The afternoon sun filtered through the clouds above Hagrid's hut, casting long shadows across the grounds as students from Gryffindor and Slytherin gathered in tense clusters. The usual chatter of students was tinged with curiosity and unease, as though the air itself carried a faint warning. Celeste Malfoy lingered close to her twin brother Draco, who was flanked as always by Crabbe and Goyle. She kept her arms crossed, a faint frown tugging at her lips as she observed the scene.
"Bet this'll be a laugh," Draco muttered, smirking in the direction of the small paddock by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "Probably some flobberworms again."
Celeste cast him a sideways glance. "Hagrid's not that bad. Besides, flobberworms don't fly at you, so I wouldn't complain."
Draco shot her a look but didn't respond. His smirk faltered slightly as his attention shifted to the Gryffindors, who were arriving in their usual exuberant fashion. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were at the forefront, chatting among themselves. The sight of Potter seemed to trigger an immediate sneer from Draco, who straightened his shoulders, ready to make a cutting remark, but Hagrid's booming voice interrupted.
"C'mon now, get a move on!" Hagrid called, waving a massive hand to gather the students. "Got a real treat for yeh. Great lesson comin' up. Follow me!"
Celeste exchanged a look with Draco, who raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. The students began to shuffle toward the paddock, their movements slow and cautious. The murmur of speculation buzzed among the crowd. Celeste's sharp eyes caught sight of something hanging in the paddock—a rack of dead ferrets, swarming with flies. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Charming," she muttered under her breath, earning a snicker from Draco.
The group gathered hesitantly around Hagrid, who was standing near the paddock, a grin plastered across his face. His enthusiasm was almost infectious, but the students seemed more focused on the ominous rack of carcasses.
"Gather 'round, gather 'round. Find yerself a spot. Tha's it. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books—"
Draco cut in before Hagrid could continue, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And exactly how do we do that?"
A ripple of confusion swept through the group as students looked at the restrained and battered copies of the Monster Book of Monsters they had brought to class. Some were bound with belts, others tied with ropes, and still others were wrapped in Spellotape. Celeste glanced at Draco's book, which looked like it had been through a war. She bit back a laugh.
Hagrid, clearly unperturbed, grabbed Hermione's copy and demonstrated the proper way to open the book. His large finger ran gently down the spine, and the book shuddered before falling open, calm and docile.
"Crikey. Didn' yeh know? All yeh've got ter do is stroke 'em. Look—"
Draco rolled his eyes, leaning closer to Celeste. "Figures. Only Hagrid would think cuddling a homicidal book is normal."
Celeste let out a quiet laugh, but it was cut short as Hagrid handed Hermione's book back and clapped his hands together.
"Righ' then. So... yeh've got yer books, an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Right. So... I'll... I'll go an' get 'em."
With that, Hagrid disappeared into the trees. Draco took the opportunity to speak loudly, his voice carrying over the group.
"God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes."
Celeste frowned, nudging him with her elbow. "Draco—"
Her warning came too late. Harry Potter had already turned around, his face a mask of fury.
YOU ARE READING
human again / hp.
Fanfiction"I already forgave you, so why can't you forgive yourself?" She's a Malfoy. He's a Potter. Celeste Malfoy has always walked a fine line between the world she was born into and the one she chose for herself. At Hogwarts, nothing is simple. Not friend...
