1/1/22

For the next few days, much to Jacks unenjoyment, the four of them spent their time in the library (again) and checking out old Magical Creature trials to see if they can find anything to help Buckbeak.

Of course, the first thing Jack did, when Hermione suggested they do this is ask her to check her room first, not forgetting what happened in the first year when they tried this.

Unfortunately the only Magical Creature book she had was the Monster Book of Monsters as she no room in her trunk or time to have non-lesson books, what with all her classes.

So... each morning they went to the library, spent the day there, and then at night checked out the books and took them back to the common room and calling out anything they can find.

"Here's something," Ron called out from his book "There was a case in 1722... but the Hippogriff was convicted – urgh, look at what they did to it, that's disgusting –"

"This might help," Hermione said from the middle of her larger pile of books, book fort "A Manticore savaged someone in 1296, and they let the Manticore off – oh no wait – that was only because everyone was too scared to go near it."

"Old Wizards were cowards," Jack said from his book which said that there once was something to do with Windigos (ghost-like horse spirits that feed off fighting and hatred between others, bringing cold, ice, and misery along with them) tormenting a couple of neighbourhood-ing villages of Muggles. This was back in the late 1600's meaning it was before he became the Spirit of Winter "- and dumb. These wizards here, thought the best way to get rid of Windigos is to shoot them down with powerful spells – aka fighting them. Honestly..."

"Well then smart guy, what are you meant to do?" Hermione said not hearing of these creatures before.

"They feed off fighting and hatred, so you need to do the opposite to make them go away," Jack said picking another book. "In Norway – where my dragon trainer friend lives - when we were kids they had a rule that sound a lot like how these old wizards are acting. 'You see a Dragon – Kill on sight'. Not bothering to learn about them, or trying to understand why they raided their village ever week or so. Nope, just kill them. Punch first and ask no questions later."

"Why are you so upset about this?" Ron asked pushing his book away – his eyes tired from looking at words for the last few hours.

"You Wizards are meant to be great, powerful, and smart, people," Jack began, Baby Tooth on his shoulder next to him. "But as far as I can work out, up until this Newt Scamander guy came along with his 'Fantastic Beasts' book, you did the same thing as my friend's people did to anything that you found just a little too scary. Shoot first and ask no questions later."

"He's got a point," Harry butted in feeling he was getting the same feeling from all the things he has read so far.

"So, anything to say, Ron?" Jack said crossing his arms "After all you're the only one of us who's 100% Wizard, right?"

Ron opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to find something to say, but couldn't find anything, so he turned back to his book.

While they worked on trying to find something to help Hagrid and Buckbeak, the rest of the castle got all pretty-fied for Christmas even though less than 20 were there to admire the decorations.

The usual 12 large trees were in the Great Hall, garlands of holly and ivy lined doorways and corridors – some even holding mistletoe in them, colourful lights came from inside suits of armour, and a powerful delicious smell was coming from the corridor that lead to the kitchens.

This aroma got so powerful that by Christmas Eve, even Scabbers came out of hiding for a few minutes to get a better sniff of it.

On Christmas Eve night, Jack spent it in the common room, wanting to talk to North when he came, mostly to see how everyone was doing, but also to ask if he had any ideas about Magical Creature cases when the creatures won against the humans.

It was getting close to midnight and Jack was getting sleepy thanks to Sandy's dream-sand coming into the tower, when Jack heard a mewing coming from the floor beside the chair he was in.

Looking down, Jack saw Crookshanks.

"Can't you put off trying to get revenge on the rat for a few days?" Jack asked yawning "Well do something next week."

Pouting and flicking his tail Crookshanks turned around and went back up the girl's staircase.

Just as he did, along with a puff of smoke and soot, North appeared from the common room fireplace.

"Jack? Why are you not asleep yet?" he asked once he saw the teenager there.

"I wanted to talk to you," Jack said getting up, but falling back down soon after – his legs had fallen asleep.

"No time to talk Jack, I have busy night, you know," North said reaching into his sack and pulling out some smaller sacks and set them on the table "Yours and some for Harry and your friends."

"This is about Buckbeak!" Jack said loudly and firmly "The British Ministry of Magic wants to kill him."

North paused in his leaving to turn back to Jack.

"Buckbeak's the Hippogriff, yes?" North asked raising an eyebrow.

Jack nodded before explaining about visiting Hagrid and his letter.

"Do you know any cases where the luck was on the creatures?" Jack asked hopeful.

"Not off top of head," North said thinking to himself "Will need to look in own books back at Pole. Not sure why Mr Malfoy is involved though."

"Because supposedly: Buckbeak was going for his son first, but I got in the way," Jack said gently rubbing his own back which hurt a little just there from when he got scratched.

While they had been talking, the House-Elves had come in to deliver more presents and left.

"I will see Jack, get back to you in new year. I promise," North said before he left.

Sighing, Jack waited for a bit, before picking up the sacks and going to bed, seeing a long strangely shaped one among the presents for Harry.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ok, so I am getting close to the 2 year mark on this story, but as fas as I know, I'm half way through half way through the book, so (hopefully) I should get this done this year :)