Fantastic Beasts and Creatures

| HIPPOGRIFF |

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A Hippogriff is considered to be a mythical creature, one that is often confused with its counterpart. The Pegasus. One can recognize a Hippogriff by its distinct markings resembling an eagle and a horse. While the front legs, head, beak, and wings are strictly from an eagle. The rest of its body, behind, and tail are the makings of a horse. A Hippogriff isn't the only beast that holds the feature of two individual creatures. The other one is a Griffin.

As previously mentioned, a Hippogriff has the front of an eagle, meaning that from the tip of their ears to the bottom of their sharp talons (Measuring nearly half of a foot long, creating a rather dangerous weapon if threatened) is quite literally of an eagle. Meaning the facial structure–Their piercing Orange eyes, down to the layers of feathers across the better half. In addition to this, their sharp beak allows for a carnivorous diet. In this case, anything from birds to small mammals would make an appetizing meal for any Hippogriff.

Halfway across its body, the feathers swiftly change to hair without issue. Speaking of feathers and hair, a Hippogriff can come in many shades–Anything from stormy grey to an inky black.

The Mating for Hippogriffs isn't well known, whether they take a mate for life or a different one pertaining to the season is not well studied. But when the time does arrive in early spring, the two Hippogriffs will construct a nest on the ground with enough protection for the incoming egg.

Hippogriff couples will only have one egg per-mating season, and it isn't a common wait for the egg to hatch like birds. As the infant will usually emerge within twelve to twenty-four hours. They will emerge with small talons and unsharpened hooves that will form the following day before the infant can start to walk.

Hippogriffs were considered rather dangerous when seen in the wild, and only when they are tamed by a trained user they become docile to the contact of any witch or wizard. Though, that does take into account a very thorough introduction process. One that if not done properly, could switch the beast from tamed back to the wild if not respected thoroughly.

To approach a new Hippogriff, it is important to recall that they are very proud creatures. Instead of a handshake to greet them, one must bow with direct eye contact. If the Hippogriff finds you worthy, then they will reciprocate with their own bow. In this case, a bent front leg, their wings unfolded downward and their head lower.

It is always good to remain cautious, allowing the Hippogriff to make the first move.

Movie:

Hippogriffs are first introduced in the third movie, Prisoner of Azkaban, where Professor Rubius Hagrid has adopted one. This Hippogriff is named Buckbeak, who can be described as having a stormy grey coloring.

It is clear that Hagrid cares deeply for all his pets, but Buckbeak had his own side plot throughout the film. Harry Potter, after successfully completing his introduction was given the opportunity to ride Buckbeak over the Hogwarts grounds. However, upon Draco Malfoy's ignorance, Buckbeak had been well offended and attacked him. The injury would have been more serious had Malfoy not been taken to the Hospital Wing or Hagrid not stepped in between the two.

This, unfortunately, had been brought to the ministry on behalf of Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. Condemning the Hippogriff to be sentenced to death. A special bonus, for anyone who might have caught it, is that Newt Scamander himself can be seen walking through the Hogwarts hall on the Maurader's Map. Of course, the Magizoologist would find himself privy to such a sentence.

Even with Scamander's help, Buckbeak finds himself killed just outside Hagrid's hut. But due to the meddling with time, done by Hermione and Harry in order to Save Sirius Black. Buckbeak had acquired a second chance at life by not only saving the pair twice over, but rescuing and escaping with Sirius Black.

Book:

In the books, not much has changed on behalf of Buckbeak's appearances, however, it does give insight as to where he was following the escape of the third book. Upon escaping with Sirius Black, the two survived together before ending up at Grimmauld Place where Buckbeak was given Sirius' mother's room to stay.

When Sirius died, Buckbeak was passed on to Harry Potter, however, Harry believed it would be best to return him to Hagrid. Although he lived on Hogwarts grounds under a different name.

Having a Hippogriff as a corporeal form of the Patronus charm is considered to be quite rare.

Do you think you're brave enough to approach a Hippogriff?