Notes: As I'm still writing "Light in the Dark", I better tell you who's who in this story, right? Snuffles is the little labrador pup Sev and Siri received from Harry and Remus on their bonding / wedding day. Minnie is the golden retriever pup of Harry and Remus. And last, not least, Shadow is Severus' name when he is in his animagus form :)

When he reached the door of his dungeon home, Sirius sighed deeply. What in Merlin's name had come over him when he had accepted to take over the post of teaching Transfigurations? Was it possible that Minerva had known just who was coming to Hogwarts? He didn't put it past her. After all, she had been very eager to get rid of her oh-so-beloved subject all of a sudden.

If only part of Severus' tales of Mr Longbottom and Finnigan were true, than young Esmeralda Byrne was somehow related to both of them ... and a cave troll. How on earth had she managed it anyway? You were not supposed to blow up the whole classroom while transfiguring a needle into a nail. But somehow she had managed it and Sirius had spent the past two hours cleaning up the mess.

The fact that Ms Byrne was in Gryffindor only made matters worse. Severus would never let him forget that particular fact. News must have reached him already, and Sirius dreaded his lover's reaction. Oh yes, he could already see old Snivellus' self-satisfied grin. However, he wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing and thus would endure everything his personal Slytherin came up with. He'd get even with him eventually.

Pushing open the door, his breath caught in his throat at the sight that greeted him. Snuffles' basket had been resized and now, Sirius couldn't believe his eyes, not only the little pup, but also a giant panther lay in it, cuddled together. Hogwarts' newest staff member didn't hesitate for one moment and pounced onto them, transforming in mid-jump.

However, he wasn't greeted warmly. Quite the contrary. A little growl could be heard, followed by a much deeper roar. Snuffles had risen to his feet and was now barking at the much larger dog in front of him. Clearly he didn't want Padfoot around him. Shadow was gazing at them, once in a while releasing another growl.

The world had been turned upside down. Why would a dog prefer a cat for a friend? Or maybe Snuffles simply didn't like him. He seemed quite happy when playing with Minnie. Drawing his tail between his legs, Padfoot crawled closer. If a dog could hiss, Snuffles was just doing that. One glance at Shadow made it clear that he had no intention of interfering.

Defeated, Padfoot turned towards the fireplace. Resting his head on his front legs, he stared into the flames, ever so often giving a pitiful whine. He was about to drift off into a restless slumber when he felt something warm settle on his right side. When he turned his head, his blue eyes met the jet black of Shadow. Leaning closer, the panther licked Padfoot over his face, nuzzling his neck.

Soft footsteps fell, and another, smaller, body pressed against Padfoot's left side, snuggling into the silky fur and yelping sleepily.

---

Licks, The sensation of someone licking his face brought him back to consciousness. Cracking his eyes open, he was greeted by the black face of Snuffles. The little puppy was giving his nose another lick and then proceeded to... Was he trying to catch his own tail? Shaking his sleepy head, his nose registered the intoxicating smell of bacon, eggs and tea. Turning towards the source of those delicious fumes, he quickly transformed back into his human form.

Only now did he hear the soft chuckle that came from the black-clad form of his lover. 'Severus must be enjoying himself immensely,' Sirius thought to himself and moved towards the Potions Master. Wrapping his arms around the other's narrow waist, he gently kissed his neck.

"Oh, the flea-bitten mutt has finally woken. I thought I might have to resort to iced water..." Turning in Sirius' embrace, he caught his lips in a searing kiss. Panting, he broke away eventually, and, with a benign smile, added, "But then I heard why you were so tired... Honestly Black, is it really your intention to blow up the whole school? I know you tried several times in your time as a student here, but to use your own pupils... I thought that was even below you Gryffindorks."

"Very funny, Snivellus. This is so funny that I have to laugh about it later, much later." An evil smirk took hold of his features as he whispered, "You know, of course, that she'll be taking Potions with you as well..." The expression of utter shock on Severus' face was priceless. "You know, if your eyes get just a little larger, they might fall out." Taking a look at the grandfather clock in the living room and deciding it was still too early to be up and about, he dragged his petrified lover into the bedroom. "Come on, Snape. You can either wake me up properly or let me sleep until an hour I consider decent for a Saturday morning."

This seemed to get through to the ex-Death-Eater, because his arms suddenly came round Sirius' waist, drawing him close. "Insatiable Gryffindork. You should be a rabbit, not a dog..."

Laughing, Sirius pushed his lover on to the bed. Straddling his hips, he breathed huskily, "Take me to bed..."