I'm a Good Snake (Harry Potter Fan Fiction) | Book 1

Four

The air already felt a bit chillier despite it still being September. Although that was usually normal for Rosalie. She was bundled up with a thick gray sweater instead of her light pullover and thick uniform pants replaced skirt. Her appearance seemed dimmer compared to others outside as they worked on their task of finding Bowtruckers.

"Damnit, that little pest!" Malfoy shouted as he ran away from a tree he was hitting just moments ago. It wasn't only him, but Crabbe and Goyle too. The three thought it would be funny to shake a tree to find one of the beasts they had an assignment on.

An irritated sigh left Rosalie's lips as she glanced at them. "They never listen when Hagrid is instructing us..."

"Say something?" A Gryffindor asked beside her.

She'd glance over at the male with a strained smile and the whites of her eyes showing, meaning to seem like a crazed and stressed expression. "Just complaining about some boys in my house. Nothing else..."

He'd look over her shoulder and see one of the small Bowtruckers on top of the blonde's head, Malfoy screaming from underneath it. A laugh came from him before turning back to observe the tree that he and Rosalie had chosen to study. "I'm surprised you aren't trying to save them."

"Not all Slytherins are the same. Those three act all high and mighty. I just want to learn and have fun."

It seemed to please the Gryffindor to hear it and he seemed more relaxed around Rosalie. He'd eye her face, seeing how it didn't fit the Slytherin stereotype. Slightly chubby cheeks, a curved nose, and an expression an introvert usually would make. The girl seemed approachable, so offering his name surely couldn't hurt. "I'm Seamus Finnigan if you wished to know." But even with seeming relaxed to her, he'd keep his guard up.

A small chuckle came from Rosalie. "Rosalie Monday, in case you wish to know too."

He thanked her and looked back up at the tree. "How are we supposed to find these Bowtruckers anyway? They're impossible to find."

A hum of agreement left Rosalie. "Agreed. Although, I'd like to think they're similar to walking sticks. You know of that bug, yes?"

"My father tried to catch one to show me, so yeah, I know of them," Seamus responded.

"Think of it like that. We want to see them, but they blend in way too well. We don't notice until they approach us."

He nodded his head and smiled slightly. "That's a good way to put it. Wish I thought of that."

"You'll think of something else clever to find one, I bet. Never doubt yourself!" She gave him slight encouragement before looking over the tree again. The Gryffindor also continued to look with her.

It wasn't long until Seamus walked off, giving up on trying to spot one of the small beasts in the tree. His mind was on the class assignment, but he also didn't want to be near someone who'd also possibly cause trouble. Rosalie then was the only one observing, looking closely and thinking of how to draw one out. The task was simple: find one and gain its trust long enough to prove gentleness around a small being. It was one Hagrid thought of as a starter instead of another Hippogriff, to save on not causing another incident. Malfoy was able to with his aggression though, but still not learned his lesson since the last school year.

A small rustle would catch Rosalie's attention and her eyes drifted over to the noise. There, on one of the small limbs coming off the large magical tree was a small humanoid figure made of spindly wood. A smaller one was next to it, greener like a sprout, compared to the adult Bowtruckle next to it.

Her once studious gaze now spread to a large toothy grin and her eyes slightly squinted due to how her cheeks raised. She got to see a Bowtruckle finally. "Hagrid!" Rosalie called out.