Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2017 9:21:16 GMT -7
Aaron swore under his breath as the chilly December wind assaulted his flesh. He was standing outside his little flat in Hogsmeade trying to adjust to the frigid temperatures. He needed groceries something fierce. Living off of crackers and instant noodles was quickly losing its appeal. He trudged through the snow, his boots sucking at the white powder with every step. His arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, and, even through his thick jacket, he was cold.
Suddenly, he heard a whimpering to his left, right behind The Hog's Head pub. He followed the sound, concerned at its anxiety and pain. Behind the pub, a small dog hobbled through the snow, his back leg obviously injured. Furrowing his brow, he rushed forward and scooped the little dog up in his arms, cradling it gently while the pup grunted and whimpered. The groceries could wait. Aaron turned back toward his flat and began walking home, the dog tucked safely in his arms.
At home, he sat the dog before the fireplace and set about mending the poor creature's leg. He was no mediwizard, he realized, as he looked around for something, anything to set what was obviously a broken leg. He finally found some gauze shoved in a cabinet between his razors and shampoo. Coupled with a wooden spoon and his belt, he carefully - as carefully as a clumsy young man could - set the break. The dog looked up at him with an almost smile. Thanks, Aaron heard in his mind. He stared at the dog for a moment. "Did you just...did I just...great, I'm hearing things." But the dog just continued to smile at him.
A few months passed. Aaron continued to care for the dog and any others he happened to find on the streets of Hogsmeade. He had always loved dogs, but now he was beginning to realize why they loved him so much. He could understand him and they, in their doggy way, could understand him. Initially, it scared him. It was just one more way he was a freak. But he eventually learned to embrace the new talent as it allowed him to help more dogs in need. His first dog, clichely named Lucky, was well on the mend, and Nurse Aaron was happy to see the pup's progress. They continued to communicate, and Aaron realized that, while not the human he had hoped, he had finally found a friend. For the first time since his mother died, he was truly happy.
Suddenly, he heard a whimpering to his left, right behind The Hog's Head pub. He followed the sound, concerned at its anxiety and pain. Behind the pub, a small dog hobbled through the snow, his back leg obviously injured. Furrowing his brow, he rushed forward and scooped the little dog up in his arms, cradling it gently while the pup grunted and whimpered. The groceries could wait. Aaron turned back toward his flat and began walking home, the dog tucked safely in his arms.
At home, he sat the dog before the fireplace and set about mending the poor creature's leg. He was no mediwizard, he realized, as he looked around for something, anything to set what was obviously a broken leg. He finally found some gauze shoved in a cabinet between his razors and shampoo. Coupled with a wooden spoon and his belt, he carefully - as carefully as a clumsy young man could - set the break. The dog looked up at him with an almost smile. Thanks, Aaron heard in his mind. He stared at the dog for a moment. "Did you just...did I just...great, I'm hearing things." But the dog just continued to smile at him.
***
A few months passed. Aaron continued to care for the dog and any others he happened to find on the streets of Hogsmeade. He had always loved dogs, but now he was beginning to realize why they loved him so much. He could understand him and they, in their doggy way, could understand him. Initially, it scared him. It was just one more way he was a freak. But he eventually learned to embrace the new talent as it allowed him to help more dogs in need. His first dog, clichely named Lucky, was well on the mend, and Nurse Aaron was happy to see the pup's progress. They continued to communicate, and Aaron realized that, while not the human he had hoped, he had finally found a friend. For the first time since his mother died, he was truly happy.
