Chapter 12: Genuine

"Did you see that!? She flew from all the way across the field right under you to catch you!" says Izzie.

"Yeah, she's awesome," Alex grins.

"I heard that Addison Montgomery is one of the youngest seekers in a century," says George. "She's only a second-year."

"That's because Ravenclaw's seeker graduated in her first year," says Cristina. "I heard he was legendary."

Meredith just sits there in a daze, appreciating the praise from her new… Friend(?), and being content that they all appreciate her.

She can't stop grinning, pleased that she got to talk to Addison again, even if the circumstances were rather embarrassing.

"What class do we have next?" asks Cristina, interrupting them, never wanting to miss out on an academic opportunity.

"Looks like…" Meredith fumbles with her robe until she finds the pocket, and pulls out a schedule. "Looks like we have a class about mythical beasts, taught by Finn Dandridge," says Meredith.

"Ooh, and it's also outside!" says Izzie excitedly.

They make their way to what has been affectionately referred to as "Finn's lair," where he lives, and raises his many magical pets, and they each take a seat on the logs he's set out for them.

"For your first class, I'll be teaching you how to take care of the pets you've brought here," says Finn.

A few students groan in the back because they were hoping for something more exciting, like dragons, or three-headed dogs, rather than simply toads, owls, and kittens.

"Each of these animals has their own routines and feeding schedules," says Finn. "And the important thing is to love them, and support them, and learn from them," Finn offers. "If you ever run into any trouble, or your pets do, you know where to find me."

He then sets them off into groups and teaches them how to trim an owl's nails, how to coax a cranky toad into jumping again, and how to wash a reluctant kitten's fur.

"That's right, the cats seem to like you, Ms. Grey," says Finn, and Meredith beams.

This is the first professor who has ever complimented her, and much to her delight, it is also the first and only lesson so far in which she's had more natural talent compared to Cristina.

"You've got to be genuine, Ms. Yang," says Finn kindly. "Kittens can sense when you're only faking it."

"Whatever," Cristina mumbles once the professor is out of earshot. "Darned cats aren't my thing anyway."

"I never knew they were my thing," says Meredith, smiling, as she pets the kitten, who seems to be nuzzling it's way under her chin. "Ellis had no time for pets, and my father was allergic, so we never had any."

"We never had any pets either," deadpans Cristina. "Maybe it was because my mother thought that I'd just scare them off."

"Maybe," Meredith teases.

Cristina rolls her eyes at her friend.

After the kittens, Meredith and Cristina do learn about the other pets, and although Meredith doesn't show a particular gift with the owls and toads, she doesn't show any signs of being horrible with them either, and that in itself, to Meredith, is most definitely a victory.

A/N: To be 100% transparent, there will be absolutely no relationship between Meredith and Finn in this fic, I don't do minor-adult relationships (eek!), and I don't do teacher-student relationships. Thanks all :).