"Well done, Harry!" Hagrid praised with a gruff voice as he unfastened Buckbeak's leather collar, causing a wave of tension among the students. He instructed Harry, "You've already locked eyes with him. Remember, don't blink too much. If you do, the Hippogriff might think you don't trust him."
Harry immediately regretted his decision as he tried to maintain eye contact, his eyes beginning to water. Buckbeak, with his large, pointed head, returned Harry's gaze with fierce orange eyes. "Yes, that's it, Harry...now, bow," Hagrid instructed, his voice laced with caution to avoid startling Buckbeak.
Reluctantly, Harry bowed, careful not to expose the back of his neck, and then looked up, keeping his head still. Buckbeak regarded Harry with a haughty stillness. Hagrid, a bit anxious, quickly advised, "Back now, Harry, ease back slowly." He feared Harry might retreat too hastily, potentially offending Buckbeak.
However, before Harry could move more than a step back, Buckbeak gracefully bent his scaly front knee in a bow. "Well done, Harry!" Hagrid exclaimed, overjoyed. The lesson was proceeding better than he had hoped, and he was confident that everyone would enjoy this experience. "Alright, you can pet him now. Try patting his beak," Hagrid suggested, his happiness evident.
Harry approached Buckbeak cautiously and patted his beak, while John looked on, relieved. It seemed that even with a dangerous magical creature like a Hippogriff, Hagrid's expertise was sufficient. Suddenly, Hagrid, in a surprising move, hoisted Harry onto Buckbeak's back. Confused by Hagrid's actions, Harry found himself soaring through the sky after Hagrid slapped Buckbeak's rear. Harry's flight was brief but exhilarating, and he landed with a mix of fear and excitement on his face.
Seeing Harry's successful flight, Hagrid was encouraged and decided to let the other students have a turn. John chose a black Hippogriff and confidently met its gaze, finding the process simpler than expected.
The weather cleared, and Draco Malfoy, seeing the others' success, stepped forward, arrogantly ignoring Hagrid's instructions. John watched, concerned, as Malfoy recklessly provoked danger. Buckbeak, offended by Malfoy's lack of respect, advanced with steel claws bared. Hagrid shouted a warning, fearing the worst, but a red spell struck Malfoy before Buckbeak could reach him, sending Malfoy flying.
"My hand, I'm dying—" Malfoy screamed, overreacting. Hagrid quickly calmed Buckbeak, while John approached the still howling Malfoy. "Stop overreacting. I used the Disarming Spell, not the Killing Curse," John said, pulling Malfoy to his feet. Malfoy, realizing he was unharmed, felt humiliated, especially under Daphne's disdainful gaze.
"It seems you lack courage. Perhaps we should visit a haunted house next time," John remarked, his comment directed at Malfoy but loud enough for others to hear. He then turned his attention to the other students, who were considering following Malfoy's foolish example, and felt a wave of dizziness.
Thanks to John's intervention, Buckbeak and Malfoy's confrontation ended without injury. John spared Hagrid a glance, choosing not to comment on the incident. After all, it was Hagrid's first class, and John decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
The class ended without further incident, and John, who had intended to ride a Hippogriff, ended up ensuring Hagrid's class ran smoothly. Hagrid felt guilty, realizing the chaos was his responsibility. After dinner, John suggested Hagrid adjust the class schedule to prevent similar incidents. Hagrid, recognizing the potential dangers, agreed to make changes.
With the day's events resolved, John returned to the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets to gather some books. He spent the evening fervently studying in the dormitory, passing some of the material to Daphne for her assistance. On the third day of school, John was drawn to the commotion in the auditorium by the sound of screams. Upon investigation, he discovered the source of the uproar: a newspaper article reporting Sirius Black's sighting near Hogwarts, which had been witnessed by Muggles. John, however, didn't give the news much thought. Given the presence of Dementors patrolling the area, he doubted Sirius could pose any real threat, even with the use of complex potions to aid his infiltration.
After breakfast, John noticed Heinrich's newfound caution while drinking, likely a result of his lingering unease from a previous encounter with garlic essence. The morning's Potions class with Professor Snape revealed a noticeable shift in the professor's demeanor, particularly towards John. Snape's usual disdain seemed somewhat tempered, not quite as harsh as it was towards Gryffindor students, though the reason behind this change remained a mystery. John's skillful preparation of a Shrinking Solution earned Slytherin an additional 30 points, further extending their lead over the other houses.
The afternoon brought with it the much-dreaded Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Given the department's notorious history of frequent instructor turnover, expectations for the new teacher were low. However, the mood shifted when Professor Lupin entered the room, his appearance at odds with the battered suitcase he placed on the podium. Announcing a practical lesson that required only their wands, Lupin immediately captured the students' interest, prompting them to eagerly follow him out of the classroom.
En route, they encountered Peeves causing mischief by stuffing gum into a keyhole. As Lupin approached, Peeves, recognizing him, prepared to taunt him with a nickname from his school days. However, upon noticing John, Peeves's bravado turned to terror, and he fled in a panic. Lupin, surprised by Peeves's reaction, remarked on John's apparent influence over the poltergeist. John, for his part, could only offer a bemused response, having done nothing more than subject Peeves to a few spells in the past.
This incident reminded Lupin of advice he'd received from Professor Flitwick, who had suggested consulting John, the previous year's Defense Against the Dark Arts assistant, for guidance. This recommendation now seemed particularly prescient.
Their journey took them to the staff lounge, where they encountered Professor Snape. The tension between Snape and Lupin, a remnant of their shared past, was palpable. Snape's acerbic comments not only affected Neville but also angered Harry to the point of violence. Before departing, Snape cryptically hinted to John that there was more to Lupin than met the eye, implying knowledge of Lupin's lycanthropy—a fact John was already well aware of, given his role in procuring Wolfsbane Potion for Lupin.
Snape's parting look suggested he recognized John's understanding, if only partially, before he left the room. This brief exchange left John contemplating the complex web of relationships and secrets within Hogwarts. The first lesson commenced, and at the far end of the room stood a familiar old wardrobe. It housed the boggart that John had captured the previous year. Their initial lesson focused on how to confront and handle boggarts effectively.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge