Shane had seen a lot of creatures, during the war and before it, but never anything like this. The thing, whatever it was, was coming toward them, and Shane didn't think, war instincts kicking in. He moved between the thing and Jon and fired off a Stupify of his own, and when the thing hit the ground he hit it with a blasting spell.
The thing made a sound like a hissing cat and launched itself into the air. It hovered over them for a moment (shitshitshit Shane thought), but then took flight out of the courtyard.
"Fuck," Shane said, looking at Jon. "What the fuck was that?"