Astra

CII - The Thestrals

THEY RETURNED FROM HAGRIDS' later that night, and Astra found that there was nothing new than what she had already heard from the Potters and Hope. Of course, they also had to inform him of what was going on with Umbridge- though Astra stayed as much out of the conversation as possible.

Hermione ploughed her way back to Hagrid's cabin through two feet of snow on Sunday morning, fulfilling her promise of trying to help Hagrid survive Umbridge's inspection. Astra decided to join in as well, though they soon realized that Hagrid wasn't even home. Astra grimaced at the thought of the half-giant in the woods with his brother, but decided she really didn't want to interfere with that. After about half an hour, she was able to convince Hermione to return without giving too many details.

Hagrid's reappearance at the staff table at breakfast next day was not greeted by enthusiasm from all students. Some, like Fred, George and Lee, roared with delight and sprinted up the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables to wring Hagrid's enormous hand; others, like Parvati and Lavender, exchanged gloomy looks and shook their heads. Astra knew that many of them preferred Professor Grubbly-Planks lessons (and even she could understand that they had a point- Grubbly-Plank's idea of an interesting class was not one where there was a risk that somebody might have their head ripped off).

It was with a certain amount of apprehension that Astra, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed down to Hagrid's on Tuesday, heavily muffled against the cold. Astra was worried, mainly about Umbridge- and especially since they were sharing a class with Draco and his crew.

However, the High Inquisitor was nowhere to be seen as they struggled through the snow towards Hagrid, who stood waiting for them on the edge of the Forest. He did not present a reassuring sight; the bruises that had been purple on Saturday night were now tinged with green and yellow and some of his cuts still seemed to be bleeding. 

"We're working in here today!" Hagrid called happily to the approaching students, jerking his head back at the dark trees behind him. "Bit more sheltered! Anyway, they prefer the dark."

"What prefers the dark?" Astra heard Draco say sharply to Crabbe and Goyle, a trace of panic in his voice. "What did he say prefers the dark--did you hear?"

"Ready?" said Hagrid cheerfully, looking around at the class. "Right, well, I've been saving a trip inter the Forest for your fifth year. Thought we'd go and see these creatures in their natural habitat. Now, what we're studying today is pretty rare, I reckon I'm probably the only person in Britain who's managed to train them."

"And you're sure they're trained, are you?" said Draco, the panic in his voice even more pronounced. "Only it wouldn't be the first time you'd brought wild stuff to class, would it?"

The Slytherins murmured agreement and a few Gryffindors looked as though they thought Malfoy had a fair point, too.

"Really?" announced Astra sarcastically, "Those hippogriffs actually seemed pretty trained- it was only you who was causing them trouble."

Draco scowled at her, but Hagrid interrupted before they could start an argument.

"Course they're trained," he said, hoisting a dead cow a little higher on his shoulder. 

"So what happened to your face, then?" demanded Malfoy.

"Mind your own business!" said Hagrid, angrily. "Now, if you've finished asking stupid questions, follow me!"

He turned and strode straight into the Forest. Nobody seemed much disposed to follow except Astra, who was still slightly hesitant. She just sincerely hoped that Hagrid's brother would not be the center of this lesson.