One Day They'll Know Your Name

A creature's name

He reached for the next book in his stack. He had finally finished his research into the law, now he was looking at curses and ways to break them. He'd also asked the elf for information on ways to keep someone alive longer than they should be, but he hadn't been able to get the books to him yet, so he's just looking through the black curses that could be found in his library. As much as Dumbledore and the Ministry would like to say curses are all bad, there is a vast disparity between the "curses" that Hogwarts teaches that are actually mostly jinxes and hexes, with some minor curses that are easily reversable, but black curses leave permanent damage that can never be completely removed. The Cruciatus is one such curse, as are the other two Unforgivables. There are other black curses, of course. Many of them are found in the pyramids to protect the pharaohs and high lords and ladies. He just hopes whatever it is he's searching for is as easily removed as those curses. Knowing the person who would have used them, it's not that simple.

So far, from what he had found, if he didn't know what the curse was, he would have to destroy the object. Unfortunately, the object seemed to be unbreakable, and he didn't know how to break something unbreakable.

******************

Harry excitedly dragged Draco down to the area set aside for Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid had promised that this class would be extra exciting and Harry was obviously ready for it. When they arrived, Harry almost gasped before remembering that he couldn't open his mouth too wide if he wanted to keep his mandrake leaf out of sight and settling for a wide grin at Draco, who half grimaced back. Draco had only taken this class because Sirius had promised it would be fun, and then stayed because he didn't want Harry to have classes without him, despite not particularly liking the class.

What awaited the class was a herd of hippogriffs. The half horse, half eagle creatures stood proudly in the fenced off area of the grounds. Harry has always loved to fly and animals that fly are his favorites, besides snakes. Hagrid stepped up and started lecturing.

"Now remember, these beautiful besties are verra proud. Don' offend 'em and yeh shouldna have a problem. Who wants tah try firs?"

Harry excitedly stepped forward and Hagrid grinned at him as Draco almost groaned. "Alrigh' now, 'Arry, jes remember tah bow and keep eye contact with ole Buckbeak here, and if 'e bows back then you can step forward an try tah pet 'im. If 'e likes ya enough, ya might be able to ride 'im."

Harry's grin grew even wider even as Draco mentally facepalmed. Even after all these years with Ron, he wasn't uncouth enough to do something so plebian as actually facepalm. Instead he just watched anxiously as Harry stepped up and bowed deeply to Buckbeak. After a tense moment, Buckbeak bowed back and Draco almost sighed in relief, only to regret his relief as Hagrid grinned and gave Harry a leg up onto Buckbeak. If his mother knew the words running through his head right now she'd have thrown a Scourgify at his mouth.

Draco watched nervously as Harry settled himself behind Buckbeak's wings and gripped the feathers on his neck as Hagrid instructed. A moment later Buckbeak launched into the sky with a great leap, spreading his wing to get himself higher. Harry laughed in glee as they rose into the sky. Buckbeak seemed to sense his joy and did a few loops and flips, making Harry laugh even harder much to Draco's chagrin. After a few minutes, Buckbeak finally circled down, despite Harry clearly wanting to stay in the sky for longer. Draco resigns himself to a day of flying tomorrow, mentally thanking Salazar Slytherin that they don't have Quidditch practice until next week, because it meant he could fly with just Harry without worrying about finding the snitch or passing drills.

Buckbeak touched down and Harry reluctantly dismounted with Hagrid's help, motioning Draco over immediately. Draco rolled his eyes fondly and walked towards the boy and the hippogriff, bowing deeply before reaching them, waiting for Buckbeak to allow him closer. A few head scratches from Harry and Buckbeak bowed back, allowing Draco to step closer. Draco scratched Buckbeak in the spot indicated by Harry for a few moments before reaching for his blackboard. Did you have fun? Harry read the message quickly and shot a grin at Draco, reaching for the board and writing quickly. It was amazing! Buckbeak flies so easily! Like he doesn't weigh anything, even with me on board! Draco smiled at Harry and turned to Buckbeak, giving him another scratch.

***************

Luna skipped down the hall, smiling at the paintings she passed. She would have to get Harry to this hall, there were several paintings with snakes, and Harry would enjoy the conversation. Snakes always had such interesting things to say if the Blibbering Humdingers always hanging around them were any indication. Wrackspurts also seemed to avoid snakes. Luna suspected the Blibbering Humdingers more than the snakes themselves. Getting away from the wrackspurts would do only good things for Harry. Maybe if he had less around him he would figure out that he and Draco would be adorable together, like a kitten and a puppy that got along well.

Luna smiled as she turned the corner. Ginny was another one with very few wrackspurts. Luna always had a relaxing time around the redhead. She had a surprising lack of any creatures at all, except for Blibbering Humdingers. Only Professor Snape had less creatures, only having a very few Humdingers at all.

As if summoned by Luna's thoughts, Ginny walked around the corner and almost ran into Luna. "Hello Lu," Ginny greeted cordially.

"Hello, Ginny," Luna said back breezily. "It's a lovely day for a walk around the castle isn't it?"

Ginny nodded placidly, turning to walk with her best friend.

"We should bring Harry here sometime. There are snakes in the portraits that he would enjoy speaking with." Luna put her arm through Ginny's as they walked, and Ginny smiled over at her.

"Are there? Perhaps we should bring him tomorrow."

"Oh no, I suspect Harry will be flying with Draco tomorrow. The third year Slytherins had Care of Magical Creatures today and Hagrid told me they were going to be studying hippogriffs. Perhaps Sunday instead."

Ginny agreed easily, and they chatted for a little while about inconsequential things. Luna turned toward a wall with a portrait of a snake and smiled at it. "Would you mind terribly if we were to take a shortcut through your hall?" She asked. The snake lifted it's head and flicked its tongue out before bobbing its head and laying back down, practically disappearing in the grass beside the rock it had previously been sunning itself on. Luna stepped up to the portrait and placed her hand on the edge. It moved aside and she pulled Ginny through.

"I think Harry and Draco will be adorable when they have found their animagus forms," Ginny commented.

Luna nodded absently. "Like a kitten and a puppy who grew up together. They will be quite impossible to separate, I think."

Ginny grinned. "I could see Harry as an adorable kitten. Those bright green eyes of his pull off a mean kicked kitten look. Not even mum can say no to him when he tries. I think Aunt Cissa tried once, but the look of betrayal Draco sent her changed her tune. And I can see Draco as an adorable golden retriever puppy. They'd be so cute!"

Luna smiled airily. "Oh I don't expect they'd be anything quite so mundane, Ra. I will be excited to see what they become."