Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 416: Surprise

Kyle and Hermione found themselves standing awkwardly together just outside the library entrance.

“I’m sorry…” Hermione whispered.

Her enthusiastic slap on the table had unfortunately coincided with Madam Pince’s return. Just like any student who made noise in the library, they’d both been promptly expelled.

“I don’t mind,” Kyle shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on staying much longer anyway. I was just about to go find Hagrid. Want to come?”

After a moment’s thought, Hermione shook her head. “No, I think I’ll go over the runes again. I need to catch up on the time I wasted.”

“Alright,” Kyle said, “just remember—don’t overuse the Time-Turner, or you’ll end up feeling worse.”

“Okay…”

They parted ways at the top of the stairs, and Kyle made his way down to the first floor. From there, he crossed the foyer and headed toward Hagrid’s hut, following the path along the castle grounds.

The hut was bustling today. Besides Kanna, Cho, and Cedric, Harry and Ron were also there, gathered around and animatedly discussing something. As Kyle got closer, he noticed a nest made of hay on the table, and inside it lay a small creature that looked almost like a lion cub—except its tail was shaped like a scorpion’s stinger.

“A Manticore?” Kyle exclaimed, surprised.

“Knew you’d recognize it right away,” Hagrid said happily. “Just a few days ago, I found a Manticore giving birth deep in the Forbidden Forest. Must have come from somewhere else, because there’s never been one there before.”

Hagrid was beaming with pride as he gently petted the young creature in the hay nest, not even minding when it playfully bit his hand.

“Look how happy it is,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

For Hagrid, discovering the Manticore in the Forbidden Forest was like unearthing hidden treasure. He was so thrilled he hadn’t slept in days, spending his nights in the depths of the forest to observe the rare creature. The last time he’d been this excited was when he became the Care of Magical Creatures professor.

“So, Hagrid, are you planning to bring it to class?” Kyle asked.

“Of course not…” Hagrid said, shaking his head firmly. “The Manticore’s a Level 5X magical creature. Professor Dumbledore’d never allow it in front of the students, not even as a cub.”

Kyle nodded in agreement. Manticores were indeed unsuitable for class. While the cub’s bites might only leave small scratches, the real concern was its mother in the Forbidden Forest. If someone got too bold and managed to provoke it, the adult Manticore might unleash a powerful roar and cast a spell—a situation that could get out of hand fast.

Especially with the Slytherins, who often ignored Hagrid’s warnings. Half the trouble during Care of Magical Creatures was caused by them directly, and the other half could usually be traced back to them too. In the face of an angry, full-grown Manticore, even Hagrid would have a hard time protecting everyone.

“I brought it today just so you could learn a bit about it,” Hagrid continued enthusiastically. “It’s a rare opportunity—you won’t get to see a 5X Magical Creatures cub anywhere else.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t exactly true; he’d not only seen one, he’d delivered one. The Nundus in Newt’s suitcase practically treated him like family, and in Romania, he’d watched a nest of Hungarian Horntails hatch. But he kept these experiences to himself.

“Hagrid, can I touch it?” Ron asked, his voice full of longing. “Just for a second, please?”

“No, Ron,” Hagrid said sternly. “You can stand there, even get a little closer, but absolutely no touching. It’s for your own safety.”

“Alright,” Ron sighed, looking disappointed. This was a 5X Magical Creature, and if he’d been able to touch it, he’d have something to boast about for ages. Ever since Sirius Black had broken into the Gryffindor dormitory, Ron had been the center of attention, finally receiving more notice than Harry. He loved the feeling, but now that interest had shifted to rumors about Professor Lupin, his story wasn’t as sought after.

“But Hagrid…” Kanna spoke up, puzzled. “Didn’t you say in your letter that we were supposed to help you choose Magical Creatures for class?”

“Oh, that was just to add some excitement,” Hagrid admitted with a grin. “I’ve actually already picked the creatures for class—a Fire Crab and a Wyvern, both of them young. You can go take a look in the hut if you’d like. Just be sure to close the door behind you; the Manticore here might be frightened by their scent.”

No one moved; everyone’s attention was still fixed on the tiny Manticore cub nestled in the hay. Fire Crabs and Wyverns could wait.

Just then, Kyle felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Hagrid, who gestured for him to come over to a small clearing on the other side of the cabin.

“What is it?” Kyle asked.

“Well…” Hagrid looked a bit sheepish. “I overheard some Slytherins saying you had a dragon tooth for sale. Do you still have one?”

“Yes,” Kyle nodded. He had plenty.

“Would you sell me some?” Hagrid whispered, pulling a cloth bag from his pocket and pressing it into Kyle’s hand. “Professor Dumbledore gave me an extra professor’s salary, so… see how much you can get for it.”

The bag was heavy, filled with a few hundred Galleons. Hagrid rarely needed to spend much on himself, usually only dropping by The Three Broomsticks or The Hog’s Head for a drink now and then, so most of his earnings were saved up.

“That’s easy… just a moment,” Kyle said, heading into Hagrid’s hut and closing the door.

When he returned, he held another bag. “Two teeth from each breed of dragon, plus a few matching dragon scales,” he said, handing over the bag along with the original one of Galleons.

“These are yours, Hagrid.”

Hagrid frowned. “No, those Galleons are for you.”

“Come on, Hagrid,” Kyle chuckled, waving his hand. “I’m not taking your money.”

“No way!” Hagrid insisted, his face set with determination. “I know what these cost. You brought them back from Romania, and if you won’t take the payment, then I won’t take the teeth.”

With that, Hagrid gritted his teeth and resolutely held the bag of Galleons back out to him.