Chapter 152: A Well-Intended Warning
Chapter 152: A Well-Intended Warning
The next day, Fred and George's Hangover Potion hangovers had completely faded, and the duo left the infirmary early in the morning to meet their roommates for breakfast in the Great Hall.
"What's that?" George asked curiously, eyeing the owl that had just flown in and the package on Albert's table.
"Dog food," Albert replied without looking up from his plate. "For Yaya. It really came in handy the night before last."
"Oh, Yaya was a great help," George agreed.
He didn't actually know what Yaya had done to help, but if Albert said so and even bought dog food for it, then it must have been a big deal.
"Are you guys going to Hagrid's later?" Albert asked casually.
"No, we're planning to hit the library. We still have a lot of holiday homework to finish," Fred said, nudging George with his elbow. George, who had been lost in thought, quickly chimed in, "We won't be going then."
Albert had only asked out of courtesy, knowing full well that Fred and George dared not face Hagrid. If they went, they'd probably be lectured by Hagrid for half a day.
With the dog food he had bought from the Magical Creature Shop, Albert paid a visit to Hagrid's hut. Yaya had fully recovered and was happily circling around Albert, who had clearly taken a liking to the new food.
"Last time, we really have Yaya to thank!" Albert said, scratching Yaya behind the ears as he spoke to Hagrid, who was boiling water over the fireplace.
"You've got some nerve, venturing alone into the forest in the middle of the night," Hagrid scolded, hands on his hips as he glared at Albert.
Hagrid was reprimanding Albert for his recklessness.
"Didn't you say that as long as I had Yaya with me, the creatures in the forest wouldn't harm us?" Albert easily countered Hagrid's accusation.
"Did I say that?" Hagrid asked, sounding a bit flustered.
"Yes, or why else would I have dared to take the risk?"
"Alright, fine. I suppose I did say that," Hagrid admitted, a bit glum as he poured tea, trying to recall when he had made such a claim.
"While it's not exactly as you said, Yaya did help a lot, even if it is a bit timid," Albert took a sip of the amber-colored tea and tossed a bone-like treat to Yaya.
This was one of the hound's favorite snacks.
"Professor Broadbeard mentioned that you took down quite a few Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest," Hagrid said, looking a bit conflicted as he brought up the subject.
"Quite a few. Those giant spiders are dangerous," Albert glanced at Hagrid and continued nonchalantly, "Actually, I'm curious as to why there are such creatures in the Forbidden Forest. I looked up information on them, and these Acromantulas are supposed to live deep in the rainforests of southeastern Asia. Someone must have released them into the forest."
Hagrid's expression suddenly became awkward, as he was the one responsible for setting the spiders free in the forest.
"Hmm, I also encountered the legendary Centaurs, and they're not very friendly towards wizards," Albert recalled his first encounter with the Centaurs, furrowing his brows slightly as he continued, "We almost got into a fight, and I even considered taking them down."
"That would've been a very foolish idea." Hagrid quickly corrected him, stuttering slightly, "Fortunately, you didn't do that. Hogwarts has always had a good relationship with the Centaurs."
"Good relationship?" Albert shook his head, unconvinced. "Maybe Professor Dumbledore can easily intimidate most Centaurs, as he's supposed to be the most powerful wizard in the magical world."
"Dumbledore is definitely the most powerful wizard," Hagrid agreed with Albert's assessment.
"I think the Centaurs must know your hound. They didn't think I should be in the forest, and a brown-and-black Centaur even tried to start trouble with me. You might know him. But there's no denying that it wasn't a friendly encounter." Albert's first impression of the Centaurs was less than favorable.
"That's just how Centaurs are. Don't take it to heart," Hagrid consoled.
"Hmm, I'm not really bothered by it," Albert said, shrugging it off.
Albert spoke sternly, "Since I dared to venture into the Forbidden Forest alone, I was prepared to die within its depths. If the centaurs dared to shoot at me, I would definitely knock them out and let them experience the feeling of being hung from a tree."
Albert spoke with malicious intent, and even Hagrid could tell that Albert's first impression of the centaurs was less than favorable.
"Don't take it to heart. They meant no harm, and the centaurs won't hurt Hogwarts students," Hagrid said, not wanting any conflict between Albert and the centaurs.
"I meant no harm either. By the way, if you see the centaurs next time, please thank a brown-red one named Ronan on my behalf. Although that centaur didn't guide us out of the Forbidden Forest in the end, please thank it for me anyway."
"However, I don't think the centaurs will like my gift. So, never mind the thanks." Albert added.
"I will." Hagrid poured Albert another cup of amber tea and took a sip from his own, then earnestly advised, "Don't go into the Forbidden Forest alone again. You were lucky this time, but it won't always be like that."
"Do you really think I wanted to take that risk?" Albert rolled his eyes at Hagrid. "If you had been home, I would have definitely asked you to come with me. By the way, be careful next time you go into the forest yourself. Don't let those giant spiders drag you away. Even you wouldn't be able to face a whole swarm of them."
Although he said this, Albert was just teasing Hagrid to prevent him from lecturing about his foray into the forest.
Hagrid's expression became ... conflicted.
"Actually, those Acromantulas aren't as dangerous as you think!" Hagrid hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"Not ... as dangerous ... as I think?" Albert repeated, emphasizing each word.
"Hagrid, I think you're joking. If Acromantulas were safe, they wouldn't be classified as such." Albert fixed his gaze on Hagrid, then continued after a moment of silence, "If I had arrived a little later, you probably wouldn't have been able to find Fred and George's bodies in the Forbidden Forest."
Hagrid fell silent, as Albert was most likely stating a fact.
"Those creatures are related to you, aren't they? Don't deny it." Albert sighed softly. "From what you just said, I can be sure of that. Acromantulas shouldn't be living in the Forbidden Forest. Professor Broadbeard once joked that someone might be breeding Acromantulas, but I think it was just a joke."
"Hagrid, I need to remind you that while the Acromantulas might not eat you, they certainly wouldn't mind eating your friends." Albert looked at the silent Hagrid and continued, "I'm not blaming you, I'm just reminding you that what's not dangerous to you might be to others."
Hagrid remained silent, his expression unnatural as he clearly didn't like hearing these words.
"You have giant blood in you, don't you? Don't bother denying it." Albert raised his hand to interrupt Hagrid, lowering his voice. "Your giant blood makes you naturally fearless towards those dangerous magical creatures, but those monsters would only need one bite to take our lives."
"Also, don't admit or mention anything about having giant blood. I never mind making the worst assumptions about others, and if someone uses this against you, it will bring you unimaginable trouble. Wizards fear giants, just as they fear the Dark Lord."
Albert soon left Hagrid's hut, and in the process, completed a task related to Hagrid.
A Well-Intended Warning.
Your friend, Rubeus Hagrid, has a somewhat unique worldview. As his friend, you should give him some reminders before he makes stupid mistakes, fulfilling your responsibility as a friend.
Reward: 500 experience, Rubeus Hagrid's favorability +5.
(End of Chapter)
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