enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 3: Buckbeak

Felicity's POV

"You don't think that Grim thing's got anything to do with Sirius Black, do you?" Ron asked the three of us as we descended down stone steps to Hagrid's hut. "Oh, honestly, Ron," Hermione scoffed, "If you ask me, Divination's a woolly discipline. Now, Ancient Runes, that's a fascinating subject."

Ron looked as confused as I felt. "Ancient Runes?" he questioned. "Exactly how many classes are you taking?" I finished incredulously. "A fair few," Hermione answered vaguely. "Hang on," Ron interrupted, "That's not possible. Ancient Runes is in the same time as Divination. You have to be in two classes at once." Hermione laughed. "Don't be silly. Ron. How could anyone be in two classes at once?" "'Broaden your minds'," I mocked, "'Use your Inner Eye to see the future!'"

~*~

"That's it," Hagrid said as the last of us arrived and huddled loosely around his hut, "Come on, now. Come closer. Less talking, if you don't mind." He took a deep breath before announcing, "I got a real treat for you today. A great lesson. So follow me."

He led us to a clearing before pausing to address us. "Right, you lot. Less chattering," he instructed. "Form a group over there. And open your books to page 49." I looked down at the book I held warily in my hands. "Exactly how do we do that?" Malfoy's voice rang out behind me. I turned around and was surprised to see him standing so close; Harry recoiled as if Malfoy's voice had burned him and dragged the three of us in the opposite direction.

"Just stroke the spine, of course," Hagrid stated like it was obvious, "Goodness me." I cautiously stroked the spine of the book and sighed in relief when it opened. Neville, however, did not have the same result. He fell to the ground as the book began shredding through his clothes and it's own pages before he finally slammed it shut. "Don't be such a wimp, Longbottom," Malfoy jeered as he passed my brother. "Don't be such a bastard, Malfoy," I defended, pulling Neville up. "I'm okay," he panted, "I'm okay."

"I think they're kind of funny," I giggled, looking down at the book that was practically purring as I caressed the back of it. "Oh, yeah," Malfoy remarked sarcastically from behind us, "Terribly witty." He kicked a rock across the clearing and shook his head disbelievingly, "God, this place has gone to the dogs. Wait until Father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry and I said in unison, glaring. All his friends ooh-ed and he shoved his bag into Crabbe's arms before stalking over to where we stood. Harry walked forward to meet him, but Hermione held my arm, preventing me from kicking Malfoy's ass.

Malfoy was a few inches taller than Harry, but didn't look very intimidating as he suddenly cowered backwards with a shout, "D-Dementor, Dementor!" He pointed behind us and everyone whirled around gripping their wands.

Of course, we were greeted with the sight of nothing but fresh air, a clear sky, and green trees. The entire class turned back to face Malfoy and his cronies, irritated. They were laughing loudly, and Goyle was practically crying from laughing so hard.

They all pulled the hoods of their cloaks up and mimicked the soul-sucking monster, but none looked scarier than a first year. Hermione marched to Harry, grabbed his arm, and turned him away, making a face of disgust at the Slytherins.

Hagrid finally came back, though I was unaware he'd even left, with a creature behind him. It looked like a hawk mixed with a horse. He had a shiny gray coat, and the first half of his body was that of a large bird; long legs, sharp talons, arching wings, and piercing golden eyes. His bottom half, however, strongly resembled a horse; it's hind legs ended in hooves, not claws, and it had a long tail streaming out from behind him.

"Say hello to Buckbeak," Hagrid announced. "Hagrid, exactly what is that?" Ron asked, his eyes wide and terrified. "That, Ron," Hagrid replied, "is a hippogriff. First thing you wanna know is they're very proud creatures. Very easily offended. You do not want to insult a hippogriff. It may be the last thing you ever do." He had an amused smile while saying all of this, but Ron and Hermione were staring at him as if he was crazy.