The Divination classroom felt strikingly different from what Y/n had endured at Durmstrang. Unlike the rigid, essay-laden lessons back home, here, they plunged directly into the tactile art of reading tea leaves, much to her quiet delight.
Hermione, however, appeared less enthused, her features twisted in subtle discomfort as she struggled through the practical portion, a stark contrast to Y/n’s growing fascination.
Back at Durmstrang, a semester often passed before students even touched the tangible parts of Divination, but here, the theory yielded swiftly to experience, which Y/n found refreshing and invigorating.
After the bell for lunch, Y/n glanced over her timetable, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Care of Magical Creatures scheduled next. The professor's name—Hagrid—sparked a smile she hadn’t realized she’d missed so deeply.
It had been over three years since she'd last seen the towering half-giant, and memories of his warmth and those unmistakably generous hugs flooded her thoughts with a comforting glow.
Earlier, Professor McGonagall had insisted on giving Y/n a detailed castle map during their first meeting. At the time, Y/n had assured the stern professor that she could manage without it, but now, clutching the parchment, she was grateful for the guidance.
Leaning against a cold stone corridor wall, Y/n studied the map, her brows knitting together as she searched for Hagrid’s Hut. The many twists and turns of the castle corridors made it a labyrinthine puzzle.
A voice broke through her concentration. “Lost, are we?” Wren’s dark eyes met Y/n’s curious (y/e/c) gaze, accompanied by a gentle smile. “I remember my first weeks here—getting lost was practically a sport.”
“Care of Magical Creatures?” Y/n inquired, hopeful she wasn’t alone in her quest.
“That’s the one!” Wren answered, stepping away from the corridor with Y/n close on her heels.
They emerged into the cool afternoon air, the castle’s shadow stretching long over the grounds as they approached the clearing at the forest's edge. Several students were gathered already—Hermione's unmistakable bushy hair, Ron’s freckled face, and Harry’s familiar earnest expression each came into sight, all engaged in conversation with Hagrid.
Y/n’s lips curled into a smile. “Give me a moment,” she whispered, excusing herself from Wren and weaving through the students toward the half-giant.
“You haven’t aged a day, Hagrid,” she teased, closing the distance between them. Hagrid’s immense arms enveloped her in a bear hug, his warmth a balm to her sometimes guarded spirit.
“That’s why you’re my favorite Potter,” Hagrid murmured, grinning and shooting an apologetic glance at Harry, who rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.
Hermione spoke up with a knowing smile, “We were just telling Hagrid how well he’s going to do teaching his first lesson today.”
“Couldn’t agree more!” Y/n added, her tone sincere.
Leading the group to a paddock a short walk from his hut, Hagrid promised a surprise for the class, stirring a ripple of excitement among the students.
Y/n clutched her copy of The Monster Book of Monsters as Hagrid began explaining the peculiarities of the creatures they would encounter.
Draco Malfoy’s sharp voice cut through the lesson with a sneer. “How are we supposed to open these books with how aggressive they are?” he asked, his smirk dripping with sarcasm.
Hagrid instructed sternly, “You stroke the spine gently; it calms ‘em down.”
To everyone’s surprise, Malfoy hesitated, then gingerly followed the advice. His gaunt, pale eyebrows shot up in genuine astonishment as the book settled peacefully.
“I thought they were just funny,” Hagrid mumbled, a hint of uncertainty in his voice after witnessing some students’ struggles.
“Oh, yes, absolutely hilarious,” Malfoy sneered, the sharpness in his tone unmistakable. Happily out of earshot, Hagrid disappeared behind a cluster of trees, likely to fetch the promised surprise.
Malfoy’s next words reignited Y/n’s simmering ire. “This place’s gone to the dogs! Wait till my father hears that Dumbledore put this oaf in charge of classes!”
Y/n opened her mouth to retort sharply when Harry’s calm but commanding voice cut through. “Shut up, Malfoy!”
The Slytherin boy’s entourage mocked the exchange, their teasing filling the air as Malfoy swaggered forward, attempting to close the gap between him and the Potters.
“Oh, Potter siblings finishing each other’s sentences already? How adorable,” he sneered, but the confident smirk faltered as his gaze darted behind them.
“Dementor! Dementor!” Malfoy shrieked suddenly, stumbling back several steps.
The class gasped, turning sharply toward the source of Malfoy’s alarm. Harry tensed beside Y/n, spinning quickly on his heel.
Laughter burst forth from Malfoy and some Slytherin students, their hoods pulled up as they mimicked ghostly wails, reveling in humiliating Harry.
“Terribly funny,” Y/n muttered under her breath, echoing Malfoy's earlier mocking tone with a smirk tugging at her lips.
Hagrid’s throat cleared behind her, drawing the group’s attention. “Tada!” he announced, stepping aside to reveal a majestic creature standing proudly in the paddock.
The creature’s graceful form was unlike anything Y/n had seen before, its feathers shimmering as it caught a piece of meat Hagrid tossed with a beak sharp yet elegant.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Hagrid beamed, eyes shining with pride. “Say hello to Buckbeak!”
The class murmured in awe, the earlier tension melting away as all eyes focused on the proud hippogriff.
Y/n felt a thrill course through her veins—this was exactly the kind of magic she’d hoped to experience at Hogwarts. Here, among creatures and friends, she was finally finding her place.
As Buckbeak lifted his wings in a majestic stretch, Y/n’s gaze met Harry’s, a silent understanding passing between them that whatever shadows their family history cast, this moment was theirs to share.