"Never bothered me in the slightest," Draco breezed, his nose in the air.
"Shut up, Malfoy."
"I thought you two were friends," Dudley said, confused.
Draco burst out laughing, which for some reason really irked Harry.
"We have a history," he said tightly, and when that comment just made Draco laugh harder, he lost his temper. "Draco's father is the one who tried to kill me and blinded me and put me in the hospital for days and days," Harry spat. "And he looks just like him, so you'll pardon me if he's not my favorite person to be around!"
Dudley had drawn a box out of his nylon duffle bag. Holding it loosely in his hands, he said in a quavering voice, "Well, my father was never very nice to you, either. I... I didn't think you were like this, Harry, judging people by their fathers."
"I'm not!"
"Oh, sure you're not," Draco sneered.
"Well, I'm sorry!" Harry shouted. "All this just because I didn't think you'd be willing to take the couch? Well, sorry again! It just didn't seem much like you to go along with a plan like that. Or did Snape insist?"
"Potter, you don't know what's me and what's not," Draco heavily announced. "Because you won't bother yourself to find out! And no, for your information, Severus did not insist. We discussed it and decided it was probably the best arrangement."
"Because you're so concerned that I have time alone with my cousin. Right," Harry drawled.
"Because we were concerned you wouldn't sleep for a week if I was in a room alone with your cousin, you absolute arse!" Draco shouted, his face going pink with anger. "Severus knows you don't trust me! And he was concerned for you, as usual, I might add! You might think about accepting a gracious offer in the spirit it's given! If you have any manners of your own, that is!"
"Maybe I should sleep on the couch," Dudley tentatively offered.
"Ha!" Draco erupted. "The Muggle has better manners than you do!"
"Don't call him Muggle like that," Harry grated.
Draco threw his hands in the air.
"Here, Harry," Dudley broke in, thrusting the box into his hands, his intent obviously to divert attention from the rapidly escalating fight. As their fingers brushed, Harry flinched back.
"Sorry," he muttered. "It's not you. I can't stand much contact, ever since... it was pretty bad, what happened to me a few weeks back." He made an effort to stand straighter and strengthen his voice. "So, this is from Remus? Er, Mr. Lupin?" He quickly tore the wrappings off to reveal a wooden box with holes in it. Harry peered through one. "Sals!" he exclaimed.
There was a note pinned to the top of the box. Harry hurriedly tore it loose and opened it, instinctively turning toward the wall to have a bit of privacy as he read.
Dear Harry,
Thank you for your letters. I am fully recovered, yes, and just in time to face the moon yet again. I do hope to see you soon. I have owled Severus several times about it, and received one word replies consisting variously of "No," or "Later." I have thought of appealing directly to Albus but considering your living arrangements, I think that would truly anger Severus. It was so good to see the two of you learning to get along, Harry. I have no wish to cause trouble between you.
Your little snake seems fully recovered from the mishap with the Floo. Would you please explain to her that she needs to find another warm place to rest? I failed miserably to get the concept across, and have found her in the fireplace several times. I was concerned that Apparating onto the platform might affect her badly, so I have taken the liberty of putting her into a trance. A simple enervation spell will wake her up. Severus will do it for you, I'm sure, if you are still having difficulties with your wand.
I will continue to ask Severus when he will permit a visit. Don't be angry with him, Harry, not over me. He's a good man, and yes, he is still making the Wolfsbane for me. I know he thinks he is doing what is best for you. I have to respect him for that even if I disagree with his reasoning.
At any rate, Harry, I really am very sorry about everything you have gone through on my account. Your own letters make it clear you do not blame me, and while I appreciate that deeply, I do hold myself responsible. Severus is not wrong to criticize me.
I wish you all the best and hope to see you soon,
Remus Lupin
Harry blinked, and took the lid off the box to lift out Sals. She was smaller than he had remembered, and very limp. Harry gently tickled the top of her head with a finger, but she gave no reaction.
Sighing, he turned around, intending to ask if Draco could perform an Ennervate. It rankled to ask for anything right after their row, but he was worried enough about Sals that he'd do it, anyway. This limpness reminded him too much of Sals in the tunnel, barely able to move. And yet Sals had moved, had made it all the way upstairs and found a way to warn Remus that Harry was in trouble. Harry could hardly credit it, but he knew he owed Sals a lot, and he couldn't stand to not know for sure if his snake was all right.
Draco wasn't in the room when he turned, but Dudley was.
"Oh, ick!" Dudley screamed, and jumped back a yard. Maybe two, Harry reflected. "Help!"
Draco was back in the room instantly, his silver gaze assessing the situation. "What?" And then, "Oh, that. Ick is right. What are you doing with a snake?"
"Remus sent her," Harry explained, remembering then what he'd overheard. Draco was afraid of snakes. But this was just Sals. She wouldn't hurt anybody. "This is Sals. She's my pet."
"A snake for a pet," Draco groaned. "A snake in my room."
"She's a sweet little snake," Harry insisted. "But Remus put her to sleep for the journey. Um, I'm sorry to have to ask, but would you please enervate her for me?"
Dudley was up against the wall by then. "Enervate," he gasped. "What's that?"
"It'll wake her up," Harry explained.
Draco crossed his arms. He hadn't stepped any closer since he'd seen the snake, Harry realized. From a distance of several feet, he announced, "If you have to have a snake in here, I really think I prefer a stupefied one, so no."
"Draco," Harry said in a warning tone.
"Harry," Draco mimicked back. "What part of no did you find confusing? It's a fairly simple word."
"Come on," Harry cajoled. "Listen, Sals here won't hurt you. There's no reason to be afraid--"
"I," Draco glacially interrupted, "am not afraid. I simply think that snakes are rather gross."
"You're a Slytherin!"
"Thank you, for pointing out the obvious. I suspect you wouldn't want a Griffin in here, either, so that argument's hardly relevant."
Harry knew this was ridiculous, and he could just wait for Snape to help him later. By then, though, he was feeling fairly desperate to see Sals awake and moving. Desperate enough to say, "Draco. You told me you'd do something for me if I asked--"
"Oh, and don't I?" Draco smoothly put in. "The lights. The meals. Interrupting the headmaster's conference with Severus when you simply had to have a word with him. My quill. Accioing you every last thing you say you want--"
"All right, you've been nice!" Harry admitted. "Is that what you need to hear?"
Draco's lips curved in a slow, calculating smile. "Well, well. You really do want your little snake awake. Hmm, as you said, I am a Slytherin, which means I need a moment to figure out what might be in it for me.... Oh, I know. How about Draco, I apologize for my rude behavior earlier."