BUCKBEAK

                                    I am sure all of us remember Hagrid's Buckbeak, the proud creature who appears to be extremely aggressive, but is actually very demonstrative and trustworthy to people who treat it with kindness and respect. Its loyalty is worth exemplifying.
                             

A very young Buckbeak 

                                 Buckbeak was a Hippogriff. Other hippogriffs include Fleeting, Stormswift and Hothoof. The word hippogriff is composed of two words --- 'hippo' meaning horse and 'griffo' meaning 'griffin' , which is another mythical creature , with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. Hippogriffs are extremely fast and is presented as being able to fly around the world and to the moon. It is ridden by magicians. Hippogriff is also considered to be the offspring of a mare and a griffin. Hippogriffs are magical creatures with front legs, head and wings of a giant eagle and the hind legs, body and tail of a horse, all the traits that are very clearly visible in  Buckbeak. The diet of a hippogriff basically includes insects, birds and some small animals. It build its nest on ground and lays just one egg that hatches within 24 hours.

A hippogriff

                 
                                   

Harry meeting Buckbeak for the first time

                   Coming back to Buckbeak, it was one of the greatest and most loyal hippogriff that protected Harry till the end. Buckbeak was under the supervision of Rubeus Hagrid form  the begining. It was not until the "care for magical creatures" class (taken by Hagrid) that we were introduced to Buckbeak. Under the guidance and help of Hagrid, Harry was successfully able to approach and ride Buckbeak. Buckbeak gave Harry one of the most awesome ride ever over the Black lake and several parts of Hogwarts.. When Harry raised his arms and shouted at the top of his voice, one could feel the freedom, peace, excitement and amazement he felt. It was a ride that everybody would want to have once in their lifetime. 

                                    After Harry's ride Draco disgraced Buckbeak, which angered him leading to the infamous injury of Draco Malfoy that led to the death sentence of Buckbeak by the "comittee for disposal of dangerous creatures". With the help of Harry, Hermione and her Time-Turner, Buckbeak escaped his execution and came under the supervision of Sirius Black. Sirius kept Buckbeak with him while on the run and later in his mother's bedroom while hiding in 12 Grimmauld Place. After Sirius' death, Buckbeak beacme Harry's as mentioned in Sirius' will.

Buckbeak fighting a giant in the last battle of Hogwats

     Buckbeak  fought very valiantly in all the battles to save Hogwats and Harry. In the last battle of Hogwarts, his true dauntless nature could be seen when he protected Harry every time he was in danger, rescuing its own life. Nobody knows what happened to Buckbeak after the battle, but I am sure its still there,proudly gliding through the skies with its rock steel wings over Hogwarts, watching Harry and his friends and still protecting them.