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Hogwarts School Grounds
( October, 1993. )

𝓣he students huddled near Hagrid's hut, chatting amongst themselves as they waited for the lesson to start. The cool September air was crisp, and the sun peeked through the scattered clouds, casting a warm glow over the grounds.

Esme stood beside Draco, who was frowning down at her bandaged hand. He tilted his head, his brows furrowing in concern.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Esme shrugged, glancing at her palm. "It was just a scratch."

Draco's eyes narrowed, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "Just a scratch? Es, you had an entire shard of glass through your hand. Just a scratch, my ass."

Esme allowed a small smile to grace her lips. "Oh, you're just dramatic."

Draco scoffed, affronted. "Dramatic-?"

Before he could finish, Hagrid's booming voice cut through the chatter.

"That's it, come on now!" Hagrid called, waving the students closer. "That's it, closer! Less talkin', if yeh don't mind. I got a real treat for ya today. A great lesson, so follow me."

The group began to shuffle forward toward the woods.

Pansy scowled. "He's taking us into the woods?"

Daphne wrinkled her nose and gestured to her designer green heels. "You mean I'm supposed to walk through there? In these? Oh, absolutely not."

Theodore smirked, his voice laced with teasing. "Prefer me to carry you?"

Daphne groaned, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Never mind. I'll walk."

As they reached an open clearing, Hagrid clapped his hands together. "Right, everyone form a group over there, and open yer books to page forty-nine."

The students glanced at each other hesitantly, murmuring about the peculiar textbook. Esme's gaze shifted across the group, and her eyes locked with Harry's. For a brief moment, the noise of the crowd faded, but before she could process it, Draco nudged her.

"And how exactly are we supposed to do that?" Draco muttered, holding up his book, which was snapping furiously at the air.

"You stroke the spine," Esme said simply, as if it were obvious.

Blaise grinned wickedly. "Oi, the amount of jokes I could make about that."

Draco and Theodore snickered, but Crabbe and Goyle exchanged confused glances.

"I don't get it," Goyle said flatly.

This sent Blaise, Draco, and Theodore into fits of laughter, doubling over and clutching their sides while Goyle stared blankly at them.

Nearby, Hermione muttered something under her breath, clearly annoyed. Draco's laughter came to an abrupt halt as he overheard her.

"Oh, yeah, terribly funny," Draco drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Really witty! God, this place has gone to the dogs! Wait until my father hears that Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes!"

Beside him, Esme shifted uncomfortably, her gaze dropping to the ground. She crossed her arms, suddenly wishing she could disappear.

Before anyone could respond, Harry stepped forward, bold and unwavering. "Shut up, Malfoy," he said, his tone sharp.

The Slytherins collectively went, "Ooh!" in perfect sync, their voices mocking.

Draco slipped his bag off his shoulder and dropped it into Esme's hands without a word. She instinctively caught it but quickly rolled her eyes, shoving it into Pansy's arms. Pansy, eager as ever, happily held onto it.

Draco sauntered toward Harry, a sly grin tugging at his lips. He stopped short, pointing dramatically toward the woods. "D-Dementor! Dementor!"

Several students gasped, whirling around to where he was pointing.

As soon as they turned, Draco and the rest of the Slytherins-save for Esme-burst into laughter, pulling their hoods over their heads.

"Ooooo," they chorused, swaying like spooky ghosts or dementors, taunting the group with exaggerated wails.

Esme let out a quiet sigh, stepping back slightly from the group as the commotion continued. She glanced again at Harry, who seemed less annoyed and more determined than ever.

The chatter died down as Hagrid cleared his throat, his booming voice cutting through the crowd. "Da-da-da-da!" he announced dramatically, grinning from ear to ear.

A soft bleating sound echoed through the clearing, and suddenly, a large, magnificent creature stepped into view. Its front half resembled a giant eagle, with sharp, glinting talons and a powerful beak, while its hindquarters were that of a horse, muscular and graceful.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid beamed, his chest puffed with pride. "Everyone, meet Buckbeak!"

For a moment, the students stared in stunned silence. Then, without warning, Esme-usually quiet and reserved, lingering in the background-shoved her way to the front of the group, her face alight with excitement.

Her eyes sparkled as she took in the sight of the hippogriff, and a wide, genuine smile spread across her normally serious face. Harry, standing a few feet away, glanced at her and found himself smiling too. He recalled a conversation they'd had the previous year when she'd mentioned her love for magical creatures. It was rare to see her so animated, and the sight warmed him.

Ron, however, looked far less enthused. "Hagrid, exactly what is that?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"It's a hippogriff!" Esme said quickly, her voice filled with awe and enthusiasm before Hagrid could respond.

"That's right, Miss Lestrange!" Hagrid said, grinning. "Know anything else about them?"

Esme nodded eagerly. "Hippogriffs are extremely intelligent and proud creatures. They can fly at incredible speeds-up to 100 miles per hour in short bursts-and they can understand human emotions, even sensing fear or respect. They're also omnivorous, eating both meat and plants, and they typically nest in mountainous regions. Oh, and they're fiercely loyal if you gain their trust!"

Hagrid's grin widened, clearly impressed. "Precisely! Marvelous creatures they are! Five points to Slytherin, Miss Lestrange!"

A few of the Slytherins nearby raised their eyebrows at the unexpected praise but said nothing.

Hagrid's expression grew more serious as he addressed the group. "Now, another thing about hippogriffs is that they're very proud creatures. Ye don't want to insult one. That might just be the last thing ye ever do." His tone was firm, and a few students shifted nervously.

Hagrid clapped his hands together. "Right then! Who'd like to come and say hello?"

The question hung in the air as the crowd collectively took a step back, muttering amongst themselves. The only exceptions were Harry and Esme, who remained rooted in place.

The murmurs of hesitation rippled through the students, but Hagrid's booming voice brought their focus back. "Well done, Harry! Esme! Well done, both of ya," he said, beaming at the pair standing steadfast before the massive hippogriff.

Harry glanced back at Ron and Hermione nervously, his steps faltering for a brief moment, but Esme's unwavering confidence beside him spurred him forward.

"Right," Hagrid continued, gesturing toward Buckbeak. "Now, listen carefully. You've gotta let him make the first move. It's only polite. Step up, give him a nice deep bow, and then you wait. If he bows back, you're golden-you can go ahead and touch him. If not..." Hagrid scratched his beard with a chuckle. "Well, we'll cross that bridge if we get to it."

Esme and Harry exchanged a look before stepping forward together.

"Make your bow," Hagrid instructed.

The two bent low, their gazes never leaving Buckbeak. For a tense moment, the hippogriff reared up slightly, wings flaring. A gasp rippled through the crowd.

Harry flinched, but Esme stayed perfectly still. "Stay bowing, Potter," she murmured, her voice steady.

Harry shot her a wide-eyed glance but obeyed, his posture stiff as he maintained the bow.

Buckbeak stilled, lowering his head slightly. And then-he bowed.

Hagrid clapped his hands together, his grin stretching ear to ear. "Well done! Look at that! Buckbeak's taken a liking to ya. Here y'go, Buckbeak." He tossed the hippogriff a rabbit, which Buckbeak snapped up effortlessly.

"Go on, now," Hagrid urged. "Don't be shy. You can give him a pat. Nice and slow, mind."

Esme's grin widened as she stepped forward confidently. Harry, frozen in place, watched her go, his apprehension clear on his face. Without a second thought, Esme reached back and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward Buckbeak.

"C'mon, Potter," she said, her voice light with excitement.

Harry stumbled slightly but let her lead him, his free hand gripping his wand just in case.

"Nice and slow," Hagrid reminded them. "Let him come to ya."

They stopped a few feet away, raising their hands tentatively. Buckbeak tilted his head, studying them before taking a step forward. The majestic creature lowered his beak, sniffing both their outstretched hands.

The class erupted into applause.

Hagrid chuckled. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Alright, I think he may let ya ride him now!"

Harry's smile faltered instantly, replaced with a look of pure disbelief. "What?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in pitch.

Esme, on the other hand, practically bounced on her feet. "Really?!"

Hagrid stepped forward and effortlessly lifted Esme, placing her on Buckbeak's back. She settled herself near the creature's neck, her excitement palpable.

"Hold on tight now," Hagrid said before turning to Harry. "Yer next, Potter."

Harry's protests were ignored as Hagrid hoisted him up behind Esme. He awkwardly grasped her shoulders for balance.

"Hold her tight, Potter, she won't bite ya," Hagrid said with a grin. "And Miss Lestrange, hold on to Buckbeak's neck nice and tight."

Esme complied eagerly, her hands gripping the hippogriff's feathers gently but firmly. Harry, however, looked as if he might pass out.

"Don't pull out any of his feathers!" Hagrid warned. "He won't thank ya for that!"

And with that, Hagrid slapped Buckbeak on the flank.

The hippogriff let out a screech and leapt into the air, his powerful wings beating against the wind.

Harry yelped, instinctively flinging his arms tightly around Esme's waist as the ground disappeared beneath them. Esme, meanwhile, laughed in exhilaration, her face glowing with joy as they soared higher and higher into the sky.

"Relax, Potter!" she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying in the wind. "This is incredible!"

Harry, his face buried against her shoulder, groaned. "I'm glad you think so!"

The wind whipped around them as Buckbeak climbed higher, his movements graceful and sure. Esme couldn't stop grinning as she looked out over the vast Hogwarts grounds, her excitement only growing with each powerful beat of Buckbeak's wings.

Harry, slowly lifting his head, peeked over her shoulder and reluctantly admitted to himself that the view was breathtaking.

For a moment, suspended in the air, all his fear melted away.

The wind rushed through their hair as Buckbeak soared high above Hogwarts, the castle's towers gleaming in the sunlight. The pair held on tightly at first, Harry still uneasy despite the exhilaration of flying. But as Buckbeak glided smoothly over the Black Lake, Esme let out a joyful laugh, loosening her grip on his feathers.

She stretched her arms out like wings, tilting her head back as though she were a bird herself. Her excitement was infectious, and after watching her for a moment, Harry hesitantly followed suit.

"Whooooohoooo!" Esme whooped, her voice echoing over the water.

Harry grinned, finally letting himself enjoy the moment. "Wooooo!" he echoed, laughing as the thrill of flight coursed through him.

They circled back toward the clearing, where the rest of the class stood watching in awe. Hagrid's whistle cut through the air, and Buckbeak began his descent, landing gracefully on the grass.

The students erupted into applause, cheering and calling out, "Well done!"

As Hagrid helped Esme and Harry down, their classmates crowded around, still clapping. Esme dusted off her robes, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. Harry, too, looked brighter, though he was trying to maintain a composed expression.

Hagrid patted Buckbeak fondly before turning to Harry. "See? Told ya he'd be gentle! Well done, lad. That took some real courage."

Harry nodded, still catching his breath. "Thanks, Hagrid."

Meanwhile, Esme was too busy brushing dirt off her robes to notice the storm brewing behind her.

Draco, his chest puffed out with his usual overconfidence, was striding toward the group, his sneer firmly in place. His entourage of Crabbe and Goyle trailed behind, their faces a mix of curiosity and unease.

Esme heard Draco before she saw him, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Yes, you're not dangerous at all, are you, you great ugly brute!"

Her head snapped up, her stomach twisting as she saw Draco standing far too close to Buckbeak. The hippogriff's feathers bristled, its sharp beak clacking ominously.

"Draco, you blasted fool," Esme whispered to herself, her heart pounding as she froze in place, watching helplessly.

Hagrid turned sharply. "Malfoy!" he bellowed, his voice filled with warning.

But it was too late.

Buckbeak reared back, letting out a furious screech. The class gasped as the hippogriff's talons swiped through the air.

"Draco, move!" Esme's voice cracked, but he didn't listen, his arrogant smirk still plastered on his face.

Buckbeak struck, his sharp talons slashing across Draco's arm. With a yelp, Draco stumbled backward and fell onto the grass, clutching his arm dramatically.

"Oh, it's killed me!" Draco wailed, his face pale as he rolled onto his back. "I'm dying!"

Esme's breathing hitched, her chest tight as the scene unfolded. She couldn't move, her feet rooted to the ground as fear and guilt battled within her.

"Esme, are you alri-?" Harry's voice broke through her haze, but she didn't let him finish. She turned sharply, walking past him toward Draco without a word.

Hermione's voice rang out, full of concern. "Hagrid! He needs to go to the hospital wing!"

"I'm the teacher, I'll handle it!" Hagrid snapped, rushing forward.

He threw a rabbit into the bushes to distract Buckbeak, who bolted after it, his aggression fading. Then Hagrid bent down, scooping Draco up into his arms with surprising gentleness.

"Class dismissed!" he called over his shoulder as he started toward the castle, his face tense with worry.

Esme followed quietly, her previous excitement now a distant memory. Each step felt heavier than the last as she trailed behind Hagrid, her mind spinning.

Harry and Hermione exchanged a concerned look, but neither of them followed. They watched Esme's retreating figure, her posture slumped, as the thrill of flying on Buckbeak had vanished.