Chapter 56: A Bet with Hagrid

Because of the news in The Daily Prophet, the young wizards were distracted and found it difficult to focus during their lessons. This was especially true for students from Muggle families, who, after quickly gathering as much information as they could about the Swooping Evil, began to worry intensely about the safety of their loved ones. The Swooping Evil, after all, was one of the most dangerous creatures in the wizarding world, known to feed on human brains. The thought of it potentially roaming free in a Muggle community made them even more anxious.

Even while sitting in class, many kept glancing nervously toward the windows, hoping that an owl would soon bring reassuring replies from home. The professors did their best to comfort the students, slowing down the teaching pace and offering words of reassurance, but there wasn't much else they could do.

It wasn't until the second class of the morning that the atmosphere began to improve.

"Cheer up, children," Professor Sprout said as she walked into the greenhouse for Herbology class. She saw the young witches and wizards looking glum and gave them an encouraging smile. "Just now, Mr. Newt Scamander issued a statement confirming that no traces of the Swooping Evil have been found in either the wizarding or Muggle world. So, it has probably flown to another place, and you don't need to worry about the safety of your families."

As she spoke, Professor Sprout took out a collection of briefings she had saved for years and began telling the class about Newt Scamander's many accomplishments. Kyle noticed that some of the briefings were quite old, with the oldest one faded and worn. It detailed Newt's significant contribution to defeating the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, complete with a photograph of a young and dashing Scamander.

The students, after hearing about Scamander's achievements, felt a great sense of relief. If the most renowned expert on magical creatures was confident, then they trusted his word. The fact that Scamander was a close friend of Headmaster Dumbledore made him even more reliable in their eyes.

By the time lunch rolled around, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was much livelier.

"I can't believe I forgot I had classes this afternoon," Cedric grumbled, disappointed, as he picked up a potato still in its skin. "Looks like I can't go with you to visit Hagrid. What a shame."

Second-year students had more homework than first-years, and rarely had afternoons off except on weekends or during holidays, so Cedric couldn't join Kyle for the visit.

"It's just to get some Mooncalf manure. What's so bad about that?" Kyle asked, taking a bite of his bread. "What, are you going to keep ornamental plants too?"

"No, I'm more interested in Mooncalves," Cedric replied. "I've heard they perform a complicated dance in the moonlight. It sounds amazing, but I've never seen one in real life."

"You probably won't get to see the dance," Kyle shrugged. "That only happens at night, and by then it'll be past curfew, unless you're up for a nighttime adventure."

"I know," Cedric sighed. "That's why I just want to see a Mooncalf, even if it's during the day."

"That's still possible," Kyle nodded. Although Mooncalves sleep during the day, they usually stay in caves, and you can still catch a glimpse of them—assuming Hagrid keeps them near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Kyle put down his pumpkin juice and said, "How about this: let's go right after lunch. We've got over an hour before class, so we should have time."

Cedric's eyes lit up. "Really? Is that okay?"

"Of course, there's no set time for it."

At that moment, Kyle noticed Kanna sitting next to them, showing interest. Casually, he asked, "Do you want to come along?"

"Hm!" Kanna hesitated briefly before nodding.

Thanks to Professor Sprout's stories about Newt Scamander, Kanna had developed a fascination with magical creatures and was eager to see them up close.

After lunch, the three of them headed to Hagrid's cabin by the Forbidden Forest. This time, they didn't bother knocking. When they arrived, they found Hagrid watering his pumpkin patch. After Halloween, the massive pumpkins had disappeared, leaving behind small seedlings.

"Go into the Forbidden Forest?" Hagrid asked, shaking his head vigorously after hearing Kyle's request. "No, no, no. First-year students aren't allowed in there—it's too dangerous."

"It's fine, Hagrid," Kyle said with a smile. "No one knows the Forbidden Forest better than you. Besides, the Mooncalves are at the safer edge of the forest, and with you guiding us, we'll be perfectly safe."

"Even if you say that, I still..."

"By the way," Kyle interrupted smoothly, "you know so much about magical creatures. I bet you'll be the next Care of Magical Creatures professor when Professor Kettleburn retires."

"Me, a professor? No way. I'm not nearly as good as Professor Kettleburn," Hagrid mumbled, looking flustered even through his bushy beard.

Cedric noticed Hagrid's discomfort but pressed on gently. "We trust you, Hagrid. You know the Forbidden Forest and its creatures better than anyone."

Hagrid hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, but you have to promise to stay close to me and not wander off. If you do, I'll send you back immediately, and you won't be allowed near the Forbidden Forest again!"

"We promise, Professor Hagrid!" the three of them said in unison, grinning.

Hagrid blushed at the title, but his expression darkened slightly as he muttered, "I can't be a professor... don't say that where others might hear."

"You need to have a little more confidence in yourself," Kyle said seriously, stepping forward to pat Hagrid on the back of his hand. "Give it four years, and I'm sure you'll be a professor."

"Impossible," Hagrid shook his head. "You don't need to comfort me."

Kyle's eyes twinkled as he proposed, "How about we make a bet? If you're not a professor in four years, I'll arrange for Newt Scamander to let you take care of his dragon for two months during the summer holidays."

Hagrid froze mid-step, turning toward Kyle with disbelief. "Mr. Scamander has a dragon?"

"Yes," Kyle confirmed with a nod. "It's been sent back three times by the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary because of its terrible temper. It attacks anything that moves after it leaves Newt. After the third time, they refused to take it back. It can't be released into the wild, so it's kept in a box."

Hagrid's eyes widened with excitement. "I agree!" he said immediately, unable to resist the allure of spending time with a dragon.