Chapter 364: The Hippogriff
"Hagrid, isn't 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?"
"I'm 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... I'm 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."