The sun filtered through the trees of the Forbidden Forest, casting golden shafts of light on the forest floor where students were beginning to gather for their Care of Magical Creatures class. Today, Gryffindor was paired with Ravenclaw, and Cael stood on the grassy edge of the clearing with Cho Chang and Katie Bell, their voices light with laughter and teasing.
"Well, Cael," Cho said, folding her arms as she gave him a pointed look, "you've certainly been the talk of the castle lately. Especially in the Daily Prophet. Your name seems to pop up almost every day."
Cael gave a long-suffering sigh. "What can I say? Those reporters don't need facts. They just need drama and a name they can sell." He smirked, brushing a leaf from his shoulder. "Apparently, I'm more profitable than goblin gold."
Katie chuckled. "Well, it's not all bad. You always manage to surprise people somehow. Though you've still never beaten me at a broom race."
Cael groaned and rolled his eyes. "That was first year, Katie. You're really holding onto that?"
She grinned triumphantly. "Of course I am. Look where I am now—on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. And you? You never even tried out after losing to me."
Cho giggled. "I told you last year—you should've tried out! You might have made the team."
Cael shook his head with a small smile. "Gryffindor's team is full. And honestly, I don't have the patience to be dragged out of bed at dawn by Wood every day. No thanks."
Katie laughed loudly. "Fair. He does treat practice like we're training for the World Cup."
Cho tilted her head. "It's not like that for us. Roger Davies is captain now—he's much more relaxed. We train on weekends when we're free, not before sunrise."
"Well, that's Ravenclaw for you," Cael teased. "Always in the library or buried in books. No time for morning sprints around the pitch."
Cho rolled her eyes. "We do train, thank you very much. Just more sensibly."
Katie leaned toward Cho. "So… are you ready to face Harry again this year?"
Cho's expression turned competitive. "Definitely. Last year's matches were all interrupted thanks to… well, you know what. This year, I want a real shot. I will catch that Snitch."
Just then, the heavy footsteps of Hagrid approached, followed by an excited murmur from the students as a group of Hippogriffs emerged behind him, their feathers glinting like polished steel beneath the morning sun.
"Alright there, settle down!" Hagrid called, waving his hand. "Don' get too close unless I say so! Yeh don't wanna lose a finger, now."
The students backed up instinctively as the majestic creatures stepped into the clearing. One in particular stood out—sleek and silver-feathered, with amber eyes and curved talons scraping at the earth.
"That's Buckbeak," Cael muttered under his breath.
"Now," Hagrid boomed, "everyone turn to page forty-four in yer books. The Monster Book o' Monsters, right? Be more careful or else it'll take a chunk outta you."
Cael casually reached into his bag and pulled out the unruly book. With a practiced motion, he stroked its back. The book immediately stilled, and he opened it without fuss.
Both Cho and Katie blinked in surprise.
"How'd you do that?" Katie asked, eyes wide. "Mine tried to bite me twice last week!"
"Yeah," Cho added. "I've got scratches on my wrist from this thing."
Cael smiled faintly. "Just rub the spine. Calms them down."
"You're a genius," Cho said, shaking her head.
Not really, Cael thought. I just read the instructions… and maybe remembered it from the films and books.
All around him, students began copying his technique, sighing in relief as their books stopped writhing.
"Right then," Hagrid said, clapping his hands. "Today, yeh're gonna meet one o' my favorites—Hippogriffs! Half eagle, half horse—beautiful creatures, but proud, very proud. Yeh need to be respectful, or they might take offense… and trust me, yeh don't want that."
He walked over to the large, steel-gray Hippogriff and bowed deeply. The creature observed him with its sharp amber eyes, then dipped its head in return.
"Tha's how yeh do it," Hagrid said, standing up. "Name's Buckbeak, this one. Now, who's brave enough to go first?" He scanned the group. "How about you, Cael?"
The clearing fell quiet.
Cael stepped forward without hesitation. Buckbeak pawed at the grass as he approached, wings twitching slightly.
"This one's a bit spirited," Hagrid said softly. "But he's a good lad, long as yeh show respect."
Cael bowed low.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then Buckbeak moved forward, its eyes locking with his. Slowly, it returned the bow.
The class exhaled as one.
"Well done!" Hagrid beamed. "Go on then, give 'im a stroke."
Cael reached out gently. Buckbeak stepped forward and nuzzled into his palm, feathers warm and surprisingly soft.
Hagrid handed him a piece of raw meat. "Give 'im this. You've made a friend now."
Cael tossed it, and Buckbeak snapped it up gracefully.
Turning back, Cael waved at Katie and Cho. "Come on, it's fine!"
The girls hesitated, exchanging wary glances, but then stepped forward together.
"Just bow like professor Hagrid said," Cael instructed.
They bowed low in unison. Buckbeak tilted his head, watching, then returned the bow to both girls. Slowly, they reached out and touched the beast's neck.
Katie laughed, bright-eyed. "It's… actually kind of adorable!"
Cho raised an eyebrow. "Adorable? It's huge, Katie."
Still, both of them smiled as Cael handed them each an apple. They fed Buckbeak together, giggling as he munched happily.
"He's not scary at all once you're near him," Cho said.
"I want one," Katie declared. "Can I take him home?"
Cael grinned. "Only if you can convince Hagrid to let him bunk in the Gryffindor Tower."
Eventually, the class wrapped up. As the students began filing back toward the castle, Cho and Katie waved goodbye.
"See you at lunch!" Cho called.
Cael lingered behind as Hagrid began feeding the remaining Hippogriffs.
"Well?" Hagrid asked, glancing over his shoulder. "How was it?"
"Brilliant," Cael said with genuine warmth. "Thanks, Professor."
Hagrid chuckled, slightly bashful. "Don't call me Professor now—it's just Hagrid outside class. Always has been."
He tossed another treat into a Hippogriff's beak, then added, "Got another class comin' up. Gryffindor and Slytherin next. Harry'll be here."
Cael's expression darkened slightly. "Be careful with Draco Malfoy. He'll try to provoke Harry. If he spooks one of the Hippogriffs, it could be a disaster."
Hagrid paused, serious now. "Aye… yeh're right. I'll keep a close eye."
They talked for a few more minutes, mostly about Buckbeak and the other creatures. Then Cael said goodbye and made his way toward the Great Hall, the sound of wings flapping and hooves clacking softly behind him as the creatures returned to the shade of the forest.