't write while listening to the Longest Yard soundtrack.