The Houses Competition
House: Gryffindor
Class: Charms
Round: 2
Prompt: [Creature] Rabbit
Drabble
AN Wording in dialogue is occasionally imprecise to match age of speaker; Rainbow and wood fairies are my own creation, anything recognizable goes to JKR
Word Count: 974
The Imaginary Friend
"What're you drawing, Sweetheart?" Dani Roberts asked her 6-year-old daughter, Julie. The frantically drawn image seemed to have used all twenty-four colors that were in the crayon box. Dani could tell that it was an animal from the huge eyes and mouth drawn on one of the many ovals on the page.
"That's my new friend, Rainbow, Mommy. Rainbow's a rabbit. He lives in the backyard. I found him about to eat some of your vegetables and asked him nicely to just eat the weeds. He agreed 'cause I'm a good pet-er and gave him one of the carrots I had from snack time. I hope he comes again!" Julie exclaimed in a rush. She was just so excited to have made a friend.
Trying to figure out if this Rainbow was alive or imaginary, Dani pushed further.
"And what color is this friendly rabbit, dear?"
"You're silly, Mommy. I can see how it's sorta hard to tell he's a rabbit with his leg smushed and all, but can't you see all the colors? Rainbow's the most colorful-est rabbit on the planet! That's why he's named Rainbow," Julie answered in the way of little girls everywhere who understand something that adults can't. Leaning in close to Dani, she continued in a whisper. "Can you keep a secret, Mommy? It's super-duper important. When Rainbow's feeling nervous, he can make himself disappear like-like a cuh-me-lion!"
Satisfied that 'Rainbow' was most definitely a new pretend-friend, Dani made an appropriately shocked face at that piece of information. If it was anything like Flippy, the invisible fish, Rainbow would fade by summer's end.
"If you're going to continue sharing your veggies with Rainbow, dear, I can make sure to pack some extra."
"Okay, Mommy!"
-THC-
After that, drawings and conversations about Rainbow became a common theme in the Roberts household. Contrary to expectations, Julie did not grow tired of the colorful rabbit that summer. Her school journal was full of stories about the lovable rabbit, and most of her art projects were bunny-themed.
The next summer, a neighbor got some dogs to protect his yard. Unfortunately, Julie had reached an age where her imagination could take on some of the sadder elements of reality, and Rainbow had been 'hurt' by one of the animals. This led to her taking several items from the family's first aid kit as well as some blankets to keep her friend comfortable.
For three weeks, Julie would be out in the backyard from breakfast until dinner time caring for her imaginary friend. Dani began to feel a little concerned at how persistent this imaginary friend was, but after he'd been healed by the wood fairies—"Not to be confused with the air fairies, Mom; they just care about their looks"—tales of their adventures became more lighthearted again, and the slight unease was forgotten. Kids would be kids after all, and the little bunny wasn't dangerous.
That summer, the Roberts yard was the most luscious of the neighborhood, and Dani was frequently asked what fertilizer was used.
As time passed, Rainbow became less talked about. It was no longer cool to have an invisible friend, and despite Julie's best efforts, none of her friends were ever able to spot him—even when he sat in her lap and didn't try to blend in. Dani still watched Julie go outside each night with a handful of carrots, however.
One day, there was a knock on the door. The woman on the other side was rather rotund and looked like someone who spent much of her time in the garden, having patches of dirt and grass over her sunshine-yellow dress. The woman claimed to be from a private school in Scotland that had accepted Julie.
"Your daughter has extraordinary gifts that Hogwarts would cultivate splendidly, Mrs. Roberts," Professor Sprout proclaimed.
"What gifts? I know her English teachers love her writing. Is that what this is about?" Dani asked in confusion. While she had always felt that her daughter was special, it seemed quite odd that a school in Scotland would confirm the same.
Professor Sprout could not help but laugh at this. "Dear me, while I'm sure your daughter's writing talents are quite exceptional, I'm afraid that is not what I'm referring to at all. Tell me, has anything ever happened around your daughter that was unusual or exceptional in some way?"
Dani had been about to respond in the negative when Julie spoke up. "Do you mean when I make the grass and weeds grow extra fast so Rainbow won't have to leave our yard or how I can sometimes make my hand change colors like his fur?"
"Why yes, my dear. Both of those could be a demonstration of your magical abilities. By your wording, may I assume that you have already gained some control over your magic?"
"Yes, ma'am. The wood fairies taught me after they saw me trying to help my friend, Rainbow, a few years ago."
"Fascinating," Professor Sprout replied, muttering to herself, "Wood fairies are notorious for avoiding humans."
Catching the disbelieving look Dani was wearing, Professor Sprout suggested that they go outside where Julie could demonstrate her ability as well as introduce this Rainbow character she kept talking about.
-THC-
That evening, Dani poured herself a large glass of wine.
Her daughter was a witch. Sip.
Her daughter was exceptionally good at growing things. Sip.
Rainbow the imaginary friend wasn't imaginary. Sip.
Instead, he was a magical species of rabbit so rare that the professor had fainted. Sip.
He was also a she, per Professor Sprout. Sip.
She was bonded to Julie and could go to school with her as a familiar. Sip.
Julie's new school was magical. Sip.
Her daughter was a witch, a witch… hysterical laughter bubbled forth as colorful rabbits danced before her eyes.