His Salvation

"Okay, near the end of the year," Tom started. "Slytherins had a party. The only ones not drinking were first years. I was absolutely plastered," he chuckled.

Gabby giggled.

"I was dancing with a really hot sixth year. Bouncing around and stuff," he blushed slightly, "I jumped too much. I threw up all over and her boyfriend."

Gabby full out laughed. "Oh, Merlin! I'd be mortified."

"Well, next thing I knew I was running from the boyfriend dodging curses. I had to hide behind statues every time he walked by in the hall," Tom smiled.

"So, what's it like being a Slytherin?" she asked. She folded her arms over her chest in an attempt to keep herself warm. The early November winds swept her hair into a tornado of red.

Tom took off his cloak and put it over her shoulders. Gabby examined the Slytherin crest emblazoned on it.

"It's kind of... I don't know actually. I don't have anything to compare it to," he shrugged.

"Then what's your life like?" she pressed on.

"Kind of lonely," he shrugged. He shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Why?"

"I grew up without a family. Well, except Nagini."

"Nagini?" she asked curiously.

"My snake."

~

Gabby gave him a funny look. "I didn't know boys named it."

"She's an actual reptile," Tom shook his head.

Gabby blushed and lowered her gaze. "Oh."

"I got her when I was young. My old social worker at the orphanage gave her to me before she left," he explained.

"Can I see her?" Gabby asked raising her eyes again.

Her pretty eyes matched the snake that lay on the cloak so well.

"We've got to sneak up to my dorm," Tom warned her.

"All right," Gabby nodded.

They reached the castle doors. Tom just knew they'd get caught.

"C'mon. There's a passage to the Slytherin common room out back," he whispered.

He led the way, sneaking stealthily around the castle. He could hear Gabby stumble occasionally behind him. Tom pulled on a branch sticking up from the ground. A staircase appeared and they walked in.

A few first years occupied the black leather seats by the common room fire. Tom started to walk up the stairs, but noticed Gabby wasn't following. She stared at the cold stonewalls and silver and green draperies.

"Hey," he whispered putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Let's go," she turned toward the stairs.

Tom led her up to his dorm. "She's a loyal companion," he told Gabby. Tom opened the door to his dorm. Nagini lay coiled up on his bed. She opened her large yellow eyes and stared directly at Gabby.

"Gabby, this is Nagini," he said walking over and stroking her.

~

Gabby stared at the snake. It was large with green scaled and yellow eyes. Nagini stared back at Gabby. It - or rather she - opened her mouth and yawned. Gabby caught a glimpse of her large white fangs.

"She won't hurt you," Tom said motioning for Gabby to come over.