Chapter 97: The Forbidden Forest
Chapter 97: The Forbidden Forest
"Detention?"
In Professor McGonagall's office, Kyle feigned innocence and said, "But Professor, we just sold a few things. We didn't break any rules, did we?"
"This is at the request of the headmaster."
Professor McGonagall replied sternly, "He believes that you should be spending more time studying or practicing your wand movements for your exams instead of diverting your energy elsewhere."
"Well... alright, I understand."
Kyle sighed and didn't argue further.
It's just detention, he thought. As long as they don't make me refund the money, everything's negotiable.
As the six friends left Professor McGonagall's office, they exchanged glances and sighed collectively.
"Cheer up, guys," said Fred and George, who were veterans when it came to detentions.
Fred smiled and said, "At least Professor McGonagall isn't making us refund the money or deducting points. That's quite rare."
"Yeah," George agreed, patting Cedric's shoulder. "And for you guys, it'll be a novel experience."
"Merlin's beard!" Fred exclaimed with exaggerated surprise. "George, I just realized that everyone here is a model student except for us two."
"Yeah, Fred," George added. "Compared to them, we're the odd ones out for frequently landing in detention."
Squeezing out a couple of tears, George lamented, "I hope they won't look down on us."
"Why don't we head back and start studying right now while we still have time?" Fred suggested.
"Let's aim for 'Outstanding' in most of our O.W.L.s," George chimed in.
"That's too difficult. Let's settle for 'Exceeds Expectations'," Fred countered.
Their banter, accompanied by exaggerated expressions, soon had the others laughing.
"Thanks, but you're giving us too much credit," Kyle said, smiling.
"Yeah," Cedric agreed, spreading his hands. "If I could earn a hundred galleons each time I got detention, I'd gladly show up before Filch every night without fail."
Autumn and Connor nodded in unison.
"Absolutely," said Autumn.
"Yeah..." Connor mumbled in agreement.
As Cedric had pointed out, the prospect of earning a hundred galleons made the idea of detention much more tolerable.
Fred's expression suddenly turned indignant, and he exclaimed, "You scoundrels! How could you play me like that?"
Shaking his head, Kyle replied, "Don't take it personally. We just didn't react in time."
That was the truth. He never imagined that Dumbledore would give them detention over such a trivial matter.
It just didn't seem like his style.
After passing the corridor where Professor McGonagall's office was located, the group parted ways and returned to their respective houses.
Later that evening, as they sat down for dinner, they each received a note from Professor McGonagall.
"Your detention starts at 11 p.m. tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.
—Professor McGonagall"
"When did you get detention?!" exclaimed Michael, the boy sitting next to Kyle, his brow furrowed. "I hope Professor McGonagall didn't mix up the notes."
In his opinion, Kyle was the type of student who would never break the rules, let alone earn detention. This just didn't seem possible.
Kyle calmly tucked the note away and replied, "It's not a mistake. It's meant for me."
Michael frowned in thought, then said uncertainly, "Could it be because you were caught out after curfew during the Easter holidays?"
To meet the deadline, Kyle had worked late into the night during the last two days of the Easter break.
Both Michael and Ryan were aware of this.
Kyle neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, he patted Michael's shoulder and said, "That's why I'm telling you—never go wandering around at night, even during the holidays.
That night at eleven o'clock, Kyle, Cedric, and Connor gathered in the entrance hall, where Filch was already waiting with the Weasley brothers and Autumn.
"Follow me," Filch said, lighting a lamp and leading them out. "I think from now on, you'll think twice before breaking any more rules, right, hmm?"
He gave them a sidelong glance and continued, "But I believe that hard work and suffering are the best teachers. It's a shame they abolished the old-fashioned punishments... hanging you by your wrists from the ceiling for several days..."
Filch's sinister tone turned Autumn and Connor's faces pale, and even Cedric swallowed nervously.
However, Fred and George's expressions didn't change at all. They even took the opportunity to stick their tongues out at the others when Filch wasn't looking.
They had heard these words so often that their ears were practically calloused.
"We're here."
After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a door. Filch unlocked it and said, "Go on in. You're in charge of cleaning the Trophy Room.
I really don't understand what Professor McGonagall was thinking, sending so many people to clean the Trophy Room... this punishment is far too easy."
Hearing that they only had to clean the Trophy Room, Autumn and Connor's faces regained some color.
One by one, the group entered the room, but when it was Kyle's turn, something unexpected happened.
Filch stopped him and said expressionlessly, "Your punishment isn't here."
Mrs. Norris was left behind, and Filch led Kyle back to the entrance hall and out of the castle.
The two strode across the dark grounds, and Filch remained silent this time.
Kyle noticed that they seemed to be heading toward the Forbidden Forest.
"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, we're about to leave."
Hagrid stood at the door of his hut, waving at them from a distance.
"The Forbidden Forest is dangerous," Filch suddenly said. "It would be best not to stray too far from that idiot, or all the rules you know won't save your life."
"I understand," Kyle nodded.
Filch acted as if he hadn't heard and continued walking.
"It's about time," Hagrid emerged from the darkness, striding towards them with Fang at his heels.
"Are you ready, Kyle?"
"He's in your care now, Hagrid," Filch said coldly. "I'll be back at dawn, and I hope to see him in one piece then."
"Don't trouble yourself," Hagrid frowned at Filch. "I'll bring Kyle back to the castle myself. There's no need for you to come and fetch him."
Filch glared at Hagrid and turned towards the castle, the lamp in his hand swaying in the darkness.
"That annoying bloke is finally gone, the old fool," Hagrid said, picking up his crossbow and quiver. He winked at Kyle. "It's good to see you... sorry, I'm not glad you're in detention, but with your help, tonight should go much smoother."
Kyle looked at the fully armed Hagrid and asked curiously, "What exactly is going on in the Forbidden Forest?"
"A baby unicorn was stolen, and we need to go into the forest to look for clues."
Hagrid tightened his grip on the crossbow, his eyes filled with anger. "If I find out who did this, I'll make sure they pay!"
(End of Chapter)
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