Chapter Text
“...and as for the homework, make sure to thoroughly read chapters five through ten. I expect you to write an essay about the many usages of chizpurfle fang, especially in the context of it being a key component in Wiggenweld Potion. Five feet of parchment - no less. The deadline is the 20th. Now, out with you before I make you do ten.”
Professor Snape’s calm, yet sharp voice leaves no room for arguments. Chairs scrape against the cold stone floor as students hastily gather their books, eager to leave the room as fast as their feet allow.
With a few exceptions.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” Asks Luna, holding her books to her chest. You shake your head, eyes fixed on your notebook as you hastily copy down the last formula Snape had scrawled on the board.
“Go save us a seat in the Great Hall, I won’t take long,” you say in a hushed voice, your quill hastily scratching across the parchment.
“Okay. I’ll go and do just that. Bye-bye!” Luna chirps before turning on her heel, her light blonde hair bouncing as she disappears down the corridor.
The classroom falls silent, save for the faint sound of your quill. Snape remains seated at his desk, hands clasped in front of him, watching you with a slight air of approval. You’re quite diligent with your studies and he takes a rare satisfaction in seeing that some students actually care to learn what he’s teaching.
You’re done not even a minute later. You cap your ink bottle, tuck your papers into your bag and stand. Your eyes rise to meet Snape’s stern gaze and you smile, offering him a small wave.
“Goodbye, Professor! Thank you so much for today.” He simply nods, and with that, you hurry out of the classroom.
Your stomach growls, reminding you just how long it’s been since you last ate, urging you toward the Great Hall. The other Ravenclaws are nowhere to be seen, leaving the dungeons eerily quiet during the lunch break. The only sound echoing through the corridor is the rhythmic tapping of your shoes against the cold stone floor.
“A thousand years or more ago, when I was newly sewn~” you sing softly, your voice filling the silence. Your eyes wander around the dim hallway as you walk. The narrow slits near the ceiling let in faint streaks of light, casting shadows across the walls. From somewhere beyond, faint traces of chatter and laughter from the Main Grounds filter through the heavy air. “There lived four wizards of renown, whose names are still well- whoa!”
Completely out of the blue - or rather, from the narrow gap between the crates separating the outside world from the dungeons - a small white ball of fur ricochets straight into your arms. The unexpected impact makes you stagger back a step, your eyes widening as you raise your hands, fumbling to catch whatever has just launched itself into your hair.
It takes you a few seconds to actually grasp the creature as it wiggles around your neck. When you do, you gently lift the shivering mass to your eye level, eager to see just what disrupted your peace.
You have to blink a few times to realize you’re staring at a small animal - a ferret, to be exact. It seems to be as surprised as you, as it momentarily freezes when its button, grey eyes lock with yours.
A small chuckle makes its way past your lips, and it seems to snap the animal out of a haze, the white mammal once again trying to wiggle out of your grasp.
“Hey, calm down, little buddy,” you coo, running your free hand gently across its thick fur. You repeat the motion for a few moments until the ferret begins to settle. With a soft smile, you bring it closer to your chest, offering it a small hug and the warmth of your embrace. “Your owner must be worried sick about you,” you murmur softly.
Now, you know you’ve only been part of the wizarding world for four years, but you’re fairly certain it’s not normal for a simple, non-magical ferret to shake its head as if disagreeing with your statement.
“No owner? I highly doubt that.” With your initial shock over, you continue your walk, realizing that for now, your lunch has to wait. You have a bigger problem on your hands. “Well, I'll take you to one of the teachers. Maybe someone reported a missing pet…” You trail off.
The animal starts thrashing again, and you press a soft kiss onto its head, trying to calm it down. To your surprise, the ferret stops struggling and lets out a soft squeak - less of a protest and more… bashful? You chuckle softly, cradling it closer to your chest. Its fur is impossibly soft under your fingers, and you continue to pet it, your thumb idly stroking between its tiny ears. The creature seems to melt into your arms, clearly enjoying your touch.
“Don’t worry, you're safe now,” you murmur, glancing down at the animal. It blinks up at you with striking silver eyes that, now that you think about it, seem oddly familiar. The ferret averts your gaze, almost as if it’s embarrassed.
“Aww, you’re a shy one, aren’t you?” you tease, this time placing a quick peck on its nose. The ferret lets out a squeak and burrows into your robes, its tiny paws clutching at the fabric. You smile, amused at the animal’s antics - its owner is lucky to have such an expressive companion.
As you near the main staircase, a group of Hufflepuff students descends from the floor above, their laughter echoing against the stone walls. You clear your throat to catch their attention, adjusting your hold on the critter.
“Excuse me,” you call out, your voice just loud enough to make them pause. “Have any of you heard about a lost ferret? I found this little guy wandering around the dungeons.”
The students exchange glances, shaking their heads.
“Not that I know of, sorry,” says a girl with a mess of brown hair piled on top of her head. She steps closer for a better look, and the ferret stiffens in your arms, its eyes narrowing at the approaching student. “Cute little thing, though. If you don’t find an owner, I wouldn’t mind taking it.”
You know it’s just a lighthearted joke, but still, a wave of protectiveness washes over you. You take a step back, widening the gap between the girl and the ferret. “I’m sure someone will turn up,” you reply, hoping you don’t sound too defensive. You’re not usually one to escalate a brawl.
“Good luck, then. Maybe you’ll find someone in the Great Hall,” the girl adds, sounding just a tad disappointed. Still, she smiles before her group continues on their way.
You sigh softly, keeping your voice low as you talk to the ferret. “Did you see that? I can’t believe she had the audacity to strip you of all your… um, little creature autonomy.” You huff in disbelief, shaking your head. “Well, no leads yet. Maybe Professor McGonagall will know what to do. Or Hagrid- actually, he’s the one who takes care of most of the animals here. Maybe he’ll know who you are.”
The ferret lets out another sound, this time lower-pitched, almost like a groan. Your brows furrow at the animal, the reaction feeling strange, almost… human. For now, you dismiss the thought, simply letting a soft chuckle escape your lips. “You really are something else, you know that?”
The ferret’s ears twitch and it glances up at you with an almost dazed expression, its silver eyes seemingly softer now. You smile warmly, stopping yourself from pressing another kiss onto its head. “And adorable. It’s a pity I can’t keep you for myself.”
At that, the ferret freezes completely, its tiny body stiffening in your arms. You blink in confusion, tilting your head. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
It responds with an indignant squeak, turning its face away from you as if in a huff. You laugh quietly. “Okay, okay. No more compliments, I promise.”
As you step out into the courtyard, you’re met with a lot of noise and ruckus. In the center of the open area, a group of students is gathered around Professor McGonagall and Moody, the former scolding the other with a stern expression on her face.
“Alastor Moody, Merlin help me, if we do not find Draco right now, I will not be able to help you! Not that I would like to- truly, your behavior is deplorable!” Professor McGonagall shouts, her usually calm, motherly voice now laced with fury. She still sounds like a mother- just a really, really angry one.
The ferret in your arms begins to wiggle again, but you adjust your hold, your thumb running gently along its back in an attempt to reassure it. All this noise is probably overwhelming for such a tiny creature.
“Eh, he’ll turn up,” Moody replies dismissively. As you move closer, you notice a small group of Gryffindors gathered nearby, with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley at the front, nearly doubled over in laughter.
“The brat could use this as a learning experience,” Moody continues, his tone gruff and unapologetic. “Maybe he’ll get a taste of the real world for once - without that punchable face of his granting him all those privileges he carelessly flaunts.”
“Professor Moody-” McGonagall tries again, her voice sharp and reprimanding, but it’s quickly drowned out by the students’ laughter. The only two students not laughing are the stocky guys standing to the side, who you vaguely recognize as Crabbe and Goyle.
“Please, I need to see the Amazing Bouncing Ferret again! I just love it when the circus is in town!” Another voice adds - one of the Wesley twins who just barely manages to choke the words over his laughter.
You freeze, a sensation you can only describe as a bucket of ice-cold water washing over your body.
Painstakingly slow, you lower your eyes, your gaze landing on the silver eyes of the ferret in your arms, the animal staring right back.
Draco Malfoy staring right back.
“I- I’m-” Your voice feels alien in your throat, and you feel the heat rise to your cheeks, the embarrassment taking away your ability to speak. This can’t be happening. You didn’t just spend the last few minutes showering this cute little animal with kisses, only to realize it’s none other than Draco ‘I hate all Mudbloods’ Malfoy!
“I’m so sorry,” you manage to squeeze out, your voice barely above a whisper, before carefully placing him on the ground. Without another word, you quickly turn and flee, your footsteps fading into the distance before anyone notices the student they were searching for has been found.
And so, you’re not there when McGonagall sighs in relief, her wand glowing as she casts a quick spell, restoring the blond boy back to normal.
You’re not there when he shivers, his arms frantically hugging himself - trying to confirm that he once again knows how to walk, how to speak, as he always should.
You’re not there when his eyes scan the crowd, searching desperately, futilely, for your face among the sea of people who, only moments ago, had laughed at his demise.
You weren’t there.
And against all odds, a seemingly fleeting thought rang loud through Draco’s head as he threw empty threats at Moody, his face red with anger and fear.
He wanted to feel the warmth of your touch again.