Strange Beginnings

Chapter I.II

Mrs. Diggory walked through every room of the house (including the pantry) and had yet to find what she was looking for; or more specifically who. The first day of school was only a week away and they had yet to go shopping for supplies and clothing. Despite the clicking hands on the clock and the occasional whistle from a bird in the window the house was silent. She called out to either of the kids but both failed to respond. They must be out by the creek. She concluded. 

Past the small shack at the edge of their property the forest trees began to thicken and the slope led trotting feet downwards. Only after a short walk into the greenery Beth could hear soft voices conversing, or rather one voice trying to speak and the other shushing. On the near side of the small river Y/N and Cedric sat squatted behind some bushes and across the way was a kneazle. She quietly creeped her way over to the two who were trying to get a better look at the creature, completely unaware of her approach on account of her footsteps being muted by the clover and moss that covered the ground. 

"What are you guys doing?" she playfully whispered.

Both Cedric and Y/N shrieked with pure terror at the sudden appearance of another. Beth couldn't help but snicker at their reaction.

"Good Godric Beth, we were trying to get a good look at the kneazle but you've probably scared him... off." Y/N was not expecting to look back where the magical wild cat once stood and it still be there with eyes now fully trained on them.

Mrs. Diggory chuckled a little longer, "Well lucky for you I did exceptionally well in my care for magical creatures class and know a little bit about the feisty feline."

Y/N and Cedric shared a look of bewilderment before turning back to hear Beth's miniature lesson that was about to start.

"This one is a full-bred wild kneazle and she, you can tell by the longer puff at the end of her tail and the lack of beard which the males have, most likely knew you were here this whole time. Their sense of smell is comparable to a Crup's and their magical senses are heightened to distinguish trustworthy individuals from those who are not which is probably why she let you get so close to her."

The large cat returned to her previous activities of preying on a bird singing on a low branch. Her brown and grey coat hid her well with the fallen branches and rocks along the river's edge and those emerald eyes complimented the plants she peaked through. With a quick leap into a nearby tree the kneazle used it to launch herself further into the air and trap the bird in her teeth. The annoying tune was now silenced. Cedric watched slightly horrified and Y/N mildly intrigued as she devoured of the fowl but she ended her meal half way to bring it across the river. 

No more than a couple feet from them the cat laid the partially consumed bird at the human's feet. The two kids wondered how to politely decline. Mrs. Diggory stepped closer to the animal and gently picked up the offering. She smiled and the cat seemed to be satisfied with the acknowledgment and scampered away.

"Never refuse a magical creatures gift. You don't want to offend them or else they might curse you." she taunted. 

The two exchanged worried glances and hurried to catch up with Beth who started back towards the house.

~~~

Y/N promised to not procrastinate their school shopping next year. The streets were fully congested and inside the shops were no better. However, they soon found out the reason for why their purchasing experience was being significantly delayed when the line in to Flourish and Blotts had finally allowed them entrance. A large display of new books written by a Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart blocked half of the entire entry, people clamored around talking excitedly in great anticipation for the author himself to make an appearance. Y/N had certainly heard of the bloke but thought he couldn't have had such great adventures with how much time he must spent doing his hair.