Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
A/N: Yeah, getting lazy, but I'm going to try writing more than a page! Bleh to my senior year.
We parted ways when we reached my room. As soon as I opened the door, Zion moved zombie like to the bed and curled up at the end. He was asleep before I could finish changing into some night clothes. I was soon to follow though, meetings always took forever…
XxXxXxX
Bright light shined through the window startling Zion. Glancing around, it was seen that they were not in a familiar room. Realization hit soon enough and the days previous activities hit head on.
Stretching, he moved from the bed so as to glance out the window. A forest was in the distance and the sun could just barely be seen coming over the horizon of endless trees.
Being woken up this early had never happened before. Noting the pillow under the window, Zion sat and stared at the suns ever so slow climb into the sky. Snape wouldn't wake for a few more hours, so he was free to think about what happened and what he would do now.
First thing was first, meeting Tom Riddle and not being attacked was never on his list of what if's. Now that it had happened though, did he want to look for a way to become normal again? Living with Snape hadn't turned out that bad, not having a dark lord after him in this for would be nice too.
But then again, everyone would worry about him. Yet, when did they even care, unless he was getting into trouble or shirking school work. Gazing into the distance longingly, as if it held all the answers, he settled his head to have the advantage of watching Sevvie and the sun rising. His peaceful sleep lulling Harry's mind back into deep thoughts.
Back to the dilemma, when would they even start noticing he was missing. It had been awhile. Then again, they never looked for him if he ran off until they needed him. For saving them again or because they were bored and needed someone to stir things up.
It didn't take much to set them off though. Hermione's rants he wouldn't miss. Or Ron's insane jealousy over the spotlight everyone shined on him. Not that he wanted it. What he wouldn't give to have a normal family and parents. It seemed everyone was either with or against him from day one. And he hadn't even known this whole other world existed.
What had surprised him was how they still didn't notice when he came back to school, ever so skinny from the Dursley's starvation of him over the summer break. It was almost infuriating. Here he was, supposed to save a world and they didn't take the time to notice his health. Especially after all the time he spent in the hospital wing.
Unless they knew and were hiding or ignoring it. From the headmasters previous manipulations, he wouldn't put it past him. Making the nurse stay quiet.
A muffled noise alerted him to the door opening. Not knowing who it was before the door opened, he silently crawled down into the shadows present under the window. Blending in so not to be seen. Ears alert, he would be sure no one would hurt Sev while he was asleep.
The window wasn't that far from the bed, and the door was further down the massive room. But the view was blocked by the foot of the bed. Only now did he even bother taking in his surroundings in depth. But not wanting to alert the intruder of his presence, he lay still within the shadows like a predator. He wouldn't move until they would close the door.
It would be easier to throw the body out without anyone noticing if the door wasn't open. Knowing of the silencing charms also placed, as soon as it would shut, the person would be doomed.
Using nothing but his hearing, he could almost see the person. The was the foot step carried the weight of the persons body, he could guess how high he would have to jump to get in a deadly shot. They had shut the door, and not all it would take was a few more steps.
Just as he was digging his claws into the carpet, getting ready to pounce, he caught the persons scent. Lotus and dark magic, it was familiar and recent too. So he decided to see what they did. Still judging off his hearing, he could tell they walked up to the top of the bed.
He could hear them move ON the bed and almost see the person curling up with HIS master. Jealousy was the only emotion taking over his whole being. Still deciding against moving from the advantage point he had of not being noticed, he continued listening on. Maybe there was a way of using this against the person.
If only he had jumped on Sev when the door first opened. It was nearly twenty minutes before anything happened. Even then, if was only the other succumbing to sleep and snuggling even closer to Snape. Who continued sleeping obliviously.
Sure that nothing would disturb the pair, he levered himself back onto the pillow in the window. Staring back outside, the sun had barely moved. Before he would continue his thoughts, he spun his head over his shoulder to gaze at the newcomer. Surprised, but knowing who it was, the shock didn't hit as bad when he saw it was Tom in the bed.
He show of affection was alien of the person he saw before him, but he couldn't help but think they looked cute. His earlier jealousy subsided when he realized how much the two needed each other. With as little the two saw each other, but then again, he may be looking too far into the situation.
It wasn't uncommon for the guys in his dorm to find security with each other than with another girl (what guy can figure them out?) because they understood each other. When he had first found the Weasley twins, in their own home over one of his summers there, when he had offered to wake everyone for breakfast, he felt a bit of surprise, but not much. With how close they were, it didn't shock him. And it happened all the time within the Gryffindor boys dorm. There would be nights where he was the only one in the dorms sleeping alone.
Almost sad, but when anyone got close to him, they died, no one wanted to risk being more than friends with someone who has a target painted on their forehead.
His musings and ramblings continued within his mind while Sev and Tom continued sleeping. He was almost back to sleep when a knock sounded on the door. It pulled his mind back to the real world, interrupting his nap in the sun. While Tom and Sev roused, Zion went to open the door (magically opens from inside when a presence comes to it).
The person was beginning to knock again when Zion appeared giving them a look only cats that are roused before they want to be. But, he had gone and opened the door, and the messenger was unsure what to do. Hesitantly he began, "Uhhm… is this Professor Snape's quarters?" The nameless guy began fidgeting and looking around nervously as if he was going to be attacked by a wall or something.
Feeling bad for the kid, Zion nodded his head and gave a motion with his paw for the guy to get on with it or go. He stared at the large cat for a long while before continuing with what he started.
"He…umm, received an owl….and it's from the headmaster….should I give it to you for him?" By now the guy looked like he'd rather be anywhere else than in the intimidating cat's presence. But nodding again, the guy handed over an envelope he had been fidgeting with and quickly took off down a random hall. Never to be seen again.
Zion had taken the letter gently between his teeth and stalked back into the room, being sure to slam the door shut with his hind leg once safely out of it's way. The slam seemed to have startled the groggy pair into alertness. When Snape laid eves on Zion though, he huffed and fell back onto the bed.
At first glance, he seemed to be trying to suffocate himself within the confines of his pillow. He soon gave up when he felt the large cat jump on the bed and try to shove something pointy in his face.
Pulling back from the pillow, he realized there was a reason for the early wake-up call other than Zion just being a pest. Looking at the leopard, he held out his hand for the letter. He got it and a face full of cat fur as well. And he reacted the same as anyone else in a similar position. He just laid there until Zion decided to let him breathe again, scratching behind his ears to instigate the cat to lower it's head away from his face, so as he could breathe.
Tom sat on the edge of the bed the entire time, watching the interaction between the two. All the while thinking he should have gotten a cat years ago.
Once Zion was pacified, Severus was able to read the cover of the envelope and it's contents. He took everything at a leisurely pace and continued scratching Zion behind his ears. Maybe this wouldn't turn out all that bad after all. The letter had informed him that they were having an unexpected week off due to all the Gryffindors waiting for the antidote to set long enough to apply.
And by then it would be the weekend, so everyone was just relaxing for the week. Maybe he could find out a bit more on his new pet and remain close to the one who needed him most. Then as if remembering something important, his gaze turned to the person still sitting on the edge of the bed.
Smiling in relief of being noticed, Tom questioned, "What is in the contents of this letter that was so important that you needed to be woken?" Sarcasm was laced so thick in the one sentence, it was almost visible in the air.
"Well, it seems Albus has given everyone the week off due to the fact that the Gryffindors cannot do anything until the antidote to their stupidity is discovered." Snape laced just as much, if not more, sarcasm in the sentence, before continuing, "They are all waiting for the potion from when I told you Zion sabotaged their work."
Riddle laughed and not long after the two laid back down. Not wanting to face the day quite yet, Zion left the bed for the sun covered perch in the window. The warm sun soon lulled him deep into sleep. Aided by the light breathing of the two others who fell asleep not long after.
It was a good few hours before anyone dared disturb the three, and the first was hexed beyond recognizable by an irate cat who had been sent to open the door. Maniacal laughing from Tom and Sev was heard all around for the fate of anyone who disturbed the dark inclined feline. No one dared near the room for the rest of the day.
A/N: no this is not the end, but it really does feel like it. School's getting in the way of updating this more, but I plan on longer chapters when I can. The next chapter will be more exciting, I hope..;; this one is just a lot of musing, something is guaranteed to happen next time!