https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-333-The-Cancelled-Care-of-Magical-Creatures-Class/13685303/
Chapter 334: Wade: Let's Talk?
The scheduled class had suddenly been canceled, and most students seized the unexpected break to rest or head straight to the Maze. But Wade and his friends made their way to the Infirmary.
From afar, they could already hear a furious voice shouting:
“I was almost killed! I’m telling my father! You wait— you big, stupid brute, my father will never let this go!”
Michael froze in place.
“Malfoy? The injured one is Malfoy?” He turned to Wade. “Then we don’t need to go in, do we?”
“This isn’t good, Michael,” Theo frowned. “Professor Hagrid could be fired over this.”
Michael waved dismissively. “Unexpected incidents happen all the time in class. Who hasn’t gotten hurt in Potions? Oh… Wade probably hasn’t.”
He turned and started walking away.
Then, from inside the ward, Malfoy’s voice rose again:
“And that cursed beast! I’m going to cut it to pieces! It’s dead meat!”
Michael’s expression darkened.
“Let’s go see,” Wade said.
They continued forward, and as they reached the entrance, they heard Harry’s weak voice say:
“Shut up, Malfoy.”
His voice was soft, but Malfoy actually fell silent for a moment. That was when Wade pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Two hospital beds were occupied.
Harry’s shirt was torn open across his back, jagged bloody rips revealing raw flesh. His face was deathly pale, streaked with bloodstains. Madam Pomfrey was slathering thick green ointment over his wounds, then handed him a steaming, bubbling drink that reeked horribly.
Draco Malfoy, meanwhile, had a small cut on his arm—already healed by magic—but he still clutched it tightly, groaning in exaggerated pain.
Hagrid sat in the corner, perched awkwardly on a stool that seemed far too small for his frame. He sat with his hands folded on his knees, shoulders hunched, looking like he’d shrunk into himself. His eyes were downcast, unresponsive to Malfoy’s insults, utterly dejected—almost catatonic from emotional shock.
The arrival of Wade and the others broke the eerie silence in the room.
“Harry?” Theo asked, surprised. “How did you get hurt?”
“Bad luck,” Harry muttered. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Yeah,” Michael said, glancing at Hagrid in the corner. “Care of Magical Creatures class. But Professor isn’t here. The lesson was canceled.”
“I’m sorry,” Hagrid mumbled, voice hollow. “I… I don’t think I can teach you today… Hogwarts hasn’t had a professor last just one day.”
“It’s not your fault, Hagrid,” Harry said weakly, trying to comfort him. “You said Hippogriffs are proud creatures—respect is essential. Malfoy deliberately insulted them. It was his fault. It’s not your doing.”
“It’s his fault!” Malfoy snapped. “He shouldn’t have brought those dangerous beasts into class!”
“Serpent Monsters were more dangerous,” Harry shot back, “but we faced them too! Strange you didn’t show up last time—guess you’re just a coward!”
Malfoy’s face flushed red. He panted angrily, then quickly glanced at Wade and Madam Pomfrey—nervous, guilty.
Last term, Malfoy had skipped the Serpent Monster challenge because of a prior clash with Crabbe—one that had been sealed under his father’s orders. The incident was buried, and Harry and the others didn’t know. But Madam Pomfrey, who had helped rescue Crabbe, and Wade, who had the video evidence, knew every detail.
Madam Pomfrey, however, acted as if she hadn’t heard a word. She simply held out the cup.
“Drink it, child. The Hippogriff’s claws may carry poison. Your wound is deep. It won’t heal easily.”
Harry’s face twisted in disgust. He flinched at the sight of the vile, emerald potion—so foul it made his stomach churn. He’d rather face a Hippogriff again than drink it.
But under Madam Pomfrey’s stern gaze, he took the cup, closed his eyes, and downed it in one gulp.
The stench that followed was unbearable—worse than a hundred stinking socks. Even Malfoy grimaced in sympathy.
Madam Pomfrey looked satisfied, then fixed the group with a warning stare.
“No arguing in the Infirmary. If you disturb my patients, I’ll throw you all out.”
“We understand, Madam,” they chorused.
She left. Harry immediately clutched his stomach, fighting to keep the potion down.
Wade ignored Malfoy’s bed and turned to Harry. “Malfoy provoked the Hippogriff. It attacked him. Then what? How did you get hurt?”
Harry stiffened. A pained expression crossed his face, then he burst into a fit of coughing.
Malfoy looked away, as if avoiding something.
Hagrid finally spoke, voice breaking:
“Harry got hurt trying to save Malfoy… It’s all my fault. If I’d just held onto Buckbeak, none of this would’ve happened…”
“I shouldn’t have released them all. If I’d only untied one Hippogriff’s collar, I could’ve controlled the situation…”
“Or if I’d realized something was wrong when Malfoy started insulting them, I could’ve stepped in right away. This never should’ve happened…”
“Maybe I should’ve started with something safer—Flobberworms, even. Why did I think a surprise lesson would make students like me more? I’ve ruined everything…”
He sat there, replaying the disaster in his mind, berating himself over every mistake, his voice cracking, tears welling in his eyes.
Malfoy sneered. “At least you know your place. That lesson was a disaster.”
“Hey!” Michael blurted, startled. “Hippogriffs were a surprise—I loved it! And I don’t want to see Flobberworms in class!”
“Really?” Hagrid looked up, eyes wide with hope.
“Absolutely,” Liam said. “I’m already looking forward to our next Care of Magical Creatures class. Please don’t miss it again.”
“And the Hippogriffs!” Michael added.
“But they are dangerous,” Padma said gently, clearing her throat. “For everyone’s safety, shouldn’t we consider some precautions? I’ve got a few ideas…”
One by one, the group gathered around Hagrid, helping the broken-hearted professor rebuild a safer, more engaging lesson plan.
Wade walked over to Malfoy’s bed. He smiled—warm, calm, almost friendly.
“What do you want?” Malfoy tensed instantly, scrambling upright and instinctively reaching for his wand.
Wade seized the wand’s tip and pressed it down, leaning forward slightly.
“Malfoy,” he said softly, “let’s talk?”
(End of Chapter)
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