Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 364: The Hippogriff

”Hagrid, isnʼt your first lesson starting soon?” Kyle asked, approaching Hagrid, who was busy working in a paddock near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. ”How are you getting on?”

”Iʼm so nervous,” Hagrid replied with a wide grin, carrying a wooden frame in his arms. ”I got up at five this morning to make sure everything was ready. I just hope the lesson goes well... Iʼm finally a professor… When Professor Dumbledore told me the news, I couldn’t sleep for days. I even dreamed about the start of term.”

”You’d better keep that to yourself,” Kyle chuckled. ”You know, students would love nothing more than for the holidays to last forever.”

Hagrid laughed heartily. ”I don’t get to decide the length of holidays, now, do I? But it’s unbelievable... I’m a professor…” He paused, noticing the shelf he’d just placed looked a bit off, so he moved it higher and adjusted its direction. Then, glancing over at Kyle, he asked, ”You’re coming to my class, right? Tomorrow, isn’t it?”

”Tomorrow afternoon, first period,” Kyle confirmed, watching Hagrid intently before adding, ”But, Hagrid, I think you should choose a different Magical Creature for the lesson.”

”Hm? What was that?” Hagrid seemed not to have heard as he continued fiddling with the shelf.

Kyle continued, ”If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t introduce Hippogriffs to third-years on their first day.”

”Oh, don’t worry about that,” Hagrid said, turning back with a gleam in his eye. ”I’ve been planning this for three weeks—this lesson’s going to be amazing! Why aren’t they here yet? I can’t wait to get started.” He couldn’t help but keep glancing towards the castle, an eager look on his face. But then, something dawned on him.

”Wait… Kyle, how did you know I was planning on introducing Buckbeak and the others? You haven’t been sneaking into the Forbidden Forest, have you? I’ve told you before, it’s dangerous, and you’re not to go in there without permission.”

”Of course not, and there was no need to,” Kyle replied. ”Remember? The first chapter of The Monster Book of Monsters is all about Hippogriffs.”

Kyle pointed to a ferret resting on the shelf. ”And that... well, anyone who knows Magical Creatures would recognize that it’s a Hippogriff’s favorite snack.”

”Was it that obvious?” Hagrid looked a bit deflated. ”I thought I’d hidden it well.”

”Change it,” Kyle urged again. ”Hippogriffs are classified as XXX-level creatures—they’re not suitable for third-year students.”

”Oh, you mean this little guy?” Hagrid said with a shrug. ”Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to remind them. As long as they’re polite, Hippogriffs aren’t dangerous at all.”

”And can you guarantee that every student will listen to you?” Kyle asked. ”Harry and his friends, sure. But what about the Slytherins?”

Hagrid’s lips moved slightly, and he murmured, ”But... I’m a professor now... they’ve got to listen to me… haven’t they?”

”Are you certain of that?” Kyle pressed. Hagrid’s voice dropped even lower, almost inaudible, and Kyle couldn’t quite catch his response. But Kyle continued, unfazed. ”Last year, our first lesson in Care of Magical Creatures was on Bowtruckles, and some students still ended up with pricked fingers.”

”Now, if that happened with Bowtruckles, how do you think it’ll go with ferocious Hippogriffs? They’re quick-tempered, and if someone acts the slightest bit disrespectful, they could lash out—and that’s dangerous. You can’t guarantee every student will behave perfectly, and you can’t keep an eye on everyone all at once. It’s just not realistic.”

The longer Kyle spoke, the quieter Hagrid became. He’d thought of everything—except what might happen if the students didn’t behave.

”You could choose something else,” Kyle suggested, ticking off on his fingers. ”A Bowtruckle, a Fairy, a Niffler, a Billywig, a Kneazle… all much safer than Hippogriffs.”

”But…” Hagrid stammered, looking conflicted. ”Itʼs my first lesson, and I want to make a good impression. Nothing says ʼimpressiveʼ like Hippogriffs. Theyʼre beautiful—way more exciting than a Niffler.”

”For most students, they may not agree. As a professor, you have to start thinking from the studentsʼ point of view,” Kyle advised. ”As for making an impression…” He raised an eyebrow, adding, ”If you could bring in a baby Unicorn, I guarantee theyʼd be spellbound. Young Unicorns aren’t averse to boys, and if you let the students pet or cuddle a golden one… well, by the end of term, youʼd be the most popular professor at Hogwarts. Even Headmaster Dumbledore would have to line up to get into your class.”

”D-Dumbledore, Professor…” Hagrid stammered, suddenly looking flustered. ”That’s… that’s impossible. You’re having me on, aren’t you?” But then he paused, as if considering it. ”Actually, there is a baby Unicorn in the Forbidden Forest, just turned one month old today… but Kadita wouldn’t let me bring it.”

Kadita must be one of the Unicorns, Kyle thought. Hagrid has a habit of naming every Magical Creature he meets in the Forbidden Forest. How he remembers them all is a mystery.

”Thatʼs exactly why it’d be so impressive,” Kyle said, glancing at the clock. ”There’s less than half an hour until class starts, so if you’re going to try, you’d better hurry.”

Hagrid hesitated, then turned and strode toward the Forbidden Forest.

Later, Kyle found a group of tethered Hippogriffs behind the paddock. Just as Hagrid had described, the creatures were magnificent, their feathers gleaming in shades of stormy gray, crystal red-brown, and inky black. They shook their fierce heads and spread their powerful wings, clearly displeased with being restrained.

Kyle approached them slowly and, one by one, unfastened their chains and leather collars.

”Fly…” he murmured softly.

The gray Hippogriff stepped forward, bent its front knee, and assumed an unmistakable bowing position. Then, with a powerful flap of its twelve-foot wings, it took off, soaring into the depths of the Forbidden Forest with the other Hippogriffs following close behind.

All that remained was a trail of abandoned chains and collars. Kyle wasn’t worried about whether Hagrid would return empty-handed or not; there was still time to gather a few Magical Creatures for class. Several Rowan trees stood nearby, and he could easily find a dozen Bowtruckles among them—more than enough for a lesson.

Only then did Kyle turn and make his way back to the castle.