Hello again, I still don't own HP or its expanding universe, I can't wait for FB 2. Read, review, enjoy.
Shenanigans with Spike
November 1993
Fifth Year
Ron and Hermione were walking Harry to the first Quidditch practice since Hufflepuff had won the last match when a lone Dementor floated over head with a growling Monster Book of Monsters clinging to the edge of its cloak, "What the…?" Harry asked as they joined the team.
"Hmm? Oh that's just Spike. The Hufflepuffs are weird," Angelina said as the thump, thump of the book hitting the Quidditch ring the Dementor had floated through resonated throughout the field.
Fred and George joined the group of four, "Weird?" George said.
"No," they agreed.
"The Hufflepuffs are awesome," Fred said, identical grins etched onto both boys faces.
"Hufflepuffs?" Harry asked in wonder.
"They're scary, brilliant though!" Fred said cheerfully.
"Never mess with a Hufflepuff, mate," George warned.
"Well, that poses more questions then it answers…" Hermione said before a whistle was heard and Spike lifted the corners of its cover, like ears. Then there were two short whistles and the book released the Dementor and, making use of its cover, glided through the air, coming to land with a soft thump on the grass before scuttling off.
The Fred and George smiled at each other when they noticed the shock and utter confusion on the trio's faces. "Hufflepuffs, Georgie, Hufflepuffs."
"You said it, Freddie."
Far away at Hagrid's hut, Jo scooped Spike up off the grass and held him in her arms like she held Morgan.
"Hullo Hagrid," a male voice said inside.
"Well, Hullo Mr. Scamander! What're yeh doin' here?"
"We asked him, Hagrid. Hello, Mr. Scamander," Jo said from the doorway. Leili waved to him from beside/behind her.
"Your letter said something about an Occamy?" he said, not looking at them quite straight.
"This is Phoebe," Leili said indicating the hat-box in her arms. "Our last Defense teacher used Occamy yolks in his shampoo and at the end of the year, we managed to procure an egg. I needed the shell for a potion but we didn't expect for her to still be inside. She hatched in July. We can't take care of her properly and Professor Sprout-our Head of House-recommended we talk to you."
Newt glanced sideways at the two young witches in front of him. Black and yellow scarves draped across their shoulders, a badger on their robes, Hufflepuffs. His house. He watched as the shorter of the two carefully lifted the lid of the hatbox while the taller stroked the Monster Book of Monsters in her arms as though it were a cat. They were peculiar. He took a step forward as Leili opened the box and popped her lips at the young Occamy to get her attention.
Jo watched Newt carefully, his hair was still red and his eyes still sparkled and his aged hands were steady as they reached into the box and carefully lifted Phoebe out. "Hullo," he whispered, looking her over. She looked good, well-groomed and healthy, not a scale out of place or a single feather broken. "How old is she?"
"Um," Leili blinked, she was sure she'd said it but suddenly, she couldn't think of it. It happened sometimes when she wasn't expecting the question.
"July," Jo supplied.
"Right!" Leili eyes widened as she remembered. "Right, she hatched in July." She shook her head to clear it.
Phoebe wound gently around his wrists, spreading her wings out, feather by feather. "Where have you been keeping her?"
"In the hatbox," Leili said with a twinge of embarrassment. She'd never dream of keeping any other animal in a hatbox but Phoebe was an Occamy; she could change size to fit the box. But still.
Jo narrowed her eyes at Newt, daring him to say something. They were low on resources and were trying to keep Phoebe as secret as possible, but instead of deriding the girls, Newt ran the back of a finger under the little Occamy's chin. "What were your plans for her?"
"Yeah, that's where you come in," Jo said. "We can't keep keeping her in a hatbox under our beds, she deserves a better home. So we were hoping you'd take her."
He held the Occamy up to eye level and just instantly began to ignore the humans in the room, "Of course I'll take you, you little beauty. You'll like it in my suitcase, it's much nicer than that hatbox," He began walking out of the room still talking to Phoebe.
The girls watched him go dazed and a little confused. "Well, I guess that settles that, then," Jo said, watching the pair of them go.
Hagrid chuckled, "She'll be fine with 'im. He'll take righ' good care of 'er."
"Oh sure, no not worried about that. It was just…"
"Abrupt."
"Yeah, I'm going to miss her," Leili said, then quietly called, "Maybe we could arrange some visitations or something?" She wasn't trying to be heard.
Jo found the bright side, "Well, at least we won't have to go hunt down bugs anymore!"