Chapter 204: Hagrid's Self-Blame
Chapter 204: Hagrid's Self-Blame
The next day, as Hogwarts returned to normal, Kyle made his way to the Hospital Wing at the first opportunity.
Along the way, almost everyone was discussing the previous day's events, and the rumors were wild.
"A Dark Wizard attacked Hogwarts..."
"The Death Eaters are back..."
"Magical creatures are rioting..."
"Dumbledore's abandoned illegitimate child is seeking justice..."
"Snape's abandoned illegitimate child is seeking justice..."
By the time Kyle reached the Great Hall from the Common Room, he had already heard five or six different versions, each more outrageous than the last.
If Lockhart had come to Hogwarts earlier to apply for a position, he probably wouldn't have needed to borrow stories for his books.
When Kyle arrived in the courtyard, things finally quieted down a bit.
There was no one at the entrance to the Hospital Wing.
Due to the Quidditch match, most of the students had gone to the pitch, so no one saw Hagrid being taken to the Hospital Wing, and naturally, no one knew about the attack he had endured.
Kyle knocked on the door hesitantly, unsure if Madam Pomfrey would allow him in, and he was even prepared to leave empty-handed.
But to his surprise, Madam Pomfrey said nothing and simply stepped aside to let him in.
"You'd better convince him; we don't have any potions to treat depression here."
Madam Pomfrey led Kyle to the last bed in the room and pulled back the curtain.
Hagrid lay there with a vacant stare, and Kyle called out to him several times without getting a response.
"Is it that serious?" Kyle frowned.
"No!" Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "Last night, the Headmaster sent a special potion containing Phoenix Tears, and after drinking it, his injuries were almost completely healed."
"What's Hagrid's situation now?"
"That's what I was just telling you. He's too depressed; this won't do."
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I'll leave him in your hands. I hope the Euphoria Potion won't be needed."
After Madam Pomfrey left, Kyle tried calling out to Hagrid again, but to no avail.
Helpless, Kyle took a deep breath and shouted, "Wake up, Hagrid! Two dragons are fighting over a nest of eggs in the Forbidden Forest!"
"Hmm..." This time, Hagrid finally stirred.
He moved his eyes and mumbled incoherently, "No... they can't fight. The eggs will break..."
"You don't have to worry at all. There are no dragons or dragon eggs at Hogwarts!"
Hagrid turned his head, as if seeing Kyle for the first time.
"Kyle, what are you doing here?"
"Of course, I came to see you when I heard you were injured." Kyle handed him a large box of chocolate and said, "Have some; it'll be good for you."
"I can't eat..."
Hagrid suddenly grabbed his hair and sobbed, "Drugi... Lula... they're dead, right in front of me.
It's all my fault for being too slow... If I had run faster and arrived earlier, they wouldn't have died..."
Hagrid's crying intensified, and eventually, Kyle couldn't make out what he was saying.
Kyle remained silent and didn't offer any words of comfort. He just sat quietly by Hagrid's side, opening one pack of Chocolate Frogs after another.
It wasn't until Hagrid's sobs gradually subsided that Kyle spoke up. "I don't know how to comfort you, Hagrid, but at least you saved that unicorn."
"Selena..." Hagrid raised his head, and for the first time, his expression changed from self-blame to surprise. He asked eagerly, "Is she okay?
"If you're talking about Selena, the unicorn... she's still alive."
Kyle handed Hagrid a Chocolate Frog and, after popping it into his mouth, continued, "Newt Scamander came to Hogwarts yesterday and took the unicorn back for treatment."
"I guess by the end of this school year, it'll be able to return to the Forbidden Forest."
"You actually met Mr. Scamander?" Hagrid asked in disbelief. "You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Of course not!" Kyle nodded confidently.
These words were spoken by Newt himself when he sneaked into the Hufflepuff Common Room yesterday, so they must be true.
However, what they said next couldn't be shared with Hagrid.
Read the flawless version on Book Bar! 69 Book Bar.
Kyle couldn't understand how Dumbledore knew about the box, even Cedric and the Weasley brothers were unaware of it.
Could it be that Hermione had informed on him...
But that didn't make sense either. She had no way of meeting Dumbledore, and even if she wanted to report something, she should have gone to Professor McGonagall.
Riddle was truly a genius!
"That's great, that's just great..."
Hagrid cried again, but this time, it was tears of joy.
"So, the Forbidden Forest can't do without you."
Kyle gave the rest of the Chocolate Frogs to Hagrid and said, "Don't forget that you didn't catch that Dark Wizard this time. What if he returns to the Forbidden Forest while you're away?"
"Those unicorns are no match for an evil Dark Wizard."
"You're right... you're right." Hagrid rubbed his face and sat up in bed. "I'll go back now."
"Hold on." Kyle stopped him and handed him a small ball about the size of a fist.
"This is for you."
"Thanks, Kyle, but I don't need it." Hagrid refused, "I've had enough chocolate already. You keep it for yourself."
"This isn't chocolate; it's a distress device I made."
Kyle explained, "Just crush the shell, and it will launch custom-made fireworks into the sky. Whether it's Dumbledore or any other professor, as long as they're still at Hogwarts, they'll see it."
Hagrid looked at the small ball in his hand and shook his head. "I won't need this."
In fact, Hagrid had always felt that he was provoked by those two centaurs, and his momentary negligence led to the sneak attack and injury.
If he encountered that Dark Wizard again, he would make the wizard vomit everything he ate last night... from both ends...
Moreover, even if he couldn't win in a fight, he still had his wand hidden in the pink umbrella. He could fire red sparks into the sky to call for help or alert others.
Of course, he had to keep the fact that he still had his wand a secret.
"Take it, Hagrid." Kyle stuffed the item into Hagrid's hand and said, "Don't be careless. Think of it as a means to protect those magical creatures... The sooner the Dark Wizard is caught, the sooner the Forbidden Forest will return to peace."
"Alright... fine." Hagrid thought for a moment and agreed, asking, "Just crush it?"
"Yes." Kyle said, "When you go to the Forbidden Forest, you can keep it in your hand. Just crush it when needed; it's much more convenient than firing distress signals."
"Hmm..." Hagrid turned his head and mumbled, "I... I don't have my wand...
(End of Chapter)
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