Furry Magic

Title: Furry Magic, chapter 99

Disclaimer: HP is not mine.

A/N: Sorry for the delay...been sick.

Severus Snape was not in any mood to be trifled with. He had muttered a spell at the Quidditch changing rooms to assure no one would be going in, threw a handkechief over the sphere, then he rushed to Slytherin House to check on the well-being of his charges.

The ruling three of the were-leopards were in no better mood. They, along with a stubborn and determined not to be left behind Harry, had accompanied Snape to Hogwarts. All had been surprised, unpleasantly, to see Blaise Zabini was at Hogwarts when Snape's scrying disc had alerted. He had disobeyed Amrys' edict to stay away from the school until all the conflicts were resolved. While being grateful the youngling was safe, the ruling three were still angry, and Blaise was going to be in for a few uncomfortable moments when they caught up with him.

Blaise had always been a great fan of the game of Quidditch. When he made the team in his second year, he was estatic. Now he was in his last year, and he was not about to miss out on his last few games. He had not even told the other kittens that he was going to Hogwarts. Another sign that made Graeme growl under his breath. Blaise had known he was doing wrong. And he had done it anyway. The kitten was going to get his ears boxed, soundly.

In order not to cause any undue alarm, Severus Snape took a moment to slip into his normal attire, intending to appear as familiar to the children as possible. Amrys and the rest of the weres stood to one side watching the transformation with unconcealed fascination, heads tilted, slit pupiled eyes watching the quick, well practiced actions as Severus stripped, then re-clothed himself. They were all in full animal form, their best battling forms, the most lethal.

The soft, flowingly loose robes of the pride were replaced with severely tailored and *uncomfortable* looking garments. Amrys stroked a paw down the wool coat and frowned, even in cat form it was obviously a frown. It was not the soft fabric he preferred to have against the skin of his Snape. The clothes changed him from the pliable lover Amrys had recently enjoyed, to the starched and correct instructor and dedicated protector of his students.

The Slytherins were gathered in the common room, huddled around the gigantic fireplace, well aware, down to the youngest, that something serious was going on. A thing they should be concerned with. The awareness of danger fairly crackled through the air. They were astute children, crafty and observant for the most part, not naive at all. The continual politicking by their parents while they grew up ensured that. They took nothing at face value.

In the front of the group, head down, eyes reluctant to meet the eyes of the the leading were-leopards, was Blaise Zabini, the wayward kitten of the pride. Next to him was a much shorter boy, a year younger, small and compact, who watched the leopards with blazing attention. He crowded close to Zabini, as if trying to shield him.

Lucius Malfoy, magnificent and furry, padded up to the teen leopard's side, matching step to step with Severus Snape. Behind him were the furry forms of Harry, Graham, and the magnificent, golden Amrys. All three strutting with regal, and purely feline self-possession as they entered the room. The dozens of children's eyes widened watching the parade of huge leopards enter the room and take it over.

Blaise lowered his gaze, his body quivering as his king approached. Lucius brushed against the youth, his fur sliding in a silken wave along the youth's side. He nosed Blaise away from the rest of the kids. Blaise shivered. Graeme was next, crowding close, a resplendent, coppery furred giant, his face lifted to rub along the dark haired boy's neck and shoulder. He purred, a deep rumble. Amrys inched closer, wedging himself between Lucius and the third, to butt his head into Blaise's chest. Harry was the last of the leopards to nuzzle his way into the group of intertwined were-leopards. He gave his fellow kitten a quick lick then withdrew, leaving the older three to their exploration of Blaise. They all examined him carefully, assuring themselves he was not harmed.

Snape watched with some trepidation, wondering just how the Slytherins would deal with their sudden introduction to pride facts of life. Blaise was one of the most admired members of Slytherin House. Severus watched very closely for any sign of unrest or threat to the were-leopards. Slytherins, thought by the other houses to be crafty and untrustworthy, were actually fantastically loyal. If Blaise was perceived to be at risk of serious harm, they would attack the feared and unknown to save him. Snape saw a number of small hands clenched around ready wands, still buried in the pockets of their robes.

Lucius, Graeme and Amrys had all startled unhappily when Blaise had appeared on Snape's scrying disc. Snape however had not been too surpirsed. Blaise was not supposed to be at Hogwarts. Rather, he was supposed to be at the Manor, safely curled up with the other kittens, and with the pride, under the protective watch of the adult leopards. Lucius had plans to scold the youngling thoroughly for sneaking out to play his favorite game of Quidditch, despite the risk to his own safety. But, for now, they were bonding, happy he was not injured.

Certain Blaise was uninjured, Lucius let out a commanding rowl, knocking the young man to the floor, onto his back, placing his dinner-plate sized paws on his youngling's shoulders Blaise did not resist, toppling over, laying still. Lucius lowered his body to rest on his wayward leopard's body, almost large enough to completely conceal Blaise from the rest of the students. That caused a ripple of alarm to move thorugh the gathered throng of young wizards and witches. They inched forward, cautiously, more hands on more concealed wands. Snape raised a hand and they stopped. Eyes fastened on his face.

One young man, the one who had been standing next to Blaise when they first entered the room, a brown haired, with oddly, sunset colored eyes, and rather short stature, let out a noise of distress, trying to go to Blaise's side, struggling in the restraining arms of his Housemates. Graeme glowered at him, interposing his body between the youth and the were-king. Lucius growled, louder and more commanding this time. The air shimmered, and Blaise went from tall, slim youth, to a deep, dark brown/black haired cat,with sparkling brown eyes. The room filled with stunned "eeps".

The collective group of Slytherins let out a gasp. Shrinking into a tighter mass, clutching at one another. Most had never seen a lycanthrope, let alone five. Besides, weren't they supposed to be were-*wolves*? Who ever heard of were-*cats*? Lycanthropes were so secretive, so reclusive, there still remained a number in the wizarding world who did not believe that any were-animals actually existed. Thought they were a legend or a myth. A fantasy. The brown young man who had tried to reach Blaise, let out a cry, and fought harder, as Lucius growled louder.

Blaise turned over an went to his belly under his king. Lucius moved over him, covering him again, sinking careful fangs into his nape. The brown boy let out a yell, and pushed at the hands holding him. Graeme snarled, showing his fearsome fangs. There was a ringing gasp of horror. Snape stepped closer, not willing to let the young man fear for Blaise without offering reassurance.

"Mr. Alexander." Snape called out, tone uncharacteristically soft while remaining firm. "Cease your struggles. They are not necessary. Mr. Zabini will not be harmed. He has defied his king's orders, partly, I am assuming in order to see you."

Charles "Peach" Alexander lifted worried eyes to his Head of House's face, looking for the information he had to have, information he might believe, that Blaise, his dearest friend, was going to be safe. His blush confirmed that Blaise had indeed disobeyed Amrys partly to see him.

Lucius, satisfied with Blaise's submission, raised himself up off of his kitten, and stalked a few feet away, resting there on his haunches and observing. Graeme flashed to human form, grabbing the kitten by the scruff and shaking him firmly, raising the cat's face to bring the dark eyes to meet his own. Blaise went marshmallow-soft in the grip.

"I was under the impression you were aware of the prohibition our second sent down to every student from the pride? That all the lycanthrope groups have agreed that their students would not yet return to Hogwarts." Graeme half asked, half told the limp, docile, young leopard. He shook him again. Blaise's eyes rolled down to the floor then back to Graeme. He remained still, unresisting.

"No! Stop it!" Came the cry from the young man that Snape had called Mr. Alexander. He fumbled for his wand. Determined to defend his friend. Severus stepped forward. His own wand ready.

"Mr. Alexander. Do not raise your wand!" He said, sternly. The wild eyes that met his were not comforting, nor reassuring. He needed to get the youth closer, where he could prevent a disaster. He resorted to something he almost never did, he used a student's nickname. "Peach! This is a private matter. Restrain yourself." It startled all the Slytherins for a moment.

"You can't let them do that to him!" The youth exclaimed, after a beat of silence. "You can't!" His jaw set firmly, and he glared at his professor, defiant, though he was trembling. "I won't let them." He said, angrily. Amrys growled and moved to place himself between the young wizard and Graeme, where the third was bending over Blaise. Harry had gone to lay down in front of Lucius. The lazy relaxed pose a sham, he was ready to leap up in an instant.

"Mr. Zabini is not being harmed. He is, quite obviously, a lycanthrope, and he has broken a rule set by one of the dominant members of his pride. He is in need of discipline. That is all this is. Discipline. There is no need for your concern, admirable though it is in the face of such odds." Snape said soothingly, firmly.

"No." Peach shook his head violently. "No."

"Come here." Snape waited, and once Peach was at his side, he clamped a strong hand on the slender shoulder, felt the tremors the youth was barely controlling. Merlin! He was smaller even than Potter! The rest of you, return to your rooms." He ordered. And reluctantly they left the room. Trailing more slowly, looking over their shoulders. The existence of lycanthropes was going to be confimed all over the wizarding world by tomorrow. Snape was sure of it.

ne'ichan
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