Bowtruckles

"All right, all right, quiet down now, everyone. Don't frighten them."

"Them? What are they?"

Hagrid called for the students to settle down. Everyone was quite interested in the "them" he had mentioned.

They watched as Hagrid tiptoed over to a tree and tapped gently on its trunk.

The young wizards all gazed up into the tree expectantly.

A little head suddenly poked out from behind the leaves. The creatures were green all over, with bodies that looked so much like twigs that they were impossible to spot among the branches and leaves.

"It's a Bowtruckle!"

Someone cried out, frightening the little fellow into ducking back out of sight.

The students around him shot him disapproving looks. Realizing he had spoken at the wrong moment, he sheepishly shut his mouth.

Hagrid gestured for everyone to stay quiet, then tapped on the trunk again.

This time, the little fellow seemed more cautious than before, poking his head out to take a good look around.

Once he saw it was Hagrid, he emerged fully from the foliage.

Hagrid held out his hand, and the Bowtruckle gently climbed onto his palm.

Hagrid's gaze was incredibly tender. He was exceedingly careful, afraid of hurting the timid little fellow.

The young wizards craned their necks to see the tiny creature in Hagrid's hand. This was something quite novel to them.

Most of the young wizards knew Bowtruckles existed, but even those from wizarding families had rarely seen one.

Bowtruckles were extremely timid and, under most circumstances, would never show themselves to wizards.

Faced with so many young wizards, this Bowtruckle was still rather shy and hid between Hagrid's fingers.

Seeing that everyone was quiet and there seemed to be no danger, the Bowtruckle slowly peeked out again.

Hagrid's heart practically melted at the little fellow's