DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 12 – Friendship Knows No Bounds
Draco was sitting calmly next to Blaise in the potions classroom when Professor Snape came slamming in. Black robes swirling behind him, he had the appearance of an avenging demon and probably would have kept the appearance had a set of dagger like nails not found their way into the rippling cloth. The sudden pull and tear had the professor teetering backwards before he caught his balance on the corner of a desk.
"Mister Malfoy, will you please remove your familiar's claws from my robes?" Snape hissed, glaring at the bright emerald eyes laughing into his black ones.
"Loose Damian." Draco murmured, trying not to grin at the situation. The panther rumbled softly before removing the offending paw.
He was asking for it. I'd bet he's entered every door in the castle that way, like a horrid black bat just looking for some poor student to attack. The voice whispered through his head before laughing gleefully, causing Draco to smile at the pleasure his familiar was taking in Snapes embarrassment.
I have to agree with that, he does always like to enter with a bang. Draco mused, watching his godfather pace back and forth in front of the class, before slamming his wand against the board. The crack having every member of the attending Gryffindor house snapping to attention and opening their books, snatching quills and readying themselves for the hour of hell they were about to go through.
Sitting back and admiring his perfectly done nails while Blaise muttered and carefully wrote down his observations about the swirling green potion in the cauldron before them, Draco took the chance to listen to the gossip sweeping through the room. The Gyrffindors seemed to be arguing quietly among themselves about the disappearance of their Saviour. Listening with interest, Draco's mouth nearly fell open in shock at the whispers he heard from the Weasel.
"Hey, Draco, pass me the-" Blaise was cut off mid sentence as Draco's elbow connected with his side. Glaring at his friend he tilted his head in the direction of the Gyrffindors before going back to carefully staring at his nails, one hand playing with Damian's soft ears. His eyes moved to rest on his godfather who was carefully mixing a potion for Madam Pomfrey, completely oblivious to the Gryffindor uprising occurring in the back corner.
"Do you think he really transferred Hermione?" One of the Gryffindor males asked, leaning closer to hiss the question at the smartest person in the school.
"Harry would never do such a thing, Seamus. He knows that we need him here to protect us from Voldemort." Hermione muttered, concentrating on the potion cooling before her.
"Where is he then Hermione?" Ron snarled, jabbing a finger at her chest, before looking around and making sure he had the attention of his fellow Gryffindors. "That bastard up and left us here for dead. All of us who helped him, risked our lives for him and his stupid dreams, he doesn't care about us. Don't you see, he's not coming back to save us this time. That cowardly little moron ran away like a scared little kitten. That damn hat should have put him in the dungeons with the rest of the snakes!" Ron snarled, finger jabbing the table before him with emphasis.
"But Ron, remember he saved your father that time." Neville stuttered, glancing at Hermione for confirmation. Before Ron could answer the challenge and continue dragging his friends name through the mud, he was cut off by the cool calculated voice of Draco Malfoy.
"I must agree with you Weasel, Gryffindor bravery is certainly taking a turn for the worse. Of course if I had friends like you and the Mudblood there, I would have run screaming for my life, and everyone knows that Malfoy's don't scream." The gleam in the icy eyes was almost frightening. The Slytherins snickered as their Prince glided towards the Gryffindors, panther trailing slowly after.
"Malfoy, who are you kidding? You have no friends…only little prats who suck up to you so their fathers can stay in the good graces of yours." Ron hissed, hands opening and closing as if trying to get the courage together to actually strike the Slytherin. The low snarl of the panther sitting calmly next to Malfoy had Ron backing away from the pair, stumbling slightly before collapsing into his chair and clutching the edges of the cold wood.
"That's the thing about Slytherin's; we've been dealt the worst cards and understand the game Weasel." Draco drawled, resting a hand on the strangely silent Damians head. "If Potter had of ended up with the rest of us snakes at least he wouldn't have had to worry about being stabbed in the back, Slytherins have more class than that." Smirking at the look on the Gryffindors face, Draco turned to resume his seat, frowning down at the Panther who had curled himself into a big black ball of fur under the table. Peering at the panther in concern, he dropped to his knees next to his familiar, holding up a finger to quiet Blaise who was staring at Draco in shock.
Damian? Draco reached through the telepathic bond wrapping his mind around the panthers while resting his hand on one of the cat's flanks. The panthers mind curled around his tightly, sadness, fear, and pride creeping along the link. What's wrong? Draco questioned, trying to sort through the past few moments to find the reason for the feelings slapping against his mind.
Draco felt darkness slam into him as a stream of visions pounded through the link. People he had never met stared at him in fear while a fat man yelled and slapped him across the face. A horse faced woman shrilled in anger, ignoring the blood running down his fingers to glare at the broken vase scattered across the floor. Two older boys stood over him, pain racing along his ribs as a heavily shod foot connected with his midsection. An older man falling through a curtained doorway after being struck by a spell, hands restraining him as he wailed at his loss. The pain and fear writhing along the bond caused Draco to cry out mentally, urging the voice to help him. The visions stopped suddenly, leaving both floating silently, as if afraid to break the renewed silence and start the barrage of visions all over again.
I apologize; I didn't mean to let that happen. The voice whispered, withdrawing slightly back into the panthers mind.
What just happened? Draco asked, sending out a soothing feeling towards the voice, trying to draw it back to him.
I forgot myself, I forgot who I'm supposed to be, who I'm expected to be. The feeling of a deep sadness crept back up the bond. Draco could have cried at the feeling, stirring he opened his eyes to peer deeply into the shimmering emeralds before him.
Who are you expected to be? He whispered, dreading the answer but guessing what was coming.
The Saviour of the Wizarding World. The voice murmured, vanishing from his mind.
Draco looked up into the eyes of Severus Snape, who had moved to stand over the pair in worry. Malfoy's would never lower themselves to their knees in public, it was graceless and dirty. Draco's silver eyes shimmered with unshed tears, as he gazed at the panther he had come to adore over the last few weeks. The animal that had protected him, stood before and with him for the past few days was Harry Potter. Harry Potter, who had refused his friendship in Madam Malkins, had attacked his father in his defense. Harry Potter had become his friend over the last few days. He had become the light of Draco's life, providing him with entertainment and laughter. Seeing him hide from the lies of his friends, to stand there and take it was so un-Potter like.
Harry had always had a fierce spirit, like a panther, Draco grinned at the thought, he would spit and hiss and take it all the way if he had too. To see his spirit broken was saddening but in a way he knew where Harry was coming from. Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle were some of the only true friends he had ever had, but even they hadn't been able to protect him from his father. They were forced to face the same at their homes, parents who struck and berated them without thought, without feeling. There may have been a Gryffindor in Harry somewhere, but his heart was pure Slytherin.
Harry curled into a tighter ball, glad that panther's couldn't show emotion. Draco Malfoy knew who he was. Not only that the panther he had been bound to was Harry Potter but also about the treatment he had received as a child. Weeping internally he cried over his loss, perhaps the only person he had ever begun to trust with his life was going to abandon him. After all who would want to be tied to a young wizard who faced certain death? If the Slytherin's were anything, it was self protective. Draco would get rid of him the first chance he could get. The treatment he had recently been getting had been some of the best he had ever received. He had never been treated with gentleness nor had anyone treat him as if he was made of glass. Every incident in his life had been turned into a lesson, no matter how it affected him.
Harry froze as a hand rested softly upon his head before stroking gently along his shoulder. Opening his emeralds slowly, he gazed up into the fiercely blazing eyes of Draco Malfoy.
Why the tears Harry? Draco whispered softly, forcing the bond open but flooding it with a happiness he had only known recently. The emeralds blinked questioningly at him, hints of fear still visible.
What do you mean Malfoy? Harry asked, confused at the feeling flowing over the bond.
You're as much a Slytherin as I am Harry. We are nothing but pawns for people stronger then us. Adults who train us for their purposes without thinking of our safety or needs. Slytherins are never given a chance to live our own lives. We follow the paths set before us by our fathers, our teachers, and our friends. I accept you, Harry, as my bonded familiar and friend for as long as you feel the need to remain as you are. Draco stated, holding the eyes of the panther, hoping that Harry could see the truth glistening in his eyes.
Then, if you don't mind, I shall remain as I am. I'm not quite ready to return to being the Boy-Who-lived. For now I just want to be Damian, familiar of Draco Malfoy. Harry stated, the emerald eyes glowing with hope at the grin slowly crossing Draco Malfoy's face.
Agreed, friends and bonded familiar until the need arises for you to return to your duties as Harry Potter. Draco held out his hand, accepting the offered paw with a smirk before rising and collecting his books, exciting the room with Harry stalking along next to him, prideful as ever a panther was.
A/N: This was most definitely the hardest chapter I have had to write so far. I'd really like to thank everyone who has been reviewing me, some of your responses have been very inspiring while others make me think about what I've written and view it in a new light. Listed below are several individuals who have asked me questions and I figured I'd take the chance and answer them before I start on the next chapter.
violet7amethyst – Of course the Deatheater's children would have been taught to be firm in the treatment of their familiars, but there's a difference between beating your familiar in your own room and threatening it before the whole grand hall.
ura-hd – Yes, Harry knows he's human, but he has been in his panther body for a few weeks now and is taking on a few of the animals characteristics.
manx – Harry was mad because he believes he's being used and the overheard conversation made him snap, besides they technically attacked first.
Draeconin – Please bear with me for a tad bit longer.
Maria – Harry's wand is still with his clothes, unfortunately.
ToyoKadiyaMikayla – You're exactly right, panthers are black leopards but panther sounds so much fiercer then leopard, lol and I think we can probably let you sneak a little pat.
Akume – No offense taken, I've felt the same way many times.
Haunted – Understand exactly where you are coming from with the whole lack of sleep thing, sometimes I get so caught up in writing that when I finally look at the clock I'm in the am.
Lady Highschoolnerd – People will believe anything they are told if they hear it from the right person.
tib – Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your review, for a few minutes I was doubting my own writing skills.
Dezra – Harry can return to his human body whenever he chooses, if he so chooses.