A group of people were openly and enthusiastically kowtowing, while Pansy's face turned pale and then flushed.
She stared at Hermione in the sky, her eyes red with jealousy, her heart aching and choked with bitterness. Why could Hermione be held in Draco's arms so naturally?
Why does everyone think they're a perfect match?
All of this should have been hers.
No one paid attention to Pansy's expression; everyone's attention was drawn to the upcoming riding experience.
"Next, who wants to try!" Hagrid waved his hand and asked the crowd in a loud voice.
The students pushed forward, eager to try.
Neville and Hannah exchanged a quick glance before averting their eyes, their cheeks slightly flushed.
They both wanted to be together, but they would never dare to show affection in public; it was too shameful.
Hagrid looked at the chaotic crowd and was momentarily at a loss. "Who... should I choose?"
"Simple." Draco waved his wand. "Random selection."
A faint silver light swept across the crowd, landing precisely on Neville. Neville flinched in fright, his face instantly turning pale. "I... I can't... I'm afraid of heights..."
" Neville, don't be afraid, the Hippogriff very stable," Hannah said, holding his arm.
Draco glanced at it and casually added:
"You two can go together; it'll save time."
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers, whistles, and laughter. Neville practically buried his head in his chest, and Hannah's cheeks burned, but she still bit her lip and didn't let go of Neville.
Susan gave them both a push. "You only get one chance, or you'll miss it!"
Hannah steeled herself and simply pulled Neville toward the paddock.
Hagrid quickly stepped forward to explain the procedure, "First bow, wait for it to return the bow, then gently pet it, feed it some mole..."
The two obediently followed the instructions, and surprisingly, everything went smoothly.
The Hippogriff gracefully bowed in return, incredibly docile, and soon the two climbed onto Hippogriff broad back, one after the other.
Hannah steadied herself and controlled the direction from behind, while Neville huddled in front, too nervous to even open his eyes.
This scene made the students burst into laughter.
" Neville's such a coward!"
"It was Hannah protecting him!"
" Neville's excitement for flying has vanished; he's probably just scared now!"
The Hippogriff spread its wings and soared into the sky.
From above, Hannah gently patted Neville: "Don't be afraid, you don't need to hold on so tightly."
Neville remained tense the entire time, his whole body stiffened, only daring to stare intently ahead, barely able to concentrate on flying.
On the ground, Lavender stroked his chin, looking on with a gossipy expression:
"When did these two become so close?"
Parvati scoffed. "Who knows? Neville just got incredibly lucky."
Many people whispered among themselves, feeling that it was a waste of a beautiful flower on cow dung.
Neville is too timid and seems to lack any sense of responsibility.
To save time and allow more people to experience it, this flight only circled briefly before turning back and landing.
As soon as he landed, Neville's legs went weak. He staggered down, panting heavily, his face still pale.
With a steady breath, Hannah smiled and helped him up.
Hagrid laughed heartily, "Great job! You're all very brave! Although Neville was a little nervous, being able to fly a lap is already quite remarkable!"
One by one, they took their turns: Harry, Susan, Goyle, Vincent... They followed the procedures meticulously, and their flight was steady and smooth.
"Well done! All of you are fantastic!" Hagrid nodded repeatedly.
"Next-- Ron!"
"Just you wait and see, I'm about to start my performance." Ron said, his spirits lifting as he stepped forward.
" Ron, behave yourself. Don't touch me, don't yell out suddenly, don't—" Hermione warned.
"Okay, okay! I'm not a child anymore!"
Ron waved his hand impatiently and strode confidently into the paddock.
He walked up to Hippogriff, gave a perfunctory bow, and before the creature could react, reached out to touch its wings.
The entire audience held their breath for a moment.
" Ron! Wait for it to return the favor!" Hermione shouted urgently.
Ron nonchalantly replied, "Oh, that's about right—"
Before the words were finished, the Hippogriff suddenly shook its head and let out a warning neigh.
With a "snap," it flapped its wings, sending Ron staggering back three steps before he landed hard on his backside on the grass.
Ouch! My butt!
The whole class burst into laughter.
Pansy finally found an opportunity to sneer, "Hmph, some people are just rude, they deserve it."
"You damn bird—I didn't do it on purpose!"
Ron's face turned bright red. He got up, dusted off his pants, and said angrily.
No sooner had he Hippogriff spread its wings, its sharp talons gleaming like two blades, and took a step forward, assuming an attack stance aimed at Ron.
"Watch out!" Hagrid rushed forward, stepping between them and desperately trying to calm him down, "Don't be angry, don't be angry, he's just a young boy and doesn't know any better, he meant no harm—"
Ron's face turned deathly pale; he nearly fainted. He quickly raised his hands and backed away, his voice trembling, and immediately surrendered.
"Grandpa Bird! Grandpa Bird, I was wrong! I'm bad at talking, I was just talking nonsense! Please don't be angry!"
The Hippogriff stared at him coldly for a while before slowly retracting its claws, then turned around and faced him with its rear end, the meaning clear—it wasn't going to carry Ron.
"Serves you right! Who told you to disrespect it!" Lavender gloated without any restraint.
Ron frantically spun around, forcing a smile at the Hippogriff: "No, no... I have a foul mouth, I'll apologize, okay?"
He quickly picked up the bucket containing the dead mole and Hippogriff, trying to ingratiate himself with them, but none of them paid him any attention.
Just now, everyone treated Ron like an impolite troublemaker, and Ron stood there dejectedly.
Draco, unable to bear it any longer, said to one of the Hippogriff from before, "Give him one last chance."
Buckbeak neighed, and the angry Hippogriff reluctantly turned around, glancing at Ron, barely giving Draco face.
"Alright, alright, it forgives you! Ron, if you cause trouble again this time, no one can save you!" Hagrid said.
Ron nodded vigorously.
"I promise I'll be good! I promise I'll be good!"
"Serves you right for trying to be cool. Now you've lost all face." Hermione laughed as she walked over.
"What did I just tell you? Respect them. Start again, slowly, carefully."
Ron had no choice but to obediently walk over again.
This time he stood ramrod straight, bowed deeply, and waited without moving.
A few seconds later, the Hippogriff finally lowered its head reluctantly.
"It's done!" Hagrid shouted.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, carefully touched the other's neck, and fed it some mole.