Hagrid clapped his hands. "Now! Rule number one: always bow. Show respect. They'll bow back if they accept yeh. Don' insult 'em, or you might find yerself on the wrong end o' their talons."
He scanned the group. "So, who wants ter go first?"
At once, several students shuffled backward, murmuring nervously among themselves. Malfoy sneered, muttering something under his breath about "overgrown chickens." Cela, however, stood her ground, chin lifted with quiet defiance. Beside her, Harry had stepped forward almost without realizing it, confusion etched across his face, not knowing what happened that made the students scared.
"Good lad, Harry!" Hagrid beamed. "Come on up."
Cela tilted her head, a faint frown ghosting her lips as Hagrid ignored her presence. Still, she stepped back gracefully, folding her arms, and observed with interest.
Harry a little bit hesitant as he followed Hagrid toward a silvery-gray hippogriff—Buckbeak. The creature's talons dug into the earth, wings twitching. Harry swallowed hard, bowed low, and for a breathless moment, nothing happened. Then, Buckbeak bent his head and bowed back.
Relief flooded the air, and Hagrid thumped Harry on the back so hard he nearly toppled. "Tha's it! Now go on, give 'im a pat. An' if yer feelin' brave… climb on!"
Harry's eyes widened, but he obeyed, mounting the hippogriff's back. With a sweep of massive wings, Buckbeak launched into the air. Gasps and cheers erupted as Harry soared over the paddock, wind tearing at his robes. The hippogriff glided in a wide arc before landing gracefully. Harry stumbled off, grinning despite himself, while Hagrid boomed with laughter.
"See? Nothin' ter it! Now, rest o' yeh, pick a hippogriff an' try it yerselves!"
Students shuffled hesitantly. Some Gryffindors whispered encouragement to each other, while a few Slytherins hung back, clearly unimpressed. Cela, however, strode forward, her gaze already fixed on the black-feathered hippogriff at the far end. Its feathers shimmered like midnight, eyes gleaming golden.
Hermione trailed nervously behind her. "Cela, wait—are you sure?"
Cela glanced over her shoulder, lips curved faintly. "Fear only makes them doubt you. Come."
The black hippogriff pawed the ground, its beak snapping slightly. Hermione froze, but Cela moved forward with a slow, measured grace, bowing deeply at the waist. The creature's golden eyes studied her in silence, and the tension stretched—until, finally, it bent its proud head and bowed in return.
A smile broke over Cela's face. She stepped closer, hand outstretched, brushing her fingers against the creature's feathered neck. Its muscles twitched, but it allowed her touch.
"Cela…" Hermione's voice trembled.
"Come here," Cela murmured softly. She reached back, caught Hermione's hand, and gently pulled her forward. Hermione resisted at first, eyes wide.
"I—I don't know if—"
"Trust me," Cela whispered.
With that, she guided Hermione to stand right in front of the hippogriff. Slowly, Cela slid her arm around Hermione's waist from behind, steadying her. Their bodies nearly pressed together, warmth shared in the cool air. Hermione's cheeks flamed, but she couldn't pull away.
"Bow," Cela breathed near her ear.
Hermione bent stiffly, hair falling over her face. The hippogriff hesitated, then dipped its head back. Hermione's breath caught.
"See?" Cela murmured, smiling. She took Hermione's hand in hers, guiding it upward. Their fingers entwined as Cela pressed both their hands to the hippogriff's beak. The texture was strange—hard yet warm, alive beneath their touch.
Hermione gave a startled laugh. "It's—it's soft at the edges—oh!"
The hippogriff tilted its head, clicking its beak lightly against their hands. Hermione laughed again, a bright, unrestrained sound that surprised even her. Cela chuckled lowly, watching her with amusement.
"Not so frightening, is it?" Cela asked.
Hermione shook her head, still laughing, her curls bouncing as she did. "No—it's amazing. You—oh, Cela, it's like it understands us."
"Of course it does," Cela said softly, voice edged with wonder. "They're proud creatures. They feel honesty."
For a moment, the world narrowed. Cela's arm still circled Hermione's waist, their hands pressed together on the hippogriff's beak. To the outside eye, it looked almost like an embrace—intimate, protective, unthinking. Hermione's heart raced, though she could not say whether it was from fear or excitement of being able to touch the creature.
The hippogriff gave a small huff, feathers ruffling, and stepped back. Cela lowered her arm slowly, but not before giving Hermione's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"You did well," she said, her voice carrying warmth.
Hermione beamed, her cheeks tinged pink with pride. "Of course I did! I am a Gryffindor, after all."
But before more could be said, a shrill cry cut across the paddock.
"AHHHH!"
All heads whipped around. Malfoy lay on the ground, clutching his arm and wailing as though struck by a Killing Curse. The hippogriff before him had only snapped its beak, but Malfoy rolled dramatically, shrieking, "It killed me! My arm—it's ruined! He's going to kill me!"
Gasps and shouts rose. The black hippogriff Cela and Hermione had been handling shuddered at the noise, feathers flaring as it shifted anxiously. Cela reacted instantly, wrapping her arm around Hermione again and pulling her back against her chest.
"Stay still," Cela murmured firmly, shielding her as the hippogriff stomped once before settling again. Only when the danger passed did she guide Hermione back toward the edge of the paddock.
Hagrid rushed forward, horrified. "Merlin's beard—Malfoy! Wha' happened?"
Malfoy groaned dramatically. "It slashed me open! I'm dying—look at my arm!"
Hermione pulled free of Cela's arms, stepping forward decisively. "Hagrid! Take him to the hospital wing—Madam Pomfrey can handle it!"
Hagrid blinked, startled into motion. "R-right! Everyone, class dismissed! Go on, off with yeh!" He scooped Malfoy into his massive arms, hurrying toward the castle.
The students scattered, muttering. Ron stomped over, shaking his head. "That was Malfoy's fault—completely his fault!"
"Definitely," Harry agreed darkly. "He insulted the hippogriff and spooked it. He deserved what he got."
Hermione bit her lip, worry flickering in her eyes. "Still… I hope it doesn't end badly."
Cela stepped closer, brushing her hand reassuringly against Hermione's. "It won't. My grandfather told me that when he taught Potions here, accidents happened often. Hogwarts survives them. So will this."
Hermione managed a small smile at that. Together, they walked back toward the castle, the noon sun rising higher, pulling them toward the promise of lunch in the Great Hall.