NOTES: Let me say you guys rock with the reviews so I'm putting my next chapter up now for you.

Buffy had arrived at the feast just as the last person was being placed in a house. Giles had made her sit through an examination by Pomfrey. He wanted to make sure that she hadn't suffered any major damage. Then she had to talk to him about what happened on the train and with the demon. Everyone's attention was on the sorting so she was able to sneak in unobserved. She took a seat by her honey who smiled at seeing her. Harry and Hermione walked in with Professor McGonagall seconds later. They quickly took their seats as Dumbledore began speaking.

"Welcome!"

The light from the candles seemed to be shining perfectly down upon him.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…As you will all be aware their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

Dumbledore paused for a moment to look over the students.

"They were stationed at every entrance to the grounds. While they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises-or even invisibility cloaks."

He said this while looking over at Harry and Ron.

"It is not in the nature of the dementors to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl to make sure no student runs afoul of the dementors. On a happier note I am pleased to welcome three new teachers to our ranks this year and guest. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers and his nephew Daniel Osborne."

The round of applause was unenthusiastic but was mostly coming from the Gryffindor section. Ron pointed out the look on Snape's face and Buffy made a note to talk to him later.

"Our second new teacher Professor Wyndam-Pryce will be taking over Muggle Studies."

A second round of applause began as tall, skinny well-groomed man stood up. The glass he wore made him look like a know-it-all. Buffy was glad she didn't have his class.

"And last but certainly not least our own Rubeus Hagrid will be taking over Care of Magical Creatures class in addition to his game keeping duties."

Hagrid got the loudest applause out of all the three new teachers. The Gryffindor table was by far the loudest. Harry noticed that Hagrid had turned bright red and was wiping his tears away on the tablecloth.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The food appeared on the table and Buffy heard some of the first years gasp. She looked over at Harry who had loaded his plate full of food and that made Buffy realize how hungry she was. Loading her plate up she watched as the Hogwarts ghost came flying in to greet everyone.

"Hello Sir Nicholas. How was your summer?" She asked after taking a sip of her drink.

"Absolutely wonderful thanks to you lot. A summer I won't soon forget."

He was smiling and his ghostly glow was brighter than usual. Buffy winked at the ghost and he began to move along when a voice cried out. She watched as the first years followed the regular routine of asking Nearly Headless Nick about being nearly headless. Her circle of friends laughed at the first year expression, as one kid got sick.

Buffy was sitting waiting for her friends to finish the feast. She was looking around when she saw Hagrid coming her way.

"Buffy, could I talk ya for a minute?"

"Sure Hagrid." Buffy got out of her seat and followed Hagrid out of the Great Hall. "What did you want to talk about Hagrid?"

"I wanted to ask ya if you would mind assistin' me tomorrow? I wanted to start wit' a good firs' lesson and thought of Hippogriffs."

"Sure Hagrid. I'll be glad to help you out tomorrow. Meet you after breakfast and we'll talk about how you want to handle the class."

"That b' great Buffy. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hagrid walked off toward the front doors to head back to his hut. Buffy returned back to the Great Hall and before heading back to the Gryffindor table she went to the teacher to talk Giles. He broke off his conversation with McGonagall.

"You're looking better Buffy."

"Thanks Giles. I feel better. Hagrid asked if I could help him with his class tomorrow. I told him I could. That's all right isn't? Professor Dumbledore approved it."

Buffy said hurriedly upon seeing Giles look. It was one Buffy was familiar with. It was the one that said you are suppose to me before you say yes. Whereas McGonagall was giving her the you got hurt and should be taking it easy look. Neither could maintain the look and smiled.

"It's okay Buffy. Hagrid talked to me first as long as you're still feeling okay in the morning."

"You're the best! Thanks Giles."

Buffy said giving him one of her hundred-watt smile. She reached over the table and gave him a hug. He returned it and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"You are welcome Buffy."

She headed back to the Gryffindor table. The majority of them were still there talking amongst themselves. Buffy gave Oliver a long kiss, which made the others groan.

"What did Hagrid want?" Willow asked when she sat down again.

"He asked if I would assist him with his class tomorrow." She turned to Oliver. "Will you take notes for me in our classes tomorrow?"

"What do I get if I do?"

Buffy whispered in his ear. The group around them burst out laughing when Wood turned a bright shade of red.

"I'll do it." Wood said in a soft whisper, which made the others laugh again.

"You're so cute when you blush. Come we have get this group to the Gryffindor tower."

The first day of classes could have gone better for Harry. In Divination Trelawny predicted Harry's death, which had spooked the majority of the class. They had gone to Transfigurations where they all missed McGonagall's change because they were too worried about Trelawny's predictions. To top it all of Hermione and Ron were fighting because Ron made the comment about Hermione being bad at something. It was after lunch and the trio was headed to Care of Magical Creatures. When he saw his arch-nemesis and his two cronies, he knew they were having class with Slytherin. Harry was glad Buffy was going to be there because she wouldn't allow Malfoy to get away with anything. She was standing next to Hagrid who was waiting by his hut's front door. Next to Buffy was Fangs who whined a little at Buffy who immediately answered by scratching him behind the ears.

"C'mon, now, get a move on!" Hagrid called out to the class. "Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"

Hagrid led the group as Buffy and Fang brought up the rear. After walking for about five minutes they came to a paddock but it was empty.

"Everyone gather around the fence." Buffy told them.

"That's it-make sure yeh can see-now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer book-"

"How?" Malfoy said in his arrogant impolite way, and Buffy glared at him.

"Eh?" replied Hagrid.

"How do we open our book?" Malfoy asked slightly nicer after seeing Buffy's look. Malfoy showed Hagrid that he had his book bound, as did many of the students.

"Hasn'-hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Hagrid asked his face looked deflated. Buffy nodded to Harry, who nodded back.

"Like this?" Harry began stroking his book on it spine. The book shivered and lay open.

"That's right Harry. You have to stroke them gently on the spine."

Hagrid face lit up that one student had got it. He took Hermione's book, removed the spellotape, and proceeded to show how to open the books so everyone could see. Harry was glad that Buffy had showed him how to open the book, because the excited look Hagrid gave made Harry happy. Buffy was glad that she had asked Hagrid that night when Harry had received the book.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy mocked. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!"

"I-I thought they were funny." Hagrid told Hermione a little unsure.

"Oh, tremendously funny!" Said Malfoy. "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off."

"Don't listen to the little pillock Hagrid. I thought it was quite funny. The little prick needs that lesson in manners I promised him." At that Malfoy paled and stayed quiet.

"Righ' then, now you need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So Buffy an' I will get' em. Hang on…"

Malfoy made sure that both Buffy and Hagrid were out of sight before he made his comment.

"This place is going to the dogs," said Malfoy loud enough for the class to hear. "That oaf teaching classes, my fatherly have a fit when I tell him-"

"Tell him what Malfoy? Last I heard your father was sharing a cell with Lockhart in Azkaban. What's he going to do?" Malfoy looked exasperated.

"Careful, Potty, there's a dementor behind you-"

"Ooooohhhh!"

Lavender Brown squealed upon seeing Hagrid and Buffy bring out about a dozen of the weirdest creatures they had ever seen. The creature was a cross between a horse and an eagle. There was a thick leather collar around each of their necks.

"Get up there!"

Both he and Buffy roared shaking the chains to get them toward the fence where the class was.

"Hippogriffs! Beau'iful, aren' they?" Hagrid said happily as he let the students look them over. "So, if yeh wan'ter come a bit nearer-"

At first no one seemed to move, but then Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped closer. Buffy gave them a grateful look.

"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' hippogriffs is they're proud. Easily offended, hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, cause it might be the last thing yeh do."

Harry noticed that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle weren't listening. He realized they were probably trying to find away to disrupt the class.

"Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs' move. It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, cause those talons hurt. Right-who wants to go first?"

No one had volunteered. The whole class looked like they were unsure of the hippogriffs. Buffy looked toward Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They caught her eye.

"No one?" Hagrid asked with a pleading voice.

"I'll do it." Harry finally said.

Lavender and Parvati gasped as they remember their class this morning. Buffy just looked at them.

"Oooh, no, Harry, remember your tea leaves!"

Buffy almost busted out laughing. That was what the girls were worried about. Buffy had to remind herself to talk to Harry about it. Trelawny couldn't what predict what's going to happen even if it had already happened.

"Good man Harry! Right then-let's see how yeh get on with Buckbeak."

Buffy got herself ready as Hagrid untied the chain and slipped of the collar. Everyone watched with frightful glances except Malfoy was watching Harry maliciously.

"Easy, now, Harry," said Hagrid quietly. "Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink…Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much…"

Buffy was proud that Harry was able to keep eye contact that long. She could see that it was hurting his eyes to go so long without staring.

"That it." Hagrid told him. "That's it, Harry… now, bow…"

Harry did as he was told. Hagrid and Buffy began to worry when Buckbeak didn't bow back right away. Just Hagrid was about to tell Harry to start backing up Buckbeak bowed.

"Well done, Harry! Right-yeh can touch him! Pat his beak, go on!"

Harry wanted to stop still feeling nervous about being up there. He began petting the beak and Buckbeak looked to be in paradise. The class broke into applause except for the Slytherin trio who were looking let down.

"Righ' then, Harry. I reckon he might let yeh ride him. Yeh climb up there, jus' behind the wing joint." Hagrid told Harry. "An' mind yeh don' pull any of his feathers out, he won' like that…"

With Buffy's help Harry climbed on really dreading doing this. With no warning the wings open and Buckbeak flew around for about a minute. Harry knew which way he preferred to fly and this wasn't it. He was glad when they were back on the ground.

"Good work, Harry! Who else wants ago?"

The class was bolder after seeing Harry's success. They climbed into the paddock. Buffy and Hagrid began letting the other hippogriffs go one at a time. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had taken over Buckbeak think if Potter could do anyone could. Malfoy had bowed and was now petting his beak.

"This is very easy," Malfoy said loud for Harry to him, having forgot about Buffy. "I knew it must have been if Potter could do it…I bet you're not dangerous at all are you? Are you, you great ugly brute?"

Before Malfoy knew what was happening he was being knocked to the ground hard. There was a crunching sound as he was rolled away from the hippogriff. Hagrid was wrestling to get the collar on a struggling Buckbeak. Buffy had knocked Malfoy out of the way of Buckbeak's claw and then rolled him a safe distance away. Buffy had gotten Malfoy out of the paddock. The look on her face was that of pure anger.

"You stupid little git! Are you intentionally trying to get yourself killed cause if you are look no further. I will not have you and your little cronies making trouble for Hagrid or anyone else in this school. I told you in the bookstore that to learn some manners or I was going to teach them to you. You're about to get your first lesson and I don't care if get detention for the rest of the year you are to learn to treat others with respect."

She hauled him up by the collar of his robe. "Now apologize to Hagrid for disrupting his class."

The whole class was silent. The Gryffindor's had never seen Buffy like this, though Harry, Hermione, and Ron had come close that day in the bookstore. At first Malfoy didn't say anything.

"You want me to break that other arm?"

"I'm sorry-for interrupting your class-Hagrid." Hagrid just nodded. Buffy looked at Blaise Zabini. "Let Draco's teacher's know that he'll be with me for the rest of the day. Sorry to run out on you like this Hagrid but this needs to be done."