Snape's Little Pet Snake (on hold)

Chapter 8

Harry and Draco left Professor Snape's Office with relief written all over their features. Draco had been given a week's worth of detention, Harry two weeks, due to his reckless 'stunt'. Harry was so happy he would be staying at Hogwarts, and relieved beyond measure that he hadn't received a beating. He wouldn't have tried to get out of a beating, that was pointless, he knew that, he would have taken it like all his other beatings. He had had so many over the years he had become indifferent to them in many ways. Yes, they hurt, yes he was a little scared, but he never cowered, never panicked, never gave them the satisfaction of seeing how much they hurt him. He was disappointed that the two weeks detention also included a flying ban, but he supposed it could have been a lot worse. All in all, Harry supposed they had both gotten off pretty lightly considering Madam Hooch's promise of expulsion – but that was probably an empty threat anyway - and Professor Snape hadn't been overly angry or nasty, just his usual snarky self.

Harry and Draco arrived back at the common room and were ambushed by Teddy and few other first years who were anxious to find out the boys' punishment. Draco informed them all while Harry pushed past them tiredly. He had had enough excitement for one day, and wanted nothing more than to have a hot shower and go to bed. Unfortunately, Zabini had other ideas.

"Hey Potter! How's your ass? Did you cry like a little baby?"

"My ass is fine Zabini. Why don't you just sod off and leave me alone." Harry said tiredly.

"You did didn't you! You cried like a baby! You and your little side-kick!"

"Why the hell would we cry Zabini? We got detention, not a belt thrashing!" Harry said, irritated.

"That's it? Just detention? My, my, you are special aren't you! Anyone else would have got much more than just detention. You think you're so good Potter, well we'll just have to see about that."

"Fine, whatever Zabini." Harry moved past the irritating boy and headed off for his shower, clenching his fists by his side as he tried to keep hold of his temper. He needed a shower, to get away from everyone and hopefully, it would relax him a bit.

"Draco, you need to make the cut going away from you or the juice will squirt all over you." Harry whispered during their third detention together.

"Away from me?" Draco asked.

"Yes, look, watch me." Harry slowed his motions so his friend could see how he cut the boomslang, harvesting it expertly so as to preserve the maximum amount of skin without getting blood and puss and guts all over the place. Once he had finished he looked up at Draco who had been watching intently.

"See?"

"Yeah, ok. Thanks Harry."

Draco copied Harry's previous movements and gave his friend a thankful smile when he managed to harvest the boomslang skin without much mess. Draco still wasn't as clean and precise as Harry, but he was definitely improving.

"How come you're so good at this?" Draco asked after a few more moments.

Harry's hand stilled as he thought of an appropriate answer, he remembered what had happened the last time he had been asked something very similar.

"Dunno, suppose I've just got a knack for it, and I have already served detentions with Snape, remember?" Harry said as nonchalantly as he could.

"Oh yeah. Well, I hope I don't get enough detentions to be as good at this as you." Draco said with a cheeky smile.

"Oh ha ha." Harry replied sarcastically, giving Draco a wry smile in return.

"Stop that chattering you two, this is a detention not a tea party." Snape drawled.