A Forbidden Love

Chapter 34: It Doesn't Stop

All of this excitement happened over three weeks. The year barely started. Today, we receive information on our trips to Hogsmeade. McGonagall told us that she has a list of all those who have parent permission. She says that no one is getting out without permission. Luckily, Ms. Brown signed it for me. The first trip will be during Christmas break. Usually it's Halloween, but with a criminal on the loose, they figure it might not be safe.

Today is the first eventful day of classes. The first three weeks were just introductions and note taking. All the teachers like to ease us back into classes.

The day starts with Care for Magical Creatures, a class that has, so far, been very interesting. I don't know where my fascination with magical creatures comes from, I just know I love them. Maybe it's because my name means Dragon, but it most likely grew from me reading muggle books when I was younger.

Yeah, that's right. I love to read. People call me a nerd, sometimes even an outcast, but that's because they have never tried to read a book. I'm particularly fond of muggle books because wizard world books are more informative. Wizards and witches never truly learn how to be creative. The reason is most likely because the constant danger of our world requires practicality, and because our world already has so much. Why do we need to create more. Muggle on the other hand, write about dragons, mermaids, and things that don't even exist in the Wizarding world. Their minds are amazing.

I guess it's from reading about all these creatures that muggles think they thought up, or did think up, that spawned my interest. Whatever the reason, I am more than excited for today's class.

Harry and I got lucky and got this class together, as well as potions. I also find it lucky that we got it in the morning because I love the smell of dew on the grass, and the temperature in the morning is perfect.

After breakfast, my gang and Harry's gang meet up to walk out to the grounds. Harry and I intertwine hands as soon as we meet. As we walk outside, we hear snickers from students around us. Hermione, of all people, Crabbe, and Goyle yell threats and some not so nice words at them. The rest of our group laughs to each other.

When we arrive at Hagrid's hut, we see that most of the class has gathered already. We push to the front of the crowd, in order to get a good view.

We barely plant our feet when someone screams, "Freaks!" I turn to see that it's a Ravenclaw girl. Because this class is an elective, there are students from all houses and all years.

"I bet today's class is going to be about caring for you horrid creatures!" screams a Slytheein boy I don't recognize.

"Go back to your cages! Class hasn't started yet!" yells a Gryffindor girl.

"Who gave the order to release the beasts?" yells the same Slytherin boy. He raises his hands, signaling for a chant. The others catch on.

Everyone around us starts chanting, "Freaks! Freaks! Freaks!" Even the Hufflepuffs join in. I thought they were supposed to be the nice ones. In just a few seconds, everyone, except for our friend group, Dean, and Seamas, have joined in the chant. I feel like I'm about to cry. I bury my head in Harry's arm, who caresses my hair with his other hand. It calms me down instantly.

The students are chanting so loud, they don't hear Hagrid come out of his hut. "ENOUGH!" he bellows, shaking everyone. I jolt upright. He stomps on the ground with one foot and shakes it to get his point across. "I don't figure you want me to report you to Dumbledore! I'm sure he expel you all in a heartbeat! Especially considering the meeting last week!"

I hear the Slytherin boy that started the chant whisper to his friends. "Dumb, fat oaf," he says with a laugh.

Hagrid whips his head around and glares at him. "What did ye call me?"

"N... Nothing," he stutters. I laugh.

"You think I can't hear you? Think again! Yer coming with me to Dumbledore! The rest of ye, let this be a lesson learned!"

He walks over to the boy and lifts him by the collar. He screams. "Let me down, you fat oaf! This is abuse!" He struggles and kicks, but Hagrid holds him out away from his body. It's the funniest sight I've ever seen.

When Hagrid comes back, the boy is nowhere to be found. He starts class as though nothing happened. With a whistle, three large bird-looking creatures land in our circle.

"These are hippogriffs. They are very sensative, so be nice to them. You will all get a chance to ride them, but you must complete very specific steps in order to do so." He goes trough and explains about stroking and bowing. He says the hippogriff's name is Buckbeak. It all seems odd, but I'm willing to try it. He asks for volunteers, and Harry and I both raise our hands.

He chooses Harry first, probably because I've been not so nice to him. Harry does everything just as told and hops on Buckbeak. He flies and does loops and circles in happiness. I don't blame him. I get excited when Harry is on me, too.

When Harry lands, it's my turn. I do everything Hagrid told me to do. I talk nicely to him, I stroke him, and I bow to him. I stand up from my bow and it dips down to let me mount it.

I don't see it in time. I don't see it till it almost hits the neck. Someone threw a rock at Buckbeak. As soon as it hits, he screaches and freaks out. It lifts a claw and slashes right at my arm. Then he turns and chases in the direction of the thrower.

On contact, I scream in pain. Luckily it hit my right arm, my non-wand arm. Otherwise, that would've been really bad.

Hagrid is freaking out. He apologizes to me and runs after Buckbeak. The rest of the class laughs at his panic.

"Shut up!" I yell. "Do you realize what this could mean for him as a teacher. He has every right to be panicked. You have no right to make fun of him!"

Yelling like that took all my energy. I feel myself fainting. Before I black out completely, though, I hear someone yell, "This is what you get for being gay." Then, I black out.