𝑝𝑎𝑑𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑟, 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧

↳ 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜

"Say hello to Buckbeak." Hagrid announced, Leo watching in awe as the giant fed the creature a dead ferret. "Hagrid," Ron called out, Leo turning to him. "What exactly is that?" He asked shakily, Leo turning back to Buckbeak. "That, Ron, is a Hippogriff." Hagrid told the group, walking forward. "First thing you want to know about Hippogriffs is that they are very proud creatures. Very easily offended. You don't want to insult a Hippogriff. It may just be the last thing you ever do." Hagrid warned, Leo's face dropping.

"Now," Hagrid clapped his hands. "Who'd like to come and say hello?" Everyone except Leo and Harry stepped back, Hagrid smiling. "Leo? Harry? Okay then!" The two boys looked back to see them in front of everyone else. Leo and Harry turned to each other as Harry smirked, pushing Leo forward as he walked to the group. Leo almost tripped over as he got up, adjusting his shirt sleeves. He looked back at Harry who was watching the boy smugly with Dean, Ron and Hermione.

The boy stuck his tongue out at the four as he turned to Hagrid, bowing. "I guess it's just me." Some Gryffindors laughed at the boy's antics, Hagrid smiling none-the-less. "Okay then!" He started, turning to Buckbeak. "You have to let him make the first move." Leo nodded as he slowly walked towards the Hippogriff. The creature didn't pay attention to the boy as Hagrid continued to instruct him. "Be polite, okay. Now, step up and give him a nice bow. Then, you wait and see if he bows back."

Leo nodded as he walked a bit faster, as Hagrid continued. "If he does, you can go touch him. If not..." Leo stopped and turned to Hagrid, him trailing off. "We'll get to that later." The group looked concerned as Leo tilted his head at Hagrid, scared. He tried to shrug it off and continued to walk towards the Hippogriff, Buckbeak now noticing his presence as he tilted his head at Leo. "Right, now make your bow. Nice and low." Leo did as told as quick as he could, the Hippogriff scanned Leo up and down, deciding he didn't like Leo.

Everyone gasped the Hippogriff screeched and bared his wings at the boy slightly. "Back off, Leo!" Hagrid urgently told the boy, Leo nodding as he took a step backwards, a twig snapping which caused Ron and Hermione to hold hands in fright. Leo stood still as his two friends awkwardly let go of each others hands, Hagrid checking on Buckbeak. "Keep still," Hagrid started, Leo looking up to see Buckbeak calming down slowly. The boy smiled lightly when he saw Buckbeak gradually bow down too.

"Well done, Leo. Well done." Hagrid praised, feeding Buckbeak as Leo got up, relieved as he smiled at the Hippogriff, excited. "There, you big brute!" Hagrid exclaimed, Buckbeak swallowing the food as Hagrid turned back to the class, smiling. "Right, I think you can go and pat him now." Hagrid told Leo, him nodding. Everyone watched closely as Leo took small steps towards the Hippogriff with his palm facing the bird. Draco pushed a Gryffindor over as he took a front spot next to Neville, a green apple in hand.

Leo and the Hippogriff held eye contact as Goyle pushed Neville out the way, Leo only hearing the boy yelp as he trained his eyes on the bird. "There, nice and slow. Nice and slow." Hagrid repeated, his hand out if anything happpened. "Not so fast-" Buckbeak let out a large screech, Ron and Hermione holding hands again as they let go awkwardly, Dean shaking his head at the two. Leo yelped, jumping back as even Draco looked worried for him. Leo took a deep breathe as he stepped forward, slowly this time as he put his palm out again.

Buckbeak seemed more calm than the first attempt, the rest of the Golden Quartet, including Dean, watched closely as the Hippogriff walked towards Leo's hand. Leo looked to the side and stopped walking, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt a cold, smooth object place itself into his hand. Leo opened his eyes with a smile as he heard everyone's applause, except Draco and the Slytherins. The blond still had a small, unoticeable smile on his face as Leo petted Buckbeak's head.