DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 13 – Protector of Slytherin

The Slytherin common room was completely quiet except for the scratching of quills on parchment. Shoes, socks, ties, and robes had been scattered across the tables and chairs of the immense room, creating a strange pattern of green and silver on most of the surfaces. The graceful and reserved Slytherins lounged around on the floor, books spread before them as they diligently worked on recently assigned papers. Harry had been horribly surprised when the students had abandoned the tables and chairs scattered about the room in favour of the floor. To see Draco lying on his stomach on the floor, half tucked under one of the tables was vastly amusing for him, especially when you took into account the fact that he was always worried about his appearance. The pale locks of hair had been set astray by fingers constantly running through them in thought.

Harry's sleepy gaze moved to where Crabbe and Goyle's familiars were squabbling over the ownership of a small acorn. Thelma had happily attempted to bury the acorn in the thick carpeting before bouncing back to the small cup holding various nuts. Louise, in turn, had removed the nut and stashed it away in the folds of a cloak draped across a low table. The theft was quickly discovered and the battle had begun, one of the seventh years had finally gotten tired of listening to the shrieks of the enraged familiar and cast a silencio over the pair, the only noise heard now was the light clatter of nuts as they were won and lost. Harry set his head on his forelegs, stretching out on the table he was lying atop.

The soft tread of boots falling on the steps leading down from the main dorms had Harry lazily opening his emerald eyes. A first year Slytherin stood on the bottom step glancing nervously about, a paper crushed in his hand as his eyes skimmed over the various groups of students occupying the room. Seventh years sprawled in front of the fire focused on Potions, the small group of second years being tutored in Transfiguration by a fifth year, and the several games of wizard chess going on in the corner. Harry followed the boy with his eyes, watching as the young student attempted to approach a group of sixth year girls before backing away and standing alone in the center of the room. He stood there for a second before heaving a noticeable sigh then puffing out his chest and putting his nose in the air in that familiar Slytherin way. He strode through the common room towards the portal, winding between the small groups and pushing the door open, looking over his shoulder before stepping forward and letting the door fall closed softly behind him.

"Damian follow." Draco's whisper seemed to be nothing more then a sigh of frustration over the recently assigned history report. Fingers once again sliding through his hair as he flipped a page and scrutinized the words he had just written.

Why? Harry asked. Curfew isn't for another few minutes. He whispered into Dracos mind, looking at clock hanging over the fireplace. The massive snake rested his head next to the twelve while the little snake crept slowly to cover the ten.

A lone snake is prey for the other houses. It's why we always travel in groups; safety in numbers is practically the creed of Slytherin house. Going out alone at night, even in groups, is just asking for trouble.

Then why did you let him go out alone? Harry hissed, emerald eyes widening at Draco's words. He leapt off the table in an explosion of black fur, causing numerous gasps and several startled shrieks as well as a loudly whispered swear word over a tipped inkpot. Bounding over several students, he pushed the portal open with his muzzle, peering down the hall before slinking over the threshold.

He had to learn the hard way. He chose pride over caution, that's one of the biggest mistakes made by the first years. Draco murmured absently, obviously concentrating on the papers before him.

Harry prowled down the hall in pursuit of the first year, keeping close to the shadows cast by various objects throughout the halls. His nose and whiskers working quickly to forewarn him of any trouble he might find himself in when he finally caught up with the younger student. The smell of fresh blood reached his nose and he slowed from his trot into a hunting glide, pausing in the shadows at the sight that met his narrowed eyes. The first year stood with blood running from his nose, eyes glistening in fright at the older student pressing him against a wall. Harry quickly identified the bully and his cronies as Ravenclaws, shaking his head at their stupidity for going bullying and wearing their house colours. The male restraining the young Slytherin turned to make a snickered comment to his mates and gave Harry a good look at his face. Terry Boot, a former member of the DA was threatening a student hardly a third of his size.

"So a little snake crawled out of its hole." Terry Boot sneered, dropping the young Slytherin without thought and tearing the crumpled paper from his hands. "Sent on some of Snapes Deatheater business, eh? Poor little deatheater, all alone in the middle of the school. It would be absolutely horrible if some terrible fate should befall you before you reached your destination." Grinning at the boy's terrified whimpers, the Ravenclaws pressed in close, cracking their knuckles menacingly while loudly suggesting different ways to maim and kill the small boy.

Harry stood perfectly still trying to figure out how he could deal with the situation without getting the small Slytherin and Draco in trouble. His eyes lit up suddenly as an idea crossed his mind before quickly reaching out and grabbing Dracos mind, wrapping it firmly within his own.

Draco.

What? Draco's annoyed hiss made Harry grin in a pantherish way.

I need you to find and cast a spell that will allow me to speak. Harry whispered hurriedly, watching the situation unfold before him.

What?

Make me talk Draco! Harry practically roared into Draco's mind.

Fine, give me a minute I have to find a book. Draco said, sounding suspiciously unhurried in Harry's opinion.

I don't have a minute Draco! When you find the spell, verbally cast it while pointing your wand at yourself and focusing all your magic on the link. That should do it. Harry waited impatiently, the sobs of the Slytherin getting slowly louder as the group grew rowdier and gathered in tighter. Harry felt a tingle sweep along his body, wrapping itself along his throat and giving him the vocal skills his panther body lacked.

Did it work? Draco's voice whispered anxiously; obviously upset at having to point his wand at himself rather then a foe.

Yes. Harry practically laughed as he shifted in preparation for the next few minutes. Settling himself into the deepest shadows he could find, he paused before making his presence known.

"You should be careful little Raven, the smallest of snakes are often the most poisonous." Harry purred softy, gliding along the edge of the hall. The glowing tips of the Ravenclaw wands cast shifting shadows across the walls, giving Harry the perfect cover he needed to move without drawing attention to himself. The older boys quickly raised their wands in defense, pointing them in various directions while attempting to find the source of the voice.

"Come out!" Terry demanded, before smirking thoughtfully and pointing his wand at the first year cowering before him "Or I'll give the little snake something to remember me by."

"As you wish." Came whispered from the surrounding darkness, seeming to float above them before vanishing. Eerily glowing eyes caught the light cast by their wands as a panther emerged from the shadows. The cat's coat shone beneath the caress of the wands light, making him seem almost delicate before one took in his actual size. One of the Ravenclaws swore sharply before running for his life, it was really too bad he was going in the opposite direction of the Ravenclaw Tower.

"I had thought better of the members of the House of Raven. Was I wrong to judge you as friend? Those who seek out and attack those younger then themselves deserve no protection from individuals such as I." The panther began a lazy circle around the group of Ravenclaws, tail flicking rhythmically behind him. Terry clutched his wand in shaking fingers trying to figure out why that voice was so frighteningly familiar. The panther growled softly, and changed directions, pacing into the shadows beyond their line of sight before reemerging behind them. "The House of the Snake should be considered out of bounds to you and your cronies. Any who seek to harm a member of my House will deal with me, I suggest you spread the word little Raven, I'd hate to have to deprive Ravenclaw of a member of its Quidditch team. Before I take my charge and leave, I'll give you a tad bit of advice: next time you creep around attacking defenseless students, wear something other then your house colours." The panther looked straight into Terry's eyes, those shining orbs glowing brightly before the panther turned and headed towards the shaking heap of robes curled up on the floor against a wall. A small hand settled into the panthers coat before a head emerged, chin and lips smeared with blood.

"Damian. Your not supposed to be out of the common room without a leash, Professor Snape will be mad." The young Slytherin whispered, glancing worriedly at the shapes fleeing down the hall beyond the panther.

"What Snape doesn't know can't hurt him now can it?" The panther responded, allowing the boy to lean against his side before urging the younger to his feet and pushing him in the direction of the Slytherin common room. A quick reminder of the curfew had the small boy picking up speed, knowing that Snape would arrive in the Slytherin common room promptly at the start of curfew to make sure everyone was settled in either their beds or common room before beginning his nightly rounds.

Gryffindor Tower was in the midst of an 'I survived the First Day Back Party'. Students' everywhere laughing and passing drinks, some alcoholic and some non-alcoholic, while chatting about their summers and playing various games. It was easy to wonder how many of them were going to survive the second day of classes if they kept their current behaviour up.
Hermione Granger sat in a chair next to her bed, gazing out the window with a faint smile. The rattle and chant of 'chug' poured up the stairwell that led to the girls dormitories, disturbing her thoughts. Frowning up at the moon that hung every watchful in the sky, she wished Harry good luck before turning and gliding towards the window, catching one last look at the gleaming moon.
Ronald Weasley was contentedly playing poker with Dean, Seamus, and Lavender, in a dark corner of the common room. Ignoring the chatter and clamor of his house, he raised the pot and smirked at the cards he held, fingers light caressing the Ace of Hearts. The fact that Harry Potter wasn't there pranced around inside the minds of many, making them pause to think about the lack of his presence before returning to their partying. After all Harry Potter was safe at Durmstrung, wasn't he?

Grimmauld Place was quiet, deathly silent for a room so small filled with so many. The members of the Order of the Phoenix held coffee cups in their hands. Many had given up on finding Harry Potter, assuming that You-Know-Who had already gotten to him.

"Perhaps there's somewhere we haven't looked?" A member said softly, running a finger absently around the edge of his cup

"He can't apparate, he doesn't posses an animagus form, and he most certainly didn't climb on his broom and fly off!" Remus Lupin yelled, slamming his fist down on the table top before him, causing several order members to jump and reach for their wands.

"I think you're all a little too worried about him." The slow drawl of Severus Snape had heads turning as various curse words were tossed in his direction. The knowledge that Severus Snape wasn't exactly a friend of Harry Potter was widely known among the Order. Several members looked thoughtfully at the professor before nodding their heads slowly in agreement.

"What do you mean Severus?" Dumbledore's calm voice soothed the nerves of the Order, causing many to slump back into their chairs and rub at their eyes and pull at their hair.

"I think that Harry Potter is right under our noses and possibly quite happy where he is. If he wasn't, don't you think one of us would have heard from him by now?" Slowly heads nodded in agreement, eyes thoughtfully peering at the head of Slytherin House who was obviously no longer paying attention to the conversation going on around him.

Terry Boot sat upon his bed, curtains drawn tight around the large canopied frame so that the light wouldn't bother his fellow dorm mates. That voice had crept up his spine and bounced around his head before leaving with a laugh and a whisper. The panther with its sparkling emeralds that showed emotion as no panthers should. The carefully chosen words, as if the panther had met him somewhere before. Looking down at his undone history homework, he gave a tired sigh and mentally wished that he had decided to stay in for once rather then going out and hunting snakes. Twirling the quill he held gently in his hand, he looked down at the picture he had sketched neatly in the corner. A face he knew meshed neatly with one he had just met, so hauntingly perfect in its symmetry and yet delicate in shape. Harry Potter and the panther known as Damian.

A/N: Thank you to everybody who reviewed. I also must warn you that I am entering the final run of tests before I start work at the brewery. I'll also let you in on a little secret; I wrote this while I should have been getting caught up in Torts. Thanks again to all those who reviewed!