"Why do you suppose we feed bread to ducks? There isn't bread growing naturally, so it isn't as if their diet is heavy on glutens," Headmaster Tate had heard rumors of a thestral on the grounds, and although he wasn't specifically headed that way, he thought the grounds could use some looking over.

And here was a Hufflepuff prefect feeding the ducks. "You suppose they'll eat anything? Or is it bread they really love?"

Violet grinned at the boy named Maxwell. "So,...we've been dating? That's funny. I don't remember at all, but could we start all over again?" Violet's face fell as she saw the boy's sad expression. She slid her hand into his. "We..could always start over though." She swung his hand in hers to try make him happy again.

Magestic.

That's what he was, but he didn't feel magestic.

Quietly he inched towards the duck pond, making sure none of the kids were near him. He needed a drink of water, so he inched slowly and went to drink from the pond. A duck came quacking over, and the Magestic hippogriff moved back behind a nearby tree, frightened of what the creature would do next.

Knitting needles in hand and a large bag of colorful yarn in the other, Kurumi made her way down to the pond with every intention on getting started with the monstrous task of knitting enough sweaters for all the ducks. With winter fast approaching and the grounds becoming colder and colder by the day, Kurumi was worried that the little guys would freeze just ignore that ducks were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves come winter.

Finding a place, Kurumi was just about to set everything down and begin when...

HOLY HIPPOGRIFF! Literally!

Kurumi's eyes widened and she FROZE. WHY? HOW?! Did Professor Williamson know about this?!

Standing very still, Kurumi resisted the urge to begin flailing about and remembered the lesson from last term. Breathing in deeply, Kurumi bowed...and waited... She wasn't even sure if the creature had seen her or not, but better safe than sorry.

Sierra Greingoth headed straight from the kiosk, where she'd bargained with Murdoch and made a deal to feed his ducks. She didn't really care about the ducks, but if they wound up getting her some extra points, she'd deal with them. She headed to the edge of the point, minding her own business and not really worrying about the things going on around her.

That was when she was startled by a sudden movement near a tree, and she froze in her tracks as a large hippogriff ducked behind a tree. Wait...was this a hippogriff from the games? Hadn't they been a little more...well, lively at the games? This one seemed to be running from something. Dear Merlin! With extra wide eyes, Sierra peered forward. If some huge creature came bounding out the wooded area, it was every man and woman for himself or herself--she was running!

Most of the ducks were swimming over at the familiar sound of Arya's bag shaking half full of bread, others seemed distracted, but she didn't get the time to think about what could be more distracting than food when she heard the Headmaster's voice.

"I don't think it's bread specifically.... maybe the wheat? That's grows naturally." She mused, digging in her bag for a slice as she turned to half face Tate. "Or they could just be really spoiled on human food, and bread just happens to be their favorite." Grinning she shook her head. "But I know they won't eat anything."

She pulled out a piece, threw it in whole for the birds to share, and glanced over at Kurumi bowing. But... why? Squint.

The hippogriff backed away. It moved fast, and kept backing from the girl...

... bumping into the other girl. The hippogriff put it's tail between it's legs and made a weird squalking sound. He felt trapped and started squalking louder and louder.

"I guess it's something to ask Williamson," Tate shrugged, and he didn't stop her from feeding the ducks. They'd been coexisting with students for years and years, so they certainly weren't suffering from... bread.

"We had a swan here when I attended. It tried to eat my face a couple of times... terribly mean thing. But then its mate died, and swans are life-bonded, so..." Tate trailed off when he realized they'd been joined by several students, as well as a rather dangerous beast.

What... exactly was a hippogriff doing out of the paddock?

"HOLLINGBERRY. GREINGOTH. Don't be overly Gryffindor about it." What was the PLAN, girls?

Oakey hadn't been to the duck pond yet all year. He wasn't even sure if there was duck pond here in his first year. with a smile on his face he strode forward determined to feed some little ducklings tiny bits of bread.

As he got closer to the pond he noticed out of the corner of his eye a creature that looked familiar. Where had he seen that before. He stood still looking at it for a few moments trying to figure out where he had seen it. Oh right! Oakey had realized that was a Hippogriff I bet on one at the little fair we had a moment ago He continued on to the duck pond...

WAIT WHAT! Oakey tripped and landed on his face as he tried to turn around once more to look at the Hippogriff. No-No Way! Was all he could get to come out of his mouth. Had that one escaped from Williamson at the Fair?

Oh...it HAD seen her. Kurumi still didn't move an inch or flex a muscle even as she saw the creature backing away from her. Instead, she remained in her bowing position, eyes only slightly glancing upwards to see where the creature was. She did squeak when she saw it bump into Sierra.

Merlin...not good not good at all...Sierra would probably turn it into fried hippogriff wings and legs for stepping on her or something.

Don't be overly Gryffindor about it?! Kurumi wasn't trying to lasso the creature or anything. Nope. She was just standing there bowing and waiting. As for a plan...well...Kurumi was sort of out of them. He was the Headmaster! Shouldn't he be the one with a plan?! Constant vigilance and all that?!

Unless...

Head still facing the ground, eye contact with a hippogriff without permission was a very bad idea after all, Kurumi raised her voice ever so slightly.

"Eagleye?" That had been the name of the hippogriff who had flown off during the race. It was possible that this was the same one, right? If not, well, so much for trying.

Ask Professor Williamson when she went for yet another visit to play with Jack. Heh. Maybe one day she'd get to keep him overnight. More ducks came and so she ripped the next slice before tossing it over to them, watching as it was destroyed with some amusement.

"I think I prefer the ducks. They almost get my fingers when they get close for bread, but my face has been safe." As it should be with them. "Swans are pretty though." Her gaze followed his and the other prefect's to see the large creature.

That was certainly not a duck.

"I don't think he'll take bread," But they could try? She so wanted to move closer, but the fear the creature was showing kept her back. "Don't suppose you have anything on you?"

Oakey had decided it was best to lay low while this played out. He hadn't learned how to deal with Hippogriffs so he thought playing dead would be the best option. Then he over heard his Prefects conversation with Head Master Tate. picking his head up off the ground slightly while still laying on his stomach he tried to get her attention. Hey, Hey... Over here...I-I have some bread. If that'll help. Oakey said in a loud whisper not wanting to get the Hippogriffs attention.

"I definitely prefer ducks," Tate added as an aside, although all the pleasant chatter about ducks and bread and such was probably at an end. Didn't it figure? Walk on the grounds... find a dangerous beast.

"No, they're carnivorous. But if it was hungry, it would go after one of those ducks, I suspect." He wasn't much of an animal behaviorist, but that creature was a bit out of sorts. Ill, perhaps?

"It doesn't want bread, but that's a good thought. You just stay down unless it heads this way."

And if Greingoth didn't remove herself SOON, he'd go remove her with his own hands. Imagine a Slytherin being so foolish.

Uh-oh, Yessir! Oakey quietly blurted out and placed his face back into the dirt and continued to play dead until further notice from the Prefects or the Head Master.

Alyssa was making her way to the Duck Pond when she heard a squawking sound. She stopped and listened and heard it again. She immediately knew what was making that sound. It was a HIPPOGRIFF. Alyssa ran and came to a screeching halt when she saw the majestic creature standing there surrounded by none other than the Headmaster, Arya, Sierra Kurumi and Oakey, who was trying to feed the Hippogriff....bread??

Alyssa joined the group making sure that she continued to keep eye contact with the creature. "Erm...sorry to ask a dumb question, but what is a Hippogriff doing out here? Headmaster, do you want me to go run and get Professor Williamson?"

Kennedy had been leaning against a tree, far away from the ducks, reading a book on the uses of dragon blood. He liked the tranquility one got here when they needed a place to relax.

Soon, he found that he couldn't concentrate, and he was all of a sudden thinking about hippogriffs. That was odd. Then he heard voices emerge and get louder, invading the peaceful quietness. What was going on? He stood up and closed the book. Kennedy got grumpy when he was disturbed from his reading.

"Wha..." He didn't get to finish. His eyes grew wide at the sight in front of him.

A HIPPOGRIFF!!!

A thousand thoughts crossed his mind and he immediately bowed, keeping eye contact with the creature. You were supposed to bow and KEEP EYE CONTACT! That's what he learned last term.

Wasn't everyone aware of this? Or was he the only one internally freaking out because of the excitement of seeing one.

Arya blinked at the younger Hufflepuff.

Why was he lying down?

"I have bread." She held up the bag, "But you... listen to Headmaster Tate." Yeah. That was always the best course of action to take. Hopefully the creature wouldn't mess with the kid.

She was really hoping that the hippogiff wouldn't be going after the ducks, what with how fond she was of them now. And the new groundskeeper probably wouldn't like it either.

Just in case she gave them another slice of bread to keep them close.

"Maybe he's just lost..." The poor creature looked terrified, and was making enough noise to back up her theory. Too many Hogwarts students could be frightening she supposed. Her eyes flicked over to the new Huffie to join there gathering, which probably wasn't helping calm the hippogriff, and then looked back up to the Headmaster.

That actually seemed like a good plan.

Hiya Alyssa Oakey said face still in the dirt trying his best to play dead as he saw his friend come in to see the Hippogriff. You might not wanna move, I wouldn't want to scare the guy.

Then he saw another Prefect come by and began to bow to the Hippogriff like Kurumi did. He looked up from the ground puzzled as to why the two of them were making fools of themselves. wouldn't it be safer to do what he was doing. Lying on the ground face in the dirt, it seemed two times safer then going up the creature and "bowing" to it. What would that accomplish except for a trip to the Hospital Wing.

Alyssa heard someone call her name. Trying to keep eye contact with the Hippogriff, while continuing to bow at the same time, she quickly glanced down to see who was the boy lying down in front of the creature and discovered it was OAKEY!!. 'Merlin!! What is Oakey doing lying down in front of a Hippogriff? Doesn't he know that is the last thing he should be doing? Didn't he learn that in class last year?' All those questions flashed through Alyssa's mind before she remembered that he wasn't here last term and that meant that he never attended the Care of Magical Creatures class where they learned how to work with Hippogriffs. Alyssa felt like banging her head against a wall in frustration.

"Oakey. Don't talk and most importantly don't move. Just try to keep eye contact with it. Don't even try to touch it" Alyssa whispered to him, all the time bowing and keeping eye contact with the Hippogriff. She hoped that she was loud enough that he could hear her, but not too loud that it would alarm the creature and make it more skittish than it already was.

Merlin! Alyssa too! Why was everyone bowing to the Hippogriff, was he some kind of royalty? Of course I'm gonna stay quiet and not touch it! How else would I convince the creature I'm dead? Keep eye contact with it! No way that wouldn't work well with Oakey's plan at all! He looked up at Alyssa rather irrated.No way! If I keep looking at him, he'll think I'm alive. How do you think playing dead works? he protested back to her in a harsh whisper. Then put his face back in the dirt.

Violet let go of Maxwell's hand and gaped at the creature that made a squalking sound. "Awww..poor baby." she said. Violet slowly walked over to the creature, keeping eye contact. She stayed at least 3 meters away just in case and said in a soft voice. "Hey there little fellow. Don't be scared. Are you lost?"

Harvey came to the Duck Pond for a bit of fresh air even though it was cold and the pond was frozen over.. but he still came out and sat down near a tree.

"Don't get too close they're very territorial, besides i think you might need to go to the Hospital wing."

Maxwell frowned slightly, not a large frown just a frown. "It's ok, I'd start over with you everyday if i had to." He said now with a smile. "Although i'd like to avoid that if possible." He said Jokingly.

Violet turned around and saw Maxwell still frowning and looking upset. "You want me to go the Hospital wing?" Violet sighed. She somehow slightly remembered that going there last year, but for what reason she can't remember. She rubbed her head in pain. Why couldn't she remember? Violet ran back to Maxwell and hugged him. "Why can I remember anything? My head hurts from thinking about this."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to. you told me about being there last year, I just want you to feel better. " Maxwell said in a caring tone. "If it hurts don't try." He said and kissed her on the forehead hoping it wouldn't be awkward.