Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 2: Adjustments and Silent Pleas

Harriet's POV

Being carried around in a cage like a common house pet was not exactly the highlight of my life. The bars pressed into my sides, and every jolt as Draco walked made me feel even more undignified. I shot him as many angry glares as I could muster, but he didn't seem fazed.

We made our way out of Diagon Alley, the buzz of summer shopping in full swing around us. No one paid us much attention, thankfully, though I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Part of me wanted someone-anyone-to recognize me, to help me, but the other part of me dreaded what might happen if they did.

When Draco finally Apparated us away, the world spun and twisted, and I yowled in alarm. I hated Apparition at the best of times, and experiencing it in a small cage was far worse. We landed with a jarring thud, and my stomach lurched unpleasantly.

Draco glanced down at me. "Sorry," he said, but I couldn't tell if he meant it. His face was calm, almost too calm, but his eyes-those stormy gray eyes-flickered with something I couldn't quite place. Pity? Regret? I wasn't sure.

I tried to take in my surroundings. We were in what appeared to be a large manor, with high ceilings and pristine floors. The place reeked of old money, and I immediately knew where we were: Malfoy Manor.

Bloody brilliant.

Draco set the cage down on a marble table in what looked like a sitting room. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long, elegant shadows on the floor. I stayed silent, watching him warily. He had been quiet during the entire journey, his jaw tense, like he was bracing for something unpleasant.

He opened the cage door, and for a moment, I considered making a run for it. But where would I go? Besides, I knew I needed him. As infuriating as it was, Draco Malfoy was my only chance of getting out of this mess.

I cautiously stepped out of the cage, my paws landing softly on the cold, polished wood. Draco sank into an armchair across from me, his hands clasped in front of him. He looked... tired. Not just physically, but like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"I suppose you can't talk," he said, and his voice was oddly gentle. "Not in that form, anyway."

I sat down and stared at him, flicking my tail in irritation. Of course, I couldn't speak, but I had to get through to him somehow. If I could only make him understand that I was still me-Harriet Potter, not just some stray Kneazle.

I leaned forward and batted at the edge of his chair with my paw. When he didn't react, I huffed and jumped up onto the armrest, balancing precariously. Draco's eyes widened, and for a second, I thought I'd made a mistake, but then his expression softened.

"Right. You're trying to tell me something." He frowned. "This is ridiculous. Who would have thought I'd end up playing charades with Potter, of all people?"

I let out an exasperated trill and headbutted his arm. He stiffened, clearly startled, and I sighed-well, as much as a Kneazle could sigh. This wasn't getting me anywhere.

Draco's POV

Potter was trying to communicate, that much was clear. The way she headbutted my arm felt oddly endearing, but I shoved that thought away. This was Harriet Potter, after all. My rival, my adversary... the one person I had spent years detesting.

Except, looking at her now, I didn't feel the usual animosity. All I could see was a girl-no, a Kneazle-trapped and vulnerable. It was hard to reconcile this small, furry creature with the fierce, determined witch who had faced down Voldemort.

She glared at me with those vivid green eyes, and I had to look away. It felt too personal, too... intense. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. "You know, if you weren't stuck like this, you'd probably be hexing me."

Potter-Harriet-let out a soft growl, and I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up. It felt strange to laugh, after everything that had happened, but it was a welcome relief.

"Okay," I said, trying to think. "We need to figure out how to turn you back. But it's not exactly something I can do on my own. I'm no Animagus expert."

She tilted her head, her ears swiveling forward. Was that... hope in her eyes? The kind of hope that made my chest feel too tight. Merlin, what was this situation doing to me?

I leaned forward, meeting her gaze. "You'll just have to stay here until we get this sorted out. And don't worry," I added, my voice softening, "I won't let anyone know who you really are."

Harriet's eyes widened in surprise, and I realized, in that moment, that maybe this summer wasn't going to be quite what either of us expected.