Belladonna

Just a Word

Belladonna 10

Just a Word

Later that day

Ana was tired and sore, but she knew she'd feel better after a short shower. Practice was grueling. Marcus had put them through the ringer trying to test the limits of their new brooms. When Ana was soaring from one end of the pitch to the other, she could almost forget about the dirty money that was used to purchase the brooms.

Draco had used his father's money and the promise of new brooms to buy his way onto the team. Ana had no doubt of that, especially after their run in with the Gryffindor team before practice. Ana hated the idea and was disgusted that Draco was fine with it; nay, he was proud of it. But she decided she wasn't going to let Draco Malfoy and his father's money ruin something she loved. So she accepted the broom and decided not to think on it anymore.

Ana stepped out of the locker room shower, slipped into some clean clothes, and pulled her still wet hair into a side braid before making her way to Hagrid's hut. She was picking up some salamander saliva for Sev's potion stores. Professor Kettleburn always got the diluted version; Hagrid knew how to get the potent stuff.

Ana knocked on the front door, but instead of hearing Hagrid's booming voice inside, she heard Fang bark from around the back. An instant later, the friendly boarhound came bounding up beside her and offered her slobbery kisses.

"Hey, Fang," she greeted, rubbing him behind the ears. "Is he back there then? Well, let's go see him."

"Who's ther, Fang? Oh! Hello, Ana."

"Hey, Hagrid. I came for..." Ana trailed off. She wasn't the only one who had decided to pay Hagrid a visit that day. Harry Potter and his two friends were there too. Ana contemplated for a moment what she should do, what might irritate them the most. She decided just to act like they weren't even there for the time being.

"...The salamander saliva for Professor Snape. Oh, Hagrid! Are these the pumpkins for the Halloween Feast this year?"

"Yea! Tha's them." Hagrid beamed with pride.

"They look remarkable! So did the potion I made work out alright then?"

"Sure did. Fixed 'em right on up. Tha's quite the skill yeh have."

"Thanks, Hagrid." She smiled. "But considering I was raised by the best Potions Master this side of the Atlantic—"

Ron scoffed, burping up a slug, and mumbled under his breath. Ana narrowed her eyes at him before continuing.

"—then it's hardly a surprise that I'm good at potions too."

"I 'spose that's true. I was no good at it meself."

"Potions isn't for everyone, but that's alright. I know there are things you can do that Sev could never dream of doing. And growing the largest pumpkins in Britain is only one of them."

Hagrid beamed behind his large beard, and waved off Ana's compliment with a hand. Just beneath his half-lidded eyes, Ana saw rosy-red cheeks. There was a moment when no one said or did anything.

"Hagrid?" Ana said softly.

"Hmm? Yes?"

"The saliva please."