Astra

LIX - The Unexpected Task

THE START OF DECEMBER brought wind and sleet to Hogwarts. Drafty though the castle always was in winter. Astra was glad of its fires and thick walls every time she passed the Durmstrang ship on the lake, which was pitching in the high winds, its black sails billowing against the dark skies. She thought the Beauxbatons caravan was likely to be pretty chilly too. 

Astra were in the middle of a Care of Magical Creatures lesson, which were more and more complicated as Hagrid really didn't seem to know how to deal with the Skrewts, she had to admit, when an unpleasant voice came from behind her.

"Well, well, well...this does look like fun."

The same witch Astra had sat next to in the Quidditch World Cup, who she had learned was Rita Skeeter due to Harry's description, was leaning on Hagrid's garden fence, looking in at the mayhem. She was wearing a thick magenta cloak with a furry purple collar today, and her crocodile-skin handbag was over her arm.

Hagrid launched himself forward on top of the skrewt that was cornering Harry and Ron and flattened it; a blast of fire shot out of its end, withering the pumpkin plants nearby.

"Who are you?" Hagrid asked Rita Skeeter as he slipped a loop of rope around the skrewt's sting and tightened it.

"Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter," Rita replied, beaming at him. Her gold teeth glinted.

"Thought Dumbledore said you weren't allowed inside the school anymore," said Hagrid, frowning slightly as he got off the slightly squashed skrewt and started tugging it over to its fellows.

Rita acted as though she hadn't heard what Hagrid had said.

"What are these fascinating creatures called?" she asked, beaming still more widely.

Astra had a bad feeling.

"Blast-Ended Skrewts," grunted Hagrid.

"Really?" said Rita, apparently full of lively interest. "I've never heard of them before...where do they come from?"

Astra immediately frowned; she knew those skrewts were most likely not legal, and she didn't need Skeeter to write about them. Luckily, Hermione seemed to be having some worries as she said loudly, "They're very interesting, aren't they? Aren't they. Harry?"

"What? Oh yeah...ouch...interesting," said Harry, who was standing next to her, as she stepped on his foot.

"Ah, you're here. Harry!" said Rita Skeeter as she looked around. "So, you like Care of Magical Creatures, do you? One of your favorite lessons?"

"Yes," said Harry stoutly. Hagrid beamed at him.

"Lovely," said Rita. "Really lovely. Been teaching long?" she added to Hagrid.

Astra noticed her eyes travel over Dean (who had a nasty cut across one cheek). Lavender (whose robes were badly singed), Seamus (who was nursing several burnt fingers), and then to the cabin windows, where most of the class stood, their noses pressed against the glass waiting to see if the coast was clear.

"This is only my second year," said Hagrid.

"Lovely...I don't suppose you'd like to give an interview, would you? Share some of your experience of magical creatures? The Prophet does a zoological column every Wednesday, as I'm sure you know. We could feature these - er - Bang-Ended Scoots."

"Blast-Ended Skrewts," Hagrid said eagerly. "Er - yeah, why not?"

Astra had a bad feeling about this.

"Perfect, does Friday night sound good?" Rita was saying, and seeing as nobody was doing anything, Astra tried to step in front of Hagrid.

"But Hagrid," she said loudly, "We already had plans for tea on Friday!"