Lesson 2

As she strode down to the paddock, Melinda idly wondered who had been the teacher of this subject before she had arrived on the scene. Were they excessively strict? She had heard there was a time when Death Eaters had taught here; were that what scared the children so? Or perhaps they were simply inept. Any animal, even a muggle one, could be dangerous if not treated with the proper respect and care.

She had intended to show the children that last lesson, but everyone had been so timid. Half of them refused to speak or even raise a hand to answer questions. Melinda was not used to students like these ones.

Once again, the paddock was full of muggle farm animals. Melinda was determined that despite its name, there would be no magical creatures in this class until the children had learned to interact safely with non-magical ones.

Today, she decided to forego the makeshift classroom of haybales and went directly to sitting on the high fence of paddock. Perhaps proximity to the animals would make the students more enthusiastic for the subject matter.

"Raise your hand if you're only taking this class because you need it for your OWLs or NEWTs," she said without preamble once the class was assembled.

Victoria skipped to the CoMC paddock, she would never usually skip, but she thought skipping was faster then walking, so maybe the class would go quicker, she didn't have much faith in her plan.

She saw farm animals, and sighed, when would they be learning about magical creatures? "Good morning Mrs. Thorburn" she said, is was better to say hi to a teacher then be rude and ignore them, it might even help get her a NEWT maybe.

She sat down on a fence, and sighed, she was early, and not very eager, why couldn't she for one be on time.


"Raise your hand if you're only taking this class because you need it for your OWLs or NEWTs," she asked to the class. Victoria kept her hand down, her ambition was to become Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Animals, and she need a NEWT in this class . But she also loved animals, so she'd be taking this class anyway, wouldn't she? This class would have to get exciting soon, or she'd drop it, no matter if she need a NEWT in it.

Franki pranced down to the Care of Magical Creatures paddock, glad to have at least one class she was actually looking forward too. Franki enjoyed any class that brought them outside, and especially one wherein she had the opportunity to play with animals. Franki really did fit the stereotype of the simpering, giggling teenaged girl that dearly wanted to pet a unicorn.

She arrived and took her seat atop the top railing of the paddock, looking about at the farm animals. Piglets! Rabbits! Holy mother of Merlin, there was a baby goat! Franki grinned, rocking atop the railing, causing a few disgruntled looks to be thrown her way. Professor Thorburn asked who was taking the class imply for the grade and Franki looked up and down the line, before shaking her head. No one would be brave enough to confess it, she would bet. She was pretty sure her own enthusiasm had answered the question long ago.

Care of Magical Creatures was usually the only class she really looked forward too nowadays. Before it was Charms, but with her half brother as the sub, she almost dreaded it because she thought he was going to do something to embarrass her. She had way too many things going on to let him embarrass her at all.

Damitrius arrived at the paddock and smiled as she noticed it filled with muggle creatures. She heard the professor ask who was only taking the class just because of the grade and she just stared almost blankly at everyone else who was there. She loved animals, muggle or magical, and she was taking this class because of that. Not just because she needed the grade.

Amelia tripped and sent her stuff flying everywhere on way to class. She was able to gather her stuff before it disappeared with the wind. She switched to the class to get out of Potions; she hated that class with a passion. Care of Magical Creatures wouldn’t be that bad. She knew she was going to be late but it wasn’t her fault she tripped.

She joined the group of kids and tried to pick out stick out of her hair. She was getting so mad that there were so many in her hair because of tripping. She nearly laughed at herself since it had to be quite a sight. She pulled out her slip of approval for transferring to the class. “Excuse me Professor but I’m supposed to give this to you,” she announced holding up the piece of paper.

Derry was on his way to class when he saw a girl ahead of him wiping out on the ground. He couldn't help but chuckle heartily at the sight as it was quite the fall.

Following right behind her, Derry arrived at the Care of Magical Creatures class, just in time to hear the Professor ask if anyone was there just for their OWLs or NEWTs. That was certainly not Derry's case; he adored animals. Heck, he'd pay to take this class!

Walking up to the blond girl - struggling not to explode into a fit of chuckles - he said: "You have a stick it your hair." A little grin of hilarity on his face, he added, "You want me to help you pull it out? It's in the back here."