Letters and Mysors

The next morning, Mora was surprised to see Mahshi entering the hall with the owls during mail time. In her claws were a letter. Another owl followed her with a paper. When they both dropped their parcels in front of Mora, she saw the letter Mahshi was carrying was from her parents and the ther owl had carried a Daily Prophet. Mahshi circled around and landed on the table, next to Mora's plate, but the owl grabbed a bit of bacon and flew off.

Mora turned to her friends, while petting her weary falcon, and said, I have received a letter from my parents already. Mahshi should have had a day's rest between the flights, but, apparently, they think this is important.

Well, open it, urged Ron.

Mora broke the wax seal and began to read to herself.

iTo our darling daughter,
Please watch yourself if Voldemort is truly alive. He has hatred towards many people and it is doubtful his wrath has an end. You know you are vulnerable and an easy target. As you also are aware, you are too important to us for you to place yourself in trouble's path.
As for your other news, I am glad you have made some friends. To Harry Potter, although, you have been nameless to us before, we have long been thankful to you.
One last piece of news, we have ordered the Daily Prophet for you (and ourselves) so you can keep up with current events in the wizarding world. If anything newsworthy happens here, we shall tell you as soon as we can.
Keeping our promises, we will dispense with any more formality and bid you well life till we next communicate.
With love,
Kara and Nicolas Airs/i

Harry, my parents send thanks for disabling Voldemort many years ago.

Really? Tell them they're welcome, Harry said. But really I didn't do anything. Not consciously anyway. I was just a baby at the time.

Mahshi chirped (as much as a falcon can chirp) and Mora turned to listen. Go up to my room and sleep. Your perch is beside my bed, Mora said. The falcon jumped into the air and began to flap. Soon, she was out of sight.

Wow. You can talk to her? asked Ron.

It does seem that way, does it not? Mora smiled.

Okay, time for classes. Hermione rose from the table. Anyone else coming?

They all got up and went to class.

Later in the week, there was an extra class of Care of Magical Creatures that the Slytherins and Gryffindors were required to attend. Mora looked forward to Hagrid's class all day. Her wait was well worth it, because when they got there, they found out that the mysors were now there.

Come on, Hagrid. Stop keeping us in suspense, Ron said, before class had begun. I want to see them.

Just wait, was Hagrid's response.

Once class began, Hagrid opened a box and lifted out a rat with bright purple eyes. This is a mysor, he announced, proudly.

It's just a rat! said someone at the back of the class.

No, it's not. These are very rare animals. I've got Dumbledore's and PEMA's permission to breed these little guys and reintroduce them into the wild.

Mora leaned over to Hermione.

Preservation of Endangered Magical Animals, she whispered.

These guys are great, Hagrid continued. They eat grass, so they are great for keeping your yard trimmed. But that's not the best part. He pulled out a pot with a strange looking potato-like creature in it. What is this, class?

A gnome! a chorus of voices answered.

Yup. I know I hate gettin' rid of em myself, because they just keep coming back. As he said this, he pulled out the gnome, root and all, and threw it. The thing got up and ran back to the pot.

Mora was shocked. She was used to things that looked like potatoes to be potatoes; unanimated plants that had no legs.

Hagrid began again. But watch this! He put the mysor next to the gnome. The thing jumped up and began running around the class, with the mysor close behind. Gnomes are afraid of mysors and will run away from em, but the mysors don't hurt the gnomes.

Today, we are going to take them around the grounds on leashes and let them have some fun.

Everyone fell in love with these creatures, because of how gentle they were and how effective they were with the gnomes. It gave them all good exercise as they chased their mysors around the grounds, in hot pursuit of a gnome. Even the Slytherins seemed to be softening up to the cute little creatures.

Hagrid came over to Mora during the class, as they were walking around. You sure your falcon won't eat these?

I will call her after class and prove she has no taste for the mysors.

That will work, he said.

Class ended and Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed behind with Mora. I shall call for Mahshi, now. She then instructed the others to each stand behind a mysor. I do not think she will be interested in the mysors, but if she does try to go for them, pick them up, quickly and calmly. She will not attack anything in a person's arms.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione nodded. After pulling out a leather glove from her bag and putting it on, Mora whistled. All standing there could swear it was the most beautiful whistle they had ever heard. Although none could ever describe the sweet sound they heard to anyone, they never forgot it.

A moment later, Mahshi flew down to Mora. She held out her arm and Mahshi landed gently and carefully on her hand.

Mora turned so her falcon could see the mysors. She then whispered to Mahshi and she took off from her arm. The bird landed on the ground, a few feet away from the mysors. She slowly walked over to the rat-like creatures. After looking at the mysor for a few moments, she flew back to Mora's shoulder and made some noises.

She refuses to attack them, although I said she could. She knows they are owned and well loved by someone, Mora announced. Hagrid, does she pass the test?

I can't believe it. Do you think she'd be willing to take a job protecting these guys? he asked. Seein' as they are rare and all, I don't wanna lose

Mora whispered to Mahshi who made several noises, which sounded strangely happy. She agrees. However, she is still my falcon and I might have to ask her to deliver letters for me on occasion.

That's good enough for me, said Hagrid.