And Then There Were Three

Chapter 24

"What in Merlin's name is going on?" Snape shouted.

Harry turned steely eyes towards him. "I told you!" He stepped aside as Snape crossed the hallway and said, "He's got the door locked."

Snape waved his wand at the door and it unlocked before swinging open to reveal Draco standing in the middle of his room, shaking the muggle radio Snape had tweaked so he could pick up wizarding stations.

Draco looked up, shock covering his face as he thrust the radio out for Snape to take. "It won't turn off!" he exclaimed. "I didn't do it!"

Snape tapped the radio with his wand and immediately the room fell silent. He took a moment to look around, noticing at once that the room was far messier than it had been the night before when Snape had said goodnight to the teen.

Clothes, both clean and dirty, were thrown haphazardly around as if Draco had tossed them out of his closet without caring where they landed. Books and papers were scattered about on the desk and floor, and an ink pot had been overturned on the bedside table. Draco's new broom lay carelessly on the couch and his skateboard sat upside down in the corner of the room.

"What happened in here?" Snape asked in confusion.

Draco looked around before glancing back to Snape with wide eyes. "What?" he asked innocently.

"When did your room become such a mess?" Snape put the radio back on the shelf where it normally sat, and gestured around the room with his right hand. "It didn't look anything like this a few hours ago when you went to bed."

Draco shrugged his shoulders and turned away from him. "What's the big deal?" he asked. "Jenka will clean it up."

Snape felt his temper rising as he stood up straight and crossed his arms over his chest. He caught sight of Harry leaning against the doorway, out of the corner of his eye, his brows raised so high they disappeared beneath his fringe.

"That is not how things work here, young man, and you know it," Snape said, sternly. "You will clean up your own room."

"Whatever," Draco muttered, keeping his head turned away from Snape.

"Jenka?" Snape said, summoning the small elf who appeared with a 'pop.'

"Yes, Master Snape, sir?" Jenka asked, barely getting the words out before Rook barreled over to her. The dog began to lick her face, wagging his tail in excitement at seeing her.

Jenka smiled, reaching up to pet him effectionately.

"Rook," Snape scolded, getting the dogs attention. "Leave her alone."

Rook sat back on his haunches, though it was clear he'd rather keep visiting with his friend.

"Jenka, I don't want you to clean Draco's bedroom."

Jenka's eyes widened. "Jenka is not to clean, sir? But Jenka is—"

Snape held up his hand. "I know, but that's an order. Draco is to clean his own room until he learns to treat everyone with respect and not take advantage of you."

Behind him, Draco scowled. "But that's—"

"I mean it, Jenka," Snape went on as if Draco hadn't spoken. "You will not clean Draco's room."

Jenka nodded immediately. "Yes, Master Snape, sir. Jenka understands."

"Alright then. You may go."

Jenka disappeared with another 'pop,' and Snape turned to face Draco once more.