It was early morning and still chilly when Declan made his way out to the grounds. He stood near a large patch of upturned earth, with a large cage sitting by his feet. "Good morning!" he called out. "I trust all of you are ready to have a little bit of fun. I hope all of you are warm enough- if not, let me know, I have some candies which are useful for keeping a person warm when it is cold outside."

"Does anyone know what a Niffler is?" he asked the class, pointing the cage which housed quite a few. "No need to raise your hands- just call out the answer."

Wrapped in a thick coat, Bilius had his long arms tucked deep into the large pockets, his book bag strapped around his shoulder. The wool coat might be incredibly itchy and roughly sewed, but at least he was mostly warm - though the end of his nose was turning red in the chill air. He sniffed loudly, shifting his weight as O Morain unveiled the subject of today's course.

Bilius eyed the Nifflers with a vague sense of apprehension, grudgingly curious as to the activity they'd be doing. O Morain told them to not bother raising their hands, so Bilius didn't. "Mole-like creatures, sir," he said, aware how... stereotypical it might seem for him to be answering. "They're expert burrowers and are extremely fond of anything shiny. Goblins often keep them to use...for treasure-hunting." Another loud sniff, and he glanced at the class as if to say Not that I know anything about that, thank you very much.

Oh goody! Care of Magical Creatures. It had quickly become one of Imogen's favorite classes over the past year. Partially because something interesting always ended up happening during the lesson, and partially because Professor Ó Móráin was her favorite. He was handsome and smart and treated the Slytherins like they ought to be treated. And he was offering them candy again!

Imogen stuck her hand in the air and beamed, batting her eyelashes at the professor. "I would like some warming candy, please, sir!"

Ooo, nifflers. They were ugly little things, so of course Clogg-Spleen would know all about them. He was probably related to them. Imogen rolled her eyes and avoided looking at the boy as he answered (she made it a point to avoid looking at him in general anyway). She snuggled into the warmth of her winter cloak, and bounced on her toes. Treasure hunting? That caught her attention. When Bilius had finished, she stuck a hand in the air. "Is that what we're going to be doing today, professor?"

As Erin listened to Billy and Imogen call out, she frowned slightly.  While she had wanted to show off a little bit since the time she lost a bet when she claimed she could find more shiny things in an hour than a niffler could, but she was convinced that the contest was rigged.  She wondered if she should volunteer herself as one, but figured that Audrey would not appreciate it.  Though she imagined Bella would have probably thought it was funny.  Though it was slightly chilly out, Erin opted not to take the candy.  She figured that she would be moving around in a few moments, whether or not she was supposed to.  As she waited for Professor O'Morain to explain the task, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, unsurprisingly restless.

Dressed in a dark blue peacoat, one that had been charmed to keep the wearer warm and dry, Ivory was thankful for her warmth charmed clothing her mother had insisted she get. It helped on days like this. Standing there outside waiting for the class to begin, Ivory seemed to be a bit cold cause she was sort of bouncing from foot to foot. Really she was just a wee bit impatient for the day's lesson to begin.

Finally the Professor spoke and this made Ivie stop hopping foot to foot. Oh Nifflers, would they get to use them in some sort of treasure hunt? That might be fun. She was going to answer when Bili called out the answer. She smiled toward him as she knew he was right. She wondered why he seemed so defensive after he explained what Nifflers were good for and who often used them. Not like he couldn't have learned that from a book or something. Maybe to many people were just judgmental about the boy.

Looking at Professor O Morain, Ivie began to wonder if that was what today's lesson would actually be about. While Ivie would have also liked time to really dig deeper into what a Niffler was, anatomy and what not wise she was sure it might be fun to have the Nifflers running around finding treasure. But one never knew in this class. Until the Professor decided to share anyway.

"Excellent Mr. Clogg-Spleen! That will be five points to Slytherin. Nifflers are used to hunt treasure, and often times people use them to look for items they have lost which might be of great value. They make excellent pets if you can manage to keep everything shiny out of reach. They're gentle and affectionate creatures. But if they catch a glint of gold or silver they can get out of control very quickly- especially in large numbers."

He smiled at Imogen when she asked if that was what they were going to be doing. "Something like that," he told her.

"First I need all of you to separate by house. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, then Slytherins. Line up in front of the disturbed earth," he motioned to the ground. "Before I hand out nifflers and teach everyone how to handle them we'll need to go over a few things. First, I would like a volunteer from each house to tell me what traits are associated with their own house. Please refrain from commentating on other houses."

Nikolas pulled his woolen beanie down past his ears and quickly returned his hands to the relative warmth of his coat pockets. He had dressed warm enought and it was really only his exposed face and hands that were feeling the bite of the weather, and as cold as he might be the warming candies weren't an option. The last and only time he had one he had been sick all over the living room rug.

"First I need all of you to separate by house. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, then Slytherins. Line up in front of the disturbed earth. Before I hand out nifflers and teach everyone how to handle them we'll need to go over a few things. First, I would like a volunteer from each house to tell me what traits are associated with their own house. Please refrain from commentating on other houses."

Nikolas separated from the clump that was the rest of the class and stood with the Gryffindors where they were instructed. "Gryffindors are known primarily for their bravery and chivalry among other things."

Baxter was not fond of being outside for Care of Magical Creatures class. He was seriously considering dropping the class his following year. He just couldn't see why he would need it. He could learn in potions what these animals were used for.

The Ravenclaw lined up with his other housemates, listening as the professor asked for them to discuss their house traits. "Ravenclaws are known to be intelligent," he said. "And to enjoy learning in all of its forms." In Baxter's opinion they were also the most talented witches and wizards, but he had no desire to start a fight by stating it. He would let this discussion unfold however the professor saw fit.

Rather than wrap herself in a thick warm coat, splaying past her legs, while she dug the heels of her boots into the ground, Naomi would much prefer to somehow just break the stalling chill still haunting the air and have some spring showers, at least.

The Slytherin slinked her arms togeter, preferring not to walk around with her hands shoved into her pockets, and spoke,"Slytherins are known for deyr cunning and determination," at least that Sorting hat mumbled something about that a little over two years ago--she didn't keep up with what every other house was suppose to be like, but she at least knew where most of the weird, annoying, and whiny people were sorted.

Naomi then raised her chin up from beneath her scarf, eyeing the candy a little curiously--the last time they got candy it was drugged, but her need for warmth overrode her suspicions, "I'd like some too," her voice lilted dryly from the cold.

Ambrose stood with Nikolas, not quite as interested in requoting their house traits as he was at the thought of nifflers. Those things found treasure and burrowed like mad. Ambrose could clearly recall the drawing of a niffler in his text book (about the only one he poured over on a regular basis since he had discovered a real interest in Care of Magical creatures since beginning to study it that year - mainly because it didn't involve too many incantations and he was partial to looking after furry things).

Being a 'softy Southerner' in the North, Ambrose had been sent to school by his parents (more exactly his dad of late) with a proper winter coat. Robes were all well and good, but coats had pockets which could contain all manner of handy things... wands, sweets, string, coins... combined with a tartan scarf he was fairly snug, and besides his interest in the lesson was such that he didn't pay particular attention to personal temperature comfort.

"Reckon we'll be treasure huntin' then Nik?" Ambrose asked in a low voice while the other houses restated their traits according to the sorting hat. 

Declan smiled as a representative from each house (except for Hufflepuff) spoke up. "Excellent! Five points each to Mr. Falkenrath, Mr. Fox, and Miss Foley! Each of you have done an excellent job in giving us what traits most people associate with your houses. Since none of our badgers have spoken up, I will talk for them. Hufflepuff is known to be loyal, hard working, and just."

He was about to continue- when he spotted a Gryffindor speaking. "Mr. Pepper! I understand you are anxious to get started- but this part of the lesson is important. Eyes front, mouths shut until I turn you loose or ask questions, if all of you do not mind!"

"Now- what each of you has described are the stereotypes associated with each house. Gryffindors are thought of as brave, courageous, chivalrous- and also considered to be wreckless and ignorant of the law. Hufflepuffs are loyal, hard working, just- but many consider them to be stupid and inconsequential to the greater order of things. Ravenclaws are thought of as intelligent and witty- but are also thought of as intellectual snobs and arrogant. Slytherins are cunning, sly, ambitious- but have a reputation as being ruthless, mean, and purist."

Declan eyed each of his students. "That is the ugly truth, and each of you needs to hear it. But not every member of each house is all of those things. There are many Hufflepuffs who are courageous, many Gryffindors who are ambitious, Ravenclaws who work hard and are loyal, Slytherins with intellect, wit, and chivalry."

"It is important that students can function as a house. Those who live in your dormitories are the people who will be closest to you your entire lives. But it is also important that Hogwarts students learn to get along with other houses. This exercise is to teach you to get along with your housemates- hopefully. And we will have another to teach you how to get along better with those of other houses. Student relations at Hogwarts are abysmal, at best. It is my personal goal to improve that."

"Now- I want a couple of you to tell us about a time you underestimated a member of another house- or a time they have underestimated or judged you because of stereotypes."

Baxter had never been underestimated due to a house stereotype. He was an intelligent, witty, reclusive Ravenclaw. A very typical representation of his house. And as far as Baxter was concerned, most of the stereotypes were very accurate and he didn't see what was so wrong about judging people by their houses- they were housed for a reason after all. It wasn't by random coincidence that people with similar personality traits were put together.

But he wanted to share- he liked earning points, and Ravenclaw needed them. "I expected Miss Marsh to be like some of her Slytherin counterparts. But she is actually quite civil and has not been mean to me for no reason. We've partnered in some classes and she appreciates my intelligence... and my nice manners." He remembered the day she had praised him for his manners, as though she expected him to be uncouth. Perhaps she had under estimated him.

As the teacher droned on, and on, and on, Erin found that she was unsurprisingly bored.  The professor then decided that he needed to encourage house unity or something.  Having no particular desire or care for politics, she decided to find something to entertain herself with.  Suddenly coming up with an evil grin on her face, she discretely started casting transfiguring twigs into needles.  She was not really concerned about making them pointy, but she was trying to make them shiny.  Erin was a third year however, so she could not do this task silently or without motion.  Since she did not want detention, she was still minimizing her vocalization and locomotion as much as she could. 

Declan waited- and the only person to speak up was Fox. He was unsurprised- most Ravenclaws did not pass up a chance to earn house points. He certainly wished that more Slytherins were the same way. His house was just so close to catching Ravenclaw- maybe even beating them, but they couldn't get their act together. If he was their head of house, he'd have words with them about it. But he wasn't. Declan was the Deputy Headmaster, which meant that he had to try not to play favorites. (He had gotten better at that recently.)

"Five points to Ravenclaw, Mr. Fox. Thank you for sharing. Since the rest of you seem so against the idea of admitting your own mistakes- or because you're eager to get started- we'll put this part of the lesson behind us. Suffice it to say that I want all of you to think about your house unity, and where it stands. I also want you to realize other houses are not your enemy. We need to learn to cooperate better as a whole, and the next few lessons will help to teach how to cooperate as a house and as a school."

"Now- back to the nifflers. We are going to have a treasure hunt," he said, with a slight smile. "I'm going to give each of you a niffler. Hold it securely- but don't hurt it, or the animal will bite. After everyone has a niffler, you're going to put it in the harness that I've given you, and attach to the harness a leash."

Declan picked up one of the nifflers, and demonstrated to the class how to slip the harness over them. He then attacked the leash and set it on the ground, keeping it from running ahead of him. Instead it began to sniff at the ground and dig a little. "Harming your nifflers loses points and gets detention!" he called out. "Right then- line up by house. Gryffindor, then Hufflepuff, then Slytherin, and finally Ravenclaw. After I hand you a niffler, grab a harness and a leash from this box," he motioned to the box filled with the small leather pieces.

He motioned for the first student to come forward, handing them a niffler[1]. And began to pass them out, one by one to each person.

1.	Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them does not specify the actual size of a niffler. There are no official canon sources which specify size- so we're going to assume that these are young nifflers which are roughly the size of a large rat.

Underestimating people was one thing, but underestimating someone because of house stereotypes was a bit beyond Naomi’s comprehension. After having three brothers go through Gryffindor, and having one in Ravenclaw, while she was in Slytherin, she didn’t see what the big deal was, or what stereotypes there were to really pick up on. She had agreements and disagreements with just everyone and anyone, anything she usually heard was just hearsay perpetuated by individual houses, and to the Jamaican witch, actions were louder than words, so she didn’t pay much attention to them, and did what she wanted.

So after Declan finished his lecture, she shrugged and walked up to cup her hand around the niffler’s underside and laced her fingers around its little arms, letting it sit in her hand. She rubbed it’s forehead for a moment before picking up a harness and leashing it, but continued to play with it in her hands as she eyed the girls in her house. She wasn't sure how her roommates were going to react to the little magical-sized rodents, or if they even wanted to touch them.

“What are ‘dey hunting?” she asked of the nifflers, as she watched her other housemates to get their nifflers.