After the tryouts ended, Ginny walked over to Harry, holding the Nimbus 2000 in her arms. Her face was still a little flushed with excitement.
"Harry, thank you for the broom. I'll return it to you now," she said.
Harry waved her off. "Actually, I already gave it to Hermione. She's the one in charge of it now."
Ginny's eyes immediately turned to Hermione, and she handed her the broom.
Hermione asked casually, "So, what broom are you planning to use in the competition?"
The color drained from Ginny's face as she admitted with a bit of worry, "Maybe I can ask Madam Hooch if I can borrow one of the school's brooms..."
Hermione froze for a second. She knew the Weasleys were struggling financially, but hadn't they won a prize over the summer? Still, it seemed they couldn't afford a new broom even now.
Then, an idea flashed through Hermione's mind. She patted Ginny's arm and said, "Since Harry said I get to decide what happens with this broom, I'll let you borrow it for now."
Ginny opened her mouth to refuse, but Hermione immediately put on a stern face and cut her off.
"But on one condition," Hermione added firmly. "You have to win the House Cup for Gryffindor this year. If you lose, I'll have to collect some interest... maybe..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I haven't decided yet, but I'll keep it in mind."
"But I—" Ginny tried to protest.
"No refusals!" Hermione interrupted again, her tone brooking no argument. "Harry already has his Firebolt, and this Nimbus 2000 would just sit and collect dust otherwise. Better for it to be in the hands of someone who'll actually use it."
Hermione gently ruffled Ginny's hair as if brushing away her hesitation. "It's settled then—no more objections!"
Ginny blinked, looking at the sincerity in Hermione's eyes, and suddenly stepped forward to hug her tightly. "Thank you, Hermione... really, thank you so much."
Hermione stumbled slightly from the unexpected force of the hug but then laughed softly, patting Ginny's back. "Don't thank me yet. Just remember to buy me a butterbeer when you win the Cup."
George, who had been watching the whole exchange, waited until Ginny had dashed off with the broom before walking over. For once, he spoke seriously. "Thanks, Hermione."
Then he turned to Harry and added, "You too, mate."
Harry raised an eyebrow, recalling the article he'd read in the Daily Prophet. "Didn't your family win five hundred Galleons in the lottery? I thought—"
George gave a helpless laugh. "Mum spent half of it before we even saw it. Percy became Head Boy, so she had to buy him a new set of dress robes with gold embroidery. Our old owl nearly keeled over, so she bought a new one. Then Ron needed a proper wand, and after that, we all went to visit Bill in Egypt. Between the Portkeys and the hotel, the prize vanished faster than you could say Gringotts."
He sighed and shrugged. "The little that's left, Mum's saving for Percy. Says he'll need it when he starts at the Ministry."
Catching Harry's look, George quickly added, "Don't worry—the startup money you gave us, Fred and I haven't touched a Knut of it. We know where to draw the line."
Before Harry could reply, a booming voice called out from behind them. "Harry! There yeh are!"
Hagrid was striding toward them, looking unusually serious. "I need a word with yeh."
George clapped Harry on the shoulder. "I'll leave you to it. Fred's waiting—new product in the works, you know."
As George disappeared toward the twins' secret workshop, Harry turned to Hagrid, curious.
Hagrid scratched his beard awkwardly. "Er... Harry, Hermione, I was wonderin' if I could borrow Humphrey for this afternoon's class."
"Hagrid!" Hermione frowned immediately, her tone sharp. "How many times do I have to tell you? You can't rush students into handling dangerous creatures! Even if a Rune Serpent is gentle by nature, it's still far too aggressive for third-years. Most of them can barely cast a basic Shield Charm—"
"But it's Harry's pet!" Hagrid interrupted in a low voice. "An' besides, Harry'll be there! He speaks Parseltongue—if anything happens, he can calm it down in a second!"
He looked at them pleadingly, eyes wide and full of hope.
Harry glanced from Hagrid to Hermione, thinking it over. Humphrey was large, yes, but he was well-trained and obedient—and Harry could keep him under control. Plus, Hagrid really did need a successful lesson to prove himself.
"Alright," Harry said finally. "I'll bring him by now."
Hagrid's whole face lit up. "Knew I could count on yeh! I'll go get the meat ready—it's fresh, promise!"
"Harry!" Hermione hissed, clearly disapproving.
"It's fine," he whispered back. "I'll make sure Humphrey behaves. He won't scare anyone, I promise."
A short while later, Harry landed his Nimbus 2001 in front of Hagrid's hut. He opened his enchanted trunk and released Humphrey, the three-headed Rune Serpent.
"Listen," Harry muttered, stroking the middle head. "No scaring the younger students—especially the Slytherins."
All three heads nodded in unison, the right one affectionately brushing against Harry's wrist before the serpent slithered lazily into Hagrid's cabin.
Hagrid poked his head out the door. "Harry, best get back to the castle. Come by when class starts—I don't want anyone seein' him early."
Harry gave a thumbs-up and soared off.
---
By the afternoon, Care of Magical Creatures class was underway.
"Everyone follow me!" Hagrid called, hauling a bucket full of raw, bloody meat.
The Slytherins immediately hung back, expressions twisted in disgust. Pansy Parkinson sneered, "What are you showing us this time, Hagrid?"
Her tone dripped with mockery, but Hagrid didn't notice. Instead, his chest puffed up proudly. "You're gonna see somethin' rare today! Follow me!"
He led the students to a rocky cave at the edge of the forest. Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances, both silently praying this wouldn't turn into another "Blast-Ended Skrewt" disaster.
When they reached the cave, Hagrid turned and warned, "Stand back, everyone! He's got a good temper, but he's still a XXXX-class creature—"
Before he could finish, a heavy rustling echoed from within. Then three massive, yellow-scaled snake heads emerged from the shadows.
Humphrey stopped at the entrance, scanning the crowd. When he spotted Harry, the left head froze for a moment, recognizing him.
"That's a... a Rune Serpent?!" someone gasped.
Pansy shrieked and jumped back, fear overtaking her sneer. "Hagrid! Are you insane?! That thing kills people!"
"Don't talk rubbish!" Hagrid barked, louder than usual. "Humphrey's as gentle as a Kneazle! I—er, I feed him meself every day. He's a sweetheart!"
He waved toward the cave, and, obediently, Humphrey slithered forward.
The left head leaned curiously toward Neville, who flinched and stumbled backward.
"Easy!" Hagrid said quickly. "He's just sniffin' you, lad!"
Then, in his usual gruff voice, he launched into a rambling explanation of the Rune Serpent's habits and diet. When the lecture ended, he patted the metal bucket beside him. "Right then! Time fer some hands-on work. Let's feed him! Don't worry—he won't bite!"
The Slytherins collectively took a step back. Pansy darted behind Crabbe, shrieking, "I'm not feeding that monster! What if it eats me?!"
Hagrid scratched his head, bewildered by their reaction, before turning hopefully to the Gryffindors. "Harry, you start?"
Harry stepped forward, grabbed a slab of meat, and approached.
Humphrey's three heads immediately perked up. The middle one flicked its tongue playfully, and when Harry held out the meat, the right head took it delicately and swallowed. The left head nuzzled Harry's hand like a cat.
"See? He's fine!" Hagrid beamed. "Hermione, your turn!"
Hermione hesitated, but when she held out a piece, the left head carefully accepted it, moving with surprising gentleness.
"It feels like he recognizes me," Hermione said with a small laugh.
"Course he does," Hagrid said proudly. "Smartest serpent I ever met!"
At that moment, a few brave Slytherins decided to try too. But as soon as Draco reached forward, Humphrey's right head shot up, hissing sharply. Startled, Draco dropped the meat.
"You see?! I told you it's a monster!" Pansy shrieked.