Snape's Little Pet Snake (on hold)

Chapter 12

Snape had been right, his friends were waiting for him in the common room. As soon as they saw him they jumped up from their seats on the sofa and barreled over to him, grabbing him in a rough hug.

"Harry! You're alive!"

"Course I'm alive!" Harry laughed as Teddy and Draco released him.

"Time for breakfast boys." Snape's silky voice said from behind them.

"Yes Sir, come on Harry!" Draco cried happily, leading the small group out of the common room.

Harry sat down to breakfast with his two friends and noticed that prefect Flint and a couple of his friends sat down opposite him. Flint gave him a small smile of reassurance which Harry returned before tucking in to his food with enthusiasm.

"Come on then Harry, don't keep us in suspense. What did Snape say?" Flint asked after a few minutes.

"Oh, I've got detention for a week, got to work on some relaxation stuff or something." Harry said with a shrug, feeling warm inside at having a new guardian. He looked up then, wondering if it would be alright to tell everyone about Snape's new role in his life. Teddy seemed to notice his hesitation.

"What is it Harry? You can tell us you know." Teddy asked.

"Um, well…" Harry looked up to the teacher's table, berating himself for not asking Snape earlier if he could tell his friends. He caught Snape's eye and gave him a questioning look, wondering if the man would understand his unspoken question. Snape stared right at Harry, and Harry felt like the man was looking right into his soul, then Snape gave him a small nod before breaking eye contact and continuing with his meal.

"Come on Harry, you seem much too happy about getting detention, what else happened?" Flint asked.

"Well… Snape... he, he's my new guardian." Harry said, blushing a little.

Everyone around him stopped what they were doing - some mid chew, some with their forks halfway to their mouths - and looked at him like he'd grown a new head. Flint gulped, looked up to the teachers table, then back at Harry.

"Seriously?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Yeah," Harry said sheepishly.

"Wow Harry, that's huge!" Teddy shrieked enthusiastically.

"Are you happy about it?" Flint asked.

"Well, yeah, I mean… I don't have to go back to my relatives now." Harry replied.

"Nice one Harry." Teddy said, giving him a playful shove with his shoulder.

"Yeah Harry, congratulations mate." Draco smiled.

Feeling relieved, Harry began eating again and everyone else followed suit.

That evening in the common room Harry found the atmosphere much more comforting, and a couple of first year girls joined Harry, Teddy and Draco to study. Harry noticed that Higgs was nowhere to be seen, but every time he caught eye contact with one of the other students, they gave him a quick friendly smile before returning either to their studies or their conversation with their friends. Harry let out a contented sigh, reveling in the feeling of acceptance. He felt safe, relaxed and deeply happy, everything in his life was finally going right. Even Zabini seemed to have lost his hostility, asking if he could study with them. Draco had given him a warning glare before moving over slightly to allow the boy to sit with them. Zabini smiled then put a colorful box on the table in front of them.

"Help yourselves." Zabini said, giving Harry a shy smile.

Harry looked at the box quizzically, tilting his head to read the writing on the side. Bertie Bots every flavor beans. Teddy and Draco thanked Zabini before reaching in and retrieving a small colored sweet and popping them into their mouths.