Learn to love

What's one more

A/N: This is just a fill-in for the time jumps before things begin to go downhill. Also a little insight into Athena.

Also, please know I appreciate all of your comments. I read each and every one of them. Thank you all!
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I was sure I looked like a fish out of the water, gawking at the thing in the cage. I wasn't sure what it was really. Well, I vaguely did. It was a three-headed snake that much I knew. Its body was long, with a light green underbelly. The upper half was bright orange, with jet black stripes like a tiger, emerging in spikes. Its eyes were captivating neon green. Its tail ending at a sharp point.

"What are you?"

'What's it look like girl?' The middle one hissed. 'Do you see anything else besides a snake?'

'I don't know.' The left head slithers around the middle head. 'I always thought you looked more of a lizard.'

'We can do without a third head.' The middle hissed, snapping at the left one.

"A snake with an attitude. Just what this world needs."

'Only when stupid questions are asked.' The right one said. 'But then again, what to expect from this inferior species.'

"Listen here you legless r-"

"Athena?"

I jumped back dropping the cover back over the cage. "Remus." I sighed, running my hand over my face. "You frighten me."

"Forgive me." Remus chuckled. "Who were you talking to?"

"Uh, I was talking to-" Just then the rest of the class piled in. Everyone took their seats, looking up at us. "I'll get back to you on that."

"Yes, after class?"

"Yeah." Jumping off the platform, I took my seat beside Hermione. "Hello."

"What are you doing here?" Hermione whispered. "I presumed you were skipping all your classes today?"

"I wasn't skipping. I had a free pass." Pulling her book into the middle of us to share, I leaned in closer to her. "I got bored doing nothing. So, I figured I'd come to the last class."

"Ladies." Remus gave us a stern look. "Now, today we will be learning about an interesting animal. Who here can tell me what the Runespoor is?" Of course, Hermione was the one to raise her hand. "Yes, Ms. Granger."

"The Runespoor is a magical three-headed snake, native to the African country of Burkina Faso. They are very rare to sight and only a few have been able to see one."

"Very good Ms. Granger." Remus walked around the cage so it now stood between us and him. "Now, when I uncover this I need you all to stay calm and quiet. They are sensitive to loud noises. Understood?" Getting all nods, he slowly uncovered the cage.

The snake was curled up in the middle of the cage. One of the three heads raised its head, hissing at us. 'What are you all looking at?'

'Must have mice on our face.' The right head hissed.

'Speak for yourself.'

I looked away, trying not to laugh. "Professor, what is so rare about this snake? I mean it is just a snake, only it has three heads."

'Just three heads?' The middle one snapped. 'Do you hear this human?!'

'I suppose you have seen many three-headed snakes?'

"Well, Ms. Black these guys are very easy to spot. Back when they were first found, you had muggles spotting them and hunting them down. Not just muggles, but you had wizards talking their eggs which dwindled their numbers. The eggs are used in many potions making." Remus walked around the cage. "This one is just a juvenile, but they will grow up. Now the largest one to ever be recorded by the ministry was 7 feet long."