𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 || 𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

Chapter Fifteen: Beast Class and Broom Trials

Chapter Fifteen: 

Over the next few days, Matty had a lot to do. She caught up on some of her schoolwork in the Room of Requirement, practiced a Confringo a few times in the Undercroft, spoke with Professor Fig; took him to the map chamber, and even completed Percival Rackham's first trial, along with meeting Charles Rookwood in his portrait.

So much had happened that it was all a bit of a blur to her, most of the time she had spent trying to gather more information about the Rookwood and Ranrok situation while also trying to balance her school life.

But thankfully, instead of having to risk her life, today was just a normal day of school. They were finally starting Beasts class, which particularly excited Matty. Mythical creatures had always fascinated her and to know that some actually existed was exciting to her.

Beasts class took place outside in a smaller hut with pens around it to keep some of the smaller animals there. Matty walked up and stood at a table with an empty space. She was sitting next to a Hufflepuff girl named Poppy, who was known around the school as an animal lover, which made a lot of sense.

"Hello everyone." Professor Howin said. "I see you've already met some of the many beasts we study in this class."

She looked at Poppy, who was holding a puffskein like it was a normal house pet. "Though, be advised, none of these creatures should be taken lightly. They are all, in their own way, dangerous—especially if one does not know how to handle them properly." She explained.

"Now, it seems many of you are out of practice. Let's take some time to review the basics of how to take care of a beast, shall we?"

Professor Howin assigned Poppy to help Matty, which she was quick to accept. "Hello, I'm Poppy—Poppy Sweeting." Poppy smiled at Matty. "Don't worry about Professor Howin's speech, she overexaggerates sometimes. All the beasts are perfectly safe."

Just then, the tongue puffskein she was holding lashed up and licked her right on the face, causing her to reel back a bit. "Miss Sweeting! Pay attention, please. The tongue of a puffskein can be a slippery devil." Professor Howin scolded her.

It was kind of gross, but nothing dangerous in Matty's opinion. Puffskeins were basically just big furballs.

Poppy lent Matty her brush and feed for Gerald, who was the puffskein so that she could practice a bit. Matty didn't think it was much different than brushing a cat or dog—it just looked a little bit different. Everyone around her was doing the same with other, smaller beasts that were easy to contain outside of pens.

"Good work, everyone. Now, let's make our way to the pens and select another beast." Professor Howin instructed. "And please, do be careful as you feed and groom them."

Matty and Poppy were on their way to the kneazle pen when they saw two students, a Slytherin, and a Ravenclaw, standing around one of the other kneazle pens. Matty stopped and watched with curiosity to see what they'd do.

"A couple of Kneazle whiskers ought to get me a few Knuts, at least. Enough to buy something from Honeydukes." The Slytherin student said. He started to use his wand to try and pull the Kneazle's whiskers out like an absolute buffoon. The Kneazle was hissing back at the student, clearly not enjoying the treatment it was being given.

Poppy was obviously not having this and she rushed up to the pen. "What in Merlin's name are you doing?"

The Slytherin boy just rolled his eyes. "Ugh, tsk, tsk, peculiar Poppy. Worried about a worthless little rodent?" He taunted.

Matty started to walk up to the two, ready to back up Poppy if she needed it. "Her name is Persephone!" Poppy said to the Slytherin student, clearly upset that he had been hurting the kneazle, as anyone should be.