"I'm not sure if they're supposed to hibernate," Hagrid said to Harry and the others inside the hut. "I suggest we try and see if they want to sleep... we'll settle them in these boxes..."
"Let's not," Hermione said, not eager to volunteer. "You know they're naturally aggressive. Professor Scamander will be back tomorrow, and I think you shouldn't do anything in advance, to avoid having all these Blast-Ended Skrewts die off..."
It wasn't just Hermione being cautious; it was because due to Hagrid's previous attempts, more than half of the Skrewts had died.
If Newt saw that, he'd be heartbroken.
Of course, the students naturally cheered inwardly, as no one liked taking care of these weird creatures—they looked gross and actually were just that.
"Alright." Hagrid was taken aback when he heard Newt's name.
Indeed, due to previous mishaps, many innocent Skrewts had died...
If Newt came back and saw only a few left, he'd definitely be upset.
"If you really have nothing to do, you can find something else." Ron attempted to change the subject, "Like taking care of those Pegasuses? Or maybe going on another date with their owner..."
"Ah, that..." Hagrid was conflicted, his large fingers knotting together, his bushy eyebrows furrowing as he awkwardly asked, "Is that okay? I mean, just leaving you guys here..."
"There's nothing wrong with it, as your matters are more important." Hermione patted Hagrid's arm reassuringly, "Don't worry, we all hope you find your true love. I think Mrs. Maxim is really nice, don't you agree?"
"Well, yes..." Hagrid was obviously tempted.
"Yeah, after that date— I mean, the one where you went to see the dragons with Mrs. Maxim, have you gone out with her since?" Harry asked.
"How did you know I took Mrs. Maxim to see the Fire Dragons?" Hagrid immediately seized on the main point.
"I just know." Harry clearly had no intention of answering.
"Sigh." Hagrid sighed, his hands dropping, "I did ask her out twice afterward, and she did come out, but I... well, you know, I still don't know how to make any further moves..."
"Did you ask Little Sirius?" Harry inquired.
"I did." Hagrid scratched his head, "Little Sirius isn't in the United Kingdom right now, but he did remind me not to mention anything about being a Half-blood Giant to her, just treat her like a tall and strong human— but I really want to ask her about it."
"Oh, not everyone is willing to acknowledge that, Hagrid." Hermione sympathetically patted Hagrid's shoulder, "I think listening to Little Sirius is definitely the right call, right?"
"But what if I can't resist?" Hagrid asked.
"Then Mrs. Maxim wouldn't go out with you anymore." Hermione regretfully spread her hands.
Hagrid propped his chin with one hand, the other unconsciously tapping the table.
After a long while, he finally made up his mind.
"Alright!" he said enthusiastically, "Then it's happily decided—I won't bring up anything about Giants with her..."
"That's the spirit!" Harry and the others said in unison.
The next day in Transformation Class, they were still discussing it quietly.
"I wish you two would pay attention, Weasley, and Granger." Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze swept over the trio, though Harry went unnoticed, "The classroom is not a place for daydreaming; if you have something left unfinished, feel free to stand at the podium and share it with everyone, alright?"
Hermione lowered her head, wishing she could bury it in her skirt.
Being called out by a professor was incredibly embarrassing.
"And you, Weasley." Professor McGonagall's tone was strictly severe, "I hope you won't be the bad apple in the bunch, understood?"
"Understood, understood..." Ron was sweating profusely.
Professor McGonagall once again scanned Ron and Hermione with a piercing gaze and then spoke again.
"I have a few words for all of you—" She knocked on the table to capture the class's attention.
"The Yule Ball is approaching—this is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and a great opportunity for us to interact with our foreign guests... The ball is only open to students in their fourth year and above—however, if you wish, you may invite a younger student—"
Lavender Brown let out a loud, silly laugh, and Parvati Patil jabbed her hard, her own face muscles tensed as she struggled to suppress her laughter.
Both of them turned their faces towards Harry, their eyes glimmering with anticipation.
The implication was clear—invitations, please.
Professor McGonagall ignored them; Ron thought it was particularly unfair since she had just scolded him and Hermione.
"You must wear your dress robes," Professor McGonagall continued, "The ball will begin at eight in the evening on Christmas Day in the Great Hall and end at midnight. Now, listen—"
Professor McGonagall scrutinized the whole class with a composed expression.
"Without a doubt, the Yule Ball gives us an opportunity—to let our hair down, relax ourselves," she said with a note of disdain in her tone.
Lavender laughed even harder, clapping her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.
Harry knew what was funny about this: Professor McGonagall always had her hair tightly bunned up, and it seemed like she'd never let her hair down.
"But that does not mean," Professor McGonagall continued, "that we will relax our standards for Hogwarts students' conduct. If any Gryffindor student disgraces the school in any way, I will be thoroughly disappointed."