"Now Miss Malfoy, I wish to discuss your subject choices with you." Professor Flitwick said and pulled a piece of parchment out of one of the many draws in his desk.
"Professor Dumbledore has given you permission to change your elective subjects, considering that we are only four months into the school year, but this is the only time he will extend such an offer," The short wizard paused to shuffle in his chair.
"I see here that you have already started Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies and Music. Your grades are particularly high in all three so I'm assuming you are enjoying those subjects, but please do correct me if I'm wrong."
Raven shook her head.
"No Professor you are right. I have no intention of changing subjects, after all, I chose them for a reason,"
"Of course!" Flitwick chirped.
The professor's eyes scanned over the parchment and his mouth grew into a wide smile.
"It also says here that in previous discussions with teachers you have expressed your interest in a career in Magizoology. Is that still applicable?"
Raven nodded. Ever since she could remember, Raven had been highly fascinated by magical creatures. The first time she ever saw one was when she and Draco were playing a game of hide and seek in the forest by the Malfoy Estate. It had been her time to hide and she dived into a lake, hoping to conceal herself by going under the surface. That was when she saw a herd of seahorses that had wings attached to their backs. They swam around her, gliding effortlessly through the water, unlike herself.
Raven later found out that Draco had spent hours trying to find her and he had gone back to the Manor to get help. Unfortunately, that had been one of the days Snape was at Malfoy Manor and whilst her father had been busy in a meeting, the Potions Master had been forced to search for her.
When Snape had found her, the Flying Seahorses had followed her out of the lake and flew around her head. Snape had sent them off immediately and Raven had been banned from entering the forest again for two months. It was a very long two months.
Professor Flitwick cleared his throat quickly and Raven smiled sheepishly at him, embarrassed that she had gotten lost in the memory.
"Very well, Miss Malfoy. Dedication is always a good thing to have, don't forget that,"
"I won't Professor,"
"On to something less serious, it is clear you have a passion for music and as the conductor of the Frog Choir, I would like to invite you to join,"
Draco had told her all about the Frog Choir but performing in front of the whole school didn't sound like something Raven wanted to do. She usually kept her music to herself; it was her private outlet, a way to control her heightened emotions.
"I'm sure this is an excellent opportunity but I'm not really the performing type, sir."
Professor Flitwick looked deflated for a moment but he soon returned to his usual chirpy self, the smile in his face reassuring Raven that she hadn't ruined his day.
"Not to worry Miss Malfoy. But if you do ever change your mind, you are always welcome to join."
"Thank you, sir," Raven said although she doubted she would change her mind.
It was late morning when Raven left Professor Flitwick's office. With a few hours left until lunch, she decided to venture out onto the grounds of Hogwarts.
She headed straight towards the little hut by the forest that had captured her attention when she had arrived yesterday. There was a garden patch outside it where mainly pumpkins were being grown, and they were rather large ones at that! She was admiring the large plants when Raven heard several loud stomps behind her.
A particularly large man was stood facing her, carrying a plant of some sorts along with an oversized, black-furred Boarhound dog. The dog bounded up to Raven, excitedly trying to lick her face. The man was about twice as tall as an average wizard, and three times as wide, with a long mane of shaggy hair and a beard that covered most of his face.
"Hello there!" He said cheerfully.
"Yeh must be Raven Malfoy. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys 'n Grounds at Hogwarts. 's a pleasure to meet yeh!" The half-giant stuck out an overly large hand for Raven to shake but dropped it to his side when he saw the dirt that covered them. Instead, he gave her a huge grin.
"It's nice to meet you Hagrid," Raven replied with a laugh.
Hagrid walked over to the door of the hut, which Raven now knew to be his house, and opened it, beckoning her to follow him inside.
The inside of the hut was one room. It was a warm and cosy place, despite the hams and pheasants hanging from the ceiling and giving off a peculiar smell. A huge round table sat on one side of the cabin, with several mismatching chairs placed around it. Next to that, there was a fireplace that was lit (although the flame was dying out) and a copper kettle hung on a hook that had been hammered into the stone. In the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt lying haphazardly on top and dozens of empty cages were stacked around it.
Hagrid placed whatever plant her was holding onto the table and went over to a corner to give the dog a piece of meat.
As Raven looked around the cabin, a flash of bright blue shot in front of her and she spun around, following it with excited eyes.
"Hagrid!" The half-giant jumped slightly in shock.
"How do you have a Billywig? I thought they were native to Australia,"
Raven watched the creature buzz around the small hut.
"Ah! Me friend sold me one las' year," Hagrid said.
"Does it stay in here all day?" She asked, her eyes not leaving the creature for one second.
"No, I let 'im outta here ev'ry day so he can go inter the forest an' stretch his wings."
Raven nodded in reply. The Billywig finally slowed and hovered in the air a few metres away from her. It was tiny; so small that Raven wondered how most people ever saw them. Its delicate wings fluttered above its head and Raven admired the sight of the sapphire blue creature.
"Wow," She breathed.
In the corner of the hut, the dog had finished eating and it barked loudly, making the Billywig speed off again.
"This is Fang, by the way," Hagrid said. "He's a dozy dog but he does 'is best."
Fang entertained himself with chasing the Billywig bu the tiny beast was way too fast for him.
"So are yeh int'rested in magical creatures? I could tell yeh a lot abou' them," Hagrid questioned and Raven nodded her head.
"Yeah. Care of Magical has always been my favourite subject and my favourite book is Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them." She told the half-giant.
"Excellent!" He replied and clapped his hands.
"I expect Professor Grubby-Plank will look forw'rd to reaching yeh!"
"I hope so," Raven said, smiling in excitement for her first Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
Hagrid offered to have Raven stay for lunch but it was nearly mid-afternoon and she supposed she should head back inside the castle. She said goodbye to the half-giant, and Fang of course, and strolled back up the gravel path towards the school.
When she reached the entrance hall, Raven went back to the common room and changed into her school uniform, pulling on her new robe with a Ravenclaw crest embroidered on the breast that hadn't been there earlier. She presumed that a spell was placed on the robes to make the crest on them change once a student was sorted into their House.
Raven left Ravenclaw Tower and made to go explore more of the castle but was stopped from doing so when Snape appeared from around the corner.
"Hello!" She grinned at him.
"Dare I ask what's got you in such a good mood?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I just spent a few hours with Hagrid. You know, a bit of sunlight and fresh air can do wonders. Maybe you should try it some time Severus."
Snape sent her a glare.
"How many times do I have to tell you, it's Professor Snape to you now."
"But no one's around to-"
"There will be soon and I don't want students overhearing and thinking it gives them permission to call me by my first name as well. Now, you need to come with me to the Great Hall because the rest of the students will be arriving shortly and we are required to be there before that happens."
The Potions Master strode off and Raven followed after him, excitement buzzing in her at the thought of seeing her brother again. She had missed him over the past day and a half, and even though she knew he was probably still annoyed that they were in different houses, she could not wait to see him.