Chapter Text
Harry ducked as another curse shot his way, rolled and came up on his knees, wand drawn and pointed at his attacker.
"As remarkable as your skills in gymnastics appear to be, Mr. Potter, it will not save you from the Dark Lord," Severus Snape sneered from across the large practice room.
"It can only help," Harry replied, standing up.
"Mind your tone when you speak to me," Snape snapped.
The pair was forced to stop arguing as the door opened and a small, jeweled cat flew in (although only Severus could see it) and landed on Snape's shoulder. As it was completely black except for the diamond-colored stones around its neck and paws, it blended in perfectly with his robes. Then Madame Draciana entered the room in a swish of robes. She was a total contrast to the potions master, where he was dark she was light. "Severus, a moment if you please," she said in a melodic tone. "Good evening, Potter."
The pair of professors watched as Harry gathered his bag and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Severus detached the animal from his shoulder and handed it to Draciana. "Why did you feel the need it interrupt my lessons this evening?" he asked.
"Because I need to speak with you," she replied, setting the small cat on her left shoulder. "And I think you know why, too."
"If we must, then let us go down to the dungeons where no one will overhear," Snape sighed.
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When both were settled on opposite ends of the long black sofa in Snape's personal chambers, he looked over at the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and saw a strange gleam in her silver eyes. "What is it now?"
"Sev, I know you better than anyone in this school," she replied softly. "You've felt the pull of a bond, haven't you?"
Snape sat and stared into the fire for several long minutes. Around them, several brightly colored cats lounged in the warmth from the flames. "I have," he finally admitted. "But it's with Potter; how can I betray that trust? He's a student, Drace, he's only a child."
Draciana smiled. "I think he knows something is up," she said. "He's been watching you more than usual for two months now."
"You were bonded," he said, looking over at her. "How did you deal with it?"
"Chenray was really shocked when I explained things to him the first time," she replied, smiling sadly. "Be he handled it fairly well in the end. The Cattons made it easier on him to adapt to his new position."
Snape refilled his glass of scotch. "It was sad to lose him so young," he sighed. "Maybe you should speak with Potter first, I know he hates me."
"He doesn't hate you," Draciana said. "I don't think he knows how to hate, but his feelings towards you at the moment lean more towards dislike than anything else. I doubt you even scare him much anymore."
"I cannot just spring this on him," Snape snapped. "He would think me mad."
"Then I guess I should talk with him," Draciana said. "But only about what and who we are and the Cattons; you must explain the bond and how it affects magic."
"Very well, I thank you for your help, Drace," he sighed. "Tomorrow then?"
"Of course, Sev," she said. Draciana kissed him softly on the cheek and left him staring into the fire, as if searching for answers in the firelight.