Hagrid blinked at those words. The red in his neck disappeared into his thick beard, then spread to his ears, tinting them a bright, translucent red.
"How could it be hard work?" He waved both hands repeatedly, stirring up even the mane around the Abraxan's neck.
"Not hard work at all!" He turned his head aside and added in a low mutter, "These are all things I want to do..."
His large hands seemed to have nowhere to go. Seeing that the Abraxan's mane was somewhat messy, he hurriedly reached out and stroked it, trying to smooth it down.
After all his efforts, the Abraxan's mane looked even more disheveled. "But for big fellows like these, only we can handle them! Hahahaha!"
It was the first time Wizet and Luna had seen Hagrid act like this. Coupled with what had happened at the Yule Ball...
Wizet and Luna's gazes met. The instant their eyes met, they understood what the other was thinking. Then, in perfect unison, they looked up at the towering Madame Maxime.
Hagrid's hearty laughter echoed through the air, but the smile on Madame Maxime's face froze. The curve of her lips seemed trapped beneath solid ice, and her brows drew together.
Madame Maxime recovered quickly. Perhaps sensing Wizet and Luna's gazes, she let out a soft breath, her expression already back to normal.
She looked down at Wizet and Luna. "Mr. Lovegood, Miss Lovegood, I'll see you off here. Have a wonderful summer holiday!"
After saying that, she nodded once more to Wizet and Luna, then entered the carriage without looking back, disappearing into the passageway on the right side of the reception hall.
The change in Madame Maxime's expression made Wizet and Luna exchange another look.
Although Madame Maxime had concealed it quickly, the change in