-This fic was a gift for DoctorPhantom on AO3 who gave me the promt-

Cross posted on AO3


Snow covered the Hogwarts grounds like a ghost white duvet. Coating the mossy muddy imperfect lawns beneath effectively. The snow had arrived during Christmas break and most students had been stunned by the white landscape when they returned to the school.

Now—a few weeks into the new term—the initial excitement the students had felt had died down. Its place had been taken by the complaints of cold corridors and most wanting to stay inside, shivering in front of a fireplace.

One who wasn't stopped by the weather to take a stroll outside was Draco. Not that he particularly liked the cold. His hands felt like ice cubes—despite his thick leather gloves—and his nose hurt from breathing in the cold air. Nevertheless, it was worth it for getting a minute alone. The snow made the world quieter. The isolating layer made reality freeze for a moment in almost absolute silence. Only the crunch under his feet and his shuddering breath could be heard.

Draco was so caught up in his own mind that he almost didn't notice the girl who stood silently starring up into a tree. She was wrapped up in thick dark winter robes, and a blue scarf covered most of her head. Draco first assumed it was some weird Ravenclaw who'd got their cat stuck in a tree. As he got closer he recognized the blond—almost white—hair sticking out of the scarf.

He looked around before calling out, "Luna?"

The girl turned around and a familiar face beamed back at him. He gave a weak smile back.

"Draco," she said.

"What on earth are you doing out here? It's freezing," he said, rubbing his arms as he stopped in front of her.

"I don't mind the cold that much," she said almost unbothered. "It's only temporary."

Draco guessed she was right. Pushing more would make him a hypocrite, he was, after all, taking a stroll in the cold weather himself. He was not one to judge who could and could not go outside. Besides, he was happy to have time to talk with her. He hadn't been able to see Luna much since before Christmas break.

"Very well. What are you looking at?" Draco searched the tree she'd been starring at. He saw nothing of importance there. Sure, beautiful crystals had formed on the thinner hanging branches, and the thicker ones were covered with a thin layer of snow. He had a feeling that wasn't what Luna had been looking at. Though… he could never be sure with her.

"I was looking for Clement. I couldn't find him this morning," she said looking back at the empty tree.

"Who's Clement?" Draco asked.

"Clement is that Clabbert I told you about. My dad wrote to me about how awfully lonely he was last term when I wasn't home," she said. "I thought he might enjoy coming here instead."

Thankfully Draco already knew what a Clabbert was. A sort of half-frog half-monkey looking creature that came from America. He'd even seen one before in a pet store. Though from what Draco could recall they lived in the warmer states.

He stared at her and then back to the tree. "Why would he like this tree?"

"Not the tree in particular—though it'd be a good climbing tree for him in the summer—I meant Hogwarts. My dad said he missed me. So I brought him back," Luna said. "Though he wasn't in my room this morning."

Draco looked back at her. She had a slight frown on her face.

"So… Have you asked a Professor if they've seen him?" Draco asked. It was now afternoon so that meant Clement had been gone for quite a while already. "Maybe they've seen him during the day?"

"Oh, I don't think that is a good idea," Luna said softly. "Clabberts arent on the list of pets you're allowed to bring. If they found him I would have to send him back home."

Of course, Luna had smuggled in a pet that was against the school rules. Draco felt like sighing, but that wouldn't help her. Finding Clement might though…

"So, where could he have gone?" Draco asked. "Do you think he's outside?"

"Not really, no," Luna said. "I thought he'd liked the trees, but I do believe it's too cold for him to be outside. This morning I thought he'd only gone for a stroll, but I fear he might not have found his way back."

Now Draco did sigh. "Well, I guess we should go in to search for him? If we split up to look for him I'm sure we'll find him."

Her frown disappeared as he said it. "You'll help me?"

"Absolutely," he said. "I'll start with the east towers and you-" he was pretty sure she'd wander off no matter what plan he made up "-can look too."

She gave him a brilliant smile. "Great, I'll start around the kitchens. They might serve pudding tonight. I'm sure Clement might want to have a taste."

She scurried off, half skipping half slipping on the ice. Draco looked after her for a while. He felt a bit warmer in his chest than before. With a deep breath, he hurried off after her. He had a Clabbert to look for.


Draco had looked through two towers swiftly without any interruptions. Unfortunately also without even a sign of Clement. He thought the Clabbert might enjoy the view from the towers (he was, after all, part monkey) so he'd started there. As he turned a corner on his way towards the Astronomy Tower he almost ran straight into Pansy Parkinson.

"Draco! Where have you been since Charms? I've been looking for you," she glared at him as if he'd offended her.

She might be his friend—kinda—but even he had to admit she was a bit much sometimes.

"I'm busy right now Pansy," Draco said. "Maybe we can talk later?"

"You don't even know what I wanted to ask," she said crossing her arms.

If this was another 'favour' she needed he was quite ready to tell her to bugger off. Stinging hexes she'd send on him be damned.

"Well, maybe you can ask at dinner?" he said. He meant for it to come out as an order but it came out more like a suggestion.

"Fine. If you tell me what's keeping you too busy to listen to your best friend."

'Best friend' might be a bit of a stretch. Longest friend, sure, but best? Well, when he thought about it he didn't have that many close friends. He was close to Luna, though he'd managed to keep that secret from Pansy so far. Though he kind of hoped Luna and him was—or at least could be—something more than friends.

He sighed. "Alright. What do you need help with?"

The smile she gave was pure evil. "I need help with my potions essay."

Draco quirked an eyebrow. Was that all? He didn't have time now to help her with it, but the Slytherin house was full of good potion makers.

"Can't you ask Theo? Or Blaise?" Draco asked.

"Blaise is having as much of a hard time as I do," Pansy waved her hand dismissing. "If not worse. And Theo won't help me."

Draco could figure out why. Pansy wasn't the easiest to teach. Or help—ironically enough seeing how often she wanted help from them. Sometimes Draco was sure she didn't even need the help, she just liked to torture them.

"Well then-" Draco drew a deep breath trying to figure out a solution. "Tell Theo that if he won't help you then I'll tell Blaise who 'borrowed' and lost his quidditch gloves."

"Was that Theo?" Pansy asked. Draco could already see her brain working on a thousand ways to use that information in the future. Probably as blackmail, much like Draco was doing now.

Draco nodded and her Chesire smile grew.

"Great! Thanks, Draco," she said, before turning around and strutting off down the corridor.

Draco knew this would come back and bite him once Theo found out what he told Pansy. Unfortunately, it was the only way out of her claws he could find right now. And he had to find Clement before curfew in a few hours. Preferably even before dinner.

He took off again, towards the Astronomy Tower.


Once Draco had searched through the Astronomy Tower from top to bottom—with still no sign of Clement—he went on through the lower corridors. He wouldn't give up. He still thought the towers might be his best shot, but he could just as well search the corridors nearby to be sure.

Though running into Slughorn had not been part of his plan…

"Draco, my dear boy!" he heard the professor call out.

Draco pasted a smile onto his face.

"Professor, nice to see you," he lied.

"What are you doing wandering the corridors? You know it's dinner soon right?" Slughorn asked.

Draco was about to answer when he saw something move a few feet behind Slughorn at the end of the corridor. Something green and… jumping. Draco saw what was most likely Clement sitting at the end of the corridor. Starring—almost mockingly—back at Draco.

Realising he'd been silent a moment too long Draco snapped his eyes back to Slughorn.

"Oh, I'm just- Checking the corridors. Prefect rounds you know?" It was sadly the best excuse he could come up with on the spot.

"But… It's not after curfew yet?" Slughorn said slowly as Draco's eyes sneaked a look at Clement. The Clabbert was still sitting very visible behind Slughorn.

Then Slughorn made a small move—about to look back to see what had Draco's attention himself. Draco forced his brain to remember what his professor had said so he could answer.

"Oh, yes. I know Professor," Draco let out a short laugh taking back Slughorns attention. "I just wanted to check so everything was alright here. You know first-years might get lost, or someone setting up a prank while everyone is elsewhere. One can never be sure."

He shuffled his feet as Slughorn stared at him like he wondered if the nargels had eaten up Draco's brain cells. Well… Maybe the nargel part wasn't his exact thoughts.

Draco didn't dare to look at Clement another time, fearing Slughorn would turn around fully and see the creature. Instead, he stared—probably a bit too wide-eyed—at Slughorn. He prayed that Clement would disappear out of sight, but not run away too far so he couldn't find him later.

"Very well," Slughorn said after a pause. "It's good to see that you take your responsibilities seriously. As long as you don't miss dinner. And… Maybe get some rest."

"If you say so sir," Draco answered.

Slughorn nodded before making his way past Draco, patting the boy's shoulder on the way.

Draco closed his eyes breathing out as he heard the sound of Slughorns steps fade away. That was a close call. Now Slughorn probably thought he had hit his head. Hard. But that was better than Luna's pet getting confiscated. Right! Clement!

Draco opened his eyes again, seeing an empty corridor. He groaned out loud. Of course, the little menace had run off. He hurried down the corridor—hoping the Clabbert hadn't gone too far. Nothing. Only an empty corridor.

At least Draco had a better clue of where to look now. Clement couldn't have gone far. Draco hurried off in the direction of the closest tower.


Draco had looked through every corridor and tower close to the place he last saw Clement, but no luck so far. He sighed and tried to find a new strategy. Perhaps Clement hadn't gone up but rather down? Should he check the dungeons? Maybe he should look near the kitchen—it was usually a few degrees warmer down there. Luna might've missed something during her search there.

Dinner should begin now, Draco thought. He contemplated searching near the Great Hall and also grabbing a bite to eat. If nothing else a sandwich he could munch on while searching.

He made a decision and started to make his way down the nearest stair. He froze when he saw Theo come storming up the steps eyes set on Draco. Now, Draco normally didn't feel threatened by Theo. Still, he wasn't stupid. Even he could figure out that crossing a seemingly livid Slytherin wasn't a good idea.

He turned to swiftly avoid—bolt away from—his friend, but Theo acted too quickly.

"Colloshoo," Theo said waving his wand.

Draco almost fell as his feet stuck to the floor above the staircase. He managed—through a lot of awkward hand waving—to keep his balance. Once he was done flailing Theo stood an inch away from his face scowling.

"Hey! Why did you do that for?" Draco exclaimed. He couldn't fool Theo though.

"Why did you blackmail me to help Pansy? She's worse than the plague! And now she too has blackmail material on me!"

"Well, I was busy and since you refused to help her I thought maybe you needed some motivation," Draco sneered.

He had no time for this. If he was going to find Clement, give him back to Luna and get something in his stomach he needed to get a move on. Otherwise, he swore he'd take out all his hunger frustration on Theo himself.

"I've been sitting with her for almost two hours! I wouldn't have gotten away if she didn't get hungry," Theo said. "What are you so busy with anyway? Why aren't you at dinner too?"

"That's none of your business," Draco quickly dismissed, ignoring Theos quirked eyebrow. "Okay, okay. I promise to help her for the rest of the week and keep her off your back if you help her tonight. Deal?"

Theo crossed his arms. "A month."

"Two weeks," Draco said and reached out his hand.

Theo thought about it for a moment before taking Draco's hand, "Deal."

"Great. Now help me get this off," Draco said lifting his foot seeing the green sticky slime under it.

Theo thankfully helped him get loose before he scurried off to eat a bite. Probably hoping he'd have the time to eat something before Pansy forced him to help her with the rest of her essay. Draco took a deep breath before turning to follow Theo to the Great Hall. He hoped the smell of food could help lure Clement out. Then something on the floor caught his eye.

Clements innocent green face stared back at him from a few feet away. The creature let out a sound that started out like a monkey screech but ended more like a croak.

"Clement!" Draco exclamied.

The Clabbert took a slow jump away from him, but Draco was done looking for the stupid thing.

"No, you won't!" Draco said before hurrying to grab him before he could jump further away.

The smooth slightly damp green skin felt weird against his hands. Clement let out another croak so Draco saw the rows of sharp teeth inside his big mouth. Thankfully his head had no red flashing, so he couldn't be feeling threatened. If Draco had to be honest the Clabbert looked slightly bored. His slim green libs hung from Draco's grip as he croaked tiredly at a low frequency.

It still seemed like a good idea for Draco to give him to Luna before Clement felt like fleeing again. Or worse, before he felt like taking a bite of Draco's hand with his spiky teeth.

Draco hurried off down the corridors once again, half hiding Clement in his robes. He tried not to laugh as Clement leisurely flicked his tail, tickling his waist.


Draco found Luna wandering around near the owlery. Her radish earrings swayed as she ran between the metal armours adorning the hall. She looked inside one of them before skipping off to the next one.

Draco smiled for himself before calling out her name, holding up the tiredly limp Clement for her to see.

"You found him!" she said in an excited breezy voice before skipping towards Draco.

"Yes. I think you were right. He just wanted to be out on an adventure," Draco said handing Clement over for her to take.

Clement turned his head looking at Draco as if to say "No I did not" . He was pretty sure Clabberts didn't understand English though, so he shook away the thought.

"Thank you for helping me find him Draco," Luna said smiling up at him.

Draco felt his cheeks warm. "Oh, it's nothing. Though he was a bit of a menace to find."

Clement who had so far been rather unresponsive straightened a bit and opened his mouth. First Draco thought he would try to bite him, but instead Draco felt something sticky hit his cheek. Luna let out a giggle right as Draco realised the Clabbert had stuck his tongue to Draco's cheek. She held her other hand over her mouth to try to stop her giggles.

"It's not funny," Draco said.

"It is. A little," Luna said honestly. "Perhaps he wanted to give you a thank-you kiss?"

Draco thought nothing of the sort. More likely he'd offended the creature who decided to in return stick his slimy tongue to Draco's cheek. Luna thankfully took a hold of the long tongue and pulled it off Draco's cheek. Clement brought it back inside his mouth (where it belonged) looking innocent as ever. Draco wiped his cheek with his sleeve, seeing the Clabbert phlegm made him grimace.

The next second his whole body froze in place. Felling a soft, much less slimy, pressure against his other cheek. As soon as he'd felt it, it disappeared. Luna, who'd stood on her tiptoes, took a step back. His brain finally caught up with the fact that she'd kissed his cheek.

"Thanks again Draco," she said. "I have to bring Clement back now though."

"I'll walk you back to the tower," Draco said quickly, reaching out his arm for her.

He said it a bit too rushed, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she looped her arm in his, holding the—now relaxed—Clabbert with her other arm. Then they made their way towards the Ravenclaw tower.

"We can go to dinner after. I hope there's some potato gratin left," she said dreamily.

He didn't know what she thought was so special about potato gratin. Almost everything Hogwarts served was brilliant. Draco didn't worry too much about what was left. Even if there was only bread and some cold meat left, it would still be worth it.


Later at dinner, Pansy looked at him with a frown before asking, "Why's your cheek slimy Draco?"

Well…


Authors note:

I really enjoyed writing this! It's not a ship I normally write for, but it was fun to try something new :)

Find me on Tumblr under the same name! (Flumet)