Something about that Auror, Oscar, felt off, why did he lie about seeing that man in the forest? Why did he feel the need to give me a sneakoscope? And why was he being particularly friendly to me over everyone else? Could Hagrid be right, in thinking that the boy only wanted one thing?

This was not the only thing bothering me throughout the passing days, gossip had travelled amongst the students that I had been attacked by Greyback, people suspected I had been bitten or infected, which was not true at all, this was all thanks to Draco and his big fat blabbermouth.

It was hard to sit in class and focus on my work with all the staring eyes on me, and people were whispering behind their hands with one another, making no effort to hide it.

The Quidditch stadium was half filled with spectators watching the Gryffindor try out's below, despite the business there, I felt everyone's gazes on the back of my head.

'Hello, Mara.' it was Hermione 'Mind if I join you?'

'Uh, go ahead.' she sat beside me, people shot us dirty looks-it wasn't often you saw fraternising Slytherin's and Gryffindor's, unless it was to jeer or hex.

A silence took hold between us, Hermione looked as if she didn't know what to say and I knew what she wanted to talk about, I could see it on her face.

'So, what brings you to the Gryffindor try-outs?' said Hermione after awhile, I gave her a sideways glance

'Just something to do, I suppose,' I replied 'I assure you I'm not spying.'

'I didn't think you were,' Hermione replied 'Mara...listen, I don't believe the rumours, just so you know.'

My lips pursed

'The rumours are only half true.'

Hermione looked shocked 'You-you were attacked by that man?'

I nodded

'Not in the way everyone thinks, so don't worry, I'm not infectious, nor will I turn into a werewolf.'

Hermione couldn't hide the flicker of relief on her face for a fraction of a second.

'Then-then how-?'

'I didn't want people knowing Greyback hurt me,' I replied, my skin feeling hot under Hermione's stare 'and I'm not about to tell anyone how.' I prayed Hermione thought I had been under the cruciators curse or something, it was better than how it really turned out 'So I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind.'

Hermione frowned 'Well...I'm here to talk, if you ever need to.'

'Thanks, but I don't think so, no offence.'

'I just wish I could do something to help you.'

'Nothing can help me,' I said more to myself 'anyway, again, I don't want to talk about it.'

Saviour came in the form of a letter that had dropped from an owl above my head, which flew off in the other direction.

Hermione watched anxiously as I opened the letter

'Oh, it's from Hagrid,' I said, reading through it 'he wants to talk about Care of Magical Creatures, probably wants to cancel it.'

A guilty look crossed Hermione's face as I stood up

'Well, I hope the try-out's go well, see you later, Hermione.'

'Alright, Goodbye.'

Still I felt eyes on the back of my head as I exited the stadium, and I made my way down to Hagrids hut, which I rapped three times on.

'Hello, Mara,' said Hagrid 'come in.'

I entered after the half-giant, and sat down on a seat opposite him.

'Do you want to cancel the lesson?' I asked

'Well, it's up to yeh,' Hagrid replied 'don't see a point in continuing with one person, and it's not like it's necessary to yer career, healer you want to be, right?'

'That's right.' I said

'Maybe this'll make yer mind up,' said Hagrid, raising to his feet and grabbing his crossbow 'follow me, I want yeh to meet someone, always happy to introduce new friends!'

Disdain crept up on me, figuring it was probably some other dangerous creature that spat acid or something.

Despite my anxieties, I followed Hagrid out of his hut and into the forest at a march to keep up with his giant strides.

'Grawpy! I bought yeh a new friend to play with!'

The ground shook as loud footsteps made their way towards us, I jumped backwards but it's ankle was chained to a tree.

Above me was a towering giant, much bigger than Hagrid, his skin was grey and eyes brown.

'I trust yeh, see,' said Hagrid 'being in Dumbledore's Army last year, not joining that stupid squad what that toad created, and well, I thought Grawp could use a new friend, no one really comes to see him, 'cept me, 'o course.' he beamed 'Grawp, this is Mara, she's yeh new friend.'

Grawp lowered onto his knees with a thud, and extended a finger, Hagrid nodded at me and I shook it 'Uh, nice to meet you, Grawp.'

'I taught him how to shake hands, it stops him grabbing see?'

Grawp rose to full height and I smiled up at him.

As Hagrid began to talk about what Grawp likes to eat, my head turned at the sound of loud voices nearby, curious, my wand raised, I crept away from the happily chatting Hagrid and made my way towards the source of the new noise.

'I don't want to do this.'

Surprise hit me as I hid behind a tree, it was Oscar.

'You know what'll happen if you don't!' sneered another 'I just want to see her again, that's all, then I'll release you.'

My foot snapping a twig caught Oscar's attention 'Who's there?' he asked, approaching the tree

'I saw you.'

Sighing, I came out from behind the tree

'It's just me, Oscar.'

He looked alarmed 'What are you doing sneaking around?' he snapped

'I'm not 'sneaking around' I'm here with Professor Hagrid and I heard talking.'

Oscar looked suspicious

'Well, alright then.'

'Who were you talking to?'

'Uh, just another Auror,' said Oscar 'I was arguing that I'm getting tired and need a break.'

It was my turn to look suspicious

'Oh, okay.'

'Ah!' Oscar aimed his wand at the source of my yelp, and it lowered to the black fox circling around my feet

'Ah, hello there,' I lowered and ran my fingers through it's fur 'friendly aren't you, not many foxes are.'

Oscar looked almost scared as he watched the fox snuggle against my legs affectionately.

'Mara? Mara!'

'Over here, Professor.'

'There yeh are, scared me when you disappeared like tha'!' he growled

'Sorry, I heard talking and bumped into Oscar.'

'Oh, it's yeh again,' said Hagrid 'well, we'd better get going, Mara.'

'Alright.' I removed my petting hand from the happy fox and rose to full height

'Uh, Oscar...' I began before I turned away 'I'm sorry, about before...well, see you later.'

Oscar looked in surprise as I turned, and I followed Hagrid out of the forest.

'So, what do yeh reckon? Eh? We can visit Grawpy during our lessons together, or yeh can use it as a free period for studyin.'

'I wouldn't mind seeing Grawp again.'

'Great!' he beamed 'Oi! Git away from him! He'll have yer fingers!' Hagrid suddenly growled, making me jump, and I noticed what had drawn his attention, it was Harry, Ron and Hermione standing near the large Hippogriff in his garden.

'Oh, it's yeh lot.' Hagrid stormed into his hut, with the slamming of his door behind him.

'What were you doing with Hagrid?' asked Ron

'If you must know, we were discussing our next lesson, not like you care about that.' and I too marched away, leaving an angry looking Weasley behind.

My suspicions about Oscar arose anew, it didn't sound like he was talking to another Auror, not the way he was speaking, and the other man talking about 'I just want to see her again, that's all, then I'll release you.' what did that mean?

What the hell is going on!?