Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 5- Ch. 122

The next morning, Hagrid appeared for breakfast and greeted excitedly by many, while others were saddened at the fact that Professor Grubbly-Plank wouldn't be teaching the lesson anymore.

When it was time for Care of Magical Creatures lesson, everyone gathered at Hagrid's cabin. Céline was happy to see him again where she felt he belonged. She had nothing against Professor Grubbly-Plank and her lesson plans, she just missed the bit of excitement of Hagrid's lessons.

"What on earth happened to Hagrid?" Daphne said quietly to her friends. They looked at him to see him bruised up, with cuts that still seemed to be bleeding from when Céline saw him yesterday. Hagrid looked like he was carrying half the body of a dead cow over his shoulder.

"I'm a bit worried if the creatures he's showing today did that to him." Tracey admitted with Daphne nodding in agreement.

"We'll be working in there today." Hagrid said loudly, so all the class could hear him, while he pointed towards a break in the treeline. "A bit more sheltered, they prefer the dark."

"What prefers the dark?" Draco asked skeptically, as he stood close to Céline. He looked at Céline, "what did he say prefers the dark? Did you hear him?"

"You look nervous." Céline teased a bit.

"Me nervous? No, I don't get nervous." He scoffed, "I'm just concerned you might be scared of the dark."

"Ready?" Hagrid asked excitedly, looking around the class. "Right, well, I've been savin' a trip inter the dark forest fer yer fifth year. Thought we'd go an' see these creatures in their natural habitat. Now, what we're studyin' today is pretty rare, I reckon I'm the only one in Britain who's managed ter train 'em."

"And you're sure they're trained?" Draco's voice rang a little louder at Hagrid, as much as he tried to hide it, Céline could hear a bit of panic in his voice. "It wouldn't be the first time you've brought wild stuff to class, would it?"

A lot of the students in class, even in Gryffindor, couldn't help but see a point in what he was saying.

"Course they're trained." Hagrid scowled at Draco, lifting the dead cow up high to sit better ok his shoulder.

"So what happened to your face, then?" Demanded Draco. Céline nudged him.

"Mind yer business." Said Hagrid, irritatingly. "Now if yer finished askin' stupid questions, follow me!" He then turned and started into the forest. Everyone hesitated, reluctant to follow him. But then Harry, Ron, and Hermione went first and the rest followed their lead.

Céline grabbed Draco's hand, lacing her fingers with his, and smiled at him, looking a bit amused. "I'll hold your hand so that you're not too scared."

"I'm telling you I'm not scared." Draco said hotly, but not releasing her hand.

"Don't worry, mon cherie. I'll protect you." She said smiling, trying to hold in a giggle. Daphne stifled her laughter and quickly walked ahead when Draco glared at her and then at Céline. Céline couldn't help but laugh this time. "I'm only kidding, I'll stop." She said and went to let go of his hand, but he only tightened his grip to hold it more securely.

"Come on." He said grumpily, pulling her with him.

The class walked in the forest for about ten minutes, until the trees stood so closely together that it was as dark as twilight. There was no snow on the ground here, like there was outside of the forest. Hagrid dropped the cow on the floor and backed away, turning to the class. Majority of the class were approaching slowly, as they were incredibly creeped out by the forest.

"Gather roun', gather roun'," Hagrid said. "Now, they'll be attracted to the smell of meat, but I'll give 'em a call anyway 'cause they'll like ter know it's me."