KittyWillow - Yes, Michelle is quite the protective sister type. Tala, no matter what, could never be mad at her sister. Keep that in mind for later on. Thanx, glad you like it. And here's my pleasant update!
GLAD YOU ALL LIKE THIS STORY AND 'HOGWARTS NEW CELEBRITY.' WELL, KEEP ON READING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS. FOR BOTH FAN FICS!
Chapter 3 - Your Mother Does WHAT?!
The Gryffindors trudged across the grass towards Hagrid's hut where the Slytherins were already waiting. Hagrid had them all come out to the area behind his hut (same place where he had them come in third year to see Buckbeat). Chewing on a rabbit was a large gray beast with a large, sharp horn upon its nose and a long, rope-like tail. The students stared at it fearfully as they all took a step back. Not even the Gryffindor trio was going near the creature.
"Can anyone tell me what this creature is?" asked Hagrid.
No one had a clue. None of them had ever seen this sort of creature before. It was then that Tala spoke.
"It is an Erumpent. They come from Africa and weight up to a ton, sometimes being mistaken for a rhinoceros at a distance," said Tala.
The Slytherins mildly laughed when they saw Tala make weird motions with her hands. Hagrid chuckled and awarded 25 points to Gryffindor.
"Very good. Tala here is right. This is an Erumpent who one of my pals in Africa lent to me for the day. Now whatever you do, do not sorely provoke it. The results would not be pretty."
This time, the Slytherins listened. Especially Malfoy. None of them felt like getting thrown by this huge creature. Hagrid talked a little bit more about the Erumpent, who was named Jelani which was African for "mighty."
"So who would like to pet 'em?" suddenly asked Hagrid.
All of the students stared at him as if he were crazy. After hearing what the creature did if someone provoked it enough was a good enough reason for them to keep away. Looking at the other students fearful looks, Tala carefully walked over to the Erumpent. The students watched in silence as the Erumpent raised its head and gazed at Tala.
The Gryffindor girl smiled and began speaking to the Erumpent in sign language as she crept closer. Jelani became more relaxed at the sight of Tala using sign language to communicate. He stepped closer to her and allowed her to reach her hand out to him. Her hand came in contact with his head and she petted him softly. The Erumpent let out a loud sound of approval and Tala laughed.
The Gryffindor trio cautiously walked over to the two and began petting Jelani as well. Hagrid smiled as he watched the four Gryffindors interact with the Erumpent. Luckily, no one knew that the Ministry of Magic had this creature classified as XXXX: Dangerous, requires specialist knowledge, and skilled wizard may handle. Soon all of the Gryffindors and some Slytherins were admiring the majestic animal.
Tala looked up and at Malfoy who was staring at the creature. He had a look of curiosity on his face but knowing his pureblood butt he wasn't likely to admit it out loud or to anyone. Tala decided to take a chance and strolled over to him. She didn't know it but everyone was staring at her. Malfoy glared at her but Tala just smiled.
"You want to pet him. Allow me to introduce you," said Tala.
"What makes you think I want to pet that foul animal, Hunter!" snarled the blonde Slytherin.
She sighed, grabbed his arm and dragged him over to the others. They spread apart to give them room. Jelani's gaze wavered on Tala but then moved to Malfoy who looked slightly fearful.
"This is Draco Malfoy. He can act sort of like a brat but please give him a chance."
Jelani, as if able to understand Tala, allowed the Slytherin to pet him and even let out a small growl of approval for him. The rest of the Slytherins joined the others and by the time the bell had rung, the whole class had petted Jelani. The Gryffindor trio, Tala, and Seamus hung back to talk with Hagrid.
"When does Jelani go back to Africa?" asked Harry.
"As soon as the last class comes and leaves. He shouldn't stay too long. So my friend will be coming to get him soon," replied Hagrid.
"That was a really brave thing you did with Malfoy, Tala," said Seamus.
"I know. But I am not about to be afraid of a wizard with a bad attitude. Hagrid, does he remind you of Herbie?" inquired Tala.
"Now that yeh mention, he does seem like that stubborn of a hippogriff," answered Hagrid.
"Wait a minute! You know a hippogriff!" exclaimed Ron.
"Know one? Ron, she lives with a bunch of hippogriff's living in her backyard. Her mother is a specialist with 'em and because of that, she has a special license that allows her to keep the hippogriff's at her home," explained Hagrid.
"Your mother does what?!" shrieked the four Gryffindors at Tala.
Tala smiled sheepishly and blushed.
"My mom has been working with them most of her life. Each of them were given a name by each member of my family. For you see, we only have four hippogriff's. I named mine Herbie and he's definitely Malfoy in the form of an animal."
The five Gryffindors laughed and then Hagrid shooed them away. Unfortunately, they were late to Transfiguration but Professor McGonagall did not seem too mad. In fact, she stared at Tala with a look of sympathy who glared at her in return. Taken back by her student's reaction, Professor McGonagall turned away and began speaking.
"Today, we will be discussing Animagi. Very few witches and wizards have been able to transform themselves into an animal. Those that can are registered with the Ministry and kept track of. Now do we have any Animagi in this classroom?" questioned Professor McGonagall.
Only a few hands went up. One of them being Tala's. Professor McGonagall was surprised to find that five of her students were Animagi.
"When I point to you, kindly tell us what your Animagus form is and how long you have been an Animagus," instructed the Transfiguration professor.
"Miss Brocklehurst."
The Ravenclaw girl put her hand down and blushed madly.
"I'm a bluebird. I've been an Animagus since the summer before this year."
"Very good. Mr. Boot."
"Fox. Been one since the end of fourth year."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Boot. If you please, Mr. Corner."
"Frog, mam. Since the ending of this last summer."
"That's not very long but nice to hear. Miss Hunter."
"Wolf. Ever since the summer before third year."
Some of the students let out gasps of surprise and shock. They had never heard of a witch or wizard becoming an Animagus so early. Professor McGonagall looked at Tala with a smile.
"That is quite interesting, Miss Hunter."
The students suddenly got curious. Hermione raised her hand.
"Excuse me, professor, but what's interesting?" questioned Hermione.
"What is interesting is that Tala is Native American for 'wolf'."
Hermione glanced at Tala who smiled and nodded. Class went on from there as the students discussed more about Animagi and Professor McGonagall allowed the others to ask those that were Animagi questions.
"Did it hurt when you first transformed?" asked a curious Ravenclaw.
"Not as much as you probably think. It just sort of feels weird as everything in your body is changing. But after a few times of doing it, it doesn't feel that way anymore," answered Tala.
The Ravenclaw students had already figured out about Tala's deafness and two or three even knew how to speak sign language. They respected Tala and had no problem with the way she was.
"Are you able to he-," the Ravenclaw stopped and slapped a hand over her mouth, not believing what she had been about to say.
Tala laughed and shook her head.
"It is okay. Any question you ask will not offend me," hinted Tala.
The Ravenclaw girl nodded and took her hand down.
"Are you able to hear in your Animagus form?"
Everyone stared at Tala, waiting to see what she would say. Would she say yes or would she say no, they all thought. Silently, Tala shook her head.
"No. In my Animagus form, I am also deaf. It does not bother me because that is how I have lived and that is how I prefer it while in my Animagus form," said Tala.
After that, the students asked the other Animagi questions and when the questioning was finally over, the bell was about to ring. Professor McGonagall had just enough time to assign homework.
"Your assignment is to interview an Animagus. It can be a parent, teacher, or even a classmate. Ask them about their life and what being an Animagus feels likes. The assignment is due at the end of the month. Our Animagi in this class are excused from the assignment. I'll give them one minute to run."
The Animagi quickly bolted out of the room and out of the blue the bell rang. The students laughed as they caught the understanding of why Professor McGonagall let them run out of the classroom. It was so they could escape before anyone could ask them to be interviewed.
"Hey, what class did Tala say she had last?" asked Seamus.
"Art. Since she'll be close to the seventh floor she will probably go straight to the dorms after class," answered Hermione.
"Dang. I just had to take Music," said Seamus, smacking himself in the head.
Tala didn't know where the Art class was so one of the Ravenclaw students who spoke sign language showed her the way.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Tala walked into the classroom and sat down next to a Slytherin student she recognized but didn't know his name. The art teacher, Professor Art, walked over to Tala and smiled.
"Hello Tala. It is very nice to meet you," greeted the professor.
"It is nice to meet you too, professor. What are we doing today?" asked Tala.
"Today is just free draw. You can paint, color, do whatever. Just as long as it isn't homework from your other classes."
Tala grinned and got out her sketchbook. She looked around the classroom for a subject and finally decided on drawing the Slytherin beside her that was painting something on a canvas. He gazed out of the corner of his eyes to see the new girl glancing up at him and drawing
meticulously in her sketchbook.
Is she drawing me or is it just me, thought the Slytherin boy.
After a while, the Slytherin got fed up and decided to find out. He put his paints down and turned toward her.
"What are you drawing?" asked the curious Slytherin.
"You," came the short reply.
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
Tala sighed and stopped sketching.
"Because when I looked at you, my immediate reaction was to want to draw you. Okay?"
The Slytherin stared at her before shrugging his shoulders and going back to painting. Tala finished sketching his face and then began coloring the picture in lightly with colored pencils. When she was done, she showed it to the Slytherin who smirked.
"So the new girl's got some talent, eh?" smirked the boy.
Tala knew what he had said but chose to ignore it.
"By the way, I'm Blaise Zabini. I'm one of Malfoy's close friends," hinted the boy.
"I know. I have seen you with him a lot. You two like to talk to each other about stuff," said Tala.
Tala then turned away and began drawing something else. Blaise glared at her back before continuing his painting.
"You should watch who you turn your back to, Hunter," murmured Blaise.
No one heard the Slytherin's threat and Tala would soon find out that she would learn to regret turning her back on Blaise Zabini.
"So when were you born?"
Tala had allowed Harry to interview her for the Animagus interview assignment since Seamus was interviewing his mom through mail.
"I was born on August 3."
"What's it like to be deaf?"
"It is not bad. Many think that people like me that are deaf do not live normal lives but I do. Since I've been born longer than I can remember, I almost forget that I am even deaf."
"I've heard how some deaf people can look at a person's lips and sort of read what they're saying. Are you able to do this?"
"Yes. It is my special way of hearing. I also watch body language to see the mood of the person."
Just then a small white furball leaped into Tala's lap. Tala smiled as she petted her cat's head.
"This cat of yours, Gabriel, does he go out with you when you wonder around in your
Animagus form?"
"Sometimes. But most of the time he stays in my room sleeping."
"Why did you decide to see if you could become an Animagus?"
"My sister was studying about Animagi and trying to figure out if she could change into one. I looked through the books, made the potion, took it, and became an Animagus."
"Your Animagus form is a wolf, correct?"
"Yes. A black wolf to more precise."
Harry sighed as he pulled out another piece of parchment from his backpack. Tala giggled as the questioning continued until Harry asked a question that made Tala freeze.
"Was Pine View the only other school you've attended?"
Tala's gaze fell to the ground and she absentmindedly petted Gabriel who purred at the soft touch. She had feared the moment when someone would ask her that question but she never thought it would be so soon. Before she had left, Michelle had advised that she tell only those that she felt comfortable telling.
"No. My first year began at Durmstrang. My family is an old pureblood family so I was accepted there. An old friend of my Grandpa's put in a good word for me. But shortly after my arrival there, it all began. Whenever someone spoke to me whether it was a professor or student I would sign while I was talking. No one at Durmstrang had ever encountered a deaf person before.
I was taunted and teased constantly. The professors always turned a blind eye to all of it. I did not want my parents to worry so I wrote Michelle who was in her fifth year here at Hogwarts. She wrote back saying I should tell our parents but I said I wanted to give Durmstrang a chance before I even spoke to our parents.
After the first month, I had barely learned anything because of my professors ignoring me the whole time. I had not made any friends either. Finally, after my latest letter, Michelle notified our parents and they came to Durmstrang. My father was very furious. He yelled at the headmaster that what had been going on was uncalled for and that the professors should have at least stood up for me.
My mother talked to a few of her friends and by the next day, I was transferred to Pine View. They taught me how to cast spells, to be able to cast some spells without saying anything, and how to survive while in my Animagus form. When the end of last year came around, Professor Dougum asked me if I would like to be transferred to another wizarding school where I could learn with wizards and witches that did not know about me.
I agreed. So she talked to my parents and they agreed that it was a good decision. Out of the many wizarding schools presented to me, I chose Hogwarts. I felt that the students at Hogwarts would be more understanding about my deafness. I was right."
Harry was speechless. He had written down notes from what Tala had told him but he just could not believe what she had gone through just to be accepted by her peers.
"Tala, can I ask you for a favor?" asked Harry as soon as he found his voice.
"Sure. What do you need?" replied Tala.
"I wanted to know if you could teach me sign language. I've wanted to learn for some time but never had the time nor the right person to teach me," explained Harry.
For the first time that afternoon, Tala smiled. She was happy to hear that Harry was so eager to learn and that he was asking her to teach him.
"I would love to teach you. How about we meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30?"
"That sounds good since I have Quidditch practice Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with games on Saturday. Would you mind meeting at 3:30 on Sundays too? Plus I can learn
during any other free time we have. If that's okay, of course!"
Tala smiled.
"It is fine."
End of Chapter 3