Green With Envy

a story by lovedmund

September 19, 2019

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This was the third year for Slytherin's second class, Care of Magical Creatures, with the Ravenclaws. Emma and the others carried their thick, spider-shaped Care of Magical Creatures books with them as they walked down the stairs and into the clearing near Hagrid's cabin.

"Emma, do you perhaps need any help? I'll be really grateful to help you," asked a brown-haired Ravenclaw boy.

Emma smiled crookedly. "No need, Andrews. I can carry it myself."

Albus, Diana, and Scorpius all rolled their eyes in exasperation. It had been a few weeks into their third year, and Emma had become even more popular than before, and was now treated like a princess by the boys at Hogwarts.

"No, just give yours to me, Malfoy. I don't want you to be exhausted," said another Ravenclaw student.

"Oh really, dude? I'll be very delighted. Take this." Scorpius gave his Care of Magical Creatures book to the man. "Thank you. Now let's go, Em."

Scorpius gently took Emma's hand, then led her away from the others, followed by Albus and Diana.

"Hey, I meant for Emma, not you!" shouted the man from the back row. Poor Thomas.

"You said Malfoy, right?" Scorpius teased. "I'm a Malfoy too."

They walked until they came to an empty field near Hagrid's hut.

"You know that it's rude, right? You shouldn't have done that, Scorp," Emma grumbled.

"Why? Besides, he only mentioned Malfoy. We're both Malfoys, right?"

Embarrassed, Emma rolled her eyes and said, "Whatever."

"Looking for someone, Al?" Diana asked suddenly and took Albus a little by surprise.

"Well, I just—"

"Hi, Al," said a Ravenclaw with a blonde braids. "And hello to all of you too, Diana, Scorpius and Emma."

"Hi Ashley," they all said in unison, but Albus looked the most excited.

Albus walked up to Ashley and whispered something to her.Ashley, who had been listening, just chuckled and nodded her head. Diana, Emma, and Scorpius watched them both curiously.

"Thank you, Jashie," said Albus, raising his eyebrows and winking at Ashley.

"Oh, shut up, Albie!" they both chuckled at each other. When Emma was about to say something, suddenly Hagrid appeared with a magical beast behind him.

"Hello, everyone!" Hagrid said as he greeted the third-year Slytherins and Ravenclaws with his trademark grin. "I hope you are all well." He continued, "Today, we will get to know and learn about one of the most beautiful magical creatures in the world—Beatrice the Hippogriff."

Everyone stared at Beatrice the Hippogriff in awe.

"But you must be careful," said Hagrid. "Although Beatrice is docile, she feels threatened easily around strangers. So all you have to do is approach her slowly." Hagrid walked slowly over to Beatrice and stroked her fur gently.

Hagrid suggested, "Why don't you try to come forward and get to know Beatrice, Scorpius?"

Scorpius shook his head. "Nothin' to worry' about, kid." he said. "Unless you're going to act reckless like your father," said Hagrid jokingly. "How about you, Albus?"

Albus glanced at Hagrid doubtfully before he slowly walked up to Beatrice. But before he could get to Hagrid's side, his right foot fell into a small hole hidden beneath the leaves.

"Merlin, Albus!" shouted Diana, Ashley, Emma, and Scorpius.

Due to their screams, the previously calm Beatrice panicked and flapped her wings in all directions. The other students looked surprised.

"Calm down, my Beatrice." Hagrid calmed Beatrice for a while before finally walking over to Albus and the other children who were surrounding him.

"Albus are you alright?"

"Albus, are you hurt?"

The questions from the children surrounding Albus were only answered by a grimace of pain from the green-eyed man.

"Albus, I will take you to Madam Pomfrey so you can be healed. Can someone accompany me?"

Everyone stared at each other for a few seconds, before Hagrid finally remembered something. "Oh yeah, Ashley, you accompany me." He said. "If I remember correctly, Madam Pomfrey also asked you to meet her after my class." Everyone nodded in understanding. "Alright, everyone, class dismissed. Oh, and don't forget to write a three-page essay about hippogriffs!"

Ashley nodded and followed Hagrid, who was carrying Albus, who kept grimacing in pain.

"Albus, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm pretty sure 'e's okay, Ashley," said Hagrid with a faint smile.

"I'm alright if that's what you ask, Ash. I think I just sprained my leg," said Albus, grimacing in Hagrid's arms.

"You okay, Em?What's wrong with the gaze?" Scorpius asked his twin sister. "You've been watching Albus and Ashley like that ever since."

"What gaze do you mean? I'm normal."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

The Slytherins and Ravenclaws watched Hagrid, Albus, and Ashley leave.After making sure Hagrid was out of sight, they exchanged smiles and laugh, then ran off in all directions to do what would occupy their free time.

As the others walked away, only Emma remained standing, looking at Albus, Hagrid, and Ashley. She looked at them with a look of... disappointment?

Hey, what's up with Emma Cassiopeia Malfoy?

.oOo.

January 15, 2020.

Again, today was a joint Slytherin and Ravenclaw class, but in Astronomy with Professor Aurora Sinistra.Albus sat next to Scorpius. Diana and Emma sat behind them, while Ashley and a Ravenclaw girl named Olivia sat in front of them.

As Professor Sinistra was explaining, Albus wrote something on the parchment he had torn up, then called out Ashley's name softly. "Ashley! Ash!"

Ashley tilted her head slightly so she could see Albus. "What?"

"Read this," Albus whispered, handing Ashley the scrap of parchment he had written on earlier.

Ashley, meet me at the Black Lake after lunch. I want to tell you something.

Ashley raised an eyebrow in confusion. Then he returned to his sitting position facing forward to write his reply.

Can't you just tell me now?

Ashley surreptitiously returned Albus's parchment.

I can't. It's a secret.Don'the forget to bring something for me.I won't be eating lunch in The Great Hall.

Wow, am I your secret keeper and servant now?

Handing Albus the parchment, Ashley whispered to him in a joking tone. "Are you going to confess to me?"

Albus rolled his eyes. "Really, Ash?"

"Just kidding. I know you like someone else. It must be—"

"Mr. Potter! Ms. Scamander! Do I look like an angry bee to you?" Professor Sinistra gave Ashley and Albus an annoyed look. "Don't chat in my class unless I ask you guys! Two points for Slytherin and Ravenclaw!"

There were sounds of disappointed sighs from the eagle and snake dormitory students.

"Sorry, Professor. We didn't mean to interrupt while you were teaching," they both said together.

Well, I'll forgive you both if you can answer my question. Plus, I will return your dormitory points," said Professor Sinistra. "What's Jupiter's biggest moon?"

"Gany… mede," Albus answered hesitantly.

"Correct. It's Ganymede, not Callisto." Professor Sinistra was now looking at Ashley. "What does it look like a red star to the naked eye, but since it is a planet, it doesn't appear to twinkle as the stars do?"

Ashley replied calmly, "Mars, bringer of battle, shines brightly above us."

"Correct. Great, now let's give Mr. Potter and Ms. Scamander some applause. Five points for both Ravenclaw and Slytherin."

Boisterous applause echoed in the Astronomy classroom. When the class was getting quiet, Albus turned his head back while whispering something.

"Thank you, Em."