streams of silver - Creatures Level 1

I think about it for a minute. On the one hand, it never hurts to be careful. On the other hand, I see nothing unusual about the trees. They really look just like regular trees. To make sure, I shoot a spell at the nearest fallen tree. "Rilevazione Magica," I mutter. (Magical Detection) If any sort of magical spell were on those trees, they would glow blue. But nothing happens.

I decide to risk it, how dangerous a creature would be in a tree log? And I lift a leg carefully to step over the trees, making sure not to touch them.

"Stupid, stupid," Streams muttered under her breath. "How could I have forgotten about Bowtruckles? How?" She had been distracted, she usually was when beginning an exam. She took a deep breath, vowing not to make such a ridiculous mistake again. Keeping one hand free so that she could shield her eyes if necessary, Streams waved her wand and yelled, "Stupefy!" But the creatures were very thin and moving fast, and it was hard to hit them. Cursing under her breath, Streams had another idea and figured it was worth a try. After all, she WAS in a forest...

"Accio woodlice!" she shouted, cupping her hand. Woodlice rose from all around, forming a small cloud and dropping neatly into her cupped palm. She grimaced as they tickled and crawled about on her hand, and tried not to look at them as she knelt on the ground and extended her hand, offering the woodlice to the Bowtruckles. As the creatures grabbed the treat, Streams strode off in the direction of the next red arrow, stopping to briskly rub her legs where the Bowtruckles had scratched them. Though there were no more woodlice in her hand, she could still feel that crawling effect and shuddered slightly as she hurried on.

"Hmm," Streams pondered as she came to the split path, and then saw a little creature standing resolutely in the middle of one path. "Oh!" Streams exclaimed, approaching slowly so as not to scare it away. "You're a Kneazle, aren't you? I wonder what your name is..."

The Kneazle didn't move so Streams drew closer still and wondered if she dared to touch it. Who would abandon a Kneazle in the middle of such a forest? The poor thing...shaking her head sadly, Streams reached into her knapsack and drew out one of the two tuna sandwiches she had packed in case the test took longer than anticipated. Her stomach WAS growling, come to think of it. So she sat down at the side of the path and pulled out the other sandwich as well.

She carefully opened the first sandwich and lay it down a couple feet away. The smell of tuna wafted through the air and she could see the Kneazle's whiskers twitching...pretending to ignore the Kneazle, Streams ate her own sandwich, and grinned when she saw the Kneazle hesitantly and then more happily and confidently sniffing and eating the tuna Streams had left for it.

"Oh...you're such a sweet boy, aren't you?" The Kneazle came over to her slowly and rubbed against her legs. "Are you...purring?" Streams asked delightedly. Carefully, she stroked the Kneazles soft fur. "I really need to be getting on...you can come along if you like though. Maybe I can guess your name...or give you a new one."

Smiling, Streams headed down the Kneazle's path, the Kneazle walking at her side.