The Malfoys and Me

25. Steve

"Alright, you lot," says Hagrid, patting a large crate beside him. "Today's lesson is on a very curious creature; the niffler!" With that, he opens the crate. You gasp, seeing the fluffy, rolly-polly creatures spill out onto the lawn. The little fluff balls blink in the sun, and hesitate only a moment before rushing past all the other students and flooding Scorpius with adorable affection. "Ah," says Hagrid with a chuckle, "I see they've found someone they like! Don't hog 'em, Malfoy, everyone needs a chance to see 'em!"

"I'm not trying, sir, honest," Scorpius says, as the nifflers crawl all over his person, pulling shiny coins out of his pockets and stuffing them into pockets of their own. "They seem to be accomplished pickpockets, though." Hagrid shakes with laughter again, and you go over to Scorpius, detaching the thieving creatures. "Thanks, Y/n," he says, looking up at you with a crooked smile. Your heart skips a beat, and you tell it to shut up.

"No problem," you say, shooing the creatures away good-naturedly. "Although I can't seem to dislodge that one," you say with a huff, as the mischievous little creature nestles into Scorpius' robes.

"I-it's okay," he says with a laugh, "I'm rather fond of him, actually. Can he stay with me for the lesson, Professor?"

"Don't see why not," Hagrid chuckles. "Now let's get on with the lesson!"

~-----------------------------------~

The lesson goes well, and the little black niffler with small white spots—like starlight, as you observed to Scorpius—never leaves Scorpius' side. After class, Hagrid pulls Scorpius aside, saying something to him. You stay at a respectful distance, longing to listen in, but knowing that Scorpius will value you respecting his privacy. Finally, Hagrid lets Scorpius go with a pat on the shoulder that nearly knocks him over.

"What was that all about?" you ask him, nudging his shoulder playfully with your own. He looks like he's in a daze, but he answers.

"He let me keep him."

"Who?" you ask, as Cayla catches up to you.

"The niffler," he says, a goofy grin spreading across his face. "Prof. Hagrid said he's been trying to find a good home for him for a while. I said I could take him, and Prof. Hagrid said yes!" As if he heard himself being talked about, the little niffler poked his snout out of Scorpius' robes.

"Oh my gosh," you croon, booping his little snoot, "he really is just the cutest thing! What are you going to name him?"

"I-I'm not sure," he says, blushing a bit for no discernable reason, "W-what do you think, Cayla?"

"Steve," she says without a hint of hesitation, "well, his full name will be Stephen Swarovski Malfoy, but we can call him Steve for short."

"Alright then," Scorpius says with a laugh, holding the little niffler close to his face. "Steve it is!"