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Third Year - Lesson 5

Pixie

Pixies are mostly found in Cornwall, England.  A reference to Cornish Pixies is mostly just an acknowledgement of the specific origin of a Pixie.  Pixies are blue and reach up to eight inches in height.  Though wingless, Pixies are able to fly, and are quite strong.

Pixies are a Class XXX (3X) beast.  They are extremely mischievous.  They play tricks and practical jokes of all sorts, caring little for the safety of the victim.  Pixies have been known to grab humans by the ears and deposit them on top of buildings or in the high branches of trees.

Pixies have a high-pitched jabbering speech which is intelligible only to other pixies.  Their young are born live.  Few wizards have done serious research on Pixie parts for spells and potions, though it is rumored that wizards who make saleable joke items may do research with them.

Hydra

Hydras are fierce creatures.  Some believe they are a different form of dragon.  Others believe they are a variant of a serpent, such as the Runespoor.  There is no known record of how Hydras came to be, although there are legends of an ancient Greek, Herakles (or Hercules to some), fighting a Hydra.

Hydras can grow in excess of twelve feet.  It's hard to measure them exactly, due to the number of heads.  Hydras can have a varying number of heads, but upon maturity, they always have seven.  Unlike Runespoors, the heads are not in disagreement with each other.  They all seek to destroy and eat.  Because of their size, fierceness, and the challenge of multiple heads, Hydras have a Class XXXXX (5X) rating.  Adding to the rating is the fact that, upon severing a head, the stump must be cauterized, or two heads will grow in its place.  Thus, a seven headed hydra can gain additional heads.  There are rumors of a 25 headed Hydra upon Mount Olympus in Greece.  

Hydras generally inhabit mountainous areas.  Whether this is by choice, or whether man and wizards have managed to push them there, is not entirely known.  Hydra blood can be used for regenerative potions.

Gnome

Gnomes are garden pest, common throughout northern Europe and North America.  They are up to a foot in height with a large head and hard, bony feet, with which they will trample plants.  They also tunnel in gardens, further adding to the dislike most homeowners feel for them.

Gnomes are given a Class XX (2X) rating for their irritating habits.  Gardens can be de-gnomed by swinging a Gnome in circles until it is dizzy, then flinging it over the garden wall or hedge.  The dizzy Gnome will be unable to make its way directly back to the garden, though it may eventually return.  Some wizards use a Jarvey to take care of their Gnome problem, but most wizards find this method to be too brutal in this day and age.

Third Year - Assignment 5

Direct your answers to your professor at comc@starpaw.com.  Clicking on this link will fill in year and assignment number.

All answers must be in your own words.  

Remember, making your answers interesting and/or amusing may result in bonus points at the end of the term.

1.  Describe a Pixie.

2.  What is the Pixie's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

3.  Describe a Hydra.

4.  What is the Hydra's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

5.  Describe a Gnome.

6.  What is the Gnome's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

7.  You are in Cornwall and you spot an Pixie.  What do you do and why?

8.  You are mountain climbing and you spot a Hydra.  What do you do and why?

9.  You are working in your garden and you see a Gnome.  What do you do and why?

10.  How do Pixies, Hydras, and Gnomes escape Muggle notice?

What is your name and House?