Disclaimer: Again I don't own Harry Potter :)
Also a little note before I start this chapter, it more than likely is going to be once a week that I update this story, this chapter a day thing won't work out forever. It only works now because I have some of it pre-written. Anyway hope you guys enjoy and please do Review. It let's me know if I'm doing something right or wrong even! Some nice constructive criticism would be great!
The next day, Monday, Hermione found herself walking down the onto the grounds towards Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures. Her eyes dared to glance at the group of teens that were already huddled together. The majority of students were the Slytherins; in fact, she was the only Gryffindor that had continued into the 7th year class. It seemed as though the rest of the Gryffindors were sick of the dangers Hagrid brought to class. Hermione noticed that Malfoy was nowhere near the other Slytherins. He stood by himself, hidden amongst the trees. Hermione almost actually felt bad for his. Since everyone now knew he had been a Death Eater, and his family now shamed, nobody wanted to associate at all with him. Although it seemed as though Malfoy could mind at all whether or not people liked him. Hermione shook her head, why was she even thinking about Malfoy.
Hagrid stalked out of his hut and Hermione walked to the front of the class and smiled up at Hagrid, ready to listen. "A'right now. Today I'm goin ter be doin something we tried when you all were third years. A'ter some fightin we have ov'rturned the ban on Hippogriffs." Hermione's eyes quickly glanced towards Malfoy; she could actually see the flash of fear that passed through his eyes before his rough exterior mask forced its way back to the surface. "Now a good friend o'mine, before he passed, gave me back an ol' pet of mine. Come on an' follow me." Hermione walked up to Hagrid, attempting to match the half giants stride. He looked down at her and smiled. "I'm glad ye' took this course 'Mione. Only Gryffindor who did." Hermione looked back at the Slytherins and nodded." Yeah I noticed."
The class was led to a very familiar clearing in the Forbidden Forest. Hermione couldn't help but smile as her gaze met the beautiful grey and white feathered hippogriff. "Buckbeak!" She exclaimed waltzing up to the face the hippogriff, giving him a quick bow. Buckbeak bowed back and nuzzled his beak into Hermione's hand. The creature must not have forgotten all the trouble she went through to save him. Off to the side of her, Hagrid let out a deep bellow of a laugh. "Well seems as though our Hermione here has jumped the lesson a wee bit. As you can see, the most important thing to remember about hippogriffs is that you must give them a little bit o' respect. Hippogriffs are not too keen to like people who don' give them the proper respect." Hermione smiled and looked out towards the Slytherins who all seemed to be watching her with some level of disgust. Except for him... he actually had a look of pure admiration on his face as he looked from Hermione to Buckbeak. Hermione shook her glance away from Malfoy and returned her attention to Hagrid. He smiled at Hermione and continued on with his lesson. "Hippogriffs do not like to be insulted so never and I mean it when I say never attempt to put down a hippogriff. I promise you it will not end well fer you." Hermione didn't let it go unnoticed that Hagrid's eyes quickly squinted towards Malfoy, who had turned slightly pink in the face. "Hippogriffs also are some of the smartest creatures in the wizarding world. They do not easily forget or forgive. So... who wants to give ol' Buckbeak here a go?" Hermione watched as all the Slytherins all took a step back, not daring to go near the hippogriff. Hermione left Buckbeak's side and faced the class. "Come on you guys, Buckbeak actually is quite a sweetheart. Give it a try; I think you'll be very surprised. However, all they did in response was stare at her in silence.
The class obviously was not going well, so Hagird moved on with the lesson seeing as nobody would go near Buckbeak. Some desk materialized and all the students scrambled to find seats furthest away from Buckbeak. Hermione on the other hand of course sat up front as per usual. She was genuinely shocked to see Malfoy take the seat in the desk next to her. Hagrid began to lecture some more about hippogriffs and their habitats. Hermione had no trouble admitting how fascinating this lecture was, though she could tell that some of the Slytherins were less than enthused to have to listen to Hagrid mumble on all day.
Between Hagrid's lecture, Hermione's attention drifted towards Buckbeak, and she instantly noticed the change in his demeanor. Buckbeak kept fidgeting, stamping his right front bird-like foot, and pulling at the ropes that constrained him. What really caught Hermione's eye, however, was Buckbeak's gaze, it was unwavering, and she dared to follow it. She gasped as she looked next to her; the hippogriffs eyes were steadily watching Malfoy as he jotted down notes. Would Hagrid notice? Clearly, he hadn't because he was continuing to rattle on with his lecture. Her eyes fell completely on Buckbeak, no longer able to pay attention to what Hagrid was saying. The hippogriff was now snorting loudly and his large talons were scrapping at the dirt-covered ground.
Suddenly, Hermione watched as Buckbeak's eyes narrowed, and she somehow knew exactly what was going to happen. Before she even knew what she was doing, she had stood up and threw herself in front of Malfoy, and held her hands out in front of her. Buckbeak had charged towards him, but stopped abruptly when he noticed Hermione standing there. Buckbeak tilted his head at her, then moved to nuzzle his beak into her outstretched hand. Hagrid quickly composed himself and pulled on Buckbeak's ropes, but the Hippogriff didn't dare move. His eyes were locked onto Hermione's. She smiled at him and slowly walked towards him, which made him in turn step away from Malfoy. She didn't dare break eye contact with him, in fear that Buckbeak would charge at Malfoy again. She felt safer when she heard Hagrid bellow," Class dismissed!" And heard the distinctive sounds of footsteps leaving the forest.