The Boy And The Cabin In The Woods

Chapter 5: The Hidden Family

*A/N: Yeah, we're just gonna leave Sirius and his Gay panic and return to Tobias' POV!*

I walked away from the boys, back on my journey to the Forbidden Forest. But I couldn't help but think back to the scene of Black sitting in the water with a pout on his face upon realizing he was in the water in the first place. I laughed to myself, shook my head, and refocused my attention to path ahead.

I crossed the treeline border and walked the familiar path towards my clearing. I was so deep in my thoughts about what Remus wanted to talk to me about, I didn't even hear the quiet footsteps behind me.

I get to the middle of the wide, grassy clearing and close my eyes while tipping my face upwards, absorbing the sounds and feel of nature. I sigh, open my eyes, and sit cross legged on the ground. I take a bucket and a Potions book out of my pocket that has an extension charm on it for this specific reason, and wait. I don't know how long I'll be waiting for, sometimes it's 10 minutes, sometimes is 2 hours, and one time they were already here, waiting for me. So I just lay back and start reading, oblivious to the three boys behind some trees on the edge of my clearing, staring at me.

I finished the book, which is rather big, but I've seen bigger, and now I'm just laying on my back on the grass, staring at the beautiful nature above me. I've always loved nature, no matter how good or bad the weather is, there's always something beautiful about it. The way the sun rays beam through the leaves and branches, like babies reaching their arms through the bars on their cribs for their mothers. The way leaves fall to the ground, like the ending sparks off of fireworks gliding towards the Earth below. The way some animals interact with each other, like a deer acting cautious with a squirrel but not tensing up a bit when a butterfly lands on its nose, or when a bunny hops between its legs. The way all things in nature, plants, animals, and even the wind itself, come together in perfect harmony, whether that be during a hurricane, a rainstorm, or a simple sunny day.

I'm brought out of my head from the sound of hooves walking, the sound is soft, but it's there. I smile to myself, a smile that's only dedicated to this specific creature. This beautiful, magical creature.

I open my eyes and come face to face with Helta, the oldest and den-mother, but actual mother to two of them, of the group of creatures. I laugh lightly, and put my hand on the side of her face and pet her. She huffs in my face and stands fully up.

Where have you been? *Words that are italic and underlined are the creatures talking and just italics is Tobais' words.*

I chuckle and shake my head, "Of course that's the first thing you tell me when I come back after a while." She huffs at me again and stomps her front hooves on the ground near my head, showing me she's serious. My eyes widen and my hands go in the air, surrending. "Ok ok, jeez, hold your horses-" I bust out laughing at my own comment until I see her unimpressed look, "-sorry. Anyways I've been up in the castle, for your information. I was sick for a while, then I got better, then I had to study for a stupid Herbology test. Everyone knows I suck at it, I don't know why they keep giving me the class. And then, at the first chance of freedom and peace, I decided to come back home. I even had to decline a invitation for FOOD to come back here. So if I were you I'd be grateful, plus I brought food if you are really that mad at me."

I'm fully standing now, staring into the eyes of Helta, the mother Thestral. I look behind her and sure enough, the rest of the herd of Thestrals, which is 8, including Helta, are there staring at me. Except for four. The four children are staring right at the bucket of food. I smile my "Thestral smile" and drop to my knees next to the bucket, motioning the four young ones over to me.

At this, they bound over to me and, like always, jump on me.

Inkwing, you're back!

Where'd you go?

Did you bring back presents?

Duh Alec, there's food in the bucket!

I laugh and pet them as much as I can before they start getting to heavy, then I gently push them off, clap my hands, and say, "So, who's hungry?"

For the next 20 minutes I'm feeding my Thestral family. After they've all eaten I stand up and dust myself off.

I'm sorry for my rude introduction, I-

I wave her apology off, "No, Helta, don't apologize, it's fine. I understand why you were acting like that, I know you worry about me more than anyone else in the herd, but don't worry, I was, and still am, fine."

Good, now come on home. Your place is a wreck. I swear I don't see how you can walk a step into it with all that trash laying around. She shake her inky black head at me and stomps her hooves, showing me she means business.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say MOM." I reply, mocking her with the last word. But it backfires when she whips me in the butt with her tail, "OW! What was that for?!" I exclaim, rubbing the sore spot.

Don't mock and use that tone, especially with me, mister. It's not nice. She then proceeds to walk to the same edge of the clearing where they came from, and turns back to me, waiting.

I can hear the rest of the herd laughing at my dismay. I turn to them and stick my tongue out, knowing I look childish but not really caring. I then kneel down on one knee and turn into my animagus: a Thestral. (Of course. I mean they are my #1 favorite magical creature out there!) I gallop towards the rest of the herd at the edge and we all take flight into the sky, towards home. Which honestly is only a 30 minute walk from the clearing, but where's the fun in that!

Onwards my fellow steeds!

I receive many laughs and a, Keep it up and your gonna rotten the kids' brains.

Well duhh, that's my mission! I'm blessed with four giggles in response.