The Kind Hufflepuff

Chapter 48: Goobledegook

A/N: Merry Christmas! (For those who celebrate!) 

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The Kind Hufflepuff - Year Two

Chapter Forty- Eight: Goodledegook

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The end of year was quickly approaching, meaning that she was spending more time with Peter these days as he fretted over the end of year finals. Cali had assured him many times, knowing that he was smart enough to pass all of them with a breeze but he still worried since he knew he struggled more than the rest of his friends. Cali had actually been surprised when she continued to tutor him and study with him after he made his friends back, but Peter had told her that she was more patient with him and felt less like an idiot around her than the boys.

"They just always excel in everything so fast," Peter shrugged. "I know logically I'm not an idiot, but it's hard to remember that at times in comparison to the three of them."

"I totally get it," Cali assured the boy. "I'd be more than happy to study with you."

So, that is exactly what they did most nights. It was the end of March now and while the rest of the boys were partying it up planning Remus and James' birthday or setting it up the ultimate April Fools Day prank that they often talked about, Peter was studying with Cali.

They would spend a couple hours a day most nights in the library, books surrounding them like a fortress as they tackled homework first and then chose a subject to go fully over for the week. This seemed to be working well with them, though Peter had already stated that he wanted to go over the earlier subjects once more when they were done as a refresher. They were often left alone though, so when two of the boys bounded towards them out of breath with messy hair everywhere and their clothes ruffled up with their shirts untucked and their ties barely done and crooked.

"Hi," Cali greeted cautiously, confused about their sudden presence.

"Hi," they greeted in unison before taking a glance at each other and James talking again, "We actually had a question for you, Higgs."

"Cali," she quickly corrected. "What's up?"

"Cali," James tested the name for a moment before shrugging, "What do you know about werewolves?" Cali looked around the three boys, noticing that Peter had grown suddenly more interested in the topic at hand as she thought back to the time in the woods. 

"Why?" She asked, curious.

"Well, you know," Sirius took the reigns on this one. "I know how much you care about beasts and creatures," he explained, "and we've been curious about werewolves lately."

"Why?" She asked once more.

"Well, uh," Sirius mumbled, looking at the other two for help.

"We heard there were werewolves in the forest," Peter piped up. "We want to explore the forest a bit but we want to be able to recognize them just in case. A safety precaution," he explained slowly before looking at the boys for reassurance.

"That's a good idea," Cali praised. "They're easily distinguished from regular wolves for their shorter snout, human- like eyes, and tufted tail," Cali explained to the boys. "They are also unfortunately less likely to hunt for food and more fun in comparison to the wolves themselves who hunt primarily for food purposes."

"That doesn't make them evil," James argued, annoyed.

"Correct," Cali confirmed. "This is only during the full moon, and none of these behaviors should be typically expected outside of that time. They are simultaneously casted as being and beast due to the fact that they act as a beast during the full moon but they are otherwise fine with heightened senses. There is no true way to distinguish if someone is a werewolf outside of that day," Cali explained.