Disclaimer: I own nothing except for m OC Numa and the alterations in the storyline plot her presence provides to vaious readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Wolf Princess Chapter 18

As I took my knife from its sheath, I heard a female Professor say "What is that?"

Ceasing what I was doing I glance upwards. Professor Sinestra was staring at the rabbit with utter revulsion apparent on her face. This is mirrored on a few other faces.

Answering her promptly, I said "A rabbit."

"We can see that," sneered Professor Snap, "but what is it doing here at our table?"

"It's my dinner," I said, turning back to the carcass and without any further delay I dug the knight straight into it.

I immediately began to skin the rabbit. I've done this process plenty of times on deer and other animals so this was an easy enough task for me. As I'm doing the skinning I was completely oblivious to the eyes that are trained on me. If the teachers were shocked before that wasn't even close to how they're feeling at this present moment. They couldn't believe that someone would actually be doing such a heinous thing at their table and left completely speechless.

Once I was finished with the skinning I putt he skin and fur off to the side for later use another time when I could make something out of it and snatched a large bite out of the carcass.

Raw.

This is the thing that pushed most of those watching over the edge. People that were drinking or had a morsel of food in their mouths gagged and nearly choked on it. Some of the others seem to be turning a bit green at what they're witnessing.

The only ones not slightly affected by this display are Remus and Firenze. At my families den Remus observed me eat raw meat directly from a deceased animal. He was still disgusted by it, but manages to conceal the feeling quite well on his face.

Firenze was a different story. Firenze is more than used to seeing this kind of rough and rugged behavior originating from me. He has known me since I was born and had seen me eat raw meat excessively plenty of times in the past. This was different than the others. Firenze's hand is covering his face as I am digging in. During our shared conversation outside one of the things he warned me about was to at least try and not draw any kind of unseemly attention to myself.

Unfortunately that is exactly what is happening.

Currently right now I didn't really conceive a thought thinking of it that way. Eating like this comes so naturally to me that I didn't think twice about it bothering anybody. By how first impressions go I was wrong on that one.

"That can't be healthy for her," said Madam Pomfrey, Head healer of the school, clearing her throat in order to draw my attention away from the meal.

Hearing it I raise my head, glancing at her.

"What," I asked, swallowing the bite I had in my mouth.

"Don't you prefer something cooked," inquired Madam Pomfrey. "As you can already see we have plenty of it already prepared."

I carefully consider it for a couple of seconds.

Shaking my head in polite refusal, I said "No thanks."

I then slice off a separate meaty piece with the knife and chomped right into it with my teeth.

This makes more of them nauseous than they were before, understandably so.

"I'm done," said the Astronomy Professor, pushing his plate away from him.

A few others do the same thing. They can't take another bite while seeing this.

I continue on with my meal until I was finished and only the bones remain of the rabbit. With great effort a handful are able to ignore my actions and return to their own meals.

"As soon as this is finished I'm taking her to the infirmary for a medical examination," whispered Madam Pomfrey to her neighbor.

As soon as I was satisfied with the rabbit I slip the skin and fur into my bundle. I then scan around the space in front of me for something to drink.

Firenze notices this and deciphers what I'm searching for. He takes a pitcher of water and holds it in front of my vision.

Firenze said "Here use this to wash your face. You have a lot of blood around your mouth."

Staring at my reflection from the metal plate I'm using I can tell he's correct. My mouth is covered in blood. I take some water from the pitcher and scrub at the blood from my mouth and all around it. Once I'm sure all the blood is gone I pour more water into a waiting palm and drank.

Professor's release a breath of air they had been holding. By whipping off the blood from my face it gives off an impression that I wasn't going to eat anymore raw meat while I'm at the table.

I choose an ample and quickly devour that.

Suddenly the food completely disappears from the table and was replaced by alternate assortments. Nothing like anything I've ever seen before. I cautiously poke a green thing on a small plate. It jiggles, but doesn't fall off.

There is a tap on my shoulder and I turn to my neighbor opposite of Firenze.

Remus offers a second dish to me. It is thin, miniscule, and circular.

Remus said "Here try this. It's good."

There's a bit of doubt lingering in my eyes.

"Trust me," he encourages, smiling.

I take the thing from him and bring it to my face. I assume it's going to taste horrible, but as it turns out my theory is wrong. The second it touches my tongue I find it to be very sweat. My eyes widen in delight from how delectable the flavor is.

Seeing my reaction, Remus said "See I told you."

I consume the rest of the treat, gulping it down.

Linking the crumbs off my fingers, I ask '"What was that?"

"It's called a cookie," answered Remus. "There are many kinds. The one you just ate is known as a sugar cookie."

"Can I have more," I said, eagerly eyeing the plate of cookies next.

Moving the plate of cookies nearer to me, Remus laughed "Help yourself."

Accepting the invitation I dig right in with gusto, a cookie in each hand. In record time I manage to polish almost half a plate of them. I would've ate more if Firenze hadn't moved the plate out of my reach.

Firenze said "That's enough for now. If you eat too much of them you'll get fat."

Smirking, I said "Had some experience with that yourself?"

Firenze scowls at my playful goading, but he didn't really mean it. I can tell that by his eyes I always could. After that I drank a couple more handfuls of water before I stand to take my leave. After the entire days events I am very tired and need to take a rest. This attracts the attention of some of the Professors and causes them to cease their conversations.

"Are you leaving us so soon," inquires Professor McGonagall.

Nodding, I said "Yes, I'm exhausted after the days events and wish to retire."

"Where do you plan to sleep," asked Madam Pince, the ill tempered Librarian.

Shrugging, I said "I intent to sleep somewhere close to the forest. To make a new den for myself."

"That won't be necessary," said Professor Dumbledore. "An arrangement has already been made for you."

"There…there have," I asked, confused which is mirrored by some of the other teachers.

"I had the House-Elves prepare proper living accommodations for you," explains Professor Dumbledore. "They are ready and waiting for you so you'll be more confortable. These chambers are right beside Firenze's."

"I thank you, Headmaster," I said, bowing slightly in his direction.

Firenze said "I should be on my way, too. I must consult the constellations any changes among them."

There is a snort at this and I angrily glower at its source. The Divination teacher Professor Trelawney. When I had been introduced to her I learned that, similar to Firenze, she was, also, a teller of the future. I immediately concur that she is a fake after she tried to make outrageous predictions towards me. Plus she was the absolute weirdest of the humans present there. I wanted to firmly tell her off for how rude she was acting, but wisely hold my tongue.

"Come, Numa," said Firenze, beginning to walk away.

I gave a respectful bow to the Headmaster, retrieve my belongings and trail Firenze out the Great Hall.

Authors Note:

Wishing you all had as enjoyable a 4th of July as I did!

Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

I'm glad to have finally gotten back to this after such a long absence compared to some others on my profile. I've been meaning to for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. Still in the beginning stages, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it.

Big time heads up! Article 13 is on the move again. Our freedom of speech is seriously on the line. Find a legitimate petition that is fighting this decision and sign onto it. Every signature counts to keep what we love alive.