Lucinda Evans - still in progress

Chapter 13 - Sirius Black

"Gosh, I'm starving. Again!" Mer complains, again, when we're on our way to Care of Magical Creatures. 

"You must have a supermassive black hole in your stomach. How is it even possible that you're hungry again. We've just had breakfast and you ate like half a dozen of pancakes, a mountain of kippers and a double portion of eggs and bacon!" I try to reason her.

"I can't help it!" she puts her hands in the air as a more theatrical tint of her admitting defeat. She's such a drama queen from time to time, "Ernie, you ate a lot too. Back me up here!"

"Oh, I'm staying out of this one. And as a matter of fact, I didn't eat half as much as you did."

"Traitor," she sticks out her tongue just before we reach the class.

"Good 'orning class! Today we'll be discussing something rather interesting and fun. Follow me!" the half-giant named Hagrid says and we follow him into the forest. 

"His definition of interesting and fun is different than mine. I hope this time I don't get bitten or that my ropes don't get burned," Ernie states gloomy while we follow the professor deeper into the forest until we arrive at two large boxes.

"Now, come stand around me, please. Don't be shy," Professor Hagrid goes to one of the boxes and opens it. "Tada!"

The front of the first box is now open but there are still bars before it. The creature inside has the body of an over-large lion: great clawed paws and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head that of a woman. It's a Sphinx. 

"How awesome! I've never seen one in real life," I say in awe while Mer and Ernie both give me a look of aversion. 

"I'm sure you all know what this is 'ight. But what can you tell me about it?"

A girl in the front, I recognize her as Hermione Granger puts up her hand.

"It's a Sphinx. It's a magical creature native to Egypt. It has the head of human, and the body of a lion. Sphinxes are capable of human speech, and are known for their love of puzzles, riddles, and enigmas. When the Ministry of Magic began categorizing magical creatures, the Sphinx was placed in the Beast category rather than the Being category due to their violent tendencies."

"Very good! Very good. Ten points to Gryffindor. Now let's open the second box and see what you make of that one." 

Professor Hagrid opens the second box and shows again a creature with the body of an oversized lion. But this time with the head of an eagle.

"Can anybody tell me what this is?" 

Hermione puts her hand up again, as do I this time. The professor points to me and I see the clear disappointment of her. I try to hide a smile while I answer.

"This one is a Griffin. It's originated in Greece. It has the front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle, and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion. The main diet of the Griffin is raw meat. Griffins are known as fierce creatures, however, despite this, skilled Wizards have been able to befriend them. Griffins are often used by wizards as guards of treasure, like Sphinxes."

"Well done. Well done"

"Professor, since she isn't sorted into one of our house maybe you can give some points to Hufflepuff instead since she's my friend," Ernest says with a big smile.

"You know that is not how it works, Mr. Macmillan," Professor Hagrid keckles before continuing his class. At the end of the class, he gives us our homework, "For next class I want you to make a 20 cm long essay on the differences and similarities between these two creatures. Next time we'll continue with our Fire Crabs."