The Kind Hufflepuff

Chapter 54: Care of Magical Creatures

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The Kind Hufflepuff - Year Three

Chapter Fifty- Four: Care of Magical Creatures

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If there was anything that Cali had been excited about- it was Care of Magical Creatures. It was a class that was only offered to third years and above, something that had always disappointed her despite the fact that there were a myriad of reasons for such a decision. Namely the decision lying in the fact that the class could be dangerous at times, Professor Kettleburn being a prime example of how dangerous such a class could be considered the older professor was covered in scars and missing fingers though she suspected none of the limb losing had happened during a class.

But nonetheless, Cali would have told you for the last two years that she was living her life until she finally hit third year so she could finally study the most important class in the world to her. She had dreamed of attending the class in order to retrieve formal training on the magical creatures that existed both within the Forbidden Forest and far beyond the perimeter of Hogwarts itself. Now that the day had finally arrived, only a few days after arriving back to the castle to begin her third year, Cali was positively bouncing in her steps in excitement. 

"Your excitement is quite puzzling to me," John mumbled. "It's not like we'll learn about any interesting classes. I heard a third year last year constantly complaining about having to care for flobberworms."

"Flobberworms are actually incredibly interesting," Cali rolled her eyes at the boy. Daisy had convinced him to apologize a few days ago, and Cali had begrudgingly accepted the apology though she could tell that he hadn't been remotely sincere.

"I just think we all could have chosen a way more interesting class," John grumbled. "Ancient Runes was so interesting yesterday, I can't imagine this class will be up to par."

"No one said we had to take the same class," Cali snapped at the boy. "So shut up!" 

John had rolled his eyes while Greta hooked arms with Cali, "So, what animal do you think we will study first?"

"I have no idea," Cali admitted. "I've heard that it changes every year."

"What do you hope for?" Greta giggled.

"Not sure," Cali shrugged. "I'm just so excited."

"Did you remember your journal?" John asked awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head as Cali nodded.

"Wouldn't forget it. I'm surprised you remembered," Cali commented, wrinkling her eyebrows as she smiled.

"You carry that thing everywhere," Greta laughed. "It's hard to forget."

It wasn't long before they had made it to the Care of Magical Creatures Classroom that stood on the edge of the Forbidden Forest a few feet away from the Caretakers Hut, Hagrid. It had wooden stumps for seats and a small gated area that was usually pretty empty but held gold calves inside the small enclosure and Cali stopped in her tracks for a moment, her eyebrows raised as her mouth formed an "o" shape as she realized what they were.

"Do you know what those are?" Greta asked, and Cali nodded excitedly before darting to the classroom. She waved excitedly at Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter who sat in the furthest corner of the little classroom while she grabbed a seat right at the front, wanting to get a good angle to be able to observe the golden calves. She took out her notebook, furiously writing notes until Professor Kettleburn walked towards the class and disrupted the flow.

"Hello class, welcome to Care of Magical Creatures," the tiny man greeted. "This class is meant to give the opportunity for Hogwarts students to see various magical creatures and learn their attributes in order to recognize the best way to treat and handle such creatures. Now that we got all of that hooplah out of the way, does anyone know what these creatures are?"

Cali's hand immediately shot in the air, her smile bright.

"Ah, yes. The little eager Hufflepuff at the front, do tell us what these creatures are."

"Yes sir, of course sir. These are unicorns under the age of two years old."

"You are correct... Miss?"

"Higgs, Cali Higgs," Cali smiled.

"15 points to Hufflepuff, Miss. Higgs," the professor announced.

"Now Miss. Higgs had also been correct about the age of the unicorns themselves. You see unicorns change color as they age. Under the age of 2, they are a golden color and then they turn into a fine silver color until they are 4 years old. Once they turn four, they become a white that makes freshly fallen snow grey in comparison and grow their horn though they do not mature entirely until they are 6 years old." The rest of the class began jotting the notes away as Cali found herself staring at the small creatures once more.

"Unicorns have quite a few magical properties, which is unfortunate as it also considered our worst kept secret from Muggles. Unicorns are a well known creature within their world, though many deem the majestic beast to be mythical in nature," Kettleburn continued. "Does anybody know about the magical properties that Unicorns possess?" 

At this point, multiple people raised their hands including Cali, and Kettleburn called onto Remus Lupin for the answer. "Hi sir, Unicorns horns are found in potions sometimes."

"Correct, anything else?" Cali's hands raised once more but this time, he chose a Ravenclaw that Cali didn't know the name of. 

"Yes, the Unicorn's tail hair is often found in a wands core. My wand actually has a Unicorn hair."

"Yes, you are correct. You likely met with Ollivander before you began attending Hogwarts. Despite how eccentric he may seem, it has been proven that different cores and woods have personalities all on their own. Unicorn hair in a wand core produces the most consistent magic and is least subject to fluctuations or blockages, highly regarded to be the most difficult to turn into a dark wand and would likely be unwilling to perform dark magic but consistent in it's decisions. They also incredibly faithful to their user, known for refusing to work for anybody else. But please, do not assume that your wand resembles these attributes. The wood of your wand may compensate for the Unicorn Hair core's challenges."

Gregory Wilkes raised his hand, and Kettleburn kindly called for him. "I'm Gregory Wilkes," the boy quickly explained. "But is that really all of the Unicorns uses? Potions and wands?"

"No," Kettleburn laughed shortly. "Far from the contrary. Unicorn blood is by far the most magical thing about them. It's said that their blood could keep somebody who is near death alive, essentially granting the drinker immortality. However, do not go off and hunt in the Forbidden Forest tonight to strive for such a feat. Drinking blood of the Unicorn also curses you, punishing you as it keeps you alive."

He stood there for a moment, almost as though trying to get it to sink into the students before he continued, "Unicorns are incredibly fast creatures, faster than even a werewolf. This has resulted in them being classified as XXXX beasts by the Ministry of Magic due to how difficult it is the capture though Unicorns should never be handled by anybody unless they are trained and well versed in magical creatures. Ways to recognize the beast when out to about would be their color that changes with age, a single horn on their head in their maturity, and golden hooves that are throughout the creature's life."

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A/N: AH! She's started taking Care of Magical Creatures Classes!