Chapter 275: Ambush
Chapter 275: Ambush
Before leaving, Albert turned back to glance at the jungle behind him and said to Hagrid, "The centaurs probably make no distinction between wizards and Muggles. Those guys would rather be reclusive hermits, mere spectators of the world."
Hagrid, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to Albert, and surveyed their surroundings before speaking. "Centaur folk can be difficult, I'll admit. It took me years at Hogwarts to learn how to deal with them."
"I did some reading on centaurs in the library. They're quite adept at magical healing, divination, archery, and astronomy," Albert shared, having taken the time to research these magical creatures after his own encounter with them. The centaurs would rather be considered beasts by the Ministry than associate with wizards.
There's even a joke within the Ministry about being "assigned to the Centaur Liaison Office," implying that the person is about to be fired because no centaur has ever used that office, nor do they welcome visitors from the Ministry.
"Don't go provoking them unnecessarily. They tend to be rather proud creatures," Hagrid warned with concern, aware of Albert's less-than-friendly encounters with centaurs.
"I don't usually go out of my way to provoke others," Albert shook his head, falling into step behind Hagrid as they made their way in the direction Ron had indicated.
However, luck was not on their side.
The two had been searching the Forbidden Forest for a long time without any success in finding any traces of Scabbers. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.
This was not a good sign.
"Let's head back, Hagrid," Albert suggested, looking at Hagrid's back. "We need to try a different approach."
"I was thinking of paying a visit to Aragog," Hagrid hesitated before continuing. "Perhaps he might know something about Scabbers' whereabouts."
"Who's Aragog?" Albert asked curiously, wondering if it was the name of a giant spider. In the sixth book, he recalled Hagrid burying a giant spider.
"Aragog... he's a, er, giant spider that I raised," Hagrid admitted reluctantly after a moment's pause.
"So it is a giant spider. I won't be joining you then. After what happened last year, I'm not exactly on good terms with those big spiders. You'd best be careful," Albert didn't object to Hagrid's plan but made it clear he wouldn't be going. There was no point in knowingly walking into a trap.
"Don't worry. I won't let them harm you," Hagrid assured, pounding his chest emphatically.
"You probably don't know this, but last year, when George and Fred were surrounded by giant spiders, I saved them by killing several and knocking down over a hundred," Albert shared, his expression turning strange as he glanced at Hagrid. "Of course, I trust that you would do your best to protect me, but I don't trust the spiders. They're naturally cruel and cannibalistic, and I doubt they'd pass up the chance to devour me willingly walking into their lair."
"As long as I'm there, Aragog's clan won't harm you," Hagrid asserted, taken aback for a moment.
"Perhaps not Aragog, but the other spiders might. Only a powerful Dark Wizard could control those spiders with force," Albert didn't doubt Hagrid's words, but he wasn't convinced by his judgment.
"I should be heading back," he decided, turning to find a place to Disapparate and return to the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts.
"Wait, let me escort you..." Hagrid was worried about Albert's safety and didn't want to let him return alone, especially after he had kindly offered to help find Scabbers.
Just then, a rustling sound filled the air, as if something was rapidly approaching them.
"Watch out! Get over here, quick!" Hagrid drew his bow, aiming at the source of the sound.
The moment the sound rang out, Albert was already on high alert, waving his wand to prepare a defensive spell to protect himself.
But it was too late.
A dark figure darted out from the forest like an arrow, lunging straight for Albert.
"Look out!" Hagrid shouted in anger and fear, loosing an arrow at the figure. However, the figure easily dodged it and was about to pounce on Albert when Albert muttered something, raising his left hand and pushing it forward as if to push something away.
Boom! A dull thud reverberated through the Forbidden Forest.
The figure, which had been charging at Albert with incredible speed, collided with an invisible magical shield, much like a rampaging bull crashing into a sturdy wall, with predictable results.
The figure was repelled by the counterforce and went flying, crashing to the ground and lying still, unable to get up.
"Bombarda!" Albert waved his wand, unleashing the most destructive spell he currently knew. A burst of orange magic blasted the attacker, reducing them to pieces.
The attacker's body was blown to bits, and Albert had to step back as a spider leg fell at his feet. "Shame, that was a bit of an overreaction," he muttered.
The giant spider's body was almost completely destroyed and held no value now.
As he watched the piles of gold coins slip through his fingers, Albert couldn't help but feel a bit regretful about his extreme reaction.
In that fleeting moment, Hagrid's emotions had gone on a rollercoaster ride. He had been angry that something was trying to ambush Albert, but in the blink of an eye, Albert had turned the tables and taken down the attacker.
"Are you alright?" Hagrid rushed forward to check on Albert.
"I'm fine," Albert reassured him. "If I dared to venture into the Forbidden Forest with you, you can bet I have a way to protect myself."
Hagrid offered a grim smile, his gaze turning to the dark figure that had attacked Albert. His expression grew even more complex as he recognized the attacker's identity, despite the body being blown to bits by the explosion.
It was a giant spider.
Upon realizing this, Hagrid's face turned sour. He had just been assuring Albert that he would keep him safe, and now this...
"It's not your fault," Albert consoled him. "I'll head back first."
"Wait, I'll escort you back," Hagrid insisted, hurrying to catch up. After what had just happened, he wasn't about to let Albert return alone.
"Don't worry, we'll find Scabbers," Albert said casually in an attempt to comfort him. After all, the Philosopher's Stone would come in handy.
"Still, I think it's best if you take the initiative and confess what happened to Professor Dumbledore," Albert advised. "The Headmaster won't blame you."
Hagrid fell silent once more, hesitating.
"Think about it. It's best to find Scabbers before he causes any more trouble for you," Albert urged.
On their way back to Hogwarts, the two did not encounter any more attacks and safely returned to Hagrid's hut. Before parting ways, they agreed to meet again in the afternoon.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
