"Inhuman?"

Bast frowned, the expression on his face that of a child trying to grasp a concept that was far beyond their intelligence. The fingertip crept back up to his mouth, teeth nipping at the nail.

"I never said it was fun, but... that's what we were supposed to do, wasn't it? I mean, Rodolphus said they weren't real, like those little crawly bugs on the walk. We didn't want to win anything either. Not really. We were supposed to bring back all the things that had been lost. A majesty and beauty instead of slap garishness and fake glitter. Something real and lovely that had been forgotten. We were going to preserve our lines so that they wouldn't be forgotten or destroyed. Isn't that... good?"

Bast frowned, struggling to comprehend the idea put before him.

"I like it here. No one calls me stupid or dumb. People are nice to me and don't hate me like you do. Maybe you're the evil one, Harry Potter. You say the Dark Lord was wrong for bullying those weaker than him, but isn't that what you're doing right now to me?"