In the Melancholy Moonlight

Chapter CVIII: Unbelievable

LUCY:

Upon waking up on Monday morning, I just rolled over and closed my eyes again. I didn't fall asleep again, with the full moon being on Saturday, but the thought of getting up was almost too much to handle. It wasn't until Lavender and Parvati had left the room and Hermione came back up to see what was taking so long that I finally dragged myself out of bed, but I really would have liked to just stay there all day and not have to face anything or anyone.

I slid between the twins and managed a bit of breakfast before heading to Care of Magical Creatures a bit on the early side. I never liked taking too long at meals, because then people stared, and when people stared, I felt like crying, and when I felt like crying, I would leave before I could actually start crying, which only made more people stare. Harry didn't mind leaving early, either, so the two of us left with fifteen minutes still before class.

"Let's see how Professor Grubbly-Plank's first lesson goes," Harry said as we left the castle.

I sighed. "I had forgotten. Merlin, I miss Hagrid."

"Me too," he replied.

As we approached, Professor Grubbly-Plank waved me over. "Lucy Diggory?"

I nodded. "Yes, Professor, that's me."

"Would you mind helping me briefly? I've heard you've got a knack for creatures."

"I can help, Professor," I said, ears burning with embarrassment. At least she knows me for that and not for being the poor girl who lost her brother... oh, who am I kidding, she knows me for that too, she's just being nice. I passed Harry my bookbag and hurried around behind Hagrid's hut, where there were a number of small crates of bowtruckles.

"I'm going to have Harry help me set up a table in front, if you wouldn't mind bringing these around a few at a time."

"Of course. I've always liked bowtruckles."

"Oh, that reminds me. The Headmaster mentioned that you've helped Hagrid tend to the creatures in the past. I understand it's your O.W.L. year, but Professor Dumbledore seemed to think you would benefit from having something you enjoy while you're not playing Quidditch, so if you'd like to ."

My entire face flushed red at that point. "I would like to help. But I... well, I would ask how he knew all of that, since I haven't spoken to him at all yet this term, but I'm not terribly surprised he does."

"He does have a way!" she said with a laugh as she disappeared to set up the table.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and removed the lid from one of the crates. A number of bowtruckles climbed up into my hands, so I carried them out to the table Professor Grubbly-Plank had conjured. I rested my hands down, one still bandaged to hide the scar from Umbridge, both shaking, and the bowtruckles hopped off. Well, all except one, who climbed up my arm and perched herself on my shoulder.

"Alright, Daffy, you can be my partner today," I said. I winced as she gave my ponytail a curious yank. "Yeah, that's new. D'you like it?"

She yanked it again in response before using it as a rope to swing to my other shoulder.

Harry laughed, having watched the entire interaction with an expression somewhere between amusement and amazement.

I offered a small shrug and smile in return. "Glad we could amuse you."

"I am in fact very amused. Are there more?"

I nodded, and the two of us brought the rest of the bowtruckles to the table just as the rest of the class arrived. Draco made a comment I couldn't hear as he walked up with his typical crew, and they all laughed, looking at Harry.