Week Three: Task #12 - "Creature Combat"

[Lex Green]

Your group is led even deeper into the forest, to a part where the trees grow even thicker. As you all squeeze between the trunks, your Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher joins you.

"Right, can everyone hear me? Excellent. Now, as you've already seen, there are an enormous variety of magical creatures throughout the forest, many of whom will cause you no harm. However, there are others that can be more dangerous."

You and your fellow students start to look around at each other, nervously. What creatures could be about to reveal themselves?

"Do not fear, we are not planning to experiment on any practically today - and if something should appear, I am here to deal with it for now."

Your professor pulls out a stack of small papers from their pocket, and starts to pass them around the students.

"On each card, you will see a different magical creature. Take one each, and think about how you would defend yourself if that creature were to appear in front of you right here."

The cards have been spread amongst the group, and you look down at your own paper, starting to formulate your plan...

Task:
Write a 100 (or more) word description or story, detailing how you would defeat a magical creature of your choice.

This task is due on November 30th at 11:59pm HOL time. This task is worth 10 beans/sapphires, with an additional 10 available for completing all Week 3 tasks by the deadline.

[Galena May]

I would defeat a kelpie by borrowing Newt Scamander's idea and using a bridle. I would carry a bridle on me all the time and be wary of any creature that makes me want to ride it. I would constantly and consciously remind myself that riding an unknown magical creature could have negative consequences just the way riding a Muggle bicycle without a helmet could. That should help me escape the temptation. Having the bridle ready would make sure that I cannot stray towards the temptation of riding without a bridle. As soon as I meet anything like a horse waiting to be ridden (I would still bow if it's a hippogriff and see if the mannerisms mimic a hippogriff's without fail. I would be able to tell because real hippogriffs are proud creatures and will take their time to trust my politeness and offer a ride, but a kelpie in the form of a hippogriff will be very tempting and eager to have me on their back as quickly as possible), I would pretend to reciprocate their enthusiasm towards the prospect of riding so that they think I have already been fooled and they don't anticipate a sudden bridle on their neck. If I give myself away early, they may be wary of the bridle and shapeshift before I can bridle them, so I would pretend to be dying to ride them. I would then throw the bridle across the kelpie's neck when it least expected it, and ride it safely. Then, I would attempt to keep the kelpie bridled and stay mounted until the end of the activity, so that there is a thin chance that even when the bridle is removed, the kelpie is still tame.

[River Fenwick]

To defend against a Grindylow, I'd remain mindful of bodies of water, especially still or stagnant water, since those conditions and urban environments are where they're generally found. They tend to have an aggressive nature, which, when paired with their small horns, long fingers that hold significant strength, and strong swimming skills, turns out to be a considerable threat in the water. Under the assumption they're already grabbing someone, the best defense is to break the grip, with the ideal method being the casting of the Revulsion Jinx underwater. It'd also be wise to brush up on some water-related spells that would aid in breathing underwater if you cannot escape a Grindylow so fast.