Care of Magical Creatures (Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff)

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

Hagrid stood on the stump of a dead alder tree, surveying the scene before him. He clearly reminisced the last time he had shown his class a hippogriff. His first ever class had already begun badly because of the biting books he had assigned and it had ended even worse with Malfoy's son having been attacked by Buckbeak. The thought of Buckbeak's trials still brought tears to Hagrid's eyes. But after four years of teaching, Hagrid had gained all the experience one would need to teach a Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid had always liked to handle animals and after four years, his skill had been greatly ameliorated. However, he still heard muttering and grumbling from the students when they did not like the subject he was teaching. This time, though, Hagrid was sure that his students would not be disappointed by the magical creature he chose to teach about.

A dozen or so fully grown griffins stood before him in the same padlock he had used to hold his hippogriffs four years ago. Most of them had a golden brown coloration to their feathers and fur and their fierce eyes burned like circular orbs of flame. They were magnificent creatures and were to be respected just as hippogriffs were to be respected. Hagrid hoped that his students held the same point of view. He knew that disrespecting a griffin was far worse than disrespecting a hippogriff; the griffins were half lions instead of half horses and were much fiercer. They were also carnivorous and would eat anything intruding into their territory. That was why griffins were so commonly used by wizards for guarding valuable items or buildings. After watching the pack of griffins for a few more minutes, Hagrid heard the sound of a bell echoe across the vast grounds of Hogwarts, signalling the end of the first afternoon class. Hagrid glanced at the sky and saw the sun hanging just over one of the collosal mountains. It was time for his class to start. Without another moment of hesitation, Hagrid stepped off the stump and trudged back toward his hut where he was sure many students were awaiting his arrival.

[Cougar Farmer R7]

Cougar headed for the grounds where his Care of Magical Wizards' class was to be held. He was kinda tired of classes, but decided he would be glad to go to this because he always loved animals, both muggle and magical. He has learned to respect animals, and treat them gently, because you can get great rewards in return from friendship to love to compassion to protection. All would be great from any majestic beast. Cougar had heard plenty of people including Ravenclaws who didn't like him, but in Cougar's eyes Professor Hagrid was a man trying to give his gift to the young witches and wizards and get by. Cougar felt this way about all teachers. Cougar would admit aloud he hated homework, and he did, but he knew that the extra work would help them learn it, and who knows maybe he may actually know why turn turn a snail into a goblet. If he does he will be glad he did the work.

Cougar passed down the stairs to the grounds. He wasn't sure where to go, but on seeing Hagrid's enormous figure standing next to a fence-like thing. Cougar could only guess what he had planned for them. he approached Hagrid, and since there was no-one else there he said his greeting to Hagrid aloud. He stood waiting for the rest of the student, and the class to begin.

[leon]

Leon jumped out of bed, full of energy. Today was Care Of Magical Creature- and it was outside. Grinning, Leon threw some gel into his messy hair, styling it skillfully. Moon-walking to his drawers, he pulled out some clothes and the correct robes, packed his bag full of the necessary things, then ran outside skipping breakfast.

When he reached the Gamekeeper and Professor's hut, Leon wasn't surprised to find himself one of the first people there. Cougar Farmer, who Leon roughly knew was there too. Cougar was in Leon's dorm, and he grinned at him, excited.
"This is gonna be great, don't you think?" LEon said as he smiled.

[Flo Murvac H4]

Carefully. Just ever so carefully, Flo placed one foot in front of the other, standing so perfectly. She pointed her toes, and raised her arms. She started to walk, balancing as she went. One by one, step by step.Carefully, Flo turned around and walked back. What was she balancing on? The back of a bench.

She didn't stop, or loose her balance, until a student ran past. "Whoa!!" Flo cried, and landed on the ground. She looked at the student who had run past her. It was Leon. She watched as he went to Professor Hagrids hut. Flo jumped up and wiped herself from all the dirt. She walked over to where she had placed her bag, and picked it up. She then slowly walked to her class, rubbing her wrist as she went.

As she got there, she saw that Cougar was also there. Flo was the only Hufflepuff so far. Sighing, Flo sat on the ground, looking at her freshly painted pink nails.

[Jaquin Prokenstien]

A smile lit up on Jaquin's apathetic complexion when he saw that he had Care of Magical Creatures for his first afternoon class that day. Instead of going only four times a week as he had done in his third, fourth, and fifth years, Jaquin now attended the class every single day, as it was one of his N.E.W.T.s classes. He was one of the best at the subject because he was especially diligent in his Care of Magical Creatures class. A potential career for Jaquin was in the field of magibiology, so if he did not work hard at the class, it would be very difficult to obtain a vocation in that field. Professor Hagrid, the teacher of the class since Jaquin's third year, was perhaps his favorite professor. However, it was not because of Hagrid's fascinating creatures that made Jaquin regard Hagrid as a prodigious teacher. Jaquin greatly admired the man because, although many people disliked Hagrid's teaching, Hagrid had always been as dedicated to his job as one could be. That was another reason for why Jaquin had acquired such a puissant a hatred for the worst of the Slytherins over the years. They were the ones who were perpetually endeavoring to get Hagrid sacked or arrested.

Jaquin snapped out of his thoughts and found himself standing in the Entrance Hall as hundreds of students milled about him, heading from their first afternoon class to their second. For Jaquin, that meant walking down the sloping lawns of Hogwarts Grounds to Hagrid's Hut. He had always hated the rambunctiousness of the younger students; they always created a stentorian atmosphere which gave Jaquin a muffled feeling and sometimes gave him a headache. The front doors swung open as Jaquin walked out of the crowds and out of the castle. Several students filed behind Jaquin and after a minute or so, the collosal doors closed with a resonating bang. The sun hung low on the horizon, almost being swallowed by the towering mountains in the distance. In Jaquin's opinion, it was still rather early, but others would say that it was getting late. He glanced at his watch and found that he only had a minute to get to Hagrid's Hut. So, he set off at a run, his extremely heavy bag slamming into his side. By the time Jaquin had reached Hagrid's Hut, most of the students had arrived and he was out of breath. After catching his breath, Jaquin took out his notebook for Care of Magical Creatures and greeted Hagrid. "Good day, professor!" he said.

[payton]

He never really thought much about care of magical creatures, but then he wasn't really much of an animal person. He liked them well enough, and the family. Between Dillion and himself, there was a rat and a frog. Then the girls had a hamster back at the flat and the family had recently fully accepted that the wizard world used owls for their mail and bought one. Other than those few small animals,a trip to Sethia's aunt's farm, and the Care of Magical Creature classes he had little animal contact. Sethia loved animals through, and wanted to have a flock of them, so here he was. If she wanted them, he probably need to learn a thing or two about them.

He made his way to class, finding that he was actually reasonable early to class and there were only a handful of students there already. He smiled at Flo, a fellow Hufflepuff, and nodded to Jaquin a Ravenclaw that was in his year.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She couldn't be late! She couldn't be late! No matter how behind she was running after trying to clean her broom before class she couldn't be late! She ran across the lawn, her faded blue back back bouncing over one shoulder as she did.
By the time she finally reached the gathering, she was completely out of breath and let her self happily half sit, half fall onto the grass near another Hufflepuff she didn't really know that well. All she knew was that she was a third year who had started showing and interest in Quidditch. She smiled at her, then pulled her bag off her shoulder and let out a deep breath. Next time. She was going to be on time with out having to run to class.

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley pulled her long curly blond hair into a pony tail looking up at the clock in front of the common room. Her breathing was heavy from racing to the dorm room from her last class because she forgot her textbook. Care of Magical Creatures class would be starting in about ten minutes. If she ran fast enough she could make it in five. Picking up the book from the bedside table, Ashley dashed down the stairs and out of the common room toward Hogwarts ground where Professor Hagrid's hut was.

Ashley had always liked Care of Magical Creatures since her third year. She loved to learn about all kinds of wizarding animals and interacting with them. As a little girl Ashley knew what she wanted to be, a vet, but that was before receiving her letter from Hogwarts. Now she was thinking of a career in The Ministry of Magic for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Ashley's fifth year really started to awaken her. She isn't as hyper from her fourth year and is growing up.

Ashley raced across the fresh grown grass where she could see a group of students gathered around the little hut. Trying to run even faster Ashley stopped next to Noko and bent over breathing heavily on her knees. Taking in another deep long breath Ashley stood up straight turning her head in the direction of her friend. "Hey Noko!" Ashley asked tucking some strands of hair back behind her ears which was falling from its pony tail.

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

((Anyone else?))

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

"All right, now, everyone! I've got a real treat fer yer today. Just follow me an' you'll find out what we'll be studyin' today," Hagrid said after all the students had gathered around him. A few students groaned when they heard what him say that he had a 'real treat' for them. Of course, Hagrid ignored them and continued, "We'll be headin' inter' the forest there, but it'll just be 'round the paddock, so don't worry!" Without another word, Hagrid lead the students around his hut and through part of the forest. The foliage in the area they were crossing was not very dense and they were not really walking through the forest. In fact, it was more like walking around the forest. They reached the paddock after a brisk five minute walk (brisk for the younger students who had to run to keep up with Hagrid). Hagrid heard some gasps of surprise come from the crowd of students when they saw the magical creatures in the paddock. However, others did not look as happy; Hagrid was sure that there were some students who had heard of the incident between Buckbeak and Malfoy four years ago.

The griffins spread their enormous wings and shook their heads in a fearsome display that showed just how powerful they were. Each griffin had extremely sharp and dangerous-looking talons on their front feet and their beaks were clearly designed for cleaving and ripping. Their hindlegs were those of a powerful and muscular lion. Smiling at the students gathered around him, Hagrid inquired, "So, does anyone know what these magnificent creatures are called?"

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She happily followed along with Professor Hagrid and he lead them to the creatures they would be studying today. She never minded his classes really, even if sometimes they did study some very interesting, not to mention a bit scary creatures. She found them all so interesting, and Hagrid seemed to be so good with animals.

As the class finally came to a stop she found herself somewhere near the front, and one of the closest students to the large, rather intimidating creatures that they could be studying today. She looked over at the professor as he asked them if anyone knew what they were and she bit her lips. She was pretty sure she did know what they were. After a moment, she forced her hand up. She always told herself that she was going to get better in class to make up for her lacking grades because of the attention she paid to quidditch, and there was no better time to start than now.

[Jaquin Prokenstien]

Jaquin looked around excitedly (although it did not show on his apathetic complexion), as Hagrid lead the class around the forest and toward the paddock. Jaquin clearly reminisced his first visit to the paddock during his third year. He could still remember seeing the Hippogriffs in his first ever Care of Magical Creatures class. They intrigued Jaquin so much that magibiology became an obsession for him. From then on, Jaquin worked more diligently than anyone else in his Care of Magical Creatures class, aspiring to become a magibiologist. When the class arrived at the paddock, Jaquin instantly recognized the half eagle, half lion creatures in the paddock. They were related to hippogriffs, though distantly. Jaquin almost laughed aloud at the thought of showing these magnificent creatures to some of his professors at Oxford University during the summer. They would have thought that the creatures were marvels of genetic engineering and would probably have paid Jaquin huge sums of money to tell them how he had created them.

When the professor asked whether anyone knew what the creatures were called, Jaquin's hand shot up from his side. He knew exactly what the magical creatures were and was determined to earn some points for Ravenclaw House.

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

Hagrid looked around to see two students with their hands raised. He saw Nokomis Astarra, a very talented Quidditch player and hard-worker in class, raise her hand. Hagrid looked at the other student and instantly recognized the 7th year Ravenclaw. Jaquin had always been very diligent in his class and Hagrid admired his dedication to Care of Magical Creatures. "Nokomis!" Hagrid called. "An' Jaquin why don't you explain more about these magnificent creatures after Mrs. Astarra tells us what they are?"

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She could feel her stomach knot the moment Hagrid called her name, even if she did know the answer, she dreaded saying or doing something wrong.
"Well...um....it has the head...and wings of an eagle, and the body....the body of a lion. So that makes it....a Griffin, right?"
She looked over at the creature for a moment, checking to make sure that it did have everything she said before she looked back at Hagrid to hear his response.

[Jaquin Prokenstien]

After Nokomis identified the creature correctly, Jaquin proceeded to explain more about the Griffins. He explained, "The Griffin originated in Greece and is the combination of a giant eagle and a lion. It has the head and front legs of a giant eagle, but the body and hind legs of a lion. They are very similar to sphinxes in the fact that throughout the ages, wizards have utilized Griffins as guards for important documents, treasures, or cities." Jaquin paused before continuing, "Griffins are very fierce and should always be treated with respect. So, Wizards looking to handle a Griffin should always show respect to the Griffin and never to make the first move toward it. So, bowing is always a good approach as is for hippogriffs. One should also refrain from insulting Griffins, as most wizards who have ever done so have ended up severely injured. This magical species is also carnivorous and prefers raw meat as its main food source. Griffins have been said to be blessed with the speed, flight, and penetrating vision of the eagle and the strength, courage, and majesty of the lion. A griffin's claws and feathers are also especially valuable as its feathers can be implemented to cure blindness and the griffin's claws are reputed to change color in the presence of poison, which is why they make very useful drinking vessels."

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

"All right! Ten points fer Hufflepuff," Hagrid said after Nokomis correctly identified the creature. He listened intently to Jaquin's explanation and smiled at the fact that the N.E.W.T.s student had not missed one thing. It was a bit long, but Hagrid couldn't have said it differently. "Excellent explanation, Jaquin. Fifteen points fer Ravenclaw," he said before adressing the class once more, "Righ'. Everyone gather 'round the paddock an' choose a Griffin. We'll be feedin' them some raw pork meat an' don't start givin' them the food until you've bowed ter them. Wait 'till they bow back before approachin'. They'll think that you're threatenin' them if you don't." After giving the class the instructions for approaching the Griffins, Hagrid stood back to see how the class was handling the assignment. Most were performing admirably, however, many of the younger students were hesitant when it came to approaching the Griffins.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She bit her lip at the request and looked over at the pile of pork that they were to feed them. It seemed that most people weren't too keen on stepping forward, but after a reluctant moment she did. If she could face a bludger and a beaters bat, she could handle this. She took a deep breath and looked through the cluster of Griffins before them, and when she spotted one that seemed to be looking back at her she inched forward again and gave a very nervous uneasy bow, and looked up. For a moment the creature stood motionless, and finally it bowed back. After releasing the very tense breath she had been holding she stepped closer to it and tossed it one of the cuts of pork.

[Flo Murvac H4]

The Griffins, Flo was happy about. The stuff they had to feed them? Flo was not so happy about. Icky raw meat. Cute Griffin. Choose one Flo. Wait, you have to choose both. Flo's mind was laughing at her. Flo walked up to the pile of pork and got a piece. Ew ew ew!! Flo turned around with a frown on her face. She looked for a Griffin to feed the pork. She saw one that was staring up at the sky. Seemed like something Flo would do. Smiling slightly, Flo inched towards it, and bowed, then waited to see if the Griffin would bow back. After turning it's head and looking at Flo, the Griffin bowed back. Flo smiled even more and fed the Griffin It's icky food.

[leon]

Leon watched carefully as Flo chose a Griffin- he wanted to get everything right. The creature bowed to the girl, and she gave it the bleeding meat. Nodding, understanding, Leon watched as a pale, white-grey Griffin picked at the grass below it, and chose that one. He seized a slab of the meat, holding it at arms length. Approaching the Griffin he satyed about a metre away, then bowed low, hoping with all his might the Griffin would bow back. Still bowed, he watched from the corner of his eye as the creature stuck out one long, bony limb, and lowered it's odd head onto it.

"Phew!" Leon smiled, rising slowly. He gave the Griffin the meat, and watched it munch, swallowing large pieces almost whole.

[Jaquin Prokenstien]

Jaquin watched the other students endeavor to approach the Griffins and gain their trust. This was more or less the same as approaching the Hippogriffs. However approaching Griffins was a much more parlous task than approaching a Hippogriff; Griffins were trained as guardians and their natural instinct was to protect themselves. So, if not shown the proper respect, the Griffin could potentially kill someone. Some of the younger students seemed to be too petrified at first to do anything. The Griffins were not exactly ameliorating the younger students' confidence either, as they continued to shake their heads and spread their enormous wings in magnificent displays of power. Jaquin looked around to see that there was only one Griffin that had not been taken yet. Jaquin looked at the massive male trying to decide when to approach him. The Griffin's fierce orange eyes observed Jaquin vigilantly, as if he were wary of the wizards and witches around him. Jaquin's Griffin was unequivocally one of the more prominent males of the pack and seemed harder to get respect from. The first time Jaquin endeavored to approach the Griffin and bow to him, Jaquin was repulsed by the Griffin's dangerous front legs; it reared up as if it wanted to crush Jaquin with its prodigious strength.

Jaquin backed away from the Griffin to give him some space and to allow the Griffin to adjust to the new environment of wizards and witches bowing to other Griffins around him. After the Griffin seemed to have settled down, Jaquin approached the Griffin for a second time, his eyes vigilantly watching for any warning signs. When he was only three feet away from the Griffin, Jaquin bowed very low and kept his eyes fixed on the Griffin. After a moment of hesitation, the gargantuan Griffin finally bowed back. Jaquin sighed in relief and strode up to the Griffin, patting his beak before reaching for the raw meat. With his right hand, Jaquin flung a piece of meat into the air and the Griffin caught it after rearing up onto its hind legs. Jaquin continued to throw meat to his Griffin as he waited patiently for Hagrid's next set of instructions.