𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍, george weasley

026

TWENTY SIX

The early autumn air was crisp and refreshing as Victoria walked with her classmates toward Hagrid's hut for their first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. She breathed in the cool breeze, glad to be outside after a morning of stuffy classrooms and endless notes. Beside her, Fred and George Weasley were already making jokes, lightening the atmosphere as they always did.

"Reckon Hagrid's got something terrifying for us?" George asked with a grin.

"Terrifying?" Fred echoed. "I hope so. If it doesn't have teeth and a tendency to maul people, I'll be disappointed."

Victoria laughed, adjusting her cloak as they descended the slope. "Let's just hope it doesn't maul us."

They reached Hagrid's hut, where the half-giant stood waiting with his broad, friendly grin. The class gathered around him, chatting excitedly.

"Settle down, everyone," Hagrid said, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Today, I've got summat real special for yeh. Somethin' magnificent."

Victoria exchanged a curious glance with George. "Magnificent sounds promising."

"It also sounds like it might bite," George whispered, earning a stifled giggle from her.

Hagrid led the group a little further down the hill to a large, enclosed paddock. Inside stood a majestic creature, its body a powerful combination of horse and eagle. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence, and its sharp beak curved gracefully. The creature pawed the ground with razor-sharp talons.

"Class," Hagrid announced proudly, "this 'ere is a Hippogriff. Name's Buckbeak."

The students gasped, marveling at the creature's impressive presence. Buckbeak preened under their attention, its feathers catching the sunlight.

Victoria's eyes widened in awe. "He's beautiful."

"Looks like he could tear your arm off," Fred muttered, eyeing Buckbeak with a mix of admiration and caution.

Hagrid began explaining the proper way to approach a Hippogriff, emphasizing respect and caution. "Now, listen carefully. Yeh've gotta bow first, an' wait fer him to bow back. If he doesn't, dont try to pet him. Got it?"

Victoria nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Hagrid's gaze settled on her.

"Victoria," he said with a warm smile, "why don't yeh give it a go?"

The class fell silent, all eyes turning to her. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. Buckbeak watched her with sharp, calculating eyes.

"You've got this," George whispered from behind her.

Taking a deep breath, Victoria approached the Hippogriff with measured, careful steps. She stopped a few feet away, meeting Buckbeak's gaze. Slowly, she bent at the waist, bowing deeply before him. The world seemed to hold its breath as she waited.

Buckbeak tilted his head, considering her. For a moment, he remained still. Then, with a graceful dip, he bowed back.

A collective gasp rippled through the class.

"Well done!" Hagrid beamed. "Go on, yeh can pet him now."

Victoria straightened, a smile spreading across her face as she stepped closer and gently stroked Buckbeak's feathers. They were softer than she had expected, and the Hippogriff leaned into her touch.

"He likes yeh," Hagrid said approvingly. "Want to try ridin' him?"

Victoria blinked. "Riding?"

George's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, you have to."

Fred added, "What's the point of meeting a majestic creature if you don't take it for a spin?"

Hagrid helped Victoria climb onto Buckbeak's back, her hands gripping the creature's mane. The Hippogriff spread its massive wings, and with a powerful leap, they were airborne.

Victoria's heart soared as they ascended, the wind rushing past her face. Below, the students grew smaller, their faces turned upward in awe. She felt an exhilarating sense of freedom, the worries of her royal life momentarily forgotten as she flew above the Hogwarts grounds.

After a few sweeping loops through the sky, Buckbeak descended, landing gracefully back in the paddock. Hagrid helped her dismount, and she turned to face the class, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, one by one, the students bowed to her—just as she had bowed to Buckbeak. It started with a few, then spread through the entire group.

Victoria's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you all doing?"

Fred grinned, bowing theatrically. "Well, you're a princess, and now you've tamed a Hippogriff. It's only fitting."

George followed suit, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Your Majesty."

"Stop it," Victoria said, laughing despite herself, her face warm with embarrassment. "I'm not—"

"—commanding the respect of magical creatures and common folk alike," Fred interrupted, winking. "Seems pretty royal to me."

Even Hagrid gave her a small, respectful nod. "That was somethin' special, Victoria. Not many people can say they've flown a Hippogriff on their first try."

Victoria shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "I think Buckbeak did most of the work."

George stepped beside her, leaning in. "Maybe. But you were the one brave enough to bow first." His tone was light, but there was an undertone of admiration in his words.

Victoria glanced at him, their eyes meeting briefly. "Thanks, George."

"Anytime, Princess."

The lesson continued, with other students attempting to approach Buckbeak, though none with the same success as Victoria. As the class ended and they walked back up the hill, Fred and George flanked her, recounting every detail of her flight with exaggerated flair.

"You should've seen the way she soared," Fred declared dramatically. "Like a queen ascending to her throne."

Victoria rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop."

George nudged her playfully. "Don't act like you didn't love every second of it."

She laughed, the sound light and free. Despite the teasing, she knew they were proud of her. And, for the first time in a long while, she felt proud of herself too.