3. Talons and The Evil Boggart.

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When the Gryffindors reached Hagrid's hut, they found the Slytherins standing there. Nadine felt a sense of dread seeing the Slytherins. It was Hagrid's first lesson and it was a known fact that the Slytherins would disrespect Hagrid at any given time without hesitation.

"C'mon, now, get a move on!" he called as the class approached. "Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"

The students started following Hagrid. Nadine moved forward and started walking beside Hagrid.

"Good morning Hagrid"

"Good morning Nadine. How was yer firs' day?" Hagrid asked.

"It was most certainly interesting Hagrid" Nadine said, remembering Divination class. "Hagrid, so what new beastie are you showing us today?" Nadine asked with genuine enthusiasm.

"Jus' yeh wait Nadine. Got a treat for yeh kids."

Five minutes later they found themselves outside a kind of paddock.

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

'How?" said Draco Malfoy in a cold voice.

"Eh?"

"How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated. Taking out his 'Monster Book Of Monster' His book was tied shut with a rope. The others took out their books too. Nadine had tied her book with a jute rope just like Ron. Harry and Hermione had used a leather belt.

"Hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Hagrid said looking crestfallen.
Everyone shook their heads.
"Yeh've got to stroke 'em" said Hagrid as though it was the most obvious thing.

He took Hermione's book and opened the leather belt that bound it. The book tried to bite at first but Hagrid stroked it's spine with a giant finger. The book shivered in his hands and lay quiet.

"How silly we've been?" Malfoy sneered. "Why didn't we think of stroking it's spine?"

"I- I thought they were funny" Hagrid looked uncertainly at Hermione. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"Oh absolutely hilarious to give us books that try to rip our hands off"

"Shut up Malfoy" Harry said quietly and Nadine glared at Malfoy. They wanted Hagrid's lesson to be successful.

"Now I'll bring the creatures" Hagrid said looking discouraged. He strode into the forest and out of sight.

"God this place has gone to the dogs. Wait till my father hears that Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes" Malfoy said loudly.

"Shut up Malfoy." Harry said again.

A look of horror crossed Mafloy's face
"DEMENTOR! DEMENTOR!" Malfoy shouted pointed at the sky. Nadine whipped her head at the direction to find nothing. She shot him a nasty glare and advanced in his direction. Hermione had to pull Nadine away before she would hit Malfoy. Hermione dragged both Harry and Nadine away. Suddenly Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown let out a squeal.

Trotting toward them were a dozen of the most bizarre creatures Nadine had ever seen. They had the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses, but the front legs, wings, and heads of what seemed to be giant eagles, with cruel, steel-colored beaks and large, brilliantly orange eyes. The talons on their front legs were half a foot long and deadly looking. Each of the beasts had a thick leather collar around its neck, which was attached to a long chain, and the ends of all of these were held in the vast hands of Hagrid, who came jogging into the paddock behind the creatures.

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