Hagrid escorted her to the Headmistress’s office. Hagrid was scared and afraid, Celestia, thunderstruck and horrified.
Was this the end of their friendship?
Before entering, Hagrid stopped her.
“I’m sorry ter give ‘er up...”
Celestia did not reply. She was shaking all over. What would happen to Akko if they turned her in? Would they kill her?
Hagrid raised one big fist and knocked loudly on the door.
“Come in,” said a soft voice.
The doors widened themselves open. Celestia entered and saw multiple drawings and paintings of magical creatures. Pictures of Knarls, Crups, Thestrals, and...
A Niffler. The sight of it made Celestia uneasy and her insides were squirming with dread.
“Yes, Hagrid?” She said looking at both of them with mild surprise.
“I-“ his voice broke off.
Professor Spring was looking at both of them with concern.
“Hagrid?”
“Don’ kill ‘er,” he said then left.
“What is the meaning of this?” She said, her eyes still full of concern.
“I... I brought an unauthorised Niffler to school...” she said, tears in her eyes as she showed her the Niffler who was fast asleep, blood still dropping from her claws. Spring let out a long sigh.
“Sit down, Miss Mellowfarm.”
Celestia, who was shocked, was expecting to be thrown out of school, while Akko was being killed!
“I am going to show you a story, about a girl, your age, who had a love for mythical creatures,”
Celestia was going to interrupt, but Spring stopped her.
“I am not going tell you, I am going to show you as I said. If you will stand with me,” she got up and stood near a table with an ancient bowl with markings around it. Professor Spring took a bottle of some silvery stuff, which looked like it was neither solid or liquid! She pored the contents into the bowl.
“What is that, Professor Spring?” Celestia asked cautiously.
“It is a Pensieve, a bowl of thoughts and memories you can remember. You can visit them once more. If you will...” she grabbed her hand and they dived in.
It was the most curious sensation.
They stood, black and white, in the school, which looked quite familiar.
The Fat Lady was not there anymore, but a young, short knight stood there with his sword and a huge horse, which looked like he couldn’t even mount it.
A young girl stood with a boy. The girl had dark red hair, which was tied in a ponytail at the back of her head. She had Hufflepuff robes, so Celestia wondered why she was near the Gryffindor corridor. The boy was small and scrawny, he had jet black hair and he looked very handsome, indeed.
“Take care of Sniffles, then,” he said and the young Spring blushed profusely. The boy took off and Spring went off to her dormitory.
“There she is, Helena Spring!” Another girl who looked vaguely familiar pointed at Spring rudely. The Professor next to her was an old man with a long white beard, looking at her with dislike.
“Turn out your pockets. Now!” He barked.
Slowly, she turned out her pockets and Celestia saw a Niffler, about the size of a small swan, sleeping peacefully. The man shuddered with hate. The girl next to him was wearing a look of satisfaction. He grabbed Spring’s hand and dragged her to the office. The older Spring showed a gesture that clearly told her to follow them. They ran after them. The memory changed, as everything dissolved and turned black, but just at that’s moment, another memory was fading into view.
“I am seriously disappointed in you, Spring,” Celestia heard a man say tiredly. “If you would hand it to me...”
He pointed his wand at the sleeping Niffler. Celestia looked up at the older Spring and saw that she had tears swimming in her dark blue eyes.
“Avada Kedavra!” A flash of green, blinding light filled the room, and Celestia felt her feet rise up and land into Spring’s actual office.
“There you have it. We are more like we seem,” her eyes now looked normal.
“W-what are they g-gonna do w-with A-Akko?” Her voice shook, her eyes filling up with hot tears.
Would she be sleeping peacefully, not knowing that she would die ina few minutes? Would she feel it? Would Celestia really want to watch her die without and justice?
“What my plan is,” Spring said, and Celestia looked up hopefully, probably knowing that she might have some bright idea about convincing the Ministry to not execute the Niffler.
“We will keep her secure at Hagrid’s Hut. You may visit her, anytime. But we must say that we have returned the Niffler. As I’m sure, your classmate Jennica, as the rest of your class knows you have called it Akko. We must change that. And for its appearance, we must change it too, as, forgive me, your Niffler is quite unique!”
Celestia’s body filled with relief. And happiness.
“But, Professor, how do we change her appearance?” She asked.
“Simple. If you would...” Shen said again and Celestia pulled out a sleeping Akko.
She took out her wand and did some complex hand movements. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, her fur began to grow longer and the colour began to lighten and she now saw a brand new Akko.
“And the name?”
Celestia thought for a moment.
“Sniffles,” she smiled proudly. Spring looked taken aback for a moment, then smiled too. She stood up and walked to the door.
“I will be seeing you. I must say, your Magical Creatures report was Outstanding!”
Celestia felt so happy. She hugged Spring. Spring was shocked, then returned the hug back.
Celestia ran to Hagrid’s cabin.