Chapter 8: Hippogriffs and Grims

After the opening feast, Elsa was on her bed reading a book. It was very much an odd book, but it was pretty informative. It still seemed more like a prank item which just happened to also be actually useful.

"What book are you reading?" Padma asked.

"The Monster Book of Monsters," Elsa replied.

The other girls looked to each other in surprise. Padma then looked back to Elsa and asked, "You got it to work?"

"I did…" Elsa said carefully.

"What did you do?" Mandy asked.

Elsa was in thought for a moment. "I'm not sure my method would work for others," she decided to say.

"Can you try it with mine?" Padma asked.

Elsa thought this over. "I can try… I'm not sure how well it will work for your's though," she said.

"Then I will just have to read through it quickly," Padma replied. Elsa also gave a giggle. It was a rather Ravenclaw answer.

Elsa instead shrugged and took Padma's book. She let a giggle escape this time as she saw the book. Padma raised an eyebrow at her. "I did this same thing. Using something to keep it bound shut," she explained.

Elsa took the book and unbuckled the belt Padma used. The Monster Book of Monsters then started to growl. Elsa stared at it and her icy blue eyes glowed a little. The book seemed to whimper a little and shudder. "Will you behave?" she asked it in her Queen voice.

The book whimpered a little again and seemed to nod. Elsa then grinned and pet the cover. The book seemed to lean into it. "That ought to do it," Elsa said as the others looked to her in awe.

Padma's book was given back to her and it acted more like a pet dog than a monstrous book trying to snap at her hand. Padma was in awe as she looked it over. She carefully stroked the book's cover and it leaned into it as well.

The other girls looked to Elsa then. The Crown Princess sighed. "Alright. I'll do the same with your books," she said.

"You're the best Ravenclaw Princess ever!" Lisa said with a smile.

[-] [-] [-]

Harry and Elsa made their way to the Headmaster's office after breakfast and before classes. They saw Dumbledore leave soon after they started eating so they knew he would be in his office. Elsa felt they should inform the Headmaster how things changed for Harry. She however made sure they did so after it was all said and done. Harry found that a little curious.

They looked at the gargoyle and were surprised when it opened for them without a password. They ascended to his office and knocked on the door.

"Enter," they heard Dumbledore call to them.

"Ah. Mr. Potter and Princess Elsa. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Dumbledore asked as he offered them a seat.

"We won't take too much of your time. I just felt we should inform you Harry is now a Ward of the Crown of Arendelle," Elsa said.

"Is that so…" Dumbledore said in thought.

"I couldn't stay with the Dursleys any more, Professor. I know we talked about the whole protection thing, but things were only getting worse and worse there. The whole reason I accidentally inflated Aunt Marge is because she thought it great fun to encourage her dog try to bite my leg off all summer. I also couldn't stand her bad mouthing my parents and my mother in particular as well after all of that," Harry said firmly.

"I see…" the headmaster said as he looked the two over.

Elsa handed him a copy of the paperwork and everything. He looked it over and handed it back to her. Elsa then said, "I know you were concerned about Harry's safety from outside forces. However, this holiday break Harry will be coming to Arendelle and we will complete a ritual that will give Harry the same level of protection Anna and I enjoy."

Dumbledore was in thought on this. "Is what they say true about Arendelle? The effect it has on magic?" he asked.

Elsa nodded. "It is. The protection you mentioned was already replenished for the year, since this mess very fortunately happened right after his birthday," she said.

Dumbledore closed his eyes in thought. He gave a sad nod after a moment. "I do wish things worked out better with your family, Harry. There really was no safer option at the time. I had to move quickly to make sure you were safe. I had thought your Aunt Petunia would come to love you as her own," he said.

Harry frowned. "I was forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs until I was eleven. The only reason I got a bedroom is because the first Hogwarts letter was addressed to me and said I was living under the cupboard. If it wasn't for that, I would still be living there, Headmaster," he said.

Harry would have said more in anger, but Elsa squeezed his hand briefly. It was like she was saying that was enough for now in this situation. Harry could see pushing further might be a bad idea. The Headmaster did seem genuinely upset hearing the truth.

Dumbledore looked pained at Harry's words. "As I said… There was no other choice, Harry." He then sighed. "Now, that isn't the case. Arendelle wasn't an option previously. I never even thought of trying to push for this either. I felt it was above my station to do so," he said with a weak smile.

"Over the course of my time there during summer, it felt more like a home than Privet Drive did. The King and Queen of Arendelle, despite running a country, were more like parents in that brief period of time than my Aunt and Uncle were all of these years. The Dursleys were the worst sort of people. If my mom had anyone else as relatives, your plan probably would have worked perfectly, Headmaster," Harry said.

"It is still unfortunate, but at least now we have a solution that is much better," Professor Dumbledore said. He then turned to Elsa. "I do wish you had consulted me sooner, but I am not in a position to make demands of Royalty," he said.

"My parents and I both felt handling this quickly and quietly would be the best option, Professor Dumbledore. Less chance for certain people to ask questions," she said.

Professor Dumbledore nodded to her in understanding.

Elsa then handed two more slips of paper to Professor Dumbledore. "These are our permission slips to visit Hogsmeade, Headmaster. I felt we needed to have this discussion before officially turning them in to you," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing a real-life Magical Village," Harry said happily.

Dumbledore looked over the pieces of paper in thought. The dates did match up. This form was signed after the King and Queen became Harry's guardians. He then hummed and frowned a little in thought.

"This is a more delicate matter, but only because of the present situation. This is also under my jurisdiction and station as Headmaster. I feel we need to have extra precautions for at least this year, or until Sirius Black is caught again," Dumbledore stated gravely.

Harry didn't like his words. He was about to shout how unfair this was. Again, Elsa seemed to realize he was about to do something that might have been foolish and squeezed his hand. Harry understood she was essentially telling him to hear the Headmaster out first.

"What are you suggesting, Headmaster?" Elsa asked.

"I feel Harry should be escorted during any visits to Hogsmeade," he said.

"I will do so, since he is a ward of the Crown. I am in a way responsible for him as the Crown Princess," Elsa said.

"That can work, but only on the condition you allow a member of the staff to escort you both to and from Hogsmeade. I will ensure a member of our staff can fulfill this requirement for each visit. The Three Broomsticks is a good staging area for your return," Professor Dumbledore said.

"I can agree to that," Harry said easily. If it meant he got to go to Hogsmeade, he had no problems with this stipulation. He also really liked the idea of spending his Hogsmeade trips with Elsa.

"I can agree to these terms as well," Elsa said with a nod.

"I am glad to hear that! Hogsmeade is a delightful place. I feel it is good for everyone to experience it at least once while they are here at Hogwarts. Now then, if there isn't anything more you wish to discuss, I believe you two should leave. You do not want be tardy to your first class," Professor Dumbledore said in dismissal.

"Thank you for your time, Headmaster Dumbledore," the two said together as they left.

Dumbledore sighed once they left. He really wished things around Harry weren't so difficult. He also still found it hard to believe Petunia could treat her own family in such a way, despite what Harry says. He did however fully mean it when he said this was a better option. Many probably had other theories regarding his actions with young Mr. Potter, but he truly did care only for the boy's protection.

He did let slip a slight smile after a moment. It was good Harry was building bonds like this. He seemed to be building strong bonds as well. Professor Dumbledore was very certain Harry would be even more determined to do what was right when the time came.

He still hoped there could be some other option, if his worst fear turned out to be true. He found more time this summer to further his investigations on the matter of Voldemort's immortality. There were still too many options, but he had narrowed them down some.

Unfortunately… the remaining options were the worst of the possible options.

[-] [-] [-]

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were following the most eager but unhelpful of portraits up to where Divination was to be held. It was knight on a fat pony called Sir Cadogan. Harry hated this climb already. He was thinking maybe it was better if he didn't take this class either. He would have done what he could to assure Hermione he wasn't just wasting the free period.

"Why does this class have to be in the ruddy tallest tower ever!" Ron complained.

"No idea. I just hope it won't be too hot inside the classroom. It is at the top of a tower and heat rises," Neville said in worry.

They soon came to a trapdoor and stared at it. "I never thought the entrance to a classroom would be through a trapdoor," Harry said.

Ron was the one to first open it and enter. He immediately realized Neville wouldn't be getting his wish. The room was hot, stuffy, and there was incense burning. The others followed him and Neville sighed. "I had to jinx it," he grumbled.

"Look at the Bright side…" Hermione started. "No Draco," she said.

"We won't have to worry about him and Ron getting in fights everyday then," Neville said.

"Hey!" Ron protested.

"You know it's true," Neville said looking to him.

Ron frowned and then sighed. "He starts them… Half the time," he said. The others decided not to point out Ron starts them the other half of the time.

Ron and Harry were sitting at one of the small tables in the room on cushions. Their seats were at least very comfy, even if full chairs would be nicer. Hermione and Neville were sitting next to them at their own table.

It wasn't long after the classroom filled a woman descended from a ladder heading up even higher than the classroom. She was a thin woman with large glasses that gave her eyes a bug like appearance. She wore several shawls covered in sequins and a number of beaded necklaces and bangles of varying gaudiness. She had a scent of heavy incense and sherry.

"How nice to see you on the physical plane of existence at last. I have foreseen you all joining my class," she said in a voice she obviously made seem more ethereal.

Harry was thinking this class even worse an idea now.

"My name is Professor Trelawney. Many of you have probably never seen me before today. I find interacting on a regular basis with the physical plane at Hogwarts clouds my inner eye," she concluded in her introduction.

She seemed to glide around the classroom briefly and said, "Divination is one of the most difficult of the magical arts. I will warn you all… Should you not have the Sight. There is little I can teach you. Books and lectures can only take you so far in this field of study," she said as she sat on the biggest cushion in the center of the room.

Hermione looked worried at her words. She had never really been in a class where the teacher said as much.

Harry wasn't sure what to think. It could be possible Professor Trelawney was being truthful in her words. At the same time, it also made for a very convenient excuse on her part for students who didn't do well in the class. She could just say they didn't have the sight and thus it was not due her own failings as a Professor.

"We will first cover reading tea leaves. Next this term we will progress to palmistry," she said. Suddenly she looked sharply to Parvati. "Beware of a Red headed man, my dear!" she said.

Parvati looked to Ron with a distrustful look and scooted away from him. Ron gave her an offended huff.

"In the second term, we shall cover Crystal balls… If we finish fire omens," she said. She then took on a 'misty' look in her eyes and sighed before saying, "Before Easter one of our number will leave us forever."

A few people seemed to tense up to this. That was something both vague and troubling. There was no telling what she meant by that.

Professor Trelawney seemed unperturbed by the sudden atmosphere. "Would you be so kind as to pass me the largest silver teapot?" she asked Lavender Brown.

The girl thought she was in trouble for whispering to Parvati. Lavender seemed relieved she was just asked to pass something to the professor. She eagerly did so.

"That thing you fear will come to pass before October ends," Trelawney said in a mystical sounding voice. "Thank you, my dear," she then said kindly.

Lavender was now very worried. Harry couldn't help but feel there were a number of things she was now worrying about, each of them she was probably now dreading. It would be nearly impossible for at least one of them not to come to pass.

"Now then. Divide into pairs and collect a teacup each from the shelf. I will fill it. Then you shall sit down and drink it. Once you finish, swill the dregs around the cup three times with the left hand, turn it upside down on the saucer. Once the tea has drained away, give your cup to your partner and use pages five and six of Unfogging the Future to interpret the pattern," she instructed.

As the students got up, she stopped Neville and said, "The blue ones dear… I am rather fond on the pink ones. I can foresee you in particular possibly breaking at least one cup."

Neville frowned after she let go. He muttered about how he wasn't as accident prone as he used to be. He still grabbed a blue one just to be on the safe side. He also inspected it carefully to ensure it didn't have any cracks or signs of being close to breaking already.

"You have a crooked cross… But there's also this thing that could be… a sun?" Harry said unsure as he looked at Ron's cup. He looked into the book and nodded. "So… you're either going to suffer greatly through trials, or find happiness… Maybe both?" Harry said.

Ron nodded. "If both. Hopefully the suffering comes first. I'm pretty sure I'll be more than happy for it to end. You're good at this," Ron said jokingly.

Harry shook his head.

"Let's see…" Ron started. "This… looks like a hippo… That means… You will come into a great windfall of riches," he said.

"Yeah… When I turn 15, I gain access to my family's main vault," Harry said.

Ron grinned and said, "Hey! That means I'm right. I'm good at this too!"

Harry shook his head again, but couldn't help laughing as Ron did the same.

"Let me see that," Professor Trelawney said as she picked up Harry's cup. He looked into it intently.

She then swirled it around a few times...

"Isn't that cheating?" Ron whispered to Harry in a hushed voice. Harry did his best to hide a laugh as he gave a slight nod.

"Ahhhhh!" the professor let out as she fanned herself and gasped loudly. She got the entire class' attention. "Ohhh…. My dear dear child… I see… the Grim!" she said in a very dramatic voice.

"What does that mean?!" Lavender asked with a gasp of her own.

"It means… I cannot say… It is too horrible… Too tragic!" Professor Trelawney said. Harry got the feeling she was loving every minute of this attention. "It means… Death stalks you!"

Several students gasped to that. They looked to Harry with sadness and pity.

Harry nodded. "So, when is it supposed to happen?" he asked. A couple of students laughed at his blasé attitude after hearing his death foretold.

Professor Trelawney blinked at him. She turned up her nose. "The inner eye is not so exact," she said in an almost snippy tone. She then went over to talk to Parvati and Lavender who were both in awe of her 'prediction'.

"Yet she was able to tell Lavender her fear would happen before the end of October?" Hermione whispered with a frown. Harry nodded in agreement.

[-] [-] [-]

Despite Harry's less than worried manner at being told death stalked him, the students leaving Divination seemed subdued. Once they met the Ravenclaws outside of Transfiguration, Elsa looked a little worried. "What's gotten into everyone?" she asked.

"Apparently death stalks Harry because Professor Trelawney saw the Grim in his teacup," Hermione said with a huff.

"Really?" Elsa asked.

"Yeah. She predicted other things as well. One of them was someone leaving the class before Easter," Hermione continued.

Elsa giggled to that.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked.

"That's the usual dropout rate of her class," Elsa replied.

"Not much of a prediction then," Neville said with a grin. He managed not to break a tea cup. He did notice the pink one he would have grabbed was actually cracked already.

"Sometimes it's more than one. I've also heard she does like to predict at least one student's death each year," Elsa said.

"I wasn't really bothered about it too much," Harry said.

"Yeah. He even asked her when," Ron said with a chuckle.

"What was her reply?" Elsa asked.

"The Inner Eye is not that exact," Hermione said in a voice imitating Professor Trelawney.

"Mighty convenient," Elsa said with a smile.

"Do you think it is all hokey?" Neville asked.

Elsa was in thought for a moment. She shook her head. "Prophecies do happen. There's even a part of the Ministry set aside to record them. However, they aren't something that can be forced, nor are they easy to see. In fact, the one who makes the prediction is rarely aware they made such a prediction. That is why they are recorded," she said.

She then smiled to them and added, "I do consider the class more or less worthless. There is a reason I didn't want to take it."

The group walked inside and noticed a cat siting on Professor McGonagall's desk. "I recognize that cat," Ron whispered to the others.

Hermione giggled as she said, "It did scold you on our first day of Transfiguration in first year."

As soon as the class was gathered, Professor McGonagall turned back into her regular self. "Students. What you just witness is a very advanced form of transfiguration. Many of you may already know what an animagus is. For those who don't, it is a witch or wizard who can transform into an animal. Just one animal though. It is also illegal not to register your animal form with the Ministry of Magic," she said.

She then frowned as she noticed a lack of reaction from her class. Usually her students were impressed with her going between forms. "What is the matter?" she asked.

"I'm supposed to die sometime. No idea when though," Harry said.

"Ah. Divination I take it," Professor McGonagall said.

"Professor Trelawney predicted Harry's death," Lavender said in worry.

Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes. "She does so every year. As Mr. Potter pointed out… She conveniently never predicts when it is supposed to pass. None of the students she has previously predicted would die, have done so as of yet," she said.

The class seemed to feel at ease after that. Professor McGonagall then continued with her class as usual.

[-] [-] [-]

After lunch, Harry was excited they had Hagrid's class. He was even more excited to see Elsa and the rest of her Ravenclaw girls waiting to walk to class with them. He was not happy when he heard Draco let out a loud laugh at something Crabbe said.

"Oh great…" Ron muttered.

"That's trouble…" Harry agreed. He was pretty sure Draco would go out of his way to ruin the class for Hagrid. The blonde Slytherin never hid his dislike of the giant of a man.

Elsa let out a sigh. "I'll be attending this class with Draco," she said.

"What?! Why?" Harry asked. He may have sounded more upset at that than he meant to sound.

"Someone will have to keep in line," she answered.

"Why you though?" Harry asked.

"I may have concerns about Hagrid teaching a class, but I do want him to have a chance. It is his first class," Elsa said.

Harry frowned to that as she and the other Ravenclaw girls made their way over to Draco and his goons. Harry could see where she was coming from, but he didn't like it at all. To him, it felt as if Draco was being rewarded for his constant bad behavior. When he saw the blonde Slytherin smile all smug like once Elsa walked over to him, Harry was further sure Draco was being rewarded.

"Are those… Hippogriffs?" Hermione asked in awe once they were close.

"That they are!" Hagrid said jovially as the students gathered. "Good to see ya all. hippogriffs are mighty fine creatures. Beautiful, they are. But as I'm sure you all read in yer books, they should be treated with respect," he said.

"About that…" Draco drawled out. He then looked at his tightly bound book in confusion. "How do you open these things?" he asked.

Harry wanted to hate Draco for such a question. He wanted to point out Draco was being an even bigger prat and thus Elsa shouldn't spend the class with him. Sadly, he had to admit it was a legitimate question.

"Ye have to stroke the spine…" Hagrid said with a slight look of worry.

"Or have the Ravenclaw Princess sort them out for ye," Morag said with a big grin.

"They're actually cute once they behave. Kind of like pet dog," Lisa said smiling at her well-behaved book fondly. She then gave it an affectionate pet and the book seemed to purr.

"Maybe I should volunteer my services in dealing with the books," Elsa mused out loud. Several looked to her keenly. "In exchange for a piece of chocolate of course," she concluded with a big smile. Her roommates laughed to that.

Hagrid seemed to brighten a little at that. "Now then… With hippogriffs, like I said. They are dangerous, but only if ye offend them. If ye are careful and treat them with the respect they deserve, they are amazing creatures. If ye are really lucky, they might even let ye fly with them. They're faster than most brooms, and can fly much higher," Hagrid said to the class.

Harry wasn't sure about that. It might be faster than a broom, but he would much rather have a broom he could control than an animal with a mind of its own. He still nodded enthusiastically and smiled to Hagrid. He really did want Hagrid's first class to be a resounding success.

"When approaching a hippogriff, ye gotta keep in mind they are right proud. You always wait for them to make the first move. If ya don't, it might just be the last thing ye ever do. Keep eye contact with them at all times. You walk towards one and ye bow and wait. If they bow back, then ye can touch 'em. If the hippogriff doesn't bow back, then ye best back away," Hagrid explained.

"Who wants to go first?" he asked.

No one seemed eager to volunteer for this. Not even Hermione made a move, and she was usually the first to throw up her hand when a professor asked a question. Harry decided he should volunteer to go, especially when he saw Elsa whisper something to Draco which he nodded to.

"I'll go," he said as he stepped forward.

"Great on ye, Harry. Come over here ta Buckbeak," Hagrid said as he gestured to the one closest to him.

Harry had to admit the creature did look majestic and proud. He could also see a keen intelligence to it. He walked forward keeping eye contact with Buckbeak and then gave a bow. He stood there for a few moments without a response from the majestic beast.

"Ahhh… Yeah. Best back away," Hagrid said.

Before Harry could, Buckbeak gave a bow in return.

Hagrid grinned. "Good. Now then approach him carefully," Hagrid instructed.

Harry did so. Harry reached out a hand and Buckbeak leaned into it. Harry carefully pet the creature. It was surprising how nice and soft his feathers felt to Harry's touch.

"Good! See. That's how it is. Five points ta Gryffindor," Hagrid said with a grin.

Harry kept petting Buckbeak. A few students seemed to feel a little more at ease with Harry's success. "I think ya could fly him," Hagrid said.

Harry wasn't sure he wanted to do this. Again, he wanted to make sure this first class went really well. Otherwise he wouldn't ever be able to get over Elsa spending it with Draco.

It took a little time, but soon enough Harry was sitting atop Buckbeak. He didn't let it show that he wasn't exactly comfortable with this. Buckbeak's body was very smooth and sleek. It was a fine coat to be sure, but that meant it might be easy to slip off in Harry's mind.

"Now then. Off ye go!" Hagrid said as he gave Buckbeak's hindquarters a pat to signal for the hippogriff to take flight.

Buckbeak charged forward and soon his massive wings spread out. It took only a couple of beats of his mighty wings before they were high in the air. The takeoff was impressive. The flight was fast.

Just as Harry feared though, it felt anything but smooth and controlled to him. He much preferred his Nimbus to this. The beats of the massive wings made the flight uneven. Harry also found it difficult to keep his grip.

Buckbeak took Harry around the Black Lake three times in record speed. Harry did almost enjoy that, but the rest of the ride wasn't so pleasant. He was very grateful once the hippogriff came into a landing. He still feared how rough it would be for him. Harry was correct with his worry. It wasn't at all graceful like a broomstick when landing, even if he stayed on the creature.

Harry got off with unsteady legs. He was thankful to be back on ground. He refused to show his discomfort though.

"Good job! Magnificent flying, Harry! Take another five points," Hagrid said with a big grin.

Harry just gave a nod as he caught his breath.

[-] [-] [-]

"That doesn't seem too hard," Draco said with an air of arrogance.

"Only because he listened to Professor Hagrid's words and followed his instructions," Elsa said.

"But it's the oaf… You even just said you weren't sure this was how a Professor should start their first class," Draco said with a frown.

"I do have my concerns with Hagrid as a Professor," Elsa started. "But I never doubt his expertise when it comes to magical creatures," she said pointedly.

Morag nodded and added, "I wouldn't test it if I were ya. I rather like my neck attached to my shoulders."

Draco swallowed and decided maybe he should be careful and not try anything. He was Heir Malfoy. He should not let arrogance turn to foolishness. He followed Hagrid's instructions as he, Crabbe and Goyle took to Buckbeak's side. He felt it was obvious this one wasn't about to try and bite his head off. The one with the gold feathered head however seemed to not bow to anyone.

That was until Elsa approached it. Draco and the rest of class watched in awe. He was even further convinced there was something extra special about the Ravenclaw Princess. It seemed even the hippogriff could pick that out.

Elsa approached the hippogriff with gold feathers. She was prepared to bow to him, but instead the hippogriff surprised her and everyone else when it bowed to her first. She still bowed in return as the hippogriff approached her. She reached out a hand and it leaned into her touch.

Harry was surprised, but decided it made sense in a way. He figured the hippogriff could somehow sense Elsa was Royalty or something. He didn't know how else to explain what he saw.

"Well… I'll be," Hagrid couldn't help but quietly say in awe. "That there is something of legends… Seems our Ravenclaw Princess again proves she lives up ta her nickname," he said.

"Does it mean anything?" Harry asked.

Hagrid shrugged. "I'd say it means something. Can't tell ya what though," he answered.

"What do the legends say?" Harry asked.

"They say hippogriffs and most magical creatures will act differently when there is one of the Old Blood before them," he said.

"What is the Old Blood?" Harry asked. He remembered hearing Draco mention that when he and Ron sneaked into Slytherin last year. It was the reason Draco took so much interest in Elsa.

"Like I said. Legends… Ain't never really heard of someone with the Old Blood. For the sake of arguing… It means their family… their blood. Goes back all the way to Magic's first awakening. The first sources," Hagrid said.

"Sources?" Harry asked. He remembered Arendelle was supposed to be one.

"Magic came from somewhere. Sources are where it first came from. So, the legends say," he explained.

"Is it true?" Harry asked.

Hagrid seemed in thought while he watched over the class. "Sources exist. Ain't no one who can say when or where they come from. Ain't no one who can date when magic first came about. There's just guesses about the first witches and wizards, and they aren't even sure on that," he said.

Hagrid then left to make some rounds among the students.

It seemed the first class of Care for Magical Creatures would be a success. Harry still didn't feel it was worth letting Malfoy spend it with Elsa as company. "Am I just jealous?" Harry couldn't help but wonder.

A voice told him he wasn't just jealous. It said he knew what Draco wanted with Elsa. It told him he was just worried for Elsa.

Harry decided to ignore the other voice that replied and said she was far more capable of caring for herself than he was. It also pointed out she knew that about Draco and wouldn't be fooled by him. That voice was hinting that Harry might just be jealous.

The green eyed boy did not like thinking there was truth in that second voice.

[-] [-] [-]

"Can you believe that…" Ron said shaking his head. It was the next day after their first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. "Of all the luck…" he said again.

"I may be wrong… But for some reason… I think it males far too much sense it was a Slytherin who did it," Neville couldn't help but say.

Unfortunately, in Hagrid's second class with the fourth years, a Slytherin didn't heed his instructions. The Slytherin said he would be telling his parents about this and he was sure they would have words with the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He ended up getting bitten by Buckbeak.

"Even after Elsa went through all that trouble and suffered Malfoy yesterday," Harry said with a scoff.

"I agree it is terrible this happened, but you make it sound like she was having her arm twisted off," Hermione said.

"She bloody well stayed by Draco the whole lesson," Harry said as if that was proof it was just as bad.

Hermione frowned. "I know how it is with him, but… well… I mean," she didn't really want to say it.

"What is it, Hermione?" Ron asked sternly.

She sighed. "Well. They've always gotten along alright. She's even friendly with him. I mean she is more of a friend with us, but that doesn't mean we're her only friends. She can even reign him at times. He'll outright act almost sufferable around her," she said.

Harry scoffed. "That's only because he sees her as a means to further prosper his family," he said heatedly.

Hermione gave a frown. She looked like there was something more she wanted to say, but she held her tongue. "Let's just get to our class. I'm really looking forward to Ancient Runes!" she said.

"How are you even going to it and Muggle Studies?" Ron asked.

Hermione just rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever, Ron. We'll be seeing you later," she said.

Ron frowned but nodded as he went back to their dorm. He had a free period now. He did still feel a little left out he was the only one not in Runes.

"Draco better not be in this class too," Harry said as they made their way to Runes.

Hermione shook her head at his behavior. Harry was acting rather childish. She was a bit surprised by it. She just didn't fully get why it was he acted this way. Harry was never fond of Draco, but his recent behavior was more reminiscent of Ron than his own.

When they entered the classroom, Harry looked around and seemed to brighten up. He started to smile as he saw Elsa and the other Ravenclaw girls. "Good Morning," he said brightly to them and Elsa in particular.

Hermione blinked and seemed to have a moment of epiphany. She got it now. She still didn't approve of his behavior though. This was not the way to act around a crush.

"Hello Harry," Elsa replied with a smile as he sat down next to her. The other girls said hello to him as well. "Are you looking forward to this class too?" Elsa asked.

"Yeah. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I'm really looking forward to it now," Harry said with a smile.

"I bet you are," Hermione muttered to herself and almost giggled at him.

"I've heard Professor Babbling is really good. I've heard she really knows her stuff," Mandy said excitedly.

Morag smirked as she said, "I've heard she's young and many of the boys seem to really approve of her. Heard she's in her early twenties."

Lisa giggled as she added, "I'm surprised Seamus isn't taking the class then."

Hermione was about to argue and say that was unlikely to be a reason to take a class. She shook her head and instead said, "That does sound like something he would do."

The other girls burst out laughing to that in agreement. Hermione was still surprised how Ravenclaw girls seemed like normal girls. She still couldn't get over how they weren't always burying their noses in a book or studying all of the time. She still at times wondered what it would be like if she went to Ravenclaw with Elsa.

"She is young… and beautiful…" Neville said in a low voice as a young witch made her way to the front of the class. Hermione was a little shocked Neville said something like that. She was momentarily worried about something, but soon focused on the professor.

"I am Professor Bathsheba Babbling. Good morning, class," she said in a pleasant voice.

"Morning, Professor Babbling!" the class replied.

Hermione was a bit surprised many of the guys seemed to be extra eager to greet her properly.

Professor Babbling was a beautiful witch with a fair complexion. She had long dark blonde hair with blue eyes. She also had a very jealous worthy figure, truth be told.

"In this class, we will first cover the basic runic language. There is more than one and many can be tweaked in a way to seem more original in their language. However, they are all based on the basic and ancient runic language," she explained.

Elsa put her hand up eagerly.

Professor Babbling seemed a bit surprised by a student already asking a question. "Miss Evergreen?" she asked. Most of the staff knew who it was the students referred to as the Ravenclaw Princess. Admittedly… Elsa did look very much like a princess in her demeanor and looks.

"When you say the basic and ancient runic language, does that mean it is the first?" she asked.

Professor Babbling studied the girl. "It is the oldest most of the magical world is aware of, but there is much debate and evidence to suggest it too is derived from something more ancient. We are talking very ancient. It is even theorized the runic language it is based off of came from the very beginnings of magic," she said excitedly.

The class was in awe of this.

"However… that is for true masters with plenty of free time to debate mostly. The Basic and Ancient language we will be learning is very ancient as well. It even predates the Egyptian runes that are so famously studied. This means most runic languages are based off of the one we will learn," she said.

Hermione was getting really excited now. She was relieved to see the Ravenclaw girls were as well. She liked the idea she wouldn't be the only one excited for the class here.

Harry was very interested in this class already. He was pretty sure even Ron would be after hearing that tidbit, with the way he talks about Bill. Harry also realized it would require a lot of work. That is something Ron might have trouble with. Ron wasn't stupid or a slacker really. He was a fun-loving guy who preferred to take things easy when possible though.

"We will eventually learn how to work with runes and how each of these runes can be connected to one another. It may seem a bit tedious at first, but once you get over that and have the basics… You will easily understand how amazing and interesting they are. You can even have a lot of fun them once you learn enough," the young professor said with a smile.

"Now then… Let's first take role," Professor Babbling said.

[-] [-] [-]

Elsa was beaming after their first Runes lesson. "I can't wait to learn more!" she said excitedly.

"This is probably the most excited for a class we've seen you since first year," Lisa said smiling.

"It's Runes!" Elsa said in explanation. "Professor Babbling seems really nice too," she added.

Neville gave a chuckle. "I am going to have so much fun teasing Seamus about how he missed the class with probably the youngest professor and she's a witch," he said.

"I do hope that isn't the only reason you seem to be enjoying the class," Hermione said neutrally.

Neville frowned at her. "Far from it. It is a nice little bonus, but I wanted to take this class before learning much about Professor Babbling," he said.

Hermione didn't say anything as they all continued to walk.

A few moments later when Harry looked back to where Hermione was walking. He was surprised to see she disappeared. She then a couple of seconds after that seemed to come from a different hall and slip in behind them again.

"Where were you?" Elsa asked Hermione.

Hermione blinked a couple of times and took interest in the books she was carrying as she said, "I was just right behind you all."

"No… you disappeared for a moment," Harry said to her.

"We need to get going or we'll be late to our next class," she said as she marched forward.

Harry and Neville frowned to each other for a moment. "See you all later," Harry said to the Ravenclaw girls as Neville nodded with him. The two boys then parted their company.

"So… Anyone want to take bets of if Snape will finally reveal himself to be warm and fuzzy on the inside after all?" Mandy asked looking seriously.

"We all know that's a fool's bet," Lisa said with a shake of her head.

Mandy then dropped her serious face and giggled as the others joined her.

A/N: Since I have been getting a number of questions regarding this… I will answer it here. I have not given up on this series and I won't be. Yes, I have been uploading a new story lately and it is a fairly sizable one. But it is merely being brought over from a different site, where I've had it for a year. Uploading it here has had little affect on the update speed of this story.

What has had an affect on the speed of this story, is the fact I've started posting sooner in the process than the previous books in this series. Those books I was very far along in the story before I started posting chapters. That is why they seemed to be updated about once a week. This story I started posting sooner than that. I just felt it was time to start posting it instead of waiting until later.