Entry for "Astronomy" at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)"

Task: I would like you to write about a persons relationship with an animal. Min 500 words

Entry for the "Halloween Collection Competition" - prompt: 46. "Get the hell out of my house!"

It had all started on a quiet Sunday morning.

Severus had just moved in with Rolanda a few days ago and not really been able to sleep due to the new surroundings. The sounds of the waves hitting the nearby cliffs and rolling up the small beach could be heard crystal clear in the small cottage Rolanda owned. It gave him trouble with falling asleep as he was used to the complete silence of his chambers at Hogwarts.

Anyhow, he had got up early, made himself a strong coffee and had just begun to sort his books into the book-shelves as a odd scratching noise stood out against the sound of the ocean.

Frowning, he glared at the door, hoping that he had just imagined it, but a few seconds later, the noise repeated again.

Eyeing the door suspiciously, he approached it and unlocked it and his wand pointed forwards, he opened the door.

At first, it looked like nobody was there, but then, upon a whimper, he looked down, seeing a dog lying on the doormat, looking at him with pleading eyes.

Never before had he seen such a shaggy looking creature – its furr was felted and full with dirt.

"Go away," he said, glaring darkly at the dog, who did not seem to be impressed by this, as he stood up and staggered into the house before Severus could react.

"Get the hell out of my house! You filthy flea carpet!," he exclaimed, trying to block the dogs way as he tried to make his way further into the house.

"Severus, it is nice to hear you already feel like you belong here, but why are you screaming around so early in the morning?"

Rolanda stood at the bottom of the stairs, her hair still ruffled from sleep, her eyes half closed, but she immediately seemed awake as she saw the dog sitting in the middle of her living room.

oOo

Despite his loud protests, the stray dog had stayed inside the house and Rolanda had immediately taken up the task of cleaning the dog she had named Sam.

Severus could hardly understand why Rolanda was so excited about the dog, and nothing he said about its potential aggressiveness could change her mind. She was determined to let Sam stay with them.

From this day on, everything had changed.

Severus had to admit to himself that Sam looked nearly cute after he had been cleaned up – he had soft, brown furr and the most convincing puppy eyes.

But Severus would not let Sam fool him. He knew what this dog was up to.

Rolanda was more than kind with Sam, cuddling with him whenever she had a free minute, giving him dog treats and taking him for long walks along the shoreline while Severus was left at home.

She was playing mummy and Sam followed her on her heels, whereever she went. Severus would never have admitted it, but he felt abandoned.

It sounded pathetic when he thought about it, but he really had begun a hidden rivalry with Sam, who seemed to be aware of his jealousy.

Every morning, Severus prepared Rolanda's favourite breakfast and served it to her in bed – Sam would cuddle with her.

Severus tried to give her all of his attention, invited her to her favourite activities – Sam brought her the ball she had bought him and whatever they had been doing, Rolanda would jump and go outside with Sam to play with him.

To say that he loathed Sam was an understatement and he knew that this concurrence for her attention had only just begun.