A/N: Alas, I did not get to my ten reviews in time for me to post it the day after Chapter 3. But a special thanks to all the reviewers so far: The person that doesn't have an account (Thanks for your review! After looking at it 2 months later, you were the one that convinced me to continue the story!), cocoblue181 (Posted TWO more chapter :D), LillyOfTheField (Yes, nothing has happened yet, lol), .Laura (Yes, I am not a really good author in the aspect of description. Hoping to improve, also going to look for a beta soon.), and elliey black (Hah! Good to know I got at least one reader.)
I hope I made this chapter a little more exciting. Thanks for sticking with me!
Disclaimer: Anything you may recognize is property of J.K. Rowling and I used it to make my story more accurate. I do not claim to be as brilliant as her.
"Good morning, class," announced Professor Kettleburn. "If you will please take out your books and turn to- Ms. McKinnon, tardiness is not accepted in my class." He was interrupted by Marlene, who had rushed in a few minutes late, looking flustered. "Five points from Gryffindor, please take your seat." He continued as Marlene slowly sank down next to me, red in the face.
"As I was saying," Kettleburn droned on, "please take out your books and turn to page thirty-four." I flipped my book open and was surprised by what I saw. "Yes, Puffskeins. Is anyone familiar with them?" he looked around, and called on Julian Richards of Hufflepuff. "My sister had one as a pet once. Before my brother used it for Quidditch practice."
"Yes, they are quite popular as pets. Mister Lupin, please read aloud the first paragraph from your book on Puffskeins." Remus cleared his throat and looked around, then began-
"The Puffskein is found worldwide. Spherical in shape and covered in soft, custard-coloured fur, it is a docile creature that has no objections to being cuddled or thrown about. Easy to care for, it emits a low humming noise when contented. The Puffskein is a scavenger that will eat anything from leftovers to spiders. The Puffskein is much beloved by wizarding children for many generations and it remains a highly popular wizarding pet."
He finished reading, and left all of us curious. This sounds like something we would have studied in fourth year, not N.E.W.T levels, I thought to myself.
"Now, some of you may be wondering why we are learning about Puffskeins. This is not a project I normally have on the syllabus, but I was talking to Professor Fisher, the Muggle Studies teacher, and she gave me an interesting idea." Oh, Merlin's pants. Where on Earth is this going? "She told me that the Muggles often pair up, a boy and a girl, and care for a replica of a human child! They are quite fascinating, are they not?"
It was a rhetorical question, so he continued speaking. "I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to somewhat combine Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures! We are going to modify the project, and care for Puffskeins! This will be worth one third of your term grade." ONE THIRD? This was a huge project, I had to do well!
"Now, the pair must switch off care of the Puffskein. You will keep a log, and the Puffskeins cannot be kept in dormitories. They will eat your belongings if left there, so you probably wouldn't leave them there anyway. I have checked with your teachers, and you are permitted to bring the Puffskeins with you to your other classes. It is your job to keep them content during class so they do not disrupt the teacher, or you yourself will have to face the consequences, such as detention. Any questions?"
I immediately raised my hand. "Will we choose our partners, or will you?" He chuckled. "Neither, Ms. Evans. I have written the names of all the girls in our class on separate slips of paper, and the gentlemen will pick a name by random lottery."
Next to me, Marlene called out, "How long will we have the Puffskein?"
"Excellent question. Two months." Two months? I had better get along with my partner.
"Good, good. Now, gentlemen, please form a line so you may pick from the jar. Please meet with your partner after everyone has drawn, so as to discuss schedules and such with said partner."
Marlene and Taylor Long, a fast-talking, hyper Hufflepuff, stood next to me. "I'm quite nervous for the partner pairing, I mean, we're going to be spending a lot of time with this person, and you really don't want to be stuck with someone you dislike! Well, I hope I get Amos Diggory, he's quite cute, and….." she stopped when Marlene said, very calmly, "Slow down, Taylor. You'll be fine."
By this time, four of the nine or so boys had drawn. Hmm. Maybe I'll get Remus that would be nice. He's quite responsible, and we do have nice discussions during rounds.
"Marlene, who do you want?" I questioned her. "Well, Justin Davis is looking quite fit. I suppose he wouldn't be too bad." She replied, referring to a Hufflepuff boy.
"Yes, yes, we're all set! Gentlemen, find your partners, and once you determine class schedules and extracurriculars and such, please come to me and I will give you your Puffskein. Now, to make things a bit easier, I have charmed each Puffskein's fur. They are all different colors, so no need to worry about confusion over Puffskeins."
I looked around, barely listening to Kettleburn. Marlene was standing off to the side with Justin Davis, looking ecstatic as she gave me a thumbs up-when he wasn't looking, of course.
Sirius Black walked up to me. Oh no, this isn't happening, please Merlin, anyone but him! "So, Lily, looks like I'll be working with-"Don't say, it, don't say it! "Grace Longbottom." He finished, with a mischievous smile. I whacked him on the arm as he went to find his partner.
Hah, Potter hasn't found his partner yet, either. Or she ran away screaming when she saw him. Or- oh no! Potter and I were the only ones without partners! He's coming up to me, I'm going to hurl! "Evans. I assume this is your name on my paper?" I peeked at the scrap, ready to have an anxiety attack. Lily Evans was written on it in Professor's rough scrawl. "Hah, funny Potter. Who'd you trade with?"
"Actually, Evans, no one. I pulled this out, fair and square. Shall we get our Puffskein and work out details at Hogsmeade this weekend?" I almost replied with a sour, "Whatever", but then caught myself. "Clever, Potter. But I have a boyfriend, remember?" A smirk appeared on his face. "That can quickly be changed, if you'd like."
"But what if I don't?" I asked. "Still can be arranged," he grinned. "Save it. Give me your class schedule and what days you have Quidditch and I'll comprise a chart so that we can switch it off." He began rummaging through his bag and pulled out a crumbled, torn, and almost illegible class schedule. I sighed as I smoothed it out. Boys. I pulled a quill from my bag. "Write down the days you have Quidditch," I told him.
Potter looked at me with a blank stare. "What, are you a troll?" He shook his head. "I don't know which days I have Quidditch. We practice when we need it." I almost growled, but held it in. "Then how are you supposed do have a life?" I exasperated. He responded with a boyish smirk. "Quidditch is life."
"Never mind then, I'll just have to work around it. Let's get our Puffskein." We headed over to the large playpen where Kettleburn had put the furry little creatures. There weren't many left, considering Potter and I had delayed so long. "Ah, yes, Ms. Evans and Mr. Potter. Which color would you like?" I looked at the remaining Puffskeins. There was an emerald green female, cotton-candy pink female, ruby red male, and a brown male that looked like a rock. Without consulting me, Potter blurted, "Green." I glared at him. Of course the green one was nice, but it would have been even nicer to have a say.
Professor picked up the Puffskein and handed it to me. Holding it gently, I stroked the top of it. In textbook fashion, a humming noise emitted from the small creature. "What should we name it?" I asked James. Wait. Did I just refer to him as 'James'? I mentally slapped myself. "Amaranta." He blurted, as if it just came to him. "It's acceptable. Ammie for short, I suppose," I said while trying to hold back a smile. Perhaps this project wouldn't be so terrible after all.
A/N: I like this chapter much, much more. It was really fun to write! Review, all my lovelies, and you shall be rewarded with a new chapter soon! Any suggestions, please PM me! Bye bye, for now!