Believer

Chapter Six

I was happy to get out of the castle after lunch. Our first Care of Mythical Creatures class was coming up and I was already ready for it, I was just so tired I possibly should have taken the time turner to take a nap.

I got to Hagrid's hut with Liza as I saw Hagrid standing outside of his door. I was proud of Hagrid, he was a professor this year. He stood there looking impatient for everyone to get down the hill, like almost every first year teacher, Lockheart was the same, in a way.

"Nova, always early," he chuckled at me.

"All the time," I smiled as the rest of the class showed up.

"C'mon now! Get a move on!" He called, "got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"

Hagrid guided the group to the edge of the trees of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid walked up to a paddock. There was nothing there.

"Everyone gather 'round the fence here! That's it- make sure yeh can see- now firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-"

"How?" Draco sneered as I rolled my eyes.

"Yeh've got ter stroke 'em."

"Oh, how silly we've all been! We should have stroked them!" He sneered.

I shot him a glare as he bit his tongue.

"I-- I thought they were funny," Hagrid said.

"Oh tremendously funny! Really witty, giving us all books that try to rip our hands off!"

"Malfoy, shut up!" I sighed, "he's a Professor just like McGonagall, Snape, and every single fucking professor on these grounds. Give him some respect!"

Hagrid let out a laugh as Draco bit his lip thinking of something else to say.

"Don't make me do it," I muttered as he shook his head.

"Fine."

"Righ' then," Hagrid said, "so-- yeh've got yer books an'-- an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on!" He said carrying off in the forest out of sight.

"God, this place is going to the dogs, that oaf teaching classes? My father will have a fit when I tell him-"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry said as I nodded at him.

"Careful Potter, there's a Dementor behind you-"

Harry jumped and looked behind him as I walked over to Draco and Harry.

I grabbed Harry and gave Draco a look before walking off. I didn't have enough energy for this.

"Ooooh!" squealed Lavender Brown pointing toward the opposite side of the paddock.

There were so many creatures. It reminded me of a book I read. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them- I think that was the book. There were about a dozen creatures I knew the name of but I had forgotten. They had the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses but the front legs, wings and heads seemed to be a giant eagle. It was proud and beautiful. Their orange eyes looked at all the students.

"Get up, there!" Hagrid roared, "Hippogriffs!"

I examined each and every one profoundly. They all looked up to the air. I wanted to see them fly.

Hagrid gave everyone a step by step tutorial on how to great a Hippogriff as I looked at one. It looked to me and turned it's head.

"Don't come any closer," it ordered as I stayed still, "you can understand me?"