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Unfortunately, he did not get into Gryffindor.
"Alright, Morris, go back to your seat. There's still some time before class starts."
Morris casually found a seat by the window and sat down, waiting for his first class at Hogwarts.
Gradually, the students entered the classroom one after another.
Most Hogwarts courses are taught together by two houses. For example, this Transfiguration class is taught by Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff together.
When the bell rang, the classroom was about half full—as for the other half, Morris guessed they were probably still wandering around in some corridor of the castle.
Professor McGonagall seemed to have anticipated this, and instead of starting the lesson immediately, she calmly continued drinking her tea.
It wasn't until three minutes after the bell rang that all the students finally arrived.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall did not deduct their college points for this.
Morris already had some understanding of the college grades system. Professors would add or deduct points based on students' performance. At the end of each academic year, the college with the highest grades would receive the "College Cup".
This is a competitive mechanism within Hogwarts.
However, Morris was not interested in this.
Because he already knew that even if he won the Academy Cup, there wouldn't be any substantial rewards.
In his view, schools in both the Muggle and magical worlds should understand one thing—
Incentives without rewards are just empty talk.
Even so, the students here seem very keen to compete for the Academy Cup championship.
Morris couldn't quite understand.
...
Normally, a class lasts for one hour.
The same applies to transformation lessons.
The lesson is about turning a match into a needle.
Morris thought it was as simple as riding a bicycle, but unfortunately, apart from Kyle from their college, the boy who was competing with him for a single room, no one else succeeded.
Professor McGonagall seemed to have anticipated this situation, patiently teaching everyone the techniques for using the Transfiguration Charm, correcting their gestures and pronunciations time and time again.
As expected, Maurice received special treatment.
He was asked to turn the match into a silver letter opener with a lion's head pattern.
To be honest, this is a bit of a stretch for him right now.
It took him a full half hour to barely complete this goal.
He also earned five College points for Ravenclaw as a result.
When the bell rang, Professor McGonagall called out to Maurice, who was about to leave.
"It's time to talk about that, Maurice. You don't have any classes coming up, right?"
"What is it?" Morris asked, somewhat surprised.
"About Thestrals," Professor McGonagall explained briefly, "Thestrals don't usually approach students on their own. But you rode one to the castle yesterday."
Morris then realized what was going on.
To be honest, he didn't take it to heart at all.
I only rode that strange horse for a short while.
"Will I be punished?" he asked.
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "You didn't do anything wrong, but we need to make that Thestral understand that it's very dangerous to let students ride on its back."
"What do you need me to do?" Morris continued to ask.
"All we need to do is find the Thestral that carried you last night," Professor McGonagall said gently. "A professional will remind it."
Upon hearing this, Morris nodded slightly.
This is understandable given the students' safety concerns.
Moreover, he actually really wanted to see that magical creature again.
Chapter 28 Attraction
Professor McGonagall led Maurice straight out of the castle and headed northeast.
They passed through a greenhouse-like structure, then a huge willow tree, and finally stopped in front of a crooked building.
This is a single-story wooden cabin that looks like it was built by hand.
What's striking is that the door to this little cabin is unusually large, as if a giant lived inside.
Professor McGonagall raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"They're here!"
A rough voice came from inside the house.
This made Maurice immediately realize who the owner of this place was.
The door was quickly pulled open.
Sure enough, just as he expected, Rupert Hagrid's towering figure almost filled the entire doorway.
"You've arrived, Professor McGonagall," he nodded to her and warmly invited, "Would you like a cup of hot tea first?"
Professor McGonagall waved her hand: "No need, Hagrid. Mr. Black is in your care. I have class later."
After saying that, she nodded slightly to Maurice, then turned and hurriedly left.
Only Maurice and Hagrid remained in front of the cabin.
"Oh, hello there." Hagrid bent down and extended his hand to Maurice in a friendly manner. "I think you already know me. Just call me Hagrid."
"I am Maurice Black." Maurice responded by extending his hand.
Hagrid's hands were enormous, almost completely enveloping his arms.
Morris clicked his tongue inwardly, realizing that if the other party exerted even a little force, his arm would probably be in danger.
"Then Professor McGonagall should have already explained to you why you're here," Hagrid said gently, stepping aside to make way. "Let's go inside and talk."
Hagrid's cabin has only one room, furnished with enlarged versions of the furniture: a bed, a table and chairs, and a fireplace.
Dried herbs, ham, and a bunch of oddly shaped plants that Morris couldn't name hung from the ceiling.
"Sit anywhere," Hagrid said.
Morris tried the chairs that were too high, but eventually chose to sit on the edge of the bed.
"So, where are those creatures called Thestrals?" he asked curiously.
"The Forbidden Forest," Hagrid pointed to the grove of trees outside the window, "generally, young wizards are forbidden from entering there, but we are a special case. I'll take you there in a bit. Would you like some cookies?"
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it, I baked it myself!"
Morris took a large, rough biscuit from Hagrid.
But he regretted it the moment he took a bite.
This can't even be considered a cookie; it's more like a piece of rough pottery.
It might take a dragon's teeth to bite it.
He casually placed the cookies on the table and asked nonchalantly, "When do we leave?"
"Now," Hagrid gently kicked the massive hound that was dozing beside him, "wake up, Tooth, it's time to get to work."
Ya Ya let out a muffled whimper and stood up.
Morris then realized that the dog was almost as tall as him, only appearing small next to Hagrid.
It curiously approached Maurice, exhaling a warm breath from its nostrils, and then licked his hand affectionately.
"Haha, it likes you!" Hagrid patted Tooth's fluffy head happily. "Tooth is a little timid, but it's always good to have a companion."
Morris looked at the saliva on his hands, silently took out his wand, and cast a cleansing spell on himself—a spell he had learned from the casual books he bought from Diagon Alley, which were not part of the textbook.
"Alright, let's go." Hagrid walked towards the door. "The Thestrals' habitat is a bit far from here. Also, don't out of my sight."
The two people and the dog walked towards the deep, dense forest.
Forest ban.
Morris remembered that at the opening banquet, Headmaster Dumbledore had mentioned this place, saying it was off-limits to the students.
He was quite curious about what might be in this forest.
"Thestrals live deep within the Forbidden Forest, but they will come out to the outer areas at certain times, such as when Hogwarts needs them, or when a new member is about to be born into the colony." Hagrid said, using his enormous hand to push aside the branches blocking his way. "Thestrals are very protective of their colony; they will choose the safest place for their young."
"You mean the Forbidden Forest isn't safe?" Morris asked casually.
"Oh, I'm not kidding, but there are some less friendly creatures in this forest." Hagrid turned at a fork in the road and continued, "like the giant spider, although Aragog and its offspring mostly stay deep in their territory."
"An eight-eyed giant spider? Aragog?"
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