Charlotte's Journal on Bilbo Puffins

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day One: After receiving Bilbo from the Professor, I went with Sanctus up to an area near the castle and let him and Sanctus's puff, Harkin, interact and explore. Bilbo looked around and made a soft humming sound while shivering slightly as he looked at his surroundings. This is possibly a way they communicate hesitation and nervousness. Then, Bilbo and Harkin, after a few minutes of snuffling at one another and taking each other in, began to rub themselves together. This is possibly a scent-marking type ritual. As they are small, I doubt that they are like larger creatures who assert dominance over one another. Given that they rub each other's side, I suspect the view one another as equals.

After a round of playful rough-housing, very similar to kittens and small puppies in enthusiasm and energetic output, Sanctus placed a cricket, before the puffs. Harkin displayed restraint and allowed Bilbo to eat the cricket. I shall have to remember to collect various bugs in the future to feed him. After he ate, Bilbo emitted a different hum, one that was deeper, and closed his eyes as he rippled. I take it to mean he was satisfied with his treat.

After the interaction with Harkin, I took Bilbo back to my dormitory. He seemed afraid, at first, without his fellow pygmy with him. He made the high-humming noise and shivered constantly for over an hour while I pet at his fur and said assuring words. When an hour had passed, he seemed curious with his surroundings and began to explore. I followed and noted as he crawled first in to my discarded school-shoe, rubbing his body against the inside after snuffling the back, inside heel. I suspect he was remembering my scent and marking the shoe as his. Then he disappeared under my bed for ten minutes. When he returned out the other side, he seemed to be finishing the last of a spider I assume he caught under the bed.

I picked Bilbo up from the floor after letting him see his new home and placed him in a small transfigured cage I had made for him during his explorations. I made the bars wide enough to let my fingers go through to pet him, but small enough that he won't easily get out. When I told him goodnight, he made his 'nervous and scared' hum again. Puffs seem to respond to the comforting touch of fingers along their backs and sides, as well as to softly spoken, kind words. After I told him all would be well and wished him goodnight, he seemed to settle in to a calm state.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Two:

My first full day with Bilbo began very interestingly. When I woke up, I went around the room to gather small dead bugs for him to eat. He prefers spiders, but a fly or a bee will do. I then took an extra tooth-brush I had, transfigured it in to a mini-pet brush, and brushed out his fur. Bilbo, I found, tends to shed.

As I took him down stairs, I discovered that he dislikes being held in my hands. He kept attempting to crawl up my arm to ride my shoulder. I gave in to his wishes and allowed him to ride my shoulder all day, save at Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and during study time. I allowed him to sit on the desk and tables then, letting him explore.

He seemed very afraid in the Great Hall, today, and in the study rooms. The number of people and the noises, I suspect, frighten him the most. I made sure to reassure him and show him he had nothing to fear. We'll see as the week goes along, how well he adapts.

He was happiest when Sanctus came and let Harkin visit him. Again, they proceeded to rub themselves against each other and play. I think it would be best to have at least one interaction with another puff each day.

Bed proceeded as the day before had. I allowed him time to move about and explore, then I placed him within his cage and went to bed. This time was easier than last, as he began to make his content hum as I pet at him, without needed to shiver as he often does when afraid.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Three:

Bilbo is responding to his name. When I call him, he hums once and bounces close to me. I believe he's already formed a bond of trust with me.

I took him with me to classes, today. He seemed very afraid, especially when the professors began speaking. I assured him, as I had in the past, that all was well. He soon settled down and grew to explore as he did when I had him on tables during study periods.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Four

Bilbo is even less afraid of classes, now. He seems well at ease whilst riding on my shoulder, and seems to hum with content when he sees me bringing him the 'food' I gathered for him. He's even gotten used to the brushings I give him each morning.

Herbology. I was afraid he might get lost or eaten by some of the carnivorous plants. Instead, I left him in my room. I did, however, utilize some time in class to collect small garden bugs, and have fed him with them. I think I shall go back to the greenhouses to do this each day.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Five:

Bilbo is no longer afraid of either classes, or being in study rooms. However, he still does not care for the noise of the Great Hall. I think during those times I shall have him rest in one of my robe pockets. He often snacks on bits of lint I leave inside them.

Today was Bilbo's first bath. He didn't care much for it. He even bit my finger when I had him covered in soap. After drying him, I brushed his fur again, and he seemed to calm down. To enforce that his washings are good, I gave him a treat. A moth. This produced his 'happy' hums.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Six:

Did not take Bilbo to Potions today. I was worried he might end up sick from the fumes of the concoctions, or end up hurting himself on the knife or burners. Therefore, I left him in his cage this afternoon.

On all other fronts, however, Bilbo appears to be completely unafraid, now, of all interactions with humans. While he still has the most enjoyment in interactions with Harkin and other pygmy puffs that he plays with. With daily brushing, his shedding has decreased greatly. The only things he seems afraid of now are large creatures such as rats, cats, toads, and owls. He obviously knows what predators are, therefore, I'll need to keep him safe from such things.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

Day Seven:

I intend, again, today, to carry Bilbo with me throughout the school to my classes. I confess, I've decided to make Bilbo 'cuter', and have begun to knit a tiny Ravenclaw scarf for him. A knitting book I've checked out from the library was very promising. I will take tomorrow's trip to Hogsmede as a chance to get some yarn for his scarf. I only hope he doesn't end up eating it.