"No, Fang, no."
Hagrid stretched out a massive hand and effortlessly held down Fang, who, despite his immense strength, wanted to pounce on the meat pie.
Fang let out a whimper. Drool streamed from the corners of his mouth like a little brook, pooling on the ground in front of the hut.
Charlie Weasley, Pippa Macmillan, and Rowan Khanna, the three third-years, watched him and laughed.
Fang clearly had learned nothing from his lesson. The last time he had eaten a meat pie laced with sleeping draught, Hagrid had been frantic, but to Fang, it had merely been a nap. Now, at the sight of another meat pie, he wanted to try the same trick again.
Dogs needed training. Even if Fang did not need to jump through flaming hoops, he could not eat things from unknown sources. Who knew what someone might put in the next pie?
Pomona stood nearby beneath her Invisibility Cloak. Charlie had not noticed her at all, and it was only when she saw him that she remembered he was already a third-year.
"I'm ready."
Barnaby emerged from Hagrid's hut, carrying a broom and a sack, his face full of displeasure.
"Let's go."
The Keeper of Keys stood as he spoke and slung the crossbow hanging nearby over his back. Though Fang had been released from restraint, he lay motionless on the ground, even with his eyes fixed on the meat pie.
"Eat," Hagrid said, holding the pie up to Fang's mouth. Only then did Fang open his jaws and swallow it.
This full moon came several days before Halloween. Along the way, the third-years discussed the acts for the Halloween party, while Barnaby had no interest in the topic and walked behind Hagrid. Fang stayed close at Hagrid's feet, constantly wagging his tail. Aside