Buckbeak

Buckbeak (renamed Witherwings in 1996) is a Hippogriff.

Buckbeak first appeared in 1993 in Rubeus Hagrid's first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. He attacked Draco Malfoy when the latter insulted him (since Hippogriffs are intensly proud creatures); Malfoy's father then insisted the Hippogriff be put to death. Using a Time-Turner, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger rescued Buckbeak just before he was going to be executed and used him to save Sirius Black from the Dementors.

Sirius then took possession of Buckbeak and the two of them went on the run from the Ministry of Magic. When Sirius was at Grimmauld's Place he used to be living his mother's room. In 1996, Kreacher injured Buckbeak and Sirius went to take care of him in order to have Harry not find out where Sirius was. When Sirius died, ownership of Buckbeak passed to Harry, who allowed Hagrid to resume taking care of Buckbeak. To keep the Ministry from knowing he was still alive, Buckbeak was rechristened Witherwings. He seemed to have developed a great liking for Harry during their encounters, befriending him although Harry still had to bow to him. He joined Harry's duel with Severus Snape across the grounds, attacking Snape and driving him off, protecting Harry.

He also joined the Battle of Hogwarts, helping by scratching at the eyes of the giants the Death Eaters had recruited and leading a number of Thestrals against them.