DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 18 – A Confused Lioness
Pansy's fork clattered against her plate as she stared at the white owl perched on the table before her. Blinking large amber eyes moodily, it clicked its beak and ruffled its feathers nervously. Focusing intently on the bird, her eyes hovered anxiously on the gold band encircling its leg. Parkinson was engraved in the metal; informing everyone of the owl's owners should the bird be intercepted by the Ministry of Magic.
"Oh shit!" Pansy hissed, the word slipping out between her teeth as her eyes remained locked on the band, trying to recall if it had been there earlier. Glancing about unhappily, she worried her lip as she tried to remember who else attending the school owned a white owl. Her eyes flew open as she loosed a high pitched shriek that startled the owl into the air. Potter. Potter was the only other student who had ever received mail by a snow owl. Her head hit the table with a thump as she whimpered. Someone was going to receive an owl carrying a very private message and she had no clue who it would be.
Draco carefully adjusted the cuff of his shirt as he admired himself in the mirror. Dressed in dark grey pants with a black shirt, he looked like he was going to Diagon Alley for a date rather then on a small excursion to Hogsmeade. His cloak was tossed over the bed, ready to be pulled on as soon as Harry was ready.
The slow hiss and crunch of bones had him wincing and shifting so he could see Harry in the mirror. The other wizard stood with his back to Draco, body contorting as it resumed the form of a panther. Draco's eyes followed the slow shift of Harry's spine as it lengthened and shoulder blades readjusted. Silky black hair erupted upon pale flesh, creeping up arms and down over legs. Flashing emerald eyes met and held Draco's icy gaze as the pupils shifted and elongated, finishing the change.
"Ready?" He murmured, eyes following the slow movements as the panther carefully stretched and yawned. The panther gave a rumbling purr as he glided towards Draco, paws silent on the soft carpets. Damian circled tightly around Draco, running his body against the wizards, eyes glowing softly as his head brushed against Draco's abdomen. Draco chuckled and placed his hands on either side of the panther's head, fingers curling themselves into the soft fur.
"Now, now Harry. I understand it's a cat thing but I really think you're overdoing it." He smirked as the cat hissed indignantly before pacing towards the door, tail lazily twitching. Retrieving his cloak from the end of the bed, he tossed it over his shoulder so it hung perfectly, the end brushing the tops of the dragon hide boot he wore. "Besides, it's rude to take advantage of me when I can't get you back for it." Giving himself one last look in the mirror, he moved towards the door of his room where Damian waited impatiently. Gazes caught and held as Draco placed his hand on the door knob and slowly opened the door, expecting the cat to rush by him. His eyebrow raised as the panther lowered the front half of his body in a mocking bow, one paw sweeping outward in a gesture for Draco to go first.
My my, such the gentleman. Draco mumbled, sending his mind into Harry's and wrapping the silver string around the shimmering ball of Harry's magic.
Well you know what they say Draco: Ladies first. Harry erupted into feline laughter as he dodged the swinging foot in a nimble movement. Darting past Draco, he lunged into the common room and took solace atop one of the bookshelves. Eyes shining as he watched the bemused Draco slam the door of his chambers.
Blaise paced slowly back and forth in front of the roaring fire. Eyes peering at the door to Draco's chambers as he turned and began another slow circuit. Draco had informed him that they were going shopping to get Harry some clothes. Blaise shook his head as he recalled Draco's announcement. Draco's idea of a shopping trip meant hours standing in front of various mirrors primping and allowing people to exclaim over his beauty. Blaise could already feel the headache coming on, but at least Harry should be able to provide him with some amusement.
He whirled around as the door behind him opened slowly, raising an eyebrow as he saw the panther crouching before Draco. He laughed as Draco's mouth fell open at something Harry said before aiming a swift kick at the cat. The panther dodged before retreating to the top of a book shelf, grinning merrily at the other wizard. Draco slammed the door and stalked further into the room, resettling his cloak as he raised his nose and glared at the panther.
"Nice pants." Blaise chuckled, grinning as he looked at the fine dusting of black hair along Draco's pants.
"Damn, now I have to change." Draco muttered, glaring angrily at the panther who attempted to blink innocently at him.
"No time. Dinner's in five hours and we have to be back before the Hogwarts gates are closed." Blaise murmured, turning at the sound of pounding feet as a mass of Slytherins erupted from the main dorms, cloaks and gloves clutched in their hands as they bounced happily around the common room. Blaise rolled his eyes at the hopeful look on their faces as they waited for one of the older students to say something.
"I don't recall signing on to baby-sit." He grumbled, rolling his eyes as the younger Slytherins immediately began to pout. "I suppose this one time couldn't hurt." He mumbled, looking at Draco who was waving his wand around madly while glaring at Damian. Blaise widened his eyes as he watched the silent conversation, sighing as Draco spun around and slid his wand away, cloak fluttering as it resettled itself.
"Fine, let's get this show on the road." Draco muttered, gliding by the group towards the exit. Pausing with one hand on the door, he turned with an evil smile and looked directly at the panther who was getting ready to jump down from his perch.
"I'd be careful Darling, or you'll be carrying my bags." He announced, smirking at the amused laughs of his housemates. Blaise chuckled and looked at the panther who was frozen atop the book shelf. They hadn't even left the common room and he was already being entertained; this trip should prove to be interesting.
Severus Snape stopped at the main steps leading down into the dungeon. Standing quietly he paused and looked around, searching for the source of that low growl. Turning carefully, he looked into the sparkling emerald eyes of Damian. The panther stood quietly, eyes judging as his tail flicked gently behind him. Slowly moving his hand towards his wand he froze at the warning rumble. Maintaining eye contact, Severus gave the panther a disgusted look before holding his hands out to the side.
"Attacking staff members now Potter." He snarled, glaring at the beast standing so imperiously before him. Damian yawned, revealing his sharp fangs before closing his jaws and eyeing Snape warily. Severus opened his mouth to continue but froze at the sound of voices echoing up the steps. He gave a sigh of relief as half his house came pounding up the stairs wearing their cloaks.
"Draco." He murmured, eyeing the unlikely bunch with a raised eyebrow.
"Severus." Draco grinned, moving to stand next to his familiar. "We're going shopping." He announced, hand settling upon the panthers head in a familiar movement, fingers ruffling black fur.
"Why?" Severus questioned unhappily, as far as he was concerned Draco had far too many clothes and by no means required any more.
"Why? Because one can never have too many clothes." Draco stated, eyes widening in disbelief over the question.
"Right. And the rest of you feel it is necessary to accompany Mister Malfoy?" Severus demanded, looking over the Slytherins. Shaking his head as they all smiled innocently and murmured 'yes'. His glaring gaze rested on them before falling on the retreating back of Draco.
"Well I couldn't possibly carry all the bags myself." Draco tossed over his shoulder as he hurried towards the door, Damian trotting along next to him. Severus turned and watched as his Slytherins swarmed around him, chasing after their leader who was already out the door. Shaking his head, he stormed down the steps, wondering when the best possible time was to out Potter. Chewing his lip thoughtfully he entered his private chambers, recalling the way that Draco's hand had rested upon the panthers head and the way the massive animal had purred and leaned into the touch. Perhaps he should think this through a little more before saying anything to anyone.
Hermione sat across from Terry in an empty classroom. Fingers playing nervously with a thread hanging from the sleeve of her robes, she eyed Terry impatiently.
"I honestly don't know…I mean I've never seen the Slytherins react like that before." Terry said, rolling his wand back and forth on the desk. "They acted like a pack of wolves bringing down a deer."
"I'm quite sure it wasn't that bad." Hermione murmured, fingers shifting to rest on her own wand. It had been returned at breakfast this morning by a school owl. A piece of parchment wrapped around it with one word scribbled across the front: Silence. The Slytherin Prince wanted her to keep her mouth closed and her mind on her own business. But wasn't it her to duty to try and free Harry?
"Right, having every Slytherin wand pointed at us was a walk in the park." Blaise grumbled, rolling his eyes and leaning back.
"I mean, no one should be bound to another against their will, he's practically in slavery. We can't just let Draco command him around like a common house elf." Hermione argued, banging her fist down on the desk in an effort to emphasize her point.
"Hermione, did you ever stop and think that maybe Harry's happy? You've seen the way the pair of them interact. He was eating out of Draco's hand at dinner the other night, does that seem like something someone would do if they hated the other? You saw his reaction to what happened the other day; he was upset that Harry had been hurt." Terry stated, watching the witch before him stutter in disbelief.
"Harry hates Malfoy though. There's no way he could actually like him." Hermione muttered, eyes blazing at the thought.
"Did you ever really ask him or did you just assume? It's been five years of war Hermione, things change. People change. Before you do something stupid again think about what Harry wants." Terry said, rising slowly and tucking his wand away into his robes. He left the room leaving Hermione sitting there staring at the empty chair with puzzled eyes, still trying to argue her point to an empty room.
"But Harry can't possibly love Malfoy, can he?" The words rang through the empty class room, teasing as they repeated over and over the hardest question she had ever come across.
Harry was sprawled across the floor of a clothing store; his eyes resting on the object of his affections. Draco was currently modeling a pair of Dragon skin pants, the black leather like pants clinging to his legs as he stood in front of a full length mirror. Draco's eyes met Harry's in the mirror and he raised a pale eyebrow, striking a pose while maintaining eye contact.
See something you like? He murmured, laughing at the feeling coming through the bond.
Yes, those pants certainly suit you but how would they look on me? Harry laughed, flicking his tail as he watched Draco carefully fix a lock of hair. Draco grinned at Harry's question, turning back to his reflection.
I had to try them on; they were just screaming my name. Draco grumbled playfully.
I heard screaming too, but it was the shops owner trying to figure out how she'd survive your shopping spree alive. Harry grinned, rising and stretching, he began to pace amongst the racks of clothes. He paused next to Blaise who had draped himself across a chair and was fiddling with his nails. Blaise looked at him and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Bored yet?" He muttered, eyes moving to where Draco was trying on the jacket that matched the pants he was wearing. Harry attempted to roll his eyes and shake his head at the same time which caused Blaise to chuckle before returning to his nail gazing. Harry prowled further into the store, stopping to admire a light blue shirt that would look perfect on Draco.
"Damian, come" Draco's voice echoed through the room, drawing the attention of another customer. Harry growled as the woman's gaze rested on Draco too long, stalking over to stand next to the wizard he leveled his most threatening look on the woman. The woman stumbled backwards and fled the store.
That was uncalled for. Draco stated, handing the saleswoman the jacket he had been trying on. Harry prowled after Draco as he headed towards the counter and immediately began giving the flustered woman his order, pausing at certain intervals to be assured she was recording sizes and colours right.
So what are you getting me? Harry purred, pressing his nose into the center of Draco's back.
Simple, I just got you everything I was getting but a few sizes smaller. Draco whispered, watching as the woman carefully took his order. His breath drew in when Harry's head shifted against his back and a feeling of love crept slowly through the bond. Draco's hand slid across Harry's head behind his back as he thanked the woman and moved to retrieve Blaise.
"Thank God, we'll make it back for dinner." Blaise muttered, standing and stretching before quickly heading to the door, waving at the shopkeeper as Draco and Harry trailed along behind him.
Ron sat on his bed, fingers tugging at the locks of bright red hair as he reread the note that Hedwig had delivered. His pale eyes traveled over the words he knew by heart, anger resurfacing when he read the words that had changed his whole day. He had been sitting on his bed clutching the note for the past few hours. Mind struggling to wrap itself around the meaning while disbelief warred with common sense; there was no way Harry was Damian. Harry would never be friends with Draco, nor would Harry attack him. Grimacing in anger, he crumpled the note as he remembered the way the panther had attacked him. Finger wrapped themselves around his wand as he gathered his school robes and headed for the door. It was dinner and surely Malfoy and Damian would be present. What better way to embarrass Malfoy by informing him that the boy-who-lived had been eating out of his hand for the past week?
A/N: My apologies for not posting sooner. My moot court presentation was on Wednesday so I spent the whole week prepping. Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the time to review.
hedwig11445 – She was indeed reporting to daddy, however I believe she started celebrating a little too early.
sbkar – Yep, Pansy wants to be a deatheater.
TheTrueSilver – They can feel the others love through the bond, the may not have said it but they're definitely feeling it.
fourth-face-of-the-goddess – Hedwig was aware of Harry's animagus form but she had no idea where he is so went to the first person she could think of.
TattleTaylor – Glad you're enjoying it so much.
Ch3rryphr34k – Thank you and hope your prom goes/went well.
Green Tea – I can't wait to see some of the fan art you've done.
manx – I left Harry without clothes because it better suited my story for him to be naked when the transformation was reversed, it makes him just a little more vulnerable.