Kyle and Kanna returned to the castle shortly after.
Back in his hut, Hagrid sat thinking until evening. He finally decided to follow Kyle's advice — he would move Fluffy to the Forbidden Forest tonight.
Though it pained him to part with his pet, there was no other choice. At least this would make Fluffy happier, and Fluffy's happiness was his happiness too.
Besides, Kyle was right — things were quite tense outside these days.
Earlier, Professor Oren, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, had come to the Forbidden Forest looking for teaching materials. He'd complained that after today's Daily Prophet, the Ministry of Magic had dispatched nearly all their Hit Wizards to search for unregistered magical creatures, trying to show they were taking the matter seriously.
This meant Oren couldn't even buy teaching materials and had to catch them himself in the Forest.
Hagrid recalled how Oren had practically exploded with rage, cursing Fudge as an idiot right there in the Forest. At the time, Hagrid had just found it amusing, but now he rather regretted not joining in with a few choice words himself.
He'd bought Fluffy at the pub with quite a few people around. Though they didn't know exactly what he'd purchased, if any were caught by the Hit Wizards, they'd surely try to save themselves by reporting his magical creature purchase.
After all, they had nothing to lose — a correct guess meant redemption, while a wrong one cost them nothing.
For Fluffy's safety and to avoid trouble for Dumbledore, sending the creature away was the only option. Surely the Hit Wizards wouldn't search the Forbidden Forest?
Of course, if they wanted to, Hagrid wouldn't stop them. There was no need.
The deep forest already had Werewolves and Manticores — what was strange about having one more Cerberus?
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Meanwhile, back at the castle, Kyle sat in a corner of the common room, sorting through a pile of Wiggentree branches.
"I've been meaning to ask," Kanna said curiously, watching his actions, "Why are you collecting these dead branches? The kitchen has plenty if you need them — you can get them anytime."
"These are different — they're Wiggentree branches." Kyle explained, "The Wiggentree is a magical rowan that can protect anyone who touches its trunk from dark creatures."
Kanna blinked. She knew this, of course, but what did that have to do with him collecting branches?
Branches, trunks... weren't those completely different things?
"I... never mind, you'll understand later." Kyle picked out a straight stick and set it aside, then casually asked, "By the way, how do you know there are branches in the kitchen? Have you eaten there?"
Though the kitchen was quite close and he'd been there himself, he'd never made it past the doorway without being swarmed by house-elves. The stoves were deeper inside, and you'd need to sit at the long tables to see everything clearly.
The house-elves were so enthusiastic that unless you were there to eat, you couldn't get far — they'd practically hang an entire cow on you halfway in.
"I didn't, I haven't, don't make things up..." Kanna's face suddenly turned red as she stammered, "I... I was just curious and wanted to look around the kitchen!"
"I see." Kyle paid no attention and continued sorting through the Wiggentree branches.
When he finished organizing them, he realized Kanna had already returned to her dormitory and he was the only one left in the common room. Remembering tomorrow was the weekend, he quickly tidied up and returned to his dormitory as well.
He didn't plan to stay up late. For Hufflepuff, tomorrow was a big day — the Quidditch matches were starting, and their first game was against Slytherin.
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The next day.
To cheer for their house team, the little badgers were up before eight. After breakfast, they donned their neat uniforms, grabbed their pre-made support banners, and headed to the Quidditch pitch right on time.
Kyle was originally among them, but after finishing breakfast, a plump ghost floated up to him.
"Hello Kyle, I hope I'm not disturbing your breakfast."
"Hello, Friar." Kyle responded politely, "Would you like to watch the Quidditch match together? Hufflepuff has a very good chance of winning the cup this year."
"No thank you, I actually prefer Gobstones." Fat Friar said wistfully, "It's a shame Hogwarts canceled that competition decades ago."
"I'm sorry, Friar." Kyle quickly said, "I hope I haven't ruined your mood today."
"Of course not, child." Fat Friar said with a chuckle, "The best thing about being a ghost is that nothing can be worse than this, so don't worry about it. However, you might have to wait a bit before watching the match — Dumbledore wants to see you in his office on the eighth floor. The password is 'butterscotch peanut'."
Dumbledore wanted to see him?
This surprised Kyle, and he asked curiously, "Friar, do you know what the Headmaster wants to see me about?"
"I'm afraid not." Fat Friar shook his head, "I'm just passing along the message."
"Alright, I'll go right away. Goodbye, Friar."
After bidding farewell to the ghost, Kyle headed straight for the eighth floor. He definitely had to go when the Headmaster called, but he hoped it wouldn't make him miss the Quidditch match.
Though he had never been to the Headmaster's office before, thanks to his familiarity with the map, Kyle quickly found the remarkably ugly stone gargoyle.
"Butterscotch peanut." He spoke the password.
The gargoyle jumped aside, and the wall behind it split in two, revealing a spiral staircase. The stairs moved upward slowly, like an escalator.
Kyle stepped onto them and followed the spiral staircase up to an oak door with a brass knocker shaped like a griffin.
He knocked nervously, and the knocker came alive — its wings flapping as it slowly pulled the door open. As expected of the Headmaster's office, this way of opening doors was far more impressive than tapping on barrels.
Kyle entered the Headmaster's office and looked around with curiosity.
The spacious circular room hummed with peculiar little noises. Strange silver instruments covered the desk, spinning and releasing small puffs of smoke. Whatever their purpose was, they certainly weren't mere humidifiers.
Near the wall stood a stone basin etched with odd symbols, and beside it loomed a magnificent mirror. It stretched grandly to the ceiling, its gleaming gold frame perched upon two clawed feet.
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