The pet shop worker and the murderer

Part 1

Harry James Potter was an ordinary 19 year old, and perfectly content with it, thank you very much. His father was the famous James Potter, chaser for Puddlemere United, and his mother was Lily Potter née Evans, famous Healer at St. Mungo's, but Harry himself was proud to be ordinary. He had graduated Hogwarts a couple of years ago with decent grades in most subjects, and taken a job in the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley. He had never wanted to live up to the expectations from his teachers, or friends, or even parents. They had expected too much, for him to become famous as well, following perhaps his parents' footsteps or becoming an Auror. Harry was quite happy working in the pet shop. At least, he had been so until now.

"My shadow viper is sick. Do you have any potions?"

Harry looked up from the Quidditch catalogue he had been looking through in a hopeless attempt to find his father a meaningless birthday gift. He gave the stranger on the other side of the counter a quick once-over. Then he blinked as he recognized the stranger's face and tried to place it. It couldn't be... could it? It would be just his luck that it was.

"Did you hear me?" the stranger asked, with a raised eyebrow and obvious impatience. He looked dangerous and Harry could feel it from the strangers aura. It was like slow waves washing over him, telling him to stay away.

"Loud and clear." Harry answered with a forced cheery smile as he straightened up from his position leaning over the counter. He slid the Quidditch catalogue to the side.

"You need to bring your viper here for a check-over, or tell me which sickness it is, otherwise I can't get the correct potion for you."

"I'll be back." the stranger promised. It sounded like a threat.

Harry slumped against the counter as soon as the door had closed. He had just survived an encounter with Tom Riddle, Undesirable no. 1, the most wanted wizard in England. Great, just fantastic, exactly how he had wanted his day to go. Not to mention that the murderer looked smoking hot. Well, at least nothing else would be able to surprise him today.

---

It took two days before Riddle showed up again, this time with a giant snake around his shoulders. Harry froze from where he was putting new rat treats on the shelf. Thankfully - but he doubted that it was really a coincidence - the shop was empty from other customers.

"That can't possibly be a shadow viper!" he exclaimed, and almost dropped the bag of treats he was holding as he tried to hurriedly put it on the shelf.

"She is. Magic and good care can do a lot." Riddle answered nonchalantly. Harry still stared at the giant snake as he successfully put away the bag with rat treats.

"If you'll follow me into the backroom then, sir..." Harry said, and lead the way to the veterinarian room he had put together himself. He had studied Muggle pet care to put it together, since magic could be lacking. Riddle snorted when he saw the obviously Muggle tools, but didn't comment.

"What's her name then?" Harry asked, as he gestured that Riddle could place the snake on a table in the middle of the room.

"Nagini." Riddle answered, his tone surprisingly fond. Harry shot him a glance. Mass murderer, fond of his pet snake. If he didn't see it for himself, he would never believe it.

"Hello Nagini. If you would be so kind to let me take some venom from you to test, I would appreciate it." Harry said as he started to collect his tools, making sure they were sterilized.

"Another speaker!" Nagini answered with surprise. Harry stopped. Nagini answered?

"Excuse me?" he asked, and looked questioningly at first the snake, then at Riddle. The latter was staring at him with something new in his eyes. Harry didn't like it one bit.