Kapitel 23: Buckbeak

Cross was walking back to the Slytherin house and Selena said "I didn't think you were so good with girls." Cross said "What does that mean? I didn't even say anything to her." Selena hissed in astonishment and said "You.. What? You basically just told her that there was no need to worry about her because she was better than everyone else."

Cross was stunned and said "What are you talking about!?" Selena burst into laughter and slithered back into the bag saying "Good job, Cross! HAHAHAHAHA" Cross was stunned and cursed in Elven "Fucking unreliable animals!" he walked into the Slytherin common room and ignored the crowd of first years as he waved his hand in front of the fireplace angrily, still cursing under his breath as he was engulfed in flames and disappeared.

The first years were completely shocked and the prefect said "Not to worry, this is normal. Special rooms have special entrances." Cross told them that there was more than one and that he happened to find one by accident while he was reading, they ate it up and started looking for the others.

What a joke, there was only one. These clowns had been searching for two years now.

Despite knowing Cross had a special room, they never asked him for it, well if they could actually get a hold of him they would. But they could never get him, he would always be missing and they assumed he was in his room if he wasn't in class.

Eventually they gave up completely, consoling themselves that their rooms were even better than Cross'.

Cross teleporting to the Room of Requirement and tasked the clone to practice all advanced magic. Cross held out his hand and the 5 element strings came out, fusing together and forming a new clone, the different was this clone's eyes had 5 different colors in it.

Cross inspected the and felt it was stronger than the previous one. Regardless of how string it was though, it couldn't compare to himself, so he forgot about it. Maybe they would be useful later but right now, they were perfect for increasing training speed.

Cross tasked the 5 elements clone to read about wizard ranks and everything concerning elements. Cross assumed that Hogwarts had more information about the ranks and elements than he could find outside. This was one of the reasons he stayed at Hogwarts, he basically had everything available to him, why would he leave just because it's dangerous?

First of all, he was still extremely cautious, and secondly, the greater the danger, the greater the treasure! The Room of Requirement was a massive advantage over the other students, without it Cross reckoned he would be far, far, behind his current self.

Not that any of that mattered because he had it and he wouldn't let it go.

After giving the clones tasks, he teleported back to his room and started to meditate feeling the elements in the air. His next target was lightning! Very fortunate for Cross that there was a storm outside tonight.

The next day

Cross was sitting in Divination class at an empty table, Hermione was supposed to sit there but she was apparently skipping. A woman with giant glasses said "Welcome, my children. In this room, you shall explore the noble art of divination! In this room, you shall discover if you possess the sight!" as she smashed into a table.

The students laughed and the woman smiled "I am Professor Trelawney, together we shall cast ourselves into the future! This time we shall be focusing on Tesomancia, which is the art of reading tea leaves, so please take the cup of the person sitting opposite you."

Cross took the cup opposite him as Hermione was now sitting there. Professor Trelawney said "You see, the truth lies buried like a sentence deep within a book, waiting to be read! But first you must broaden your minds, first you must look... BEYOND!"

She shouted that last part and Hermione said "What a load of rubbish!" Cross looked at her cup and said "Actually, it's not rubbish. Divination is very powerful is done correctly." Hermione said "What would you know?"

Cross said "Read a book girl." Hermione was offended, Cross continued "Anyway, try not to pop in like that. I don't care, but someone else might notice.." Hermione looked at Cross and said "You-"

Trelawney took a cup from Ron and quickly put it back with a horrified expression as she yelped before saying "My d-dear... You have t-the Grim." Cross looked at the cup and whistled as he said "Mhm. Tesomancia is right sometimes." Hermione complained "How would you know? You can't see into the future as well can you?"

Cross said "No, but the cup is a omen of death taking the form of a spectral dog. From what I've seen, this should come true soon." Hermione rolled her eyes and said "I don't believe it." Cross waved and retorted "Turn your necklace, you'll find out." Hermione gasped and covered her chest.

Cross was confused and said "What? Why are you acting like I just violated you?" Hermione whispered "Have you been staring at my chest?" Cross was stunned and couldn't help but say "Excuse me, but even if I was, there's not much to look at."

Hermione gasped again and she said "You, you, you, you!" the bell rang and Hermione stormed out of the class, Cross was stunned and sighed before leaving the class going to the next one.

A few minutes later

Cross was walking outside, reading from the monster book, when Ron came up and said "What's up with Hermione?" Harry shook his head and said "I don't know, she seems angry." Cross suddenly said "I told her that her chest was nothing to look at." before continuing on his way to Hagrid's shack.

Harry and Ron were stunned before looking at each other and bursting out laughing as they followed along.

Cross arrived at Hagrid's shack and Hermione glared at him before crossing her arms over her chest and turning away. It was a shame Cross didn't even look at her. Harry and Ron started talking to Hermione, who was basically a mad dog, biting at anybody who was near her, at the moment.

Hagrid waved and said "Come over here, everyone! I've got a real treat for you today! A great lesson! Follow me!" he started walking into the forest and added "Alright you lot, less chattering. Form a line over there and open your books to page 49."

Draco said "Exactly how do we do that?" Cross passed by and slapped Draco's book hard. The book whimpered and opened without a fuss. Draco was stunned and followed Cross to the side. Hagrid chuckled and said "Or you can just stroke the spine..."

Draco looked at Cross, who was already reading the book and said "Did you do that for yours?" Cross nodded and said "Yeah, but the problem is that it shivers in fear now. That's annoying." Draco felt his mouth twitch and he said slowly "Right..."

Cross ignored him and Hagrid coughed, gaining everyone's attention as he said "Tada!" moving to the side as he revealed a horse-like creature. Hagrid smiled as he continued "Isn't he beautiful? Say hello to Buckbeak."

Ron said "Hagrid, what is he?" Hagrid said "This here is a Hippogryph! They are very proud creatures, you do not want to insult a Hippogryph. It might be the last thing you do. Anyway! Who would like to come and say hello?"

The class all backed off, except Harry and Cross. Harry was at the front and didn't know, and Cross wasn't paying attention. Hagrid smiled and said "Good job, Harry! You first! Come on." Harry looked behind him to see only Cross near him, he was stunned at these people.

Hagrid said "Come on. Now, you have to let him make the first move. Give him a nice bow, if he bows back you can touch him, if not.. well we'll get to that later." Harry walked over and bowed deeply, Hagrid said "Good."

Buckbeak wasn't having it and got a little angry, Hagrid immediately said "Back off, Harry. Back off!" Harry backed off, still in bowing position and Buckbeak calmed down before bowing back. Hagrid laughed and said "Well done, Harry!" as he threw a dead possum at Buckbeak.

He turned back to Harry and said "You can go and pat him now, go on." Harry walked forward and patted Buckbeak with a small smile. Hagrid walked over and said happily "He may even let you ride him now!" as he picked up Harry, who said anxiously "Wait!"

Hagrid ignored him and put Harry on Buckbeak's back as he said "Don't pull out any feathers!" before slapping Buckbeak, who immediately ran forward before taking off and flying away.

The class watched him go and clapped.

Cross looked in the air and twitched his ears, wondering if Blue could support him for flight. He needed to try one of these days..

A while later

Harry came back and Hagrid helped him off before whispering with him.

Draco was jealous and said "Hmph, proud creature my ass! Come on then, let me ride too!" Cross looked at Draco and shook his head as he said "Prepare to send him to the hospital." Hermione said "Stop him?!" Cross shrugged and said "I already told Draco to relax, but if he doesn't listen it's not my problem."

Hermione said "Malfoy, do-" oh but it was too late, Draco was standing in front of Buckbeak and the animal was nervous so it defended itself and scratched Draco. Hagrid was stunned and said "Buckbeak!" Cross walked over and grabbed Draco's not scratched arm, Buckbeak chirped and Cross glared at the beast.

Buckbeak quieted down and backed off nervously. Hagrid threw a dead possum away and picked up Draco saying "I'll take him to the infirmary, class dismissed." Cross closed his book and stood by the side, watching Hagrid walk away as Draco said "You're gonna regret this! Giant chicken!"

Cross shook his head and walked over to Buckbeak, who touched his head to the ground and trembled. Cross stroked his feathers while shushing him, Buckbeak calmed down and nuzzled against Cross' face.

Harry was stunned and said "What happened?" Cross said "Draco startled him." Harry shook his head, that's not what he meant. Cross continued to stroke Buckbeak softly, not wanting to speak again.

Hermione said "This is not good. Malfoy, isn't going to just let this go!" Cross ignored her and scratched Buckbeak's neck, making him chirp happily and flap his wings. Cross smiled and mounted Buckbeak.

Harry said "You shouldn't without Hagrid.." Hermione added "Yeah, it's dangerous." Cross shook his head and said "He won't leave, unless I say so. Right Buckbeak?" Buckbeak chirped and ran around, scaring the rest of the class.

Cross whistled and Buckbeak stopped. Cross patted Buckbeak's neck twice and Buckbeak ran forward, flapping his wings before taking off into the skies.

Cross smiled happily, feeling the air brushing on his skin. His hair blew in the wind as Buckbeak flew around the castle, he swooped down and landed near Hagrid as he said "Hagrid, should I bring Buckbeak somewhere?"

Hagrid shook his head with a smile as he said "Cross, you shouldn't fly without supervision." Cross smiled and stroked Buckbeak's neck as he said "Don't worry, he's good." Hagrid nodded and said "Leave him near my shack, could you?"

Cross nodded and whistled, Buckbeak took off again, leaving Hagrid and Draco, going back to the class.

Cross landed near Hermione and Harry as he said "Hagrid said go back to the castle." before taking off again, feeling it very fun to just fly around on Buckbeak. Harry and Hermione watched him go, Hermione said "What a show-off..." Harry chuckled and said "Better than a block of stone."

Hermione sighed and left with Harry.

Cross landed in the pumpkin patch next to Hagrid's shack. He got off and stroked Buckbeak, leading him to a post, before chaining him up. Buckbeak nuzzled him happily and Cross smiled as he left, going back to the castle.

He felt like riding Buckbeak made him feel free and happy, it was much better than constantly counter-scheming. Cross sighed and went back to his cold look as he opened his book and continued reading, walking back into the castle to continue his day.