"Sarah! Wait up!" Sarah turned at the yell to face Harry running towards her at top speed. She smiled slowly, eyes glimmering. Catching up to her, Harry put his hands on his knees panting. "Have a nice run?" Sarah asked, eyes dancing.
Harry smiled at the joke and matched her pace down the hall. "So. Who teaches Care of Magical Creatures?" Sarah asked, quietly. She seemed to relish the fact of him walking next to her. "Well, it was Hagrid. But I'm not sure he's back yet....."
"Big man? Real tall? Probably a giant, right? He blew in last night. I was sitting outside, Couldn't sleep" Sarah and Harry turned to meet Jaenelle's brown eyes. Harry nodded, a grin starting on his face.
"Mornin' Beautiful" Chris swept up, kissing Sarah on the cheek and ruffling Jaenelle's hair. Hermione, Ron, Surreal and Vicky tottered on behind them. "Jake and Darren are already on their way to the hut. Evil rats. Magical Creatures is their favorite class" Vicky giggled. Surreal threw a arm over Ron's shoulder, tugging him along.
Ron couldn't have looked more thrilled.
***
Their were cages in front of Hagrid's house. Big steel cages. Each held a woman. They had Grimy hair, large eyes and huge eagle wings spouting from their backs. The bottom half of their bodies were shaped like a cross between a lion and a bird. Battle scars covered their bodies, from their bare chests to their faces and backs.
Hermione let out a cry. Harry muttered, feeling another House Elf argument coming on. The cage was made of pure silver, bit it glowed like gold. It had a cruel feel about it that made him queasy.
"Hi Hagrid" Harry said slowly, eyes focused on the cage. "Hagrid smiled at Harry, weakly. "Make me nervous" He jerked his head at the caged woman.
"And just what are they?" Ron said staring at the woman, eyes wide. Harry didn't like the look of their pointy nails. "Harpies. They're Harpies" Hermione whispered angerly, glaring at the rest of the Gryffindor house as they arrived.
"Hermione, Is this another Spew thing?" Ron asked, achieving a look of being cynically amused. Hermione's eyes flashed. "It's S.P.E.W. not Spew. And I do not think that Harpies don't deserve what they got. They sided with Voldemort. But, I don't think it's proper that Hagrid has such cruel creatures here"
A Harpy let out a scream, making the Gryffindors wince. "Letting a little Harpy scare you?" Malfoys voice floated out at them, circling the Gryffindors. Harry spun around and glared at Malfoy. The tension between the two of them mounted. Harry's green eyes were hard as emeralds.
"Hello, Malfoy" Sarah's voice ran through the obvious chill in the air. Draco turned to her, words on his lips. But he froze. His light eyes met her green ones. She smiled tauntingly at him. Face paler than usual, Draco ducked his head and stayed silent.
"Harpies were once spiteful woman, responsible for horrid crimes. It was said that each craved death and could smell fear. The murdered the innocent for fun. For each Harpy there is today, there is one less Unicorn" Hagrid cut into the debate quickly, his eyes darting nervously from Draco to Sarah.
"Once every 100 years a unicorn turns into human for a day. Few people have seen the process, and only trusted friends of the Unicorn. If a person that is unwanted watches ,he or she will die a painful death" All the students eyes were on Hagrid now. Harry tore his eyes away from Sarah, and stopped wondering how she had shut Malfoy up.
"It was said that the Harpies would run out and kill the half changed unicorn. And when its blood touched their hands, it tried to purify the woman. Tried to pull out their inner self over the evil. But their inner selves were evil. And when so much evil was free around them it mutated them. Making their bodies as they are today" Hagrid gestured over his shoulder.
Automatically Hermione's hand shot up. "But..... Hagrid...... That's just folklore" Hermione's rational voice cut into the students trances. "No it's true" Hermione spun around to challenge whoever had spoken. She fell silent when she found herself looking into Darren's deep eyes.
Surreal was nodding. "We used to have a whole clan at Mantecorea. It was a wonder to look out your window in the morning and see them flying free"
"Like Warrior Princesses" Victorya confirmed. "But of course we had to bind them to the grounds or the Ministry wouldn't let us keep them. I believe those are from Mantecorea?"
Jake studied the woman worriedly. "Is it necessary to cage them? They were kind to us at Mantecorea" Surreal nodded and said cheerfully "But they told us about them"
The class stared in awe at the students, eyebrows up.
***
Sarah chewed her apple almost thoughtfully. She was sitting with the other Gryffindors and it was dinner. Surreal was talking quietly with Ron, Jaenelle with Hermione. Harry sat across from Sarah. He was studying Chris who had his head bent low to murmur into Fred and George's ears.
"I don't think they're up to any good" Harry said slowly. Jake rolled his eyes. "Of course they aren't" He groaned. Sarah stayed silent.
The dinner was awkward, most people lost in their own thoughts. "So. Were still up for Hogsmead tomorrow, right?" Harry said slowly to Sarah. She stared at him for a few minutes them nodded, giving him the smallest of smiles.
Jake rolled his eyes at the two of them
***
"Your going to Hogsmead with Harry, huh?"
Jake stood on Darren's bunk, peering up into Sarah's forget-me-not blue eyes. Sarah's only response was to glare. "What! I think you two make a cute couple!" Jake's eyes gleamed evilly. "Were going as friends" Sarah said bored.
"Are you sure?" Vicky had crept out of the bathroom and was grinning at Sarah. Sarah rolled her eyes, flipped over and pulled a pillow over her head. "Leave her be, guys" Darren called from where he was laying on Jaenelle's bunk.
"I have to agree. But when can we include Harry, Hermione and Ron in project Halloween-" Jaenelle started only to be cut off by Chris "I want to invite Fred and George too!" He yelped, eyes big. "THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LITTLE THING! NOT SOMETHING THE WHOLE SCHOOL IS INVOLVED IN!" Jake bellowed.
"Cool down, man" Darren rolled his eyes. Vicky bounced from the bathroom and collapsed on her bed. "What's wrong sweetie?" Surreal glided out of the bathroom, eyes wide. "Everyone to their own beds. It's lights out" Jake said tensely.
***
Harry wrote a letter to Sirius by candlelight.
Dear Sirius,
How are you and Buckbeak? How was your little trip?
I can't believe I'm in my fifth year! I like it here.
Our school is on one end of a tunnel thing, and Durmstrang and Beauxbatons at the other. It's supposed to help be a quick way to avoid Voldemort. Were sharing out school with Mantecorea. It's kinda strange to have them here. Their so much more advanced.
I met this one girl. From Mantecorea. She's nice. I'm going to Hogsmead with her tomorrow. Her name is Sarah Melissa Benechanchexhastalevincurynevadlemarena. She has this blazing red hair and shining blue eyes. Something not right about her though. It's kinda bothering me. She seems so far off at times. And she's called my James.
Harry
Harry finished the letter and sent it off, wondering why he felt so sick about sending the letter to Sirius.
***
"Headmaster Caroline, Please just talk to him"
Saz stood in Mantecorea's office, biting her lip. She wore a pale blue robe, her red hair blazing in the afternoon sun. The office was plain, a desk and chairs, nothing else. The Headmasters were scattered throughout the room. Darcy sat on a couch, sewing. Evan sat on the desk that Caroline was behind. Evan and Caroline shared a look. Evan leaned forward to peer in Saz's face. "Melissa" He began, bitting his lip. "Saz" Saz automatically corrected.
"We feel your magic would be better honed here at Mantecorea. I don't want to let you walk down a road that might wreak your future, or one you might regret" Caroline's face was understanding as she spoke. But Saz was shaking her head. "Please! I need to be with my best friend!" Saz pleaded.
"You'll be better protected here" Caroline's voice was firm. Saz stared at the decisive look in Caroline's eyes and raced from the room. Evan glanced at Caroline and followed the girl. Darcy didn't even raise her eyes.
Saz was hunched in the hall, crying. She cried for all the times she and James had laughed together. Every prank they had attempted. Every time they had soared on a broomstick. Every tear they had cried.
Once more Saz pictured James being best friends with someone else. Either a pretty brunette. Or maybe a blonde. Who said it had to be a boy? A confident, funny guy could share James's jokes, yell at teachers, become-
"Is this really important to you?" Saz looked up and met Headmaster Evan's eyes. She nodded slowly, staring.
Evan tossed a letter on her lap. "There. We refused you. Make sure you write me and tell me everything you do at Hogwarts" He walked back into the office, not even looking back. Saz stared after him then leapt into the air with a shriek of "YES"
Harry smiled at the joke and matched her pace down the hall. "So. Who teaches Care of Magical Creatures?" Sarah asked, quietly. She seemed to relish the fact of him walking next to her. "Well, it was Hagrid. But I'm not sure he's back yet....."
"Big man? Real tall? Probably a giant, right? He blew in last night. I was sitting outside, Couldn't sleep" Sarah and Harry turned to meet Jaenelle's brown eyes. Harry nodded, a grin starting on his face.
"Mornin' Beautiful" Chris swept up, kissing Sarah on the cheek and ruffling Jaenelle's hair. Hermione, Ron, Surreal and Vicky tottered on behind them. "Jake and Darren are already on their way to the hut. Evil rats. Magical Creatures is their favorite class" Vicky giggled. Surreal threw a arm over Ron's shoulder, tugging him along.
Ron couldn't have looked more thrilled.
***
Their were cages in front of Hagrid's house. Big steel cages. Each held a woman. They had Grimy hair, large eyes and huge eagle wings spouting from their backs. The bottom half of their bodies were shaped like a cross between a lion and a bird. Battle scars covered their bodies, from their bare chests to their faces and backs.
Hermione let out a cry. Harry muttered, feeling another House Elf argument coming on. The cage was made of pure silver, bit it glowed like gold. It had a cruel feel about it that made him queasy.
"Hi Hagrid" Harry said slowly, eyes focused on the cage. "Hagrid smiled at Harry, weakly. "Make me nervous" He jerked his head at the caged woman.
"And just what are they?" Ron said staring at the woman, eyes wide. Harry didn't like the look of their pointy nails. "Harpies. They're Harpies" Hermione whispered angerly, glaring at the rest of the Gryffindor house as they arrived.
"Hermione, Is this another Spew thing?" Ron asked, achieving a look of being cynically amused. Hermione's eyes flashed. "It's S.P.E.W. not Spew. And I do not think that Harpies don't deserve what they got. They sided with Voldemort. But, I don't think it's proper that Hagrid has such cruel creatures here"
A Harpy let out a scream, making the Gryffindors wince. "Letting a little Harpy scare you?" Malfoys voice floated out at them, circling the Gryffindors. Harry spun around and glared at Malfoy. The tension between the two of them mounted. Harry's green eyes were hard as emeralds.
"Hello, Malfoy" Sarah's voice ran through the obvious chill in the air. Draco turned to her, words on his lips. But he froze. His light eyes met her green ones. She smiled tauntingly at him. Face paler than usual, Draco ducked his head and stayed silent.
"Harpies were once spiteful woman, responsible for horrid crimes. It was said that each craved death and could smell fear. The murdered the innocent for fun. For each Harpy there is today, there is one less Unicorn" Hagrid cut into the debate quickly, his eyes darting nervously from Draco to Sarah.
"Once every 100 years a unicorn turns into human for a day. Few people have seen the process, and only trusted friends of the Unicorn. If a person that is unwanted watches ,he or she will die a painful death" All the students eyes were on Hagrid now. Harry tore his eyes away from Sarah, and stopped wondering how she had shut Malfoy up.
"It was said that the Harpies would run out and kill the half changed unicorn. And when its blood touched their hands, it tried to purify the woman. Tried to pull out their inner self over the evil. But their inner selves were evil. And when so much evil was free around them it mutated them. Making their bodies as they are today" Hagrid gestured over his shoulder.
Automatically Hermione's hand shot up. "But..... Hagrid...... That's just folklore" Hermione's rational voice cut into the students trances. "No it's true" Hermione spun around to challenge whoever had spoken. She fell silent when she found herself looking into Darren's deep eyes.
Surreal was nodding. "We used to have a whole clan at Mantecorea. It was a wonder to look out your window in the morning and see them flying free"
"Like Warrior Princesses" Victorya confirmed. "But of course we had to bind them to the grounds or the Ministry wouldn't let us keep them. I believe those are from Mantecorea?"
Jake studied the woman worriedly. "Is it necessary to cage them? They were kind to us at Mantecorea" Surreal nodded and said cheerfully "But they told us about them"
The class stared in awe at the students, eyebrows up.
***
Sarah chewed her apple almost thoughtfully. She was sitting with the other Gryffindors and it was dinner. Surreal was talking quietly with Ron, Jaenelle with Hermione. Harry sat across from Sarah. He was studying Chris who had his head bent low to murmur into Fred and George's ears.
"I don't think they're up to any good" Harry said slowly. Jake rolled his eyes. "Of course they aren't" He groaned. Sarah stayed silent.
The dinner was awkward, most people lost in their own thoughts. "So. Were still up for Hogsmead tomorrow, right?" Harry said slowly to Sarah. She stared at him for a few minutes them nodded, giving him the smallest of smiles.
Jake rolled his eyes at the two of them
***
"Your going to Hogsmead with Harry, huh?"
Jake stood on Darren's bunk, peering up into Sarah's forget-me-not blue eyes. Sarah's only response was to glare. "What! I think you two make a cute couple!" Jake's eyes gleamed evilly. "Were going as friends" Sarah said bored.
"Are you sure?" Vicky had crept out of the bathroom and was grinning at Sarah. Sarah rolled her eyes, flipped over and pulled a pillow over her head. "Leave her be, guys" Darren called from where he was laying on Jaenelle's bunk.
"I have to agree. But when can we include Harry, Hermione and Ron in project Halloween-" Jaenelle started only to be cut off by Chris "I want to invite Fred and George too!" He yelped, eyes big. "THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LITTLE THING! NOT SOMETHING THE WHOLE SCHOOL IS INVOLVED IN!" Jake bellowed.
"Cool down, man" Darren rolled his eyes. Vicky bounced from the bathroom and collapsed on her bed. "What's wrong sweetie?" Surreal glided out of the bathroom, eyes wide. "Everyone to their own beds. It's lights out" Jake said tensely.
***
Harry wrote a letter to Sirius by candlelight.
Dear Sirius,
How are you and Buckbeak? How was your little trip?
I can't believe I'm in my fifth year! I like it here.
Our school is on one end of a tunnel thing, and Durmstrang and Beauxbatons at the other. It's supposed to help be a quick way to avoid Voldemort. Were sharing out school with Mantecorea. It's kinda strange to have them here. Their so much more advanced.
I met this one girl. From Mantecorea. She's nice. I'm going to Hogsmead with her tomorrow. Her name is Sarah Melissa Benechanchexhastalevincurynevadlemarena. She has this blazing red hair and shining blue eyes. Something not right about her though. It's kinda bothering me. She seems so far off at times. And she's called my James.
Harry
Harry finished the letter and sent it off, wondering why he felt so sick about sending the letter to Sirius.
***
"Headmaster Caroline, Please just talk to him"
Saz stood in Mantecorea's office, biting her lip. She wore a pale blue robe, her red hair blazing in the afternoon sun. The office was plain, a desk and chairs, nothing else. The Headmasters were scattered throughout the room. Darcy sat on a couch, sewing. Evan sat on the desk that Caroline was behind. Evan and Caroline shared a look. Evan leaned forward to peer in Saz's face. "Melissa" He began, bitting his lip. "Saz" Saz automatically corrected.
"We feel your magic would be better honed here at Mantecorea. I don't want to let you walk down a road that might wreak your future, or one you might regret" Caroline's face was understanding as she spoke. But Saz was shaking her head. "Please! I need to be with my best friend!" Saz pleaded.
"You'll be better protected here" Caroline's voice was firm. Saz stared at the decisive look in Caroline's eyes and raced from the room. Evan glanced at Caroline and followed the girl. Darcy didn't even raise her eyes.
Saz was hunched in the hall, crying. She cried for all the times she and James had laughed together. Every prank they had attempted. Every time they had soared on a broomstick. Every tear they had cried.
Once more Saz pictured James being best friends with someone else. Either a pretty brunette. Or maybe a blonde. Who said it had to be a boy? A confident, funny guy could share James's jokes, yell at teachers, become-
"Is this really important to you?" Saz looked up and met Headmaster Evan's eyes. She nodded slowly, staring.
Evan tossed a letter on her lap. "There. We refused you. Make sure you write me and tell me everything you do at Hogwarts" He walked back into the office, not even looking back. Saz stared after him then leapt into the air with a shriek of "YES"