Title: Shadow and Ice
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Rowling does. Total shame.
Rating: I dunno, pg-13?
A/N: Well, It's been almost...what, two years? That's so sad. Almost as sad as the first few chapters of this story. It's totally obvious that my writing style has changed and improved since then, but it might not show as such in this chapter as it was sort of rushed. A lot of you thought the way the last chapter ended was cliche and unimaginative. Others liked it. Me, not so fond of it. So...It'll get explained here. Still short, but like I said, sort of rushed. Maybe I can end this in two or three chapters, then take it all, knock it together and make it a long one-shot. How does that sound? Hope you enjoy it. I really do. OH and yes, Harry is a panther...not my favorite form for him now, but at the time I started this it was.
Harry's head shot up as he looked around. He was still in the library, the book of animagus' open in front of him. He was drenched in a cold sweat and he really couldn't remember falling asleep. Everything he just dreamed seemed so real that it was hard to believe it didn't happen.
Groaning, he buried his head in his arms and nuzzled his head as far into the crook of his arm as he could. The dream was as confusing as hell and just thinking about it was starting to give him a headache.
Ron had never shown any indication of wanting him in such a way and was completely and totally devoted to Hermione. He, himself, had never once entertained the thought of being intimate with Ron in such a way, so he wondered if the dream was just that, a dream. Dreams weren't always supposed to make sense and he'd had his share of weird ones over the years that had no subconscious ties in anyway.
He slammed the book shut in front of him and ignored Madam Pince's glare. Placing it back on the shelf, he wandered out of the library and towards a hidden staircase that would take him down two levels and one hallway off the kitchen. He could really use something sweet to get his mind off that dream.
Tickling the pear a few minutes later, he was ready to head inside when a voice echoed around him, 'Shadow?'
'Uh, yeah, Ice?' He asked, looking down at the elves that began to congregate around him, "Is there any of that Chocolate Cherry ice cream left?"
One of the elves squeaked out a yes and ran to the freezer just as Ice replied, 'You okay? I heard a faint help before and thought I should ask before running off to rescue you.'
"I'll also have a slice of that yellow cake with the hazelnut filling and some hot chocolate." he told the rest of the elves even as he thought back to Ice, 'Just a nightmare...or daymare as the case may be. I'm ok. Just...freaked.'
Sitting at a table along the wall and dropped his head onto his fist while he waited for his food. Ice's reply was prompt, 'Well, that's good then. Say, what are you doing?'
'Eating.' He replied, taking a healthy bite of his cake with a moan of happiness. None of his deserts actually went together, but each was good in its own right and were his favorites. All three at once was a bit of a rare splurge.
'Where? In the kitchens?'
He gulped some of the hot chocolate and followed it with some ice cream, the feeling he got from the cold on top of the heat was almost orgasmic, 'Yup, but unless your ready to give up who you are, you won't come down.'
'That wasn't the plan. I was wondering if you'd meet me up at the room of requirement.'
'What for? Are you bored or something?'
'Or something.'
Harry dropped the spoon into the empty dish and sat back with a small burp, 'Yeah, all right. Ten minutes okay?'
He could almost sense Ice's nod, 'Ten minutes will be fine.'
Harry stood up and smiled at the elves before taking leave of their presence. Professor Dumbledore had told him to stop thanking the house elves when he visited as most went crazy for a time afterwards and caused problems with the meals. Harry had thought it funny at first until he got some uncooked noodles at lunch one day. It was certainly a lesson learned.
Just around the corner from the hallway that led to the room of requirement, he peaked around to make sure no one was in sight. Happy that no one was, he transformed and shot to the partially open door. Inching his way in, he jumped as the door suddenly slammed shut behind him. Hackles raised and teeth bared, he whipped around and crouched, his ears flattening back on his head when he didn't see anyone.
'Calm down, Shadow. I spelled the door to shut when you came in. You can still get out, but no one else can get in.' Ice said, slinking out of the shadow in the far corner.
Harry let his guard drop slightly as he took in the room. It was just one of a normal study, with a couch, fireplace, coffee table with tea, and two chairs, 'Ice? Is there something you want to tell me?'
Ice nodded, 'There is actually, but please don't freak out on me.'
Harry raised a mental eyebrow and his tail twitched in curiosity, 'What?'
Instead of answering there was a shimmering in the air around Ice, signaling the fast change from animal to human. Harry dropped to the ground in shock. Standing before him was Draco Malfoy.
TBC
R&R