As Charlie dismounted the Hippogriff, Hagrid immediately rushed over, his face red with excitement.
"Fantastic! Charlie! Ten more points to Hufflepuff!" His voice was booming, audible across the entire paddock.
"You did exceptionally well!"
Hagrid turned, looking at the other students with eyes full of anticipation.
"Come on, everyone, give it a try!" He waved his thick arms.
"But don't do what Charlie did; he's different. As long as you respect them and bow, they'll let you approach!"
The students looked at each other, no one daring to step forward.
Ernie swallowed, looking at Justin.
"Shall we try?"
Justin's face was a little pale, but he still nodded.
"Charlie went up, so it should be fine."
The two walked to the edge of the paddock, and Hagrid smiled even wider.
"Good! Hufflepuff students are very brave."
Hagrid picked two Hippogriffs from the flock and led them to stand before the two students.
"Remember, bow deeply enough," Hagrid said.
"Show your sincerity."
Ernie stood before the Hippogriff, took a deep breath, and bowed.
The Hippogriff stared at him for a few seconds, its orange-yellow eyes blinking, then it also lowered its head, its wings slightly folding.
Ernie breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to touch its feathers.
The feathers were softer than he imagined, carrying a warm aura.
"Ha! I did it!" Ernie turned his head excitedly.
Justin also copied the bow, and the Hippogriff hesitated for a moment before finally lowering its head.
Justin carefully stroked its neck, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.
"It feels alright," he whispered.
Hagrid clapped his hands, his smile stretching almost to his ears.
Seeing their success, the other students also grew bolder and came forward to try.
The paddock gradually became lively, with students cautiously bowing and the Hippogriffs cooperatively lowering their heads.
Occasionally, someone's bow wasn't deep enough and was ignored by a Hippogriff, but Hagrid would remind them from the side to try again.
Charlie stood aside, arms crossed, watching the commotion.
Just then, a Ravenclaw student walked over.
His name was Anthony, not tall, but with an unyielding spirit in his eyes.
Anthony stared at Charlie, then looked at the Hippogriff Charlie had just ridden, and pouted.
"Why doesn't he have to bow?" he muttered softly.
A classmate next to him tugged on his sleeve.
"Don't mess around, Professor Hagrid just said you must bow."
Anthony shook off his classmate's hand.
"So what? If Charlie doesn't have to bow, why should I?"
He strode over to Buckbeak, head held high, hands in his pockets.
Hagrid noticed him and quickly walked over.
"Hey, Anthony, don't stand in front of Buckbeak like that."
Anthony ignored him, just staring coldly at Buckbeak.
Buckbeak's eyes narrowed, a flicker of displeasure in its orange-yellow pupils.
That monster just now was one thing, but what little biscuit are you?
It raised its wings, a low warning sound coming from its beak.
"Anthony! Bow quickly!" Hagrid's voice became urgent.
Anthony still didn't move, even taking a step forward.
Buckbeak was completely enraged; wasn't this bullying an honest bird?
It suddenly spread its wings, feathers bristling, beak open, letting out a sharp cry, and pounced fiercely!
Anthony's face changed drastically, and he shrieked in terror.
"Ah--"
In the nick of time, Hagrid rushed forward.
He blocked Anthony with his thick arm, and Buckbeak's claws savagely raked his sleeve, but only tore the fabric.
"Buckbeak! Stop!" Hagrid shouted.
Buckbeak stopped its actions, its wings slightly folding, but its eyes were still full of fury.
Hagrid panted, turning to look at Anthony.
"Are you alright?"
Anthony slumped to the ground, his face ashen, trembling all over.
The observing students were all terrified.
"This creature is too dangerous," a Ravenclaw girl whispered.
"We shouldn't even be taking this class."
"Exactly, what if someone gets hurt?" another boy echoed.
Ernie frowned.
"He clearly didn't listen to the advice."
Justin also nodded.
"Professor Hagrid said to bow, but he wouldn't listen. Who does he think he is?"
Charlie looked at the chaos in the paddock, a little confused.
Hippogriffs were docile little animals to him, but not to ordinary students.
Was this Care of magical creatures class really this hardcore? Starting with intense material on the first lesson.
He walked to Hagrid's side, lowering his voice to ask, "Hagrid, for the first class of third year, are you sure you're teaching Hippogriffs?"
Hagrid froze for a moment, his gaze shifting, stammering, "It should... probably... be, yes."
Charlie raised an eyebrow; Hagrid's expression practically screamed 'I'm lying'.
Hagrid scratched his messy black beard, his voice growing softer: "Well, actually, no. But I thought Buckbeak would be more interesting."
Charlie chuckled, "Getting students scratched in half is certainly interesting."
"No, it won't," Hagrid immediately retorted.
"They won't hurt anyone, really, as long as you respect them, they'll be very docile."
Ernie, flipping through his textbook nearby, suddenly spoke:
"Hippogriffs are XXX-rated magical creatures; this type of creature does not pose a serious threat to experienced Wizards, but should be treated with caution."
Justin said in horror:
"We shouldn't count as experienced Wizards, right? Good thing it didn't attack me just now."
Charlie looked at Hagrid, saying jokingly, "I think XXX-rated isn't interesting enough. You should get a XXXXX-rated one; that would be fun."
Hagrid's eyes instantly lit up, his black beetle-like eyes sparkling under his hair.
"Really?" His voice rose by an octave with excitement.
"I think so too! To be honest, I actually wanted to bring Aragog."
Charlie froze: "Who is Aragog?"
Hagrid's expression stiffened, realizing he had let something slip.
"Nothing, nothing." He quickly waved his hand, his voice becoming indistinct.
"Just... just an old friend."
Charlie stared at Hagrid, probing.
"A 5X-rated magical creature?"
Hagrid's gaze was evasive.
"I remember Fudge mentioned you kept an Acromantula before, right?"
Hagrid was sweating profusely.
"Aragog is that Acromantula?"
Hagrid fled in disarray, rushing to soothe the startled students.
[Your Majesty incited the Professor to cause a terrorist attack in the Castle, tyrant points +20]
Charlie:?
Bro, don't do this.
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