The Golden Snidget

Inside the tower, they found Zacharias surrounded by people as he showed off his Golden Snidget.

"Gather around, Gather around, come look at my amazing bird, isn't it wonderful, it took a bit of effort for my parents to get me this, but being a legacy, no one would dare deny us, not even the Ministry." Zacharias boasted.

He did seem to impress more than a few of the people watching, many wishing to make friends with him because of his status.

"What's his name?"

"Quid," Zacharias answered with a laugh, followed by others attempting to stay in his good books.

Hermione frowned hearing his disgusting laugh- "That poor bird, do you think it'll be okay with him?"

Trenton- "Don't worry, it's like a status symbol for him, I doubt he'll let it come to harm."

Hermione- "I don't know, you know what those birds are used for right? They became in danger due to the game of Quidditch. At one point during a Quidditch game, they were introduced as a bet of 150 galleons to any person that could catch it, since then they were made part of the game and given 150 points to the team who caught it. The game ended once caught because they would die due to how fragile they are.

Ultimately, the use of Snidgets in Quidditch, and the popularity of the sport of Snidget-hunting, depleted the species considerably. About a century after Barberus Bragg's introduction of Snidgets to Quidditch, when it became apparent that the Snidget was close to extinction, Elfrida Clagg, then Chief of the Wizards' Council, declared it a protected species.

That's when they introduced the Golden Snitch and changed the point system."

Wayne gave a whistle- "Is all that true? No wonder you're in Ravenclaw."

Hermione felt a bit embarrassed realizing she went off again on one of her knowledge tirades, elbowing Trenton for not stopping her.

Trenton- "Hey, what was that for, you didn't do anything wrong, I was also interested."

Hermione grinned at being appreciated but quickly frowned when she saw Zacharias poking his bird.

Hermione stomped over- "Hey, don't do that, don't you know how fragile they are, you could hurt it."

Zacharias did not appreciate being yelled at, looking over with a sneer- "What's it to you, this is my bird and I'll do as I see fit."

Hermione furrowing her brows- "They are an endangered species, you should release it back with it's kind."

Zacharias- "Fat chance, do you have any idea how much my little Quid costs, something you couldn't dream of affording in your entire life, now stop bothering me you pleb."

Trenton didn't know what to do at the moment, he was at odds with doing what was right or dealing with the problem as best he knew how.

Justin who followed Hermione and Trenton was also feeling quite awkward, the last thing he wanted was to have conflict after just starting magical school.

Meanwhile, Hannah's rainbow-colored parrot flew down and sat on her shoulder allowing her to stroke it.

Wayne who was next to her commented- "Well this doesn't look good, that Hermione girl shouldn't go sticking her nose in other people's business like that."

Ernie who wasn't interested in the golden bird was also by them- "Yeah, messing with someone with that kind of status could come back to bite you."

The parrot feeling sensitive to the stuffy atmosphere didn't like it as it's rainbow colors began to travel down its body in an every changing rainbow pattern.

Hannah noticing tried to calm it- "It's okay Pitri, it's okay." but it was too late as it stretched out its wings.

Hannah- "uh oh."

It then let out a loud bird shriek, it's eyes glowing a multitude of colors before everything in sight began to change and distort.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as they noticed the world around them changing. Some even threw up due to the strain put on their senses, their eyes experiencing sensory overload.

Trenton closed his eyes as he bent down to massage his temples to try and steady himself.

Hermione faring no better as she tried to grasp what was going on.

It wasn't until a loud bark startled the bird out of its trance that everything started to return to normal.

Trenton grinned when he felt the softness that was Rocky, rubbing up against him while taking advantage of the situation to lick his face which Trenton does his best to prevent him from doing.

"Ah, Rocky, you rascal, you did good, you're a good boy," Trenton said giving him a thankful petting.

Hagrid soon arrived after receiving the alert that a pet was losing control- "What's all this now? Is someone doing something you shouldn't?"

Seeing all the kids remain mute while recovering he decided just to give them a small lecture- "Now I know some of you want to show off what your pets can do, but don't go doing something you'll regret, they're all special creatures that need looking after, be kind to them and they'll be kind back, now off with you lot, it's getting late now, start heading back before it gets dark, no students allowed roaming around after dark."

Trenton and Hermione met up with the others on the way out as everyone dispersed.

Wayne- "Hannah, what on earth was that?"

Hannah paused seeing all of them staring at her- "Um, my rainbow parrot, Pitri, doesn't' like it when things start turning serious, she starts to grow defensive and then unleashes her magic, she has the ability to cast illusions, it can be a very intense experience, I've been trying to train it to cast certain illusions, but so far I haven't had any luck as it just creates random things."

Wayne grinned- "Well it was cool seeing how it took down everyone, once you get the training down that would be extremely useful, I wonder if we could get it to create an entire world for us."

Trenton's eyes suddenly brightened- "A world huh? That would be awesome! I can imagine creating game worlds and making it like VR, wouldn't that be cool Hermione?"

Hermione rolled her eyes- "Boys and their toys."

Ernie confused, asked- "VR?"

Before Trenton could explain, Hermione interrupted him- "It's not important, honestly Trenton we live in a magical world now, I thought you would be over things like that."

Trenton scoffed- "I will never be over games, no matter what world I live in, games will always have a part in it, I can't even imagine a world without games."

Hermione snorted- "You know games only recently were created, what would you have done if you were born a little earlier."

Trenton looked hurt- "How could you ask something so cruel."

Hermione then saw his lips quiver, knowing he was trying not to smile.- "Stop playing around, I knew you weren't serious, reality beats imaginary every time, besides now that I think of it, while you did play games occasionally you would always grow bored of them fast."

Trenton chuckled- "Yeah because all of them are the same boring thing that's very limited, but a VR world would be neat and very different and then you don't have to risk your neck to have fun adventures."

They continued to converse among themselves before they came to the fork where they had to split up for the day. Hermione sadly looking on as the friends she's made all were in Hufflepuff together while she had to go alone to Ravenclaw where she has yet to make any friends.

Trenton hung back to spend a little more time with her.- "Don't be sad, It's still only the 1st, well 2nd day, I'm sure you'll make friends in Ravenclaw and if not we'll always be around, just not at night when we have to turn in."

"Yeah I guess," said Hermione moping.

Hermione recalling the day's events decided to ask what she was doing wrong when he had her stop.

Trenton- "How do I put this, you need to learn when you're having a conversation or when you're just attacking someone and creating an argument. Not everyone wants to hear the truth or care about the truth or even believe the truth. Take Ernie for example, you were attacking his beliefs, and there was no way you were going to get him to change that in any reasonable amount of time. Think of it like back in the muggle world, would you attack someone's religion? No, because no matter how right you are they'll fight you on it."

Hermione- "Okay, I get that, but what about Zacharias, why didn't you help me with that? He is not only wrong but he's bullying it, shouldn't you be helping me stop that." she seriously asked, not liking how she felt alone in her efforts to help the poor bird.

Trenton sighed- "Now that one is complicated, I don't see that kid ever changing or being reasonable in any way, so I have to ask myself, am I willing to fight this person to the bitter end? Even if it comes to blows? If that's what you wish to do Hermione I will back you every time, but I thought maybe you would want to reconsider your options again before deciding."

Hermione remained silent while thinking on it.- "Is it really that bad?"

Trenton- "Honestly it will take a miracle for that kid to change, he's grown up not just as a pureblood but as a legacy pureblood, he's at the top and in no way sees himself as equals to anyone else, I'm sure he's been spoiled worst then rotten... Yeah, it's really that bad."

Hermione- "I need to think on this, good night Trenton, thanks for the wonderful day."

Trenton- "Good night Hermione and sweet dreams."