𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 || 𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

Chapter Forty-Three: Just some fun

Chapter Forty-Three

Winter turned into Spring and suddenly the life around Hogwarts was alive again. Trees were regrowing their leaves, flowers began to bloom, the small creatures came out of their resting places and life seemed a bit brighter.

Most things in the school seemed to have gone back to normal. Hogsmeade wasn't crawling with poachers and Hogwarts was safe once again with the secret of the Repository hidden away.

Most of life was just school and studying for O.W.L's, something Matty had spent most of her time on since. With Ranrok and Rookwood gone, there wasn't much else to do. There was still the problem of Harlow creeping around but he never dared show his face anywhere since Rookwood's defeat. Besides, Matty and Natty were still working on tracking down his location and putting an end to the entire poacher bunch.

Matty had also helped Poppy locate the Golden Snidgets after weeks of hard work. The little birds were now in complete care of the Centaurs who were sure to keep them safe. The two of them had also gained the respect of Elek, the clan leader who hadn't been too fond of the two girls when they had initially come to the forest seeking help.

And now, they were both welcomed inside the Forbidden Forest whenever they wanted to enter and they'd be under the protection of the Centaurs.

Matty met Poppy in the Great Hall just a few days after discovering the Snidgets, wanting to speak to her. It seemed like their journey of rescuing these little creatures was finally over. Although the work they would do to help rescue beasts would never be over, they were proud of being able to do what they had.

"I see Dorran finally convinced you to leave the Snidgets." Matty chuckled to Poppy as they sat next to the fire in the Great Hall.

"If anyone can keep them out of the poacher's hand, it's the centaurs." Poppy replied. "And I wanted to thank you, for everything. When the poachers ambushed us, it was nice to not be alone and not to mention how much of a help you've been to me these past few months."

Matty smiled. "Of course. It's the sort of thing friends do for each other, isn't it?" She asked with a bit of a grin.

Poppy returned the smile. "I'm glad you came to Hogwarts. It's already been my favorite year." She said. "I wouldn't want a repeat of Horntail Hall, of course, but I did enjoy the Three Broomsticks. Had no idea how lovely it was there."

Matty raised a brow. "Had you never been to the Three Broomsticks before?" She asked, thinking all students must've gone there at least once before.

"I used to spend most of my time with Highwing—and, well, I don't know how Sirona feels about a Hippogriff popping in for a Butterbeer." Poppy answered with a small laugh. "Highwing is the only one I would've gone with or Gran of course. I didn't have many friends before this."

Matty understood why Poppy would be so closed off to the other students—after all, she was the only one who was raised by poachers, not to mention many students thought she was weird for liking beasts so much. Teenagers can be cruel, sadly.

"Highwing is in good hands, I promise." She said to Poppy. "And you'll always have me as a human friend, but perhaps it's time to open up your circle to some more. I know a certain Hufflepuff who would love to get to know you better."

Poppy chuckled, knowing Matty was referring to Hope. Perhaps it was time to open up her circle of friends to others. For so many years she had been closed off and not really able to talk about her past but something had changed this year.

Matty looked over to Esme, who was waving her over. She, Matty, Sebastian, and Ominis were going to go to Black Lake to goof off for a bit. School was ending soon so many students were going out and doing things in their free time now that it had gotten warmer and the reality that they wouldn't be at school for much longer was hitting them.