The next chapter and the animal. Same disclaimer. Sorry about the reupload of chapter 20. It had the wrong title.
The animal was huge. Its head and neck were covered in feathers and then it stepped out into the light fully. Its entire front half was covered in feathers, dark green ones in fact. Taking a close look it had wings but its back half was that of a lion. Its ears were that of a donkey and its tail also seemed to be one of a lion's. "It looks like a griffin." Parker said.
"It is. Be careful Mandy, they are dangerously proud creatures." Cathy answered. I carefully approached it with my right hand open palm up. After I dropped my wand and bent to pick it up keeping my eyes on the griffin I noticed it bent its head and knees. I straightened up and walked towards it and it met me halfway. I ran my hand along his beak and down his back.
"Well hello there buddy what's your name?" I asked not really expecting an answer. That's why I was surprised when its tail whipped forward and started scratching in the dirt. The end of its tail wasn't a tuft of hair like I thought it would be, instead it was a spade-like shape that came to a point.
Then I noticed the scratching he made in the dirt formed words. Hello I am christened Spitting Fire. The words read.
"Spitting fire? You look more like a Smokey due to the color of your eyes." The griffin's eyes were a smoke gray color.
Well thank you I like that name better. And yours is?
"Amanda, Amanda Hunter but most of my friends call me Mandy."
Why? Amanda is very pretty.
"I agree but I prefer Mandy."
"Hey Mandy we're going to head inside because it's freezing out here." Parker yelled. I waved over my shoulder a little afraid that Smokey would leave if I turned around.
"So can you fly?" I asked Smokey. He shook out his wings and I saw how powerful they were. "That's a yes."
You're nervous. Smokey stated.
"You're a powerful and dangerous creature of course I'm a bit nervous." I answered.
You also have a smart mouth as you humans call it. But don't worry I'm not going to hurt you. He responded nuzzling my hand.
"Alright. So is it just the hippogriff that allows people to ride?"
Yes. Amanda what do your parents do?
"My dad and mom both say their Aurors but I can tell their not. All they'll tell me is that they're trying to stop the dark side from rising to power." I answered.
Though it seemed a little strange for me to be speaking with a griffin as they never interacted well with humans, I thought little of it as I was standing on the lawn of a magic school and lately nothing seemed weird to me. I stood there as we continued to talk about mundane types of things for a bit until Smokey bowed again and a hand came down on my shoulder. I looked up to see Professor Spotts standing there.
"Well done Ms. Hunter. I see you have successfully located and captured our alpha male griffin Spitting Fire. Now if you would kindly take him back to his pen and tie him up I would be most obliged." He said.
"No I won't. Smokey shouldn't be tied up like some common dog or mule, no offense Smokey." I said and Smokey nodded so I went on. "He should be free to do what he wants, roaming where he wants, and not forced to perform and be locked up all the time. If he wants to stay here in the forest and assist you with some of your lessons so be it but if he doesn't then he should be set free."
"Are you refusing to do what I asked?"
"Yes, I am."
"Five points from Gryffindor."
"That's not going to change my mind."
"I'll add detention."
"You do that."
"Fine, detention tomorrow night."
"But...you know what never mind. What time tomorrow night and where?"
"Eight o'clock tomorrow night, my office on the first floor."
"Yes Professor." I turned on my heel and walked away. "Bye Smokey." I called over my shoulder. Smokey let out a weird sort of growl and squawk. I sat down at my spot in the Great Hall. I was joined shortly by both Jeff and James. Jeff sat down on my right in Black's normal spot and James sat on my left in his normal spot.
James was the first to speak. "Mandy, what's wrong?" I sighed because I knew no matter what I said he would know when I was lying.
"I just lost five points and got detention for spouting off Professor Spotts."
"When's detention?" James asked.
"Tomorrow night."
"Oh bad luck," James said waving to someone.
"So psyched that we won last night?" Jeff asked.
"Not really I ain't until we win the cup."
"How can you not be?"
"I just can't besides detention's tomorrow night."
"Who's got detention?" Black asked as he sat down across from me glaring at Jeff.
"Stripes, she mouthed off to the one Professor who has it in for her." James answered.
"What 'bouts?" Talon asked.
"The you-know-what on the grounds. Spotts said I should tie him up and put him in his pen and I refused so he took points and gave me detention."
"And it was all because of..."
"Yes, because of the you-know-what." I gave Parker a pointed look hoping she'd get it.
"That sucks." Talon put in.
"Why'd you refuse?" Lily asked.
"Because as much as our Care of Magical Creatures Professor should know I don't think Spotts knows a dominate alpha male shouldn't be restrained like he asked." I answered.
"Are you talking about some animal or a person Hunter?"
"None of your business Black."
"Why are you whining about detention anyway it's not your first." Black said.
"You would know." I snapped.
"What?" He asked.
"Don't you remember Padfoot?" James asked as an amused smirk crossed his and Remus's faces and Lily and Parker rolled their eyes. Black shook his head. "Short story you blew up her cauldron during our third potions class first year and she hexed you so bad it took Kate three hours to sort you out and it landed both of you in detention with Slughorn." James explained.
"Alright fine your first detention was my fault so what doesn't mean you have to whine about your newest one because that was definitely not my fault." Black answered glaring.
"Hey look food's here." Timmy said sitting down next to Jeff and changing the subject.
Tuesday during Care of Magical Creatures Parker, Talon, and I were spending our time talking about the prank and barely paying attention to what was going on. "Ok class today we are starting a new subject." Professor Spotts said. "Can anyone tell me what these are?" As usual only two hands shot up. Lily and Shelly. I saw him call on Shelly.
"Those are griffins Professor. They are extremely proud and very dangerous. Their talons and claws are occasionally used for cups because they are said to be able to detect poison and will change different colors depending on the poison. Griffins are said to be highly monogamous as they will never mate again after their partner dies. Horses are said to be the mortal enemy of the griffin but there is a rare chance they will mate and give birth to a hippogriff. The lion is the king of the beasts while the eagle is the king of the air making a griffin the king of both. They are also a lot more fearsome, powerful, and intelligent than they look. Most females are said to seek out a cave to build a nest and lay agate like eggs. Furthermore they are deadly protective of their offspring and mates and will attack anyone who tries to harm them. Unlike the hippogriff they do not allow anyone to ride." Shelly explained.
"Very good Ms. Taylor, ten points to Gryffindor. Now who wants to try and greet one?" Spotts asked. This time no hands went up. I rolled my eyes at Parker and partially raised my hand. "Anyone?" I raised my hand higher. "No one? Come on where's some of that Gryffindor courage?" My hand was up all the way and everyone was looking at me.
"Professor, can't you let Mandy try just once?" Lily asked.
"Alright Ms. Hunter come here." Spotts said. I walked toward him keeping my eyes on the light gray one. "No, not Spotted Feathers lets see if Spitting Fire really does trust you or if yesterday was a fluke." He separated Smokey from the pack and dropped the chain. "First and most importantly Ms. Hunter do not let him scare you. Next bow but keep your eyes on him griffins won't trust you if you won't look at them. Then let him make the first move. If he bows back you can go and touch him if not...well we'll get to that." He explained. I bowed and Smokey bowed back. I moved toward him and then ran my hand down his beak.
"Hey Smokey did he treat you ok after I left?" I asked as Spotts went on to talk about the dangers and what would happen if he didn't bow. Smokey nodded partially to my question. "So somewhat, I don't like the way the treats all of you. If Rebus Hagrid was teaching this class you wouldn't be treated this bad."
He shook his wings out and a few girls 'awwwed.'
"Look I better hurry up before Spotts gets mad. Look can I talk to you again soon say the 24th in the morning?" He nodded and drug the flat side of his spade like tail across my right cheek and then down the front of my body. I looked at him a bit shakily before walking back to Parker.
"Ms. Hunter, are you alright?" Spotts asked.
"What did he just do?" Talon asked.
"He just dragged his tail across my cheek and down my chest." I said casually.
"You're telling me Spitting Fire just marked you?" Spotts asked.
"If that's what you call it." I said.
"Marked?" Lily asked.
"According to the book griffins will drag the flat side of the blade of their tales down the side of their mates face to mark them with a sign of protection and loyalty. As far as the mark for their children they will wrap their tail around their offspring's front leg. This mark has never been done to a human but it is said to be a mark of protection, blessing, and unwavering loyalty." Shelly read.
"This isn't to be taken lightly Ms. Hunter." Spotts said.
I shrugged his words off and looked at Parker. "So any way..."
"Mandy don't take this casually." She said shoving a book under my nose. I read through it and then slowly sank to the ground.
"Wow." I said. That was about all I could say.
"Mandy, are you alright?" Lily asked.
"What?" I asked still looking at the book.
"Mandy, don't worry about this it will be alright." Lily said hugging me before walking over to where Shelly and Tiff were standing working with Smokey. Parker and Talon dragged me over to where Spotted Feathers was standing. We bowed and she bowed back.
"What was going on?" Talon asked.
"Nothing I was just talking to him." I said. Something nudged my hand and I looked down.
Honored one that marking is more than protection, unwavering loyalty, and a blessing. It also means that we recognize you are special and our loyalty to you will not die when you do. It will continue through your blood line. Spotted Feathers wrote in the dirt.
"Please it's Mandy, and I don't want your undying loyalty or protection I don't want you harmed." I said angrily but still sorta dazed.
Mandy, something in you sparked something in... She stopped writing.
"Smokey." I stated.
Smokey right, something in you sparked something in him that's why he marked you. Even if you don't want it you have it. There is nothing you can do to change his mind, I have tried several times in the past and it's never worked. You will have our loyalty and protection no matter how much you don't want it.
"What were you talking about?" Parker asked.
"Just what it would be like if Hagrid taught this class instead and I want to see him on the 24th." I said.
"The games' keeper?" Parker asked.
"Yeah but he's a pretty cool guy and he know all about wicked creatures and animals. Told me he wants a dragon," I said.
"Wait the 24th?" Talon asked.
"Yeah why?"
"That's the morning after full moon." Parker said.
"Yeah so."
"It's also the same day as the Hogsmead trip and if I remember correctly you promised you'd spend the day with Jeff." Talon growled gripping my arm hard.
"Talon?" I whispered.
"Talon?" Parker asked. She was scared and I had only seen the look he was wearing once before. I was getting scared. I heard a low squawk-like growl.
"Ow." Talon shouted.
"Mr. Miller is everything alright?" Spotts asked as Talon dropped my arm and Spotts walked over.
"Yes we're just fine." Talon said in a normal voice but I knew him well enough to know he was mad. I caught a glimpse of his left arm. His shirt and robes were torn and his arm was bleeding. It looked like some thing had bitten him. I looked at Spotted Feathers.
Honored one I am sorry for hurting your friend but Smokey believed you were in danger.
"Make sure Smokey knows that unless my life is endangered I do not want his help." I told her keeping my voice even and my eyes on Spotts. He stopped ten feet away.
"Are you sure ok Mr. Miller?"
"Yes just fine Professor." Talon answered holding his arm. Spotts shrugged and looked upwards as if he was thinking. Spotted Feathers let out a soft roar and hung her head. "What the hell was that for?" Talon asked turning to me.
"Were you not paying attention to what Shelly said?"
"Of course I was you're protected by griffins but why the hell did she bite me?" He asked.
"Talon you were hurting me. Do you remember about three years ago when we got into about that one thing over summer before my birthday?"
"Yeah," he said in a huff.
"That look you gave me, remember how you felt? That was the same look you just gave me. Why Talon what did I do? We weren't dating when I agreed and I'm not going to stand him up." I asked.
"I'm sorry I don't know what came over me." He apologized. He looked immensely sorry and I looked closer.
"You're forgiven. Don't do it again. Give me your arm." I said drawing my wand.
Talon hesitated until Parker prodded him. "Talon," Parker warned. Talon sighed and gave me his arm. I said a few choice words and his arm healed up and the clothing over it restitched itself.
"Thanks Mandy." Talon said. I nodded and let go of his arm.
"So what time are you going to meet Smokey?" Parker asked.
"During breakfast, I figure that way I'll be fine with Jeff and I can figure this out." I explained.
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Is Shelly still mad at me for the whole Jeff thing?"
"A little bit but Remus asked her to meet him at the town square at noon and she accepted."
Spotts stopped us as the bell in the distance rang. "Homework: I want twelve inches of the characteristics of the griffin and the myths surrounding it." We gathered up our stuff and walked back to the castle. I looked at Shelly and Parker nudged me.
"Hey Shelly," I said hesitantly as I caught up with her, Lily, and Tiff.
"What?" She snapped.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry again. And I apologize for agreeing to go to Hogsmead with Jeff. I hate the fact that this is making you mad but sometimes it just happens."
"Whatever." She spat.
"Would it make you happy if I just went and told him that I can't go with him because it upsets my roommate and ex-best friend too much?"
"Just do whatever you think is right." She said turning to go up to the Common Room. I hung my head and shuffled my feet.
"Come on sweetheart let's see if we can find something on this marking of yours." Lily said softly guiding me to the library.
"Keep this under wraps guys?" I suggested to Parker and Talon.
"Sure we'll tell Shelly and Tiff also." Parker said. Lily led me to the library. I plopped down at the end of one of the rows as she looked for a book or something on it.
"Hey is this seat taken?" A guy asked some time later.
"By a bloody asshole yes," I answered hoping I could scare him off without looking up.
"Then I'll just have to sit down, won't I?" He said. Without waiting for an answer he did just that.
"Can't you just go away?" I asked spotting his Slytherin tie.
"Nope, come on tell me what's wrong." He said.
"What's a Slytherin like you care about me?"
"Slytherin seeker to be more exact and you know why I care, Seeker." Michael said.
"Oh right sorry man." I said looking up to see him sitting next to me. He looked at me inquiringly waiting for me to go on. "Lily's around here somewhere."
"Doesn't mean you can't talk does it?"
"I guess not it's..."
"It's what?"
"I don't know."
"I know you know, so are you going to tell me about it or do you just want to sit here and sulk?"
"I don't know if you really want to hear this."
"Try me."
"Ok well it's this whole guard/Shelly and Jeff/Regulus thing."
"Ok so tell me about Shelly and Jeff first."
"Shelly's mad at me. Why you ask? Well because she's had a major crush on Jeff Wood for years and wanted him to take her to Hogsmead on the 24th but he didn't ask her he asked someone else."
"Who'd he ask?"
"Me and I accepted. Now I know that I probably shouldn't have because I had known she liked him and I've been her friend and roommate for the past five and a half years but I really wasn't thinking straight or maybe I was I just don't know. So now she's mad at me and a bit jealous even though she's meeting Remus there at noon."
"That sucks."
"Yeah but what am I supposed to do?"
"Be yourself, go and have fun and tell her it's just one date it ain't like you're going to end up dating him not to mention you could always find out if he did like her. If he liked her more than he did you then he would have asked her and not you like that prat Sirius Black should have done."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's common knowledge that the so called blood-traitor is head over heels for you. As much as he tries to hide it, it's obvious to all of us who have ever felt forbidden love."
"You're the second person who's told me he likes me, but what do I care he's a bloody, egotistical, over grown pig with his stuck so far up his ass he's—"
"Ms. Hunter, please refrain from using that language in my library or I'll have to toss you out." Madame Oscar, the librarian, said.
"Yes ma'am." I muttered. After she walked away Michael looked at me.
"Want to try that again." Michael asked.
"Shut up." I growled.
"So who else told you he fancies you?"
"Shelly, a little while ago."
"Ok, now do we have that problem solved?" I nodded and he continued. "So what's this about Regulus?"
"I'm not too sure but he's always picking fights with me and looking for me and threatening me."
"He picks fights with everyone and the rest is just him being sore."
"Alright if you say so."
"I did didn't you just hear me? Anyway what guard?"
"Haven't you noticed I can't go anywhere without one guy or at least three girls?"
"Why?"
"I knew you were going to ask that." So I explained the whole incident on the first to him.
"So now Potter thinks it's not smart for you to go anywhere without a guard?"
"Yup."
"Babe that sucks," he said wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"I know and I hate it but it seems every time I'm alone I get hurt."
"And that upsets Potter." He stated rather than asked.
The bell rang in the distance and Lily appeared. "Hey Mandy, Michael," She greeted.
"Lily." Michael answered.
"Hey find anything?"
"Nope, but I'll look after dinner and see if I can come up with something."
"Hey since there's only one female here can or rather should I escort you to lunch?" Michael asked.
"I don't see why not." I answered. We both stood then the three of us went to lunch.
"I'll get you next time we play Quidditch you wait and see." Michael said.
"Sure you will, not like there will be a next time." I answered.
"You think you're going to be beat by Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?"
"No, we'll beat them but I ain't too sure you will. I mean I've been undefeated for years."
"You're starting to sound like Potter." Lily commented.
"Come on Lils I've know James forever it's only eventual that we start sounding and thinking alike." I said.
"I wish he was more like you." Lily said.
"Evans has a crush." Michael said sticking his hand in his pocket. I knew that's where his wand lay but I didn't know why he was reaching for it. In fact his whole body was tense. I let my hearing trail from Lily to our surroundings and inhaled a few deep breaths through my mouth. Sure enough we were being followed by someone who didn't want us to know they were following us. Someone who was a potential threat but I couldn't tell who.
"Anyway, I still say you're going to lose." I said to Michael.
"I would be undefeated if it wasn't for you."
"Now you know we can't always get what we want."
"Is this all you ever talk about?" Lily asked.
"No, we just happen to be on this topic for now." I said.
"I know I can't always get what I want but I also know that there is no way in hell I'm losing to some stupid badgers and eagles."
"Yeah well we'll just have to wait and see about that, but it's not always up to the seeker."
"I know," he said pushing open the doors.
"Does it seem a bit quiet in here to you guys?" Lily asked.
I looked around and noticed the eyes of the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables were all on us. "It's because the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables are staring at us." I said pointing out my observation.
"Um well that's not a good thing now is it?"
"No but thanks for the escort and the advice." I said.
"Anytime for you love." Michael nodded and walked to his table as Lily and I walked to ours.
"Ooo speaking of crushes," Lily said as we sat down. I was bombarded with questions as I glared at Lily.
I let the questions die down eating a bit before answering. "First Black, that was my escort, James we were just talking, Lily you're out of your mind, Jeff it was just about Quidditch from one seeker to another and some other stuff, Talon yes I know he's a Slytherin, Tiff he's been with me sine almost right after class let out, Remus we were in the library if you don't believe me ask Lily, Timmy he's not an asshole or as much of a prat as either of the Black boys are, Parker we were talking about a few of the problems I've been having lately, Cathy I need to talk to you about something he said, and Shelly I apologize again." I explained efficiently shutting them all up.
"Manda, are you sure you can trust him?" James asked.
"Look James, I know I've got to be careful about whom I trust because of the rising threats outside these walls and all but I have my reasons for trusting him. I've known Michael since about seven years ago at a pureblood ball and he was the only one I could tolerate. I trust him alright, maybe not as much as I trust you, or Parker, or Remus, or Lily, or Sirius but I do trust him." They all got really quiet and stared at me open mouthed. "What?"
"You just called Padfoot by his first name." James stated slowly.
"Whatever, I just trust Smithheart alright? If he wanted to hurt me he would have done so and not cared about what you guys would have thought but he escorted me and Lily to lunch which probably got him into hot water with some of that scum he lives, eats, and sleeps with because of what they consider her." I said picking up another sandwich which Parker stole from me. "Hey, that was my sandwich."
"Yeah but are you insane or do you like looking like a blown up marble-berry bush?"
"Huh?" I asked. She opened the sandwich and showed me the nasty tomato in the middle of it. "Thanks. I hate allergies." I picked up another sandwich and after making sure there was no tomatoes I began to eat.
"Did you ever stop and think that maybe he didn't hurt you because he knew what Prongs would do to him if he did?" Black asked. I looked over at Lily who again was giving me an all knowing look. I rolled my eyes at her and turned back to Black.
"He didn't hurt me because he doesn't want to nor would he ever want to. If he ever did want to hurt me the repercussions he would face from you boys is nothing he couldn't handle because you couldn't hurt him as bad as his parents do. His parents are like yours Black that's why he's in Slytherin." I answered.
"Huh?" Black asked.
"Nothing we do to him for hurting Mandy will be as bad as what his parents do to him when he screws up and he's at home." Remus clarified. We finished eating right about the same time as the bell rang for our next class. James caught my arm as we walked out of the Great Hall.
"Mandy, did something happen you're not telling me about?" He asked in an undertone. I shook my head. "You've been distracted all during lunch and your voice is slightly shaky like you're scared I'm going to find something out."
"Not now James alright? Tomorrow maybe. I have to work this out a bit more before I turn to you for help, no offense but it's just something I have to do."
"Alright," he said as he turned off to go to his next class and I went up to Arithmacy.
Hope you liked it.