---
Chapter 87
A sudden rainstorm had passed through the castle in the early hours of the morning, but by dawn the weather had cleared. The sky was pale and bright, the breeze gentle, the grass beneath their feet still damp with dew.
Today, Slytherin and Gryffindor were scheduled to attend Care of Magical Creatures together—with a brand-new professor.
Malfoy stood on the wet grass, his mind drifting.
For safety's sake, I'd better stay out of this today.
He remembered the original course of events all too well. On the very first lesson, someone had nearly lost an arm. Even with his current abilities, Malfoy had no confidence that he could dodge claws that sharp at close range.
He had never liked magical creatures much.
In his previous life, he'd hated cats and dogs most of all—especially people who referred to dogs as their "sons." As far as he was concerned, that kind of thinking was incomprehensible.
"Draco, what are you thinking about?"
Pansy tilted her head to look at him, her expression perfectly normal—as if last night had never happened.
"Nothing," Malfoy said lightly. "Just wondering what sort of lesson the big fellow has prepared."
He deliberately kept his tone casual.
He wasn't blind to Pansy's growing affection—but she was thirteen. Fourteen at most. No matter how liberal wizarding society was, that crossed a line he had no intention of stepping over.
Childhood sweethearts? The thought made him grimace internally.
When they first met, she'd barely reached his chest. He could still picture it clearly.
Compared to some of the pure-blood brats he'd encountered before, Pansy had at least been… manageable. She knew how to cry on cue to soften adults—and how to smash porcelain figurines when no one was looking.
Still, under her family's influence, arrogance had come naturally to her.
At least now, after his guidance, she no longer spat out words like "Mudblood."
Perhaps he still thought of her as a sharp-tongued younger sister.
What the future held was another matter entirely.
"I bet it's going to be some disgusting feathered beast," Pansy said, wrinkling her nose.
"If so, we'll just watch from the sidelines," Malfoy replied calmly.
He had learned—painfully—that the butterfly effect was not to be underestimated.
"Alright," Pansy agreed without complaint.
---
Hagrid stood waiting outside his hut, wearing a moleskin coat and looking more nervous than any first-year student. Fang trotted excitedly around his feet.
"Come on, hurry up!" Hagrid boomed as the students gathered. "Got somethin' special for yeh today! Everyone here? Right—follow me!"
Malfoy and Pansy had arrived early. Behind them, the rest of Slytherin and Gryffindor trickled in.
Malfoy noticed immediately that the Golden Trio were split again. Harry and Ron stood together; Hermione lingered alone beneath a tree, her eyes still faintly red.
So it carried over from last night, Malfoy thought.
He hadn't been at dinner.
Hermione glanced up and met his gaze briefly before looking away. The moment felt awkward—but short-lived.
"Over here, all of you!" Hagrid shouted.
"Now, first thing—open yer books—"
A Slytherin student sneered. "How? Won't they bite our fingers off?"
"There's no point complaining," Malfoy said flatly.
He loosened the strap around The Monster Book of Monsters and ran his fingers gently along its spine.
The book shuddered—and went still.
Then it opened obediently.
A ripple of astonished applause spread through the class.
"Well done!" someone exclaimed.
Hagrid blinked, clearly startled. "…Ten points to Slytherin," he said hoarsely.
Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Hagrid wasn't the sort to favor his own House—and that was exactly why they respected him.
"Right, then," Hagrid muttered. "Now all we need's the creatures…"
He strode into the forest.
Moments later—
"Oh!" Lavender Brown screamed.
Twelve enormous creatures emerged at a trot.
They had the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses—but eagle wings, heads, and foreclaws. Steel-colored beaks. Brilliant orange eyes. Half-foot-long talons that gleamed lethally.
"Winged Hippogriffs!" Hagrid roared happily. "Aren't they beautiful?"
To be fair—they were magnificent. Fur shimmered into feathers of bronze, ash-grey, chestnut, and inky black.
Proud. Arrogant.
Dangerous.
"The first thing yeh need to know," Hagrid said, "is that Hippogriffs are proud. Never insult one."
Malfoy nodded in silent agreement.
Hermione stood even farther back than Malfoy and Pansy. Alone.
Bloody disaster… she thought grimly.
Harry stepped forward.
He bowed.
The Hippogriff bowed back.
Cheers erupted.
Harry even managed a short flight on Buckbeak, earning Gryffindor ten points.
Malfoy applauded politely.
Harry noticed.
Maybe I misjudged him, Harry thought.
Students began approaching the Hippogriffs.
Neville ran away twice.
Hermione finally stepped forward—but stopped short.
Malfoy and Pansy hadn't moved.
"Afraid, are you?" Ron scoffed loudly, eyes fixed on Malfoy.
"True courage isn't showing off," Malfoy replied calmly.
He turned to Hagrid. "Professor, I'm feeling unwell today. I'd rather observe."
Hagrid nodded readily.
Then—
"Heavens!"
Lavender screamed again.
Malfoy sighed. "Conceited idiot."
Ron had insulted the Hippogriff.
The creature bucked violently.
Chaos erupted.
Ron clung on desperately.
Spells flashed.
And then—
A stunning spell streaked through the air.
The Hippogriff faltered mid-flight and was forced into a rough landing.
"Hermione—thank you," Harry said quickly.
She said nothing.
Then—
"LOOK OUT!"
Too late.
A silver claw flashed.
Ron fell.
Blood pooled on the grass.
Silence.
Hermione stared, hollow-eyed.
"…So that's the bloody disaster," she whispered.
She didn't know whether to laugh—or cry.