One Year Later

One Year Later

"You did not have to come with me," said Severus as he walked through the streets of London.

"I know that," I replied from my position around his neck "but you know I cannot resist baiting Black"

"You never really have forgiven him for throwing you in that fountain have you?"

"No, nor for the things he did to you, who knew that I scarred him that badly as a kit," I said puffing out my chest, and indeed I had for the scars left by my claws on Sirius Black's arms were still visible even though many years had passed.

"Indeed, I'll never forget his face when you first jumped out at him since his escape from Azkaban" he smirked, reliving fond memories. Not that I could see his face from my position but I could just tell.

"Must we apparate?" I asked, I did not care for the sensation of being squeezed through a small tunnel, nor was I ever likely to.

"You knew we would when you asked to come, now be quiet I must concentrate" he stood still for a moment before turning on the spot, with me clinging tightly to his robes.

We appeared at the entrance of headquarters, with Severus looking as regal as ever; with me looking like a large ball of fluff hanging on to his robes. Slowly I calmed myself and my fur fell back into position but not before Severus turned his head and caught sight of me, his snicker was followed by a hiss of pain as I dug my claws into his shoulder.

"Just go inside Severus," I said "and don't mention nor acknowledge the state of my fur again"

"As you wish Sophia," he replied voice thick with sarcasm, there were going to be a few more scars on his shoulders if he kept it up.

Our entrance into the Black house was met with Nymphadora Tonks crashing into a nearby coat stand in her surprise at our arrival, causing the portrait of Mrs Black to burst into a tirade against mudbloods and blood traitors. However as we passed she ceased her screaming to greet my master with a sincere "Hello Severus" to which the man in question replied, before launching into another howling fit. Quickly we made our way into the kitchen where the members of the order of the phoenix were assembling; Severus was greeted by Dumbledore who sat at the head of the table. Severus quickly took his normal position of sitting slightly behind his employer on his right hand side before anyone else could claim the seat. Hidden as I was by Severus' hair and robes no one noticed my presence which made it all the more fun when I leaped on to the table from my hidden position as soon as Sirius Black sat down.

Cursing he threw himself backwards, sending himself and the chair he was sitting in crashing to the floor. Sniggering to myself I looked up to see Severus smirking at his enemies discomfort, Dumbledore however did not look so impressed. A silver eyebrow was raised in my direction and I quickly slinked back to Severus in what I hoped was a repentant way.

Sighing he turned to Severus "I trust Sophia is doing well then Severus?"

"Yes Headmaster she is in good health and spirits," my master replied

Meanwhile Black has struggled to his feet, glaring at Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin who were attempting to stifle their laughter. "I want that animal out of this room!" he cried, righting his chair and throwing himself back onto it.

Sighing Dumbledore turned to me "Sophia please be so kind as to wait outside so as to not upset the master of the house again"

Severus looked like he was going to argue however I quickly re-assured him "Don't worry Severus, it just means I can startle him as he leaves" he frowned and looked like he was going to insist I stay, "you know you must obey Dumbledore the others doubt you enough as it is, don't worry I'll amuse myself."

Quickly, before Severus could plead my case I streaked out of the door, with Black looking be-mused at how I knew what to do; he still thought I was some stupid ferret, even after the scare I had given him.

I quickly scaled the first flight of stairs so as to avoid the insane house elf that was meandering along the ground floor hall; only to find myself confronted with several teenagers crouched on the stairs with a pink thing on a string hanging between them. Curious I crept closer only to have my vision blocked by something large and orange.

"Hello Sophia" purred Crookshanks who had just leapt off Granger's lap.

I gave him a small smile back. Since I had first met him I began to spend more time with Crookshanks, at first to gain information about Black but afterwards just because he wasn't too bad a cat. He was stupid, I wasn't denying that and if I was after intelligent conversation it was better found with Severus or even Fawkes. But he had a good heart, and like I said his size made him a good ally.

"What's going on?" I asked indicating the group of youngsters.

"Oh the Mistress and her friends are trying to listen to what's being said downstairs," he replied leading me towards the group.

I could make out Potter now with several of the Weasley's, not that I could tell them apart though one was female.

"Anything good?" I asked creeping closer

"I haven't really been paying attention". Snorting I glanced up at Potter who seemed to be muttering about Severus, he seemed a little surprised, but then again he wasn't one of the brightest boys.

"Hello," said a voice to my left and slightly above me. I squeaked in surprise when I was picked up and placed on a lap. Granger cooed over me for a few more minutes, holding me on her lap (trust me I would have gotten off in a flash if I hadn't been pinned down).

"Well its nice to see you again, though under better circumstances," she cooed scratching behind my ears, I stiffened first at her invasion of my personal bubble before melting onto her lap as she scratched in just the right place.

"What have you got there Mione?" asked one of the older Weasleys, who seemed to have accidentally duplicated himself.

"Oh just an old friend," she replied scratching my stomach as I tried my best not to resemble a very happy melted puddle of ferret.

Shrugging the twins turned back to the pink thing as Granger continued to scratch me.

"Oh by the way," muttered Granger, holding me in front of her face so we were nose to nose (I must tell you I was sorely tempted to bite her nose, just to get a giggle out of it, but she was a very good at giving scratches) "Thank you for trying to help us in 2nd year" and with that she calmly placed me back in her lap and continued petting me.

I was extremely surprised that she had remembered me; I mean it was what, 4 years ago! I couldn't help but feel a little touched at her sincerity and the fact that she spoke to me like a human and didn't speak to me like a baby as some people do to their pets (who wants to be called snookums or sweetie?) Gently I nuzzled the hand that was petting me, to which she smiled, especially when I began to dook gently. I was a bit confused when she began to loudly whisper "Crookshanks", I thought for a moment she might have suffered a case of serious short sightedness, there is no way I resemble that ginger brush, that was until I realised that Crookshanks was attacking the pink thing on the end of the string. So amused was I at my friends utter show of kitten like behaviour I did not notice that the meeting was coming to an end. One of the Weasleys grabbed the string and quickly wound it up just as the kitchen door opened. Jumping out of my captor's (alright maybe not my captor, how about personal scratcher?) loosened arms I dooked at her once, nuzzled her arm (it's only polite to say thank you!) and hurtled down the stairs. Literally. Severus looked very amused when I finally came to a stop at his feet, after having rolled down one flight of stairs.

"Alright there Sophie?" he smirked as he bent down to pick me up, quickly I dodged his hands feeling very irate at his seeing something funny in the situation.

"Don't you Sophie me!" I declared allowing my fur to settle back into shape after the shock of the fall (all this excitement is not good for my fur) "and I fail to see what is so amusing about the situation I could have been seriously hurt"

I squeaked when he suddenly scooped me up but relaxed again when he tickled my stomach. "Sorry Sophia, I didn't mean to laugh. Are you alight?" he said as he made his way out of the house, me still draped in his arms.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said relaxing under his petting, so relaxed was I that I did not see one bushy haired know-it-all smiling down at the scene my master and I presented. Nor did I notice that Severus was ready to apparate until we had actually arrived at our destination of Spinners End. Hissing I leapt out of his arms, fur very bush like and into the house, determined to ignore Severus for the remainder of the day. Whimpering in self pity I raced into the bathroom and wailed at the sight before me. My fur would never be the same again!! I tried to ignore the fact that Severus was laughing rather loudly at my expense downstairs.