Chapter 7: Fwoopers and Poofs

"This is not like Hagrid at all," said Harry, "Why are we taking care of birds?" They were on their way to Hagrids' when they heard birds chirping in the distance and could easily see bright plumage of 30 or so birds perched on trees. As they drew nearer, they saw that all of the birds were in cages. "Fwoopers" Hagrid told them as they started class. "Tha's what yer all goin' to take care off for this week. The Fwoopers," Hagrid explained, "are African birds with bright plumage and come in orange, pink, lime green or yellow. Their feathers are used for fancy quills and their eggs are patterned, too." He said taking an egg from a cage he opened. " Each o' yeh will get a partner and take care o' one Fwooper and collect the eggs. They're like chickens Fwoopers are and who ever collects the most eggs will get a prize. Dependin' on how ye treat 'im tha's how many eggs they lay."

"You want to be my partner Liana?" said Ron quickly but then looked uneasily, "unless you have to partner with Harry then you don't have to."

"I'd love to be your partner," said Liana with a smile and they went together to Hagrid to get a Fwooper which caused Malfoy to look at them with loathing. "Yer all goin' to hafta put a silencer charm on yer fwoopers because they're song'll drive ye mad," said Hagrid as he passed out birds.

"Let's go get one Hermione," said Harry not seeing Malfoy's face. "Hagrid," said Hermione, "What is Professor Galder like?"

"Why d'you ask?" said Hagrid. "Just out of curiosity I guess, we met Prof. Matthews and he's really nice," said Hermione. "Well, he's sorta different than from Snape yeh hafta meet 'im to understand." Then Hagrids attention shifted as a Fwooper soared up to the sky from an open cage. Neville had left the cage open after he took the egg out. Hagrid pulled out what looked like a Muggle dog whistle and the bird came back to its cage.

For the rest of the class, they asked everyone in Gryffindor what Prof. Galder was like, but everyone said the same thing as Hagrid, but they all were smiling like they were hiding something.

As they gave their bird cages back to Hagrid Harry motioned the other to follow him to the back of Hagrid's hut. He pointed to the side of Hagrid's hut and told everyone to be quiet. "Did you get the eggs?" said Malfoy to Crabbe and Doyle. "Yeah, but what do we need them for?" said Goyle. "All we have to do is put them in Potters and Grangers cauldrons during potions so that they'll cause a fire ball. That should get Galder fired; Potter and Granger in trouble and get my dad to be the new Potions master. I hate Galder; I wish Snape didn't have to leave. Why did they hire a poof?" he finished with disgust and they went back to join the rest of the class

Harry motioned for everyone to leave and they walked quickly back to the castle for lunch. "I guess that helps answer our question about Galder," said Liana. "Doesn't a poof mean he's gay?" she asked.

 "Yes and I see how Malfoy would hate him," said Hermione, "but Malfoy would probably hate anyone taking Snape's place."

"I can't believe this, a gay teacher, we are in modern times," said Ron smiling with glee, "Slytherin is going to be the laughing stock of the school! Now I can get back at Malfoy!"

"I think this is the best day Ron's had in a long time," said Hermione smiling at Ron. "For you too," said Liana, "I've heard that you and Prof. Snape don't get along too well."

"I hate him," said Harry, "He singles me out all the time and he picks on me even after class is over. I'm glad he's not here this year," he finished.

When they finished their lunch, they all headed up for Transfigurations. They all caught up because all they did the other day was take notes and today they had to learn had to transfigure living thing onto one another. Hermione and Liana got it quickly, but Harry and Ron took a little more time and a lot of help from both girls. When the bell rang they left Hermione and went to Divinations s as she went to Arithmancy.

As they sat down in the smoky room, Liana began to look like she wasn't feeling well. "What's wrong?" said Harry as he noticed her starting to sweat and look pale. "I don't know, I'm feeling better now though," she said though it didn't convince Ron and Harry.

"Welcome class," said a voice in the back of the room. "As I said yesterday Harry Potter and his party are back safe and sound with the exception of one," said Prof. Trelawney, "Today, we will begin the section on Telepathy. Very few wizards have Telepathy and few Muggles have it as well. For muggles, it is a genetic trait, but for wizards it is learned. This semester we will study Telepathy and Telekinesis and next semester we will go on with Tarot card readings."

"Great, we're going to learn how to read minds. How much do you want to bet we're going to end up making stuff up?" said Ron with Harry agreeing. "I've always been fascinated with both subjects, but it's too hard to learn and master it. There's only been about 2 or 3 wizards who mastered both this century," said Liana beginning to sound like Hermione.

"Please turn to page 150 in your books and start taking notes for the rest of the period," said Prof. Trelawney. For the rest of the class, they all wrote down notes and wondering what it would be like to read other people's minds and to move objects with their minds and without the use of a wand. Of course for Ron, he was just thinking of what dinner was going to be.