May 1944

In what seemed to Ro like mere days after the Quidditch final, exams were upon them. Academics had never been Ro's top priority in life, coming second place behind everything Quidditch related, so she surprised herself with the amount of hours she spent devoted to revising the year's work. As their exams in first year had been cancelled due to the petrification scare, they had no idea what they were in for and didn't want to be unprepared.

While revision took up most of the second years' time, especially Minerva and Irma who seemed to spend every spare moment with their noses in textbooks, they still had to handle the ever-growing puffskein issue. As the babies grew, it became harder and harder to even live in the Gryffindor dormitory. After the notes that Poppy had left out overnight about making Hair-Raising Solutions were shredded into nest material by the youngest babies, Millicent and Septima agreed to take a few off their hands.

"It only seems fair." Septima pointed out when she and Millicent arrived in the Gryffindor dormitory to choose who would be taken to Ravenclaw Tower. Irma was there too; she often joined the Gryffindor girls when revising in their own dormitory as she said the Slytherin Dungeon was too dark to concentrate in. "You three shouldn't have to handle the problem all on your own. Who do you want us to have?"

"You can take Georg and Gabriella for a start." Ro said, picking them off her bed and throwing them in Septima's direction. "And the youngest four- they still need names, we never got round to it. Will that be enough?"

Millicent nodded from where she was sat on the floor rounding up the young babies. "Definitely, or Bonnie Dale will blow a fuse when we get back." She looked at them all closely, before asking "Three girls and a boy, yes?"

"Yup."

"We should call one Galatea." Septima suggested. "That's Professor Merrythought's first name- she would be our mascot like Godric is, it keeps the G theme while being Ravenclaw specific."

"That's brilliant." Millicent grinned. "The other three can be Gloria, Giselle and Gareth. The Ravenclaw Tribe."

Ro nodded, already feeling a great deal better about the situation. "Awesome. They should keep you busy for a while!"

With their dormitory a little less crowded, finding room to revise became a great deal easier. When exam week rolled around, Ro was pleasantly surprised with how confident she felt both before and after all her exams. She knew she'd made a few stupid errors, like mixing up the Warlock Conventions of 1289 and 1709 in History of Magic, leaving her transfigured rabbit slippers with twitching noses in the Transfiguration practical and causing her left hand to swell up by dripping swelling solution onto it. The Potions practical had been their very last exam on the Friday afternoon, so in her eagerness to get out the door she'd spilt her sample when corking it in a test tube. Professor Slughorn had given her a Deflating Draught fairly quickly afterwards though, so her hand didn't remain swollen for too long. With their exams all over, she and the other second years hoped they'd be able to have a nice peaceful weekend.

But thoughts of a quiet night vanished when Ro, Poppy and Minerva returned to their dormitory to find dozens of teeth marks in the leg of Poppy's bed. They dismissed it as one of the owls playing around, and thought the same when later in the evening Poppy noticed the bottom of the curtains had been shredded too. It wasn't until Ro found more chew marks on her bedside table that she began to think something wasn't right, but she was so tired she just assumed her mind was playing tricks on her before going straight to sleep.

Ro dreamed she was doing her Potions practical and teeth marks started appearing in her cauldron, causing her swelling solution to pour out the holes and all over her right foot. She awoke with a sharp pain in that foot and sat up abruptly to see what was wrong, but when the pain faded away she guessed it had just been part of her dream. Although the sunlight was already peeking out the bottom of the curtains, she flopped back onto her pillow to try and grab a few more minutes sleep before Minerva and Poppy dragged her out of bed.

"Ow!" Ro shrieked as the stabbing pain came back, this time just above her ankle. She whipped back the covers to see a small fluffy ball rolling quickly away from her leg, which was bleeding from two placed onto the bed sheet.

"Ro? Whatever is the matter?" Minerva's bleary voice sounded from her own bed as she sat up, and if it weren't from the blood seeping from her ankle Ro would have laughed at the sight of her. She had decided against plaiting her hair before bed the previous night and Ro knew she'd regret it now; her long black hair looked as though she had been dragged through a bush backwards.

Poppy was already out of bed and rushing towards Ro, but when Minerva made to follow her without putting her glasses on she tripped over a cluster of puffskeins and fell to the floor with a crash. Poppy looked uncertainly between Minerva and Ro, before Ro shooed her away to see to Minerva first. When she lifted her head from the floor there was blood on her face, and Poppy was instantly pinching the bridge of her nose and helping her to her feet.

"You are silly, you know your sight's awful and our bedroom is a minefield yet you try to get across it without glasses on." Poppy murmured quietly, putting an arm around Minerva's shoulders while keeping her fingers pinched tightly over Minerva's nose. "Let's get you cleaned up; Ro, put pressure on those puncture wounds and keep your leg in the air. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Ro nodded as Poppy closed the door, pressing down hard on the two sources of bleeding and rolling onto her back to stick her wounded leg into the air. Out of the corner of her eye she could see one of the young puffskeins sat by her head, but closed her eyes and ignored it. At least, she ignored it until what felt like a sharp nip to her ear made her sit up so fast her head was spinning. "What in Merlin's name is going on today?" she muttered to herself, before the puffskein caught her eye and her heart stopped. There was still very little light in the dormitory, but she would have sworn on the fact that there was blood underneath that puffskein's mouth. She grabbed hold on the puffskein and forced it's mouth open, but shrieked in pain again when it fastened tiny fangs into her finger. Waving her hand around to flick it off, it took her a moment to comprehend what was happening.

The sound of the door handle being turned caught her attention, and she looked up to see Poppy guiding Minerva into the dormitory. There was a handkercheif pressed against Minerva's nose, and when she reached her bed the first thing she did was very carefully put her glasses on. "Everything ok?" Ro asked them.

Poppy nodded, rummaging through her bedside table before pulling out the bruise paste tin. "Nothing broken, but she'll have a painful bruise once the bleeding stops. How's your leg-aah!" She bent down for a moment, standing back up with a wriggling puffskein clamped in her fingers. "Did it.. did it..." she stuttered, lost for words as she looked at Ro. Ro nodded grimly, then winced as words started literally flooding out of Poppy's mouth. "You told us they weren't Fanged Puffskeins, but this thing just bit my toe!"

"As least you didn't wake up to find teeth stuck in your ankle." Ro offered with a weak laugh, lifting a hand to her face when she felt something dripping down her neck. "And now it's made my ear bleed too - you know what? I've had it. I'm going to Professor Dumbledore's office; we need to talk to Erika now." Anger flared in her chest as she spoke, thinking of all the trouble they could've been saved if she had never given them the puffskeins in the first place.

"We'll come with you." Minerva said through her handkerchief, her voice sounding like she had a bad head cold. Poppy sat down next to her and took the handkerchief away from Minerva's face, nodding satisfactorily when there was no sign of any more bleeding. Not even bothering with shoes, they left the dormitory and headed out of the portrait hole into the corridor.

As it was still a little while before breakfast, the corridors were practically empty as they walked quickly towards the main staircase. But as they reached the fifth floor, they were met with a very surprising sight. Septima and Millicent were heading towards the stairs with Professor Merrythought just behind them, levitating ahead of them the Ravenclaw Puffskein Tribe.

Professor Merrythought stopped and frowned slightly when she saw Ro, Minerva and Poppy. "What in Merlin's name has happened to you three?" she asked, and it was only then that Ro realised how rediculous they must look with blood slowly dribbling down Ro's leg and neck and around Poppy's foot, and Minerva with dried blood on her chin and upper lip. Then again the Ravenclaws didn't look much better; all three were in nightdresses and only Professor Merrythought had thought to put a dressing gown over the top.

"Well, ahh, Professor Merrythought, you see..." Ro started slowly, stalling for time as she tried to come up with something to say. "I guess Septima and Millie told you about their puffskein problem?"

Professor Merrythought nodded, and Septima mouthed an apology. "It seems that Miss Stretton who shares their dormitory has a puffskein allergy, which is why they brought the puffskeins to my office. There will be questions later about why there have been unauthorised pets smuggled into your dormitories, but for now we must focus on getting them out."

Ro winced, but Minerva came to her rescue. "Our own problem has taken a turn for the worst, Professor. The puffskeins seem to have grown... fangs."

"Fanged puffskeins in Gryffindor Tower." Professor Merrythought repeated, and when Ro, Poppy and Minerva all nodded her handless wrist flew to her forehead in despair. "This is not how I planned to spend my Saturday morning. Lets go down to Professor Dumbledore's office and see what he says about the situation."

They continued down the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office, and when he answered his door there was a look of great bemusement on his face. "Galatea? Whatever is going on?" he asked Professor Merrythought, and Ro stayed quiet as she explained the problem. "Let me confer with Silvanus, he's dealt with puffskeins before and should know how best to face this problem." He motioned for Professor Merrythought and the second-years to enter his office before sweeping down the corridor.

"Hold still you three, and I'll get you cleaned up." Professor Merrythought said once the door had closed, letting the puffskeins fall to the floor. She crouched before Ro and traced her wand over the bite wounds in her leg, chanting under her breath an incantation that sounded almost like a song. Within seconds the skin had closed over the wound, then she used the Tergeo Charm to remove the blood from her leg.

"What was that spell?" Poppy asked eagerly, her eyes alight with interest. "The chanting one I mean, I've seen Tergeo used before.

Professor Merrythought performed the same spell on the bite on Ro's ear, before answering Poppy's question. "Vulnera Sanentur- one of the most useful but difficult healing spells there is. It can close even the most severe of wounds, though it isn't quite as good as Dittany potion. Give it a couple of years Poppy, then I don't see why you couldn't be taught how to do it."

Poppy was grinning all the while Professor Merrythought used the spell on her bleeding foot and then removed the blood from Minerva's face. "Get some bruise cream on that dear." she said, patting Minerva's shoulder.

"Professor Merrythought, I need to Floo call my sister." Ro said urgently once they were all healed. "She's a Dark Creature Catcher, and she'll be able to get rid of the puffskeins really easily."

"Ah yes, I remember Erika talking to me before her graduation that she wanted to work for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Well if Professor Dumbledore has any Floo powder handy, I think that would be our best idea." She walked over to the fireplace and picked up a small box, taking a handful of the silvery powder from the box and tossing it into the hearth. Ro heard Poppy gasp as the flames turned a brilliant emerald, remembering that as a Muggleborn Poppy wouldn't have used the Floo network before.

When Professor Merrythought motioned Ro forward she knelt in front of the hearth and stuck her head into the fire. "3a Maryland Road" she said clearly, bracing herself and closing her eyes as her head and shoulders felt as though they were flying through space despite her knees still sat on Professor Dumbledore's fireplace.

"Ro?" Erika's voice said, and Ro opened her eyes to see her older sister bent over the fireplace. "What brings your head into my fire-"

Ro didn't give her a chance to finish her question. "You need to come and get these puffskeins right now!" she shouted, "They're infesting Gryffindor Tower, they're infesting Ravenclaw Tower, and to top it all off some of them have got fangs! Come and get us out of this mess you put us in!"

Silence follower her outburst, before she heard someone laughing in the far corner of Erika's living room. Erika yelled "Oh shut up Johnnie!" over her shoulder before turning back to Ro with an sheepish smile. "Well you've certainly brightened Johnnie's morning - he stayed the night because we were up late on duty last night. I think we've got a free morning, give us a couple of minutes and we'll be with you."

Ro withdrew her head from the fire to see Professors Dumbledore and Kettleburn standing with Professor Merrythought, Minerva, Poppy, Septima and Millicent. "Erika and her colleague are going to come and catch them all for us - if that's ok, Professor Dumbledore?" She added the last question hastily, not wanting to add to the mountains of trouble she was sure she'd already landed them all in.

But to her surprise, Professor Dumbledore didn't look in the least bit angry. "We've all agreed that will be the best course of action. Since Ravenclaw Tower has been cleared already, we'll go back up to your dormitory and catch the puffskeins when your sister has arrived - ah, I expect this will be them?"

Sure enough, Erika was stumbling out of the fireplace follower a second later by Johnnie. "Morning Professor Dumbledore, Professor Merrythought, Professor Kettleburn," Erika greeted them with a smile, "Pleasure to be back."

"It's good of you to come back Miss Hooch, Mr Proudfoot." Professor Dumbledore said as he opened his office door. "Now that you're here, I suggest we all get to Gryffindor Tower before these girls' dormitory is reduced to splinters by our unexpected guests."

To Ro's relief the Gryffindor Common Room was still empty when they all entered through the portrait hole; she really didn't want to have to explain what three Professors, two Dark Creature Catchers and six levitating puffskeins were doing there. Erika and Johnnie's help turned out to be very necessary, as they turned out to be surprisingly feisty when being chased after. Professor Dumbledore received a bite to the end of his long nose as he peered under Minerva's bed to check if it was clear, and Professor Kettleburn's wooden leg ended up with several chunks bitten out of it. But after a long and exhausting 30 minutes, all 10 of the Gryffindor puffskeins had been Frozen using the Immobulus Charm and lay motionless on the floor.

"Merlin's Beard, if we knew the problem was this bad we'd have come for them sooner." Erika huffed as she pulled a net from her rucksack and gently started filling it with puffskeins. "Professor Dumbledore, I really am sorry about all this. I gave Ro the puffskeins, it isn't their fault."

"You always were a mischief-maker Miss Hooch." Professor Dumbledore chuckled as he closed the bite wound on his nose. "As the damage is easily repairable, I see no reason for additional punishments. I daresay these girls have learned why it is best to adhere to the list of recommended pets."

"Yeah, we really really have." Ro said with a smile, and Poppy, Minerva, Septima and Millicent quickly nodded in agreement.

Professor Dumbledore walked over to the now full net of puffskeins, frowning thoughtfully. "Although, I had grown rather fond of our makeshift Gryffindor Quidditch Team mascot that always sits on your shoulder, Miss Pomfrey. If my fellow staff members raise no objection, I don't see why a single exception can't be made."

The girls exchanged hopeful looks as Professor Dumbledore turned to Professor Merrythought and Professor Kettleburn. "I raise no objections." Professor Merrythought smiled.

"Neither do I." Professor Kettleburn added. "I hope a number of you are hoping to take up my class next year, as you've already proved your prowess in the field of Magical Creatures!"

"That settles it then." Professor Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together. "Miss Pomfrey, if you would like to find our mascot?"

Poppy took the net from Erika and started rummaging slowly through the puffskeins, pulling out Godric and setting him down on the floor. Taking her wand from her bedside table, she pointed it as Godric's chest and said "Rennervate." She grinned in delight when Godric looked up at her and started humming loudly, laughing as he hopped up onto her shoulder. "Thank you Professor!"

"You are most welcome Miss Pomfrey, and now we will leave you all to continue with your morning. Miss Hooch, Mr Proudfoot, let me show you back to my office."

"See you next month, Ro!" Erika called as she left the dormitory with the Professors. When the door clicked shut, they all breathed an enormous sigh of relief.

Flopping down onto Minerva's bed, Septima let out a heavy sigh. "Great Merlin I'm glad that's over."

"I think all of us are." Minerva added. Her nose had turned a delicate shade of mauve since they left Professor Dumbledore's office, and with the puffskein problem over Poppy busied herself with finding her tin of bruise paste.

"We need to go and find Irma." Ro suddenly said, realising that she wouldn't have a clue where they all were. "She's not going to believe the morning we've had!"

Author's Note:
Wow this chapter turned out longer than expected. The title is a parody/tribute to a star trek episode 'The Trouble with Tribbles'. Since according to the HP wiki puffskeins take their inspiration from tribbles, I thought it would be quite fitting.

Well here we have it folks, the thrilling conclusion to the puffskein saga. All fun and games! Initially the puffskeins weren't going to have fangs, but I thought that would be an interesting twist. I guess since the puffskeins all came from a fanged puffskein operation, the fang gene was dormant apart from in those few babies. As a biology student I can confirm it's scientifically possible for that to happen, though it's to complicated to explain right now! Keeping Godric was a last minute change of mind on my part, I thought it was quite Dumbledore-like to suggest something like that. And he does make an adorable mascot.

Minerva's clumsiness without her glasses is pretty much exactly like me when I haven't got my glasses on. I constantly trip over stuff, especially my four cats. I have also given myself nosebleeds from faceplanting the floor, so it's definitely possible!

So we meet Erika and her friend Johnnie for the first time. They were both in the same year at Hogwarts, both Gryffindors, and graduated two years before Ro started. Dark Creature Catcher isn't a canon job, but I thought it would be quite a sensible job to exist! 3a Maryland Road, the address of Erika's flat, was completely plucked from thin air. Maryland Road London, does exist but I don't know if there are any flats on it.

This is the last full chapter of second-year, next chapter will mostly be set in the summer holiday. I know second year's been quite bit shorter than first year, but third year will be a very full and probably even longer year with lots and lots of exciting stuff going on!

For the forseeable future, I think I'll be writing chapters on a weekly schedule. I'd love to spend all my time writing, but unfortunately my collage seems to disagree. So chapter 20 should be out next Monday :)