Buckbeak just glared at the puny wizard, before he stood up and shook himself out, just as the third years exited the front doors.
"Yes. There's my Apex Hunter. Now you just strike a pose, while Hagrid goes and gets the Ladies."
Buckbeak pranced into a spotlight like ray of sunshine. Then he went still. Only movement shown was the nares on his beak flaring as he slowed his breathing for an ambush.
"Vanity, they name be Hippogryph." Harry shook his head and moved to place himself between the students and the Brute.
Seeing the great feathered hunter, most of the students pulled up short, and gawked in awe at the shining silver statue of one of the deadliest animals from the pages of their book.
"I see Hagrid didn't assign the same book he assigned to my year. The Book was the most dangerous of what he showed us in class." Harry smiled at the gathering students.
"No way." A Hufflepuff wizard cat called from the rear.
"Yeah, it was." He grinned evilly. "I hide my Chocolate Frogs under it. You know how Weasley gets at the Table, try at two in the morning. He has been seen a time or two holding one of his hands, having wrapped it in a handkerchief. Because it doesn't eat, just chews on things, I feed it droobles now and again." He frowned, "I think it might be learning to blow bubbles."
After a minute of silence, Harry shifted his weight. "How many remember the time Draco," he made air quotes, "lost his right Arm?"
Most of the class chuckled. Every Slytherin in the class did.
"It was our first Care class. It was Hagrids first class. Who remembers what was the subject of the Class?"
Luna threw her hand up so fast, she almost dislocated her shoulder.
"It was a Hippogryph." It was spoken softly. Everyone turned to the speaker. It was a red eared Ginny.
"Hey there Chilly. Do you remember its name?"
Luna was doing a blonde Hermione.
"Buckbeak." Ginny found a bit more volume.
"And what happened to Buckbeak?"
"Malfoy had it destroyed."
"No." Harry was smug. "The official answer is that Sirius Black stole him and escaped from the Castle when the Ministry tried to Murder Him."
Everyone looked at Harry like he was crazy.
"Many things that Hagrid will show you are cute and cuddly. Some will be wicked smart. Some will be the most beautiful creatures you can imagine." He lost his smile. "And some are dangerous. He probably has not shown you his pride and joy, because when he did, he lost one because someone whose blood was so pure… it affected his intelligence. The Professor told us to respect the Beast. That it was very smart, very vain, and very dangerous. When Hagrid asked for a volunteer, everyone took a step back." Harry noticed Ginny had moved to stand by Luna at the front of class. "Ginny do not move. Everyone else step back."
Everyone did.
Ginny's ears darkened.
"That's what happened to me." Harry turned and noticed Hagrid and three eagle heads watching from the shadows of the forest. "Buckbeak. Please come here."
The statue turned to look at the lad, before he approached to the halfway point between them.
"Hagrid had ferrets to feed this Beaut. Now I am handling him by Respect alone. I know what this guy can do. He stepped between me and a moon crazed Werewolf. He knows me and finds me useful to him. That, and he knows that He will be spoiled when we are done here." He turned to the posing beast. "First Rule with this creature. Respect. Second. Be polite. Approach to about five to ten feet from them, and bow. If they find you acceptable, they will return it. If they look away from you, walk away. I bowed." And he bowed again. Buckbeak shifted his pose, before taking a knee. Harry stepped aside. "Ginny, come here. You remember the stories about that lesson, correct?"
She nodded as she stepped to his side.
"And bow." Harry looked at Buckbeak. "Hey Big guy. I want you to meet my Friend, Ginny."
Ginny bowed just like Harry.
Buckbeak looked at her, before bowing back.
"Now approach." Harry spoke calmly and softly, but so that he was heard. "Think of him as an oversized owl. But remember, if He is an owl, you are a rat. He likes to be scratched in the same places as Hedwig."
The Redhead had gone pale in the face of the oversized raptor. Finding a spot on his chest, she scratched. He crooned.
Hagrid approached.
"And for the second part of the lesson." Harry stepped aside for the big man. "You remember how sweet it was to fly on my Nimbus? This is even better."
Before Ginny could react, Hagrid had her on Buckbeak's back, and the Hippogryph was charging off and into the sky.
"Now remember. Hagrid will do what he can. But these are dangerous creatures. The only thing keeping them from being classed as Beings, is their lack of human speech. Remember what happened to Malfoy when he disrespected these animals. If they are oversized owls, you are oversized rats. Fan out and see if any of the herd will accept you. Remember. Ten feet away, bow, and wait."
As the students did as they were told and found an eager Hippogryph to fuss over, Harry stepped out and watched Ginny and Buckbeak take a course similar to the one last year, including skimming over the lake.
When they landed, Harry pulled her off and set her down.
Luna walked up to Buckbeak's face. "Hello. I am Luna. We are going to be good friends. Your son is already molting."
The Proud Beast preened even more.
"Careful there Luna. Stroke his ego any more and he will never get off the ground again." Harry rubbed the beast's creast, "like that will matter, the females will still find away under him."
"Silly Harry." Luna found a spot under Buckbeak's jaw. "They mate for life."
"So when Black rides away, he is going to have to steal another Hippogryph?" Harry turned to look at the herd being assaulted by the kids. "I just hope that the youngling will be old enough to get along on his own by that time."
APLB
In the Headmaster's office, two witches and four wizards gathered.
"Now, can someone please tell me how my godson was chosen to compete in this bloodsport?" Sirius Black Growled as he leaned on the desk to glare Albus in the eye while picturing the bearded bastard being disemboweled slowly with a dull spoon.
The only reason he was leaning rather than crawling across the desk to strangle the old man was because Lupin had a white knuckle grin on the silk robes that he was wearing.
Karkaroff sneered. "And why are you so concerned about that little cheat?"
Every British Magical frozen, before a wizened voice started to chuckle. "Because while the Lad is many things, a Cheat isn't one of them. He plays Fair because that's all he wants in Life. A Fair Chance at Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Everyone turned to look up at the Sorting Hat.
"Shut up, you old rag!" The fur capped Headmaster snapped.
"Find a gnome and stick it…" the Hat returned before being interrupted by McGonagall clearing her throat.
"To your Question, Sirius, He was entered by someone who we believe wants him harmed if not worse." Albus reclined, trying to project the image that he was just relaxing and not trying to escape Black's Reach.
"Your Godson." McGonagall frowned, "But you left him and confessed to the crimes."
"I was blood sworn, Minnie." Sirius turned to look at the Witch. "I swore the basic Black Family Oath. You know what that Oath would have done to me had I ever tried to get out of it or betray it. You were there in Your Own Duties to James. Don't you remember?" Black turned to face Albus, "Or were you encouraged to forget?"
McGonagall blinked twice.
"Olympe, Igor. I am going to need a few minutes in private with Albus. Remus, be a dear and send for Poppy." Her was soft and there was a purr to it.
Black was the first to the door, almost ripping it from the hinges in his haste to get out of the room. Remus was two steps behind him. Olympe only beat Igor to the door because of her longer legs.
Only when the passage up to the Headmasters office was closed did Remus draw his wand. A Flick, and a Dire Wolf patronus was at his side. "Poppy, Minnie asked me to send you to the Headmaster's office. She was purring." The Wolf bolted down the Hall and into the stone.
"Why did you run?" Igor inquired.
"The only time I heard of her purring as a human was when the Death Eaters raised Potter Manor. None of the Death Eaters walked away." Sirius watching the gargoyle. "It was a bloodbath. It was a pyrrhic victory for both sides. Potter Manor crashed and burned, but Lord and Lady Potter survived, as their guests all escaped. I think the Elves got the Portraits and Libraries out. But all that was left, come the dawn, was scorched stone."
"But not one Death Eater survived the assault." Lupin pressed his back to the wall. "The assault was the first attempt to kill little Harry. Only because James was late getting off from work, did they miss the Gala."
Both men bowed their heads in memorial. "A week later Lord and Lady Potter contracted Dragon Pox…" Black was interrupted by Poppy Pomfrey bustling up the hallway and up the stairs as the Gargoyle had just stepped aside.
Two minutes later, a tabby patronus sauntered into view. "Pardon, but Albus will not be able to continue with the meeting. I will be contacting the DMLE. We will reconvene after lunch." The cat licked its paw as it faded.
"Was it just me, or was her Patronus a bit smug?" Sirius asked.
Lupin facepalmed.
"I t'ink I will be busy until Lunch. Au revoir." The Headmistress walked away as only a ten foot tall Lady could.
Igor just grunted, as he slinked away.
The two Marauders shared a look, a sly grin, and then turned to hunt for their student. Black shimmering into his Grim mode.
APLB
As the class came to a close, Hagrid had a big grin. The whole class had been allowed to pet a Hippogryph, but none had shown any interest in asking for a ride. The herd was happy with the scratches and ferrets that the class had inflicted on them.
Even a few colts had ventured far enough from their dams for a private scratch and feed. Hagrid awarded the few brave souls an extra three points for risking a mothers wrath in touching the colts. The fillies and their dams remained in hiding.
As the students climbed the hill back to the castle, Harry spotted a black dog and Lupin watching from the shadows.
Once all the students were out of ear shot, the two joined Harry and Hagrid.
"Lupin. You're not here for Mischief are you?" the hairy brute rumbled.
"Always." The werewolf grinned. "Right now we wanted to talk about the Cubs …"
"The Thestral." Hagrid grinned. "He is just big enough to carry a light load. He is just too young to carry an adult right now."
Both Marauders looked at Harry with raised eyebrows. "And by dinner, the whole staff will know what I can do. My Favourite Professor will have bragged to the whole table about my ability. We know that he has a big heart, but he can't keep a secret to save his life." Harry patted the large man's arm.
Then he embraced the Thestral. Because all three had seen Death and come to Peace with it, they all saw the winged beast. He praced over and sniffed the Grim.
"Great, something else for Padfoot to try to bury." Lupin groaned.
The Thestral colt sniffed the werewolf, before digging into his robes for the half eaten chocolate bar. With his prize in his beak like mouth, Harry pranced away.
"Damn you, brat!" The now irate wizard tried chasing after him, but the colt was faster and more agile in the open ground. "I was saving that for after Lunch.
To make matters worse, Padfoot was running around them both and barking.
After about three minutes, Harry trotted back to Lupin and returned to human. Padfoot did the same.
Hagrid raised an eyebrow. "That explains so much." He frowned. "You are registered, correct?"
"Auror Black files." Black grinned. "Me and James registered at the same time. It allowed us to have a three man team when we were limited to two humans per team."
Hagrid nodded.
Lupin frowned at his cub."So, Harry, what is it like becoming an animal?"
Harry handed the chocolate bar back to Lupin. "Enhanced senses, but I now have a blind spot between my eyes." Harry grinned. "And flying with my own wings is even better than flying on a broom or Hippogryph."
"Is it only as a Thestral?" Lupin asked.
"Yes." Harry looked Sirius in the eye… and drew on the Snake, making sure to keep
Sirius screamed and dove to the side.
Harry chuckled as his eyes returned to his normal green… or so he thought.
Lupin looked at them and stepped closer to peer into the lad's eyes. "Ahem, Cub. Your eyes are not human. They look… "
Hagrid stepped up, gripped Harry's jaw, so he could see the Lad's eyes. "They look equine. The Thestral, Abraxain and the Unicorn have the same eye structure. He will have better motion detection range, but he will lose his ability to see detail at range."
Harry nodded. "Cool. Hermione has already shifted my glasses to flat glass."
The men nodded.
Then the bell rang for class change.
The three bid their 'later's to Hagrid and headed to the Great Hall. As they say at the end of the Gryffondore table,
"Soooo." Black drew out the word. "Now what?"
"The night I was chosen, I had a vision." Harry eased forward as he sat across from the adults. "Four ladies. A set of twins, mirrored, of a Persian descent. A thin pale gal, in a black silks and a very… Healthy woman. Each was dressed in a toga with a badge with a sigil on it."
"Do you remember the sigils?" Lupin asked.
"Yes, but I can't describe them. If you find them I might be able to confirm them." Harry gave his crooked grin, before taping his left breast. "No doubt you find this design similar. I did. Lovegood said something about a stick, a stone, and a cloak." He traced the lines. "When she did so, I 'saw' something else. I see the Tapestry of Fate." The triangle. "The Circle of Life, including Death." He traced the circle. "And the Primary Focus of Magic." The single line. "I was also given three missions. To ease the suffering of Magic's Children. To free the Soul of Tom Riddle and to remove Albus Dumbledor."
"Two questions." Black leaned forward. "Who is Riddle?"
"And what is meant by remove?"
"Tom Riddle is the man who murdered my parents and tried to kill me." Harry hissed, before looking at Lupin. "The way the twins said it, I must end his Life or Magic." Harry ran his hands through his hair, getting a grip. "Between the Twins and the… Healthier Woman, Albus needs to no longer be able to influence our Society."
Looking Lupin in the eye, knowing that Black was already his, "I believe that he is responsible for my Parents murder."
TBC