Before Nick and Brawley had reached Wildfork Veld, a familiar female had linked arms with both Ravenclaws. Nick didn't even need to look to see who it was. He knew immediately that it was Viola. Obviously, Nick and the blonde hadn't had the opportunity to talk since the sorting ceremony. There was a part of Nick that had felt like he had let Viola and Alexa down by not being in Gryffindor. Now, though, he would have at least one class with Viola. So that way they could catch up. The blonde had a smirk on her face as they all headed towards their first period.
"Ello boys. How's life in the nerd house?", Viola laughed at her own joke. Yes, Ravenclaw had the reputation for book smart students, but that wasn't the case. Nick just rolled his eyes as Viola continued to cackle. Nick was going to respond, but it was Brawley who offered a retort first.
"That nerdy House kicked Gryffindors ass last year in Dungeon and the Pokémon Cup.", Viola rolled her eyes at Brawley's comment. That was not going to happen again.
"Well Alexa was hurt last year and couldn't compete in the Dungeon competition.", a sly grin crept on her face. A glimmer in her eyes. "Plus I was the best Dungeon player in high school." Brawley looked at a nick for confirmation. Nick nodded. Viola had dominated at Dungeon even with rented Pokémon. That was the most impressive part. She was incredible at the sport. Now she was probably going to be on the gauntlet team for Gryffindor. This made Nick worried for Ravenclaw's team.
Viola shot Brawley a look, "see, Nick would know better than anyone, I am a great gauntlet player. You'll see it in person." To punctuate her statemen, Viola stuck her tongue out at Brawley. Brawley just shook his head as he leaned into Nick's side. "Is she always like this?", Nick nodded emphatically. Yes, this was who Viola was. Brawley would probably get used to her and see she wasn't so bad.
"Yeah, Viola has a tendency to be a little annoying. But underneath it all she is a sweetheart. One of the kindest people I have ever met.", Brawley seemed to absorb these words and gave a glance towards Viola and then back to Nick. "Well, we don't have people as, colorful, as Viola. But if you say she's good then I might as well give her a chance.", Nick as glad. At least he wouldn't have to worry that Brawley and Viola arguing. If Brawley was willing to give her a chance then that was just the first step. Now that just left Viola...
Viola, meanwhile, had been leaning in trying to catch what Nick and Brawley had been talking about. Growing sick of not being able to hear what the two boys were saying she decided to do the one thing she was able to do. She slapped both of them in the back of the heads. Nick and Brawley looked perturbed as they looked at the blonde. "Don't be dicks. What were you talking about?", she put her hands on her hips. "Are you two discussing how much you love me? Boys, I know I am a catch, but you both aren't my type."
Nick rubbed the bridge of his nose and tried to compose himself before turning towards his best friend. "I was telling Brawley that you aren't so bad when you act normal. But", he looked at Brawley who looked just as annoyed as Nick was. "I think I want to retract that statement." Viola usually only 'acted' like this when she was nervous. And after being paraded in front of the whole school, he imagined that her nerves were shot. Of course Nick knew this, but Brawley did not. Nick just hoped that Brawley would give Viola a chance.
"Besides, who says you're even MY type?", the comment from Brawley made Nick and Viola stop in their tracks. Since they had known him, they never knew the would be fighting master to make a joke. That was until now. Both looked at each other then at Brawley. The blue haired student just shrugged. It was viola that decided to speak first, "Brawley, this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
The trio continued on their way to Wildfork Veld. The veld was quite far from the main castle of Hogwarts. From what Nick had been told, the veld was the perfect place to go hunting for wild Pokémon on campus. The older students had said that they had gotten their best Pokémon from this area. So the fact that the first period would presumably involve catching in the veld was very promising. It also made up for the fact that it seemed like the trek to the veld was endless. Not that Nick minded, he had eaten too much at dinner and breakfast, but he knew that Viola did not long treks. She was a city girl that preferred traveling by car than walking. Nick looked over and saw that Viola was struggling. 'Well of she's like this now then I can't wait to see her actually try to chase some Pokémon.', the thought brought a smile to his face.
"Hey Viola, do you know anything about this Professor Hagrid, is he a good trainer?", the earlier interactions has seemed to bring Brawley out of his shell a bit. Nick, too, wanted to know more about this professor. Viola caught up with both Nick and Brawley. She paused to catch her breath before answering,
"Alexa says that he's interesting. Said most students like him because he's very nice, but..." she looked around to make sure no one else was privy to the information. "His methods are uhhhh interesting." Both males did not like the way Viola said interesting. That wasn't what they wanted to hear about a professor. Sure every student had their own opinions about professor's teaching methods. But interesting was never good. It was the universal sign that a professor was bizarre.
"What do you mean interesting?". Nick shot at his best friend. Brawley too was wondering what exactly Viola meant by interesting. The blonde shrugged as they continued to heads towards the veld. She tucked her arms behind the back of her head. "Well Alexa said that Professor Hagrid is a huge fan of dragon types. Has the eggs and newly hatched babies all over his cottage. Alexa said one lesson he wanted his students practicing catching techniques on some of the dragon types. Well one student got to close to a hydreigon and the dragon type attacked the student." There was a stunned silence between the first years. That didn't sound like fun. In fact Nick was secretly terrified at the prospect given the reputations of dragon types. If what Alexa had told Viola was true then this would be an "interesting" class.
"Norbert wouldn't hurt a ribombee!", a gruff, booming voice came from behind the eighteen year olds. All three turned around and nearly jumped. Their eyes widened with the realization of who the voice belonged to. This was a bad nightmare. Standing before them was the figure that had greeted them at the train station. The giant had a huge beard that Nick swore had grown last he had seen the professor. Hagrid had a large sack slumped over his shoulder. His eyes peered at the talkative first years. "Yer got yer facts wrong. Wha happened was that the student tried to pet Norbert after I told him Norbert hadn't been fed yet. Norbert just gave him a warning thass all."
None of the others had wanted to try and argue with the professor. He was not only a giant, but controlled their grades. Angering him would not be a good idea. So the students just bowed in apology. "Sorry professor Hagrid, we were just trying to figure out what the class would be like.", Brawley and nick would let Viola take the blame for this. She was the main source of the gossip afterall. The professor stared at the students then rubbed his beard. He then waved the apologies off. "It's alright. 'Eard worse. Now come on you lot. We have to get to class. We are all late."
Wildfork Veld was larger than any of the first year had expected. Sure they had expected a long grassy area, but this was different. Yes there were grassy areas, but there were makeshift rock formations and the area as a whole seemed to connect to the large lake they had traveled to get to the castle. The first years spotted quite a few Pokémon that they had never seen before. Nick rubbed his hands together in excitement and anticipation. The rules of Erseen forbade anyone under 18 from catching Pokémon. But now the first years could catch Pokémon. The excitement was palatable. Viola was bouncing up and down. Even Brawley had a look of excitement. Everyone's eyes turned to the professor.
Professor Hagrid had set the bag that he had been carrying down. Some students swore that they saw the bag moving several times. But that was not what distracted Nick and his friends. No what had their attention was the large tusked two legged bulldog like Pokémon that stood next to Professor Hagrid. It looked like a Granbull, but this one was coated in steel and it's tusks were quite bigger. Nick wanted to pull out his Pokédex, but thought that he would just look dumb not knowing what the Pokémon was before him. The catching professor looked at all of the first years that stood before him. He gave a smile to the first years.
"Ello. I am Professor Rebeus Hagrid. Oh I have been teaching at Hogwarts about 9 years. Before that I was the gamekeeper here.", Hagrid nodded towards the little shack on the edge of campus. "This here is Fang. He's a Girganbull. But don't worry, he's quite friendly, isn't that right Fang?", the professor petted the Pokémon behind the ears. Fang let out a purr like noise as he enjoyed his trainer petting him. Hagrid looked back at the first years that were intrigued by their professor. "Actually caught Fang right ere my first year. That's why I wanted to teach you lot to catch Pokémon." His eyes started to get a bit misty talking about his memories from being a student at hogwarts.
"Now I want you all to pull out your pokedex.", this caused everyone to grumble. Why did they need their dexes? Nick and Brawley looked at Viola who just shrugged. This did seem to be one of these "interesting" things that the professor did. Nick pulled out his dex though it felt awkward. What was the point of this. The professor nodded as every student had pulled out their dex. "Good. Now who can tell me what this is?", Hagrid reached into his bag and pulled out what appeared to be a glass bottle. Except the thing in the bottle was bouncing all around the bottle. It took Nick a few minutes to realize what the Pokémon was, but before he could answer someone else had raised their hand.
"It's a rotom! They are known to jump into whatever electronic device is around them.", Viola had beaten Nick and Brawley to the punch. Nick rolled his eyes. Viola was trying to be the kiss ass this year. Trying to overcompensate for her last name. Hagrid's smile grew as he gave an emphatic nod. "Very good, Ms. Wulf. 10 points for Gryffindor." Viola stuck her tongue out at Brawley and Nick. She had won this round. Professor Hagrid would then walk over to Viola and opened the bottle containing the Rotom. The electric Pokémon zipped out of the bottle and into the Pokédex. The dex then shook in Viola's hands, finally the dex seemed to grow eyes that stared at Viola.
"Whoa", the blonde said. That sentiment was echo'd by numerous others. The half rotom-half Pokédex just blinked. Hagrid let out a chuckle. "You are now the proud owner of a Rotom Dex. Now will everyone else please be careful. These are tricky buggers. If they get out then I don't want to clean up the mess.", he laughed at his own joke. Though the students felt like it was not a joke. The professor and Fang would then help pass out the glass bottles that contained the Rotoms. The students all would then mimic what the professor had done. Every single dex became a Rotom dex. Hagrid nodded as he witnessed this.
"Good good. Those dexes will help you track the Pokémon better. Learned bout it meself on me trip to Alola this summer. Now speaking of catching Pokémon", the professor reached into his bag and pulled out some belts complete with pokeballs clipped on. Every first year's eyes widened. Nick practically licked his lips when he saw the belt of pokeballs. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation of trying to catch the Pokémon. Professor Hagrid picked up one of the belts. "Yer all need this for yer first assignment. So please come up and take some. Don't worry its one size fit all belt."
The first years all got in line and each received their belt. Each made sure it fit them. After that the students again looked at their professor. "Now you lot will go out to Wildfork Veld and catch your first Pokémon." There was a large cheer from the students. Hagrid though looked serious and held up a large hand that looked more like an iron skillet than human hand. "Listen up. The wildfork veld is quite dangerous. You must go in pairs. You have half an hour to go out and catch a Pokémon. Now if you want a hint, enter the type of Pokémon you want and your Rotom dex will guide you to it. Good luck."
The trio all decided to go out together. Of course each one had entered different types of Pokémon. Viola had wanted to go look for a "friend for blaze" in terms of getting a bug Pokémon. Brawley wanted to go find another fighting type. And of course Nick wanted to find another eevelution. As they invited the information into their various Rotom dexes they found that most of their Pokémon were clustered in different areas. Now they had to decide where to go first. All three were arguing about which area they should go to first.
"Come on guys. Ladies should decide where we go first.", Viola pouted as she folded her arms. Brawley and Nick just shook their heads. Viola's tricks wouldn't work on them. That was where the alliance ended though. "Well, the lake is right over there and according to the dex, it's the closest area to catch the Pokémon.", Nick shot Brawley a death stare. There was no way that they were going to pass over Nick's choice to go get some fighting types. "You just want to go there cause there's a fighting type.", Brawley gave Nick a 'duh' look.
Viola, deciding to change strategies, approached Nick and leaned close to him. She pressed her body against his. "Come on Nick. Your my oldest friend. If you let me catch my Pokémon first then we'll we can have some fun later.", she batted her baby blues and tried to reveal some cleavage to entice Nick. Nick though just pushed Viola away. "That only works on me when I am drunk.", Viola just continued to pout even more. The trio would then continue to argue for a good five minutes. That was until ...
"Excuse us.", a trio of mechanical like voices rang out. Nick, Brawley, and Viola all looked at each other. Then they looked around to see where the voices were coming from. "It's us your Rotom dexes.", the trio took out the dexes and saw that the dexes had somehow sprouted mouthes. Of course this was absolutely shocking. Pokedexes weren't supposed to have eyes, let alone talk. This was bizarre. "Instead of arguing. We feel as if you should go after the Pokémon that is the easiest one to catch first. Then pursue the other Pokémon by level of difficulty.", Brawley's Rotom dex said. The students just looked at one another and nodded. What the dex said made sense.
"So Rotom Dex, what type would be the easiest one to catch first?" The dexes all scanned for information and would then come up with their answer. "The bug type has the highest probability of being caught." No other words were needed, Viola just stuck here tongue out the two males. She had been proven right again. Brawley and Nick just sighed as they followed the blonde as she skipped towards where the Rotom Dex was pointing them.At least Viola would be able to get her Pokémon first. Nick wanted to see how tough the pokemon were at Hogwarts. This would be a great way to see it and start to form a game plan when it was his turn to catch the Pokémon.
The skipping Viola led the others to a part of the Veld that seemed like a bug Pokémon's paradise. The three trudged along and nearly got bogged down in the swamp like conditions. They slouched along, surrounded by smaller bug type Pokémon. Nick and Brawley had to swat the smaller bug types away, but Viola seemed unfazed by the smaller bugs. She was a girl on a mission. The other two were not happy as they were dragged into the swamp area. From time to time, Viola would look at her Rotom Dex and then would seem to look around. 'Where is it. It's supposed to be here.', she mumbled. Finally after a few minutes, Nick had enough.
"Come on V. There's plenty of these stupid bug types. Just pick one and let's go." Nick swatted at one that looked like a small flying scorpion. That terrified Nick and he didn't want to be there for too long. Brawley too looked a tad uncomfortable with being in the swampy area surrounded by bug type Pokémon. Viola meanwhile just shook her head. "No, there's a certain Pokémon that I want. It's supposed to be around here." She seemed desperate to find this Pokémon for whatever reason.
The blonde continued to lead the others through the swamp. As more time passed, Viola seemed more and more desperate. Nick had never seen the blonde look so desperate before. This was not like her at all. Viola pulled out her dex again and let out a loud sigh. She rubbed a hand through her blonde hair out of frustration. That was her tell tale sign that something had been bothering her. "Viola, come on, I know when you're upset and this is it. What's so important that you are dragging us through this swamp." Nick ducked another terrifying looking bug pokemon as he stared at Viola.
The blonde turned towards him and sighed. She looked defeated. The bluster she had shown was now gone. Instead she had a frown on her face. "You remember by dad, Nick?", he had a vague memory of the dad. He had been a bug trainer in fact Nick's parents had said that Viola's dad was the best bug trainer in the world. Nick nodded and wondered where this was going. Viola just looked at the floor as she tried to get the words out that came out next. "Well I remember that he had this certain bug type. It was the coolest looking Pokémon that I had ever seen. I remember spending hours with that Pokémon. Alexa didn't like the bug types, but I loved them. But this one, Nit, was my favorite. But then"
There was a longing in her voice. "Well when my dad disappeared, so did Nit. So I was hoping that today I could find the same type of Pokémon that Nit was. This stupid Rotom dex said that there would be Dearch here. But I haven't seen a Dearch here." That was when Viola broke down. Tears filled her blue eyes. "I just wanted to catch a damn Dearch so that I could just have some connection to my dad. It would help me." Her shoulders bobbed up and down as she let out a pained noise.
"I know you guys don't understand, but it's important for me.", Viola was a mess. Nick knew that the disappearance of her father had taken a toll on her and Alexa. But Viola had always had a smile on her face. That was until now. Nick went to go give his best friend a hug, but was interrupted by Brawley. The blue hair stoic fighting type trainer had moved in and hugged the blonde. He pulled her tight. "We'll find the Pokémon. I promise.", Viola leaned into the strong fighting trainer. She then whispered something into Brawley's ear which made him make a disgusted face. That was Viola being Viola.
Nick and Brawley both put 'Dearch' into their Rotom dexes while they continue to trudge through the swampy like conditions. Everyone kept looking at the ground and tall grass. The sun pounded down on them which did not help with the fact that they were in a swamp. Still all three wanted to find the Pokémon. Finally there was a breakthrough, as the trio reached a slightly wooded portion of the swamp there came a noise. Viola's Rotom Dex started to buzz loudly. She looked at it with hope in her eyes.
"Dearch close. Dearch close", the dex shouted. Viola and the others looked and looked around. They tried to find it. Finally Viola's blue eyes lit up with joy as she saw the Pokémon that she had longed to catch. She slapped Nick in the chest as she pointed into the tree. Nick followed Viola's finger as he saw a pink blur in the tree. All three of them moved slowly towards the tree. On closer inspection the Dearch had a white body. It's ears were shaped like leafs and were pink. The legs of the Pokémon were pinkish, but the coolest thing was the tail. The tail was shaped like a dream catcher. The Dearch did not seem to realize the first years were there. It was perfect for Viola.
Nick took out his Rotom Dex to see what the Pokémon was like. He pointed the dex at the Dearch. "Dearch, the friendly bug Pokémon. A bug psychic type. Unlike most bug types, Dearch are known to approach humans rather than run from them. Dearch are curious by nature. They make for surprisingly good pets especially around young children. This one is a female." This made sense and aligned with what Viola had said. Nick hoped that she could catch it. That would give his oldest friend some joy. She needed a win afterall.
She slowly unclipped a pokeball from her belt. She threw a ball at the Dearch. The ball hit the Pokémon before it could react. Viola crossed her fingers and hoped that the Dearch would stay inside the ball. The pokeball shook once and then twice. Viola's face morphed into a large grin as she silently prayed for the last shake of the ball. Nick and Brawley too hoped that she would catch the Pokémon of her dreams. Then all of a sudden, to Viola's horror, the dearch came out of the pokeball. The friendly bug-psychic type stared at the trio.
"Dearch?", the Pokémon titled her head. Viola frowned and grabbed Blaze's pokeball. She tossed it out as Blaze came out in front of the Dearch.
"Pyra?", Blaze looked at the Dearch and then back at his trainer. He had never been in a fight before. So the fire spider had no idea what his trainer wanted him to do. The Dearch meanwhile had gotten into a battle stance and ready to fight. Viola stared at the Pokémon. There was a lust in her eyes that Nick had seen countless times. She truly wanted this mon. Viola looked at Blaze, "Blaze, we have to catch this mon."
The fire spider nodded, "pyrachae." Blaze took an aggressive stanch in front of its opponent. The Dearch meanwhile just titled its head and smiled. "Blaze, use tackle!", the small fire spider charged at the dearch, but the psychic bug easily moved out of the way. It was quick. Blaze turned around, as the Dearch fired off a wave attack at Blaze. Blaze was hit immediately and was sent flying back.
"Pyra!", as Blaze hit the ground. Viola grimaced as she saw her starter get hit. Sure she had seen Pokémon battles before, but none with her own Pokémon. "Blaze are you ok?", the spider bug pokemon got up and shook its head. "Py", it said to his trainer. Viola smirked at the resolve of her Pokémon. "Alright, try tackle again!" Again the fire spider Pokémon charged at the Dearch. Again the pink Pokémon moved out of the way with ease. But instead of delivering a psychic type move, the Dearch bit down on Blaze.
"Blaze!!", Viola called out as the pyrachae cried out in pain as the Dearch had pierced through the fire spider's body. Even Nick and Brawley winced at the sudden cry of pain. But then something happened that changed the course of the battle. The Dearch would jump back as it's mouth was covered in flames. The Dearch flapped it's arms in front of its mouth as it tried to put out the flames that were now in its mouth. Viola watched in utter confusion as did everyone else.
"Flame body.", Viola's rotom dex said. "When a pokemon with this ability is attacked with a physical move the attacker could be burned." Everyone looked over and could see that the Dearch had been burned. Viola got a smile on her face as she looked at Blaze. "Blaze, quick try to use ember." Blaze nodded as it looked at the now burnt Dearch and started to form some flames in his mouth. "Pyra!", Blaze called as the flames from the fire spider came shooting out towards the pink Pokémon.
"Dearch!", the psychic bug cried out as the flames started to engulf her. The flames burning her skin. Viola, took out another pokeball and threw it at the now crispy Pokémon. The ball shook once and then twice before the middle locked which signaled that the Dearch had been caught. Viola ran over and picked Blaze up. She hugged the fire spider to her chest.
"We did it Blaze. We really did it!", she spun Blaze around as the Pyrachae smiled, well as best as it could smile.
"Pyra!", Blaze cried. Viola would pick up the pokeball that the Dearch was in and then looked back at her two friends. "Alright who is next?" Nick just motioned for Brawley to be the next one to attempt to catch a Pokémon. Nick knew that the Pokémon he wanted was going to be a lot tougher than what Viola had come against. He needed time to come up with a strategy. That was why he had offered Brawley to go first to catch his Pokémon. Brawley nodded and pulled out his rotom dex and led the trio onto their next escapade.
Author's notes: So we see what one of the first instances of Pokémon catching at Hogwarts. I thought that this was a good way to introduce Hagrid as a professor. I was thinking that he could have been something like breeding or something like that, but settled on him being the catching professor. I also went with the concept of a dream catcher Pokémon because it's cool and ties into the psychic aspect. Next chapter we'll do Brawley and Nick catching and check in with Alexa. Also introduce 3 new characters.
