Chapter 40. Fang, the Cowardly Dog
Leaving the castle, at the gate of Hagrid's little yard, Duncan's gaze skipped over the pumpkin patch and looked towards the house a dozen or so metres away.
Built entirely from stones of varying sizes, it was irregular in shape, its style emphasising roughness and spontaneity.
Still, the house had been built by Hagrid himself, brick by brick, and given his rough-and-ready nature, managing this much was already not bad.
"Fang!"
Duncan called to Hagrid's dog, which at that moment was lying at the hut door, lazily basking in the morning sun.
He had once come to Hogwarts with Newt to help Hagrid deal with some trouble, so he knew that timid dog.
Hearing the voice, Fang's drooping ears twitched, then he leapt up, charged out, and flung himself into Duncan's arms.
Drooling, he stuck out a sticky tongue, wanting to lick Duncan's face to express his joy and friendliness.
But Duncan leaned his upper body back and dodged in distaste.
"Fang, didn't I tell you?
No need to be so enthusiastic!"
Fang whimpered, aggrieved, slipped down off Duncan, lowered his head to the ground, looking hurt and crestfallen.
Duncan had long since seen through Fang's sham show.
Skilled, he drew out his leather pouch and, from a separate compartment, took a small piece of meat — this was a habit he had cultivated with Newt: anything else in the close-carried pouch could be missing, but feed for all sorts of magical creatures had to be in it.
He dangled it where Fang could see.
"Don't be sad.
We're good friends.
No need to care about such formalities!"
Fang answered merrily, gulped down the meat in one bite, and wagged his tail at Duncan so hard it was almost a blur.
"You've eaten the treat, so now you have to help me with something."
Duncan patted Fang.
"Take me to Hagrid."
At these words, Fang's wagging stopped.
He turned his head towards the forest, his mind filling with all manner of terrifying beasts, and he immediately began to shake all over, gave a wail, then nimbly spun around, wanting to scuttle back to his safe haven.
A pity on such a half-man-tall big fellow, and yet he was this timid — who knew why?
"Don't!"
Duncan sighed and gave the leash a hard tug.
"Just lead the way for me.
I'll handle any dangerous creatures.
Don't worry — you'll be absolutely safe.
Otherwise I'll put you on a feast every day."
But Fang's resolve was firm.
He was not tempted at all, and he only wanted to slip away.
Duncan was about to try another method when he suddenly remembered the item he had just obtained.
The Hero Statue seemed able to dispel fear in one's heart; he just didn't know whether it worked on animals.
With one hand holding the leash, he took out the Hero Statue with the other.
It felt cool in his grip, very comfortable.
Duncan bent down and pressed the statue to the top of Fang's head, and the effect was immediate.
Fang's body stopped trembling at once, and his eyes filled with determination.
"This thing is brilliant..." Duncan muttered, then said, "Fang, can you take me to Hagrid now?"
"Follow me!"
Fang barked loudly with confidence and, with a bold, strutting gait, led Duncan along the path towards the forest.
But as soon as they reached the forest's edge, the Hero Statue's effect wore off.
Fang's proudly arched back collapsed at once, and noticing he was about to step into the forest, he yelped in panic and tried to scurry away in a fluster.
Duncan hurried to press the Hero Statue to Fang's head for a bit longer.
"Don't be afraid, Duncan, I'll protect you — let's go in!"
Fang's back straightened again, and he strode into the forest, his sharp eyes sweeping both sides, guarding against any danger.
They followed a faint little path, half-hidden by weeds or shrubs.
Keeping an eye on the time, Duncan bent down every so often to apply a BUFF to Fang with the Hero Statue, maintaining his courage.
On the way, several mischievous magical creatures showed up, wanting to play tricks on Duncan.
But they were all frightened off by Fang, who bared his teeth.
Mind you, when Fang wasn't cringing with fear, he really did give a sense of security — his bulk was much larger than an ordinary dog's, after all.
Time passed.
Under Fang's lead, Duncan went deep into the forest, and faint human voices drifted from not far away.
"Hagrid is just ahead," Fang said, and his pace quickened considerably.
After passing two trees so thick that several people together would be needed to encircle them, the view opened up all at once, giving a feeling of seeing the light again.
In a large clearing within the dense woods, someone was using sturdy timbers to build a gigantic shed.
Inside it was empty, but Hagrid and Kettleburn were both frowning, bent over and feeling around for something.
"Hagrid, Professor Kettleburn!"
Duncan waved and called out cheerfully.
"Duncan?"
Hagrid straightened up at the sound and, seeing Duncan hurrying over, looked a little annoyed.
"What are yeh doin' here?
D'yeh know the forest is dangerous?
Not a place for a young wizard like yeh.
An' Dumbledore..."
While Hagrid was nagging away and lecturing Duncan, Professor Kettleburn interrupted him with a smile.
"All right, Hagrid.
He may be safer in this forest than you are.
Duncan, how has Newt been lately?
Still dragging you all over the place to save those poor creatures?
That fellow's wanted notices in Ministries the world over just keep piling up!"
"Same as ever, Professor Kettleburn," Duncan answered with a smile.
The old gentleman before him had visited his home several times and knew about the magical abilities he possessed.
"But..." Hagrid glanced over and lowered his voice — though it was still as loud as an ordinary person's normal speech.
"Professor Kettleburn, Dumbledore said young wizards are forbidden to enter the forest.
If others find out..."
Professor Kettleburn looked up at Hagrid.
"Are you going to report Duncan for sneaking into the forest to the other professors?"
"'Course not!"
Hagrid looked as if he had been grossly insulted and shouted in agitation, making the trees nearby seem to shake with a rustle.
"Duncan's a friend o' mine.
I'd never report him.
I'd never do anythin' to wrong a friend."
"Then that's that, isn't it?
If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, how would anyone else know?"
Professor Kettleburn spoke off-handedly, then beckoned Duncan over gently.
"Duncan, come here.
There's something I need your help with."
"What is it?"
Duncan stepped forward, Fang close at his side to guard him.
From just now to now, Fang had been keeping perfectly quiet, staring warily off to the side as if something in that empty spot might endanger Duncan's safety.
"Fang?"
Hagrid finally noticed Fang.
His eyes were even wider than before.
"What're yeh doin' here too?
Aren't yeh scared?
Duncan, how'd yeh manage this?"
"Because Fang and I are good friends.
Friendship helped him overcome his fear!" Duncan replied with a laugh.
"Is that so?"
Remembering how cowardly Fang always was when entering the forest with him before, Hagrid's tone fell, and his face showed a hint of sadness.
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