Chapter 196: Hippogriffs
The edge of the Forbidden Forest contained a paddock used for keeping animals.
Currently, it only housed some cattle, but during the Triwizard Tournament, the carriages of the Beauxbatons students would be stationed nearby. Before the first task, the dragons were also kept near this paddock. After the trapdoor was no longer needed, the three-headed dog, Fluffy, would also be moved here.
The area was vast, making Hagrid, waiting there, highly visible.
"Over here—Sean!" Hagrid called out loudly.
Sean quickly walked over and was enveloped in a giant hug.
"You must be excited! The first thing I thought of was introducing you to those lovely creatures. They only stop by here occasionally to rest... but I reckon they're due soon. You gotta stick close to me."
Hagrid was wearing his moleskin coat, and his boarhound, Fang, stood by his feet, seemingly eager to set off.
The two slowly stepped into the Forbidden Forest.
The Forbidden Forest was located on the western boundary of the Hogwarts grounds. As its name suggested, students were generally forbidden from entering. Students were only allowed in under special circumstances, such as serving detention or attending Care of Magical Creatures class.
Today, Sean was deliberately, yet properly, breaking school rules.
The forest was densely wooded, blocking the sunlight, making it dim even during the day.
Sean and Hagrid passed a stream where yew trees, oaks, and Knotgrass grew abundantly.
Along the way, Sean speculated on the magical creatures Hagrid was referring to. The forest contained Centaurs, Unicorns, Werewolves, Acromantula colonies, and Thestrals—too many to guess.
Hagrid had mentioned they only stopped here for a rest. What could they be?
They reached a clearing where chains were laid out. Hagrid sighed, "Ah, blast it."
"Looks like they haven't arrived. That means tomorrow, then. We'll meet in the same place tomorrow."
Hagrid, embarrassed, instinctively reached out to pat Sean's shoulder, but Sean deftly moved out of the way.
They stood looking at each other.
"Sorry, lad." Hagrid rubbed his hands together.
Sean vaguely recalled that the last time Hagrid accidentally patted Fang, the dog nearly coughed up its tongue.
"Can you tell me what it is?" Sean asked.
"Oh, course! Didn't I tell yeh? They're Hippogriffs." Hagrid spread his moleskin-clad hands out, gesturing.
"They've got the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses, but their front legs, wings, and heads are like enormous eagles. Their beautiful beaks are the colour of steel, and their bright, orange eyes are large. Their eagle talons on the front legs, ha! They're half a foot long... If yeh got hold of a copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, they'd surely surprise yeh!"
Sean knew Hagrid would eventually raise Hippogriffs, but that was in his third year. Was Hagrid already working on it in the first year?
While not the dragon Sean had hoped for, Hippogriffs were still formidable.
The second Magical Creature Biscuit is sorted, Sean thought. Hippogriffs were dangerous, but once tamed, they were fiercely loyal.
Sean couldn't quite recall the taming method, but Hagrid would surely tell him.
"I plan to keep a few of 'em this year... but now, yeh need to leave. If Professor McGonagall finds us—"
Hagrid mumbled as he and Sean walked out of the forest. The sound of hooves suddenly echoed in the distance.
"Hurry, Sean, hurry! I forgot to feed the Thestrals!" Hagrid looked genuinely flustered.
Alone in the forest, Hagrid faced little danger, but now he had to soothe hungry Thestrals and rush Sean out of the forest simultaneously.
"Thestrals. I read about them in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I can come with you, Hagrid."
A pleasant surprise, Sean realized. Thestrals were Hogwarts' mode of transport and another magical creature.
The third Magical Creature Biscuit is also secured...
Six [Expert]-level Magical Creature Biscuits, and Sean could unlock a new title.
"You're coming with me? Oh, that's a brilliant idea! But you won't be able to see 'em, lad. You'll have to stand next to Fang." Hagrid paused, then praised him.
They walked for about ten minutes, arriving at a densely wooded, perpetually twilight area with no snow on the ground.
Hagrid whistled, and Sean saw it—a massive, reptilian, winged horse.
It looked like a Pterodactyl, spreading its tough black wings, suddenly flying out of the bushes like a bizarre giant bird. It circled once, then dropped directly in front of Hagrid.
As it ate the beef Hagrid offered, Hagrid tried to reassure Sean:
"Don't be scared. Thestrals are amazing creatures. If you see the raw meat vanish suddenly, it's just gone into their belly. Just treat 'em like they're invisible."
Sean watched silently. Hagrid suddenly noticed something was off. He moved the Thestral's head to the left, and Sean's gaze followed slightly. He moved it to the right, and Sean continued to stare at its vacant eyes.
"You... you can see it?" Hagrid asked in disbelief.
Sean nodded.
Hagrid was taken aback. After a moment, he asked, "Only people who've witnessed death can see Thestrals. Whose death did you see, lad?"
This question left Sean momentarily uncertain how to answer. He had witnessed more than a little death.
"A friend. He died silently, and no one cared much about him. And some others, no one cared about them at all. No tombstone, no funeral. Their names were misspelled on the register... Can I help you feed the Thestrals?"
Sean answered partially, then took the raw meat while Hagrid was still stunned, and went to feed the Thestral.
Thestrals were remarkably docile once tamed. If you could overlook their appearance, they were easy to get along with.
[You have gained the affection of the Magical Beast Thestral (Wuwu) to the Adept standard. Proficiency +10]
[You have gained the affection of the Magical Beast Thestral (Wuwu) to the Adept standard. Proficiency +10]
[Thestral Wuwu: Slightly Friendly (10/300)]
Wuwu?
The Thestrals in the forest had started with one stallion and five mares. Wuwu was the first one born in the forest—and Hagrid's favourite. No wonder it got to eat the beef first...
Wuwu nudged Sean's hand. Sean asked, "Hagrid, can I help you feed them in the future?"
(End of Chapter)
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