No, said Hermione miserably. He says he wants them to be a surprise. I tried to explain about Umbridge, but he just doesnt get it. He kept saying nobody in their right mind would rather study knarls than chimaeras oh I dont think hes got a chimaera, she added at the appalled look on Harry and Rons faces, but thats not for lack of trying from what he said about how hard it is to get eggs. . . . I dont know how many times I told him hed be better off following Grubbly-Planks plan, I honestly dont think he listened to half of what I said. Hes in a bit of a funny mood, you know. He still wont say how he got all those injuries. . . .

Hagrids reappearance at the staff table at breakfast next day was not greeted by enthusiasm from all students. Some, like Fred, George, and Lee, roared with delight and sprinted up the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables to wring Hagrids enormous hand; others, like Parvati and Lavender, exchanged gloomy looks and shook their heads. Harry knew that many of them preferred Professor Grubbly-Planks lessons, and the worst of it was that a very small, unbiased part of him knew that they had good reason: Grubbly-Planks idea of an interesting class was not one where there was a risk that somebody might have their head ripped off. It was with a certain amount of apprehension that Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed down to Hagrids on Tuesday, heavily muffled against the cold. Harry was worried, not only about what Hagrid (cid:145) 442 (cid:145)

THE EYE OF THE SNAKE might have decided to teach them, but also about how the rest of the class, particularly Malfoy and his cronies, would behave if Umbridge was watching them. However, the High Inquisitor was nowhere to be seen as they struggled through the snow toward Hagrid, who stood waiting for them on the edge of the forest. He did not present a reassuring sight; the bruises that had been purple on Saturday night were now tinged with green and yellow and some of his cuts still seemed to be bleeding. Harry could not understand this: Had Hagrid perhaps been attacked by some creature whose venom prevented the wounds it inflicted from healing? As though to complete the ominous picture, Hagrid was carrying what looked like half a dead cow over his shoulder. Were workin in here today! Hagrid called happily to the approaching students, jerking his head back at the dark trees behind him. Bit more sheltered! Anyway, they prefer the dark. . . .

What prefers the dark? Harry heard Malfoy say sharply to Crabbe and Goyle, a trace of panic in his voice. What did he say prefers the dark did you hear? Harry remembered the only occasion on which Malfoy had entered the forest before now; he had not been very brave then either. He smiled to himself; after the Quidditch match anything that caused Malfoy discomfort was all right with him. Ready? said Hagrid happily, looking around at the class. Right, well, Ive bin savin a trip inter the forest fer yer fifth year. Thought wed go an see these creatures in their natural habitat. Now, what were studyin today is pretty rare, I reckon Im probably the ony person in Britain whos managed ter train em And youre sure theyre trained, are you? said Malfoy, the panic in his voice even more pronounced now. Only it wouldnt be the first time youd brought wild stuff to class, would it? The Slytherins murmured agreement and a few Gryffindors looked