Chapter 6

Care of Magical Creatures

Now, Harry had no problem with Hagrid. Aside from the thought that the too large man was a rather odd and incompetent groundskeeper Hagrid seemed to be a nice enough fellow.

But this was pure insanity.

Harry sneered at the book in his arms. Dumbledore had insisted that he take at least one class with his peers and somehow he'd ended up in this class. His book growled and struggled against his grasp making him wince slightly. The thing had nearly eaten his arm when he'd bought it and it had taken several stunning charms and a rather thick strip of leather to bind it closed. He was nearly certain that a book wasn't supposed to act that way, but then what did he know about books? After all he'd gone and attached himself to the dark lord's diary.

Draco hissed and mutter beside him as his book swung viciously towards him struggling against its bindings just as Hagrid stepped out from his hut. The broad backed man looked them over excitedly and somewhat impatiently.

"Come on then get a move on!" He said gesturing for them to follow him. "I've got a real treat for yeh!" He said grinning widely. Draco glanced at him before warily following the half giant back behind the hut to where the paddocks were. "Now if yer all would open your books-" The students looked at each other in horror and Draco looked at Harry pointedly. Ah yes, his 'prince of Slytherin' duties. He rolled his eyes.

"Er, how exactly are we supposed to open them?" Harry drawled lifting his own vicious book. The giant looked at him as if seeing him for the first time before turning to look at the others who were holding up similarly bound and snarling books.

"Eh?" He said looking as if someone had kicked his puppy. "You couldn't get them open?" He said wrinkling his nose. Harry rose an eyebrow.

"Not without risking the loss of a few fingers." He said eyeing his book warily. The too large man slumped forward and grabbed his book.

"Its easy, see, you jus' stroke the spine like this-" Harry watched as the man slid a large finger down the furry spine and the book which was snarling gave a great shiver before relaxing open.

"Stroke the book…" Draco said incredulously. "Of course!" He sneered rolling his eyes causing the half-giant to look crestfallen.

"Don't be a prat Malfoy!" Ron Weasley said from where he stood. Weasley had been rather quiet so far this year. The loss of Ginny Weasley seemed to have tamed his fiery temper somewhat and Harry could see that the boy was much thinner than he had been the last year. Draco sneered and opened his mouth but Harry cleared his throat silencing him effectively before he could say something stupid. Draco's mouth snapped shut and he crossed his arms harrumphing loudly.

"Er…righ' you've got yer books, now the creatures…hang on I'll jus' get them…" he said moving towards the paddocks.

"Father will have a fit when he hears about this." Draco muttered with a sniff. "Allowing that oaf to teach us, this place is going to the dogs…" Harry sighed slightly.

"Leave off Malfoy!" Weasley said the tips of his ears going red. Now that Harry thought about it he'd seen Weasley visit Hagrid on more than one occasion…

"That a new robe Weasley?" Draco sneered. "I guess with one less mouth to feed-"

"Draco Lucius Malfoy shut up." Harry said coldly his eyes blazing in fury as the voice rose up in defense of someone who had died so unjustly. A girl who'd done nothing wrong, an innocent whose life had been taken unjustly, the voice was protective of her memory. The volume around him dropped with the temperature and Draco stiffened.

"You can't tell me what to do." Draco said lifting his chin rebelliously. The voice hissed angrily inside of him and Harry sighed unable to leave be.

"Draco someday you will lose someone close to you and you will understand that it is nothing to laugh at." He said coolly. Draco paled slightly and looked away.

"I'm sorry Harry I didn't mean-"

"Of course you didn't." Harry said dismissively before turning his head towards Hagrid abruptly ending the conversation as the voice settled down satisfied. Harry's breath caught in his throat as his gaze met yellowed eyes. Tall proud creatures, strutting towards them with an air of importance their feathers ruffling gently in the breeze as their talons dug into the soft earth. Harry felt something stir inside of him as he held the creatures assessing gaze.

"Hippogriffs!" Hagrid said cheerfully. A few students who had any inkling about just what a hippogriff was took a wary step back their eyes trained on the sharp talons. "Beau'iful, aint they?" Hagrid said gazing at the creatures with appreciation. The hippogriffs however seemed to be focused on Harry with a keen intelligence, sizing him up with their large luminous gazes.

"So, if any of you want to come nearer…" No one moved and Hagrid frowned a bit. Harry lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes in challenge at the creatures before taking a step towards them unafraid.

"Harry-!" Draco gasped. Hagrid puffed up his chest and beamed at him.

"Now, firs' thing you gatta know about hippogriffs is tha' they're proud creatures, never wanna' offend them cuz tha's the last thing you'll do." Harry tilted his head to the side and felt magic swell proudly inside of him.

"-ya wait till the hippogriff makes the first move ya see? Ya take a step forward, bow, and wait till they bow back- wa' the…" Harry lifted his chin as he won the battle of wills and the half a dozen hippogriffs moved forwards and bowed their heads before him. Harry tilted his head forward in recognition and allowed them to stand.

"Well tha' wasn't suppose' ter happen-" Hagrid stumbled in shock. Harry eyed the tallest of the creatures which stepped forward and ruffled its feathers huffing slightly before letting out a sharp sound. Harry smiled slightly in understanding and lifted his hand.

"Harry-!" Hagrid cried in fear causing the hippogriff to rear back and glare fiercely at him. Harry hummed lightly a soothing sound falling from his lips naturally.

Ever since the beginning of the term strange things like this seemed to happen to him, of course with three powerful magic's guiding him it was bound to happen.

First had been the constant bowing.

In the middle of the great hall, in the corridors, in class people would turn to him and bow placing their hands over their chests as their eyes flashed eerie colors.

It seemed that Draco was right when he'd said that there were more that practiced the old ways than the ministry knew of.

Even Circe his faithful phoenix viewed him differently her song somehow sweeter.

The cool smooth texture of the hippogriffs cruel looking beak drew him from his thoughts causing him to smile slightly as the creature hesitantly nudged him.

"You are a beautiful creature aren't you." He soothed gently as he leaned closer causing the hippogriff to let out a cheerful chirp before it bumped his hand eagerly.

"Well I'll be, I think he wants ye' to ride 'im!" Hagrid said eagerly. Harry smiled slightly and stepped forward as the magnificent hippogriff knelt forward to allow him to slip onto his back.

"Atta boy Buckbeak!" Hagrid said lifting his shoulders proudly. Harry clucked his tongue as he found his bearings and the hippogriff leaned back before spreading its wings and lurching forward up into the sky. A familiar feeling of freedom and joy spilled through Harry as he rose into the air. Riding a hippogriff was a bit different from riding Ash that much was for certain, it was not as smooth and the feathers made for a much softer seat but it was still as exhilarating as ever.

This is what you are meant for my childe…

Magic whispered gently.

Master of all creatures' dark and light, a king my childe.

Harry's breath caught in his throat. He didn't want to be a king!

You seek greatness my childe, but greatness comes with a price.

He clenched his teeth. He knew that. His hands were stained in blood because of it.

Yes you are wise for your age, but it is more than wisdom that you'll need.

Harry clenched his jaw. What was that supposed to mean? Magic seemed amused and saddened by this.

Every king needs knights to follow him.

Need? The very word threw him into fear. He needed no one!

And what of Severus? Do you not need him? Or the one you call Tom?

Harry's eyes snapped open and his chest tightened. The hippogriff seemed to sense his thoughts and let out a comforting trill before diving down close to the lake where the water shimmer beautifully in the sunlight reflecting Hogwarts on its surface.

There will be those who will fight for you. Who are loyal to you alone.

Magic whispered cajolingly.

You will need them.

Harry let out a sigh and looked around him his eyes softening as they surveyed the glory of Hogwarts- his home.

Every king needs a castle.

Magic said bemused. Harry huffed slightly and shook his head. He had no plans to become a king of any sort.

We shall see my childe.

Magic said before fading into the recesses of his mind. Harry rolled his eyes before guiding the hippogriff back to Hagrids hut.

A king!

Pffftt!