His Salvation

Gabby gulped. Slowly, ever so slowly, she walked over. The snake let out a low hiss. Tom hissed back.

"She wants you to pet her," he said.

"Parselmouth?" Gabby looked up at him.

He nodded. This boy truly was a Slytherin. All thoughts of that were swept from her mind, thought, as Tom took her trembling hand and helped her pet Nagini.

~

Tom exhaled sharply as he helped Gabby stroke Nagini. Her hand stopped trembling under his touch.

"She's very pretty, Tom," Gabby whispered.

"So are you! Sat it, Tom! Say it!" Nagini hissed.

"So are you... going back to the party?" Tom blushed.

"Merlin, no!" Gabby shook her head.

'Would you like me to walk you back to your tower?" Tom asked.

"All right," Gabby nodded.

They crept quietly along the corridors. It was dark and nearly impossible to see. Gabby had a good grip on his arm. There was a loud sniffle, and Tom stopped dead in is tracks. Gabby stumbled into him.

"Oh no," Gabby whispered, "Someone has upset Myrtle again."

"Let's just keep going," Tom whispered back. "It's only moping Myrtle."

A door creaked open. Tom knew that sound. They were on the second floor corridor - where he went to set the basilisk free.

"Who's there?" said a distressed voice, "Show yourselves or I'll go get Dumbledore."

Gabby pulled Tom further into the shadows. He felt her chest rise and lower evenly against his back. Her breath tickled his neck. Tom felt the sudden urge to start snogging Gabby then and there.

Myrtle's heels clicked as she walked away. Tom heard Gabby's breath get uneven.

"Tom, there's something moving behind me," she whispered. Her grip tightened on his arm.

Tom turned slowly. His eyes reduced to slits. The basilisk must have gotten stuck out here with the loo door closed.

Something hissed and with a little shriek Gabby jumped right into Tom's arms.

"Merlin's beard! That better be Nagini!" she said shaking.

"It is," Tom lied. "I'll carry you back to the Gryffindor Tower. All right?"

Gabby giggled. "Thanks!"

"You saved me ass again," Gabby whispered once they were just at the portrait. Gabby gave Tom a quick peck on the cheek. He watched her run off. Her ran his fingers over his cheek. That was twice in one month.

Gabby could hear snoring in the other corner of the room. Of course, Luther - evil potions master who favoured Slytherins - would never do anything.

Gabby sent a look in Snape's direction.

"Professor?" Jeff put his hand up. "I can't concentrate with the snoring."

Luther ignored him.

"Sir I - "

"Shut it, Potter," Malfoy hissed.

All the Gryffindors sent a glare in his direction.

"Merlin, I hate Slytherins," Gabby barred her teeth.

"I heard you were pretty close to Riddle on Friday," Arrabella whispered.

Gabby didn't say anything.

"So, is it true Slytherins are good shags?" Bella pressed on.

"I wouldn't know."

"Is it true you and Riddle have some sort of thing going on?" Natasha Patil asked.

"What are you suggesting?" Gabby asked.

"Well, I heard you two were seen outside Gryffindor Tower kissing," Natasha shrugged.

"You should know Gabby well enough to know she doesn't like too much PDA of to kiss and tell," Bella cut in.

"So, will you tell us what really happened?" Minnie soon joined.

"Would all students and staff please report back to the Great Hall," Dippet's voice met their ears.