Chapter 97: The Forbidden Forest
Chapter 97: The Forbidden Forest
"Confinement?"
In Professor McGonagall's office, Kyle looked innocent and said, "But Professor, we just sold some things. We didn't break any school rules, did we?"
"This is at the Headmaster's request."
Professor McGonagall, with a stern face, said, "He believes that at this time, you should focus more on studying or practicing wand gestures to prepare for exams, instead of diverting your energy elsewhere."
"Oh... Alright, I understand."
Kyle sighed and didn't argue further.
It's just confinement, as long as they don't ask for a refund, everything is negotiable.
After leaving Professor McGonagall's office, the six of them exchanged glances and sighed collectively.
"Cheer up, guys."
Fred and George, with their extensive experience in confinement, were the first to regain their composure.
Fred smiled and said, "At least Professor McGonagall didn't ask us for a refund, and she didn't deduct any points either. That's already a rare thing."
"Yeah." George patted Cedric's shoulder and said, "And for you guys, experiencing confinement is a good thing."
"Merlin's beard!" Fred exaggerated, "George, I just realized that apart from us two, everyone here is a good student."
"Yeah, Fred, compared to them, we do seem a bit out of place with our frequent confinements."
George squeezed out two tears and said, "They won't look down on us, will they?"
"Why don't we go back and study now while we still have time?"
"Let's aim for more 'O's in the final exams."
"That's too difficult. Let's aim for 'E's instead."
The two of them finished each other's sentences, accompanied by exaggerated expressions, and soon had the others laughing.
Kyle laughed and said, "Thanks, but you're overthinking it."
"Yeah." Cedric spread his hands and said, "If being confined once could earn me a hundred Galleons, I guarantee I'd show up in front of Filch every night on time."
Autumn and Conna nodded together.
"Yes, that's right."
"Hmm..."
Just as Cedric said, in the face of a hundred Galleons, confinement didn't seem so hard to accept.
"But earlier..." Fred's expression froze, and then he huffed, "How dare you play tricks on us!"
Kyle shook his head and said, "Don't say it like that. It's just that I didn't react in time."
This was the truth. He never expected that Dumbledore would confine them for such a minor matter.
This wasn't like his style.
After walking past the corridor where Professor McGonagall's office was located, the group split up and returned to their respective houses.
That evening, at the dinner table, they received Professor McGonagall's note.
[Your confinement starts at 11 PM tonight. Find Mr. Filch in the Entrance Hall.
- Professor McGonagall]
"When were you confined?"
Michael, beside him, frowned and said, "Could it be that Professor McGonagall put the note in the wrong place?"
In his opinion, Kyle was the type of student who would never break school rules, let alone be confined... How could this be?
Kyle calmly put away the note and said, "No mistake, it's definitely mine."
"This..." Michael thought for a moment and said uncertainly, "Could it be that you were caught night-walking... But wasn't it during the Easter Break?"
Because of the tight deadline, Kyle was always busy until midnight during the last two days of the Easter Break.
Michael and Ryan both knew about this.
Kyle neither confirmed nor denied it. He just patted Michael's shoulder and said earnestly, "So, you must never night-walk again, even during vacations.
Michael and Ryan shook their heads in unison, seemingly having a newfound appreciation for Hogwarts' rules.
This is way too strict.
At eleven o'clock that night, Kyle, Cedric, and Conna gathered in the entrance hall, where Filch was already waiting, accompanied by the Weasley brothers and Autumn.
"Follow me," Filch said, lighting a lamp and leading them out.
"I believe that from now on, you'll think twice before breaking the rules again, won't you?"
He glanced at the group and said, "But I think hard work and suffering are the best teachers. It's a shame they abolished the old-fashioned punishments of the past...hanging you by your wrists and suspending you from the ceiling for several days..."
Filch's ominous tone made Autumn and Conna's faces turn pale, and even Cedric swallowed nervously.
However, Fred and George's expressions didn't change at all. They even took the opportunity to make a face at the others when Filch wasn't looking.
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They have to listen to this kind of talk every few days, and their ears are almost calloused.
"We're here."
After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a door. Filch took out a key, unlocked it, and said, "Go in. You're responsible for cleaning up the Trophy Room."
I really don't understand what Professor McGonagall was thinking, having so many people clean the Trophy Room... This punishment is too easy.
Hearing that they only had to clean the Trophy Room, Autumn and Conna's faces finally 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 is not here."
Mrs. Norris was left behind, while Filch took Kyle and returned to the entrance hall, leaving the castle.
The two strode across the pitch-black grounds, and this time, Filch didn't say anything sarcastic.
Kyle noticed that the path seemed to lead to 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. "You'd better not stray too far from that idiot, or your rules 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 strode towards them from the darkness, with Taya following behind.
"Are you ready, Kyle?"
"I'll take care of him, Hagrid," Filch said coldly. "I'll be back at dawn, and I hope I won't see his remains then."
"Don't worry about that," Hagrid frowned at Filch. "You don't have to pick him up. I'll bring Kyle back to the castle myself later."
Filch glared at Hagrid and turned to walk towards the castle. The lamp swayed and eventually disappeared into the darkness.
"That annoying guy finally left. What an old fool."
Hagrid picked up his crossbow and quiver, winked at Kyle, and said, "It's great to see you... Sorry, I don't mean that being confined is a good thing, but with your help, tonight's task might go much smoother."
Kyle looked at Hagrid, fully armed, and asked curiously, "What exactly happened in the Forbidden Forest?"
"A baby unicorn was stolen, and we need to go to the Forbidden Forest to find some 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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