A/N: Written for the Houses Competition forum's rond 6 for Slytherin House as a drabble.
Prompt: 6. [Professor] Silvanus Kettleburn
Word count: 499
For the first time ever, Rubeus thought he was actually going to enjoy school. This was the first time he'd go to a class he was actually interested in. Due to his excitement (and elongated strides) Rubeus made it to the grounds first.
The professor was setting up something for class when Rubeus got there.
"Uh, sir, what've you got there?" Rubeus asked quietly. Even so, the teacher jumped.
"Oh! Hello," he said, glancing up at Rubeus. When he saw the Slytherin tie, however, he smiled. "You must be from my next class. I'm Professor Kettleburn."
Rubeus nodded. "I'm Rubeus, Rubeus Hagrid."
"I was just setting up. These are bowtruckles." He stepped back so Rubeus could look through the slats of the crate. Little green creatures scrabbled along tiny trees in the wooden box. "I was trying to get one of them to stand still on my hand, but they're not budging."
"Can I help?" Rubeus blurted.
Kettleburn raised his eyebrows. "Well, son, it's just… They need to trust you, see? I've been trying to get them on my palm for fifteen minutes now."
Rubeus nodded sullenly. He turned away when Kettleburn called, "Wait. I can see you're a dedicated kid. Why don't you give it a go?"
"Really?" The professor nodded.
"Be real gentle, now. They might not take to you imme–" In the time he'd taken to speak, Rubeus had already coaxed one of the bowtruckles onto his palm and was holding it up so it could hop on his shoulder. Kettleburn stared, dumbfounded. "How–?"
"I learn pretty quick," Rubeus mumbled as he crooned at the little green creature.
Kettleburn looked on at the boy smiling and laughing when the bowtruckle chattered. After a time, he asked, "You got many friends, lad?"
Rubeus's cheerfulness faded at once. "No, sir," he mumbled. "I intimidate people, I think. Just my toad, Wallace."
"Well, consider me a friend. Kids are just close-minded and scared from what their parents tell them."
Rubeus flushed. "Thank you, sir."
"Sure. You know what? I have something I could give you." He dug around in his robe pockets and pulled out an egg. "I went to a Muggle farm and got a fertilized chicken egg yesterday. It just needs to be incubated at around 38 degrees and turned five times a day, and it should hatch in about three weeks. If you come by on the weekends I can help."
Rubeus cupped his hands and Kettleburn gave it to him delicately. "Thank you," he breathed. "I'll do my best."
"I'll be expecting to see the results next month." The professor winked and turned to the tide of third years that just arrived.
Rubeus stared at the man in shock. No one had ever volunteered to spend time with him as friends, much less give him a gift. He smiled and carefully pocketed the egg and went to join the rest of the class. Oh yes, he was going to be enjoying school a lot more.
Yeah, I've always imagined Hagrid as a Slytherin (the Ministry would be looking for a Slytherin to open the Chamber of Secrets and the future Lord Voldemort, as a Slytherin Prefect, wouldn't be concerned with anyone outside of his own House). Plus it's nice to have good guy in our House for once ;) It seemed fitting for Hagrid to be close with the CoMC teacher, especially after his father died. I can only imagine his pride at being able to take over the position in Harry's third year. *tears up* Lemme know what your thoughts are!