Falling for the Weasley Twins

Chapter 10

I perched myself beneath the little tree over looking the lake and breathed in the fresh air. Being inside all the time was almost suffocating. Even Herbology is taught in a greenhouse. I pulled out one of my sketch books and began sketching the scenery infront of me. How the light reflected off of the lake, the little blue wrens that where hopping about at the shoreline and the occasional fish breaching the surface. It was peaceful.

I heard a vaguely familiar voice behind me and turned to see Hagrid approaching me. I gave him a smile and a short wave as he got closer.

"Ain't you ment 'ter be in class miss?" He asked once he reached the tree

"Professor McGonagal gave me the day off" I explain "there was an incident last night and I needed to clear my head"

"Oh" he says knowingly "you're the lass that had 'er room vandalised"

"Thats me" I say grimly "so what do you do here Hagrid?"

"I'm the grounds keeper" he says proudly "and I look after all the creatures 'ere at Hogwarts"

"Oh" I say "are the creatures magical? Or just regular?"

"A bit of both" he chuckles

He let's out a loud wolf's whistle and a huge black Neapolitan mastiff comes bounding over the hill towards us. She comes skidding to a halt at Hagrids feet.

"This 'ere is Fang, one of the more normal creatures 'round 'ere" he says, giving her a loving pat on the head

"Shes gorgeous" I say, putting my hand out so she can sniff me

She has a little sniff before all but falling into my lap and demanding to be petted. I happily obliged the giant puppy, grateful to be in the presence of an animal.

"I wanted to be a vet before I found out I was a witch" I say absent mindedly as I scratch Fang under the chin "I've always loved animals"

"Maybe you'll enjoy the magical creatures around 'ere" Hagrid muses "there sure is plenty of them"

"What kind of creatures are on the grounds?" I ask, looking up at him from his slobbery puppy

"A few I can't really mention" he quips "but in the lake 'ere there's a giant squid"

"Really? How did it get there?" I ask confused on why a deep sea creature would be in a lake

"Bought him off a traveller a few years back, Dumbledor was gracious enough to let him live 'ere in the lake where I can check on him from time to time" Hagrid says proudly, squinting as he looks over the lake

"Thats kind of cool" I say turning to look at the lake, hoping to catch a glimpse of the squid

"I guess I should try and read up about the magical creatures" I say after a moment of silence "see if I can find one to work with, or maybe even a pet?"

"Just steer clear of the nifflers. They're cute but are wiry little devils" Hagrid laughs "you'll spend more time looking for where it snuck off to than actually being in class"

"I'll keep that in mind" I laugh "it was good to meet you Hagrid, but I better go grab a coat. It'd suddenly gotten quite cold"

"Not a problem, if you ever need a chat my cabins just over the hill a ways and the kettles always on"

"Thank you" I smile at him

After quickly packing up my things I give Fang one last scratch behind the ears and head back up to the castle. I made it to the corridor just as all the students were let out for a quick break between lessons. I head back to my room, ready to grab the nearest sweater or even blanket to curl up under. The weather had been getting colder lately with the transition from autumn to winter. Soon it'll be snowing and we won't get as many sunny days. Just as I found my old red sweater in my trunk the door flung open and the twins came barrelling in.