Author's Note: In the previous chapter, ages and ages ago someone mentioned
that hedgehogs don't have quills. Well, monster does. He has tiny little
quills on his back, the feathered writing kind. Remember, he used to be a
book.
Doing the Responsible Thing
It had been a week since Monster had entered Draco's life. No one knew of Monster's existence, save Draco of course, but feeding Monster had become a problem. You could only come up with so many reasons for constantly buying ink and unbeknownst by his peers, Draco's money was carefully controlled by dear ol' Papa. Any more excuses, and Draco's hide would have rungs like a ladder at Christmas time.
So at the end of ten days, Draco had come to the hardest decision of his life. He had to be responsible, fair to Monster, and very fair to himself. He was much too young to be a parent, soooo the only way out was to leave the animal at the big oaf, Hagrid's, door step and say good bye.
The last dinner was tearful, almost. Draco sadly fed Monster his graded potions homework, O as usual, and Monster perfectly ignorant of anything out of the ordinary, gobbled it down like the glutton he was. Draco even gave him a treat of parchment paper and soon sleepy and full, the little hedgehog curled next to Draco in their silk hung bed and fell fast asleep. He snorted and grunted softly in his sleep, his little paws twitching occasionally. Draco had never felt guilty in his life and tonight. Well, he didn't feel guilty or bad, just remotely uncomfortable. But he told himself it was for the best. When everyone was in bed, Draco donned his invisibility cloak and picked up the sleeping hedgehog.
Darting onto the school grounds, he lay his only true friend in the world on the doorstep and kicked the door. He pulled the cloak over his face. There was the fierce barking of Fang, the idiot dog, and it woke Monster. Monster looked around dazed, where was he? Where was his nice warm home cuddled next to Draco? It was cold. Monster shivered. The barking got worse and when the door cracked open, Monster made a run for it, straight into the Forbidden Forest.
Draco chased after it, calling. "Get back here, you blood git!!" Carefully, keeping his hood on. However, the swift animal quickly disappeared into the depths of the dark forest and Draco being none to brave himself did not enter. Mournfully, he made his way back to the Slytherin dungeons and passed the night recounting the pleasant memories they had shared. Their many imaginary conquests of slaying Potter and company, the voodoo paper dolls that Monster had joyfully devoured, their plans of world domination, and of course getting back at dear ol' Papa. Just imagining the look of his face when he found his most important papers chewed through brought a wistful smile on Draco's face.
Two days later, Neville was attacked near the greenhouse. He claimed that a knee high monster had stolen his book bag and tried to kill him after Madam Pomfrey revived him. He had ink stains on his clothes. Draco was positive it was Monster. He must be starving in the forest after his pampered short life. There was only one thing to do. Draco had to live up to his mistakes. He had to blame Ginny. He must tell Dumbledore of the transfigured book, before a Wizard Pest Control Team was dispatched. He was working on a plausible story, when unexpectedly he was called to Dumbledore's office. Opening the door, he saw Ginny and she pointed her accusing finger straight at him. Draco was a dead man.
Doing the Responsible Thing
It had been a week since Monster had entered Draco's life. No one knew of Monster's existence, save Draco of course, but feeding Monster had become a problem. You could only come up with so many reasons for constantly buying ink and unbeknownst by his peers, Draco's money was carefully controlled by dear ol' Papa. Any more excuses, and Draco's hide would have rungs like a ladder at Christmas time.
So at the end of ten days, Draco had come to the hardest decision of his life. He had to be responsible, fair to Monster, and very fair to himself. He was much too young to be a parent, soooo the only way out was to leave the animal at the big oaf, Hagrid's, door step and say good bye.
The last dinner was tearful, almost. Draco sadly fed Monster his graded potions homework, O as usual, and Monster perfectly ignorant of anything out of the ordinary, gobbled it down like the glutton he was. Draco even gave him a treat of parchment paper and soon sleepy and full, the little hedgehog curled next to Draco in their silk hung bed and fell fast asleep. He snorted and grunted softly in his sleep, his little paws twitching occasionally. Draco had never felt guilty in his life and tonight. Well, he didn't feel guilty or bad, just remotely uncomfortable. But he told himself it was for the best. When everyone was in bed, Draco donned his invisibility cloak and picked up the sleeping hedgehog.
Darting onto the school grounds, he lay his only true friend in the world on the doorstep and kicked the door. He pulled the cloak over his face. There was the fierce barking of Fang, the idiot dog, and it woke Monster. Monster looked around dazed, where was he? Where was his nice warm home cuddled next to Draco? It was cold. Monster shivered. The barking got worse and when the door cracked open, Monster made a run for it, straight into the Forbidden Forest.
Draco chased after it, calling. "Get back here, you blood git!!" Carefully, keeping his hood on. However, the swift animal quickly disappeared into the depths of the dark forest and Draco being none to brave himself did not enter. Mournfully, he made his way back to the Slytherin dungeons and passed the night recounting the pleasant memories they had shared. Their many imaginary conquests of slaying Potter and company, the voodoo paper dolls that Monster had joyfully devoured, their plans of world domination, and of course getting back at dear ol' Papa. Just imagining the look of his face when he found his most important papers chewed through brought a wistful smile on Draco's face.
Two days later, Neville was attacked near the greenhouse. He claimed that a knee high monster had stolen his book bag and tried to kill him after Madam Pomfrey revived him. He had ink stains on his clothes. Draco was positive it was Monster. He must be starving in the forest after his pampered short life. There was only one thing to do. Draco had to live up to his mistakes. He had to blame Ginny. He must tell Dumbledore of the transfigured book, before a Wizard Pest Control Team was dispatched. He was working on a plausible story, when unexpectedly he was called to Dumbledore's office. Opening the door, he saw Ginny and she pointed her accusing finger straight at him. Draco was a dead man.
