The Kind Hufflepuff

Chapter 59: Nifflers

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The Kind Hufflepuff - Year Three

Chapter Fifty- Nine: Nifflers

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"They're so bloody cute," Cali squealed as she petted the Niffler that was on the desk in front of her. "I love them so much," she continued aimlessly, not really talking to anybody as she used two fingers to pet the top of the Niffler's head.

"Ah, yes, Calista. Always my most eager student, please enlighten us about this particular creature," Professor Kettleburn chuckled, watching the student that had clearly fallen in love with his lessons.

"These little guys are Nifflers," Cali cooed politely, continuing to pet the Niffler when she tried to stop and it head butted her hand, clearly enjoying the attention. They are classified as a Beast within the Ministry of Magic with a XXX which means they are generally considered nondangerous to competent wizards," Cali explained. 

"They can be recognized as they are rodent- like creatures with a long snout and fine, course fur. Similar to that of a ferret, actually." She continued after a moment. "And they are incredibly attracted to shiny object. So be careful of your belongings because your niffler may steal them," Cali added after the Niffler tried to grab onto her locket though let go of it when the Niffler found the heart shaped to be made of wood rather than shiny. 

"Very thorough," Professor Kettleburn nodded. "20 points to Hufflepuff."

Once the class let out, Greta and John immediately joined her as she refused to leave the small creature, pouting as her bowtruckle protested the entire thing, clearly jealous that Cali was expressing attention to anybody besides himself. "Come on Cal," Greta urged.

"What?" Cali asked the girl, glancing at her momentarily.

"Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, it's the highest anticipated match of the year," John pointed out, rolling his eyes.

"Oh," Cali mumbled, petting the Niffler one last time before pouting. "I don't want to leave him."

"I assume you Miss. Higgs that he is taken well care of," Professor Kettleburn interrupted the group. "And you're more than welcome to come visit the little guy as much as you'd like." The bowtruckle did not seem very happy with this compromise as he pouted even more, fully turning his body as he sat towards Cali's back rather than forward. "You know, magical creatures seem to grow quite fancy of you."

"He's protective of the locket," Cali mumbled, gesturing towards the necklace.

"Ah, yes. Wiggentree bark, yes?" And Cali nodded in confirmation.

"Alright, hurry along child," Kettleburn urged the girl, "We have a match to attend. These are always the most interesting."

With that, the group ran off towards the Quidditch Match, finding seats alongside Remus and Peter and smiled brightly. "Hi Peter," Greta greeted the boy, sitting beside him as Cali sat with Remus. 

"Hi boys," Cali greeted, giggling as she waggled eyebrows with John as Daisy joined him. 

The match had been relatively boring with Madame Hooch having to play referree at times to make sure that both teams were following the rules. Cali had paid particular attention to James Potter, still trying to understand how he was the star player like he had claimed the year before but simply didn't understand the claim. It wasn't before long before Cali had casted a charm that created the illusion of constant applause regardless of the situation that happened on the court, much to the annoyance of the audience though Cali simply refused to choose sides.

She wasn't even paying attention when suddenly she heard screams of horror. She didn't realize what had happened as her head snapped up to immediately see a recognizable Slytherin Quidditch player falling through the sky, seemingly knocked out as his teammates tried to dive after him. Cali stood with a start, fear and shock running through her veins even after he had landed, softly thanks to a professor who had been paying attentions she suspected. She didn't move as Madam Pomfrey ran onto the field, summoning a stretcher that hailed the Slytherin to the Hospital Wing. 

She stood there in complete silence and horror as gossip began to spread throughout the field. "Cal," Daisy whispered softly, promising the rest of their friends that she would handle this. "Cal," she tried once more when Cali appeared to still be in a daze. Remus and Peter had already run off, probably to meet with Sirius and James though frankly, she had absolutely no idea. She grabbed onto Cali's arm, slowly guiding her away from the field and Cali had obeyed, following after the girl in complete shock.

"Cali," Greta attempted, worried about her friend as Cali finally made a sound, a choking sob as she began to sob uncontrollably, falling into the arms of Daisy Hookum as they continued to walk towards the Hospital Wing, though Cali did not know that. She had tried to talk, tried to explain what was going on but nobody really seemed to understand what she was saying.

"Shh," Daisy soothed the girl, "You're ok, you're ok."

"R-R" Cali tried to talk once more through her sobs but was unable to get anything out.

"Regulus, he'll, uh, he'll be fine," John plainly promised, though he didn't seem very confident himself.

When they got to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey would not let the Hufflepuffs see the younger Slytherin which only seemed to worry Cali more. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing the Hufflepuff's state, calmly handed the girl a calming draught that tasted almost like lavender. After that, the group tried to convince Cali to go to the Hufflepuff common room but she simply refused, choosing instead to sit against the wall outside of the Hospital Wing. She began to calm down until she was finally able to talk, finally being able to ask, "What the bloody hell happened?"

"Sirius, he- uh, well he's a Beater, you see," Greta softly explained. "He sort of used the bat to, uh, hit the bludger towards Regulus. I don't think it was on purpose but it hit him nonetheless," Greta explained to the girl, just as Sirius bounded around the corner, clearly worried as he came across the Hufflepuffs. 

"Cali, is he alright?" Sirius asked the girl once he realized it was her. Cali could feel the rage burning throughout her body but the calming draught prevented her from releasing the rage that she was feeling so strongly. 

"I have not been able to see him," Cali replied slowly. "I have no idea."

"Is she okay?" Sirius turned to Greta, who rolled her eyes at the boy.

"She took a calming draught because she was losing her mind." 

"You hurt him," Cali interrupted Greta, her voice deadly calm as she kept her eyes on the Gryffindor. "You're his older brother, but you hurt him..." She trailed off, not completing her thought.

"I know, I- well, I'm sorry," Sirius sighed. "I saw him, and I don't know what came over me. I didn't even realize I had aimed the bludger-" he didn't finish his thought as her eyes drove into him, narrowed despite the calmness that was flooding her sentence, almost not enough to prevent her rage.

"You aimed it." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. 

"Yes," Sirius nodded. 

"I want nothing to do with you," Cali declared, no emotion in her voice before she laid her head on her shoulder, looking over at the doors to the Hospital Wing. "If he's not okay then that is on you."

"I was kicked off the Gryffindor Quidditch Team," Sirius admitted, and Cali rolled her eyes in response, clearly not giving a shit about the boy's status in the sport. "I, just tell Regulus I'm sorry."