"They are pranksters." Cassandra said with resentment... she didn't like those creatures... they didn't really like her. But this was class and she needed to earn points.

"Kappa translated means "river-child", he is also known as Gatarō (river-boy) or Kawako (river-child.) He is a type of water creature found mostly in Japan. They are considered to be a legend of folklore in the Muggle world, somewhere also a part of cryptozoology, due to apparent sightings. In Shintō they are considered to be one of many water-deities." She said with her arms still raised.

"They are more Monkey like, or Froglike, as they are amphibians. Their faces are apelike, and they have a shell like tortoises. The most notable feature of the kappa, however, is the water-filled depressions atop their heads. These cavities are surrounded by scraggly hair, and this type of bobbed hair style is named okappa-atama for the creatures. The kappa derive their incredible strength from these liquid-filled holes, and anyone confronted with one may exploit this weakness by simply getting the kappa to spill the water from its head." She said...

Now to the fun part. "They've been known to steal crops, and kidnap children. In fact, small children are one of the kappa's favorite meals," She grinned and looked at the first years in the class, "Though they will eat adults as well." She glanced at Xana, Dia and Mia, "They feed on these hapless victims by sucking out their 'life source,' mainly entrails, blood, liver... you know... the guts." she sat back in her chair pleased with herself.

Fabian inclined his head at the students, "couldn't have said it better myself, three points to each!" he exclaimed, then added "Kappas means the river child. Their strength and prominent feature comes from water-filled depressions on top of their heads. These cavities are surrounded by scraggly hair and Kappas derive their strength from these liquid filled holes. As much is its their strength it is also their weakness. The best way to attack a Kappa is by simply getting the kappa to spill the water from its head".


"Fabulous! Now we can move to the optional part of the class, if you wish to leave you can feel free to do so. If you wish to hang around and use this extra credit part for your homeworks then feel free to grab either a Kappa or a Grindylow from either of the tanks."


"I plead of you not to let them lose on fellow students, if you work with a creature, you shall be responsible for it until it returns back to the tank!"

Fabian waved his hand across the board to display the homework.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homework 2

1. What makes a creature so dark? (4 pts)
2. How can you differentiate a dark creature from a milder or regular creature if you encounter one? (3 pts)
3. List four creatures that are considered dark. (4 pts)
4. List four part human creature that are considered dark. (4 pts)

Extra Credit: (6 pts)

5. You worked with either Grindylows or Kappas in class. Write a short paragraph of your encounter with the creature. Including the description of their external features.

{Be creative in your answer. The more creative you are, the higher your score becomes. You must RP in the practical part of class to do this part.}

Dia grinned. Working hands-on with Dark creatures...what fun. Standing up from her seat, she made her way over to a larger grindylow's tank and eyed it for a moment, contemplating which way to trap it. Finally deciding to carefully pick it up from behind, she removed the tank's lid and leaned it against the side of the tank. Knowing full well she most likely was going to be shredded at first, she placed her left hand in the tank to distract the creature. Immediately the grindylow shot out its long, brittle fingers, only to find that there was nothing to grasp. She had already removed her hand from the grindylow's range and seized it from behind, lodging her left thumb and forefinger carefully--yet firmly-- behind its jaw, which stopped it from biting, at the very least. The poor, stressed water demon thrashed about, its fingers gripping her wrists tightly, struggling to get away. It dug its sharp little horns deep into the seventh year's hand while she hurried back to her desk, causing blood to drip down her wrist. Damn grindylows... she thought, though aside from that she was having a blast.

Firmly--yet not so much that it hurt the creature--forcing the pale green creature onto her desk, Dia drew her wand and conjured thin, strong ropes, and tied its two brittle hands together before temporarily stunning it. At least until she needed to take notes on its movements, she wouldn't be attacked. She began taking notes on the creature and answering the questions.

Rhiannon looked around. She was curious about who was going to be willing to stay behind or who was not willing to work with the creatures. She saw Dia go get a grindylow and start studying it at her desk, so far the only student to do so.

Taking a deep breath, she started to think. Which do I want to study? I wonder what everyone else is going to choose. She started thinking about each creature, weighing the pros and cons of trying to control one long enough to study it.

Fabian kept a close watch on Rhiannon, obviously, she seemed reluctant. "Don't fret, and if working in pairs makes you more comfortable. Feel free to do so" he explained as he walked up closer in her direction.

Rhiannon looked up as Professor Clark addressed her. "I'm not worrying. I just tend to think about things before I jump in to doing them. Keeps me from doing anything stupid." Most of the time, her mind added on.

Saylie decided her best bet would be to study the Grindylow. She walked over to the tank and pulled out the quill she'd tucked in her pocket. She had her book and parchment with her and made a rough sketch of the creature before doing anything else. She would take the time to label the drawing and redo it after class, but she knew she wasn't likely to get any real work done in writing once she got the creature out of the tank.

With her drawing complete, she turned and walked back over to her desk, depositing the materials in her bag. Walking back over to the tank, she placed a finger on the glass, drawing the Grindylow's attention. It turned towards her and she mentally noted how it moved through the water and what it's reactions were to her moving her fingers. She knew that merpeople could tame these creatures, so they weren't the most deadly of creatures. She decided she would move slowly and see if she could pick it up without getting injured or scaring it too badly and making it want to attack her. As soon as she realized she was about to reach into the tank with a bare hand, she shook her head and pulled out her gloves. Those ought to keep her hands safe in case the creature decided it didn't want to be touched.

Slowly inching her hand into the water, she paid close attention to the eyes of the Grindylow. It appeared cautious, but not angered or evil. She wiggled her fingers like she'd done on the outside of the glass and it swiped at them, it's long brittle fingers sweeping just inches in front of them. She had picked a young one, and it seemed like it was almost playing with her. She did it again, and this time was thankful for the gloves as it's fingers closed over her own. It turned its pale green little body towards her, looking away from her hand and over at her face. She used this opportunity to lift it from the water, but didn't take it back to her desk. She figured she could study it here, where it was close to the water and she could return it quickly if anything got out of hand. Besides, there was an empty desk close by if she needed to sit for any reason. She was just going to make mental notes for now then jot them down before she left.

"Alright" he mused, eying the Ravenclaw intently, "whatever makes you comfortable. Hollar if you need help" he shot her a gentle smile before he moved around the class.

"Stupefy." Cassandra cast to a Kappa in the tank.

"Accio stupified Kappa!" She wasn't going to stick her hand in the tank... she wasn't stupid...

She pulled out her potions kit and retrieved a large vial.

The creature was disgusting... to think of where it's mouth had been... Ick! She quickly emptied the liquid from the Kappa's concave head into the vial and corked it.

She quickly jotted down notes on appearance and began touching its head to see texture.

"Renervate!" she cast and watched it come to. It didn't have it's fluid so it was rather weak and couldn't really walk well. Still Cassandra took notes on it's movement and it's demeanor...

"Wingardium Leviosa!" She said lifting the creature up, guiding it back to the tank, and resting it in the water, it's empty head floating above. She uncorked her vial with its liquid and cast the levitating charm on it, as well, guiding it above the creature's head and emptying it into the cavity. The creature began to thrash angrily... she hoped no one else would pick that one... he wouldn't be stunned twice.

She gathered her books and stuff and walked to the front of the class. "Thank you, Professor Clark," she said giving him a polite nod before leaving the class.

Dia glanced up at Trelawney and sighed inwardly. Was she really frightened of a kappa, especially when a professor was in the room? She shrugged, and raised her hand when the professor was nearest her. "Professor, I was contemplating something earlier-- when boggarts catch their reflection in a pond or mirror, do they see the thing they fear most, or does their magic not work on themselves? And is it different on other boggarts?"

Liz walks over to the tank, and picks out a good grindylow. She says stupefy, and accio to acquire the grindylow. She takes it over to her table, and begins examing it.

Gently she lowers one of the sides of its mouth, and gets a good look at the teeth. Wow, this is soooo cool! She says to herself.

Liz then takes her wand and conjures a tape measure and starts measuring the animal.

She takes lots of notes, including the texture of it's skin. And picks it up to judge it's weight.

Looking down at the creature she thinks if it wasn't so dangerous, it is actually kind of cute.

After using ennervate, using her wand she places the Grindylow back into the tank.

Liz then packs up her items and walks out of the classroom

Amelia listened to Professor Clark talk to them a little more about Kappas, before he said that class was dismissed. She decided that Hufflepuff was quite in need of house points so she would stay and study one or both of the creatures.

She looked over to Rhiannon, finding that she seemed a bit confused as to where to begin. "Psst... Rhian," she whispered, shifting over a bit so she was closer. "Want to work together on this?"

Rhiannon looked over as Amelia whispered to her. "Sure," she whispered back. "Then maybe I won't feel so much like I'm being watched." She thought the professor had walked off, but wasn't going to assume he wasn't still watching her to make sure she did something.

"What do you want to study?," She continued.

Amelia giggled with the being watched thing. She always felt like she was being watched; especially moreso with the badge than before. She was quite used to the Professors watching and judging her by now, as well as other students too.

"Um, well Kappas seem fascinating. But I need the extra credit, so I wouldn't mind doing both," she said back. "So if you wanted to start with the milder of the two creatures, that would be fine."

Rhiannon shrugged. "Extra credit's always good . . ." She glanced off toward several Slytherins in the room before returning her gaze to Amelia. "Especially since some people need to be put in their place. Anyway, we can start with either one. They both seem fascinating in their own ways."

Amelia smiled at her friend. She should have known that a Ravenclaw wouldn't mind the extra points. She giggled with her comment of how some people need to be put in her place, especially since she thought she knew who the girl was talking about.

"Grindylows it is. Always better to start simple, in my opinion," Amelia said, gazing at the tank of pale green creatures. They were not the prettiest creatures to look at.

"Stupefy," she said, pointing her wand at one particular one in the corner of the tank. "Accio stupefied grindylow", and the creature zoomed out of the tank right to the two sixth years. She turned to Rhiannon with a look on her face of, 'okay, now what?'

Xana sighed. Which to do first... grindylow or kappa? She decided to work with the kappa first... it seemed easier. She passed Prefect Trelawney, who was leaving the area of the tanks. Xana gave her a cool smile and a polite nod as she went over to the kappa tanks and looked at them. The poor things! Trapped in here without their consent, kidnapped really... all so that some students could study them. Perhaps after the lesson the professor would let them go...

She watched the creatures swimming about, like cute little scaled monkeys... Awwww! She saw one little guy who seemed particularly annoyed to be there. She decided to take him-- possibly the professor could be convinced to let him go when she was done working with the poor little bugger.

She tapped one side of the top of the tank and the fierce little kappa immediately launched an attack toward her hand. Quickly, she reached behind him to grab him, counting on the element of surprise. Yeah, that worked. Not.

The little monkey-dude twisted around, quick as lightning, and sank its teeth into the webbing between her thumb and her forefinger. Yeouch! She gasped and instinctively withdrew her hand from the tank, her flesh tearing as the kappa held fast. Dratted thing! She grabbed it from behind with her left hand and squeezed its head at the jawline, causing it thankfully to release its hold. She plopped it into a small tray on the desk, suddenly feeling a good deal less compassionate toward the creature.

The creature narrowed its eyes and hissed at her, apparently offended. Remembering something she read in her text, and praying it was right, she bowed a deep, polite bow. Sure enough, the kappa bowed in return-- ah, saved by the creature's sense of etiquette! He spilled the water from his head and immediately fainted.

She quickly took the necessary notes and answered the questions for her homework and extra credit, wincing with pain as the quill pressed against the wound on her hand. As soon as she was done, she scooped the little guy back up and returned him to his tank, carry the tray containing his cranial fluid with her. She propped him up with her hand long enough to refill the cavity on the top of his head and then pulled her arms out of the tank before he attacked again.

She summoned a cucumber from the kitchens, and while she was waiting for it to arrive she bandaged the wound on her hand. Dratted thing better not be rabid or anything... she glared at the kappa who was glaring with equal dislike at her. She took the cucumber and offered it to the kappa as a peace offering. It immediately seized it and began gnawing on the vegetable.

She wandered back to her desk, watching the other students working with their creatures.

"Hey, Diabolica..." She said softly to her friend. "Are the grindylows that much harder than the kappas?" She still wanted to work with both, but felt her ambition waning after her experience with the kappa.

Dia's head snapped up from her work and she put down her quill, carefully picking up the immobilized grindylow and loping over to Xana. "In my opinion? They're a right bit nastier than the kappas. At least kappas are easy to study once they have no water stored in their heads...on the other hand, these creatures are...snarky. Beautiful creatures, but..." she sighed and shifted the grindylow to her right arm, holding up the back of her hand for Xana to see. Two gaping wounds remained where the grindylow had gashed her with its horns in the struggle for freedom, and each were freely bleeding still. There had been no time to heal them...there was work she had to do.

Xana looked at her hand, cringing a bit. "Ohhhkay... I was going to do both creatures but... well, yipes." She looked over at the tanks where the grindylows were, sighing inwardly. Practice would be really helpful and Merlin knows she needed the points in COMC... but... ugh.

She gave Dia a winning smile and a hopeful look. "So, uh, Dia.... Your grindylow is already sleeping like a little angel... You're a master at this! Any chance I could just... you know... make some observations and take some quick notes? No sense in both of us getting all ...stabby-fied... after all. Right?" She looked at her best friend with cruppie-dog eyes.

"Mind you, I did get an aggressive one...close to fully grown, as well." Dia shifted the grindylow to her other arm for a moment. She blinked at her friend and shook her head, grinning. "Oh, come now, Xana. They're not that bad...and besides, we would both have to be observing it in all ways, including feeling its texture.... and Merlin, if the spell wore off..." she shook her head. "Here. Hold this one for me, will you? You can study this one for a bit while I get another. Then you can work it out in full detail." She practically pushed the current one she was holding into her friend's hands. Yes, this was indeed just an excuse to go wrestle another out of its tank. It was all fun and games to Dia...well, until someone got gouged. Then it merely was just a common goal to knock the grindylow unconscious.


She made her way over to a tank of a significantly smaller grindylow and repeated the same process as she had for the larger one...distracting it, swiftly grabbing it from behind, and lodging her thumb and forefinger behind its jaw. Thankfully this one was only a juvenile. Conjuring a few more thin, strong ropes, she bound this one as well and stunned him. Poor creature. Nevertheless, she placed the smaller grindylow on Xana's desk. "There we go." she nodded, surprised (and relieved) that the smaller one hadn't harmed her in some way as well. But that was a good thing.

Xana took the unconscious grindylow, grimacing a little at the feel of it, all wet and slimy and cold... it was a little like holding a human child wrapped in seaweed. Yuck. She watched Dia go over to the tanks, not about to argue if she wanted to help.

She watched Dia put the littler grindlow on her desk. "He's beautiful, thanks. I think I'll call him Grindy." She went over to Grindy, still cradling Dia's much larger grindylow in her right arm, as a woman would hold a sleeping toddler. She glanced at the grindylow on the desk with interest, kind of forgetting about the larger model... Until suddenly and without warning, he began thrashing angrily in her arms, trying to free himself from Diabolica's binding curse, using its horns and teeth to try to wrest itself free. Oh, the humanity!

Not knowing what else to do, she kind of held it up toward Dia, holding it high over her head, like Rafiki at Pride Rock, but man was this Simba uuuuuuuugly. And mad as hell. "Stupefy it! Quick!"

As Amelia stunned and then summoned a grindylow from the tank, Rhiannon's eyes followed the creature as it flew across the room. It really was pretty strange to watch, and unconscious water creature flying through the air.

Once it arrived, Amelia had looked at her like she was asking for instructions. Raising her eyebrows, she haltingly said, "Well, I think we need to examine it. Find out as much as we can before it wakes up and attacks us." She lightly touched the grindylow's skin with the tip of one slender finger.

Dia laughed. "Sounds good." All of a sudden, her grindylow had obviously recovered from the stunning spell, as it was just as angry and thrashing as before. Realizing there was no time to take out her wand before it worked its way out of Xana's grip and onto the floor, she grabbed the grindylow carefully from behind, thumb and forefinger behind its jaw once more, and a hand securely around the back of its neck and the other trying to hold down the rest of its body. Pinning it down onto the desk, careful to make sure the other grindylow didn't go scattering, it gouged her with its horns once again, this time leaving two bloody streaks on her right inner forearm. She cursed loudly and looked over her shoulder quickly, hoping the professor hadn't heard. That was all she needed. "Xana, conjure some ropes! Quickly!"

Marco eyed the tank. He wasn't all for getting extra credit. Without doing the beast question he would get full marks. Something about dark creatures. This should be fun.

Xana drew out her wand and quickly cast 'Incarcerous', binding the small creature. For good measure, she stunned the creature again and it was still. "Are you alright?" she asked Diabolica, a bit worried. How did they manage to get the fiesty ones? Crikey.