Opening the entrance to his rooms, he looked down, wanting to see how his little… companion had turned out.
He wasn't disappointed. He took in the shiny coat, the neatly clipped fur, the wagging tail and the lolling tongue. He stepped aside. "Come in."
*
Chapter 6
Harry trotted into Snape's rooms. He was immediately hit with the wonderful smell of his teacher. It took a lot of self control to keep a happy whine from slipping out.
"Mutt," Snape called. Harry looked up, wagging his tail. "I don't know what you expect to gain from these visits. You can't speak. But, it would be impolite not to at least offer you some tea. Would you care for a cup?" Harry was somewhat surprised by his teacher's manners. He nodded his head once, hoping that would be an obvious enough answer. "Very well. Sugar?" Harry shook his head no. "Milk?" No again. "You take it black?" Harry nodded his head again. "Well, here you are." He placed a cup of black tea in front of Harry, on the rug. Harry made a whining sound to say thank you. "You're welcome." Snape took his own tea and sat on the arm chair in front of Harry. Harry noticed the man took his tea black as well. If he could have, he would have smiled. "Now," Snape continued, once he was comfortable, "what do you propose we do? Have a conversation?" He smirked. "You didn't think this through, did you? How…Gryffindor." A look of triumph flashed in his eyes as he made the revelation.
*
Severus sipped his tea, allowing himself a brief look of triumph as he watched the dog on his hearthrug. So, you're in Gryffindor. And you couldn't be younger than… Fifth Year. He decided to make room for a possible Fifth Year candidate. Who knew if there would be a hidden talent among the dunderheads. He himself had mastered Animagi at fifteen. Though, he was unregistered.
The dog lowered his gaze, taking a lap or two of his tea, obviously not wanting to look Severus in the eyes.
"So, Mutt… you're in Gryffindor. How interesting. Should I start deducting points?" He smirked again when the dog got the joke and started wagging its tail, its tongue lolling out the side of its mouth. He looked incredibly cute. Severus refused to admit that, though. "A wager, then?" He asked, as the dog drank more tea. It looked interested. "I wager that I can guess who you are in… two weeks," he paused, sipping his tea again. "I have narrowed it down considerably. You're male and a Gryffindor. And, based on your skills as an Animagus, I am assuming you are no younger than fifteen. I have about fifteen possible candidates as to your identity. Though, I am going to discount the Weasley boys." He drank the last of his tea as he waited for some kind of answer from his little companion.
*
Harry weighed his options. Not that he had many. He wondered what the 'winner' got. He made a questioning noise and tilted his head. It seemed that Snape got the idea.
"You wish to know the terms?" Harry nodded. "Very well. If I can guess who you are within two weeks, you will be my lab assistant for the remainder of the term. If I cannot… you may keep your anonymity as long as you please." Harry thought he heard a hint of reluctance in Snape's voice when his prize was named. He took his time, drinking the rest of his tea, considering what he wanted to do.
He nodded, got up and moved forward and rested his chin on Snape's leg. He accepted.
"Very well, Mutt. The wager starts… ten minutes ago." Snape smirked smugly, as he flicked his wand, sending their cups back to the tea service.
*
Severus wanted to pat the head on his lap… but he didn't know if it would be appropriate. It seemed as though whoever this was… didn't really care. Mutt nuzzled his hand, seeking some kind of affection.
"You're still an affectionate little thing. This is highly inappropriate." He scowled, even as he gave the silky head a pet, scratching behind the floppy ears. Mutt's eyes closed as he enjoyed the wonderful sensation of petting. Severus smiled briefly, as the adorable little animal pushed into his hand. "Would you mind answering questions?" Severus didn't know why, but he actually enjoyed the quiet company of this… student. They were almost shy most of the time, but had their moments of bravery. They were small, too. He didn't like how small this animal was. He looked healthy, but still too small. He reflected on the Gryffindor boys in Fifth Year and up. A few were small. But none overly so. Except Harry Potter. But this definitely wasn't Potter. The boy hates me. He would never willingly visit for tea… or let me touch him at all, let along pet him. Who could this animal be? He absently stroked the head in his lap as he pondered over his guest's possible identity.
A slight movement and a whine brought his attention back to the creature before him. Mutt cocked his head, ducking his head forward, sniffing. Severus then remembered he wanted to ask a few questions. But, for the life of him, he couldn't remember what they were!
"I… seem to have lost my train of thought." He sounded distant, even to himself. "I think you should go. It's nearly curfew. If you need a note, I will write one for you."
Mutt gave a gentle huff, nodded and licked Severus' hand.
Severus let the mysterious student out, a letter excusing his breach of curfew in his mouth. He wondered what had come over him. He never lost track of his thoughts like that. He sighed, shaking it off, filing it away in his mind to look at some other time.
He showered and readied himself for bed, his mind still focussed on who he thought Mutt could possibly be.
*
Harry made it to his dormitory, in a slight daze. He didn't know what had come over him! He'd licked his professor's hand! And… the taste! Who knew the grumpy bastard would taste so… so good! He savoured the salty flavour in his mouth, wondering why his teacher was so tasty. He hoped he hadn't developed a taste for human flesh! He chuckled at the thought. Well, not a taste for eating it, at any rate. He licked his lips as he climbed into bed, not bothering to shower.
The next morning, before he joined everyone at breakfast, he wrote a letter to Snape.
Professor,
I enjoyed my visit with you last night. You're a wonderful host! I thought you said not to expect any petting..? The tea was perfect, thank you. Maybe Potions isn't a wasted talent?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them… but nothing too personal. Yet.
You guessed correctly. I'm in Gryffindor. I'll give you a hint. I'm not in Fifth Year. And I'm not a Weasley, like you said.
You don't seem to be very… fond of me. But, I hope that will change with time. I've grown to respect you in the brief time we've had together. I'd like for us to visit again. Perhaps this weekend, for lunch?
Mutt
Harry smiled as he signed it. He really did like the name Professor Snape had bestowed upon him. He felt it was something special between them. Something they had together that no one else shared. It was… nice.
He sent the school owl away. It didn't seem happy. He'd summoned it with Accio, not knowing how else to do it, and being too lazy to walk all the way to the owlery.
*
Severus scowled at the menace of a bird that landed on his plate. He was planning on eating those sausages… Bloody owl… He snatched the letter from its beak and shooed it away when it stole one of the sausages it'd landed on.
He held in a bark of laughter. Useful talent, indeed. Bloody cheeky little brat. He folded it carefully and placed it in his pocket, wondering whether he should accept lunch with the troublesome child.
"Severus, my boy, aren't you going to eat anything?" Albus leaned over to address his Head of Slytherin.
"I was, until that blasted owl landed on my plate." He scowled again as he pushed his plate forward, and stood up to leave. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster, I have a lesson to prepare." He swept out of the Hall, robes billowing impressively.
He arrived at his office, finding himself quite hungry. Ordering a small meal of toast and tea, he sat at his desk and decided which nasty little potion he'd make his first class of the day brew. He had a particularly nasty one chosen when an owl swooped in through the door.
Professor,
I thought it would be nice to have a picnic. What do you say to meeting me just outside of Hogsmead, near the mountain, overlooking the castle? I'll bring the food. I'll be there at 12.30, on Saturday. What do you think? Doable?
Mutt
PS. I hope we're not going to be brewing anything particularly nasty today. How about something nice, like a Dreamless Sleep?
Severus sighed. He knew Mutt wouldn't be in the first class – they were third year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.That meant he was in one of his last two classes of the day. Either sixth year or seventh. Based upon his letter, he didn't think Mutt would be in his Seventh Year class. Those little brats didn't have the guts to request something easy.
So. You're in Sixth Year, are you? You're either, Thomas, Finnegan, Longbottom or Potter… He shook his head at the thought of it being Potter. I highly doubt that.
Sighing once more, he made his way down to greet the first class of the day. Oh, joy.