Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 41 Forbidden Forest

After Potions class, Karen and her three roommates returned to the castle's main building via the underground corridor. The torchlight cast flickering shadows on their faces against the damp stone walls.

"Merlin's beard," Wesley exaggeratedly wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead, "I thought Snape was going to turn me into the next potion ingredient!"

Fabian pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the firelight: "Your grinding skills are indeed terrible. Ernesto saved you."

Ernesto snorted, a hint of smugness flashing in his gray eyes: "Pure-blood children start learning these basic skills at the age of eight."

"Oh, come on," Wesley said nonchalantly, putting his arm around Ernesto's shoulder. "You admit we're friends now, right? Otherwise, why would you help me?"

Ernesto rolled his eyes at Wesley and shook off Wesley's hand: "I just can't stand your terrible skills!"

Karen walked at the front, listening to her friends' conversation, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"No classes this afternoon," Fabian said, flipping through his schedule. "Library, common room, or 'Eagle's Nest'?"

"Why don't we go exploring the Forbidden Forest!" Wesley suddenly stopped, his reddish-brown hair trembling with excitement, his eyes sparkling with a glint of adventure.

"The forbidden forest?" Fabian's eyes widened in surprise. "School rules explicitly prohibit students from entering the forbidden forest!"

"That's what makes it exciting!" Wesley whispered. "Just think, there are all sorts of magical creatures and enchanted plants! It's way more interesting than those dry books in the library!"

Karen noticed that Ernesto's eyes also lit up, and although he tried to remain outwardly calm, his curiosity was clearly piqued.

"The Forbidden Forest is indeed very dangerous," Karen said cautiously. "There are giant spiders, trolls, and other dangerous creatures in there, and we're only first-year students."

Just when everyone thought Karen was going to reject the proposal.

Karen changed the subject, "But we can find a guide! Remember the giant who led us across the Black Lake when we enrolled? His name is Hagrid, and he's the game keeper who manages the Forbidden Forest."

Moreover, based on his understanding of the original work, Karen knew that although Hagrid appeared stern, he was actually easily moved by enthusiasm and praise.

Cullen pretended to think, using the Weasley brothers as a cover, "The Weasley brothers mentioned him to me. They say that if you get along with him, he might take us on a tour of the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest."

"Really?" Fabian's interest was piqued. "I've always wanted to see those creatures mentioned in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' in person!"

Ernesto crossed his arms: "If there really is a guide, it's not entirely impossible..."

Karen looked at her three roommates' expectant expressions, weighing the risks and benefits in her mind. The Forbidden Forest was indeed dangerous, but with Hagrid leading the exploration of the outer areas, it should be relatively safe. Moreover, familiarizing herself with the Forbidden Forest beforehand would also help her future plans.

"Then it's decided," Karen finally nodded. "We'll go visit Hagrid first and see if we can persuade him. But remember, if he says no, we won't go. Safety first."

"Yeah!" Wesley cheered, attracting the attention of older students passing by.

After a quick lunch, the four headed out of the castle. The Scottish Highlands in October were already chilly. Karen wrapped her school robe tighter around herself, her grey-blue eyes scanning the edge of the Forbidden Forest in the distance. The dark forest still appeared mysterious and unfathomable in the sunlight.

"Where is Hagrid's cabin?" Fabian looked around.

"It should be over there," Karen pointed to a wisp of smoke at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, "near the vegetable garden."

As they approached the small house, which appeared to be built from huge logs, a deafening bark suddenly rang out. A large hunting dog, the size of a calf, rushed out from behind the house, baring its teeth and blocking the doorway.

"Merlin!" Wesley was so startled that he took a few steps back and almost fell.

Fabian's face turned pale, and his glasses slipped down to the tip of his nose. Even the usually composed Ernesto froze on the spot, his gray eyes wide open.

Karen smiled slightly and took out the meat pie he had secretly hidden that morning from his bag. He broke off a large piece and threw it at the large, ferocious-looking dog.

"Next, Tooth."

The meat patty arced through the air. The big dog named Tooth instantly abandoned its fierce demeanor, leaped up, caught the food precisely, and then wagged its tail and wolfed it down, completely forgetting its duty as a guard.

"This...that's it?" Wesley stared incredulously at the large dog that now looked so adorable.

Karen broke off another piece of meat pie, and Ya Ya immediately came over, rubbing her wet nose against his palm, her tail wagging like a windmill.

"Good boy," Karen rubbed its soft ears and fed it the rest of the meat patty, "You just look fierce, but you're actually a glutton, right?"

The three roommates stared in disbelief at the scene. Karen chuckled inwardly; he knew, of course, that Tooth was a paper tiger, its cowardly yet greedy nature having caused quite a few laughs.

Just then, the door of the cabin suddenly opened, and a huge man, at least two and a half meters tall, appeared in the doorway, his thick black beard almost covering most of his face.

"Who's there?" Hagrid's booming voice roared like thunder. "Tooth, what are you doing—oh?"

His gaze fell on Karen, who was stroking her teeth, and then looked at the other three boys who looked shocked. His expression changed from wary to curious.

"You're...new students?" Hagrid asked, squinting his small, beady eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning, Mr. Hagrid," Karen greeted politely, noticing the large copper kettle in Hagrid's hand, which emitted a strange smell. "We are first-year students from Ravenclaw. I am Karen Hawthorne, and these are Wesley Cruz, Fabian Bryan, and Ernesto Griffiths."

"Ah, a Ravenclaw freshman! Good thing he's not Gryffindor!" Hagrid muttered, his expression immediately softening. "Just call me Hagrid, kid. The Forbidden Forest isn't a playground; it's dangerous in there!"

“We completely understand,” Cullen continued, noticing Hagrid’s attitude towards Gryffindor. “So we wanted to ask you first, as the person at Hogwarts who knows the Forbidden Forest best, could you tell us which areas are relatively safe?”

A faint smile flickered beneath Hagrid's large beard: "Such a sweet tongue, but..." He suddenly became wary. "Wait, you guys aren't with those two Weasley troublemakers, are you? They almost wrecked a sniffer nest in the Forbidden Forest last week!"

Karen inwardly cursed; it seemed the Weasley brothers' name wouldn't work here. She quickly changed her tune: "Well, sir. We... uh, we'd like to ask you some questions about the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest."

Hagrid's eyes lit up. "Really? Few freshmen are interested in these things! Most are terrified by those silly rumors!" He stepped aside to make way for the doorway. "Come in, I just brewed a pot of tea!"