Gorgons. One of high ranking spirit beast bloodlines not only for innately having a level of divinity. But also were known for despite their innate power. Having a more 'even' temperment.
Because in this world a pure blooded dragon or likewise another of their offshoot more regional dragon kin. Had a vicous temper and pride. Pheonix's also had an innate pride, and a desire for purity and extreme elegancy.
I walked behind Professor McGonagell as we walked through the Spirit King forest and all the while. She was telling me important pieces of information about Gorgon's in particular so I knew their general habits, as well as how they lived.
"Remember Mr Bariss, a Gorgon prides themselves on being as small as possible. As the smaller they are, the more concentrated their true power in poison and healing blood is." Professor McGonagell spoke.
Then she added rather flatly. "I heard more than one story about a wizard or witch who after bonding with one. And as the Gorgon grew into their power along to gain a humanoid form, they said they were 'growing big and strong."
Professor McGonagell shook her head and said with a wry amuesment. "Saying a spirit beast is basically going against their bloodlines direction is one of the worst possible insults you could give them."
"I understand Professor, but have you heard anything about that Chimera I found a couple weeks ago?" I asked curiously.
Professor McGonagell made a soft humming noise of thought before she said. "Hmm, indeed I do recall Mavuika mentioning your little escapade in falling into a thankfully empty Dryder nest. I am currently unaware of that Chimera's state however."
She took a breath and then added. "Most likely that Chimera was moved into the territory of the Emerald Immortal Swan's. They are an entire clan of extremely potent healers with a distant bloodline connection to the Pheonix bloodline."
Then Professor McGonagell paused before she said more seriously. "We are here Mr Bariss, for both our sakes mind your manners and do not say anything foolish."
And with another step, the surrounding forestry abruptly changed! The thick fog that filled my view turned into a bright sun filled valley with a heavy heat hitting us with the much thinner tree line.
No, even back at Hogwarts well away from the forest it was no where near this heat with this being Scotland during the Fall months.
Then a velvet voice spoke out with a throaty chuckle. "Hmm? Professor McGonagell you brought a little hatchling to our abode I see."
And from out of the surrounding thin forest stepped a figure. A woman wearing an all green and purple dress that clung to modest figure. But while her gender was easily seen, her humanity or lack there of was also easily pointed out.
As her finger tips were wicked purple and green scaled things that all but glowed off the sunlight.
And on her exposed collar bones I could see a line of green and purple scales dotting her chest while she also had a couple more delicate looking green scales just below her eyes.
"The last three children you brought were... Unsatisfactory. How is- Oh? This one-" The Gorgon drew off as I felt heavy magical energy seemingly scanning me.
Then Professor McGonagell coughed sharply and said with a sharper tone. "Ariella, retract your mana from my student. You have no need for such an invasive scan."
The woman, guardian or whatever she was of this place gave a thin hum before she said with a small smile. "Fine, fine Minerva. This boy is... Interesting though. A nexus of Fate, blessed and cursed with Fortune, and walking alongside the very Stars himself. I do not envy his thorny path haha!"
With that Ariella turned on her bare feet she was walking around in and said blandly. "Come along then. If one of our three little hatchlings will react to his magic. Then it's best to see. I would prefer you to leave as soon as possible Minerva as you well know."
And that pointed remark made Professor McGonagell's face turn up in annoyance. But while I knew she would have thrown hands or gave any student who was so disrespectful detention for at least a month. She otherwise didn't react beyond that grimace.
Which made me curious as to what kind of history they had.
But either way I followed alongside Professor McGonagell and this Gorgon silently as I had nothing to say... That and I had to focus on where my foot was going. As while the meadow here had thick soft grass. There were snakes hidden in the grass watching our every move.
'I really don't want to know what will happen should I 'accidentally' manage to step on one of these snakes.' I thought helplessly as I swear.
A green snake I barely managed to step over with it's thin as hell body just looked at me with a smug look!
Finally we reached a large cottage built into the side of a massive tree and Ariella said with amuesment. "Well, well he does have some promise. He passed the first test of having the eye's not to step on our lesser kin. Now let's see if his mana is worth a Gorgon's bond."
Professor McGonagell laid a hand on my shoulder as Ariella knocked on the cottage door, then entered after a moment. With Professor McGonagell saying quietly to me. "Try not to be insulted by her. The high ranking bloodlines have their pride remember."
I nodded calmly. I was still just a first year and new to magic itself. I wasn't going to throw a tantrum because some immortal serpent that was at least several centuries old looked down on me.
As that serpent Ariella was a 'wild' spirit beast that didn't have a Familiar bond with a wizard. The fact that she was able to take on such a solid human form meant that her control over her mana was extremely strong, and that she had alot of mana to begin with.