That Friday afternoon I was sitting in Ravenclaw tower bored out of my mind. I had done all my homework and it was more than an hour until dinner so I headed down to Hagrid's. It was a nice day, the sun was shining and the owls were singing. I skipped to Hagrid's cabin almost dislocating my ankle on the hill.

I knocked on the large wooden door of Hagrid's hut. Seconds later was greeted by the friendly face of Hagrid and Fang, the massive boarhound attempted to attack me with all of the love he could muster from behind Hagrid.

"Rosie!" Hagrid greeted me brightly. "Come in, come in!"

He stood aside and let me inside his hut. I wrestled with Fang to get to my usual seat in Hagrid's hut. Only to be jumped on and sat on by Fang when I sat down. I couldn't complain he was too cute even when he was total crushing me and possibly breaking several of my ribs.

"You've come just in time." Hagrid began.

I couldn't see him with Fang completely blocking my view.

"I've just made a fresh batch of rock cakes."

"Yummy," I said in response.

"Here try one, I made them with a special ingredient, cinnamon!"

"Cinnamon, yummy," I said accepting a rock cake Hagrid had handed to me taking a small bite.

I gave Hagrid the thumbs up since my teeth were stuck together with his rock cake. Fang turned to me looking sympathetic, even the dog that will eat anything doesn't like Hagrid's rock cakes.

"So, Rosie, how yer family these days?" Hagrid asked. "It's been awhile since I've heard from them."

"Well, last time I checked mom's elbow deep in Ministry work and dad's still having a good time working with Uncle George." I said. "They told me to tell you that they send their love."

"That's nice." Hagrid smiled. "Hugo, he's in second year now, imagine that, popped into me to say 'ello on Wednesday. He growing up to be just like Ron."

Hagrid handed me a cup of tea that he was brewing.

"Have you seen Albus around lately." Asked Hagrid. "Hasn't visited me since first year. Everyone else in your family down almost every week. He barely stops for a chat just nods to me when he sees me. He's becoming very… strange."

"He's been 'Slytherinafied', Hagrid." I answered. "Maybe one day he'll get his brain back and returned to being the old Albus that we all love. Anyway, let's talk about something else. Didn't you say to me before the start of summer last year that you would take me to the Forbidden Forest once you finished your new thestral breeding program and I could see that new herd? Maybe... even adopt a baby thestral?"

Hagrid chuckled.

"Yeh don't forget a thing now do yeh, Rosie?" Hagrid said. "We can go now if yeh want. Just don't tell yer mother. She'll come after me if she learns I yeh into the forbidden forest."

I tried to push Fang off me but he really did not want to budge. Hagrid came to my rescue and lifted him off me. It felt good being able to breathe again. I stood up and stretched trying to get rid of the pins and needles in my legs.

"But I don't know about yeh adoptin' a baby thestral. I don't think headmistress McGonagall or the thestral mother would be too happy with that. So would yeh settle with feedin' one?"

I smiled at the thought. "It's the next best thing, so sure!"

Hagrid pulled on his heavy dark moleskin coat and we headed out of his hut. Outside his hut, there were several grey metal buckets hanging on a post made out of sticks of wood. Hagrid grabbed a bucket full of raw meat and various fruits and handed it to me. I had to walk quickly to keep up with his huge stride. Fang ran in circles about us as we moved.

We didn't have to walk that far since Hagrid's hut was close to the Forbidden forest. The moment I stepped into the Forbidden Forest a rush of excitement came over me. The light was darker in the forest because the sun was hidden by the branches of many thick trees.

"The thestral aren't far so don't worry, Rosie, we're not going deep into the forest." Hagrid told me as I tried to avoid tripping over roots of the trees.

It was a five minute walk to the thestral pack that was hidden behind an enormous thorn bush.

"This is where they usually hang out." Hagrid held the thorn bush back so I could walk through without injury.

"Where are they?" I asked since I had never seen death I couldn't see the thestral but I still wanted to pet them.

I walked forward reaching out my hand to feel if any thestral were near. I suddenly felt a small form banged against my legs causing be to tumble backward.

I dropped the bucket in the process causing the contents to spill out onto the floor.

"Let me guess, Hagrid, thestrals."I said from my sitting position on the floor. I could see the meat and fruit that fell out of the bucket disappearing into thin air.

"Yes, a clever little baby thestral." Hagrid chuckled. "And here comes the rest."

The food started to disappear at a fast rate. I stood up and dusted the forest twigs and dirt off my robes.

"Rosie, come here."

I stood next to Hagrid who was kneeling down next to the disappearing food. I joined him, I could hear a chewing and licking noise coming from the empty space in front of me.

"Awwww!" I cooed knowing one of the thestral's was right in front of me.

"Hungry one isn't, he?" Hagrid beamed. "Place yer hand here." He pointed in front of him.

I placed my hand on the spot where Hagrid told me.

I could feel hard bone covered by slick skin. As I moved my hand upwards I could feel silk like hair that was the mane.

"That one that yer pettin' here is just three months old." Hagrid said. "I'll let you pet one of the full-size ones."

I got to pet with all twelve thestrals and play with the invisible creatures who were the perfect combination of playful and gentle.

By the time Hagrid and I immerged from the forbidden forest I had sticks and leaves in my hair and dirt on my robes.

"I'll see you at dinner, Rosie." Hagrid waved to me as we parted ways at his cabin.

"You too, Hagrid. Thanks for taking me to see the thestrals." I called back to him walking up the hill back to the castle.

I was almost out breath when I reached the top of the hill.

"Stupid quidditch! Idiots!" I heard a familiar voice snap.

I turned to find Malfoy attacking a tree with his broomstick not too far away. He was almost out of sight only the glint of his blonde hair gave away where he was. I passed several trees and walked towards him.

"What's with the hissy fit, Malfoy?" I asked smirking at him.

Malfoy snapped out of his attack on the tree and dropped his broomstick.

"Leave me alone, Weasley!" he snapped at me.

"What was that I heard 'stupid quidditch' never thought I hear those words come from your mouth."

Malfoy picked up his broomstick and began to walk away. "You misheard, Weasley."

I walked to next to him keeping the same stride as him.

"Then what did you say?" I said amused.

Malfoy stopped dead and turned to me. I let out a gasped as I saw the side of his face that was hidden from me. Up close I could see it was swollen and red.

"Go, Weasley!"

"What happened to you?" I asked almost reaching out to touch his face but then thinking better of it.

"Bludger." Malfoy began to walk away again.

I walked next to him. "Did you go to the Hospital Wing it looks serious."

"What do you care, Weasley?" Malfoy snapped kicking the dirt.

I stayed silent by his side. I knew there was something else bothering him (why did I care?!).

"You didn't make the team, did you?" I asked quietly knowing this could send him boiling.

Malfoy quickened his pace, I followed. "I have the best bloody broom on the team next to Potter's, I practised everyday during the summer. How can I not be good enough!"

I felt a bit sorry for Malfoy (what?) so I tried to offer comforting words. But the only comforting words I could offer were.

"It's just quidditch." I said trying to be kind but I really, really, really should not have said that.

Malfoy stopped suddenly and turned to me. "If it was 'just quidditch' I would be on the team right now." His tone was deadly serious.

Before I could respond loud laughter filled the air and nasty voices.

"I think this year will be the best year yet for Slytherin!"

"Yeah, we got the best of the best."

"Yeah, but at tryouts, the worse of the worse really did show up."

"Yeah, Avery is just getting worse every year."

"Noooooo, Malfoy. Oh my Merlin he was… I can't even think of a word."

"I swear he made that bludger hit him on purpose."

"Ha, ha, ha I just had to throw that bludger at him. He was just too pathetic to watch."

I could feel Malfoy's fist clench next to me. I turned to him to see his teeth gritted. But hurt was evidence in his grey eyes.

I whispered to him. "Come on, Malfoy let's go."

He didn't seem to hear me so I pulled at his sleeve. "You don't need to hear this."

I grabbed his arm and pulled him with all the strength I could gather. He reluctantly gave into me when it was clear that the Slytherins had moved on.

With my hand still holding arm, I looked up at him. I could feel my face suddenly heating up with the sudden realisation that he was standing so close to me.

I jumped back released his arm making Malfoy look at me.

"Let's go to the Hospital Wing."

Malfoy nodded his grey eyes staring into my brown eyes.


"Wait, here, Malfoy." Madam Pomfrey said gesturing for him to sit on a one of the free beds. "I have a more serious injury to deal with."

Malfoy sat down on top of the nearest bed.

"Does it hurt?" I asked joining him.

Malfoy looked at me for a moment to see if I was messing with him or not, then he answered. "No, not really, not in anymore. It just feels numb and stiff."

"That's good…" I said.

"You know you don't have to stay with me."

"There's nothing else to do."

"I thought it was your ambition to live every second of your school life in the Library."

"Ha, ha very funny," I said sarcastically. "if you don't want me to be here just say it, Malfoy."

Malfoy just smiled at me. "Well, clearly you're better company than my friends today."

"Can't say the same for you." I smiled back.

"Whatever."

"Whatever?" I shoved him.

"Whatever." He shoved back.

This quickly started a shoving war. It when on for several minutes until Madam Pomfrey showed up and said sternly,

"Take your strange romantic affections outside my Hospital Wing."

That brought the shoving war to an immediate halt. I cringed and stared at my shoes while Malfoy had his face fixed.