Chapter 24

Sirius Black

The next day was Christmas Eve. Things were quiet. It was rather boring, if you asked me. Tippy barked through most of the day, which drove Hermione up the wall. Harry was still in a daze thinking about everything. George and I just hung around in the living room talking. Amelia and Ginny were playing wizard's chess. (Amelia had begged her Mum to let her stay for a few more days. I knew it was all because of Fred.) Thing were going alright for once.

Around 2:00, I headed upstairs to my room to start a Potions Essay. It may have been Christmas Eve, but it was so boring that I had nothing better to do. As I headed to my room, I heard a weird screeching sound come out from one of the rooms. Curious, I walked over to the door and opened it slowly. That's when I saw one of the biggest creatures ever. It was a huge half horse half eagle. I had never seen anything like it.

"Whoa," This thing was scaring me a little. It was so huge.

"No need to be scared," said a voice. I jumped, for I had not seen anyone in there. A man with untidy curly hair came around the other side of the creature.

"You must be Karina," he said, smiling, "Harry's cousin,"

"Yes,"

"I never thought I would ever meet another one of James' relatives," he murmured, "I'm Sirius, by the way. Sirius Black. I'm Harry's godfather,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said. I had no idea Harry even had a god father. I guess Harry and I aren't exactly what you would call close. We're more like friends then family. It's really weird.

"So what house are you in?" Sirius asked, "Gryffindor?"

"Ravenclaw," I replied.

"You must be very smart to get into that house. It's basically only for the brightest,"

"Oh yes," said a voice, "she's the best in her year," Harry was behind us.

"Really now?" Sirius said.

"Yes," I said, feeling myself turning slightly pink.

"She's more then smart actually," Harry said, "she's a genius,"

"I wouldn't go that far,"

"Quit being modest. Rina's tackling both 1st year and 2nd year at the same time,"

"How is that possible?" Sirius laughed.

"I get the assignments off one of my friends," I started, "she's a 2nd year. She also teaches me and I've got Hermione tutoring me in Potions because I suck,"

"You do not suck," Harry said, "you helped me the other day with that assignment on how to make the Drought of Living Death,"

"In other words, you are a very bright and clever witch," Sirius said. The creature behind us screeched.

"What is that thing?" I asked Sirius.

"This is a Hippogriff," he replied, "His name is Buckbeak,"

"Wow," I said, "he's really big,"

"You want to touch him?" Sirius asked.

"Sure,"

"Now what you have to do is stand up in front of him and make a bow. If he bows back, you can go and touch him. If not then get away from him. It means he doesn't trust you and might hurt you," I nodded and bowed to Buckbeak. He snorted. I took a step back, still in my bowing position. All of the sudden though, Buckbeak sunk into a low bow.

"Very good," Sirius said, "now you can touch him," I reached my hand out and moved toward him. He snorted again. I came a little closer.

"Let him come to you," Harry suggested. And he did. Soon, I was petting Buckbeak.

"Well done," Harry said, breaking into a grin. "Is there anything that you're not good at?"

"Rugby," I replied, stroking the Hippogriff's soft feathers. Harry laughed.

"Me neither,"