Order Only: We've been delayed in the Forbidden Forest

[alt_luna]

I know, I know, it's dark and the lecture's about to start. But we've found a thestral foal, and it's hurt; it has a torn wing flap and it seems to be in quite a bit of pain.

Sally-Anne or Madam Pomfrey: do you have a suggestion for treating the wing? I don't think we should linger here much longer but aren't quite sure what to do.

I think some Acromantula silk would be useful for a dressing, but Colin and Divyesh are being quite firm that we shouldn't go looking for any now.

Comments

[alt_frank]

(Not unless we discover a nice, doesn't want to eat us variety, which I don't think exist.)

[alt_luna]

Well I think they might give us some silk if we just ask politely. And if it was a very young spider. But I'm hoping Sally-Anne or Madam Pomfrey would have something a little more practical to suggest, and that wouldn't involve staying out here much longer.

[alt_sally_anne]

No one's going to notice you're not here, it's much too crowded.

I entirely agree that you should not go out in search of juvenile acromantulae; even the cat-sized ones will happily eat a human. They'll just, you know, share.

Acromantula silk is considered good for healing if you happen to get your hands on it while it's very fresh, but overwhelmingly it is also considered to be NOT WORTH the RISK.

[alt_luna]

I suppose the Prefects are taking attendance. Artie, if you hear any of them ask about me, could you say that you saw me before supper and I was feeling a bit queasy? That would explain me not being in the Great Hall, and with luck they'll assume I'm in the Hospital Wing.

[alt_sally_anne]

Do you have any dittany with you? (Surely you do!) You can use it on the thestral's wing, but don't pour it directly on. Put it on a clean cloth, like the edge of your shirt, and dab it.

[alt_luna]

We do, but I wish we had more. It has helped heal the torn edges, which has helped with the pain, I think, but it doesn't quite re-join the webbing back together.

[alt_hermione]

No, you should leave, and quickly.

I've read that thestrals will attack and eat their young if they're wounded. You could be in danger from them as well as the other creatures.

[alt_frank]

(We haven't seen any adults yet. I'll tell Nick to keep an eye. Div can't see them, but he's holding the light to make it as bright as possible.)

[alt_poppy]

Leave there this instant. Do not risk your lives.

The thestral foal will either heal or be eliminated by its herd. That is theirs to decide, I'm afraid.

[alt_frank]

(right. we're taking off.)

[alt_poppy]

And, Miss Lovegood?

I expect to see you immediately upon your return. Come here first of all. We'll explain your absence from the lecture at the very least. (And set my mind to rest.)

[alt_luna]

I'm on my way back to the castle now, Madam Pomfrey, and yes, I'll stop up to see you.

We'll tell Hagrid about it. Perhaps he'll keep an eye out for it, at least, since it's near the border of the Forest.

I do hope the poor thing will be all right.

That was about all that happened of note tonight, although we did spot one unicorn tail hair, tangled in some bushes. Divyesh is taking it back to Moddey Dhoo for Melli.

Private Message to Luna and Colin

[alt_frank]

(You get a thorough talking-to?

I'm sorry I sort of dragged you out of there, even though you didn't want to leave right away. But with Div and Nick being new to everything, it'd be important to be extra careful, you know?

Even if it didn't end up working out for the foal.

But I figure it has a better chance now than it did, yeah?

We can check and see next week.

I'm really sorry we couldn't do more, Lunes.)

Re: Private Message to Luna and Colin

[alt_luna]

Madam Pomfrey can be rather...peppery if she thinks we're taking foolish chances. But you were probably right that it was time to return. Anyway, I do pin my hopes on Hagrid. He won't care a jot about anyone else saying that the foal should be left alone to die or not, if it needs nursing. You know he's really a surprisingly motherly chap, for someone who stomps along on huge feet and who has a bushy beard that sticks out in all directions! And I've seen him tend all sorts of creatures. Why I do believe in a different world he might have made a wonderful Care of Magical Creatures professor himself.

I do look forward to next week. And not just in the hopes that we'll see the baby thestral again.

(I'm glad you liked the sketches in my naturalist notebook. Next week I'll bring a spare one I have for you to take home and use yourself. I would love to see your pictures of the daily life at Moddey Dhoo.)