Chapter 243: Betraying Your Teammate Without Hesitation
Chapter 243: Betraying Your Teammate Without Hesitation
At this moment, Lee Jordan instinctively wanted to rely on his reliable roommate, but he was too nervous. His rapid breathing and pounding heart gave away his position, attracting the attention of the three-headed monster.
Fred and George also noticed that one of the three heads of the monster before them raised and looked in a certain direction. They felt slightly relieved, thinking that if Albert was here, then perhaps... maybe... there would be a way to deal with this three-headed beast! Fred and George prayed for Albert to appear and help them out of their current predicament. However, no matter how fervently they wished, their thoughts could not reach Albert, nor would they be of any use.
The monster's three heads and six gleaming eyes fixed on the spot where Fred and George were hiding. Its three noses twitched and sniffed in their direction, and thick saliva dripped from its yellowed fangs, landing beside them and frightening the boys into shivering. One pounce was all it would take for the beast to bite them to death.
Not only were Fred and George terrified, but Lee Jordan, hiding beside them, was also drenched in sweat. He couldn't understand why Albert hadn't acted yet, even as the situation became increasingly dangerous. What was he doing?
Lee Jordan truly couldn't understand! He gripped his wand tightly, ready to cast a spell on the beast and save Fred and George at any moment.
Ah! As Fluffy opened its mouth, preparing to pounce, Fred and George, unable to bear the pressure any longer, let out simultaneous terrified and piercing screams. The two of them practically used their hands and feet together, fleeing toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest at a speed fit for a 100-meter sprint.
To be honest, this move was extremely foolish.
Albert, hiding nearby, watched on with uncertainty. Wasn't exposing their backs to the enemy the same as asking to die?
Moreover, no matter how fast the two of them ran, could they outrun a three-headed dog?
But for some reason, Fluffy didn't immediately give chase. Perhaps the piercing screams had startled it.
When Fluffy finally snapped out of its daze and began to bark madly in the direction Fred and George had fled, the Weasley twins wished they could grow a few extra legs to escape faster.
Lee Jordan was stunned by the scene before him. When he finally regained his senses and prepared to help Fred and George, he heard Hagrid's loud shout not far away: "Fluffy, come back!"
The three-headed dog hesitated, and it seemed that Hagrid's efforts in raising it hadn't been in vain. Especially now, if it didn't listen, it probably wouldn't be taken out for another walk anytime soon.
This hesitation allowed Fred and George, who had been running for their lives, to escape. However, the two brothers were still in a dire situation. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they had been scared out of their wits by the three-headed monster.
"That scream just now... was it the Weasley family?" Hagrid had naturally heard Fred and George's screams as well, and his expression turned grim. He didn't want anyone to know about Fluffy's existence, and even less did he want Fluffy to bite other students. He quickly strode over, and after confirming that Fluffy hadn't bitten the Weasley twins, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Noticing Fluffy's gaze, Hagrid immediately followed its line of sight and spotted the footprints in the snow. He called out, his voice stern.
"It's me!" Lee Jordan spoke up reluctantly.
"You're invisible?" Hagrid recognized the voice and his expression darkened further.
"It's the Disillusionment Charm, Albert cast it on me. I just wanted to take a look at what was going on over here," Lee Jordan bluntly threw Albert under the bus, knowing that Albert and Hagrid had a good relationship.
"What's going on here? Didn't I tell you not to enter the forest?" Hagrid asked, his tone stern.
Hagrid's expression darkened as he probed further, "Then where's Albert?"
"Albert? He should be around here somewhere." Lee Jordan looked around but couldn't spot Albert or any traces of his footprints in the snow. He suddenly realized he had been set up.
"Damn those guys!" Lee Jordan cursed inwardly. However, his attention was quickly diverted as Fluffy's three heads loomed closer, causing his legs to shake uncontrollably, and he almost collapsed to the ground.
"Hagrid, could you please keep your pet away from me? It looks a bit..." Lee Jordan couldn't bring himself to say "terrifying."
"Oh, don't worry. Fluffy is very well-behaved," Hagrid reassured him. "Albert even patted its head the other day."
"Albert patted its head?" Lee Jordan admired Albert's courage. To dare to pat this monster's head, perhaps it wasn't as dangerous as it seemed?
As if reading Lee Jordan's thoughts, Hagrid warned, "It's best to keep your distance when I'm not around. Fluffy is learning how to hunt for food these days..."
The latter quickly dismissed the crazy thought that had entered his mind.
"What are you all doing here?" Hagrid asked, frowning.
"The four of us came to pick snow mushrooms, the delicious kind we found last year," Lee Jordan replied honestly, but only told half the truth. After all, he wasn't lying, and he felt justified in his answer—a tactic he had learned from Albert.
"Then what happened with Fred and George? Why were they screaming in terror?" Hagrid asked, perplexed.
"They were... scared, of course!" Lee Jordan felt his mouth twitch uncontrollably. If he had been faced with this three-headed monster, he would have screamed in fear as well.
"If I hadn't been here today, who knows what could've happened!" Hagrid pretended to be angry as he complained. "If you all died in the Forbidden Forest, I could've just collected your remains later. But I don't want your mischief to bring a bad reputation to Hogwarts."
Hagrid pushed Fluffy's three heads aside and poked Lee Jordan's chest with his finger. "Don't go spreading rumors about this. And don't come into the forest again, or I'll have Professor McGonagall deduct points and give you another month of detention."
"We understand," Lee Jordan said sincerely. "I promise it won't happen again."
"At least, you won't catch me next time," he added inwardly.
After being scolded by Hagrid and standing there listening to his lecture for several minutes, Lee Jordan deeply regretted his curiosity. Why did he have to come back to see what kind of pet Hagrid had?
Not only had he been terrified by the monster, but he had also received a stern lecture from Hagrid. Where was that Albert guy hiding anyway? He was sure Albert had known about the monster beforehand, which was why he had told them to leave immediately.
Thinking about what had just happened, Lee Jordan felt annoyed. He should have run off with Albert. However, when he imagined Fred and George, who had been scared out of their wits, his mood improved significantly.
Indeed, comparing his situation to theirs, he felt much better off.
Hagrid tugged on the chain around Fluffy's neck and watched as Lee Jordan walked away. "Alright, he's gone. You can come out now!"
There was no response, and the surroundings remained deathly silent.
Hagrid scratched his head, looked around, and muttered to himself, "Did I guess wrong?"
(End of Chapter)
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