Special Tutoring

At Hogwarts, how can you call yourself a Hufflepuff if you haven't stayed up all night doing homework?

That's what Kyle thinks, anyway.

So, in order to fit in better, he spent the whole night finishing his Potions Class homework.

This action surprised those around him, as it was the first time they had seen Kyle in a line of people catching up on homework. Some even thought they had misremembered the date, believing the holiday wasn't over yet, and put down their quills to go back to their dorms to sleep.

Of course, he paid a heavy price for this, plus three days of confinement.

"Mr. Brown, the lockdown starts this Friday, don't forget."

During Potions Class, Snape turned his head and glanced, seemingly unintentionally, in Kyle's direction.

Although they knew that Kyle had finished his homework on the last night, the content of the homework was all correct, and even though Snape had practically worn out the parchment, he couldn't find a single fault with it.

But how should I put it... after all, such opportunities are rare.

Why didn't you remind him that yesterday was the last day of the holiday? Were you happy to see your classmate punished?

"Hufflepuff deduct five points!"

It must be said that this reasoning truly broadened Kyle's horizons.

With so many people doing their homework last night, someone was getting up and leaving almost every moment, and then new people were joining in. How could he know if those people had actually finished?

We can't possibly ask them one by one, that would be too absurd.

Fortunately, Kyle was already used to Snape's behavior.

Besides, it's only five points, which isn't much at all. At least in recent years, this is the fewest points Snape has ever deducted from him.

After Potions Class came Care of Magical Creatures, which was much more friendly.

Hagrid brought a group of old friends, who were also the animals he was eager to introduce to everyone on his first day as a professor, but Kyle stopped him in time.

"Hippogriff."

Hagrid shouted to everyone, "But don't be fooled by their beautiful appearance. Hippogriff are very proud, and you must never try to humiliate them..."

The group huddled together and began to whisper among themselves.

Kyle figured that apart from Hagrid, no one else would be fooled by the appearance of the Hippogriff, after all, their dagger-like claws and beaks were so conspicuous that they were hard to miss.

However, this danger isn't so unacceptable to fifth-grade students, since the Hippogriff is just a 3X Fantastic Beasts.

Next, Hagrid gave some instructions on what to pay attention to, and demonstrated again how to properly approach Hippogriff, before letting everyone try it on their own.

However, he called out to Kyle.

"Come with me, this way," Hagrid said, leading Kyle to a grey Hippogriff.

"Its name is Buckbeak ...a great lad," Hagrid said. "Would you like to ride it around now?"

Kyle found it a little strange.

Hagrid was being far too enthusiastic, but not in the usual way... as if he had some ulterior motive, which made his tone and actions seem somewhat affected.

"I know, this definitely won't be difficult for you."

Seeing that Kyle hadn't responded, Hagrid continued, "But this time it's different, very different."

He glanced instinctively toward Beauxbatons ' carriage, then lowered his voice and said, "Hippogriff are very intelligent creatures; they remember wizards who have shown them kindness, and they won't forget them for years."

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Hagrid blinked. "Alright, that's all I can say... So, the requirement for this lesson is to ride Buckbeak and fly around the field once, or even a few more times if you like. There's some food Buckbeak likes on that shelf over there; you can feed it as a reward... Good luck."

After saying that, he strode away...

"Mr. Davy, you should be more patient and not rush to touch them... Oh yes, that's it, now you can."

After Hagrid left, Kanna asked in a low voice, "What did he mean just now?"

"They probably want me to get acquainted with this Hippogriff," Kyle said after a moment's thought. "I guess it's related to the final event of the Triwizard Tournament."

While Hagrid was speaking, his eyes kept glancing towards Beauxbatons ' carriage, and each time he looked over there, he seemed very nervous, clearly afraid of being noticed.

If it's related to Beauxbatons, then it's probably just the Triwizard Tournament... After all, since the last Yule Ball, Hagrid hasn't spoken to Madame Maxime or tried to use machine lubricant on his hair.

"So, the Third Task is the Hippogriff?" Kanna's eyes lit up.

"It can't be that simple."

Kyle shook his head. "Think about it. The First Task is Kneazle and Dragon. You can't possibly end it with a 3X Fantastic Beasts... That's just too illogical."

I think it's probably just one part of the project.

"That's enough," Kanna said. "Every advantage is crucial in the fight for the Goblet of Goblet of Fire, isn't it?"

"What you said makes sense," Kyle nodded.

He looked at the Hippogriff named Buckbeak and bowed politely.

Almost simultaneously, the other bent its front knee, then came closer and rubbed its huge, feathered head against Kyle's arm.

"Oh, you remember me." Kyle rubbed its head.

The feathers are a bit stiff, not as fluffy as an owl's, but they are very smooth.

"You know it?" Kanna asked, sensing that Kyle and this Buckbeak didn't seem to be meeting for the first time.

"I guess so, I've seen them before." Kyle rolled over and sat on Buckbeak's back. "Hagrid was right, they are indeed very intelligent."

With twelve-foot wingspans spread on either side of Kyle, Buckbeak immediately took to the air.

Although both involve flying, this feels completely different from riding Broomstick.

Kyle didn't have to think about which way to fly or when to turn. The only thing he needed to be careful about was not being knocked down by Buckbeak's wings... How should I put it? It was very exciting.

Soon, Buckbeak flew around the field and returned to the ground.

To avoid being thrown off, Kyle seized the opportunity and jumped off Buckbeak's back as it was about to land.

"Well done, Kyle!" Hagrid shouted to everyone. "Look, someone's already finished! Hufflepuff, five points!"

"How are you feeling?" Kanna walked over and asked curiously.

"Much more exciting than the Kelpie."

Kyle straightened his robe, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"I think playing Quidditch on Hippogriff would be quite fun, but I don't know if Professor Dumbledore would agree."

Kanna imagined a dozen or so Hippogriff flying around the Quidditch Pitch and shook her head repeatedly.

"I don't know what the principal is thinking, but Professor McGonagall will definitely not agree."

"That's true." Kyle sighed. "What a pity, I think it was really worth a try."