Chapter 301: The Clone Exposed, the Hippogriff
Leaving the Divination Class classroom, Harry was silent, lost in thought.
Others might have had doubts, but he had seen the 'ominous sign' Professor Trelawney spoke of, on the very night he ran away from home.
Originally, he could have deluded himself into thinking it was just a coincidence, but now he couldn't help but worry.
Aaron's expression wasn't good either; he hadn't received a 'death notice,' but the prophecy about him symbolized the thing he disliked most—trouble.
Although this future might be years away, it would eventually come, and he was certain of the prophecy's one hundred percent accuracy.
"Do you think that ominous sign is related to Sirius Black?" Ron asked.
"It must be," Aaron said with certainty. "As much as I don't want to say it, Sirius Black is the only one who fits the description."
"Honestly, I think Divination is completely illogical," Hermione said, annoyed. "Arithmancy Class is much more interesting."
"You only say that because the Arithmancy textbook is more useful than 'Unfogging the Future,'" Aaron said with a hint of amusement.
Arithmancy explains a person's fate and character through numbers, thereby predicting the future.
Compared to simple numbers, the patterns in tea leaves are much more abstract, and the crystal ball Divination they would learn later didn't even have patterns, relying entirely on personal talent.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Professor Vector's Numerology is based on a series of rules and rigorous mathematical calculations; it has a clear path."
Aaron shrugged. The learning methods for Divination and Arithmancy seemed somewhat opposed, and Hermioneclearly preferred the one that allowed her to showcase her talents.
"Wait, aren't Divination Class and Arithmancy Class at the same time?" Ron asked, looking at Hermione confusedly. "How do you attend two classes at once?"
"Don't be silly, no one can attend two classes at once," Hermione said without thinking, but as soon as she finished, her expression turned strange.
She only managed to juggle several electives with the help of a Time-Turner, but Aaron hadn't used that item, yet he had also appeared in the Arithmancy Class classroom this morning.
Oh no! Was his thought form about to be exposed?
Aaron saw Hermione's puzzled gaze and instantly realized what she was thinking.
"Ahem... well, Gryffindor's next class is Transfiguration; let's not keep Professor McGonagall waiting."
"Wait," Hermione immediately called out to Aaron, then looked at Harry and Ron. "You two go ahead; I have something to discuss with him."
The two exchanged a glance and quickly left.
Hermione then asked meaningfully, "Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
"Explanation for what?"
"Don't play dumb," Hermione snorted. "You didn't use a Time-Turner, so how did you appear in two classrooms at once?"
"Perhaps I did?" Aaron put on a smiling face, trying to hide it.
"Is that so?"
Hermione slowly approached, her sparkling, Kasilan eyes filled with amusement, seriousness, and a hint of teasing, like a fierce fox staring at a weak, pitiful, and naive little white rabbit.
She pointed to the Time-Turner around her neck and said pointedly, "I didn't see your watch."
"Perhaps..."
"Don't tell me you lost it," Hermione interrupted, crossing her arms. "That's a magic item related to time; if you had lost it, you wouldn't be so calm."
A hint of helplessness flashed in Aaron's eyes, and he shook his head with a wry smile. "I was careless!
I really didn't expect you to sign up for five electives like me, and I certainly didn't expect Professor McGonagall to apply for an item like a Time-Turner for you."
Hermione immediately beamed. "Can you tell me now? How did you appear in two classrooms at once?"
"No, that's my secret.
And you can't tell anyone either."
"Understood, I promise I won't say anything," Hermionesmiled broadly. "How many people know your secret?"
"A few, but you're the only one who discovered it yourself," Aaron sighed helplessly. Strictly speaking, in this world, she was the only one who knew; not even Dumbledore or his family knew he had a thought form clone.
"Hearing you say that, I feel quite accomplished," Hermionesaid with a triumphant smile. "It's okay if you don't tell me; there are many answers in books, and I'll figure it out myself."
Aaron:...Forget it, having his thought form discovered wasn't unacceptable, but his abilities absolutely couldn't be exposed... After lunch, it was Care of Magical Creatures class.
Aaron walked out of the Castle with Abey, and both man and dragon enjoyed breathing the fresh air after the rain.
Gryffindor and Slytherin students who had chosen this elective gradually gathered in front of Hagrid's Hut, each holding a strange book—'The Monster Book of Monsters.'
"Alright, everyone, come closer and please don't talk," Hagrid, wearing a moleskin overcoat, looked somewhat excitedly at the more than twenty students gathered before him. "Today I'm going to give you a treat, a wonderful lesson. Follow me."
Hagrid led the students to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where a stone fence formed a small enclosure.
"Students, form a group and turn to page forty-nine."
"But how do you open this book?" Draco asked lazily. His book was undoubtedly a collector's edition, but it was no different from the regular version; it would still bite when opened.
"Just stroke it," Aaron said, casually stroking Abey's back. "Like this."
"Very good, Gaius," Hagrid looked at Abey with some excitement. "Just like stroking a dragon, no, just like stroking a cat."
He walked up to Aaron, wanting to try it himself.
But as soon as he reached out, Abey bared his fangs and let out a warning growl.
"Professor Hagrid, I personally think my cat doesn't like you very much," Aaron reminded him.
Hagrid regretfully withdrew his hand, then took Hermione's textbook and stroked his thumb down the spine.
The textbook trembled slightly, but when opened, it didn't bite; instead, it lay quietly in Hagrid's hand like an ordinary book.
Seeing this, the students also stroked their textbooks, then confidently opened them.
Except for Neville Longbottom. Although a summer had passed, his forgetfulness hadn't changed; he opened the book without stroking it and was thoroughly disheveled by 'The Monster Book of Monsters,' with several tears in his Wizard robe.
"These books are so funny," Hermione said.
"Yes! Hilarious," Draco sneered. "Clever design. This school is going to be ruined if it keeps going like this.
If my father knew Dumbledore let Hagrid teach, it would be quite a scene."
"Draco," Aaron said helplessly. "Hagrid knows enough about magical creatures to be a Professor."
"He knows a lot about magical creatures, but that doesn't mean he can teach!" Draco said self-righteously. "Don't forget, this Giant has no teaching experience whatsoever."
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry couldn't help but say.
"Careful, Potter, there's a Dementor behind you," Dracoteased. "Potter, I know you and Rubeus Hagrid are good friends, but what I said isn't wrong, is it?"
Harry opened his mouth, speechless.
No one wished more for Hagrid's first class to be a success, but in reality, even he himself worried about a teaching accident, as most people wouldn't dare keep those fierce magical creatures as pets.
At this moment, a dozen animals appeared not far away. They had the bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses, and the heads, front claws, and wings of eagles.
They all wore collars around their necks, and Hagrid led them slowly into the enclosure on chains.
"Hippogriff," Aaron murmured, somewhat surprised.
"You know them?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron also looked at him curiously.
"I've read just as many books as you, but this is the first time I've seen this kind of magical creature."
"No matter how magical, it can't compare to your... cat," Draco said. Abey immediately raised his proud dragon head and gave Draco an approving look.
You still have good taste. It's the undisputed boss in Hogwarts' magical creature circle.
Dumbledore's Phoenix used to be barely on par with it, but after evolving once, it could definitely thrash that bird now.
"Since you know about Hippogriffs, then..." Ron stammered, "Are they dangerous?"
"It depends," Aaron smacked his lips. "Hippogriffs are the offspring of a male griffin and a mare. They are extremely fierce before being tamed, but once tamed, they won't harm you."
"So that means..." Harry swallowed. "We have to tame it next?"
"Pretty much."
"Is it dangerous?" Hermione asked somewhat nervously. She felt a little apprehensive about such large magical creatures.
"You should have faith in Hagrid," Aaron said easily. "It's not dangerous for me, even quite easy, but for you... it's better to follow the steps.
To put it simply, although Hippogriffs are unique, they are still just animals. As long as you are strong enough, you don't need to follow any rules; they will automatically submit."
"Strong enough?" Draco stroked his chin, showing a hint of eagerness.
"Don't get any crazy ideas," Aaron patted his shoulder. "It's better if you follow what Hagrid says."
Hagrid led a grayish-blue Hippogriff into the enclosure. Looking at its body, larger than a horse, everyone was both curious and nervous.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Hagrid fed it a dead ferret, stirring its emotions. "Everyone, come and meet Buckbeak, a Hippogriff.
First, you need to understand that they are very proud and ill-tempered; never insult a Hippogriff, or you might lose your life.
Now, who wants to say hello to it?"