All her Fault

“He’s adorable Draco. I absolutely love him.” Hermione said.

“Just be careful. Manticore’s are vicious creatures. One false move and you or your pretty boy friends will be dinner.” Draco warned.

“Yes I heard what he said. I’ll name him…Osiris. After the god of death and destruction. Oh, who’s my little Osiris. Yes! Yes you are!” Hermione teased snuggling the creature.

They reached the top of the stairs when Harry and Ron spun around in front of them, blocking the view of Diagon Alley.

“Harry! Ron! What on earth are you two doing here so early?” Hermione asked quickly.

“Might ask you the same question Mione? But, I’ll start with an easier question…why are you with Malfoy?” Harry asked coolly.

“Um…because he was showing me a shop in Knockturn Alley.” She answered regretfully.

“Good…I mean not good! Why are you holding a leaping beast of death?” Harry asked not so coolly this time.

“His names Osiris! Isn’t he adorable? He’s a-“ Hermione responded, only to be cut off by Ron.

“Manticore. You bought a Manticore! Are you insane? Those things are incredibly dangerous! He could turn on you in a second and you wouldn’t even see it coming! Charlie was attacked by a Manticore. Do you know how? The noise they make, makes the victim calm and collected. It sucks them in, pulls them towards them and then bam! They’re dead. Or mauled. You can’t take that to Hogwarts. Dumbledore will freak!” Ron explained angrily.

“Actually…Dumbledore already knows…wanna pat him?” she tried changing the subject.

Harry leaned forward and patted Osiris’ head, “He is kinda cute…In a freaky, scary unusual way.” Harry commented as the animal rubbed it’s head into Harry’s hand, urging him to scratch his long mane.

Ron’s jaw dropped, “You’re going to stand there and pat that beast? And, I’m sure they aren’t going to allow something like that to live in a Muggle apartment-let alone a wizarding one!” Ron outraged, breathing heavily.

“Calm down Ronald. Osiris will be fine…so will we.” Hermione reassured her friend.

“Uh…screw you Granger…um…I hate you…lots.” Draco said stupidly.

Hermione just looked at him.

“Right. Well, how about a round of drinks, huh? On-dare I say it-me?” Draco drawled, giving up on trying to cover.

“Sounds good to me.” Harry said, still petting Osiris.

“You can’t go into a pub with the thing! You’ll get booted-we’ll all get booted! How do you expect us to stay in The Leaky Cauldron when that thing is in your arms? Hmm?’ Ron questioned.

“Just watch.” Hermione said, pushing past Ron and towards Leaky.

“She is mental…” Ron muttered.

The four students reached the wall, went through it and stood outside the leaky cauldron.

“Go on Osiris…up the wall. Room 315. stay up there and I’ll get you some food.” Hermione said to Osiris.

The little lion jumped out of her arms and scaled up the wall, climbed into a window and out of sight.

“Told you he wouldn’t be a problem. And he’ll probably find his own food.” Hermione said.

“Manticores feed on flesh Hermione.” Ron said.

“I know.” She replied, walking into the pub with Draco.

Ron and Harry watched her in disgust. What’s gotten into her? They thought confused.