A/N: As I said in a previous His Dark Materials fan fiction, I'm not very good at imagining original versions of Pullman's Scandinavian and Nordic names for dæmons, so I'm using simpler names for the dæmons in this story that sound good to me. It makes some sense, however, since most Harry Potter characters are English or Scottish.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Harry Potter or His Dark Materials, thank you.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione

"It's bloody good that your dæmon just settled, Harry! Now she looks like she fits you just as well as Hedwig the owl."

Harry looked fondly at his Bengal tiger dæmon. She was of the brilliantly lovely white-furred type. Then he glanced at the wild boar that was squatting down next to his friend.

"I'll say," said Harry, "Shera is as tough as a Gryffindor and as loyal as a Hufflepuff. Of course, let's not forget that your Merith is one spunky daredevil herself, albeit one who can scare the fur off of Scabbers."

Merith looked at Harry. "You're one to talk, Oh-Boy-Who-Lived," she said, "You can be pretty fierce too sometimes, and so can Shera. Then again, since when is a boar a match for a tiger?"

Shera mock growled at her. "Don't mess with me, pig."

Ron frowned. "Don't call Merith a pig, Shera! She's a wild boar. And she's worth just as much as you are."

"Ron's right, Shera," said Harry. "Behave yourself. Here, if you want something to eat, have this Chocolate Frog. But don't forget to leave the card for me, and don't eat that."

"Oh, all right, then," Shera said, as Harry pulled out a Chocolate Frog box and released the frog-shaped confectionery inside. Shera caught it in her mouth and devoured it before it could get halfway to freedom.

"Bloody hell!" said Ron, "Remind me never to mess with your dæmon either, Harry!"

Harry grinned. Shera leered. Merith laughed.

"You know, technically, a wild boar is a pig," remarked a familiar girl's voice. They turned and saw their close friend, Hermione, joining them. With her was a hawk dæmon.

"Hello, Hermione," said Harry, "Nice day, isn't it?"

Hermione shrugged. "To be perfectly honest, I think Drogo here could outsmart, outwit, and just plain spook both of your dæmons any day. He certainly has the right spirit for it."

Ron blanched. "You've got to be kidding me, Hermione! A boar and a tiger together can take down a little birdy like that, no problem!"

Hermione looked at him like he was crazy. "Ron, Drogo is a bird dæmon. He can easily avoid attacks from a ground animal. And he has talons and a sharp beak, as well. Trust me, he's more dangerous than your dæmons."

"Oh, really?" said Ron with a grin. "Why don't we test that theory, right now? Harry, sic Shera on her dæmon."

Harry shrugged. "If you say so, Ron. Shera, get Drogo!"

She muttered, "I think this is silly, but all right."

Ron said, "Merith, attack!"

Merith replied, "With pleasure!" They both tried to pounce on Drogo before he could react.

But Drogo used his agility and power of flight to dodge them both instantaneously. Then he dived down and scratched them both on their faces in one swoop. Harry and Ron put their hands to their own painful faces.

"Shoot!" said Harry, "I forgot that when a dæmon gets hurt, so does its human!"

Hermione shook her head. "Just like you boys, to not keep up on your lessons."

"I say," said Ron sarcastically, "We should've known, Hermione is always smarter than we are!"

Shera and Merith nodded.

"She surely is, boys," said Drogo, who would've smiled if his beak had allowed it.