The morning sun had just begun its climb over the turrets of Hogwarts, spilling soft gold across the castle lawns. Breakfast had been hearty, though Cela could hardly recall what she'd eaten—thanks, in part, to being distracted by Ron's rather unforgettable eating habits.
Her thoughts were far too restless to linger on food anyway. Her mind buzzed with anticipation, caught between nerves and excitement. At last, the moment she had dreamed of for years had arrived—her very first class at Hogwarts. For the first time, she was about to sit among her peers, learning magic not as someone who just heard the stories from other students, but as one of them. A true Hogwarts student.
After breakfast, groups of students began spilling out into the grounds, chatting and joking. Cela found herself walking beside Hermione, who, though neat as always, looked a little restless, glancing often toward the edge of the dark, looming Black Forbidden Forest where their lesson was to take place. Behind them walked Harry and Ron, the two boys deep in a murmured conversation about Quidditch. The brisk late-summer air nipped at their cheeks, and Cela tightened her cloak around her, enjoying the crunch of grass beneath their shoes.
As they reached the wide stretch of the Hogwarts yard that sloped toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a tall figure stood waiting. Rubeus Hagrid, half-giant and proud keeper of keys and grounds, was waving his enormous arms at the approaching students. His tangled beard caught the sunlight, and his broad smile seemed warm enough to light up the whole glade.
But before the class could settle, a sharp, drawling voice rose above the chatter.
"Dementor! Dementor!"
Draco Malfoy staggered dramatically in the grass, his pale face twisted into an expression of mock terror as he threw his hands up. A few Slytherins snickered behind him, enjoying the performance. He lunged toward Harry, hunching his shoulders and swiping at him like some shadowy ghoul.
Harry's face went red at once. Hermione's lips pressed into a thin, angry line, and she grabbed Harry's sleeve, pulling him back.
"Malfoy, that's not funny at all," Hermione snapped, glaring fiercely. "Grow up."
"Yeah," Harry muttered darkly, shooting Malfoy a look of pure loathing. Hermione tugged him away toward the waiting area where Hagrid was gathering students.
Cela lingered a step behind, watching. Amusement danced faintly in her blue eyes. To her, Malfoy's antics were childish theater at best, but it intrigued her how quickly Harry and Hermione rose to it. Such fiery tempers, she mused. With a faint smirk tugging her lips, she followed them into the semicircle forming around Hagrid.
"All righ'! Settle down, settle down!" boomed Hagrid, raising his massive hands. "Today, we're goin' to be workin' with a creature I reckon you'll all find excitin'—the hippogriff!"
The air seemed to thrum with energy. Some students gasped, others whispered eagerly. Hagrid strode toward a fenced paddock at the edge of the forest, and as he swung the gate open, creatures stepped out one by one.
They were magnificent—half horse, half eagle. Sunlight glinted off polished talons and swept through vast wings. Their heads, proud and fierce like great eagles, turned sharply as their amber eyes scanned the students. Beaks curved, dangerous yet regal. Some were gray, some chestnut, some dappled. One was entirely black, feathers shining like obsidian.
Hermione whispered, awe thick in her voice. "They're… incredible."
Cela's lips curved faintly. "Yes. Beautiful and dangerous. You must respect both… though their eyes and livers are very useful in curing burns."
Hermione nearly choked on air. "Cela!" she hissed, grabbing her arm. "Don't ever say that out loud again!"
Cela blinked, confused. "Why not? It's true."
Hermione flailed her hands like she was putting out an invisible fire. "Because if Hagrid hears you, he'll collapse into tears the size of buckets, call you a 'terrible, heartless girl,' and then ban you from Care of Magical Creatures forever! He'll never forgive you—ever! And then you'll spend the rest of your Hogwarts life being known as the girl who made Hagrid cry."
Cela raised a brow, entirely unfazed. "That seems… a bit dramatic."
Hermione groaned. "Dramatic? Cela, you just suggested harvesting livers in front of the man who sends Christmas cards to flobberworms!"
Cela smirked slyly. "Well, what can I say? They're very… liverly."
Hermione facepalmed so hard it echoed.