Chapter Text
One Year Earlier
Basch Zwingli
January 17
First year Hufflepuff Raivis Galante was caught with a leash. A dog leash. He claims it belonged to his old dog’s, and I’m not sure if he’s lying or not but I really don’t want to know the reason he has it here. No action taken.
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Elizabeta Hedervary
January 25
Hello Headmistress, remember Basch’s unnecessary note about the leash? Eduard von Bock of Ravenclaw, 2nd year, has a food bowl. A pet food bowl. Investigating into if extra pets were unlawfully smuggled into Hogwarts.
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Basch Zwingli
January 28
Kyle Kirkland reminded that dropbears are not sanctioned pets. Again. Five points from Gryffindor for repeated reminders.
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Basch Zwingli
February 6
third year gryffindor tolys laurinaitis needs a new hobby
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Yao Wang
February 6
Basch Zwingli, fifth-year Gryffindor Prefect, was bitten by a feral pig. Third-year Gyffindor Tolys Laurinaitis claimed he’d found it wandering around nearby and decided to take it in. Considering Laurinaitis has a track record of reckless decisions, he was referred to Madame Pomfrey for counseling and Professor Longbottom for further discussion. Presumably, Galante of Hufflepuff and von Bock of Ravenclaw were in on this occurrence, but neither can be proven guilty as Laurinaitis is not talking. I tried.
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Elizebeta Hedervary
Febraury 7
Yao referred to Headmistress McGonagall for usage of questionable substance on Basch. It worked. Edelstein of Ravenclaw insisted he should be written up. Do as you will, Basch is fine.
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Yao Wang
February 21st
Ivan Braginsky, fifth-year Hufflepuff, was found to have been in possession of a Nogtail–
~
“Don’t tell anyone,”
“I can’t promise no one will find out. You know how it is, Ivan.”
“The alternative is worse.”
“It’s a Nogtail. Someone will notice, even if it isn’t me.”
FIfth-year Ivan Braginsky, Hufflepuff Quidditch captain and one of the tallest (and scariest) people at Hogwarts, was quite a different person when seated on the floor of a slight-dusty broom cupboard, a supposedly-tamed Nogtail hiding behind him.
He smiled up at Yao with defiance. He didn’t want to let it go.
Yao could relate. To a degree. Pandas weren’t nearly as dangerous as Nogtails, which could wreck some serious havoc with their less-then-appealing nature. And besides–
“They suckle on pigs, don’t they? What are you feeding it?”
“It’ll take plenty of other things.” Ivan told him cheerfully. “It’s a Dark creature, after all.”
“Of course,” Yao muttered. Ivan was probably using whatever Hagrid used. Honestly, Hagrid probably wouldn’t even have noticed if a bag of feed was missing from his storehouse since a good number of creatures on Hogwarts’ grounds owned by students used the All-Critter Premium Feed. Particularly Arthur and his siblings.
Still, it was clear Ivan did not have Headmistress approval. Not if the Nogtail was being hidden in some unused part of the castle.
“Is this why you’ve missed so many classes you’re going to have to stay back a year?” Yao asked tiredly. He was going to need some strong herbal tea after this.
Ivan was still smiling, but shook his head like a disobedient four-year-old. “No. Something else.” Yao dared not ask.
“Well regardless, I’ll be writing you up and you’ll have to meet with the Headmistress,” Yao told him, quill already out. “She won’t be pleased, but rules are rules for a reason. You should know this.”
“My father will be unhappy,” Ivan said. THe Nogtail nudged his elbow. Honestly it was pretty cute, if Yao didn’t know exactly what an untamed one was capable of.
“He’ll have to deal with it. The Headmistress has been quite lax about strange pets but only under strict approval. Dusty back rooms are not Nogtail habitats.”
“Oh, he won’t cause you any problems.” Ivan said cheerily. “Perhaps I should get him a new pipe for his birthday. His old one’s very rusty and Natalya mentioned to Tolys that rust isn’t good for your skin.”
Yao blinked. “Pipes? Birthday–Ivan, stay on topic! We are discussing the Nogtail behind you!”
“I am on topic.” Ivan said. “Neddy is harmless. The Magic Metal Pipe isn’t, but I don’t like getting hit by rusty metal.”
Ivan said it with a smile, but Yao was suddenly feeling queasy. A hundred years ago, a student that had brought an illegal potentially dangerous pet had been expelled. Ivan would probably receive a punishment along a similar vein, and with that….
Yao looked at the nogtail. It looked back at him, eyes wide. It made a small sound, and Yao gave in.
“Come with me,” he told Ivan. “I think we need to take a visit to Hagrid.”
~
Yao Wang
February 21st
Ivan Braginsky, fifth-year Hufflepuff, was found stealing food to feed local wildlife. When questioned, he explained the creatures in the Forbidden Forest looked sad and hungry. Referred to Hagrid and Professor Sprout for further action and perhaps a second lesson on why one should not enter the Forest alone.
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From: Basch Zwingli, Gryffindor prefect, 5th year
To: Professor Neville Longbottom, Head of Gryffindor and Assistant Professor of Herbology
CC: Professor Pomona Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff and Head of Herbology Department
Subject: Noise Complaint
Date: February 23rd
Someone is making a ruckus out at the Forbidden Forest’s Wild Garden in the evenings. I don’t know who or what but they need to hsut up before I beat them over the head with my broomstick.
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From: Professor Neville Longbottom, Head of Gryffindor and Assistant Professor of Herbology
To Basch Zwingli, Gryffindor prefect, 5th year
Subject: Re: Noise Complaint
Date: February 24th
Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zwingli. The commotion was caused by Mr. Arthur Kirkland’s unicorn and a wild Nogtail. Hagrid has been informed and is investigating.