It was a good thing Mo was staying in top Quidditch shape, because staying bowed for long periods of time was crazy hard on the knees and back. He was starting to seriously consider whether or not this was a good moment to step out of line and slip to the back. Try again, maybe, and give it another go.

That was more painful than the ache developing in his lower back. He'd already impatiently stood through the line once, and if he had to slink off the back like a creature-feature failure... he'd be mortified. There was no shame in being rejected by a majestic creature like the hippogriff, but Mo'd gone and made a production out of having to wait.

That was what impatience got you.

Finally, as he was about to back down, Henry seemed to take pity on him, lowering his front legs and bowing his majestic head. AND MO WAS IN. JUST LIKE THAT. BOOM. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."