Care of Magical Creatures Extra Lessons
written by Annabelle Lovegood
Need help revising for a test? Stuck for how to de-gnome your garden? Can't remember what a Horklump looks like but can't find a lesson on it? Look no further! These extra classes may repeat some lessons but will be a guide to the world of magical creatures!
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
3
Reads
1,379
Winged Horses or Thestrals
Chapter 2
Welcome to another lesson! Again, before we start, I just need to give a few announcements. They are as follows:
1. There will not be as much homework in this lesson, as the first lesson was very important to understand.
2. This is only an exciting one off lesson, it won't be as fun as this usually (but still at least a little fun).
Ok, so, today, we will be learning about a fascinating creature; a Thestral. Now, as I mentioned above, this is a one off lesson, next lesson, we will start with the lower X rated creatures.
So, let's start with the simple part. Thestrals are invisible to all of those who have not seen death, or someone dying in front of their eyes. It is a terrible thing, to see death, but once you have, you can see these amazing creatures with their large, dark-coloured wings. Some people believe Thestrals to be ugly, skinny and bony. Which they are, skinny and bony, but to me, they are wonderful with skinny bones and not much flesh. Their wings have deep lines along them, supporting them with the weight of their body.
They are first sighted in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, at the beginning of the school year. Luna and Harry are together and are walking up to the 'self-pulling' carriages when Harry spots that they are not self-pulling, but are pulled by strange creatures that Harry has never heard of or seen.
Read through the following passage carefully and pick out some key words to do with their appearance.
"If he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would have called them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither — vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gathering gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister."
What do you think you would have felt like if you were in that situation? What thoughts would have been going through your head? Those key words that you picked out will help you with today's homework so don't forget them! Of course, you don't HAVE to do the homework, but you would benefit.
Thestrals have quite a disturbing appearance and the wizards who are capable of seeing them often only describe these creatures as being sinister and spooky. This is because they are seen as having big, bony figures and their dragon-like faces which bear white, glittering eyes that lack both expression and pupils. Additionally, they are lured by the scent of blood.
Thestrals are social creatures who live in herds. Professor Rubeus Hagrid states that they are "dead clever", and, in fact, trained Thestrals are smart enough to understand their rider's words when they ask to travel to a specific location.
These magical creatures can be found in dark environments, and the forest is their natural habitat. They communicate with each other through a shrill and strange shriek that resembles some sort of monstrous bird.
They appear to be loyal creatures, able to discern a friend from an enemy and offering help to humans in need of transportation. Thestrals would forcefully attack anyone or anything they see as a threat and, in the unusual case of domesticated Thestrals, any enemy of its owners.
Well, that brings us to the end of your second lesson. I hope you enjoyed it! Homework will be stated below. Remember, it is not compulsory!
- Write an essay describing the appearance of a Thestral, and what you would do in Harry's situation.
- Read about Bowtruckles in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as we will be studying them, next lesson.
Look out for the next lesson!
1. There will not be as much homework in this lesson, as the first lesson was very important to understand.
2. This is only an exciting one off lesson, it won't be as fun as this usually (but still at least a little fun).
Ok, so, today, we will be learning about a fascinating creature; a Thestral. Now, as I mentioned above, this is a one off lesson, next lesson, we will start with the lower X rated creatures.
So, let's start with the simple part. Thestrals are invisible to all of those who have not seen death, or someone dying in front of their eyes. It is a terrible thing, to see death, but once you have, you can see these amazing creatures with their large, dark-coloured wings. Some people believe Thestrals to be ugly, skinny and bony. Which they are, skinny and bony, but to me, they are wonderful with skinny bones and not much flesh. Their wings have deep lines along them, supporting them with the weight of their body.
They are first sighted in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, at the beginning of the school year. Luna and Harry are together and are walking up to the 'self-pulling' carriages when Harry spots that they are not self-pulling, but are pulled by strange creatures that Harry has never heard of or seen.
Read through the following passage carefully and pick out some key words to do with their appearance.
"If he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would have called them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither — vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gathering gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister."
What do you think you would have felt like if you were in that situation? What thoughts would have been going through your head? Those key words that you picked out will help you with today's homework so don't forget them! Of course, you don't HAVE to do the homework, but you would benefit.
Thestrals have quite a disturbing appearance and the wizards who are capable of seeing them often only describe these creatures as being sinister and spooky. This is because they are seen as having big, bony figures and their dragon-like faces which bear white, glittering eyes that lack both expression and pupils. Additionally, they are lured by the scent of blood.
Thestrals are social creatures who live in herds. Professor Rubeus Hagrid states that they are "dead clever", and, in fact, trained Thestrals are smart enough to understand their rider's words when they ask to travel to a specific location.
These magical creatures can be found in dark environments, and the forest is their natural habitat. They communicate with each other through a shrill and strange shriek that resembles some sort of monstrous bird.
They appear to be loyal creatures, able to discern a friend from an enemy and offering help to humans in need of transportation. Thestrals would forcefully attack anyone or anything they see as a threat and, in the unusual case of domesticated Thestrals, any enemy of its owners.
Well, that brings us to the end of your second lesson. I hope you enjoyed it! Homework will be stated below. Remember, it is not compulsory!
- Write an essay describing the appearance of a Thestral, and what you would do in Harry's situation.
- Read about Bowtruckles in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as we will be studying them, next lesson.
Look out for the next lesson!
