Feather For Your Thoughts
High above Hogwarts in the clear skies, April took Garland in her gryphon form on a relaxing flight over the valley, mostly keeping to the air over the grounds and the Black Lake. It was a bit chilly so far above the castle. Fortunately, Garland brought a jacket and kept close to her body for warmth as she soared. She was in much better spirits than she was a few days ago, as a simple hug around her neck betrayed the rumblings of coos he could barely hear over the rush of wind. The improved temperament she had for the past few days was a blessing and he was glad they were able to do something about her issues.
He tapped her chest to get her attention and yelled to get through the wind to her, "You still feeling better, April?" Her ears turned back towards him and she gave a quick but energetic chirp. He took it as as a yes, if her rumblings meant anything, and continued, "I didn't think your condition was this bad! You would think being out of your animal form for a few weeks would show some sign of fixing it!" She let out another chirp through her now audible cooing, giving it a trill that he took as her comforting him, as though assuring him everything is okay in spite of her plights.
Garland lifted himself a bit to adjust and restraighten feathers his hugging affected, "Either way, guess we can't really ignore your birdbrain when it wants something, eh? I'm sorry I can only do so much about it!" He rested the side of his head on the base of her neck and listened the persistant cooing emanating through her chest. It was fairly loud and seemed somewhat forced, however. Maybe she thought he was still too stressed over the bout of anxiety she's been having these past few weeks. Nevertheless, it was helping him calm down.
The next few moments were filled with calming wind and cooing that melted into a soothing white noise. Garland would have wanted to fall asleep on her back if it weren't for them being thousands of meters in the air. This must have been the highest she has ever gotten, he thought, as he could see just over the mountains that surrounded the school. Now that the thought of flying around came to mind, he realized they've been at this for over an hour. April must be a bit tired from all of that flapping. Maybe a change of scenery might be needed, he figured. "Hey, April", he said, lightly tapping her chest. Her cooing softened and she let out a guttural peep, letting him know he had her attention. "Is there anything else you want to do today?" She turned her head and quietly looked at him for a moment. Suddenly, he felt her talons wrap around his wrists, clamping down until they were secured against her. And with another chirp she folded her wings in, keeping him in place. Her entire body tilted forward and he quickly found himself hurtling towards the ground.
Garland immediately tensed up and tightened his grip as the two headed straight down towards the castle grounds. This was faster than he has ever reached on a broom, but never towards the ground. The roaring winds whistled as they were being cut on her beaktip and talons. The speed was more than he could handle. He couldn't tell if he was shivering from fear or if the wind was batting him by the cloak.
As they approach the grounds, Garland started to panic. However, her grip on his arms and legs kept him still on her back and he couldn't reach for his wand. "Any time now, April!" He said. But she didn't stop. They were already passing the Ravenclaw Loft in their rapid plummet into the school grounds. "APRIL?!" He screamed in one last desperate attempt to get her to change course, to no avail. Entirely scared out of his wits, Garland closed his eyes and braced for impact.
In the Hospital Wing, the Gryffindor's Quidditch team lay in bed during the last days of their recovery from their brutal game against Ravenclaw. Mathias and Matthew waited for their daily medicine, enduring the remaining dull aches that disappeared one-by-one every night. The windows near their heads violently rattled all of a sudden as a large shadow tore past it, followed by a slight whistle and a boom of air. The whole wing jumped. Matthew turned to see what passed, noticing Matthias had moved the privacy curtains to hide his face some time ago. "What the bloody hell was that about?!" Matthias said, barely moving his body.
Students looked up from the grounds and saw the gryphon plummeting towards them. Many got out of the way, but April suddenly spread her wings and leaned back hard, swooping over the loose crowd of student only a few meters above their head. The gust of wind blew books and papers into the air and toppled a few of the students onto their rumps. She quickly left the grounds with the speed she gathered in her descent and darted through the numerous arches bridging the towers until coming upon the rickety bridge at the ground's edge. Garland was too afraid to see what was going on, blindly feeling her swerve to and fro past the castle's many towers.
Back in the Hospital Wing, the nurse came over to open the window that just rattled, prompting Matthias to cover his face with his pillow. "Oh pishaw! You'll get your mask back after you are well!" she said, spending a minute at the window to find nothing. Matthew laid back down and asked the Nurse, "Did you see anything, Madam?" She closed the window and hobbled back to her desk, "Probably more students being reckless on their brooms. If this disturbing trend continues, one of you will fall off and there won't be a recovery!" After a moment of silence, Matthias suddenly gasped, "Oh Polly! What are you doing here??"
Outside castle grounds, April let go of Garland's wrists and flapped to a stop before touching down. Before she could, however, Garland slid off her backside and hit the ground on his back with a thud. She turned around to find her mate flip over, laying motionless in the grass with arms spread, seemingly hugging it. "Great Merlin... precious ground...", he rasped digging into the dirt with his fingers. April warbled at him and nipped at his cloak in an attempt to get him to his feet. As she tugged, her ears quickly picked up on a heavy thumping in his chest. His heart was pumping hard, enough to make her worry with feathers standing on end. Poor lad really was scared for his life and the thought distressed her.
She morphed and changed back to her human form to place a calming hand on his back, "Oh! Love I am so sorry! I didn't mean for it to be that frightening!" She dropped to give him a hug and then moved him to get back on his feet, "Come, Love. Let's get out of the dirt. I'll carry you to Hogsmeade for some Peppermint Hot Chocolate. No flying. My treat."
Just then, a Slytherin student ran up on the two from the creaky bridge, bearing a blonde summer cut and a face full of freckles. It was Adrian Cross, huffing after a grueling sprint through the courtyard. He stopped in front of the pair, bent over to catch his breath. "Afternoon, Adrian. Is something wrong?" Garland said as he stood unsteadily. Adrian was restless, glowing, seemingly searching around for something as he continued to catch his breath, "N-no just- (huff) I saw- (huff) I saw a hippogriff.... with golden feathers. It flew through at blazing speed! Beautiful it was! And- and brilliant! I have not seen such a marvelous creature-"
April held up a hand and interrupted Adrian's roll before placing it on her chest, "I'm flattered, but that was me flying through and I am a gryphon... animagus. There is a difference." Adrian paused for a moment, realizing his mistake and straightened up, "Oh! I am terribly sorry Ms.- um..." Garland put a hand around her shoulder and said, "Adrian this is my girl, April Windsley. April, this is Adrian Cross."
"You can call me 'Addie', Ms. Windsley", he said as he courteously shook her outstretched hand. "I believe I remember you from the last Sorting Ceremony. Garland talked about you plenty!"
"Its a pleasure, Addie!" She said with a nod and a subtle curtsy.
"Sorry there was no hippogriff for you to chase", Garland interjected.
Adrian didn't seem disappointed but he was still antsy, looking at April wanting to inquire something. "Oh, it's quite alright! Gryphon is good enough, I suppose! But I do have... one thing I would like to ask about. You said you were an animagus, correct?" April nodded, "I am. Are you interested in becoming one?"
Adrian's focus seemed to be trailing off, bringing his hand up to scratch behind his head, "... Somewhat. I have always has great admiration for hippogriffs and have been contemplating maybe going through the animagus ritual to become one. I mean- yes, I understand this is an obsession and that's that good chance I won't be a hippogriff, just- ah.... nevermind." Adrian started to turn and leave them until...
"No, Addie", April asserted. The aura she suddenly gave off stopped Adrian in his tracks before he had a chance to leave. Adrian returned to his spot and noticed her emerald eyes locking onto his. He somehow became focused and straightened himself, feeling a foreign need to treat her as though in the presence of royalty. She seemed stern, but caring, and her gait demanded attention and respect. Garland seemed to straighten up as well.
She continued, "You are going to listen what I have to say about being an animagus so you don't run off and do something you will regret. Being an animagus is not about liking animals. You are becoming one. What's inside in the deepest reaches of your soul will come out and that will dictate what you will transform into. I became a gryphon when I completed the ritual because I am a free spirit who desires to keep things proper and official while keeping the things I love safe. Not because I like gryphons."
"I see", Adrian said.
Garland stepped in and added, "Gryphons are considered 'The King of Creatures' and are thus very noble. They will only ever have one mate in their life and they will protect everything they treasure to the death." He continued on explaining, "If you desperately want to become a hippogriff animagus, then you better study the beast as much as you can and emulate them down to your core. Understand their mentality and make no assumptions doing so. Picture yourself doing what they do and get a grasp on the feelings involved. You may get the results you want if you do it right." Adrian nodded again, eager to absorb all he had to offer.
"Now... if there was a shortcut, I would have shared it with you. I don't want to have to change myself just to get her a more proper mate, become a gryphon myself so she wouldn't nearly kill me on gryphonback." April glared at him, hitting him in the side, "I wasn't going to let you die, you twit!" Garland grew a gnarly grin and snickered at her as she kept hitting him in the side. Adrian nodded once more, "Yes, that is understandable. Seems I must go talk to Professor Howin then. Thank you for your insight, Ms. Windsley. Good day to you two!" He humbly bowed once more and wandered off towards Beasts Class.