Author's Note: Finally another update for you guys. I keep apologizing for not updating as frequently as I once did, but I'll finish this eventually. Also it's officially been over a year since I first started writing this! I can't believe it! Thank you all for sticking with me this long. I really appreciate it.
~RedPandaPrincess
Freddie spent the rest of the day in the dungeons with Snape, save for the two hours she spent after lunch helping Amelia with her homework. She was careful to keep her distance from Snape, not wanting to upset him or risk having him angry at her again.
It was late that afternoon, almost dinnertime, when there was a knock on the office door. Freddie was in the lab, adding more Dittany to the Wound-Cleansing Potion, when she heard it. She looked to the outer office where Snape sat at his desk, grading papers.
"You give someone detention already?" she asked, picking up the ladle to stir the cauldron.
"No," he said, frowning slightly as he stood from his desk. "Stay there."
Freddie watched curiously as he went to the door and opened it. She craned her head to see the enormous form of the groundskeeper Hagrid taking up the doorway. He had something cupped in his giant hands that she couldn't see.
"Professor Snape, I'm glad yer here," he said, a note of urgency in his voice. "I need yer help."
"What is it, Hagrid? I have three potions brewing. I am busy."
"Look," Hagrid said, showing Snape what was in his hands. "Newt Scamander brought 'im to me this morning to take care o' – he's going abroad ye see and won't 'ave time to tend 'im. But 'e won't eat, you see, and he's weak. Professor Kettleburn suggested I come ter see you. Do ye have some kind o' Strengthenin' Solution that might help 'im? I don't think he'll survive the night without it."
Snape scrutinized the creature that Hagrid held then turned his head towards the lab.
"Miss Gray," he called loudly and she hurried out, curious to see what Hagrid held. "Hagrid, this is my Potions apprentice, Winifred Gray."
"Aye, I remember ye, Freddie. You were Daniel's best friend. 'E used ter come by my hut all the time an' help me with me animals a bit."
"Yes sir," Freddie said a bit stiffly. She hadn't been to Hagrid's hut since Daniel disappeared.
"Sure do miss him," Hagrid said sadly. "I know ye do too. So does Fang. You should come ter see us sometime."
"Uh..."
"I believe Miss Gray can help you Hagrid," Snape said smoothly, stepping aside. Hagrid lowered his hands to reveal an impossibly small kitten. Freddie sucked in a breath of surprise.
"Is that-?" she gasped.
"A kneazle kit," Hagrid confirmed. "He's only a few days old. An ol' friend brough 'im ter me. The mother rejected it ye see."
"Oh my goodness," she breathed. "He's so small."
"Newt said to feed 'im every four hours but I haven' been able to get 'im ter eat anythin'. He hasn' been movin either. He was mewin and all at first but he's gone quiet now and won' rouse."
"Can I see him?" she asked, holding her hands out. "What have you been feeding him?"
"Jus' regular milk," he said, transferring the kitten into her hands. "I thought ye mught 'ave somethin' ter help get his strength up."
"I have a few ideas," she said with a nod, her mind already forming a plan. "Can I keep him? I promise I'll take care of him. I love kneazles."
"I dunno," Hagrid said doubtfully. "Newt gave 'im ter me to tend."
Freddie couldn't help but wonder if he'd be so reluctant if Daniel was there.
"Show him your Patronus," Snape suggested quietly.
Freddie held the kit carefully in one hand – he was so small he could fit comfortably in just one palm – and drew her wand. She focused on a happy memory – lying in bed with Snape the morning of September 1st before she left for the train. How he had kept pulling her back into bed.
"Expecto Patronum," she said with a flick of her wrist.
The shining kneazle patronus erupted from the tip of her wand. It bounded around the room, then came back to the doorway and wound itself between Hagrid's tree trunk sized legs.
"Well now," the giant said softly.
"My wand core is also kneazle whisker," Freddie said confidently. "and I'm in the process of becoming an Animagus. Since my patronus is a kneazle, my animagus form should be too."
"Can' argue with tha'. I reckon ye were meant ter have 'im, Freddie."
"I'll take care of him," she promised, stowing her wand away as her Patronus disappeared. "You have nothing to worry about."
"Alrigh'. Thanks, Freddie. Let me know if there's anythin' ye need, anythin' I can do to help."
"Yes sir. Thank you."
Hagrid nodded his bushy head and left. Snape shut the door behind him then turned to Freddie who was gazing tenderly at the kitten, stroking its head with one finger.
"Now what are you going to do with it?" he asked.
"Now," she said confidently. "I need to go to London."
