its all about blood - angelrider93

Chapter 7 - The Manticore

The next morning found the Slytherin and Gryffindor sixth years heading across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. All the students were cautious and wary, Hagrid's penchant for dangerous creatures was well known and they were wondering if today would be any different.

"Alrigh, alrigh, we ave a special lesson today" Hagrid stated, once the students were all gathered around him. He stood next to a large object covered with a black cloth.

"Hagrid, what's under the cloth?" Hermione asked tentatively, she had a feeling about what it could be but for the sake of two particular students, she hoped she was wrong. Hagrid reached out and pulled the black cloth off the object. The students all gasped and stepped back. Harry and Draco however, scuttled back about ten feet upon seeing the thing they both most feared at the moment.

"Its all righ, its dead, Dumbledore preserved it so it can't hurt yeh" Hagrid reassured his class,

"Hagrid, is that the one that attacked us?" Harry asked quietly, indicating himself and Draco. They both still refused to move any closer.

"Yes 'arry it is" Hagrid nodded. Harry and Draco both glanced at the Manticore. It had a man's head that was surrounded by a lion's mane. A red lion's body and a green scorpion's tail.

"Hagrid, I'm not sure that this is such a good idea" Hermione said tentatively, with a concerned look at Harry and Draco, who were both pale.

"As I said, its dead, it can' urt yeh. It was Dumbledore's idea, and the Potter's and the Malfoy's both gave their permission" Draco looked up at Hagrid,

"My parents gave their permission?"

"Yea, they did. We all though it was important to yeh, to learn abou' em, and ow to defend yeself from em" Hagrid replied, "Now I know yea two dun wan ta come closer, an that's fine, but ye still ave ta participate in da lesson" he added. Draco and Harry looked at each other, then without a word then moved forward about five feet, then sat, refusing to come any closer. Hagrid nodded in agreement and indicated for the rest of the class to take a seat. Blaise, Theo, Hermione and Ron, all moved and sat near their friends, who even though they weren't friendly, were finding security in their shared knowledge and fear.

"Alrigh, who can tell me what the Manticore's weapons are?" Hagrid asked once they were all seated. Hermione went to raise her hand but stopped when she saw that both Harry and Draco had their hands raised, though they were shaking, "Arry, Draco, what are they?"

"It has three rows of razor sharp teeth, these are strong enough to break bones and to rip the flesh from their prey" Harry answered paling,

"Their tail is that of a scorpion, though the venom is different, it is used to paralyze you so that it can move in for the kill, but if it is able to inject enough into you, then it can cause your organs to shut down and kill you" Draco continued quietly, then he paused and added, "Its claws are also like small daggers, they can cut through your skin and muscle as if it were soft butter" Hagrid nodded,

"Correct, ten points to Slytherin and Gryffindor" then he turned and started talking about the lives of the Manticore. Hermione however had tuned out Hagrid's lecture. She was intently watching the play of emotions on Draco's face. Harry appeared to be coping alright, but Draco looked to be on the verge of panic. His breathing was shallow and quick, his eyes were wide as they stared at the dead Manticore, and he appeared to be incapable of listening to anyone. Blaise was trying to talk to him, but was getting no response. Looking around, Hermione noticed that the rest of the class had moved closer to the Manticore, and that they were oblivious to the six students who remained behind. Hermione glanced at Ron, Blaise, Theo and Harry, they had all noticed that Draco was getting close to the edge of hysteria. Hermione, made up her mind then,