Chapter 284: Flobberworm
Chapter 284: Flobberworm
After nearly a year of adjustment, the Study Group was thriving. Under Liam and Hermione's guidance and organization, the Study Group was developing in the direction they had hoped for.
During one of the Study Group sessions, Liam meticulously explained the principle behind the Magic used against Dragons, clarifying that it was based on electromagnetic induction, drawing inspiration from a Muggle sci-fi weapon (the railgun was still considered sci-fi in 1994). The members of the Study Group listened without any signs of discontent, and even some Pure-blood Wizards were curious enough to ask questions about various Muggle technologies related to electromagnetism as they left.
Hermione took on the role of primary instructor in the Study Group, a position she took very seriously. On one hand, it allowed her to promote her ideas, and on the other, she could improve her own skills by teaching others and identifying her shortcomings. Not to mention, the role also provided her with some prestige.
At that moment, Hermione was sitting in the Library, writing her Ancient Runes homework. Her quill left a trail of elegant letters on the parchment. Liam, sitting across from her, was working through calculations to determine the placement and effects of a particular rune in Magic.
December brought strong winds and sleet to Hogwarts, infusing the ancient castle with a chill. Fortunately, this year, whether it was the Beauxbatons carriage parked in the courtyard or the Durmstrang ship floating on the Black Lake, both seemed much colder than the castle. With these two schools as a comparison, many Hogwarts students found the castle's chill more bearable.
However, the fierce wind and sleet outside made the students who had to go outdoors for Care of Magical Creatures class long for the warm fires and thick walls inside the castle. After all, even the coldest corridors in the castle were more comfortable than being out in the elements. Skipping class was out of the question, so Liam had to brave the weather and head down to the field.
Recently, Hagrid hadn't been focusing all his energy on teaching. During class, he often had to leave to fill the feeding troughs in front of the Beauxbatons Hippogriffs with their favorite pure malt whiskey. The temporary stables were permeated with the smell of alcohol, which made the young wizards feel a bit dizzy. According to a young Gryffindor, this quality of whiskey cost around 20 pounds a bottle in the Muggle world, highlighting Beauxbatons' wealth.
However, the intoxicating smell wasn't conducive to learning, especially when the class required the students to remain alert while taking care of these terrifying Flobberworms. After months of mutual cannibalism, only ten Flobberworms remained in Hagrid's care. Each one was nearly six feet long, with a thick gray protective layer and powerful, flailing legs. Their tails constantly exploded and spewed fire, and they had sharp spines and suction cups that looked quite dangerous.
"I'm not sure if they hibernate", Hagrid said, shivering in the pumpkin patch with the students, "but let's see if they want to sleep... We'll settle them into these boxes..."
"Is Hagrid joking?" Liam thought to himself. The Flobberworms seemed more energetic than any student out on the field. The absurdity of the situation increased when Hagrid brought out large boxes filled with thick blankets and pillows.
The boxes, large enough to fit a six-foot-long Flobberworm, could have easily accommodated anyone on the field except Hagrid. Liam felt he needed the warmth of those boxes more than the lively Flobberworms did as he stood in the cold wind.
Sure enough, the Flobberworms didn't need to hibernate, and they certainly didn't like being stuffed into boxes lined with pillows and then closed. Soon, they began to stir, trying to break out of the boxes.
"Stupefy." Liam immediately drew his wand and cast a Stunning Spell at the Flobberworm in the box, finally calming it down. With the help of the other Gryffindor students, Liam and Hermione used Stunning Spells to knock out the other four Flobberworms assigned to the Gryffindors for that class.
The Slytherins were a step too slow. By the time they realized what was happening, three Flobberworms had successfully shattered the box and escaped. Under the lead of Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, the Slytherins, seeing the situation turn dire, quickly fled through the back door into Hagrid's hut and locked themselves inside.
"These Slytherin Purebloods are just too—” Liam was speechless at the Slytherins who had fled the scene. What about the perfect magical upbringing of Pureblood families? The way they left the mess they created for others to clean up was far from noble.
Liam muttered this to himself as he waved his wand. With his spell, a pillar suddenly sprouted from the ground, flipping one of the Flobberworms over, exposing its less defended underside. Then, everyone used a variety of spells to knock the Flobberworm out.
"This is why our family finds the term 'Pureblood traitor' somewhat honorable", Ron said, casting an Obstacle Charm to stop the Flobberworm from advancing. "Those Slytherins are the ones who tarnish the name of Purebloods."
"Don't hurt them", Hagrid said, pained, when he saw the Gryffindors pelting the last Flobberworm with a barrage of spells.
"The students are far more important than these monsters. When will Hagrid realize that?" Harry said, irritated, as he watched Hagrid fuss over the half-dead Flobberworm. If not for their earlier attacks, he would have almost been set on fire by the sparks the Flobberworm had shot out.
With all the Flobberworms now unconscious, Hagrid moved them back to the cellar. For the remaining half of the class, he used the textbook to teach the students about the Dragons that would appear in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.
Hagrid's extensive knowledge of magical creatures certainly lived up to his position as a professor, especially when it came to the "little darlings" he was particularly fond of. His understanding far surpassed that of most wizards.
Even without any physical specimens to refer to, Hagrid's lecture successfully captivated everyone, including the Slytherin students, who showed a keen interest in the class content.
Near the end of the class, Rita Skeeter, wearing a thick magenta robe and carrying a crocodile-skin handbag, appeared out of nowhere.
"Who are you?" Hagrid asked directly.
"My name is Rita Skeeter, and I'm a reporter for the Daily Prophet", Rita replied, smiling broadly at Hagrid, her gold tooth gleaming.
"I believe Dumbledore said you're not allowed back into the school", Hagrid said, frowning slightly.
Rita pretended not to hear this and said with a curious tone, "Your description of Dragons was very professional. How did you acquire such extensive knowledge?"
This question hit Hagrid's sweet spot. He immediately forgot about Professor Dumbledore's ban and began to talk incessantly. Even as the class ended, Liam overheard Hagrid making plans to meet Rita Skeeter at the Three Broomsticks later in the week for a long chat.
"I hope he doesn't mention his past with illegal creatures", Hermione said as they walked back to the castle. "Even a normal conversation with that woman would be twisted into something sensational. If she finds out what Hagrid has done in the past, it could be very bad."
"Maybe this could be an opportunity to get rid of those Flobberworms", Liam thought there might be a silver lining to the situation.
(End of Chapter)
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