Hogwarts: What wicked thoughts could a little wizard possibly have?

Chapter 38 Forbidden Forest

"Look, over there are tree-protecting bowers. Don't underestimate these little creatures. Although they are gentle and shy, they love their home very much—the tree they live in."

"Anyone who tries to invade their home will be attacked. See their little claws? They're especially fierce when they gouge out eyes."

Vaughn and Hagrid hid behind a tree, watching a guardian tree from afar.

It is a magical plant that is said to be able to drive away dark creatures. It is an excellent material for making wands. Some small creatures whose bodies look like they are made of tree branches play and frolic on the guardian tree. These are the Bowtruckles.

Hagrid whispered, "But those little things are easy to please. They love to eat insects. Catch some insects and give them to them, and you'll win their favor. In return, they'll give you branches of the Guardian Tree."

"Every year when Ollivander comes to collect materials, I do the same thing... Oh, you might not know, Hogwarts and Ollivander have a partnership. He buys wand cores and wand materials from Hogwarts at low prices. Usually, it's the unicorn hair I collect, and various branches suitable for making wands. Then, the wands he makes are half-price for new students at Hogwarts."

As they talked, the two had already ventured some distance into the forbidden forest.

As they "explored" and explained the magical creatures together, Hagrid's previous reserve and politeness quickly faded, and he talked almost non-stop the whole way.

However, his knowledge of magical creatures is indeed extensive.

Along the way, he had already shown Vaughn fairies, elves, hairy crabs, and even a family of a month-old beast near a small hill.

This animal, with its disproportionately large eyes that make it look exceptionally silly and cute, also has a gentle temperament, just like its appearance.

Several cubs even wiggled their short legs and sniffed around Vaughn.

Hagrid collected their droppings.

He told Vaughn that it was a very powerful fertilizer that, when spread in the pumpkin patch, would make the pumpkins grow big and strong.

He told Vaughn, "It's too late this year. The pumpkins in the field are ripe now, just in time to turn yellow for Halloween. Next year, next year you'll get to eat giant pumpkins with Moonfox dung."

Vaughn was speechless. It was just normal fertilization, why did they make it sound so disgusting?

"Speaking of which, Hagrid, the Forbidden Forest has been relatively peaceful lately, hasn't it?"

After observing the Bowtruckle for a while, the two continued on their way, and Vaughn asked, seemingly casually.

"What aspect are you asking about?" Hagrid scratched his head. "If it's about the little wizard trespassing, your two older brothers are always causing trouble in the Forbidden Forest, so it's not peaceful at all in that respect."

"Yes, I will keep them in check. What I wanted to ask is, are any animals injured or anything? Perhaps I can help you by brewing some magic potions for them."

"You, you're such a good boy, Vaughn."

Hagrid said emotionally, "No one has ever been willing to brew potions for them... In fact, the unicorns seem to be doing a bit badly lately."

Vaughn looked intrigued: "Oh? What happened?"

Hagrid shook his head and complained, "I don't know either. The centaurs informed me beforehand that the unicorns had been attacked, but you know those guys are so mysterious, always talking about astrology and prophecies and stuff, you can't really understand it no matter how you ask them."

"I also found some injured unicorns, but they were too wary and ignored me. I searched for a long time but couldn't figure out why."

Vaughn's eyes were calm.

It seems he guessed correctly; the Socket Man has probably already started secretly collecting unicorn blood!

He looked up at the sky and, judging from the light filtering through the treetops, realized it was still early before nightfall. He asked Hagrid, "Could you take me to see it?"

Hagrid didn't think much of it. He was a carefree person by nature. Just like before, when he talked about danger, he completely forgot about the "danger" once he took Vaughn into the Forbidden Forest.

"Come on, this way... YaYa! You coward, Fruit Tea won't hit you anymore, hurry up and clear the way!"

More than three hours later.

Hagrid led Vaughn to a clearing in the woods, a rare spot in the forest where there was plenty of sunlight.

The absence of trees stealing the sunlight allows the low shrubs to grow exceptionally well.

Some holly species are even covered with berries.

"I cleared this place more than ten years ago. Unicorns love to eat berries, so I planted some, and they have been frequenting the area ever since."

Hagrid waved his pink umbrella, chasing away a few chattering fairies, and led Vaughn to the center of the clearing.

He said, "A week ago, I saw a unicorn hiding here. Its leg was injured, and you can see the blood is still there."

Hagrid pointed to a patch of indigo soil at his feet.

Vaughn crouched down and examined it closely.

Unicorn blood is originally silver-blue, containing abundant magic, like mercury.

But now, after being sprinkled on the soil for a week and exposed to wind and sun, it has long since changed color.

Seeing Vaughn's focused expression, Hagrid assumed he was worried and laughed, "It's normal for a unicorn to get injured, Vaughn. This is the Forbidden Forest, where all creatures are in a natural competitive relationship. It might have accidentally wandered into werewolf territory or been ambushed by some fierce creature. It's not a big deal."

Vaughn did not reply.

He observed the bloodstain for a moment, then, instead of touching it, he raised his wand:

"Reveal yourselves immediately!"

The mystery inherent in the spell, along with the desire to uncover the truth, imbued the magic with the power to reveal hidden things, striking the indigo soil.

First, a faint white light appeared, as white as the moon, and just looking at it, one could feel its sacredness.

That's the magic inherent in unicorn blood.

It was very faint, but it was the result of natural dissipation.

But then, wisps of gray mist appeared from within the white light.

They entwine with the light, like maggots clinging to bones, corroding and permeating the white light.

Vaughn could almost smell the stench of decay and death in the mist!

"Dark magic..."

He squinted.

He's no longer a novice in dark magic. Although "A First Look at Dark Magic" didn't teach him any powerful spells, it gave him a good understanding of this dark power.

"What is this?"

Hagrid's voice came from above.

He's a complete novice when it comes to dark magic...

At the same time, the system panel popped up in front of Vaughn:

[Side Quest Activated]

Side Quest 2: Rescue the Forbidden Forest Unicorn

[Reward: Random Fantastic Beasts Language Pack]

Looking at the new mission, Vaughn paused, then suddenly felt like laughing.

Tom, oh Tom!

If even the tasks assigned by the system are targeted at you, then don't blame me for making trouble for you!

"It's nothing."

Vaughn shook his head and opened the small crossbody bag he carried with him, which was enchanted with a Seamless Stretch Charm.

He took an empty bottle out, carefully dug out some soil, and filled it with it.

"Let's go back, Hagrid. I think I need to see Headmaster Dumbledore."