Swear to Merlin, this watching the Hippogriff activity he had going on had to STOP. Not because it could be considered creepy -- frankly, Grayson didn't give two knuts about that -- but because he was starting to get distracted and actually miss parts of the lesson.

Soooooo paying attention. He was. Really.

And they were talking about Griffins as well now? Brilliant. Griffins were a lot more dangerous than Hippogriffs so Grayson approved of this line of conversation. Uh huh. He also started wondering whether the Professor secretly had a Disillusioned Griffin in their midst too. It sounded ridiculous, especially since they were INDOORS, but the Slytherin wouldn't put it past the Care of Magical Creatures professor.

A difference? Sure, he had PLENTY. "In Ancient Greek times -- you know, back in the day -- Griffins were considered to be the King of Mythical Creatures. Don't think the Hippogriffs held such a high ranking." Shrug. "Therefore, Griffins are probably more widely known."

Zander was having a hard time trying to keep up with this hippogriff talk when there was an actual live one right there! Maybe they should've kept it under the disillusionment charm for a little longer... Considering it would have been much easier to listen and take notes.

The third year tuned right back in, in time to hear the next questions and listen to more than just a couple of the other answers. Hm. He didn't really know much else other than what was already said, yet he really did love this class so he felt the need to contribute. "Hippogriffs are kept at Hogwarts, but I reckon we don't have an Griffins around because they can be horribly rough to keep at a school with tons of children," and that was his contribution. For now.

Main difference? They were a completely different species. Was he the ONLY one who could see that? Probably. But he wasn't one to think much outside of the box in classes unless he actually cared.

And he had severe cabin fever and the seventh year graduation itch.

So yeah, he didn't answer his smart...something comment.

The difference between a Hippogriff and a Griffin? There were several that Hayden knew of. Appearance, for one. Also in their demeanor. Most of the things she could think of had already been said by other students, but she wanted to contribute anyway. So Hayden raised her hand.

"It is more likely that someone would be able to befriend a Hippogriff. Griffin's aren't as likely to be friendly." Would it be possible to catalogue how many people had befriended a Hippogriff and how many had befriended a Griffin? Probably not, but if it were somehow possible it would be cool. She could make a chart.

ZAP! That's what would happen if her dad mistook a Hippogriff for a Griffin. It'd be terrible and Beverly would be devastated. SO devastated the only way he'd be able to make it up to her is by giving her her own dragon.

Luckily, he knew his creatures. How could he not when they've read all creature books in their library.

Distinguishing features between Griffins and Hippogriffs. The Bevster knew some!

Hand zooming into the air, she said, "I agree that Hippogriffs are easier to befriend as long as you follow proper etiquette, but Griffins are also possible to befriend. Probably not as soon as a Hippogriff, but it's doable. Just as long as it's a competent wizard or witch. One that won't mistake a Griffin for a Hippogriff." Or we feel sorry for you, bud.

Jonas was a quiet person, so he was uncomfortable answering all these questions. But he didn't complain and answered it.
"Griffins are lion like as Hippogriffs are eagle like?"
Really now? How can a person confuse a hippogriff and a griffen? But Jonas didn't ask that.

Lucy thought a lot and she said:" The Griffins are more dangerous than the Hippogrifs..I heart that the Griffins can be used as guard creatures..."

That made sense. Though Leah found no need for Henry to be disillusioned right now, they were not muggles and would not scare the creature.. or get scared themselves. Talking about disillusionment, that spell was just cool, you know? She hoped they would they learn how to do that.

Next question! Difference between a griffin and hippogriff? They sounded pretty alike. It was time for the next question which involved the difference between a griffin and a hippogriff. Leah raised her hand and said, "I don't know about Griffins, but Hippogriffs can be really loyal." Hufflepuff-y.

"Excellent everyone. Now then.. whose ready to pet Henry the Hippogriff?" Sure, the Creature Professor didn't even need to ask as he could see the increasing number of students staring at Henry more. But now no one can say he didn't ask his students beforehand. "Now let's get up everyone and get into a single file line before we begin."

---
OOC: As instructed, everyone can start lining up now. Next post should be later today. =)

Leah listened to the professor's replies. She could understand one thing - Hippogriffs were definitely better than Griffins. Griffins could be used as guards, but hippogriffs were friendly. Leah did not need a guard, at least not right now.

The Hufflepuff expected more talking about Hippogriffs, but what the professor had said surprised her. "Me me me!" she said, raising her hand. She was ALWAYS ready to pat Hippogriffs. She jumped up and rushed up to the front of the line. Yay!

Jasmine took notes as her classmates gave their answers about hippogriffs and griffins. She had always found Hippogriffs to be fascinating animals and was very excited to be learning about them today.

Who was ready to pet Henry? Jasmine was game. She stood up and made her way over to join the line of students. This was going to be great and and Jasmine couldn't wait for the chance to pet the Hippogriff.

Petting turned into riding, right? It definitely did in AJ's world. Her hand shot into the air. "Ohhh... I do, I do. Pick me, pick me." As soon as "line up" left the professor's mouth AJ was up and moving. There seemed to only be two peoplw in front of her, and it was Leah and Jasmine.

Woot. This meant that she would be third in line. Normally she would have liked to be first, but maybe she could learn something from watching somebody else go first... like how NOT to pet the Hippogriff or something. Oh, she was excited. She even jumped up and down a few times in place. I will not jump on its back and ride it, I will NOT jump on its back and ride it, she kept telling herself over and over. She couldn't have another repeat of the unicorn thing.

Pet Henry?

For realz?!

Ethan had the goofiest grin on his face as he nudged his mates. It's not everyday that they get to pet a HIPPOGRIFF. Merlin. Ethan wondered if Henry will like him...? It would be so awesome to be his friend...and hehehe...boast it to his friends from his former school.

Alllll right-o.

Trying his best not to look so excited, the third year calmly walked up to the front, stood behind AJ, and waited patiently for his turn.

Angel looked at the Professor and raised her hand.

"Professor!! I do!! I do!!" Angel really wanted to pet the Hippogriff, she wasn't normally into this sort of things but it was amazing and awesome and she really, really, really want to get a closer look and she really, really, really oh and did she say really wanted to pet the awesome Hippogriff called Henry.

Simon had spent the majority of class listening, taking notes, and watching the Hippogriff with eyes filled with awe. He wondered what the creature must have been thinking at this time. If only he had the power to read a creature or another being's mind because then that would have been super awesome!

He refocused on the lesson when the Professor announced that they were going to pet Henry. They were going to be petting a HIPPOGRIFF? Seriously? Simon's face lit up with excitement and he grinned at Ethan when his mate nudged him. Yeah, this was going to be one awesome class. The boy finished taking notes and got up from his seat to line up.

How would the Hippogriff react to him?
Simon would make sure that he treated the proud creature with a lot of respect. That seemed like a good way to go.

EEeeeeeeeeep. Yes. YES TOBY WANTED TO PET HENRY.

The Hufflepuff found himself nodding frantically at that question, and before Professor Thompson even finished his sentence he was getting up off the floor. Perhaps a little too enthusiastically, as instantly overbalanced and almost ended up falling on his face. Almost. Nobody saw that.

A queue was already forming, so Tobes went ahead and joined the back of it, right behind his taller doppelganger, and began bouncing on the balls of his feet in his enthusiasm.

Interesting facts, she was learning. The snake jotted down those new piece of information. Who knew, those might be on NEWTs. The exams being delayed didn't mean it was a break, if anything this was a very good chance to get some more studying in. And anyway, she liked learning about creatures in general so she was taking notes while she actually enjoyed. Something that did not happen everyday.

Oh, and they were going to pet it, too. Nice. Cassia nudged Lex again showing her excitement. Not that she never petted a Hippogriff but still. So the snake stood up and fell into the line. Let's pet this Henry!

Petting the Hippogriff? Okay, WOOT. This sounded like a pretty easy lesson. The good thing about Care of Magical Creatures was that it was so much less note-taking and so much more hands on. Even here inside the castle, there wasn't much quill and parchment work. Those were the lessons Sophie preferred.

So anyway...time to line up to pet the Hippogriff. Sophie made her way to the end of the line and stood behind the last person. Being at the end of the line wasn't so bad. If this Hippogriff decided to go wild, her chances of being the victim were almost slim to none being at the very end.

...but hopefully they wouldn't even have to worry about that.

SHE GOT TO PET THE HIPPOGRIFF?!

A moment after Professor Thompson had asked the question, Lux had already jumped to her feet. Meeeeeee. I want to pet the Hippogriff!

Joining the growing queue she hoped that Henry would like her.

Henry? Henry the Hippogriff. Kind of had a ring too it, didn't it?

The Gryffindor looked over at the boy's around him and gave them a smile. This would most definitely be fun. Except... If the Hippogriff decided to attack. In which case, this would not be fun. But that was probably not a possibility considering they were doing this in a classroom. Hogwarts wouldn't purposefully put students in danger, right? It was supposed to be a safe place.

So with the bubbling excitement within him-had it been any other class he probably wouldn't have shown the same enthusiasm- the Gryffindor set down his notes and walked over to the end of the line. Ugh. Lines were the worst.

Sure, Penelope wanted to pet the hippogriff. Not that it was going to be as easy as just walking up to it and petting it, but that part was probably gonna come up next. So she stood up and joined the line.

They were going to pet the hippogriff? Sweet! But wasn't this a bit dangerous? For the younger students at least. They might get hyper over the prospect and endanger themselves in some way. No matter. Thompson would be here to save the day if something were to happen.

So Tag stood in line with the rest of his class, as he was meant to do.

MO BRANXTON WAS GONNA BE FIRST IN LINE. YES. He jumped to his feet and hurried toward where the other students were queuing up. Other. Students. Queuing. Ahead of him. It was probably one of the most disappointing moments of his life, having to stand about half way back and wait his turn to meet Henry.

Maybe he could pay off someone in front of them? Or menace them a bit? Mo tried to look big and scary and seventh yeary, hoping that some of the smaller students would feel intimidated and get behind him.

The students were lining up now or at least attempting to be in order. "Alright, keep a single file line. Don't want to give Henry here the wrong impression." He rubbed near the top of the Hippogriff's head. Having a crowd of students coming at you would just about frighten anyone. Oh, and one last thing as he noticed a few having their blankets still wrapped around. "You'll also have to drop the blankets unfortunately, so it's easier for him to see you and for you to make the proper gesture. His nest area however has the same heating charm so you won't have to endure the chill for long." Another reason for them to pay attention so they couldn't mess up.

Now for the instructions, "What you'll have to do is slowly approach him. Close enough for him to notice just you but far enough to give him plenty of space for him." They were territorial after all. "Next while keeping eye contact you will bow down, nice and low to where you can still look at him without blinking." The no-blinking part was likely to be one of the most challenging. "To you young ladies, you will also need to bow. Curtsies won't settle for them as they'll mistake that for a different gesture." And not for a particularly friendly one.

"Once he bows back to you, then it's safe to blink and go up to pet him. Don't worry if you mess up by blinking, getting too close early or you get too sore waiting on him to return the bow, just get in the back of the line to try again until it happens." That way everyone will get to pet him. Now for the unfortunate news, "As you can see.. our classroom is limited in the space so riding him won't be happening today. So you'll each get a few moments to pet him and introduce yourself before sitting back down." Sound good for everyone? It was the best he could do given the unfortunate conditions outdoors.

With all that said and done, he started them off with, "When you're ready, get to it!" After Professor Thompson patted the Hippogriff a few times, Henry took this as a sign to return to his area. Who were these students in front of him? Henry was curious to see them now. As long as they didn't try to rush. If that happened, Henry was expecting the two whole buckets of tasty rats from the tall human to make up for it.


OOC: It's activity time now! As explained, you will be performing the proper etiquette for Hippogriffs with Henry. There's no particular order on which student goes first, simply post as if it is your turn to go up to try petting him.

- Approach Henry at a certain distance, waiting for his attention
- Keeping eye contact without blinking, start bowing to him (if you blink, went up too fast, or it takes too long for you to wait until Henry bows back to you, simply go to the back of the line to try again)
- Go up to pet, feel, ruffle his feathers, etc. Small talk to Henry is optional and okay, just don't hog up his time

This should take about four posts to complete and remember to label them. You have until July 30th, 11 pm EST to finish.

She was SO excited, and couldn't wait for her turn. AJ listened to the professor's instructions, and honestly she wasn't sure if she was going to be able to contain her excitement. Henry should totally take that as a compliment. AJ let out a groan as the creatures professor said that they wouldn't be able to ride them. "Awww... man." That was a major bummer. AJ would be making a new friend out of Henry so she would just focus on that.

When it was her turn, she tried REALLY hard not to jump up and down. Play it cool, AJ. She acted all mature and looked the hippogriff dead in his beady eyes. Then she bowed. Her eyes were still locked on his and she wondered how long she would have to stay this way. The lion tried to send him messages with her mind. I'm your friend Henry, let me love pet you. C'mon. All the cool kids are doing it.