"Are you sure I shouldn't keep you company?" Ron asked, walking side by side with Harry. The raven-haired boy rolled his eyes a little. They had just left Care for Magical Creatures and Harry still felt a little light-headed because of his stupid behaviour. How could he not have told Professor Scamander about Dawn? But he shook his head.
"No Ron, it's fine." He said.
"You sure?" Ron tilted his head to the side his brows were knitted together like he was worried or thinking about something really hard.
Harry huffed at his friend nodding. "Of course I am. Why are you so insistent on this? I told you this is a family matter so, for one thing, it will be boring and for the other it is private I shouldn't tell anyone."
Ron descended the stairs with them while unbeknownst to both boys Hermione rolled her eyes at their backs, at Harry for his obliviousness and Ron, because of Ron. She had her arm full of books and sighed deeply about the pointless discussion.
"Just in case man you know?" Ron said with a wave with his hand like it explained anything. They went around a pair of Ravenclaws and came to the point away which they should probably part ways. Hermione stood in the entrance of the corridor leading to the Gryffindor Common Room while Harry stopped at the next flight of stairs. Ron stood in between.
Harry tilted his head, one hand on Dawn's pouch the other one on the stone railing of the stairs. He had a confused look on his face obviously no idea what Ron was talking about. "Huh? In case of what?" Harry blurted out. What was his friend talking about?
Ron glanced over at the groaning Hermione before he stepped closer and said in a low voice.
"You know, in case she does something, like hex you or you know...something like that."
Harry's frown deepened even more and he was utterly lost now. He looked over at the eye-rolling Hermione.
"Why would Daphne hex me, Ron? What are you on about?"
Ron hissed his next words, a little bit angry because of the topic.
"She is a Slytherin Harry. You can't trust her. What if this is a plan from Malfoy or something like that. Meeting you near the Black Lake close to the Forbidden Forest. It smells like trap mate."
Harry blinked for a moment, staring at Ron before he rolled his eyes at him. He sighed shaking his head. "Ron...she is not going to trap me together with Malfoy, okay?" His best friend stared back at him with a raised eyebrow, shaking his own head. "How can you be sure?"
Harry groans again. "I just...I know okay? She is NOT friends with Malfoy, far from it. Also, Dawn likes her and she is an excellent judge of character." Harry said pointing at the chirping bird. The small creature seemed to feel that he was talking about her in a positive way because she tilted her head back and if a bird could look smug, she did.
Ron stared at him, pointing at the bird. "She is a newborn, how would she know if-" Harry cut his friend off with a vicious glare, swirling around.
"I'm leaving. Alone!" Harry said stomping down the stairs. His robes swayed behind him and he didn't turn when Ron called after him. The red-haired boy stared at him leaving before he turned to Hermione. His face was utterly bewildered.
"What just happened?" He asked the girl with her arms full of books. Hermione rolled her eyes at him for being an idiot.
"Ron, I would suggest not insulting his familiar the next time you want him to introduce you to a girl, and maybe use the word 'introduce' 'me' and 'please' too." She said with an annoyed voice before she swirled around walking away. Ron stared at her backside for a moment before he ran to catch up.
"Hey, Hermione wait for me!" His second-hand robes billowed and he almost lost his satchel, when he tried to catch up.
Harry walked firmly through the castle and outside. The entire time he scowled hard and kept nuzzling Dawn with his finger. She chirped at him, trying to get him to pick her up, feeling his anger, she seemed pretty determined to soothe him. He sighed, finally picking her up and lifting her to his cheek, letting her nuzzle against his chin. She cried soothingly at him,
"Yeah I know I know, he is probably right, but still he shouldn't have said that about your little one. You are a wonderful girl and Ron is just...argh..." He grumbled and kept walking, talking quietly to the cooing little fluff ball. Quickly he made his way around the deep dark waters. He smiled when he saw George and Fred together with two first years, tickling the tentacles of the giant squid living there. Still, he walked for quite some time, the lake was big and the boulder was on the other side. He continued steadily for about ten minutes, talking to the small bird most of the time. "You know, when you're able, we can fly together, you with your wings and me with my broom. That will be fun, don't you think cutey?" A happy chirp was her answer and she nuzzled in his warm hands, nibbling at his flesh slightly.
"You hungry?" He asked when he reached the boulder. He walked a little around it but then he turned back. On the other side was a pair of people. A younger Ravenclaw girl, Harry didn't know her name and the seeker of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, Cedric Diggory. They were snogging quite fiercely. Harry quickly stepped back and hurried back to the front side of the boulder, sitting down. He reached into his robes for Dawn's embers. The jar was pretty empty already, Harry mused. This evening he would have to enchant more, better get Hermione's help for that. He knew the spell but she was better and when it came to Dawn, he would not settle for mediocre results. Again he lifted the embers out of the jar with his wand, one by one, letting them dance and Dawn chase them, while she chirped and cooed happy, jumping up and down in his lap, to his knees. He chuckled entranced at the sight.
"That looks quite relaxing." a female voice said close by. Harry raised his head, seeing Daphne standing in the shadow of a big oak tree. Her long blond hair wasn't braided this time but hung free down her back, like a curtain down below her hips. A smile in her dark green eyes but her face was pretty calm and calculated. Harry smiled, scooping up Dawn and setting the jar aside. He quickly rose to his feet and bowed to the blond girl in the green Slytherin robes.
"Heiress Greengrass." He said firmly, still smiling at her. Her face softened just a bit and she nodded, returning the greeting.
"Lord Peverell, good afternoon. But could we perhaps speak elsewhere? I have been informed this is maybe not the best place for two Heirs to talk." She pointed at the large boulder with a little smirk. Harry flushed a little and quickly picked up the jar, waving at Daphne.
"Sure I... uhm... Please lead the way." He stumbled over the words, still embarrassed he had invited her to the makeout spot, quickly walking over to join her. They stood for a moment then Dawn hopped from his hands and nuzzled herself against Daphne's chest, right between her breasts. She made a small jump at the sudden movement, quickly placing her hand underneath the small bird. Harry tensed, blushing while he tried to catch Dawn.
"Hey, wow. My apologies Heiress Greengrass. Dawn, you aren't allowed to just jump at people, you know that little Madam!" Harry lectured the small bird. Daphne's clear and lively laughter stopped his dressing down at the totally unfazed familiar, who in turn kept nuzzling into Daphne's cleavage with a rather happy coo.
"It's okay Lord Peverell, she is cute. And she is only a few days old, she doesn't know better." Daphne said with a small smile, petting the tiny creature. The coos grew louder as they walked at the edge of the forest. Harry followed, frowning a little, staring at his familiar.
"Are you sure? Her claws can be pretty sharp. I don't want her to ruin your clothes." he said, worried. While he could easily buy new ones now, it didn't sit well with him. Daphne just laughed. Harry noticed this had been one of the first times he had heard her laugh and it was nice. In private, when she let her guard down a little, Daphne seemed to be a really nice person. She shook her head bemused.
"I know, Lord Peverell, you were raised by muggles, but please, do you truly think a little tear in clothes is a problem for a witch of my prowess?" she said a little bit teasing. Harry shook his head, smiling himself.
"You are right, nothing to worry about. Still, she shouldn't do that." Another stern look was shot at the fluff ball, but she just cooed at the pets and was delighted and rather smug-looking again. She was cute and she knew it well. Then Harry realized he had been staring at Daphne's chest for quite some time and he jerked his head away, feeling red rise to his face. He shouldn't be staring, that was rather impolite! If Daphne had realized what he had done, she said nothing about it. Hopefully, she didn't notice. They walked a few feet then she sat on the trunk of a huge oak, Dawn jumping into her lap. Another clear laugh escaped her lips again. Harry sat on a small rock next to the tree and smiled at his familiar. After being pet for a few moments, Dawn hopped from her lap and over to Harry, chirping demandingly and he picked her up, placing her in her pouch.
"All right, you wanted to talk to me, Heiress Greengrass?" He asked carefully, shifting a little to sit more straight.
Daphne nodded, her back straight and her skirt carefully draped around her knees.
"Yes. First of all, I wanted to inform you, that my father has rented a room in the Three Broomsticks for the Life-debt discussion. Two pm on the first Hogsmeade weekend. Could you please inform Lord Black of this?"
Harry nodded, understanding. He would mirror call Sirius this evening to talk about it. Daphne didn't seem to be finished.
"Second, I know what my father will offer for the life debt." She said, turning her eyes to the lake. Harry tilted his head slightly.
"What will he offer?" He asked, seeing her face strain a little bit.
"Me." She just said in a low voice. She didn't seem happy about it. Harry frowned a little.
"You? You mean like in..." His voice trailed off and she continued.
"a marriage contract. He will offer my hand to you or Lord Black." Harry gasped a little bit when he saw the hurt look on her face. He wanted to comfort her but had no idea how. So he just said
"oh..." For a moment they just sat there.
"You don't...you don't want to." Harry said carefully. He saw her eyes go wet a little and she sniffed slightly.
"N-No, I don't. Father always said Astoria and I would choose our own partners. He promised, but this is a big deal, a life debt, especially with House Black. What else could he offer? You, like us, are so rich, nothing material is of consequence, so he took me to the side and told me the day before we left. And I understand, it is just...it was so sudden and..."
Harry got now really up, walked up and kneeled next to her. He knew he couldn't touch her, that would be improper, so he lifted Dawn back out of her pouch again and placed her in Daphne's lap. The bird chirped at her pulling on her sleeve, demanding attention and taking away her mood for just a little bit.
"Heiress Greengrass...Daphne...I haven't talked about this with Sirius but I know him. He will not accept this offer if I don't want it and I will not agree to it either, because I don't want to. You should be able to pick your own partner and I swear to you in the name of House Black and House Peverell, we will not agree to a forced marriage." A swirl of magic came from the ground around them binding them together for a moment. Daphne's breath hitched a little and she stared at Harry for a while. This was a binding magical oath. He couldn't change his mind on this even if he wanted to. The girl just stared and Harry stood up, walked back to his rock and sat down again. With a smile, he stared out at the Black Lake. He would speak to Sirius about it. His godfather wouldn't be mad at him would he? He wasn't big on traditions or forcing someone but maybe? He would figure it out, but Daphne looked so sad, he had to do something. Still, it had felt weird. For a while they just sat there, him staring out and she trying to compose herself, petting a happy and comforting Dawn.
"Have you finished feeding her, Lord Peverell?" The soft and still slightly mumbled voice of the young noblewoman asked him. He shook his head, turning to smile at her, pulling the jar out.
"No. Would you like to try Heiress Greengrass?" He asked, holding out the jar for her. For a moment she thought then again a small smile appeared on her face. She nodded and Harry watched her levitating an orange glowing ember out of the jar.
It was quite a while and Daphne let out a few quiet laughs when Dawn followed the embers chirping and squealing. She fluttered her coal-black wings and took little leaps. Once when Daphne had teased her too much with one ember, she lightly head-butted Daphne's flat stomach, making the girl laugh. Harry watched her and smiled.
"Thank you for your help this morning Heiress Greengrass. I might have done something foolish in potions otherwise." Harry said in a quiet tone. Daphne didn't raise her head but she smiled, tickling Dawn under her beak.
"Not at all, Lord Peverell. Mr Malfoy needs to know his bounds." She said quietly. Harry wanted to answer but he heard a weak voice from the forest. He frowned turning his head.
"Did you hear that?" He raised to his feet, staring into the dense forest.
Daphne raised her head, looking at him.
"Hear what?"
.: auuua pain :.
Harry took a step to the trees. He squinted his eyes, trying to see anybody, a young boy or anything. "That. Someone said pain." He whispered tilting his head. Daphne set down the jar and picked up Dawn. She stepped closer to him, her yew-wand in her hand. The small bird cradled against her chest chirped when she felt the worry in Harry's mind.
"I didn't hear anything Lord Peverell."
.:It hurts, please...:. The small voice sounded young, like a small boy.
"There...there is someone. Didn't you hear? Sounds like a little boy." Harry said stepping into the shadow of the large oak trees. He pulled his wand. Daphne, while not a Gryffindor, was still curious, stepped closer. The wind ruffled the leaves overhead and the dark forest was looming in front of him. Was someone in danger?
"I didn't hear anything. Is everything all right?"
.: Please, help pleeeease.:.
Now Harry walked through the trees, looking left and right. It was colder in the forbidden forest, and he held out his wand, carefully observing his surrounding. Daphne stood at the edge of the woods, watching Harry walk deeper into the trees. He was about to leave her line of sight. She shuffled on the spot then Dawn chirped in worry when Harry was out of sight. The bird fluttered her wings, pulling at her, trying to follow Harry. She held the familiar tight and firm, not letting her escape.
"For the love of Merlin." She followed Harry into the dark forest, her wand ready. She felt a little chill on the back of her neck. She had a bad feeling about this, but she couldn't let someone to whom she owed a life debt walk into this alone.
The forest was quiet around him. The dark and grim looking oak trees with their thick, strong leaves blocked out the sun, moss-covered their trunks and the ground. The wind rustled slowly through the leaves changing the shadows and making a low sound. The temperature was considerably lower in the woods than outside; when he looked back he could still see slivers of the Black Lake and he heard Daphne call after him. Harry stepped back into her field of view waving at her. He thought he was closer. Readying his wand he rounded the tree which he thought the voice was behind and saw nothing, no small boy or anything else. He looked around, but he only saw bushes, trees and stones. No hurt boy, no injured first year, no blood no nothing. Was he imagining now? Just quiet... until there it was again.
.: Ahhh it hurts :.
A quivering voice spoke from below and he looked down. Near the trunk of the large oak, between a few rocks and a bed of moss was lying a small newborn snake, twitching and hissing. Its scales were light brown almost beige like coffee with milk and on its back was a dark brown zig-zag line. It was about thirty centimetres long and was coiled up, but a part at the end of its tail looked almost pressed down and squashed. It was shaking and whimpered sadly. Harry carefully kneeled down.
.: Hey there :. He hissed quietly so as not to agitate the small creature. The snake raised his head, looking at him for a moment.
.: Speaker. Pain :. The voice was broken and hurt. Harry shuffled closer. There was something like mucus on the snake's scales.
He heard rustling on the moss and turned for a moment, seeing Daphne with a loud chirping Dawn on her hand closing in. She had a frown on her face, looking around. She leaned over, whispering.
"What are you doing? There are dangerous creatures in these woods." She said in a hushed tone, petting Dawn nervously. Daphne didn't look at him but instead stared around. Harry smiled shaking his head.
"Don't you worry. Hagrid has told me many times the creatures don't come close to the edge of the forest. We can still see the lake, we are fine. Look." He pointed down at the whimpering reptile. Daphne leaned closer, eyeing the creature.
"It looks hurt." She stated in a careful voice. Harry nodded in agreement and turned back at the snake.
.: Are you okay? Can we help you? :.
His hisses were low and behind him, Daphne shuddered. It was really very unnerving when Peverell did this. She had only heard him do it during this famous duelling club session in the second year, but it made her shiver none the less. To this day it was a legend between the students and she rather liked the story, because Malfoy got the short end of the stick and the look on his face had been so funny. She sometimes reminded him about that when he got too cocky. However Harry didn't hear hisses, for him, it was normal English.
.: Tail hurts. Cold. Help please! :. The snake looked completely miserable and a little pale. It coiled together again. Harry nodded and leaned closer, stretching his hand out. The snake shrank back from his hand and Harry pulled back.
.: I just want to help you, but to help you I have to pick you up and bring you up to the castle. There is someone there who can help you. :. Harry hissed quickly. The snake stared at him for a moment. Then it lowered its head. Harry scooted his hands under the snake as careful as he could but still, the snake hissed in pain when he lifted it off the ground.
Daphne leaned over his shoulder. Dawn stared at the snake intensely, cooing a little bit and blinking. Harry felt mostly curiosity in her.
"What happened?" Greengrass asked. She liked snakes. Well, what Slytherin didn't like snakes? They were everywhere in her dorm, her common room, the dungeons. Her father had a collection of exotic snakes in one of their houses and as a child, she had watched them quite often and tried hissing at them until her father had told her that speaking with snakes wasn't something you learn, but something you are born with. She had been sad for days after. Still, she had returned to the snake room every time they visited watching the mesmerizing creatures.
Harry shrugged a little, careful not to move the small creature too much. "I have no idea. I will ask, maybe he can tell us. "
He turned his head down looking at shivering creature.
.: What happened to you? :.
The snake tilted it's head back staring at him and responded to him.
.: Human trampled on mother. Crushed siblings. I escaped womb. Hurt. Cold. :.
The snake whimpered the words out in a tormented voice. Harry brushed carefully over his head and looked around. After a moment he saw a snake body under a tree. He carefully walked over and kneeled down next to it.
.: Your mother? :. He pointed at the cadaver. The snake hissed lowly in a sad tone. Obviously. Harry looked for a moment, but nothing happened. No movement, nothing. Daphne stepped up to, looking down at the dead animal.
"Is that its mother?" She asked with a low voice. Dawn fell silent at the glum feelings she felt from Harry. Harry nodded slowly, turning away.
"Yes. He said someone stepped on her. Poor thing. Come let's take him to Professor Scamander." Harry turned. Then he stopped. "Could you place Dawn in her pouch please?" He asked apologetically since he had basically dumped her on Daphne. The Slytherin petted the small bird and nodded.
"Of course Lord Peverell." The girl said stepping closer. She carefully opened the pouch with her fingertips, feeling the warmth of the inside and placed Dawn in it with gentle fingers. The bird cooed snuggling against Harry's chest while she slowly closed the pouch a little to keep the warmth in. She smelled a fresh smell from Lord Peverell. It smelled clear and a little bit cold like eucalyptus but not exactly. It was a good scent and she quickly stepped back. Harry smiled in thanks, happy to have his familiar back close. Even though he wouldn't tell it to anyone he missed Dawn even after short moments of being separated and her being with someone else made him feel incredibly jealous. It shamed him a little, it had only been a few minutes. And he felt a little guilty; he had petted Fawkes like it wasn't anything special. He smiled at Daphne anyways.
"Thank you. Would you join me, Heiress Greengrass?" The coiled-up snake fit in one of his hands so he offered his other arm to the noble girl, something etiquette compelled him to do. The girl nodded, linking their arms and they strolled out of the forbidden forest, the eucalyptus like smell strong in her nose.
They made their way up to the castle again, across wet fields of grass. Hagrid waved at them from his hut when they passed it and Harry nodded smiling at his friend. He looked better today, not good but he was working in his garden, apparently sowing something at the moment, which should be a good sign. Maybe Harry thought, he should visit him soon. He made a mental note to talk to Ron and Hermione about it. They would probably agree on this. Daphne next to Harry gave a curt nod too, her arm still hooked in his. Harry smelled a faint scent of jasmine from her. Her arms were slim and she was about half a head taller than him so he had to hold his arm a little higher to match her. Yet she could feel muscles move under the sleeve of his robes. Quickly they walked up the stairs to the main doors and walked inside. Eyes followed them and it was pretty clear what the rumour would be the next day. While Daphne was fully aware that people were watching them, calculating what this pairing meant. She knew that this would shift alliances in Slytherin, would be taken apart by Ravenclaw, would make Gryffindors nervous and Hufflepuffs gleeful. Each house dealt different with this kind of thing, she thought to herself, before grinning at the reaction of the boy next to her. It was quite obvious, Harry was oblivious. He was used to be stared at, for being the Boy Who Lived, for being the Heir of Slytherin, for a crazy man hunting him. Now it was Lord Peverell and being Heir to the House of Black. Also, Dawn had once again stuck her head out of her pouch, looking around with the curiosity that only newborn and young children really have. Harry felt the strong urge to pet her but he couldn't so he started whispering at her in a low love-filled voice. Daphne listened to him talking to the little bird. It was really sweet. He told her where they were going, that he loved her and that he would cuddle her this evening for so long. Unknown to both children quite a few other people picked up on the way he talked but most of them misinterpreted who he was talking to.
The whispers went through the entire castle in at lightning speed. A Hufflepuff said he had seen Daphne Greengrass and Harry Potter coming back together from the make-out spot whispering lovey-dovey to each other near a young Ravenclaw boy. A few minutes later the Ravenclaw told another girl from his year that Daphne and Harry were walking hand in hand through the castle, telling each other their love. A few steps down the line someone stated they had been seen kissing secretly. Someone even said he had seen them leave a broom closet together. That was mostly met with eye rolls, because the said student had the tendency to play up his stories for more attention, but still. So it was no surprise it took a short time to find its way to the Gryffindor tower, and of course by the most social of all the lions. A pair of students talked about them sucking face while they were buying stuff from two red-haired twins, who didn't say anything about it. Yet, they looked at each other with a smug smile on their faces, gleeful at this possibility to tease Harrys skins. They sent their customers on their way with a little slipping potion and a hand full dung bombs before they hurried back to the common room.
"Free Bird!" George called out to the fat lady. The painting nodded, brushing over her pink dress and moved to the side. Quickly the twins climbed through the portrait hole, finding a rather empty common room. Most students were outside, enjoying the warm summer weather. Yet in one corner sat Hermione with Neville, helping him with his potions essay, yet again. The grinning twins walked over, just waving at their little sister, who was talking to her friend Romilda Vane close by. She waved back with a smile, returning to her conversation. Hermione raised her head when she noticed someone coming close. Her eyes squinted at the two of them. When Fred and George came to you grinning brightly, something was wrong. She stopped Neville for a moment, crossing her arms with a stern look.
"All right what did you two do this time?" she asked, glaring between the two of them. George chuckled turning to Fred, with a hurt expression on his face.
"I think, oh dear brother of mine, this fair maiden mistrusts our noble thoughts and deeds." He said with a sad voice. Fred nodded, answering his brother.
"Yes, I think you are right my brother. I have no idea why she would think so low of us. It truly hurts my feelings. Since we only wanted to ask her where our dear own celebrity, his lordship would be." Fred played it in such a dramatic voice, chuckling to himself.
Hermione huffed in annoyance. These two never took anything seriously and it annoyed her to no end. She leaned back knowing the best way to get rid of the Devil Twins would be giving them what they wanted. "Harry is down at the Lake. He and Daphne Greengrass had to discuss some nobility stuff I think."
At that Fred got a gleeful expression. "Oh yes, did he say that? Well well, that would be funny in on itself." He said with a chuckle again, turning away with his brother. Hermione raised her head, staring at them, glaring while they walked away slowly. They knew Hermione was curious beyond measure and would ask as soon as they-
"Wait!" She called twins stopped, grinned at each other and turned towards Hermione again, coming closer. George leaned down a little.
"Yes, my fair maiden? How can these two untrustworthy rapscallions be of assistance?" He asked the bushy-haired girl, who stared at them.
"What were you talking about?" She asked with a curious voice. Fred grinned, throwing his arm around his brother's shoulders.
"Oh you know about trust and-" Fred couldn't continue because Hermione cut him off with a huff.
"I meant about Harry." She said squinting her eyes. Why was she even playing this stupid game?
George grinned at her, waving through the air. "Ah, you know little Potty is being a little naughty. You see we have heard the most wonderful rumour. Apparently he and the girl he was just talking to have been seen holding hand and playing the little lip tango." Behind the twins was a snapping sound but they paid no heed. "There was apparently more going on at the make-out spot than just talking." George and Fred grinned, while Hermione stared at them. Oh how much they loved spreading wonder and mischief. And no one was better for this than good old Harry. Something always was going on around him. Hermione tried to sort her thoughts. Harry and Daphne Greengrass? That was ridiculous. He would have told her or Ron and let's be serious, Ron wouldn't have been able to keep his mouth shut about something like that. Neville blinked as well. Harry had never been someone who was overeager about the entire girl thing. That had been Dean and Seamus and Ron to a smaller degree. The twins swirled around and left before more questions could be asked, leaving behind an otherwise empty common room.
Daphne knocked at Professor Scamander's door, waiting for a moment. A quiet voice called them in. She pushed open the door, quite aware that this was reversing roles, normally the man opened the door for the lady. She could only smirk about it. The office of Professor Scamander was filled with small terrariums, aquariums and cages. The man just turned towards them, from handling something small, looking like a mole. He closed the cage waving them in.
"Ah yes Miss Greengrass, Mr...Lord Peverell, right? Come in come in." The man smiled, looking not really at them but still sounded inviting. They both stepped in and he waved them to his desk. Harry looked around for a moment like he always did in a new office. The cages and other compartments were filled with small creatures, spiders, frogs, mice and so on. In the corner stood the familiar suitcase and a part of the wall was filled with a bookcase. Professor Scamander sat down behind his desk smiling at them before looking down. They sat both down, Harry careful not to drop the small snake, while Daphne folded her hands in her lap in a polite and well-educated manner. She had been wearing her public face since they got to the castle once more.
"How can I help you two?" He asked. His voice was warm and soft, comforting really. Harry carefully stretched out his hand, placing the small snake on the table. It hissed a wince when it's hurt tail was moved. Scamander looked at it interested, leaning a little forward to get a look.
"We found him in the woods near the lake. Apparently, someone trampled his mother and he managed to escape but he was hit at the end of his tail. I thought about bringing him to Madam Pomfrey, but then I realized you might be a better person to go to. Can you help him?" Harry asked slowly with a little hope in his voice. Scamander nodded, leaning forward and casting a diagnostic spell at the reptile. A shower of golden light washed over it, making it look around curious. Scamander rubbed his chin and nodded to himself.
.: Hmmmm warm :. The snake hissed softly, making Harry smile.
"Ah yes, a good thing you came to me. Madam Pomfrey is an excellent healer, quite talented I must say. Still, she isn't very versed when it comes down to our not two-legged friends you know? But it will only take a moment, at least the crushed part." He waved his wand a second time, murmuring for a few moments under his breath. The snake twitched a little and shivered.
.: Tickles, but pain stops :.
The crushed and deformed part of the snake's tail bounced out and suddenly looked much healthier than before. Harry who had seen and been the subject of quite a few healing spells by now was still amazed by what magic could do. The snake looked curious at the end of its tail, wiggling it a little. Scamander set down his wand, smiling.
"I think that will do. You said you found him in the forest? Why were you there may I ask?" There was a certain stern tone in his voice, making Harry duck his head slightly and he quickly scrambled to answer.
"I heard him call. We weren't deep in the forest, only a few meters. He called out for help and so I went looking. Daphne was looking out for Dawn in the meantime." Harry said, not letting it slip that Daphne was with him in the forest no need for her getting into trouble too. Scamander turned to the blond girl.
"Is that true Miss Greengrass?" He asked, looking at her for real for a moment, not in his only short glances way he did normally. Daphne nodded curt, her face unreadable.
"It is as Lord Peverell said." Scamander nodded in return, turning his head back.
"You said he called for someone. Professor McGonagall told me you were a parseltongue. Quite an impressive feat young man. Quite impressive. I don't like this nonsense about this being a sign for dark wizards. I met a few parseltongue over the years, a few in Africa and South America. A wonderful gift, I wish I could have the same. I will let this slide then, the outskirts of the forest are normally safe. Still, you shouldn't venture in it, there is an Acromantula colony in its depth and other dangerous creatures."
Harry shuddered at the mention of Aragog's colony and the crazy and really really scary moment when he and Ron had tried to find the solution to the chamber of secrets. He nodded quickly. "Yes, Sir."
Scamander nodded again, brushing his finger against his lip. "Lord Peverell, would you consider caring for the little guy for a while? He is born too early and needs a little body warmth for a while until he is fit for the outside world. And you with your gift would be the perfect person for this since he could tell you if something was wrong." Harry blinked at the man, his hand creeping up to the pouch, protective.
"I don't know sir. I have Dawn and ...I don't want her to be hurt or anyone else. You think it would be safe?" He asked worry on his face, while he nuzzled his familiars small head with his index finger. Dawn cooed and nibbled at the tickling part of his body. Scamander just nodded smiling.
"Don't you worry, this is a common European adder, or Vipera berus. He is too young to have developed any poison. Also while she is a hatchling, your little Phoenix is far stronger than you think she is. Most poisons aren't capable of hurting her and her magic is quite powerful. But most importantly, you are a parseltongue. Snakes can be very intelligent."
Harry frowned, looking over at Daphne for a moment, unsure of himself. Sadly, only an empty mask devoid of any emotion looked back at him. She wouldn't tell him what to do. Harry sighed looking down at Dawn.
"How would you like a small playmate for a while?"