He looked to Hermione, who answered everyone's question and said, "It's a griffin!"
                              
      The class just continued to stare in wonder.
                              
      Hagrid said, gleefully, "Very good Hermione. Ten points ter Gryffindor. Now, griffins can be dangerous, bu' I've 'ad 'er fur a month an' she's calmed down abit. They can be pretty brutal. Mos' o' the time, they act as guards fur treasure, protectin' it. They're powerful magical creatures an' most curses will jus' bounce off 'em!"  
                              
      He then looked at the griffin with deep affection. The rest of the class was not overly convinced of its 'calm' nature, so no one came any closer. The griffin, however, was watching the new arrivals with suspicion.
                              
      "Griffins," Hagrid continued, "eat meat, bu' they don' prefer humans, usually. They like 'em smaller creatures, especially snakes an' ot'er serpents, an' this one, at leas' seems ter like 'em jarveys alot," he said and pointed over to some dead ferret-like creatures.  
                              
      "Alrigh', 'er name's Nemesis. Now, they're proud an' virtuous creatures. True champions of the righteous. They're like hippogriffs, so don' yeh dare insult 'em. Yeh'll hear tha'!" he shouted, looking directly at Malfoy, who did not listen when Hagrid told them the same about Buckbeak.  
                              
      Malfoy's face reddened and several people, including Harry, snickered and smiled.  
                              
      "They sure migh' look like hippogriffs, bu' they're more strong an' aggressive. They don' usually let anyone ride 'em, though some 'ave. Yeh'll be lucky if she lets yeh even touch 'er. Who's goin' firs'?" Hagrid said, looking eagerly at the class.
                              
      The class again just backed away in fear. If the griffin attacked, it would be so fast and deadly that Hagrid would not be able to stop her. However, Harry's mind wandered to the prophecy. He thought, Voldemort is the one who is going to kill me. Harry stepped forward through the crowd, toward Hagrid. 
                              
      "I will try," Harry said, unperturbed.
                              
      Hagrid, who had looked worried at the sight of the cowering class, was utterly ecstatic when he came forward.
                              
      "Harry! Good sho', good sho', take ten points ter Gryffindor! Alrigh', now, jus' like Buckbeak, no blinkin', an' look at 'er. Keep still, an' bow ter 'er," Hagrid said, slightly nervous.
                              
      Harry nodded and walked a little closer to Nemesis. The shadows still hid her from the light. He could not see her eyes, yet, but she was poised, as though ready to attack. He stopped about twenty feet from her. He kept his eyes straight at her head where her eyes should be. He stayed very still, and bowed as low as he could without breaking eye contact and stood up. The griffin did not return the bow immediately. Harry did not break eye contact, but noticed Hagrid's breathing was becoming more erratic. 
                              
      "Alrigh', 'Arry back up slowly... she wouldn' let me come near 'er at firs' either," he said slowly, his voice trembling, clearly worried about Harry.  
                              
      Harry, however, did not move. He was not afraid. The griffin advanced, slowly, menacing almost. She came out of the shadows and into the light. Her eyes were deep gold and they were staring at him with almost an immense curiosity. She was thinner than Buckbeak was, and her body was muscular and built for speed. Her feathers were bright red and brown.  
                              
      She looked at Harry, up and down, as though trying to look right through him. She sank her front knees into bent down into a bow, and walked forward. Harry advanced a few paces, but she came to him. He reached out and petted her gently. Hagrid let out a breath of relief and the rest of the class's jaws dropped.  
                              
      "Alrigh', well done! Good sho', Harry. Another ten points! Now, good job there, Nemesis!" Hagrid shouted.
                              
      He threw a dead jarvey toward her high over her. She reared up, leapt well over their heads, and grabbed it high in the air. The height of her jump startled everyone and she slipped off into the shadows again. Before anything else happened, Buckbeak flew overhead and landed by Harry, bumping his arm with his beak. Harry petted him, too, and then Buckbeak walked over to Nemesis, who greeted him warmly.