Thursday morning, the mist had just lifted from the slope at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Dew still clung like tiny pearls to the leaves.
Julien followed the crowd of third-years along the winding path toward Hagrid's hut and the trees beyond. Technically, they were already stepping into the Forbidden Forest. Most of the students buzzed with excitement mixed with a healthy dose of nerves.
Nearly half the third-year class had signed up for Care of Magical Creatures this year.
Even though a lot of them picked it just because it was outdoors and way more interesting than sitting in a classroom, Hagrid still looked pretty pleased with himself. He clearly decided to start the term with something big.
"Everyone here?" Hagrid's booming voice cut through the chatter.
The half-giant stood in front of them wearing his enormous moleskin overcoat and holding a pair of massive shears that looked like they were meant for trimming trees. Julien figured they were probably for grooming hippogriff feathers.
Hagrid skipped the usual professor small talk and went straight in. "Today, we're learning about…" He paused dramatically, eyes sparkling with excitement, "Hippogriffs!"
He stepped aside, revealing the majestic creature behind him.
It stood about twelve feet tall. The front half was a giant eagle—sharp beak, orange-yellow eyes, silvery-gray feathers. The back half was a powerful horse—sleek muscles, iron-gray coat, strong hooves. Its wings, when half-spread, stretched at least five meters across.
"Merlin's pants," Daphne Greengrass whispered, sucking in a sharp breath as she leaned toward Elizabeth. Her long pale-blonde hair fluttered in the morning breeze. "A real hippogriff? My father said the Malfoys once tried to tame one and lost three house-elves in the process."
"Probably because they mistook 'respect' for 'charity,'" Elizabeth replied, arms folded across her chest, a few stray leaves stuck to her deep-green cloak.
Her ice-gray eyes met the hippogriff's for a brief moment. She added quietly to Daphne, "They can sense arrogance the same way Dementors sense fear and happiness."
"They're very proud creatures," Hagrid said, his voice softening with obvious affection as he looked at the hippogriff. "Very proud. You've got to bow to them first and wait for them to bow back before you can approach. If they don't bow—" He pointed at the razor-sharp talons that could slice through steel. "Don't push your luck."
"Of course, if one takes a liking to you, you might even get to fly on its back. All right, who wants to try first?"
"Mr. Black," Hagrid suddenly called out. "Fancy being the first one?"
Julien blinked. In the original story it should have been Harry, but his presence had clearly shifted a few details.
He felt the weight of everyone's eyes—some expectant, some worried, and a few (mostly Malfoy's) clearly hoping for a show.
"Honored, Professor Hagrid." Julien stepped forward, murmuring to Elizabeth and Liriya, "Watch his eyes. It's not arrogance—it's caution. He's deciding if I'm trustworthy."
"How do you know that?" Liriya whispered.
Julien didn't turn around. "All proud creatures have fear at their core. Understand the fear, and you can make a connection." Those were Grindelwald's words.
He stopped ten feet away from the hippogriff.
"His name's Buckbeak. You can bow to him now."
Buckbeak stared down at Julien from his superior height, orange-yellow eyes gleaming with careful assessment. Julien could feel the pressure of that gaze—like a tangible weight testing his will.
He bowed slowly, smooth and dignified. Not a submissive grovel, but a respectful greeting between equals. His right hand hung naturally at his side, then rose to rest over his heart.
One second. Two. Three.
Buckbeak's head dipped slightly. Those sharp eyes blinked once, and then—the hippogriff returned the bow.
The massive head lowered in a graceful nod. Its wings half-spread and folded again as it let out a low, satisfied-sounding call.
"Brilliant!" Hagrid's voice cracked with excitement. "Mr. Black, you can go up and stroke him now! Remember—smooth with the feathers!"
Julien approached slowly and raised his right hand. The moment his fingertips touched the feathers along Buckbeak's neck, a strange sensation flowed through him—like fine sand slipping between his fingers. A deep, uncanny resonance formed between the two beings.
"This is—" Julien's pupils shrank.
He didn't see it with his eyes. It came through a deeper sense. Buckbeak's memories—or rather, the ancient inherited memory of the hippogriff species itself:
Endless open sky. Freedom above the clouds. Then falling. Being bound. Being caged on a lonely island. And finally Hagrid—those gentle giant hands and this grassy slope beside the pumpkin patch.
"You can feel it too, can't you?" Julien murmured, fingers gliding along the feathers. "There are others like you out there… or at least, there used to be."
Buckbeak let out a sharp cry—not aggressive, but a clear response. His wings snapped fully open, casting a huge shadow over Julien. Then, to everyone's shock, the hippogriff bent his front knees.
He was offering Julien a ride.
"Merlin's toenails," Hagrid muttered. "I've never seen Buckbeak invite anyone himself…"
"Julien!" Elizabeth's voice came from behind him. "Be careful!"
"I know," Julien turned and gave her and Liriya a reassuring smile. "Just a short flight. Nothing too far."
He gripped the feathers at Buckbeak's neck and swung himself onto the creature's back. The hippogriff's powerful muscles tensed beneath him, and then—
Wind.
Buckbeak's wings beat the air with massive force, launching them skyward. Julien leaned low, feeling the rush of wind screaming past his ears. The Forbidden Forest, the castle, the Black Lake—everything shrank into a beautiful miniature painting below.
But Julien wasn't lost in the view. His right hand stayed pressed against Buckbeak's neck, maintaining the resonance. At this height and speed, his perception stretched wide open.
He saw it.
Far to the north, in the misty North Sea, a lonely black island floated like a dark scar on the water. Swarms of dark, ragged shapes drifted above it—similar to the ones now guarding Hogwarts.
Among those shadows were hippogriffs too. But these were pitch-black and tattered. Through Buckbeak, Julien could even feel their emotions—pure despair.
"Let's head back, friend," Julien patted Buckbeak's neck gently. "We've seen what we needed to see."
Buckbeak gave a long cry, wheeled around, and dove smoothly toward the ground.
When they landed steadily, Hagrid rushed forward and pulled Julien into a bone-crushing hug. "That was fantastic! Mr. Black, you're a natural with beasts!"
"Just lucky, Professor Hagrid," Julien smiled, but his eyes met Elizabeth's and Liriya's over Hagrid's shoulder.
"Who's next?" Hagrid turned to the class. "Remember—bow first, and wait for them to bow back!"
Malfoy swaggered forward, platinum hair gleaming in the sunlight. "Looks easy enough. My father always said hippogriffs are just—"
"Malfoy!" Hagrid warned, but it was already too late.