The golden necklace...
Vid isn't someone who likes to adorn himself with jewelry, even though he can afford various expensive gems and gold items.
At the same time, Michael noticed that Hermione seemed to have hidden the same thing in her robes.
"Forget it." He mumbled as he lay on the table with his chin resting on his crossed arms, "If I leave, wouldn't you be sitting here alone? That would be too pitiful."
Vid laughed and reached into his bag to pull out a book as thick as a brick and placed it on the table.
"If you're bored, you can read this."
"What is this?"
Michael sat up straight and flipped through the book, saying disdainfully, "An Encyclopedia? Sounds no different from British Muggle Family Life and Social Habits!"
But just after flipping through the contents, his gaze was drawn in.
The book Vid handed to Michael was actually a children's version of an encyclopedia, a birthday gift from one of his father's friends a couple of years ago. It starts with the Big Bang, galaxies, nebulae, and star systems, accompanied by vividly colored illustrations and simple explanations.
Latter sections covered natural science, human history, social change, and technological development, all written with engaging flair.
Michael was quickly absorbed, unconsciously losing track of time and forgetting his initial intention to leave.
During this time, Vid managed to finish his assignments from the morning classes.
His backpack looked ordinary from the outside, but it was actually a different form of closet space. The Undetectable Extension Charm expanded the internal space to be comparable to the school hall, allowing Vid to fit all his books inside.
As he wrote "backpack," it was essentially a portable library.
When writing a paper or researching, he only needed to reach into the backpack and use a silent Summoning Charm to get the book he wanted.
The bell signaling the end of class rang, and Michael reluctantly closed the book, asking, "Can I borrow this book? I've only read a few pages."
"Hold on."
Vid tapped his magic wand on the book's cover, creating a duplicate, leaving the original for Michael, and taking the copy to Professor Burbage.
After stuffing the thick book into his crowded backpack, Michael saw Vid return from the front of the classroom.
He raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to get Professor Burbage to teach from this encyclopedia? I heard she's been using the same materials for nearly a decade."
"That's why it needs changing. One boring class like Magic History is enough."
Vid said, "Besides, the original materials have many errors. The author didn't really understand Muggles, as you mentioned — it's more of a joke book."
"Did Professor Burbage agree?" Michael asked.
"After I shared my idea, I left the book and walked away," Vid sighed, "I think after we leave, Professor Burbage might need to secretly cry for a bit."
"Uh..." Michael paused, then said, "Actually, Millicent and the others leaving was quite normal. Anyway, marrying a werewolf is a bit too outrageous."
"I remember you really liked Remus," Vid said.
"Remus is Remus, a werewolf is a werewolf."
Michael objectively stated, "I know what most werewolves are like — vulgar, violent, savage, full of resentment towards wizards, and I've heard they used to sneak attack children and women at night."
"Remus is an exception; he doesn't represent all werewolves. And if Remus had a daughter, do you think he would want her to marry a werewolf?"
Vid said nothing.
He thought of Werewolf Will, who betrayed Remus's goodwill, and Claire, who resisted werewolf identity.
Even werewolves themselves rarely accept their identity.
From this perspective, Professor Burbage's idea is surprisingly naive.
After Muggle Studies, the Care of Magical Creatures class followed.
This class has always been a popular elective, chosen by the majority of students, and taught like a core class, two houses at a time.
Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were grouped together.
They walked along the slope to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, arriving just in time for class, but the professor was not in sight.
"Where's Professor Hagrid?" Hufflepuff's Hanna Aber asked, "Did he forget the time?"
The students waited a while, and someone went up to knock on Hagrid's Hut, but received no response.
"Did we get the class location wrong?"
He asked uncertainly upon returning.
"I hear some noise over there." Leian pointed off in the distance, "There seems to be something calling."
"Let's take a look." Anthony Goldstein decided, "Maybe Professor Hagrid is waiting for us there!"
Friendly and considerate, he was always the center among Ravenclaw students. Hearing this, everyone followed along.
Vid had an inkling but said nothing, following the group.
This area was very close to the Forbidden Forest, and many students who never dared to venture here were both excited and nervous, unconsciously huddling together.
Soon, they heard the same sounds Leian mentioned, followed by gasp sounds.
Twelve peculiar creatures were in a paddock, with the body of a horse, the head, wings, and front claws of an eagle, covered in brightly colored fur. Some were eating meat, some resting on the ground, while two seemed to be playing.
The arrival of students startled these creatures. Those lying down immediately stood up, cautiously watching without approaching.
"Hippogriffs!" Theo exclaimed, "Is this what Professor Hagrid prepared for the lesson?"
"So cool!" Michael cheered, "I didn't know there were such creatures in the Forbidden Forest!"
"So where's the professor?"
Padma was a bit scared, holding tightly onto Michael's sleeve, trying to retreat, "Maybe we should go find Professor Hagrid first..."
"Don't be afraid, Padma." Michael consoled her, "The professor might have gone to prepare food for them! We'll need to learn how to feed Hippogriffs!"
Padma's face turned pale as she screamed, "Close contact?!"
Before she could finish, a voice came from behind, "What are you doing here?!"
Everyone turned to see Professor McGonagall striding over, looking worried and anxious. She only relaxed upon seeing the students were at least twenty meters away from the Hippogriffs.
"We're just preparing for class, Professor," Anthony Goldstein said, "But we don't know why Professor Hagrid hasn't come yet."
Professor McGonagall frowned, "No one informed you? This class is temporarily canceled!"
"Canceled? Why?" Anthony asked puzzledly.
"Something happened..." Professor McGonagall said vaguely, "In any case, for safety reasons, don't approach here. Return to the castle, hurry!"
The students hesitated, but under Professor McGonagall's stern stare, they headed toward the castle.
"Why is it canceled?" Michael said, "This was our first Care of Magical Creatures lesson."
"Look over there," Vid hinted with his chin.
Michael turned to see fresh blood in the grass and the paddock fence.
His face went pale, "Did someone get hurt?"
"I guess so," Vid said, "Eagle talons and beaks can definitely cause harm."
"Lucky we didn't go closer," Padma said, patting her chest with relief, "I hope it's not Hermione and them who got hurt."
Michael was a bit upset and incredulous, "Did Professor Hagrid not do safety precautions? How could he mess up on the first lesson?"
"Who knows? Maybe someone else made a foolish mistake," Vid said, "Anyway, we'll understand by visiting the school hospital."
"But..."
Michael turned back and locked eyes with a Hippogriff.
"Perhaps by the time we come for our next lesson, we won't see them anymore... maybe even never again..."