Midnight & Destiny | Harry Potter FanFiction

Capitulum Quattuordecim

Hagrid's teaching abilities would be tested the following Tuesday in Care of Magical Creatures class. Ron and Hermione were right. He did look like he had been in a fight with giants. His left eye was swollen shut, cuts covered his face and hands that appeared to only have begun healing and he was moving a little on the stiff side, alerting Harry that there were additional injuries under the surface.

The moment Hagrid, who was waiting for everyone at the edge of the Forest with a dead animal that somewhat resembled a cow over his shoulder, saw Harry he smiled brightly and waved. Harry waved back trying desperately not to let his apprehension show. He really didn't want to know what they could be learning about today that would require the presence of such a large dead animal to serve as a bargaining chip.

As soon as the entire class had arrived, Hagrid could hardly hold back his excitement. "Today we'll be workin' in the Forest!" he announced. "They prefer the dark an' it's a bit more sheltered! I've bin savin' this trip inter the Forest fer this year. We're seein' these creatures in their natural habitat. Just so yeh all know, what we're studyin' today is really rare. I'm probably the on'y person in Britain who's managed ter train these creatures. Stay close and follow me!"

Several students didn't bother hiding their nervousness as they followed Hagrid into the forest, Malfoy being one of them. Harry could think of quite a few creatures in the forest that preferred the dark and silently prayed that they weren't visiting the Acromantulas today. He really didn't think Ron would be able to handle it. It didn't take long for Harry to realize that they weren't traveling in the same direction of Aragog's cave. From the relieved sigh that came from Ron, Harry figured that Ron had been thinking the same thing he had.

They walked for approximately ten minutes until they were surrounded by trees that were so close to each other than no sunlight crept through the branches. There was absolutely no snow on the ground, only mud. Hagrid dropped his load on the ground then stepped away before turning to face the class. Most of the students had never been in the forest and appeared to be one shout away from running for their lives.

"Gather roun', everyone," Hagrid said with a smile. "No reason ter be scared. They'll be attracted to the smell of the meat but I'll give 'em a call anyways. Cover yer ears everyone." The students immediately obeyed as Hagrid let out a strange shrieking cry that echoed throughout the forest. After a few moments Hagrid letout another cry then waited.

It wasn't long before Harry noticed strange horse-like creatures appearing out of the darkness. They looked almost starved; their black coats apparently the only thing covering their skeletons. Harry was certain he could see every bone. They had heads that resembled ones belonging to dragons. Their eyes were pupil-less which was extremely unnerving. They had black, leathery wings resembling those belonging to bats.

Harry took a nervous step backwards as more creatures arrived. They observed the class for a few seconds before they started attacking the dead animal with their pointed fangs. Glancing around, he saw that no one seemed to notice the creatures. They were all looking up in the trees as if they were expecting something else to come. Harry turned to Hagrid who had his attention on the creatures with a proud smile on his face.

"There's plenty of them aroun' now," Hagrid said proudly. "Now, who can see 'em? Put yer hands up." Harry raised his hand along with Neville and a stringy Slytherin boy standing just behind Goyle. "I figured yeh would, Harry," Hagrid said softly. "Neville, yeh too an'—"

"What are we supposed to be seeing here?" Malfoy sneered.

Hagrid pointed to the dead animal. "Watch," he said firmly. After a few seconds several students gasped while others squealed as pieces of the carcass disappeared. "These are Thestrals," he informed the class. "Hogwarts has an entire heard o' 'em in the Forest. "Now—"