Explosive Class
October arrived with a rather sudden cold that fell over the castle, and surely over the Durmstrang ship and the Beauxbatons carriage as well.
The excitement of the tournament task slowly began to fade as the days passed. But not the unity that had started to grow in the school, where in the corridors it was now normal to see students from different houses talking calmly with one another.
Something that seemed to make Sirius feel a certain pride every time he walked by. It only worsened Snape's mood even more, since as the Potions professor he had to watch Headmaster Black strolling around with that annoying smile.
That quickly made Snape start deducting points left and right, even from his own students. Only increasing the unity between the different houses even more, all of them suffering from the abuse of the Potions professor.
As always, Harry seemed to dodge him all the time. Even in class, where he normally sat at the front with Draco, now he took a seat in the back of the classroom and barely exchanged looks or words with Snape. This only made the professor's face look slightly more depressed, and then he would see Sirius's cheerful face and everything would turn into a vicious cycle again.
But Harry didn't really care much about that.
Right now they were in Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid. And joining them were the Beauxbatons students. Madame Maxime seemed to have felt that it would be interesting for her students to take some elective classes at Hogwarts to improve their understanding, since only some professors had come along to teach the main and important subjects. Even Madame Maxime herself taught a few classes.
But after those lessons the students had far too much free time. So she simply sent them to study at the castle. Though since the electives at Beauxbatons were different from those at Hogwarts, some of them ended up in classes with younger students. Or completely mixed together.
It was not entirely bad though. Because they seemed genuinely interested in learning something different.
Like the Care of Magical Creatures class. Everyone seemed curious.
Until they saw the Blast-Ended Skrewts.
Which they now looked at with disgust just like the Hogwarts students. Luckily there were only ten left from before.
It seemed that they had brutally massacred each other among themselves. But that did not change the fact that they were still disgusting, especially because now they were much bigger and still more aggressive. Though Hagrid did not seem to notice that at all when he stood in front of the class and said,
"I'm not sure if they hibernate or not," while looking at the students who were shivering from the cold.
It looked more like they wanted to hibernate more than the creatures did, which right now kept launching sparks and little explosions from their tails while trying to smash each other.
"So we'll test if they want to have a good nap inside these boxes," Hagrid said, pointing to the wooden crates beside the pumpkin patch.
Harry looked at the Blast-Ended Skrewts. They were now at least two meters long, with large legs and thick gray shells that looked hard enough to deflect a spell. They seemed faster, more restless, and more lethal. And their suction devices certainly did not help them look any less grotesque even to Harry, who glanced for a moment at Hagrid and saw that slightly dumb and proud smile of someone who believed he was a great teacher.
Many other students seemed to look directly at Hagrid as if he were the enemy they were supposed to defeat. Something like the hidden final boss of the class.
Or maybe they were simply wishing that so they could finally be free from this subject.
But they had no choice but to give up when Hagrid brought out several fluffy blankets and pillows for the creatures.
In the end everyone had to obey Hagrid, and in groups they started putting the Skrewts inside the boxes. Then they quickly covered them, feeling that at least it was better to have them trapped there without needing to look at them.
But unfortunately for them, it seemed the Skrewts did not hibernate.
Some of the boxes began exploding from their fury, while the blankets immediately caught fire. Having something explosive inside a closed container with something flammable… well… everyone could see the same effect Harry had caused with the dust explosion during his task, just on a smaller scale.
Well…
Not that small.
Because ten boxes were exploding and releasing thick smoke before bursting apart and letting the horrible creatures out in a frenzy.
Causing complete panic everywhere while Hagrid shouted,
"Don't be scared. Don't be scared."
Though no one knew if he was saying it to the students or to the Skrewts.
Maybe both.
A group of students immediately ran toward Hagrid's cabin and stuck their heads through the windows and the door while looking toward Harry. Comically Draco, Hermione, and Daphne were among them, gesturing at him like you can do it. You're Hogwarts' champion.
Not counting the fact that one of those three also was.
Harry could only roll his eyes before waving his hand and catching the Skrewts with magic, lifting them into the air as if they suddenly weighed nothing.
All the creatures, once they felt themselves lifted, started thrashing even more while trying to launch their explosions toward Harry. He simply stared at them for a moment with some disgust, since lifted like that their suction devices could clearly be seen opening and closing while thick drool slowly dripped from them.
"Just hold them, Harry, so they don't get hurt," Hagrid said quickly as he ran over with several ropes in his hands and began tying their tails one by one. Even when they exploded in his hands and slightly burned them. He barely reacted. The giant simply ignored it as if it were a mosquito bite before wiping away invisible sweat.
"You can put them down now," Hagrid said with a smile toward Harry.
Which Harry did.
And now he stood there. Hagrid in the middle, surrounded by those horrible creatures tied up like pets, and a massive caretaker taking them out for a walk.
Making the scene look much more… interesting.
Meanwhile, the students inside the cabin, once they saw the Skrewts get captured so easily, simply came back out. With Hermione, Daphne, and Draco returning to Harry's side.
"What a brave champion," Harry said, looking at Draco, his best friend, with obvious sarcasm. Hermione looked slightly embarrassed, and Daphne… well… her skin was thicker than that, so the teasing did not bother her at all.
"I'm not afraid of them. I'm disgusted by them. That's very different," Draco said in his defense.
"Oh really…" Harry began.
Before he could continue, another voice suddenly came from the fence surrounding Hagrid's cabin, which had been set up so the Blast-Ended Skrewts would not escape.
"Wonderful. It looks truly entertaining."
Everyone looked in that direction.
And there they saw someone familiar.
Someone who instantly made Hermione's face turn a little more… dangerous.
Wearing a fuchsia robe with a purple collar, a crocodile-skin handbag hanging from her arm, and a smile that looked far too kind, Rita Skeeter stood there.
"It's you again," Hagrid said with a slightly more serious look. The Skrewts around him still seemed somewhat violent, launching bursts of fire from their tails and trying to set Hagrid's clothes on fire, which he quickly put out by slapping at them. "I thought Sirius… Headmaster Black… had banned you from entering the castle," Hagrid added, remembering Sirius's title.
"What are those fascinating creatures called?" Rita asked as if she had not heard a single word Hagrid had said.
"Blast-Ended Skrewts," Hagrid replied, still frowning at the woman.
"I've truly never heard of them before," she said, sounding oddly excited. "They're so interesting. Where do they come from?" she asked.
"Changing the subject to pull information out of someone is something you probably learn in reporter school. If such a place even exists," Harry said after glancing at Hagrid for a moment, who looked like his soul was about to leave his body after suddenly turning completely pale.
When Rita heard those words, her gaze immediately shifted and found Harry's green eyes staring straight at her.
"Oh Harry, you're here. I hadn't seen you, dear," she said, smiling at him. "You too, young Draco," she added, glancing at Draco standing right beside him. "It seems you enjoy Care of Magical Creatures."
"Yes. Quite a lot. Just like I dislike people trying to change the subject in front of me," Harry added with a small smile that did not reach his eyes.
Draco, Hermione, and Daphne looked at him.
Since he was the least qualified person to say something like that.
But right now they could not exactly call him a hypocrite either.
Rita's laugh almost cracked for a moment, but she kept smiling before looking back at Hagrid.
"Well… if you would like to talk more about magical creatures, I would love to give you an interview in the…"
"Yes. Obviously that's fake. And you're lying. And you're very bad at it. Hagrid, it's time to go back to class," Harry said calmly, interrupting her before turning around and looking at the half-giant, who wore a slightly confused expression.
"Ah… yes. Sorry, Mrs. Skeeter, but the class…" Hagrid said in a polite tone, though it was clearly forced.
Rita looked at Harry for a moment without breaking her smile, while her gaze briefly shifted toward Hermione, who was still staring directly at her.
"Well then. I'll apologize and take my leave. I hope you all have a lovely evening," Rita said softly while continuing to smile, then turned around and began to walk away.
As she did, Harry briefly caught sight of her face changing the moment her back was turned to them.
He only let out a quiet scoff.
Even so, Hermione continued staring at Rita's back with narrowed eyes for a moment. But soon she seemed to decide it was not important and simply shook her head.
Not noticing that Rita, for a brief second, turned around again and looked back with a rather annoyed expression, as if she were chewing the air in anger while pulling out a piece of parchment and her enchanted quill, staring toward the class area.