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The four students emerged from the bridge and made their way toward Hagrid's hut, the Whomping Willow looming in the distance.

Each of the four was stuck in their own thoughts, silent.

Until it was broken by Hermione as she tried to lighten the mood, "Death Omens. Honestly. If you ask me, Divination's a very woolly discipline. Now Ancient Runes, that's a fascinating subject."

"Ancient Runes? Exactly how many classes are you taking this term?" Ron asked, bewildered.

"A fair few," Hermione vaguely told him.

"Hang on. Ancient Runes is the same time as Divination. You'd have to be in two classes at once," Ron worked out.

Iris glanced at Hermione's face where she saw a flash of nervousness appear.

"Don't be silly. How could anyone be in two classes at once?" Hermione played off. She mimicked Professor Trelawney, "Broaden your minds..."

They all laughed, continuing down the hill.

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Students gathered around Hagrid as Iris, Harry, Ron and Hermione arrive. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle stand with the Slytherins.

Hagrid was smiling at them all, but looked quite nervous as he said, "C'mon now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh. Great lesson comin' up. Follow me."

Hagrid led them toward a small paddock near the front of the Forbidden Forest. In the paddock, a freestanding iron rack hung with dead ferrets, buzzing with flies. Nearby was Hagrid's pumpkin patch, filled with massive pumpkins.

"Gather 'round. Find yerself a spot. That's it. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books--"

"And exactly how do we do that?" said the cold, drawling voice of Draco Malfoy.

Hagrid looked.

Belts, rope, Spell-o-tape: any means available had been employed to bridle The Monster Book of Monsters, which all quivered violently.

"Hasn' -- hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" said Hagrid, looking crestfallen.

The students all shook their heads.

The class then heard giggling from the back of the group.

They all turned to see Iris cooing at her belt/tape/rope-free book, as it made an almost purring noise like a cat in her hand.

Everyone looked at Iris strangely until she realized it was silent and looked up at the class, flushing red when she realized everybody was staring at her.

Hagrid coughed, "Crikey. Didn' yeh know? All yeh've got ter do is stroke 'em. Look--" Hagrid took Hermione's copy, and snapped the Spell-o-tape

binding it.

As it began to bite, Hagrid calmly ran a forefinger down the book's spine and it shivered. Falling quietly open.

Hagrid glanced at the class, looking suddenly unsure.

"Righ' then. So... so... yeh've got yer books, an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Righ'. So... I'll... I'll go an' get 'em," he stuttered. Hagrid turned and disappeared into the trees.

Draco shook his head, speaking loudly to Crabbe and Goyle.

"God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes."

"Listen, you stupid prat--" Harry started.

Eyes widening in fear, Malfoy stepped back, pointing.

"Potter, there's a Dementor behind you."

Whilst Iris rolled her eyes, knowing it was a trick, Harry jumped, wheeling in fear, to find nothing.

Instantly, the Slytherins made an eerie, 'Ooo' noise, attempting to mimic a Dementor's sound, then broke up laughing.

Iris patted Harry's arm comfortingly as his face reddened, embarrassed.

"Oooooooh!" squealed Lavender Brown, pointing toward the opposite side of the paddock.

A strange beast emerged from the trees. It had the torso, hind legs, and tail of a horse, but the front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle.

Hagrid, who came jogging into the paddock just a second behind the creature.

"Beau'iful, isn' he?"

"It's adorable!" squealed Iris, gazing lovingly at the strange creature.

The rest of the class did not seem to share her sentiments.

"So," said Hagrid, rubbing his hands together and beaming around, "if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer..."

No one seemed to want to except for Iris who eagerly bounced towards the fence.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, approached the fence cautiously.

The rest of the students stepped back, choosing to stare in wary wonder.

As Hagrid coaxed the beast to the centre of the paddock, Ron stared uneasily, looking as though he wanted to pull Iris, who was standing concerningly close to the creature, back.

"Hagrid. Exactly what is that?" Ron questioned.

"A Hippogriff, o' course. Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know is they're proud. Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it migh' be the las' thing yeh do. Right then -- who wants ter come an' say hello?"

The entire class stepped back even further, even Hermione, Harry, and Ron, leaving Iris in front.

However, she openly embraced the opportunity and jumped in the air waving her hand excitedly.

"I'll do it," said Iris.

"Alrigh' Iris!" Hagrid said happily, beckoning her to come closer.

"Tha's it. Easy now... stop! This here's Buckbeak, Iris. Yeh want ter let 'im make the firs' move. It's polite, see? Jus' take step forward, give 'im a bow, and if Buckbeak bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. Ready?"

Excited, Iris nodded quickly, stepped forward, and bowed.

Buckbeak's head cocked, eagle eyes studying Iris cannily. Iris waited. And waited...

Iris could feel Harry behind her, staring at her worriedly. The persistent thought of Harry kept breaking through her mind with his whispering,

She's gonna die, oh my god, she's going to die

Iris' back was starting to cramp when finally, Buckbeak ducked his head.

Hagrid sighed, relieved.

"Well done, Iris! Go on. Give 'im a pat," Hagrid congratulated.

Tentatively, Iris reached out, laying her hand on Buckbeak's fierce beak.

The class clapped. Iris grinned widely.

"Look at that! I reckon he migh' let yeh ride 'im!

Iris' smile dropped, "Excuse me?"

Iris had a large fear of heights, and with that, a fear of flying or being off the ground.

"We'll jus' set yeh behind the wing joint. Mind yeh don' pull any feathers out. He won' like that."

Hagrid lifted Iris high, despite her protests, and dropped her onto Buckbeak's back. Before Iris could get settled, Hagrid slapped Buckbeak's hindquarters.

"Off yeh go!"

As Buckbeak galloped forward, Iris slid scarily back, making her screech.

Just as she felt like she was about to fall, giant wings unfolded, huge and powerful, and-- WHOOSH!-- they soared into the air, rising higher... and higher...

And higher.

Not once did Iris loosen her tight hold on Buckbeak even a bit throughout the ride. Her eyes remained shut as well, as she was too terrified to open them and see how high she was.

Hagrid whistled after a minute, and Buckbeak wheeled, beating his way back to the paddock, galloping to a halt.

As Iris slid off, never more happy to be on the ground, the class cheered-- all except Draco Malfoy, who narrowed his eyes maliciously.

Iris stumbled over to her friends who pulled her into a group hug, laughing at her.

They let her go when Draco pushed past them roughly, striding toward Buckbeak.

"You're not dangerous at all, are you, you great ugly brute--"

Iris realized too late what would happen next.

"Malfoy! No!" Hagrid called, eyes widening.

In a flash, Buckbeak's steely talons slashed down. Malfoy froze, looking down at the blood blossoming on his robes, then starts shrieking.

Instantly, Iris dashed forward.

Buckbeak whipped around, raising his talons and, seeing Iris, lowered them and ducked its beak. Iris realizing that she'd made Buckbeak calm down, breathed.

"It's killed me! It's killed me!" Draco whines dramatically.

"Calm yerself! Yer fine... jus' a scratch..."

Iris looked, a deep gash glistens on Draco's limp arm.

"Hagrid. He's got to be taken to the hospital wing," Iris told him.

"Alrigh' I'm the teacher. You all... you all just... Class dismissed!" Hagrid decided.

And with that, Hagrid, looking shaken, swooped up Malfoy, flopped him over his shoulder, and lumbered toward the castle.

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