Sun and Moon

Y3 ━ The Buckbeak Fiasco (Chapter 5)

A/N at the end of chapter

"Jus' wait till ya see what I have planned for today!" Hagrid beamed, urging the class to follow him. He led them through a path in the forest until the trees opened to a small clearing. Streams of sunlight poured through the leaves and a small stone wall encircled the space. Everyone was struggling to get there books out of their bags without getting bitten by them, many thrown onto a mossy boulder when the books started growling. Y/N took a step away from her book and looked around curiously.

"What do you reckon he's got prepared?" Y/N asked, turning to Ron. He shrugged, not paying much attention as he was now attempting to pin his book to the ground.

Malfoy pushed some poor students aside, sneering. "God, this place has gone to the dogs. Wait till my father hears they've got the oaf teaching classes!" Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly, nodding along. Harry opened his mouth to retort, but Y/N grabbed his arm and shook her head.

Hagrid beckoned for the students to get closer. "Alright, firs' thing you'll ter do is open your books!" He said once they'd all adjusted themselves.

"How?" Malfoy drawled.

"Huh?"

"How are we supposed to do that?" Malfoy said, gesturing to his snarling book.

"Oh, you've got ter stroke em'!" Hagrid took Y/N's book and stroked the spine. The book went silent and fell open. "I thought they were funny..." He said, looking at Hermione uncertainly.

"Oh yes, soo funny! Giving us books that try to bite our hands off if we get near them!" Malfoy said sarcastically.

"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry said, stepping towards him. Y/N grinded her teeth.

"Oooh, how scaaary! Potter and his girlfriend come to threaten us!" Malfoy smirked and dropped his bag, stepping closer to Harry and Y/N. He pointed to something behind them, looking horrified and stuttered: "D- d- dementor! Dementor!"

Harry and Y/N whipped their heads around, only to find nothing. They turned back around, seething. Malfoy and his goons laughed, putting their hoods up and pretending to be dementors, mocking them. Hermione grabbed Harry and Y/N before they could reply. "Just ignore them, they're being stupid." She said.

Right then, Hagrid asked for their attention and gestured to a strange creature behind him. "Ta daa!"

The whole class turned and gasped. The creature had the hind legs and tail of a horse, but its front legs were huge talons, and its top half was covered in grey feathers. The beast flapped its wings slightly, shaking its feathers, and raised its bird head to catch the meat Hagrid threw at it. "Isn't he gorgeous? Say hello to Buckbeak the Hippogriff!" Hagrid smiled fondly at it. Everyone else had matching looks of terror.

"Um... Hagrid? What exactly are we supposed to do?" Ron asked, mouth agape. He looked like he was imagining all the different ways Buckbeak could make him have an early meeting with his grave.

"You could start by coming an' saying hello o' course!" Hagrid replied cheerily. "Come on now, don' be shy!"

Everyone took a step back except for Harry, who reacted a second too late. He turned his head quickly, realizing what had just happened, eyes wide. He gave Ron, Hermione and Y/N a betrayed look. Y/N covered her mouth to stifle her laugh, and they all shrugged apologetically.

"Ah, great, Harry! Knew ya had it in you!" Hagrid said fondly. "Righ', so, you'll want ter make the firs' move. Hippogriffs are very proud creatures, an' it's only the polite thing to do."

Harry gulped, but he raised his chin bravely and took a slow step forward. "Alright, now, give him a nice bow... that's it!" Hagrid instructed. Harry had bowed down, and the beast returned the gesture. He smiled, starting to gain confidence, and took a step forward.