#14 Dog Distractions

Oscar sighed in relief as the door opened with a blast of warmer air. Hagrid was definitely right about it being better inside if that was any indication!

"Hi Hagrid," he offered the giant man a smile in greeting, glad that he was nice enough to let Oscar take up some of his time - especially on Christmas. "Happy Christmas!"

He stepped into the hut with a grin at Fang's excitement. Yeah, animals definitely made things better! Once he was out of the way of the door he crouched down to greet the dog properly.

"And happy Christmas to you too, little buddy," he said to the dog as he offered his hand to sniff instead before giving him scratches on his head. So the dog might not actually be that little, but that wouldn't stop Oscar. All Oscar saw was a baby.

"Oh, thank you," he said at being given tea. He had not expected that but it was definitely good of him! "Are you having a good holiday?" He might be there partially to check if rumours about plant pots were true, but both his Mamma and Nana Mags had hammered into his head that manners didn't hurt.

Oscar gave Fang one last scratch and then moved to pick up his tea, wrapping both of his hands around the large cup to leech the warmth as he took a drink.

"Are the centaurs okay?" he asked, unable to help but worry about things in the forest.

"It's been.. quiet?" he said after taking another drink of his tea. He thought that seemed like the right word. "The castle's definitely different during the holidays."

He wasn't used to having such freedom in the castle. He was used to the castle meaning classes and homework. And while he might not be the best at focusing on his work, suddenly not having any but being in the same place had thrown him off more than he would like to admit.

"Was hoping to try to get to use the greenhouses later though," he admitted, ducking his head down slightly behind his cup. He suddenly felt a lot more awkward. Sure half of the reason for the visit had been following a rumour, but he found that actually asking about it was much harder. "I- ah, was hoping you could help with that actually?"

"That's good," Oscar said, deciding to trust that Hagrid would know best. If anyone knew the forest then it would have to be him, right? Oscar was curious about the goings-on in there but he did not want to push Hagrid for more information about it. Maybe he would get lucky and hear someone else talking about it in the future?

He relaxed at being told that Professor Sprout would be proud of his plans for the day. That made him less worried about bugging her later!

"I heard that you could help with a pot to play around in," he said, lifting a shoulder slightly awkwardly as he tried to figure out the words to ask. "So, er.. can you? Please?"

Oscar quickly placed his empty cup on the table so that he could safely accept the pot without breaking Hagrid's property. He would have felt awful if he broke anything after Hagrid had been so nice.

"That's perfect, Hagrid!" he said, grinning up at the large man as he cuddled the pot close to his chest. "Thank you so much!"

Actually having the pot full of dirt in his possession was making him more eager to get to try to grow something. He wondered if he could grow some pretty flowers like his gran liked to back home or if it would have to be something more useful for, ugh.. potions.

"I can't wait to see what I can grow," he said thoughtfully, staring down into the soil as if that would offer the answers already. He shook his head, blushing as he dragged himself out of his thoughts back to the present to look up at Hagrid.

"Ah, I guess I better go find Professor Sprout," Oscar said as he stood up. He paused in his exit to crouch by Fang again to give the dog a couple last scratches on his head.

"Thanks again for the tea and the pot, Hagrid." he said, straightening up once more. "Is there anything I can do for you by the way?" Sure Oscar might have plans already in his head, but the man had done him a favour and had been so nice about it. It was only polite to ask if he needed anything in return. Oscar could always get around to his plans later if he did.