Care Of Magical Creatures: Years 1&2 Week 1

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

The entrance to the grove was near by the lake. It looked like something that had once been a path into the woods, but now was more like a tunnel; the branches were all interwoven overhead and thick undergrowth boxed in either side. Small flower and berries could be seen dotting the bushes and a few vines dangled overhead trailing down in some cases nearly to the ground.
The path was short and it lead directly into a clearing. The area was about 60 feet in diameter (though it is hard to tell since there is a large stone fence at the back) had a domed feeling to it as the trees seemed to curve upwards in that direction, giving the space quite a bit of cover. The clearing was bright and clear with short well kept grass covering much of the space.
Directly to the right of the path entrance was what looked to be a large fire pit that was surrounded by solid stone wall and had various stone boxed along the edges, However at the moment the fire pit wasn't lit. A few stone and wooden benches were lined along the right side of the clearing and between each was a brass brazier, though it too was empty.
The back end of the clearing was fenced off by a large stone fence with a wooden gate. On one side of the gate was a large ceramic pot with a tight fitting lid. The fence off area had a small waterfall that seemed to bubble out of the earth and drained into a small pool. Scattered around the rest of the space were what looked to be several dense bushes or tumbleweeds.
Shellivia was walking around the benches occasionally petting a nearby by leaf or twisting a vine back into place. Butter was sitting on the fence happily munching on a few acorns.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie arrived, grinning. This place was awesome! Though, apparently, Stevie was the first one here. He took one look at his new professor, and his eyes lit up. This was so cool!

"Hi!" He said, waving to his teacher, taking a seat on one of the benches, eagerly anticipating this class. Care of Magical Creatures. Stevie could tell already that he would have a blast in this class. Well, hopefully.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Shellivia smiled when Stevie came in.
"Good day to you, Stevie, am I right? You seem ready for class."
She trotted over to him and motioned with her hand.
"Come now, you wont see anything sitting over here," she said and lead walked over to the fenced off area and leaned on the top of the wall looking out at the bushes.
As more students began to trickle in, she waved them over to the stone wall and smiled at each, asking their names and for a few of the seconds years how the summer vacation had been.

[Stevie Copeland]

"Yep!" He replied, nodding. He jumped up when she motioned to him, and walked over to where Shellivia was motioning. He was expecting this to be tied as his favorite class, with flying. Though, defense against the dark arts sounds cool. As does potions. And transfiguration. And just about everything here. So, maybe he didn't have a favorite class. That was a good thing, considering he was excited for all of them.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Shellivia looked down at the eager new student. He seemed full of energy and curiosity.
This is why I love it here, she thought to her self.
Smiling down at him again she asked,
"So how do you like Hogwarts so far? Have you been enjoying your other classes?"

[Stevie Copeland]

"Yeah! Everything is just...." He thought of how to describe everything. He could sum it up in one word.

"Awesome." He nodded. That was definitely the word.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Shelivia smiled again and cleared her throat. Turning to face her class she spoke.
"Good day everyone, my name is Shellivia Nos Taronin. I am the care of magical creatures professor here at Hogwarts. Some of you already know me," she nods and smiles to a few second years, "and some of you don't. I'll tell you all my class rules right now so there is no confusion. First, you follow the rules and precautions I tell you about each animal. Second, absolutely no fooling around in my class. We are dealing with live sentient creatures and beasts. If any of you are caught fooling around, not paying attention or mishandling the animals you will be given at best a detention and at worst expulsion. Third, no casting magic around the animals unless I tell you to. Its very easy to spook them, and i dont want them under any unnecessary stress."
Her voice was hard and she seemed very stern, the type you did not want to test because she seemed deadly serious when she had said the word expulsion. She continued her little speech.
"Fourth and last, no, and I mean absolutely no wandering off into the forest. This grove is protected but there are many creatures that can do you harm in these woods. You do not enter or leave this grove except by the path unless you are accompanied by me. Understood?"

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie nodded his head, meaning he understood the rules. He liked animals. He wouldn't intentionally try to frighten them. Plus, he doubted he'd have time to go to the woods. Sure, if they ever go there for class, Stevie will be ready to go in a heartbeat. But, then again, he half doubted they'd go there, if it was that serious.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

After a general consent from all the students she smiled.
"Good, now that you all know the rules we can begin." She turned to the pasture behind her and motioned for all the student to gather around the wall.
"Today we will be studying Augureys." she motioned out to the bundles of thorns and bushes which were oblong in shape.
"Augureys live in nests that they build out of branches, brambles, thorns, vines and grasses; essentially anything plant like that they can use to disguise the nests so that they blend in with the natural surroundings. They are very shy birds, preferring to eat insects and fairies and come out only when it's raining. Does anyone know anything else about Augureys?" she looked around the class to see if anyone raised their hand.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie bit his lip and shook his head. he didn't know anything about... Really, anything. So, he sighed mentally and kept his mouth shut. He just hoped he didn't come off as dumb. That was the worst thing that could've happened to him.

(Sorry for the short post... My muse seems to have crawled in a ditch and demanded its own ransom.)

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

When no one really gave an answer Shellivia coninuted.
"That's alright, not much is known to the general populace, especially since the bird has a bad stigma. Some of you might have had grandparents or older relatives talk about how someone heard it's call and then suddenly died a few days later. It's a bad superstition about the bird, but something that is entirely untrue. The Augurey sings when rain or snow is approaching. It's a very distinctive call and none of you will forget it. It's feathers are also water repellent and as an extension ink repellent."
She smiled a bit fondly at the nests.
"Because of the old superstition and this quality, the Augurey is one of the few magical creatures that isn't in anyway threatened or in danger. Some people do still keep them as pets but mostly in dryer climates; they sing almost non stop during the winter."
She opened the gate and walked into the paddock motioning for the students to follow. A few bushes wiggled around and moved slightly but that was all.
"So tell me," she asked, "what do you notice about the nests? Mind now, don't touch them, they are full of thorns."

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie stared at them, tilting his head to the side a bit. Just a tiny bit, not much, not very noticeable. He did that a lot while he was thinking. Well, it seemed like it was trying to hide itself. Stevie didn't speak up, though he DID have a question. He guessed that it would be for the better to save it for once this question was answered. But, being Stevie, he found a way to twist it into an answer.

"It looks like it would be at least a bit painful to the bird, because of all the thorns." A bit to Stevie's surprise, nobody laughed at that. And that was a good thing, that answer was serious. He wanted to know how the bird avoided the thorns, or at least how the thorns don't hurt it.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

There were a few mumbles of "ummmm" and "hmmm" before Stevie spoke.
"Excellent observation. The nest look like they are painful. It's one of its defenses; most predators leave the nests alone just because of that. We'll get to see inside a nest as soon as the bird leaves. Now, everyone stay back a moment and line up against the wall I'm going to call them out. Please be quiet and try not to move at first, they are very shy birds."
Shellivia's wand snapped into her hand and waited for the students to do as they were told.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie walked towards the wall, standing against it, as Shellivia said. But, he made sure he wasn't directly behind her, he wanted to see this! He watched Shellivia and the nest intently, waiting for the bird...

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Once all the students were in place she waved her wand and said loud and clear,
"Aeris Abeo!"
The area over the paddock began to darken and low clouds formed quickly. Rain began to trickle down, over the nests and the professor.
After a few minutes a sound could be heard. A low, throbbing call that echoed out from the nest reverberated through the air. It was a sad mournful sounding song, as if the earth itself was weeping.
It continued for a bit until the nests started to wiggle. One after the other small black heads peeked out from the thorns and a thin greenish black body soon followed. It looked rather like a small underfed vulture, but a bit less wicked.
The birds hoped around the pasture a bit confused, and a few took wing, quickly banking and flying back once they left the rain.
Shellivia cooed back at one in a mournful call of her own, and one of the birds came and landed on her outstretched arm, while another took a perch on her back.
"Students, this is Atemisius and Nephessta. They are veterans here and have been helping me teach for a few years, so they won't mind you coming closer; that is, if you dont mind getting wet." She smiled, she was sopping wet herself.
She waited for the students to approach before continuing.
"Now, if any of you want to pet one, you can reach into the barrel that is next to the gate. There are some dead beetles in there that they are quite fond of. NOw, do any of you notice anything about the feathers?" Her voice was low and quiet.
The other birds seemed content to fly around and occasionally call out. Some had settled back onto the ground and were pecking at the damp earth.