Ari stood, underwhelmed, in front of the funky-looking giant tree. It certainly doesn't look
that dangerous. Surely, she could see how if one branch fell on some unfortunate soul that stumbled across it without minding where they were going, it could potentially break an arm or two. But it is honestly just a very old, very distinct-looking. Nothing special. From the way that some of her cousins were talking about the Whomping Willow, Ari had expected it to be some sort of legendary Arthurian-esque relic.
But, it's just a tree.
Ari shrugged to herself.
Well it's time to move on. If she wanted to explore everything on her first-day bucket list before classes start, she better start hurrying those tiny legs of hers.
Before Ari could turn back, her eyes squinted toward a small, blurry figure
very close to the Whomping Willow. A tiny but rough
"mew" escaped from the round shadow.
"...Pudgeface?" Ari hasn't seen her cat anywhere since the feast last night. She had shrugged if off, thinking he was possibly off to some wild adventures with the owls from the owlery. Besides, Ari wasn't too found of cats - she's much more of a dog person. But since Hogwarts restricts pets to only cats, owls, and toads (Toads? Who keeps toads as pets nowadays?), Ari had no choice but to get herself a new companion. Initially, Ari had insistent on an owl (she had her eyes on a handsome barn owl back in Eeylop's Owl Emporium), but her
stupid, snobby older sister had already adopted a cat
for Ari and was planning to surprise Ari until she found out from the scratch marks on her sister's arms.
Why, WHY a CAT? Ari had thought.
And a mean one too! Why give me the devil when you don't even want to keep it for yourself?!
Now there he is. The devil. Staring right back at Ari with those yellow, snake-like eyes.
Ari sighed.
"Sure, whatever. Just stay there. I won't come and get you."