I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to Celeste Belle, Allen Pitt, Moromu, LissaWonderland, Wunmiii, Echo1317, feji13, Loonynamelass, SplodeyYourFridge, SuperxGirlx5894, Forest Maid, darkangel856, Princess-Lazy-Chan, and doulike14.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

Just so you all know - I am also writing another fan-fic - Mysterious Last Name. I would really appreciate it if you would check it out. Thanks!

Chapter 21:

A Helpful Teacher and An Incident

The next thing Ariella knew, someone was gently shaking her awake. She opened her eyes groggily to find a man, his clothes a bit tattered, his hair slightly graying, bending over her. As she sat up, he spoke,

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sir. What...what was that thing?"

"A dementor," the man said grimily. "Here," he continued, handing her something dark, "it's chocolate. It'll help."

"Thank you..."

"Professor Lupin," he supplied.

"Right." He nodded, then, looking around, questioned her once more,

"Was there someone else sitting with you?"

"No, Professor." He simply nodded again, and left.

As she was about to enter the Great Hall, she heard a voice behind her calling her name, and was surprised to see that it was none other than Professor McGonagall. She was further more surprised to see that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were standing by the her.

Once in her office, she told them that Professor Lupin had sent an owl ahead to let them know that Harry and her had "taken ill" on the train. Harry looked at her in surprise, but before he could question, the door opened, revealing Madame Pomfrey. She simply shook her head when she realized that one of the people to be "taken care of" was Harry. After an inspection, she and Harry were told to wait outside while Hermione talked with Professor McGonagall. Harry turned to her.

"You fainted, too?" He asked.

"Yeah, I guess. Why, didn't anyone else?"

"No, just you and me. You didn't know that? What about the people you were sitting with?"

"No, I didn't. Harry, I sit alone." He just stared at her, just for a moment, because the door opened next, and the four made their way down to the Great Hall. Dumbledore introduced Professor Lupin as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Hagrid as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

So that's how the next afternoon, Ariella found herself walking towards Hagrid's hut for her first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. After everyone had arrived there, Hagrid led them into a clearing in the Forbidden Forest., which was filled with, well, creatures. Well, one type of creature to be exact. Hippogriffs.

"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' Hippogriffs is, they're proud," said Hagrid. "Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do." Of course, Draco Malfoy wasn't listening. Ariella felt her stomach drop, suspecting that they were 'scheming'. Hagrid then asked who wanted to be the first to approach one. At first, no one stepped forward, but at the man's pleading look, Harry volunteered. He successfully got the great creature to bow to him.

No surprise there. Ariella thought. He seems to be able to do most things. But she was clapping with everyone else all the same. Hagrid then surprised Harry by letting him ride Buckbeak, the hippogriff that Harry had bowed to. After he came back down, each student went off to practice with their "own" hippogriffs. Ariella's was a beautiful chesnut color. She was about to bow to hers when she heard Draco talking rather loudly,

"This is very easy," he drawled, loud enough for everyone to hear him. "I knew it must have been, if Potter could do it… I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you?" he said to the Hippogriff. "Are you, you great ugly brute?" Uh oh, this won't be good, she thought. And she was right. For a minute later, Hagrid was trying to calm Buckbeak down, and Draco was lying on the ground, his arm bleeding. Hagrid picked him up and, dismissing the class as he went, carried Draco up to the Hospital Wing. The rest of the class, a bit shaken, started making their way up to the castle. Her fellow Slytherins were complaining, and saying how Hagrid should be sacked, while the Gryffindors were saying how it was all and only Draco Malfoy's fault. If I know him, he'll write to his father. Nothing good can come of this, she thought. As she passed Pansy Parkinson, she heard her crying, and complaining, (no surprise there). So Ariella rounded on her.

"Yeah, well maybe if he had actually listened to Hagrid at the beginning of class, and didn't feel the need to show off all the time, then maybe, possibly, he wouldn't be in this mess. Then again, what should one expect from an arrogant git like him?"

Pansy was furious and called after the girl.

"So you think it's funny what happened to him? It's that oaf of a teacher showing us creatures that are dangerous to us."

"So are you suggesting that you're going to volunteer to be the next creature he shows us? Because honestly, you look like a pug. Or hasn't anyone told you that already?" and without waiting for a reply, Ariella sped up to the castle, leaving behind some very furious Slytherins, and some very shocked, but happy Gryffindors.

Hey! So I've just started another story Caught Between Worlds. Please check it out! Thanks!

Sorry for the long wait! Hope this chapter makes up for it! :)

Quotes are from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora