ᴏᴍɴɪꜱᴄɪᴇɴᴛ ✵ʀᴇɢᴜʟᴜꜱ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ✵

𝐗𝐈

☼ ꜰʀᴇʏᴀ ☼

»»-------≪ °❈° ≫-------««

Big, beady eyes stare back at Freya. Curiosity gets the best of her, and she reaches through the cage toward the furball, but it's insanely long and prehensile tongue nearly grasps her index finger. She jerks back in surprise, and Benjy snickers on the stool beside hers. They're partners in Care of Magical Creatures, and for today's lesson they get to share a Puffskein. 

"You are hideous, my friend," Benjy says to the spherical shaped animal in a high-pitched tone, the kind of voice that people use to speak to dogs or babies. "Criminally ugly." 

Truthfully, Freya disagrees. Despite such insults, the Puffskein emits a low humming sound, similar to the purring of a cat. It's bug eyes only regard Freya, and an irresistible smile crosses her lips. With his thick soft fur of yellow and orange hues, tiny nose, and small narrow mouth, he's quite adorable in her opinion. 

"I like him," she declares. 

"When did I ask?" Benjy jests. He is leaned towards the cag, his sharp nose a mere centimetre or two from the inside. Suddenly, it's long and thin tongue stretches out, and the tip slithers up into his nostril. Benjy jolts back so briskly that he nearly falls of his stool, and this time, Freya snickers. Dark, golden brown eyes narrow at the Puffskein. "You must have spawned from some terrible layer of the Earth's mantle."

"Puffskein like to eat the bogeys of their owners while they sleep," Emmeline explains. She sits at the table behind theirs, an amused simper upon her lips. "Take one home, Benj. You won't have to pick your nose anymore." 

"I don't pick my nose," he hisses, blushing furiously, "I scratch it." 

"Scratch your brain?" Kingsley banters from his seat beside Emmeline. 

"Yeah, because it's huge," Benjy snaps. 

The pair laugh together as he swivels on his stool to face the front of the classroom in annoyance, Freya curls her lips in hidden humour. 

"Apologies for my tardiness! I see you've all met your Puffskeins," Professor Kettleburn announces as he rushes into his class, a styrofoam cup of coffee in his hand. He's an attractive man with a brawny physique that contrasts with his eccentric personality. "Now," he says after a sip of his drink, "each of you should have a clipper. Puffskein hair have magical properties, and they are useful as potion ingredients. Today I'd like for you to give our little furry friends haircuts, and the hair will be given to our wonderful Potions master, Professor Slughorn." 

"Free labour?!" someone blurts out. Heads turn, and it's one of the Gryffindor students; Tommy McLaggen. "You exploit students now, Mr. K?"

A subtle tint of pink shadows over Professor Kettleburn's suntanned skin. "Of course not. You'll all learn to keep a Puffskein calm and still. It takes patience and care." 

There's a few mumbles of disappointment from the class. Someone calls out a strung out, "borriiing." The Professor ignores them. 

"Any questions before we begin?" 

Professor Kettleburn scans the classroom for any students' hand in the air, but the only one who raises theirs is Benjy. "Yes, Mr. Fenwick?" 

"If an abraxan and hippogriff got into a fight, who would win?"

"Er..." Kettleburn stares at him speechless for a moment. "Any relevant questions about the task?"

Nobody else speaks, and the silence is a que to begin their tasks. Benjy is disappointed that he didn't receive an answer, and Freya takes initiative to open the cage to take out their Puffskein. He hops out on his own, and jumps into her arms, loudening his humming.