A Ferret
When Harry arrived back at his dorm, Draco was no where to be found. It was far past curfew, and it was odd not to see the blonde in his usual place. He didn’t expect Draco to be seeing someone at this hour, yet his mind wandered.
Setting his things on his bed, he sighed. He wasn’t sure why he had become so worried for the blonde. He shook his head, turning around and leaning against his bed.
Opening his eyes, he gasped. Atop Draco’s bed, curled up in his bed sheets, lay a small white ferret, fast asleep. Harry had no idea Draco owned any pets. The animal was unbothered, sound asleep, its tail tucked under his chin.
Harry slowly approached the small ferret, kneeling in front of Draco’s bed. Its soft pink nose twitched, still contently asleep. Gently placing two fingers on the ferret’s head, Harry brushed it carefully.
The animal stirred, rubbing up into Harry’s touch. Harry couldn’t help but smile, happy to have made a small friend.
The ferret had fully awoken, blinking its eyes. When it saw clearly, it jolted back in an instant. Harry frowned, worried he’d spooked the animal. It squeaked in a panic, burying into the sheets.
Harry stood up and stumbled back towards his own bed, the animal’s tail raised in defense.
Feeling defeated, he turned back towards his own bed. He heard noise behind him but didn’t dare look, he didn’t want to anger the ferret anymore than he had already.
“What the hell were you doing?” A voice asked from behind him. Harry yelped, turning around frantically.
Draco sat upon his bed, dressed in his usual silk pjs, his face in a dark scowl. The ferret was no where in sight.
“Where did you come from?!” Harry asked, his heart still racing. Draco ran a hand through his ruffled hair, nostrils flared. “It’s very rude to interrupt someone while they’re sleeping, Potter.”
Putting two and two together, Harry’s expression changed. “You’re an Animagus?”
A soft blush had crept onto Draco’s cheeks, “Yes. Shocking that it happened to be a ferret, I know,” He groaned, watching Harry’s smile spread across his face. “I don’t utilize my power very often at Hogwarts, it’s just more comfortable to sleep when I’m not human.”
When Harry couldn’t hold back a giggle, Draco rolled his eyes, “I was supposed to take a small nap, but I slept longer than I expected.” The hew on his cheeks deepened. “I didn’t expect you to be back so soon.”
Harry chuckled, taking a seat on his bed, “When did that happen?” He couldn’t shake the thought of how soft his fur was.
“I.. I had done a little, not a ton, but a little research on your family history, Potter” Draco admitted bashfully, “ It was the summer before our fifth year and I was trying to occupy myself because my family situation was.. well you know how it was. I had learned that your father was an animagus, your Godfather too. It truly fascinated me, so I went through a painstaking month of keeping a mandrake leaf in my mouth and voila.”
Harry could tell Draco was still rather embarrassed, his silver eyes avoiding his green ones. The Slytherin gulped, “Is that really weird?”
“What? No! That’s so cool!” Harry smiled, “I’ve always wanted to be an Animagus.” He knew the work of becoming one was a pain in the ass, so not many existed. Yet he’d encountered so many. “I assume when you say you ‘did a little research’ on me, you mean that you found a copy of ‘The History of Harry Potter’ somewhere.”
“Still don’t know why they decided to write a book about you,” Draco teased. “But yes, I still have it back at the Manor. They mention a lot about Sirius,” Draco’s tone dimmed, “It must’ve been a great loss.”
It was.
Draco noticed his attitude changing and frowned. He sat beside the Gryffindor on his bed. “I’m sorry, I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
“No, it’s alright. It’s all just a blur at this point.” Harry tugged at a loose strand on his t shirt, his eyes flickering around the floor to avoid looking at Draco.
“Is something else bothering you?”
“Sort of, just old memories, it’s hard to sleep a lot of the time.” He continued to stare at the ground, his throat tightening. He felt tired and light headed. He crawled under his covers, feeling defeated.
Draco thought for a moment, before attempting to help. Harry blinked and in a moment, the ferret was before him once more. Draco was on his hind legs, his tail tucked between them.
He cocked his head, waiting for an approval from the Gryffindor.
Harry smiled, watching as the creature curled beside him and rested upon his pillow, fast asleep in seconds. Harry softly pet Draco’s head, before turning to look out the window.
Beautiful stars twinkled in the night sky. It was gorgeous, yet saddening. Harry took one more glance at the sleeping Draco beside him before he fell asleep.