Lesson 1: Hippogriffs (All Years)

Guest

Alberi did not want to learn about animals and how to look after them, no matter how magical they were. So he didn't even try to come on time for class. It was useless! Why does he even need this class, he did not understand. And it's not even learning about them, like in Biology, but actually taking care of them. Foolish! Useless! But never the less, he needed to go to this class, if he wished to have a great grade and have a good place in the Wizarding World. Which he will do anything to achieve.

Soon enough he arrived at the class. Why it must be outside, he did not understand. Couldn't they bring whatever animals they want inside the room? Or just watch from the window? If they go into the forest, it would be great... He would probably rip his cloak somehow. He looked around and noticed where everyone was. He walked near, gave a "Good morning," to the professor and waited for the class to start and finish. He avoided looking at anyone, in case they took it as an invite to talk with him. And socialising wasn't something he would do.

Guest

Her face beamed as she saw the amount of students that had shown. There was a decent mix of first years and second years and it excited her. They returned her good morning as they came in slowly, one by one. Some, seemed happy to be there while others seemed not as happy and she feared she'd have a hard time with those students. The House distribution was fairly even consisting of, three Hufflepuffs, three Gryffindors, three Slytherins and two Ravenclaws, possibly the most closely related numbers she'd see the entire year since a second glance proved that the boys outnumbered the girls.

When her clock hit five minutes past, she began her class, her soft voice breaking the silence of the students around her. "Good morning class," she smiled once more, "my name is Professor Valentine." It was weird for her to be giving a formal introduction, yet even weirder for her to have such a responsibility over young students. "Today, we will be taking a short walk into the Forbidden Forest. Your refusal to follow any instructions or wander off will result in a detention." It was hard for her to be stern, but in order to protect her students and her job, it was required.

"Follow close, and stay together and stay quiet." The first instructions were short and simple and once she allowed them to sink in for a bit, she began leading them into the forest. It was daylight, which meant the forest would be safer than at night, but the forest was still never truly safe. As she walked, she glanced back, making sure all her students were there. As having previously walked the forest, she knew to watch out for roots that would trip you. It wasn't long before they had reached the small clearing where her Hippogriff, Tank, and Dylan stood. She introduced Dylan as the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and explained that he'd be there at nearly all their classes in case there was anything to go wrong.

Watching her class file in, she spoke once more. "Can anyone tell me what this animal is as well as anything you may know about it?" She didn't want to be the type of teacher to explain everything herself. Sure, she'd reiterate on whatever her students said, maybe add more or correct them if they needed correction. She waited for hands to go up, expecting the older students to have known something about it.

Guest

Nilla did not like trudging through the uneven terrain of the Forest. It made walking with a prosthetic so much harder and she struggled to keep herself upright. She reached out and steadied herself with a hand on a tree before continuing. She could do this.

Holy Hippogriffs, Batman! Nilla gaped in awe at the creature, forget the horrible walk over, seeing a live hippogriff was more than worth it. She'd only read about them, avidly drinking in the information written in their textbook, and she'd longed to see one in person ever since she'd seen the depiction in the book. It looked odd, to be sure, but it was such a magnificently proud creature that Nilla instantly remembered that the book had said to bow before approaching any hippogriff. Excitedly, she raised her hand but kept her voice level, she didn't think the beast would like it if she squealed, "It's a hippogriff, Professor." She desperately hoped the professor would ask her to approach the magnificent beast. Oh, to fly one! If only she could! "They're very proud creatures," she added with a nod.

Guest

Naomi gasped in chagrin, putting a hand to her mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry Finley! I would have waited if I'd known. I was just really excited to get to class..." She felt extremely bad about almost making Finley late to class and resolved to try to remember to wait for him in the future.

Turning to face the professor as she started class, Naomi grew instantly cheerful when it was announced that they'd be going into the Forest. She'd been a couple times by herself, but she'd never been caught and she always respected the Forest and the creatures in it. She knew that stupidity could get you killed by the sorts of creatures that lived in there, but she was careful and confident in her own skills.

Almost skipping as she followed the rest of the class, Naomi almost gasped when she saw the hippogriff waiting for them in a small clearing. He was gorgeous! Another student answered the professor's question while she was gaping, but she raised her hand after the Gryffindor girl finished. "Hippogriffs are easily insulted and you should never speak ruddy to one or you'll probably be attacked."

Guest

At Naomi's reaction to his words, Finley smiled a little. Not because she felt bad, but it was quite a comical look on his best friend. "It's f-fine." Finley responded to his best friend, his smile growing just a little more. Perhaps next time they would be able to head out to the class together.

But Finley's attention turned to the Professor the moment she started talking, taking note of her name because he hadn't read the timetable closely enough to remember all the professors. The moment Finley was told that they would be going in to the Forbidden Forest he felt a sweeping coldness fill his body. He'd been in the Forbidden Forest only once, because of some bullies, and that hadn't been the best idea in the world in the middle of the night. Thankfully an older witch had been around to help him, but that was not the point.

The forest was dangerous.

But you're with the professor, she wouldn't take you in there unless it was safe. He reminded himself inwardly, following Naomi in to the woods when the professor started to show them where they were going. He didn't speak though, his eyes darting everywhere out of fear. The forest seemed to be still though, so he simply kept up with the group, ignoring the thundering of his heart which testified to the fact he would never, ever be a Gryffindor.

The question that came had Finley raising his hand, but he was beaten to the point by another girl, and then Naomi. He kept his hand up though, glancing nervously at the professor and then the other students. He didn't talk often, but he was trying to get out of the habit. Even if only speaking once in class.

"T-the Hippogriff s-should never be a-approached quickly." Finley explained, pausing a little as he looked at his hands rather than anyone else. "Y-you have to b-bow to it."

Guest

After slipping quietly into Care for Magical Creatures class, Caelan felt a stark relief that this teacher looked a bit friendlier than his potions one. Also if his observations were correct she was pregnant. Not that it took away from her credibility as a teacher, up until the last month when momma was pregnant with Taela she was working as a Potioneer. However according to Uncle Parker, when momma was pregnant with him and Phil and Ellie she had to be in a wheelchair to move around after five months. That could have very well also been due to the fact that she went from being 5”3 and weighing maybe 100lbs. on a good day to gaining almost an extra 100 pounds in such a small amount of time. According to Uncle Parker his mom’s pregnancy was terrifying for everyone, especially for dad.

If Caelan had Phil’s courage he’d have asked if Professor Valentine if she had someone supporting her too. Instead he slipped into class and waited patiently for his brother to show up tapping his finger on the side of his slacks, feeling nervous about how to approach anything. When he was asked to stay quiet he felt relieved because there was nothing he knew better. Actually, he thought with wide eyes, where was Phil? This was supposed to be one of the classes they took together, and the thought that he was skipping on the first day was irritating. He bit his lower lip and followed silently and watched his classmates answer questions with ease. However he felt safer answer to Professor Valentine than to Professor Balan so he lifted his hand and waited for permission to speak before he did.

“Once you bow to it, you must wait for it to make the first move too,” he added from what he remembered of the books he’d read.

Guest

Phil didn’t care much for school; he didn’t care as much as Ellie who only aimed to pass and he definitely did not care as much as Caelan did. If he could have it his way he would never attend any other class besides Flying and spend his days sketching by the Black Lake with Ellie and Caelan doing whatever it is they liked to do. However life was rarely so kind as to just awards him with peace over working. Also his mother would actually murder him if he ever flunked or dropped out of school. He almost winced as he could picture his mother’s livid face as she chased him around the house her wand firing off spells designed to hurt. Phil also got the faintest feeling that his father wouldn’t be able to stop his mother from killing him if he dropped out of school.

With his life on the line in order for him to attend classes Phil knew there were worse fates, so with that mentality he gave a yawn as he dressed into his clothes primly tying his tie and doing all the ‘proper’ stuff before grabbing at his satchel and heading out towards Care for Magical Creatures. Unfortunately, he was side tracked by the wonderful sight of a flock of birds flying in a v-formation while on his way there. He shrugged, surely being a little late wouldn’t make him suffer too bad, he thought as he jogged out to join the group of students. He was able to overhear the teacher when she told them to follow quietly. Best he could he did so but once the other students started talking he stalked up to his older but smaller brother and gave him a little elbow.

“Hey Cay, what’d I miss?” He asked as he watched the other’s speak.

Guest

Alberi followed everyone into the forest. He didn't like it much. Yes, it was dark... But that seemed to be the only thing good about this place. There was a load of roots around and Alberi had a hard time going over them, though some students had no such problems. Even at one time he managed to get his robe stuck in a branch. Hopefully he didn't rip it when he quickly got free, not wanting to lose sight of the group.

Soon they arrived at a clearing and he was slightly relieved. He hoped animals here didn't have a liking for light. Just then he noticed something. A hippogriff... But it was huge! Alberi took a step back, feeling his own fear filling him up.... That thing could kill Alberi if it wanted... He didn't even hear what the teacher said. Or teachers, really. All he could think about was this class ending fast and getting himself out of there. So he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down.

After a while he did manage, though half the class had already said one thing or another. He understood from the last person who spoke that the teacher was asking something about the hippogriff. All he could remember was what they ate - probably from the fear of the hippogriff eating him... And maybe the others around him as well. He rose his hand and began to speak, hoping that his voice will sound calm, or at least calm enough. "A Hippogriff will most often eat insects, birds... And mammals. Small ones. Though they would eat worms if there was nothing left..." he said. That could have been worse, right?

Guest

Dan meandered the uneven terrain of the forest with ease, happily leaping over roots and bouncing back and forth as they made their way towards what Dan assumed was their lesson. His eyes grew wide as saucers when he saw what they were to learn about. "Hippogriff," he sighed reverently when the Gryffindor girl answered the teacher. A magnificent creature, no wonder it was so proud. He wondered if they'd be allowed to approach it, or if they were only allowed to look and learn. Proud as they were, there was the chance a student could accidentally--or purposely--displease the creature and thereby make it lash out.

Still, he desperately wanted to at least pet it once, just to say that he did. What would it be like to fly one? Could they be flown? Anxious to learn more, he folded his hands behind his back and waited for further instructions.

Guest

"You are all right," she smiled to the children that had spoken. "This, " she touched held her hand out, the Hippogriff ducking it's head under it and using it to scratch itself, "is my Hippogriff, Tank. He stays here at Hogwarts." She smiled, the Hippogriff staring at her with his orange eyes. He was really sweet and obtaining her license to own him was worth it. "A Hippogriff has the front legs, wings, and head of a giant eagle and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. It is highly similar to the Griffin, with the horse rear replacing the lion rear." She started into her lesson, pausing to allow them time to process the information.

"A Hippogriff is a very proud creature and they are easily offended." She spoke loudly as she reiterated what some of the students already said. "You should always bow before approaching a Hipporgriff and you should never break eye contact or blink. If they bow back, then you're safe to approach them." She was sure that Tank would allow all of them to approach him, and if he didn't it was because he could sense their sour mood. From her experience, he was skittish around angry people and people with attitudes. "Hippogriffs are also loyal and protective of those who gain their trust." She never had to have that experience, thankfully, but she knew of a story of a loyal Hippogriff from the Battles that had once taken place at the school.

She went on to talk about the Hippogriff's behaviour, diet, etymology and how they're protected from Muggles before getting to the more exciting part of the lecture. "If you would like to pet Tank, you may do so, only after showing proper etiquette and allowing him to make the first move." The forest seemed to grow more quiet than it had been and she sensed excitement in the air. "If he allows, you may even take a quick ride over the forest on him." She knew the kids would be excited, but she wanted them to be aware of the dangers of not following instructions. She wished to have none of them hurt, but that was why Dylan was there. This portion had not been in her plans, but when she saw the faces of the children light up, she couldn't help herself.

((Roleplay your characters experience with the Hippogriff, whether it allowed them to fly or whether it allowed them to not approach at all.))

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