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With Ron and Hermione not speaking to each other, the four walked down the sloppy lawns to Hagrid's hut that was on the edge of the forbidden forest.
It was only when Hannah spotted three only too familiar backs ahead of them that she realised they were having lessons with the Slytherins making her sigh.
"Cmon now, get a move on!" Hagrid called to the class "Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me"
For a minute there, Hannah thought that Hagrid was leading them into the forest; she had enough unpleasant experiences in there in her second year that would last her a lifetime. However, they strolled around and found themselves outside a kind of paddock.
There was nothing in there.
"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" Hagrid called "That's it - make sure yeh can see. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-"
"How?" Said the cold voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Eh?" Said Hagrid.
"How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated, taking out is own copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, which he had bound shut with a length of rope. Other people took theirs out too; some, like Harry and Hermione had belted their book shut; others had crammed them inside tight bags or clamped them together with binder clips.
"Hasn' - hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Said Hagrid, looking crestfallen.
The class all shook their heads.
"Yeh've got ter stroke 'em" Hagrid said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world "Look-"
He took Hermione's copy and ripped off the Spellotape that bound it. The book tried to bite, but Hagrid ran a giant forefinger down its spine, and the book shivered, before falling open and laying quietly in his hand.
"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy sneered making Hannah want to strangle him in that very moment "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!"
"I-I thought they were funny" Hagrid said uncertainty to Hermione.
"Oh, tremendously funny!" Said Malfoy "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!"
Hannah rolled her eyes and kept her cool but Harry had other ideas.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry said quietly. Hagrid was looking downcast and Harry wanted Hagrid's first lesson to be a success.
