In Hogwarts, multiverse and more with gacha

"I don't understand a thing she said," Crabbe muttered as soon as we left the classroom.

"I think her brain's not working properly," Goyle added, frowning.

Blaise snorted. "Oh, I think it is. Did you hear what she said about Potter?" He let out a short laugh, shaking his head.

The others chuckled too, the tension from the Divination class fading.

"What's next?" Nott asked, stretching.

"Care of Magical Creatures," I said, adjusting my bag.

"Right," Blaise smirked. "Time to see if Hagrid plans on getting us all mauled in the first lesson."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue.

Who knew what Hagrid had planned? With his idea of "harmless," we'd be lucky if we made it out with all our limbs.

We reached the paddock, and there it was a winged beast standing in the clearing.

A hippogriff.

The class shifted, whispering among themselves. Some looked curious. Others? Not so much.

"Right, now listen carefully," Hagrid began, grinning ear to ear. "Hippogriffs are proud creatures. Yeh must show respect. Bow first, let 'em decide if they like yeh."

He patted the beast's side. It flared its wings slightly, talons digging into the ground.

"So," Hagrid continued, eyes sweeping over us. "Who wants to go first?"

Silence.

And then? Movement.

Not forward. Back.

Almost the entire class took a step away, as if volunteering meant signing their own death warrant.

I didn't move. Not because I was feeling particularly brave, but because I was already at the back, leaning against a tree, arms crossed.

Goyle smirked. "Looks like Potter's about to embarrass himself."

Sure enough, Hagrid's grin widened. "Ah! Harry! Go on, then!"

Potter glanced around, quickly realising he'd been abandoned to his fate. Classic. He hesitated for a second but stepped forward anyway, because of course he did.

He followed the protocol bowing, waiting, letting the hippogriff decide whether he was worthy. When the creature finally dipped its head in acceptance, Potter carefully reached out, brushing his hand against the glossy feathers.

That should've been it. A little demonstration, a few pats, and done.

But Hagrid had other ideas.

"Brilliant! Now hop on!"

Before Potter could protest, Hagrid grabbed him by the back of his robes and practically hauled him onto the hippogriff's back.

I bit back a laugh as Potter barely managed to grab hold, his face a mix of panic and disbelief. The rest of the class murmured, half-excited, half-horrified.

"Hold on tight!" Hagrid called, giving the hippogriff a solid pat.

And just like that, the beast spread its massive wings and took off.

I watched as Potter clung on for dear life, the wind whipping through his already messy hair. The hippogriff soared higher, circling the paddock, and for a brief moment, I almost envied him.

Not that I'd admit it.

Inwardly, I wanted to ride it too. Who wouldn't? But then came the problem my pride. Bowing wasn't exactly in my nature.

Yes, along with his memories, I'd inherited his attitude too.

Still, I wasn't completely stupid. I knew when to push, when to step back. I was controlling myself more these days not rushing to be the first to attack.

In fact, I had wanted to be friends with Potter once. But my way of going about it the timing, the delivery had ruined any chance before it even started.

Especially with my background.

Lucius might have been legally cleared, but everyone knew the truth. Power and influence could twist justice, but they couldn't erase what people remembered. The Malfoy name carried weight, but it also carried suspicion.

Not that it matters to me.

What does matter, though, is proving a point.

Potter made the wrong choice back then, and Draco wanted him to see it. That Weasley is hardly worth his time poor, crude, always clinging to Potter like a lost puppy. He could have been a better friend, a stronger ally.

Childish dreams.

"Who's going next?" Hagrid asked as Potter landed.

I was thinking this was going to be peaceful, but—

"Why don't you try, Malfoy?" Weasley turned to me.

I narrowed my eyes.

Oh, he thought he was clever, did he? Setting me up like that, making it sound like a challenge in front of everyone. Gryffindors and their insufferable need to make everything a spectacle.

"Why don't you try, Weasley?" I shot back smoothly. "Oh, wait you'd probably break its back."

A few Slytherins snickered. Weasley turned red, opening his mouth to retort, but before he could, Hagrid clapped his hands together.

"Come on now, no need for that," he said, though he was grinning. "Malfoy, yeh up for it or not?"

I glanced at the hippogriff.

I wouldn't admit it out loud, but part of me wanted to. The way Potter had soared through the sky it looked exhilarating. But bowing? Lowering my head, waiting for approval like some obedient little servant?

That was the part that rankled.

Still, I wasn't about to let Weasley think I was afraid.

I stepped forward.

"Fine," I drawled, keeping my voice lazy and unimpressed. "Let's see what all the fuss is about."