#you snore so fking loud this is why I kick you out of the dorm

[leona-is-free]

Parseltongue or Snoring

Summary: A moment between Natty and Sebastian that she often thinks about.

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"Phew." Natty sighed. Another long day at the library complete.

She carefully tread up the stairs, as to keep from dropping the stack of books in her arms, pushing the door open with her shoulder. The extra homework Professor Weasley assigned was killing her social life, as was that dreadful field guide. She welcomed the bright ambiance of Central Hall, eager to spend the afternoon with her dorm mates.

As she approached the top of the stairs, Natty noticed Garreth Weasley, waving at her. Next to him was Leander Prewett, whose attention was focused at something near the doors to the greenhouse.

“Hello Natty,” said Garreth, “would you like a bit of help with that?”

“Ah thank you!” She said, offering the stack of books his way. Garreth ran his fingers down two, no, three book spines, leaving Natty with only her field guide to carry.

“I hope my Aunt Matilda's assignments aren’t driving you too bonkers.”

“Of course not,” Natty lied. She glanced at Leander, who was chuckling to himself. "What are you two doing?"

“Just watching our dear Slytherin classmate across the way.” Leander pointed at a small figure crouched against the corner of a wall. Natty was surprised to see it was Ominis Gaunt of all people. His head was dropped down, eyes closed, and Natty noticed the rhythmic rise and fall of his shoulders.

Was he...sleeping?

“Is he okay?” Natty asked.

“Ominis does this quite a bit,” Leander said, “Sleeping outside. Not sure I blame him, considering he dorms with Sallow of all people.”

Natty was only four months into her first year at Hogwarts. She kept to herself mostly, as the considerable amount of schoolwork made her too busy to do much else. Of course, it did not help that she was constantly under her mother's watchful eye. She was grateful to be in Gryffindor, as her housemates always went out of their way to make her feel included. As a consequence, however, she did not have much experience with students outside of her house.

She didn’t know Ominis, but she knew his connections with dark wizards. He seemed friendly enough. But Natsai knew many wolves in sheep’s clothing, and to gain her trust wasn’t easy. She preferred to keep a healthy distance between the two.

“Isn’t he from a wealthy family?” Natty said, leaning against the banister of the stairs.

“Not just any wealthy family,” Garreth said, “The Gaunts. Direct descendants of Salazar Slytherin.”

“They’re so obsessed with their bloodline,” Leander said, “they’ve taken to marrying their own siblings.”

Natty frowned. “He's going to marry his sibling?”

“Doubt that,” Garrett said, “He hates his sisters."

Natty found something endearing about watching a supposed rich kid from a pure blood family sleep on the floor like that. Perhaps she was wrong about him?

Was he a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Or just another lamb up for slaughter by his own family of dark wizards? Natty couldn't be sure.

"Anyways," Garreth said as he leaned the stack of books against the railing. "Do you hear that?"

Natty leaned forward, focusing her attention on Ominis. Through the sounds of the students’ chatter and papers flying in the air from magical books, she heard a soft rumbling coming from his direction.

"Is he...snoring?" Natty chuckled.

"Perhaps!" Garreth said, "Or is it Parseltongue? Leander and I are waging a bet."

“Snoring,” Leander murmured, “Not that I've ever actually heard Parseltongue. I imagine it’s just a bunch of hissing.”

“Me neither, but....I’m gonna say-"

“Levioso!”

Natty's stack of books fell to the ground, and she jumped at the sight of Garrett and Leander being swept off their feet. She turned her head to see a chuckling Sebastian approaching them.

“Garreth! Prewett! Nice to see you this afternoon."

"You as well," Garreth said shakily, glancing quickly between his feet and Sebastian. "It's just a bit of fun between Leander and I, nothing insidious!"

"Put us down!" Leander demanded, his arms flailing about.

"Funny I should catch you here, Garreth," Sebastian said with a smirk, “I found something interesting in Madam Scrivner’s desk!” He effortlessly kept the wand steadily pointed at them as he used his free hand to pull a stack of looseleaf papers from his robe.

“On hand detention notices for one, Garreth Weasley,” Sebastian waved the notes in front of Garreth's face. “I considered selling them back to you but, I think I have other plans in mind.”

“Oh, Sebastian!” Garrett laughed nervously, “Come on now!”

Sebastian smirked, a flick of the wrist released the levitation spell, sending Leander and Garrett crashing to the floor. He placed the papers back in his robe pocket and started walking towards the stairs. He stopped in front of Natty, and looked in her eyes.

“He’s snoring, by the way.” Sebastian said. The playfulness on his face evaporated at like one of Garreth’s failed potions.

“Ominis never speaks in Parseltongue.”