Chapter 56: A Bet with Hagrid
Because of the news in The Daily Prophet, the young wizards were distracted and found it difficult to focus during their lessons. This was especially true for students from Muggle families, who, after quickly gathering as much information as they could about the Swooping Evil, began to worry intensely about the safety of their loved ones. The Swooping Evil, after all, was one of the most dangerous creatures in the wizarding world, known to feed on human brains. The thought of it potentially roaming free in a Muggle community made them even more anxious.
Even while sitting in class, many kept glancing nervously toward the windows, hoping that an owl would soon bring reassuring replies from home. The professors did their best to comfort the students, slowing down the teaching pace and offering words of reassurance, but there wasn't much else they could do.
It wasn't until the second class of the morning that the atmosphere began to improve.
"Cheer up, children," Professor Sprout said as she walked into the greenhouse for Herbology class. She saw the young witches and wizards looking glum and gave them an encouraging smile. "Just now, Mr. Newt Scamander issued a statement confirming that no traces of the Swooping Evil have been found in either the wizarding or Muggle world. So, it has probably flown to another place, and you don't need to worry about the safety of your families."
As she spoke, Professor Sprout took out a collection of briefings she had saved for years and began telling the class about Newt Scamander's many accomplishments. Kyle noticed that some of the briefings were quite old, with the oldest one faded and worn. It detailed Newt's significant contribution to defeating the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, complete with a photograph of a young and dashing Scamander.
The students, after hearing about Scamander's achievements, felt a great sense of relief. If the most renowned expert on magical creatures was confident, then they trusted his word. The fact that Scamander was a close friend of Headmaster Dumbledore made him even more reliable in their eyes.
By the time lunch rolled around, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was much livelier.
"I can't believe I forgot I had classes this afternoon," Cedric grumbled, disappointed, as he picked up a potato still in its skin. "Looks like I can't go with you to visit Hagrid. What a shame."
Second-year students had more homework than first-years, and rarely had afternoons off except on weekends or during holidays, so Cedric couldn't join Kyle for the visit.