bookbashuk Chapter 101 Moonlight Waltz in the Forbidden Forest
Chapter 101 Moonlight Waltz in the Forbidden Forest
Chapter 101 Moonlight Waltz in the Forbidden Forest
Hagrid's hut was warm and cozy, filled with the rich aroma of baked rock bread and pumpkin juice. Toothpick eagerly pounced on Karen's face, only to be shoved away with a laugh. Wesley, Fabian, and Ernesto were already there, munching on Hagrid's special rock bread, which was as hard as a rock.
"Karen! Come and try this, Hagrid added some kind of beetle powder? It tastes very special!" Wesley called out, his mouth bulging.
"It's powdered molted ash snake, for adding aroma!" Hagrid's massive figure added cheerfully as he busied himself by the stove. "It's good for your bones! Especially you, Karen, who's always surrounded by books and jars!"
Karen greeted Hagrid with a smile, picked up a piece of rock-skinned bread, and wisely pried it open with her hand. Sure enough, it was still that familiar hardness that tested one's teeth.
After chatting for a while about castle anecdotes and their respective lessons, Hagrid's large beard suddenly showed deep worry. He put down his huge copper teapot and sighed, "Alas, things haven't been peaceful in the Forbidden Forest lately, it's really worrying me."
"What's wrong, Hagrid? Another mischievous little thing has run out?" Fabian pushed up his glasses and asked with concern.
"It's not a small thing, it's a big problem!" Hagrid shook his head vigorously, his messy hair swaying with it. "It's the descendants of Aragog!"
"Those giant eight-eyed spiders! We encountered a few before, but lately, I don't know what's wrong with them; their colony has shrunk drastically! They used to have nests in several patches of forest near the edge, and we often encountered them during patrols. I always had a bad feeling about them, like they'd encountered something bad. Aragok has also been very irritable lately, and he's difficult to communicate with."
The four members of Eagle's Nest Team quickly exchanged a knowing glance. Of course they knew why! Five pints of venom didn't come for nothing! In that encounter, they had taken down three adult spiders and more than a dozen juveniles in one fell swoop. This was quite a blow to these spiders, who had never encountered any natural enemies in the Forbidden Forest. They just hadn't expected that instead of going after their enemies, these spiders would begin to tighten their defenses.
Wesley nearly choked on the rock cake in his mouth, barely managing to suppress his laughter, his face turning slightly red. Fabian lowered his head, pretending to study the patterns on his teacup. Ernesto, on the other hand, picked up his cup, elegantly sipped his pumpkin juice, and concealed the subtle curve of his lips.
Karen cleared his throat, looking "concerned": "That does sound worrying, Hagrid. How far have they retreated? Outside the Forbidden Forest—like the east bank of that stream we went to earlier, are there still signs of their activity?" He was referring to the potential growth area of moonmoss that Fabian had marked earlier.
"The East Coast? Did we go there last time?" Hagrid thought for a moment, scratching his chin with his thick fingers. "That area is near the edge, and the descendants of Aragog didn't go there very often to begin with, and now it's been completely wiped out! Even the spiderlings we occasionally saw on patrol are nowhere to be seen!"
It was very quiet! But I always felt that something was off about the quietness—" He was still worried.
"All cleared out?" Fabian's eyes lit up instantly. He looked up, his voice brimming with undisguised excitement. "Then—does that mean the outer perimeter is much safer for now?"
"Safe? Oh, Fabian, you can't say it's absolutely safe in the Forbidden Forest!" Hagrid immediately became serious. "The spider is gone, but who knows if it attracted something else? Like, well, something that doesn't like sunlight even more? Or some big guys with a stronger sense of territory? Anyway, don't go in casually." He waved his large, fan-like hand to emphasize the warning.
"Of course, Hagrid! We understand!" Karen immediately assured him, giving Fabian a "don't worry" look. "If we're going, we'll definitely look for you. Didn't it go smoothly when we went together last time?"
Leaving Hagrid's cottage and walking back to the castle, the four of them finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"Ha! 'Bad thing'!" Wesley mimicked Hagrid's worried tone, unable to suppress a laugh. "We've become the new rulers of the Forbidden Forest?"
"Keep your voice down, Wesley!" Fabian, though all smiles, still glanced around warily. "But this is indeed good news! There's no threat from the giant spiders on the outskirts, especially in the area on the east bank of the stream! Hagrid said it's very quiet there now!" He emphasized the last two words, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming with excitement. "Karen, Ernesto! Remember that area I mentioned that might have a lot of naturally growing moonmoss? It's on the east bank near a few ancient oak trees! According to 'The Magical Moss Under the Moon,' moonmoss only fully unfolds its leaves and absorbs moonlight on clear full moon nights or near full moon nights, displaying its most magical appearance! Look at the weather tonight!" He pointed to the sky.
As the sun set, the sky turned a clear, jewel-like blue, with wisps of thin clouds like gossamer. The weather forecast also indicated a clear, cloudless night with plenty of moonlight.
Ernesto looked up at the sky, a hint of interest on his face. "Natural moonmoss on a full moon night certainly sounds like something worth seeing. Besides, with the external threats gone, this is a rare opportunity." He glanced at Karen. "And even if we encounter danger, your new badge will need a real-world test to see how it reacts, right?"
Karen's heart pounded. Observing moonshoe moss in its natural state was not only Fabian's pursuit, but it would also greatly help him understand this magical plant with "photosynthetic magic" properties. Moreover, it was indeed a good opportunity to test the badges and train the squad's nighttime operation capabilities.
"Alright!" Karen made up her mind, lowering her voice. "After dinner, assemble at the Eagle's Nest and get ready. Remember, our objective is observation and recording, not adventure! Wear your badges, stay alert, and evacuate immediately in case of any unexpected events!"
"Understood!" the three replied in unison, their voices filled with anticipation for their nighttime adventure. Night fell silent. Hogwarts Castle was also quiet. Four stealthy figures, like phantoms blending into the night, slipped silently out of the castle's side gate and moved quickly and cautiously towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest along the familiar path.
The Forbidden Forest at night is completely different from that during the day. Tall trees cast heavy, eerie shadows under the moonlight, like lurking beasts. Various strange nocturnal creatures emit piercing sounds, and the occasional cry of an unknown bird in the distance adds to the mystery and depth. The air is cool, carrying a mixture of earthy, decaying leaves, and some kind of fresh plant scent.
Guided by Karen's Eye of Truth and the map, the four-person team successfully arrived at the area on the east bank of the stream marked on Fabian's map, following a safe route.
The rocky area here is near a small woodland where several unusually tall, ancient oak trees with gnarled branches stand, their bark gleaming silvery-grey in the moonlight.
"This is it!" Fabian's voice, tinged with suppressed excitement beneath his invisibility cloak, rang out as he pointed to the rock face where the roots of the ancient oak trees were coiled.
Karen gestured for everyone to carefully conceal themselves. He focused his gaze on that area, and his companions followed suit.
The sight before them made the four of them hold their breath and forget everything around them.
Moonlight poured down like mercury, gently enveloping the area. On the massive, planktonic roots of the ancient oak and the moist humus, vast swathes of moss, radiating a soft, silvery-blue light, were unfurling! No longer the unremarkable gray-green seen during the day, each tiny leaf was like a delicate shard of jade, its edges edged with a flowing, moonlit halo. Swaying gently in the night breeze, the entire moss field resembled a shimmering, miniature starry sea! Karen could even sense the rich magical atmosphere here. This was Moonlight Moss! A miracle revealed under the full moon's blessing!
But that's not the most shocking part.
Even more incredibly, this patch of moonshoe moss seems to have developed a strange resonance with the ancient oak tree it parasitizes, and even with the entire surrounding micro-ecosystem.
Numerous tiny bowels emerged from the cracks in the bark of these ancient oak trees. These usually timid and shy little creatures, who feed on tree parasites, were unusually active at this moment. Their slender, twig-like fingers gently touched the unfolding moonshine moss, and then they began to dance a strange, rhythmic dance around the trunk and the glowing moss! Their delicate bodies swayed and twirled to an invisible rhythm, their movements light and joyful, as if performing an ancient and sacred ritual.
As the Bowtruckle danced, the pure moonlight magic in the air seemed to be guided, like invisible threads connecting the moonmoss, the ancient tree, and these little sprites, forming a tiny and harmonious energy cycle.
Just then, a very faint rustling sound, like the friction of silk, came from above.
Karen looked up sharply, the vision of her True Eye piercing through the dense foliage. There she saw two elegant, slender creatures entwined high in the branches! Their bodies were long and agile, and they were perched on the tree, looking down with great interest at the glowing moss and the dancing tree-guarding bowers.
"Merlin! It's a bird-serpent!" Ernesto exclaimed, his gray eyes wide. Last time he had only seen a cub, but this time he had seen an adult.
The bird-snakes seemed to be attracted by the spectacular sight under the moonlight as well. They did not show any aggression, but simply observed quietly, occasionally adjusting their posture as they coiled around the branches. Their iridescent feathers shimmered with a dreamlike luster under the moonlight.
Immediately afterwards, a more sacred and gentle light quietly shone from the shadows at the edge of the open space.
A unicorn, seemingly conjured from moonlight, stood silently in the forest. Its body was pure white, its silver mane flowing like mercury, shimmering softly in the moonlight. Its clear blue eyes gazed gently upon this moon-blessed land, the glowing moss, the dancing sprites, and the birds and snakes in the trees, its gaze filled with peace and spirituality. It lowered its head and gracefully nibbled on a few leaves of moonlight moss, which exuded a pure, magical aura.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Glowing moss, dancing bowerwomen, iridescent serpents on the trees, and pristine unicorns—these created a dreamlike scene straight out of the oldest fairy tales. A magical aura of tranquility, harmony, and utmost purity permeated the air.
The four members of the Eagle's Nest team held their breath, afraid that the slightest sound would shatter this incredible miracle. Wesley stared, mouth agape, completely mesmerized. Fabian's fingers trembled with excitement as he pulled out his sketchbook and charcoal pencil, sketching the breathtaking scene before him as quickly and silently as possible by the moonlight, recording every precious detail. Ernesto, too, had lost his usual composure, his face filled with pure amazement and awe. Karen, meanwhile, was completely absorbed, greedily observing the complex and exquisite, vibrant flow and resonance of magic in the air—moonlight, plants, magical creatures—their energy interaction was so harmonious and powerful, it was itself the highest form of natural magic!
This moonlit feast lasted for nearly an hour. Only as the moon gradually set in the west, shifting the angle of its light, did the glow of the moonlit moss begin to slowly recede, like the tide. The halo around the edges of the leaves dimmed, and the entire moss gradually returned to its usual grayish-green state. The dancing humps of the trees, as if exhausted, stopped their dance and silently slipped back into the crevices of the bark.
The bird-snake in the tree gracefully raised its head, emitting a very faint whistle, like a bird's call or a flute note, and nimbly extended its body.
Instantly shrinking in size, it transformed into two rainbow-colored streaks of light and disappeared into the depths of the dense tree canopy.
The sacred unicorn took one last look at the now peaceful forest clearing, let out a soft, melodious hiss like a sigh, turned and silently disappeared into the darkness of the Forbidden Forest with light steps, leaving behind only a faint, refreshing fragrance.
The open space returned to silence, as if the dreamlike scene had never happened. Only the lingering pure magical aura in the air and the hasty yet vibrant lines on Fabian's sketchbook proved that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.
The four of them waited quietly behind the bushes for another ten minutes or so. After confirming that there was no danger, they returned silently along the same route as they had come.
The four cast a silence spell, carefully avoiding Filch's patrols along the way, and finally returned safely to the warm and safe Ravenclaw Tower. After entering their bedroom, closing the door and casting a silencing spell, the excitement and pent-up emotions they had been suppressing all the way burst forth like a flood.
"Merlin's beard! I'll never forget what I just saw!" Wesley paced excitedly around the room, gesturing wildly. "The glowing moss! The dancing twigs! And that snake that could shrink! The most amazing thing was that unicorn! When it looked over, I felt my soul was cleansed! It was so beautiful! More breathtaking than watching a World Cup final buzzer-beater!"
"Those are Bowtruckles and Owls!" Fabian carefully set down his sketchbook as if holding a priceless treasure. His eyes behind his glasses shone brightly, and his face flushed with excitement. "And unicorns! My God! The descriptions in *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* are nothing compared to what I've seen with my own eyes! The symbiotic state of moonmoss under the full moon, the Bowtruckles' ritualistic dance interacting with the moonmoss's magic, the specific spectral changes of the Owls' iridescent plumage under moonlight, the unicorns' affinity for pure magic—these are all unprecedented firsthand observations! My sketches are too hasty; I need to tidy them up immediately! I need to add more details! Karen, Ernesto, do you remember the small, glowing moss fragment on the head of the Bowtruckle that led the dance? And the specific changes in the Owls' body length when they shrunk...?"
He spoke so fast he almost threw himself into his pile of notes.
"Calm down, Fabian." Ernesto said this, but he was also very excited, and his movements were much faster than usual.
He leaned against his bedpost, a lingering sense of awe in his grey eyes, a smile he himself didn't realize playing on his lips. "That unicorn, the moonlight gathered around its horn, it was so beautiful. And the harpy, a rare and wondrous creature. It's a pity we can't touch it."
Karen sat at the table, unconsciously stroking the upgraded protective badge in his hand, his thoughts still immersed in the magnificent natural magic scene he had just witnessed.
"What struck me most about the scene just now was the natural resonance. The moonlight, moonshine moss, ancient trees, hummus, avian snakes, and unicorns formed a spontaneous, harmonious magical cycle. The moonshine moss absorbed and transformed the moonlight, nourishing itself and the ancient trees;"
The Bowtruckle's dance seemed to guide and amplify this energy, attracting the owl-like creatures; the unicorns, on the other hand, were drawn to the pure magical field of the area. Every creature, even the ancient tree itself, played a role in this cycle, sharing the magic. It was practically a natural, incredibly sophisticated alchemical array! Or perhaps, the most primordial form of natural magic!
After speaking, Karen looked at her three roommates, her eyes gleaming with excitement: "If we can understand the essence of this resonance and simulate this magical cycle, perhaps we can make greater progress in alchemy, just like that Moonmoss field, where its magic flows and renews as long as the moonlight is there!"
Karen's words made the other three also fall into thought. Wesley stopped and scratched his head: "Sounds profound—but Karen, if you say it can be done, then there must be a way! Just tell me what you need me to do!" He had more confidence in Karen than Karen herself.
"This is indeed a completely new idea!" Fabian pushed up his glasses. "Symbiosis, resonance, energy circulation—this involves very profound magical ecology and magical field theory! I need to check if there are any relevant ancient documents! Perhaps the legendary Druid sect or some books related to the natural magical environment will have some records!"
Ernesto nodded, adding, "Furthermore, the appearance of the harpy and the unicorn was unexpected, but it confirms that the magic field in that area is indeed extraordinary and possesses a powerful attraction. Karen, your protective badge works well in that high-concentration, pure magic environment..."
Are there any unusual reactions?
Karen carefully sensed the magical state within the badge and recalled the events of just now: "It wasn't triggered, but in a high-concentration, pure magical environment, I could feel that the 'stagnant' rune and crystal fragment at the badge's core seemed to become more 'active'."
The energy storage efficiency seems to have improved slightly? However, more rigorous testing is needed to verify this. But at least it proves that it works normally in that environment.
The four of them engaged in a lively discussion for nearly an hour, discussing their recent experiences, Fabian's observations, Karen's new ideas, and the performance of the protective badge. Wesley vividly described the unicorn's holiness, Fabian continuously added details about the various creatures' habits and possible magical explanations, Ernesto focused more on the potential value and application difficulties of those magical biological materials, while Karen was immersed in her conception of a magical resonance cycle.
As the night deepened, the excitement was gradually replaced by exhaustion. Yawns began to come one after another.
"Alright, explorers and scholars," Ernesto glanced at the magical clock on the wall, gave an elegant yawn, "if you don't go to sleep now, Professor McGonagall will give us all a very 'happy' and unforgettable classroom experience in Transfiguration class tomorrow."
The thought of Professor McGonagall's angry face sent a chill down Wesley and Fabian's spines, and they immediately stopped their discussion.
"Ernesto is right." Karen rubbed her throbbing temples and carefully put away the sketch of the magic resonance cycle. "Tonight's findings have been impressive enough. Go back and rest. Fabian, your notes are invaluable. Wesley, your observations are also very vivid. Ernesto, your thoughts on the value of materials have provided a new perspective. Thank you everyone."
"Goodnight, Karen! Let's talk again tomorrow!" Wesley patted Karen on the shoulder energetically and was the first to head to the bathroom.
"Goodnight, Karen. I'll get my notes sorted out as soon as possible." Fabian put away his sketchbook and followed.
"Good night." Ernesto nodded to Karen and began to prepare to wash up.
Karen walked to the window and pushed it open a crack. A cool night breeze rushed in, dispersing some of the warmth inside. Outside, Hogwarts Castle slept in the moonlight, and the Forbidden Forest in the distance was shrouded in a hazy tranquility. The clearing where the miracle of life had just occurred was now hidden in darkness.
But before Karen's eyes, the flowing starry tundra, the dancing little figures, the iridescent light, and the holy moonlight beast still seemed to flicker.
"Resonance—Circulation—" he murmured to himself, his grey-blue eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. Tonight's fantastical journey through the Forbidden Forest was not only a visual feast, but also a key that opened a door for him to a broader understanding of the essence of magic. The path of alchemy seemed to have branched out into a new, vibrant lineage.
He gently closed the window, his heart filled with a longing for the future and a heavy sense of responsibility. Perhaps that pure magical environment would have some effect on the curse on Professor Castor.