Hagrid was stunned, his expression as if he had heard an incredible question.
The student held up the book.
The monster book of monsters was tied up like a crab with rope, still struggling and making clicking sounds.
Hagrid's mouth hung open, his eyes wide as saucers, his expression as if he was shocked that someone didn't know calculus.
"None of you know how to open your textbook?"
The students looked at each other, should they know how to handle this thing? Wasn't this the first class?
Charlie took out his monster book of monsters from his bag.
His book was very well-behaved, lying quietly in his hand, motionless.
Hagrid's eyes immediately lit up.
"Very good! Charlie!" He was so excited he almost jumped.
"Ten points to Hufflepuff! Come, show everyone how to open it."
"I usually just let it do it itself."
Charlie's eyes narrowed slightly, staring at the monster book of monsters.
"Open."
The monster book of monsters trembled, its pages flipping open by themselves, spreading out in Charlie's hand.
This time, it was Hagrid's turn to be dumbfounded.
"This..." Hagrid scratched his head. "This... uh..."
He looked at Charlie, then at the book in his hand, his expression very complex.
However, thinking that it was Charlie, he quickly became relieved.
After all, Charlie could even tame dragons, so what was a book?
"Ahem." Hagrid cleared his throat, quickly stopping several eager students.
"Don't copy him, that's not the normal way!"
He took the tied-up monster book of monsters from a student's hand and skillfully untied the rope.
"Watch closely," Hagrid said.
"You need to use your index finger, yes, this finger, and stroke down the spine of the book."
He extended his thick index finger and gently stroked the spine.
The monster book of monsters immediately quieted down, its pages spread open, lying obediently in his hand.
"See?" Hagrid held up the book for everyone to see.
"That's how it's done. They're actually very docile, as long as you know how to treat them."
The students all followed suit. Some succeeded, and their books opened obediently. Others were too rough and got bitten by the book, shaking their hands in pain.
Justin tried several times before succeeding, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Ernie, on the other hand, managed it on the first try and looked very pleased.
Once everyone had opened their textbooks, Hagrid nodded in satisfaction.
"Excellent!" he said.
"Now I'll go bring the magical creatures over, you wait here."
With that, he strode deep into the forest.
Ernie watched Hagrid's retreating figure, lowering his voice to Charlie, "I somehow feel like he's not very reliable."
Charlie nodded.
"Then your feeling is quite accurate."
A moment later, a dozen animals trotted towards them.
Charlie's eyes lit up.
These creatures had the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse, but the front legs, wings, and head of an eagle. Their steel-like beaks glinted coldly in the sunlight, and their sharp claws trod on the grass, each step exuding ferocity.
Charlie stared at them for a few seconds, a question popping into his mind - was this an eagle cheating, or a horse having an affair?
But putting that aside, they were indeed quite handsome.
"See!" Hagrid's voice was booming.
"These are Hippogriffs! Aren't they beautiful?"
Except for Charlie, the other students instinctively took a step back.
Justin swallowed, staring at the bird's beak, which was tens of centimeters long, his face pale.
If that thing couldn't peck through a skull with one bite, it would indeed be quite beautiful.
"Today's lesson," Hagrid's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Is to make friends with Hippogriffs!"
The students took another step back.
"I... I don't want to feed an eagle." Justin's voice trembled.
"Or rather, feed a horse, whatever, I just don't want to feed this thing."
Ernie nodded repeatedly.
"I also think it's better not to."
Hagrid's expression froze, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
"Doesn't anyone want to come up and try? They're very gentle."
He looked around and found that only Charlie was still standing in place.
"Charlie!" His eyes pleaded. "Please come up and demonstrate for everyone."
Charlie shrugged and stepped forward.
Hagrid quickly said, "Hippogriffs are very proud; if they think you're insulting them, they'll get angry."
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
What a fiery temperament.
Such a spirited horse would be a perfect royal mount.
Hagrid picked one from the flock of Hippogriffs and led it in front of Charlie.
"This is Buckbeak."
Buckbeak stood there, its orange-yellow eyes staring coldly at Charlie.
There was another one next to it, which became agitated when Buckbeak was led away, constantly pawing at the ground with its claws.
The two looked like a pair.
"You must first bow to Buckbeak," Hagrid said.
"If it bows back, you can go and touch it. Remember, your bow must be deep enough, otherwise it will think you don't respect it."
Charlie stood in front of Buckbeak, motionless.
Bow? Should I avoid its sharp edge?
He looked coldly at Buckbeak.
Buckbeak also stared at Charlie, a hint of displeasure flashing in its orange-yellow eyes. It opened its beak and let out a sharp cry.
The atmosphere gradually solidified.
Buckbeak's feathers bristled, and its wings spread slightly, adopting an attacking posture.
"Charlie!" Hagrid was a little anxious.
"Bow! Bow!"
Just then, Buckbeak's mate rushed over, stood next to Buckbeak, dug several deep marks in the ground with its claws, and glared at Charlie.
The two Hippogriffs, one in front and one behind, emitted low growls of threat from their beaks.
Charlie's eyes narrowed slightly.
Don't like to be treated roughly? That's because it's not rough enough!
He suddenly unleashed his Monarchs Might.
An invisible pressure erupted from Charlie, like an unseen giant wave, crashing heavily on the two Hippogriffs.
Buckbeak's eyes instantly widened, fear flashing in its orange-yellow pupils. Its legs went soft, and it collapsed to the ground, its wings drooping limply by its sides.
Its mate was even worse off.
Its entire body was sprawled on the ground, its head pressed tightly against the grass, trembling all over.
Hagrid stood frozen, and the onlookers also widened their eyes.
Charlie stepped forward. Buckbeak still showed reluctance in its eyes, emitting a faint cry from its beak, but its mate had completely submitted, not daring to lift its head.
Charlie directly mounted its mate.
The Hippogriff trembled as it stood up, its wings spreading.
"Whoosh--"
The wind whistled past his ears.
Charlie grabbed the Hippogriff's feathers, and his entire body soared into the air.
The ground rapidly receded, and the spires of the Castle became smaller in his vision.
He soared around in the sky once, his robe flapping in the wind.
Looking down from the sky, Hogwarts looked like an exquisite model, and the students became tiny dots.
However, flying was nothing new to Charlie, so he patted the Hippogriff's neck.
"Go down."
The Hippogriff obediently swooped down, its wings retracting, and landed steadily on the ground.
Charlie dismounted from its back.
Buckbeak had already stood up, but its eyes showed fear, its head bowed low, not daring to look at Charlie.
What was with this sense of déjà vu of a husband witnessing a crime?
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"