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Zingaro	By : ccino49 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3610 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Zingaro

Chapter 30

Paula and Riley soared through the clouds, relishing in the sudden burst of sunshine that shone down on Christmas day afternoon.

�I have missed this Riley. They can keep their stuffy brooms, nothing is as good as flying with you.�

Riley snorted and dove, his wings outstretched as he glided rapidly downwards. Just before his hoofs skimmed the snow covered field he flapped his wings and lifted them back into the skies again.
�Here we are Riley, Hogsmead. Only another mile or so and you can rest. There are miles and miles of open spaces outside the grounds, though the grounds themselves are large. Hagrid has a nice warm stable for you if you want it and the forest has unicorn and thestrals in residence. I think you will like Hagrid, he loves all creatures and will most likely spoil you.�
�No Riley, he is not a gry-engro, (horse dealer) and no he will not treat you as though you are a beast of beng.� (the devil)
Paula smiled at the few witches and wizards that stepped outside of their doors to watch as the painted wagon and great horned beast rode through the village of Hogsmead. She waved at the children hiding behind their mothers skirts and ignored the frowns of the older citizens, aware of their prejudices and not stopping to give them a chance to begin calling her names or shout at her.
Well that was the village Riley, how shall we arrive?�
When Paula�s patronus steed arrive at Hogwarts to say she would be arriving in a few minutes, Severus informed the Headmaster, who in turn informed everyone else in the castle.
Only Albus was not surprised when Riley flew over the gates, wagon in tow and landed in the grounds at full gallop.
The rest of the staff and the few students gaped when Riley halted outside the main entrance and stood pawing the frozen ground. Steam puffed from his nostrils and he let out a loud neigh and tossed his head, then appeared to sneer at the small crowd.
�Riley stop showing off.� Paula admonished, jumping down from the wagon and moving round to pet him..
Paula laughed when she saw them, it reminded her of the evening she first arrived in the hearse.
�Oh that�s so cool. What is it?� Asked one of the students.
�That Mr Enthwhistle, is Riley, the most unusual creature you will ever see. He is one of a kind I believe.� The Headmaster told the young boy kindly.
�Please can I stroke him Professor?� Matthew Enthwhistle asked Paula, his face one of complete wonder at the great beast and the only one brave enough to step forward.
�Sure Matthew, come on.�

Paula released the harness and the shafts dropped softly to the ground.
�Err, I am not sure that is a good idea Professor Vance. He is a rather large and � unusual looking Riley, but is he safe?�
�Completely safe Professor MacGonagall. Riley would never harm an innocent, especially a child.�
Matthew approached Riley cautiously from the front. He moved slowly and spoke softly to him and Riley lowered his head to one side so the boy could stand closer and stroke him.
�My parents are muggles, they run a stud farm over in Lancashire. They don�t have anything like Riley though. He�s a real beauty Professor.� Matthew kept stroking Riley as he moved round to the side.
Riley was relaxed as the boy examined him with complete confidence. He allowed the boy to lift his hooves and check them, even when the boy removed a strange instrument from his pocket and began scraping several months worth of dried mud from his hooves.
�Can I help look after him Professor, in my spare time? I miss the horses at home and it wouldn�t be any bother.�
�Well Riley certainly seems to have taken to you and you know what you are doing. So long as it does not affect your schoolwork and the other Professors are in agreement, I do not see why not.�
�Cool! I mean �� He turned to the teachers gathered on the steps hopefully.
�Like Professor Vance says, so long as you schoolwork is up to par, your spare time is yours to do with as you wish Mr Enthwhistle.� The Headmaster smiled down at the third year Hufflepuff. It was true that Matthews parents ran a stud farm, but they did not own it or the animals. They were paid a meagre wage and lived in a tithe cottage. Matthew never got to go home at Christmas simply because his parents could not afford the travelling expenses. He was a shy boy and looking after Riley would, Albus felt, give him a sense of belonging, as well as make him feel more at home. In fact this was the first time had ever put himself forward for anything as far as any of the staff knew.
�Just weekends to start with Mr Enthwhistle, we shall see how you cope and the maybe let you work the odd evening into your timetable.� Paula told him. �He is a unicorn/thestral crossbreed, so you will need to learn how to polish his horn and clean his wings. I have a unguent I make myself, it smells a bit pungent but it only needs applying once a month at most. He�s quite ticklish under his wing too so I�ll show you how to get round that particular obstacle myself. You will also have to remove rather a lot of sheka.�
�Sheka Professor?�
Paula smiled and whispered in his ear. �Horse shit.�

�Be at my camp Saturday morning Matthew, no later than 6:30.�
Matthew smiled widely to himself as he stood back on the castle steps. �Sheka.� He whispered to himself, liking the sound of the word.
Riley meanwhile took up the harness again and pulled the wagon to the edge of the forest where Paula showed him she was staying.
Meanwhile Hagrid lumbered across the grounds, eager to see his new charge.

�E�ll be jus� fine wi me Professor Vance, don� you go worryin about �im now.� �Int tha right Riley old boy.�
Riley snorted and rolled his eyes, but plodded off with Hagrid anyway, hoping a good supply of fresh hay was ready and waiting for him.
�You like to make an entrance.� The smooth silky voice said.
��It was Riley�s idea this time, he�s a bit of a show off.�

�He�s like his owner then.� Severus said, making himself comfortable in the wagon as Paula lit the small wood burning stove the muggle way. �Thank you for my gift, it is most appreciated.�

�I hoped you would like it.�

�Oh I do, it might not be advisable to mention it in front of the others though.�

When Paula raised her brows, giving him an odd look he explained.

�I was � curious as to whether or not it would work in the same way as your own. Once Filius managed to successfully cut open his finger when attempting to cut mine, I got a little carried away and failed to remember that only I would be able to heal them. As a result I was called to the infirmary to heal rather a lot of cut fingers and thumbs.�
�Oh Severus, you really do have a vicious streak in you.�

�I know.� He said indifferently, noting the look of amusement she was trying to hide. �So, how has your journey been?�
�Wonderful, I cannot tell you how much better I feel for having this last couple of weeks on the drom.�

�The road yes?�
She nodded. �So, are you going to sit in on a few of my classes when the students get back?�

�I am indeed. I have made arrangements with the headmaster and he will be covering my classes on Thursday and Friday of next week. If what I experienced with you in the forest before Christmas is anything to go by, I assume I will not be disappointed.�

�You won�t be.�

TBC
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Zingaro