Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 196: The Hippogriff with Wings
On the edge of the forbidden forest, there is a pasture used to house some animals.

Although it only has some cows now, the Beauxbatons school's wagons will be stationed nearby for the Triwizard Tournament. The dragon will also be placed near this pasture before the first project begins. Once the trapdoor is no longer needed, the three-headed dog, Lou Williams, will also be sent here.

So this place is huge, making Hagrid, who is waiting here, stand out very much.

“Here—Sheen.”

Hagrid shouted.

Sheen walked over quickly and was then given a big hug by Hagrid.

"You must be really looking forward to it. The first thing that came to my mind was to let you meet those lovely guys."

They only come to stay with me occasionally... but I reckon they'll be here soon, so you'd better stick with me.

Hagrid was wearing that mole-skin coat, and his big hound, Tooth, stood at his feet, seemingly eager to set off.

The two slowly stepped into the forbidden forest.

The Forbidden Forest is located on the west side of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry grounds. As its name suggests, Hogwarts students are not usually allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest.

Students are only allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest under special circumstances, such as being punished with solitary confinement for violating school rules or attending a class on protecting magical creatures.

Right now, Sheen is honestly breaking the school rules.

In the forbidden forest, the trees are dense and block out the sunlight, making it dark even during the day.

Sheen and Hagrid passed by a stream where yew, oak, and two-ear grass grew in abundance.

Throughout the journey, Sheen pondered what the magical creatures Hagrid had mentioned were. The Forbidden Forest was teeming with magical creatures—unicorns, werewolves, centaurs, Aragog and his family, and many more.

Hagrid also said they would only stop here for a short while, so what could it be?

Upon reaching a place where chains were displayed, Hagrid sighed in exasperation.

"It seems they didn't come, so it'll have to be tomorrow. We'll meet at the same place tomorrow."

Feeling embarrassed, Hagrid tried to pat Sheen on the shoulder, but Sheen quietly dodged it.

Then the two of them just stared at each other.

"Feel sorry."

Hagrid rubbed his hands together.

Sheen vaguely remembered that Yaya almost stuck out her tongue when Hagrid patted her unconsciously last time.

Can you tell me what it is?

Sheen asked.

"Oh, of course, didn't I tell you? It's a hippogriff."

Hagrid extended his hand from beneath the mole skin and gestured.
"They have the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse, but their forelegs, wings, and heads are like those of an eagle. Their beautiful beaks are the color of steel, and their bright, large eyes are orange."

The eagle claws on their forelegs, ha! They're a good half-foot long... If you got your hands on a copy of "The Book of Monsters," you'd be amazed!

Sheen knew that there were hippogriffs trained by Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest, but that was back in his third year.

But did we not expect Hagrid to have been working on it since his first year?

Although Hagrid wasn't introducing a fire dragon as Sheen had imagined, the hippogriff was still a force to be reckoned with.

Sheen thought, "The second batch of Fantastic Beast Cookies is sorted out. Although the Hippogriff is dangerous, it will undoubtedly be loyal once tamed."

Sheen had somewhat forgotten how to tame it, but Hagrid would obviously tell him.

“I plan to keep a few this year… but now, you should leave. If Professor McGonagall finds out about us—” Hagrid muttered as he and Sheehan walked out of the Forbidden Forest. Suddenly, the sound of horses could be heard in the distance.
"Hurry up, Sheen, hurry up, I forgot to feed the Thestrals—"

Hagrid seemed somewhat panicked.

He was safe alone in the Forbidden Forest; even if he encountered an emergency, nothing would happen. But now, he had to both comfort the hungry Thestrals and get Sheen out of the Forbidden Forest, which made him somewhat flustered.

“Thestrals, I’ve read about them in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I can go with you, Hagrid.”

To her surprise, Sheen realized that Thestrals were creatures used for transportation at Hogwarts, and they were also magical creatures.

The third set of Fantastic Beasts cookies has also been secured...

With six Expert-level Fantastic Beast Cookies, Sheen can unlock a new title.

"You'll come with me? Oh, that's a great idea! But you probably won't be able to see them, so you'll just be standing next to Tooth."

Hagrid hesitated for two seconds, then praised.

The two walked for about ten minutes and came to a place with dense woods, as dark as dusk, where there was not a single snowflake on the ground.

Hagrid whistled, and Sheen saw it—a huge, reptilian, winged horse.

It spread its tough black wings, like a pterodactyl, and suddenly flew out of the bushes, like a strange giant bird. It circled once, then suddenly landed in front of Hagrid.

As it ate the beef, Hagrid was still comforting Sheehan:

"Don't be afraid. Thestrals are magical creatures. If you see raw meat suddenly disappear, it means it has gone into its stomach. Just pretend it's invisible."

Sheen watched quietly until Hagrid noticed something was wrong. He moved the Thestral's head to the left, and Sheen's gaze shifted slightly with it; when he moved it to the right, Sheen still stared at those empty eyes.

"You...saw it?"

Hagrid asked incredulously.

Sheen nodded.

Hagrid was at a loss for words, and after a while he asked:
"Only those who have witnessed death can see the Thestrals. Whose death have you seen?"

This question left Sheen somewhat at a loss for words; he had witnessed far more than just a little bit of death.

"A friend of mine died quietly, and nobody cared about him. And then there are others, who are even less cared about."

There was no tombstone, no funeral. Even the name was wrong on the registration form… Could I help feed the Thestrals?

Sheen answered briefly, then took the raw meat while Hagrid was still in a daze and went to feed the Thestrals.

Thestrals are amazing creatures that become very docile once tamed. If you can ignore their appearance, they are actually quite easy to get along with.

[You have gained the favor of the magical creature Thestral (U-U) using your expertise; proficiency +10]

[You have gained the favor of the magical creature Thestral (U-U) using your expertise; proficiency +10]

【Thestral: Slightly Closer (10/300)】

Uh-oh?

The Forbidden Forest originally contained only one stallion and five mares. Ulquiorra was the first horse born in the forest—and Hagrid's favorite.

No wonder it was the first to eat beef...

Wuwu nuzzled Sheen's hand, and Sheen asked:

"Hagrid, can I help feed it from now on?"

(End of this chapter)