As requested, the Sphinx who now resided here in the Forbidden Forest now came out to play. Within the forest dell, she had a smaller, cosier lair in which she slept and kept any treasures she found, and which could be found down a dark, burrow-like hole in one of the sheerer dirt slopes. It was roomy down there, comfortable and safe, but only the Sphinx was ever likely to see it.

The first sight these Hogwarts denizens saw of her today was one large paw, then the other, stretching out of the cave-like entrance to her den-within-a-den. Her sharp claws shone in the wandlight, and what little light reached the dell through the trees. A moment later, she had emerged entirely.

In the year since she had been revealed at the school, she had grown significantly, and was now in her late adolescent Sphinx years. Though still relatively friendly, still somewhat playful, she was starting to embrace her nature. She was proud to be a part of the school, and to help defend it if needed.

"Hello," she greeted her visitors, coming out to meet them and stopping several feet away, head tilted. "Are you just visiting, or is there something you need?" She looked amongst their ranks, but that awful, cackling little man was nowhere to be seen.