Professor Maline let out an excited squeal as she noticed the pygmy puff for the first time, "Oh she's gorgeous!" She exclaimed, tossing the kittens some exotic fruits before standing up and walking over to Padme to fawn over the precious creature.

"Thanks so much." Padme giggled. "She's really friendly." Padme said holding out the pink pygmy puff. "May i see your kittens?"

Professor Maline beamed as she gently picked up the pink animal and stroked her fondly, "Of course you can, they're Victoria and Quaxo, and there is an extremely shy Mable about too" She smiled as the kittens played about.

Kerry walked in Professor Maline's office. "Excuse me Professor, I hope I'm not introduding, but I saw you had a monkey and he looked injured, is everything ok?" Kerry asked, looking concerned.

Padme's face lit up as she went over to the kittens. She picked up a little one and held it close to her. It mewed and she fell in love. "They are so cute!" She exclaimed.

Blue eyes looked up to see that Gryffindor Prefect she was fond of arrive, "Of course you're not intruding, you're welcome any time," Ophelia beamed at her fondly, then nodded as Perry lept onto her arm. "Ah yes, that would be Perry here, he's much better now thanks to Ar- Professor Erikson," Professor Maline blushed slightly, still stunned at her earlier actions.

She laughed as Padme adored one of her kittens, "They are rather aren't they!" She mused as Victoria mewed, and her ears picked up the sounds of distressed meowing from the corner of her desk. She looked around, and quickly wandered over, crouching down her face split into a beam. "Ah, thats where you got too Lola," She laughed, "Padme, Kerry, hot towels and warm water can be found in one of the cupboards, come over here as soon as you can please!" Professor Maline squealed happily.

Padme put down the little kitten and headed over to the cupboard. She grabbed a towel and some water and went back over to the Professor. "What's wrong? Or, what are they needed for?" She asked as she handed them over.

Kerry blushed a bit when she heard this wondering if there might be an affection between the two professors, but didn't dare speak of it. "I'm so glad Perry's ok, he's so cute. He looked so ill earlier in the greenhouse. In fact, I have to admit I was a bit worried about, you as well. His illness seemed to be taking a toll on you. You don't mind me asking if you're ok, too I hope." Kerry smiled.

"Oh, silly me, I'm so rude, I know we met earlier but I'm not sure if I introduced myself or not. I'm Kerry, Kerry Brandywine, a 4th year Gryffindor." Kerry said proudly.

Ophelia took the towels and warm water with a thankful nod, and a moment later, wrapped up in a towel she revealed beautiful baby kittens. "I've got new kittens!" She laughed delightedly, showing the shut-eyed mewing beauties off to Padme.

She noticed Kerry blush, and she looked away, biting her lip a little. Perry began to groom at her, once more, and, cradling the new born kittens in the towel within her arms she nodded once more. "I'm afraid so Kerry, as soon as any of my animals become ill or injured, i'm an emotional wreck." She explained, blushing at her oddness, she nuzzled the kittens into a beanbag before going back to get the proud mother Lola.

"I'm alright for the moment thank you Kerry, as long as none of my other animals become ill i'm fine!" She laughed, offering her a cookie as she cuddled the exausted black cat called Lola too her.

"Oh!" Padme gasped as she saw the kittens. "Professor, they are so teeny!" She exclaimed. Padme turned to Kerry. "Hi Kerry. I'm Hermia. 6th year Ravenclaw!"

Kerry gladly took a cookie and sat down. "Don't be embarrassed professor, I feel the same way about animals, kinda like their family members, as strange as that might sound. I'm very protective over any animals that are in my care, so I understand completely. It's just funny that I haven't met a lot of people who feel the same way."

"They are!" Ophelia gushed delightedly, watching them curl up and snooze in the warmed bean bag.

She nodded warmly at Kerry, "Oh no, i get what you mean, just many people don't expect me to get so...emotional over my animals, many don't understand why i feel wrong without one of my creatures upon me at all times too." She spoke rationally, as Perry continued to groom her fondly.

"No I completely get you. It's almost as though you can speak to them and they understand. And when you have that kind of connection it's near impossible to disconnect yourself. I think that's why I like to come down to the creature room and the creature hospital. I find it so rewarding to be with the animals. I could spend all day there and be content." Kerry smiled. It was so good to have someone to talk to about this, she thought.

Padme sat down on a chair holding Honey. "Professor, I want to get an animal that would go along with Honey and my other two Pygmy Puffs. What do you suggest would be a cool pet?" She asked, stroking Honey.

Jasmine entered Prof. Maline's office with a slight knock and a bright "Hello Prof. Maline!" Walking up to the professor she gave her a warm smile and said, " Thank you so much for helping Keller give me Fallon! He is a magnificent example of his kind. I totally love him already!" Looking around the office,Jasmine soon saw Kerry sitting on a bean bag about to eat one of Prof. Maline's awesome cookies. Giving the professor am impish smile, Jasmine made her way over to Kerry and plopped down next to her on the same bean bag, practically knocking them both off onto the floor. "Kerry!" Laughing, Jasmine grabbed Kerry's hand with the cookie and quickly took a bite before resting her head on her shoulder munching happily.

"All my life i've never felt complete without an animal near me. My mother said that i was born clutching a butterfly!" She laughed and absently stroked Perry, "I'm really pleased to hear of your affection to animals too though Kerry, people like us are hard to come across," She smiled, and felt that she really was becoming fond of Kerry, there was something oddly refreshing and honest about the girl.

A familiar bird flew in trhough an open window, and Ophelia gave an absent smile as the hawk landed on her shoulder, "Hello Fallon," Professor soothed, an amused smile on her face.

"I would say and owl or a lizard Padme," Professor Maline suggested, "Although, it really depends on the person, what kind of animal do you like?" She asked her.

"Oh hello Jasmine!" Professor Maline beamed, "Oh yes, Fallon, a very beautiful girl, an extremely well trained hawk too," She nodded "It's not a problem, to be perfectly honest, i was looking for a trustworthy home for Fallon, and when i heard it was for you, well, no question about it." Ophelia smiled as Fallon fluttered on to Jasmines shoulder, "She's got beautiful plumage," She mused.

She returned the impish smile, and got to weening the baby kittens onto warm milk.

"My mother always hated it when stray animals would come to the door and I would take them in. I bet she's relieved I'm here just for that fact." Kerry laughed as she saw a familiar bird fly in the door at the same time Jasmine walked in.

"Jasmine...isn't that your bird." As she distracted Jasmine, Kerry decided to have a bit of innocent fun with her for stealing her cookie. Kerry took out her wand and gently touched the tip of Jasmine's hair without her feeling it. She then recited an incantation quietly to herself, one she had learned last term, and watched as Jasmine's hair turned bright red, like Fallon, without Jasmine even being aware of it. Kerry had to surpress her laughter as she greeted Jasmine. "So Jas, how are you?" She asked giving her a warm embrace, and looking over her shoulder at Professor Maline, winking as to not give the little joke away to Jasmine.

"Okay, I like cats but I will go with an owl. I've wanted one so I can get one. Professor, can I help or would you like to do that by yourself?" Padme asked referring to the kittens.

Jasmine's face lit up at the sight of Fallon and she immediately stroked her soft feathers as she landed on her shoulder."I'm good Kerry how are you?" Jasmine suddenly felt something, she couldn't explain it but it was something. Then she heard the amusement in Kerry's voive and eyed her suspiciously. Turning back to Prof Maline smiled and said," Thank you professor. I was wondering if you had a book, or knew of a good book to get, that will help guide me in the proper care of Fallon?" Just then Fallon squawked loudly. Jasmine quickly looked at the hawk and said "What?!" Her hands went immediately to her hair which had turned mysteriously red like Fallon's tail. Gasping, Jasmine turned and squealed,"Kerry!!" Laughing Jasmine said,"Remind me not to ever steal your cookies!"

Kerry burst out in laughter. "Sorry I couldn't help it. You know they say pets look a lot like their owners, and I have to say I must agree." Kerry said laughing even harder.

Jasmine laughed, rolled her eyes, and said,"You know just because I'm a first year doesn't mean I don't know a few good hexes. My father is an Auror after all..." But she just hugged Kerry instead. Then for some reason she only just realized all the kittens."Kittens! Oh they are so cute!"

"Ahhh you know you love me!" Kerry beamed and besides your in the presence of a prefect and a professor, would you really pull a hex on me now?" Kerry laughed as she pulled out her wand and set Jasmine's hair right again. "I don't know... I think I liked the red better." She giggled as she stuck out her tongue playfully at Jas.

Jasmine stuck her tongue back out at Kerry and laughed." Yes I do love you. You are my long, last, older sister after all...." Kerry returned her hair to its original dark chestnut tresses. "Ahh.. Thank you! "

"Well, I've taken up enough of both of your times I'm sure. So I'm going to head back to the common room for the night, on this rare night off from wandering the halls. Have a great night Professor." Kerry smiled, "I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow. And Jas, I'll see you later." Kerry got up and waved as she turned and walked out the door.

Jasmine waved to Kerry as she left. "Bye Kerry!" Taking Fallon off her shoulder she set her in her lap and softly stroked her feathers. After about 5 minutes,Fallon squawked and Jasmine said," OK Fallon I will see you later. Fly safe." The hawk nibbled her fingers affectionately before flying out the window. Looking at Prof. Maline Jasmine said," I need to go Prof. Maline. I will be back later and see if you have a book for me." On her way out she turned and walked toard the door to the creature room. " I will just check on the animals before I go OK?" And with a friendly smile she walked through the door and was greeted by a chorus of animal sounds.