Hermione had watched as Professor Dumbledore exited the Great Hall, slowly followed by a very distressed looking Draco Malfoy. He's such a git she thought to herself. Nothing better to do so he chooses to go and bother the poor Head Master.

'Tool' she muttered to herself. Not realising she had been speaking out loud, she noticed the strange looks she received from her fellow Gryffindor's at her random and pointless outburst. 'Sorry, thinking aloud' she managed to squeak out after a minute of being shot curious looks.

'When aren't you thinking, don't you know how to take a break' Ron slyly replied.

'Hey, Ron?' she asked. He looked up and nodded towards her, 'go fuck yourself' she simply said as she stood and went to walk away, before being stopped by a hand on her wrist.

'So erm… when were you planning on telling us you were made a prefect?' Harry enquired.

'Oh my God I totally forgot. Well that's why I didn't tell anyone, I was going to tell everyone when I got back to you's after the meeting had finished but I was a little distracted… I'm so sorry guys; I've just been so stressed about starting N.E.W.T classes, high expectations and all, so I put it to the back of my mind' Hermione instantly blurted out, hoping that excuse was plausible enough. She had been distracted, but more about a certain letter then N.E.W.T classes.

'Oh, didn't think about that one Mione. Guess I'll let you of then' Harry replied with a friendly wink. Hermione smiled.

'I'm going for a walk to try and clear my mind before lessons tomorrow, see you all back in the common room?' a chorus of nods indicated there approval, so she steadily made her way towards the Main Doors.

As she neared them, a distressed looking Hagrid appeared before her.

'Ahh, Mione, I could do with some help if yah' don't mind?' Hagrid beamed, it was great to see her old friend after nine weeks of being away from the castle, but he definitely looked worse for wear.

'Anything the matter Hagrid?' she questioned as she bent her head back to look at his now slightly scrunched up face. His usual gleaming smile had, quite literally, been turned upside down.

'Well Mione. I've got a new erm… pet yah could say' he let out a low chuckle, 'and I know nothing about him. All I know is that 'e doesn't seem to like me very much. Never thought I'd see the day!' he grinned. There's the Hagrid I know and love! Hermione smiled softly. This creature, whatever it was, was obviously proving hard work, and from what she'd seen Hagrid could deal with anything. A small voice in her head was inwardly screaming at her, 'If Hagrid can't handle it, you have no chance! Make up an excuse and leave.' Now what sort of Gryffindor would I be if I backed away from this? She mentally argued back at herself with a slight grin.

'Well what is it that you've acquired this time round Hagrid?' she mocked as they headed in the direction of his hut. Another chuckle erupted from deep within his chest.

'I got me hands on me very own Griffin I 'ave!' He grinned menacingly. Hermione looked at him in confusion, if he could handle dragons, then how on earth could he not look after a single Griffin?

'And the problem is…' she began, looking up at him with a questioning glint to her eye. He let out a nervous cough as he rubbed his hands together.

'Well I already said dint I? E don't like me, not one bit! Won't let me get nowhere near him and won't eat nothing! And he's frightened Fang half to death, can't get the bloody coward outside now' Hagrid looked appalled, yet saddened at the idea of being unliked. Having people dislike him was fine in his books as he always knew he had his 'pets', as he liked to call them, to cheer him up. So Hermione knew that this was hurting him on a very personal emotional level.

'Griffins are very odd creatures Hagrid. You have to earn their trust and friendship, they don't just suddenly take a liking to people' she explained letting out a light hearted laugh. 'He's probably distressed, where have you put him?' she questioned. As the hut was now in clear view she could see to the side where she saw a large creature thrashing around quite violently.

Each step brought them closer to the hut, giving Hermione a better look at the clearly very angry creature. He was a large specimen, and Hermione was completely taken aback by the sheer beauty of it. Its eagle-like head had pointed upstanding lion ears coated in a mixture of fur and feathers. Its large, curved yellowish beak appeared to be opening and closing as the Griffin let out loud screeches. It's head, neck and chest was covered in white and gold feathers while the rest of the griffin's body was covered in leonine fur, subtly coloured in shades of tawny brown. The wings were white and its neck contained a wide variety of colours. White, gold, brown and blue feathers all blended magnificently together. Its forelegs were that of an eagle, with exceptionally big talons which seemed to be working their way into the ground in a very aggressive manner. Its hind legs and tail were that of a lion. Its hind legs were also burying their way deep into the dirt as his tail swished viciously from side to side.

Hermione didn't realise how close she had gotten until she noticed the Griffin abruptly stopped its menacing show of distress. Slowly, it turned its face towards her and stared intently with its large golden eyes, in them she could not only see, but feel, the pain that it was suffering from.

'Mione! Step back, e's not safe!' Hagrid all but bellowed at her, pulling the Griffin from its trance like state. The screech that escaped from its beak was loud enough to knock Hermione to the floor.

In front of her now stood an extremely large Griffin, seemingly trying to stare down a petrified Hagrid in silence. Opening its mouth it let out a large bellow in Hagrid's direction before gracefully turning to Hermione and sitting down beside her. A gentle coo escaped its beak as it gently nudged its head against hers. Both shock and happiness overwhelmed Hermione's body as she realised that it was not acting aggressive towards her, but instead affectionate.

'Bloody hell 'Mione. What happened to Griffin's not just taking a liking to people?' he chuckled softly, scared that he'd startle the animal again.

'I don't understand this… all the books I've read said that it can take years to earn a Griffin's respect and loyalty…' she babbled, unable to make sense of what was actually happening. Maybe it had just killed her and she was dreaming? Don't be stupid Hermione, use that overly sized brain of yours she thought to herself. 'I guess I got something wrong?' she stated, still overwhelmed with shock. Slowly she stood and stroked the elegant creature before her. After hearing another coo, she turned towards Hagrid.

'Erm, I think it would be best if I went back to the common rooms now… I'll come back tomorrow and help you out if you'd like?' she murmured. Hagrid let out yet another low chuckle, seemingly he appeared to have cheered up, and nodded his head. Hermione smiled as she turned to begin the short walk back up to the castle, only to be stopped by the screech the griffin let out. She instantly turned around to see that the Griffin's head was cocked slightly to the side and its eyes were glazed at the thought of her leaving it. Crimson red slowly snuck up her face as she once more turned back to Hagrid.

'Hagrid what's his name?' she quizzed as she was yet to know.

'Amato' Hagrid answered.

'That's Italian for beloved, how sweet' she calmly said. By the look that covered Hagrid's face she could tell that he himself had just thought it to be a random name someone had picked out, not a well thought, caring gesture towards the beast.

'It suits him very well,' she said affectionately towards him as she patted his head. Once again it gently nudged its head into hers, encouraging the attention it was receiving, 'Hagrid, bring some meat out? I'll see if he'll take it from me' she smiled towards her friend as he disappeared into his hut.

'You're absolutely beautiful Amato,' she whispered in his ear, 'I think I may have to cut out some of my library time to come and visit you, you should be honoured' she purred softly again as she let out a small giggle. The Griffin's ears perked up at the sound of her soft voice and it gently cooed into her shoulder as if it knew how much Hermione's small gesture had meant. Even though it was lying down it could still perch its head on her shoulder. Normally Hermione was the type to become weary and scared in the presence of large unknown creatures but instead she felt safe and content.

Reappearing in the spot he had previously been residing in, Hagrid placed a piece of meat in Hermione's out stretched hand, she had heard him coming but didn't want to move out of this comfortable spot, and watched to see if Hermione would be able to feed it. Placing her hand lightly under the griffins chin she lifted it towards the food she held in her other hand. Removing her hand from his chin, she allowed it a minute to assess whether or not it was going to accept the offering. After a minute of consideration it delicately ate the meat from her hand.

'Slid me the bucket over Hagrid, I'll occupy him with it while I head back, curfews in ten minutes… I'll be sure to come back tomorrow in my free lesson' she offered with a beautiful smile.

'Course Mione! Always welcome you know that!' He laughed as he slid the bucket over. Placing a gentle kiss on the tip of Amato's beak, she placed the large bucket far from her and waited for him to begin eating. As soon as he began Hermione ran straight back up to the castle. She knew if she heard his cries again she wouldn't be able to leave his side…

'Mione! Where were you? I've been so bored. I thought you'd be in the library but when I checked you weren't there!' Ginny practically shrieked at her as she entered their shared bedroom.

'Oh hi Hermione, hi Ginny. How was your walk? It was nice thankyou, I made a new friend. Oh do tell Hermione!' Hermione sarcastically mimicked as she closed the door behind her. 'I was out talking to Hagrid, what's up?'

'I've been curious about your letter that's what! You were so occupied at dinner I wondered if you knew who it was…?' Ginny began, Hermione shuck her head. 'Still no idea at all? Damn there good.' Ginny scowled. She liked challenges just as much as Hermione but she knew not knowing who it was from was bothering her more. Ginny loved gossip as much as Lavender Brown and that was definitely saying something. 'Hey, wait did you just say you made a new friend?' Ginny grinned.

'Like I said, I was out talking to Hagrid. He looked stressed and asked me for help so of course I accepted… He came across another pet that he wanted to keep, but this one does not like him at all, even tried to eat Fang I think he said,' both girls laughed at this, Fang may be big, but he was the most cowardly dog they'd ever heard of, 'anyway, he didn't really explain how he got it, but he's got himself a Griffin. When I saw it he was thrashing around and throwing itself into the floor, it was horrible Gin! I was so busy thinking I didn't realise how close I was, but there I was right in front of the thing. Hagrid shouted for me to move and it went mad, wouldn't let him near me. Then it sat next to be and started to rub its head against me… as if it liked me. It was so strange, I tried to go but it started to cry so I had to trick it and run back to the castle to stop it from noticing.' By the time Hermione had finished her overly large explanation on what had happened Ginny stood in complete shock.

'Come on Gin, it's not that much of a shocking story is it?' Hermione questioned.

Ginny gulped slightly, before pointing her finger towards the window, 'I think I'm more shocked at the fact it figured out you tricked it and is now sat outside of my bedroom window'.

REVIEWS PLEASEEEE!

I'm not going to upload for a week after this chapter, then I'm going to decide whether or not to continue with it, don't want to be wasting my time on something if people won't give me there opinions :-(

Thankyou to the people who have read it and put it on alert, love you all lot'sssssss :3

xo