Written for Assignment #3 on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry forum: Photography, Task #5 – Write about two people getting closer in a situation. Word count: 632. List of additional prompts below the text.

A Forest Morning

The Forbidden Forest could be incredibly overwhelming, but Luna didn't feel scared. She knew the way to the thestrals' clearing well enough; and she could listen, both to her surroundings and to the creatures who wanted to advise her. She could distinguish the sound of a nearby waterfall, whispers of hinkypunks and distanced drumming of centaurs' hooves; and some bowtruckles steered her away from where the acromantulas' nest was.

She slowed down a bit when she noticed the first thestral. It would not do if they shied because of her inconsiderate behaviour. She walked carefully, trying not to make too much noise with her sandals, the only shoes she could find in her trunk this moment. Nargles must have taken the more suitable for today's weather ones. It was spring already, but it was still chilly.

"Hello, little one," she said softly. It was just a foal, still uncertain on its legs and charcoal grey in colour rather than completely black. She reached to her bag for a piece of meat; she always got some from the house-elves before coming here. They were fascinating creatures themselves. And such sweet souls, most of them!

Just a moment after the little thestral came closer to grab the meat and reluctantly allowed her to pet its head, Luna heard a noise behind her back. She must have lost her focus, because she hadn't registered the sound of steps before. But the bowtruckles didn't try to warn her, so she didn't worry.

"The forest is forbidden for students," grumbled the man standing a few feet away from her. "I should give ya a detention," he added, trying to sound strict. Being strict was something expected from teachers; and he still was a teacher.

"Good morning, Hagrid," said Luna serenely. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"Don't try to be smart." He easily noticed that she tried to distract him. "You shouldn't be here… alone."

The girl didn't respond immediately, lowering her head and playing with a pendant hanging from her neck for a moment. It probably wasn't the prettiest pendant in the world; a simple ring carved from a piece of cherry wood. But she liked it, as the necklace used to belong to her mother.

She smiled, as the foal bumped its head into her hand, clearly unhappy that it didn't have her attention anymore.

"Yah good with 'em," commented Hagrid kindly. He couldn't be angry with someone who had their way with creatures; and Luna undeniably had.

"They are truly unique," she answered. "So friendly… It's a shame people think they bring bad fortune."

"And this one's a real charmer," pointed Hagrid, looking at the small one which still stayed close to Luna. "Weak for women," he joked. "Never let me comma tha' close."

There was a moment of awkward silence, as neither of them knew what to say next. Luna gave one more piece of meat to the foal and moved away. "You're not getting anymore," she warned. "The others deserve to eat something good, too."

Of course thestrals were perfectly capable of catching they own food, and there was plenty of it in the Forbidden Forest. Still, bringing them something was a proof of good intentions, and they readily accepted it. She divided the rest of the meat between two groups of adult thestrals, but kept a small distance.

"They like you, Hagrid," she stated, observing the eating creatures. "And I trust them," she continued, sounding a bit dreamy. "So I guess I like you too."

She wiped her hands with a piece of cloth she also had in her bag and decided it was time to get back to the castle. She turned around, walked to the dumbstruck giant man and quickly hugged him.

"Have a good day," she wished quietly and walked away.

Fight the Supernatural – 2. Rubeus Hagrid and 7. fortune

[Writing Club] Book Club – The Magus: (dialogue) "Don't try to be smart.", (occupation) teacher, (trait) strict, (word) advise

[Writing Club] Liza's Lodes – 3. Write a fic that's set completely outside

[Writing Club] Angel's Arcade – Firion: (trait) weak for women, (object) pendant, (color) charcoal grey

[Seasonal] Days of the Year – March 20th – International Earth Day: Write about someone who loves nature.

[Seasonal] Colour Prompts – charcoal

[Seasonal] Flowers – Hydrangea – (object) necklace

[Seasonal] Elemental Challenge – Water – (word) waterfall

[Seasonal] Star Chart Challenge – March 20th – March Equinox: (season) spring

1000 Prompts – 68. (character) Rubeus Hagrid

365 Prompts – 128. unique