Hogwarts: I'm Truly a Model Wizard

Hagrid looked resolute. As much as he admired the dragon teeth and wanted them badly, he wasn't willing to let Kyle take any financial loss. That was simply out of the question.

"It's different, Hagrid," Kyle explained with a grin. "These aren't purchased crafts. Look closely, and you'll see there's no carving on them."

"Really?" Hagrid took one of the dragon teeth from the bag and examined it, noticing that it was clean and slightly different from the polished ones he'd seen before. Pulling out another, he could see scratches from natural wear.

"See?" Kyle said. "I picked these up at the Dragon Reserve. Didn't cost a single Knut."

"Picked up… picked up…" Hagrid repeated, stunned. "All of these?"

"This is just a fraction," Kyle replied. "You must've heard about the big melee at the Romanian Dragon Reserve. Almost every day, dragons would lose teeth in the fights. Sometimes, I'd pick up seven or eight in ten minutes."

Hagrid's expression went blank as the realization sank in. He hadn't known about the melee at the reserve, and as he processed the image of dozens of dragons clashing, his whole demeanor shifted.

"If only I'd known…" Hagrid muttered, kicking at the ground in frustration. "I'd have crawled to Romania if I had to…"

Kyle shrugged, amused. It wasn't that he'd wanted to keep the event a secret; Hagrid simply wouldn't have been allowed near the dragons without an invitation. If he'd gone, he'd have been stuck at the reserve's edge, missing the action entirely.

After a while, Hagrid managed to calm down. Kyle leaned in, asking offhandedly, "So, Hagrid, how many Manticores are in the Forbidden Forest?"

"Two," Hagrid replied. "One big one and one little one. The big one's injured and has been recuperating deep in the forest."

"Injured?" Kyle's brows knitted. "What could possibly harm a Manticore?"

Even among level 5X Magical Creatures, Manticores were notoriously lethal. They possessed immense strength, near-impenetrable fur that could repel most spells, and a venomous scorpion tail that could kill most beings with a single sting—even a fully transformed werewolf wouldn't survive an encounter with its poison.

"I don't know…" Hagrid said, looking down remorsefully. "But it had a pretty big wound. My guess is that while it was weakened, maybe a Dragon or a Chimaera found it, so it came to the Forbidden Forest to give birth."

"Then it's lucky you found it," Kyle replied. "The Forbidden Forest isn't exactly the safest place, is it?"

"You're right," Hagrid agreed, glancing toward the forest's dark edge. "I only came across the Manticore because I was looking for… well, it's not important. I was lucky to help them move to a safer spot, or else…"

Hagrid abruptly cut himself off. "Anyway, the Forbidden Forest is really dangerous."

He didn't want anyone to know about Aragog, and Kyle, sensing that Hagrid preferred to keep it private, didn't press him. Instead, he continued casually, "Was it badly injured?"

"Oh, not too bad," Hagrid said. "The wound looks worse than it is. Just a bit superficial. A little Dittany should fix it right up."

"Need any help?" Kyle offered. "I've got fresh Dittany and a good bit of experience in treating magical creatures thanks to Newt."

Hagrid's face suddenly shifted, and he eyed Kyle suspiciously. "Why are you so interested in the Manticore's condition?"

"No reason, just offering a hand," Kyle assured him. "You know, neither my dad nor Newt would leave an injured magical creature without help."

Hagrid kept his guard up. He knew Kyle was unusually good with magical creatures—Norbert and the Three-Headed Dog Fluffy both took to him instantly, and even the professors hinted that Kyle might've been entrusted with the Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets. Although it was just a rumor, everyone knew Dumbledore's ways, and Professor McGonagall's silence on the subject only seemed to confirm it.

Now, the idea struck Hagrid: was Kyle thinking of taking the Manticore for himself?

Hagrid's expression grew stern. "Listen, don't get any ideas about the Manticore. It's just had a rough time and is in no state to be disturbed. It's more dangerous than usual right now."

Kyle gave a dry cough, trying to look innocent. "You've got it all wrong, Hagrid. I only wanted to help."

To prove his sincerity, Kyle reached into his Mokeskin pouch and produced a handful of fresh Dittany. "See?"

The Dittany roots were still covered in moist soil, clearly freshly picked. But Hagrid only glanced at it, refusing to take any.

"No need, Kyle. Professor Sprout's got more than enough Dittany, and there's plenty in the Forbidden Forest too."

"Well, that's good to hear…" Kyle forced a laugh, putting the Dittany back in his bag and pulling something else out. "How about Essence of Dittany? It's a lot more effective…"

After a few minutes of further attempts, Kyle gave up and walked back to the group by the pumpkin patch.

"What were you two talking about?" Kanna whispered, noticing his look of mild frustration. "You look awfully disappointed."

"Nothing. Just tried to offer some help and got rejected," Kyle said with a touch of annoyance. "And Hagrid even accused me of having ulterior motives. Bit much, don't you think?"

"Yes, quite harsh of him," Kanna said with a smile, though she had an inkling Hagrid's suspicions weren't unfounded. Of course, she wasn't going to say that aloud.

Satisfied with her sympathy, Kyle sighed. He had really hoped to find out the Manticore's location, but it seemed Hagrid was on his guard today. No matter what he offered—Dittany, Essence of Dittany, or even the advanced healing potion he'd once used for a dragon wound—Hagrid had declined them all.

No matter what Kyle said, Hagrid kept repeating the same responses:

"I don't know what you're on about…"

"Don't ask, and even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you…"

"Stay out of the Forbidden Forest, or I'll go straight to Professor Sprout!"

Kyle couldn't help but think in amusement, Since when has Hagrid become so clever?