Chapter Text
Upon Harry's arrival to the peculiar Care of Magical Creatures lesson, he sees the 'Gamekeeper' Rubeus Hagrid, rather than Silvanus Kettleburn standing in the area. Upon investigation, he realises Silvanus was taking time off on that specific day, after a particularly gruesome injury whilst attempting to handle a creature. He doesn't wait for Rubeus's explanation considering that he'd already deduced it all, and simply sitting by a designated seat.
"Now, today, I'll be teaching the class since ..." Some time passes as Harry lets the long explanation enter one ear and exit through the other, before finally coming to attention at the spoken objective. "Now, for this lesson, I brought in a Porlock! I went for something safer since you're all just second years, but it is no less interesting.."
Harry looked over at the small creature shaking around in Rubeus's grip, startled from all the mortal presences as he blinked, tilting his head. Lightly, he wondered what sort of Beyonder Characteristic could come from such an animal, and with the thought, his fingers twitched, and he grappled to prevent his intentions from leaking out further, considering he could've actually killed the thing with a simple thought.
"There are a few of them hidden around the place, find them to pass! But, you can't harm them in any way, you need to gain their trust." Inwardly, Harry sighed, wondering about the purpose of keeping beasts alive when they were much more useful as characteristics (including other Beyonders), and murmured a silent prayer to Mr Fool before standing and venturing off. He fidgeted with his tie, before tapping his finger against his thumb and using 'spirit vision'. It took less than a moment before he found one of the things.
He stared at where it was hidden for a small amount of time, ignoring other students already casting spells and running and rushing, and after a long moment, he reached out and simply grabbed it with inhumane speed, holding it tight, before it could squirm. Though it didn't seem too fearful of him, probably because he wasn't human, he mused.
"You pass, Harry!" Rubeus Hagrid had already appeared behind him, looming over in a giant-like presence which Harry found quite regular, considering the size of opponents he'd usually faced before, even when weaker. Upon the confirmation, he dropped the animal haphazardly and dusted his hands off, letting it disappear again. "Quite quick, I might say."
"Only thanks to The Fool." He smiles, looking at students in the corner of his eyes before attempting to quench his curiosity. "Though, can I ask why we keep beasts alive?" He ignores the change in expression of Hagrid, continuing on his quiet question. "You see, I've always thought those kind of animals which don't contribute much are better as characteristics, so I found it strange to keep them alive when they don't seem useful."
"They do quite a bit... Porlocks are known for guarding horses!"
"Yet.. Couldn't I do the same, without running at the sight of humans, children, no less."
"You're also a child-"
"-I forgot for a slight moment. My apologies, Professor." His tune changes when he finally decides to register the tall man's expression and tone, his smile widening as he steps back, finger tapping against his thumb to turn off the spirit vision and properly take in the rest of what he had missed. "You see, where I'm from, compassion is a mercy for only the ones prepared to die." He blinks slowly, deliberately avoiding Rubeus's gaze. "I've simply grown used to not having the luxury of caring for beasts. Maybe the only reason I'm here now is because of Mr Fool!" He laughs loudly, abruptly stopping to meet the eyes of a staring onlooker. It seemed madness suited him well - and for a light moment he considered allowing himself to lose control just to see the diverse expressions of those who managed to survive losing their minds. Well, that wouldn't be 'anyone', maybe only Sybill, so he shut down the thought in rememberance that if he did such a thing, he could never live to properly serve His Lord.
He might actually be going mad? Well, it was thankfully the norm, so it wasn't much of a bother beyond the headache and the familiar losing-his-grasp on emotions.
After the brief inner monologue, he turned away from the trembling student and back to Rubeus, slightly bothered about losing what he had worked to gain, yet silent otherwise. He registered the heartbroken expression on the gruff man, wondering whether his performance gained points, and turned away. After a long moment, he spoke.
"Professor, would you like to join morning prayers? You won't need to actually pray, or anything.." He asks, already knowing the answer and shaking his head inwardly.
"I can't, but I'll try when possible, Harry. I've got my own things to do each morning." In the end, Harry shrugs his shoulders and departs from classes early, as per Rubeus's courtesy to passing students.