A Cat And His Wizard

Once Blaise was studying with Neville in the Library. Neville was reading The Magical Plants of the Mediterranean and asking Blaise numerous questions. Both were quite carried away. Then a very familiar blonde girl with the vacant look came up.

'Oh, Professor Zabini!' she smiled. 'I was seeking you.'

'Seeking me, were you?' Blaise said. 'Well, you can join us. This is Mr. Neville Longbottom, a fourth-year Gryffindor. And this is Miss Luna Lovegood, a third-year Ravenclaw.'

Neville and Luna looked at each other and smiled.

'Mr. Longbottom is very talented in Herbology,' Blaise said. 'I was studying with him. And Miss Lovegood has a keen interest in Magizoology and a very bright imagination. She came to ask of me books about foreign creatures, didn't you, Miss Lovegood?'

'Yes,' Luna said enthusiastically.

'Very good, then,' Blaise smiled. 'I'll bring some books for you, Miss Lovegood. Mr. Longbottom will keep you company meanwhile.'

Blaise smiled and slid out of the aisle.

* * *

When he returned with a pile of books, Luna and Neville were sitting cheek by jowl and whispering together. Blaise put the books on the ancient oak table gently and said:

'Well, I brought the books. I'm glad you are getting on well.'

'Yes, we are,' they said together.

'Very good,' Blaise smiled. 'Now shall we study?'

They nodded unanimously.

* * *

Some time later Blaise came to visit Rubeus. To his surprise, Rubeus almost dragged Blaise into the hut.

'What's happened, Rubeus?' Blaise asked.

Rubeus was panting.

'Blaise, th' firs' task - is dragons!'

'Dragons?' Blaise repeated. 'Oh dear me! And what he's supposed to do? No mutilation, I hope?'

'No, he's suppos'd ter get an egg frae under th' dragon - a fake, not a real dragon egg,' Rubeus said. 'I' th' egg is something abaht th' second task.'

'Good for the dragon,' Blaise said. 'But how's he going to cope with the dragon? He has no experience with them - well, except your nurseling Norbert, but he was a baby. Oh dear, I've got to devise something to help Harry, so he comes off with flying colors. Thank you very much, Rubeus that you told me.'

'I'm worried abaht Harry too, yeh know,' Rubeus said.

'I know, Rubeus.' Blaise smiled.

* * *

A while later Blaise met Harry.

'Harry, the second task - I wanted to tell you it is dragons,' Blaise said at once.

'I know.' Harry smiled sadly.

'I'll try to help you...' Blaise started, but Harry said:

'Thank you, Professor, but there's no need of that. Professor Moody already suggested to me what I am to do.'

'Really?' Blaise asked. 'And what is it?'

'Flying.' Harry smiled. 'I have to Summon my broom and fly over the dragon.'

'But that's brilliant!' Blaise exclaimed. 'You are so good at flying!'

'Yes,' Harry said. 'It's what I can do best, as Professor Moody said.'

'Harry, you have a good mind, but you just don't put enough effort,' Blaise said sternly.

'You sound just like Hermione.' Harry smiled. 'And speaking of her - I was going to ask her to teach me the Summoning spell, but could you teach me instead?'

'Alas.' Blaise said. 'I'm not exactly an expert at Charms. In fact, it's a branch of magic that I'm worst at. I had to study day and night to get an O. W. L. in Charms, as one is required to become a Veterinary Healer.'

Harry looked at Blaise with interest.

'Charms like Patronus - well, you need them to save your skin, don't you?' Blaise said.

Harry nodded emphatically.

'So you'd better ask Hermione to teach you. She's a very scholarly young lady.' Blaise smiled.

'She is,' Harry said.

They exchanged bows and each went his way.

Moody helps Harry to pass the tasks? Blaise thought while walking. Hmm...Maybe Macavity is mistaken, and so am I. Or is Moody not an evil kind of impostor? Curiouser and curiouser...'

* * *

When it became known that the first task was dragons, Neville ran into Blaise in a passage and asked anxiously:

'Professor, do you think Harry can pass the dragon?'

'Don't worry, Mr. Longbottom.' Blaise smiled mysteriously. 'Our Mr. Potter has an ace up his sleeve!'