Harry continued casting spells over the map.
Simply displaying names wasn't enough.
Back when his father and the others created the Marauder's Map, they didn't have the power to do more than tap into Hogwarts's enchantments—Dumbledore's version could detect intruders from outside the magical contracts, which was what a truly complete map should be able to do.
Barty Crouch Jr. could appear in the Forbidden Forest at any moment.
Aragog, that old spider, couldn't remember human dates accurately.
Several spells flowed from Harry's wand.
The Hogwarts crest before him flashed, its light imprinting into the top left corner of the parchment, branding the map with the school's seal.
Hagrid reached out, ready to take the map as though everything were done.
But it wasn't finished.
Harry flicked his wand gently and tapped the parchment. A golden filament shimmered into being, curled into a loop. A twig flew up from the forest floor and merged with the golden thread. A moment later, a wooden ring embedded with a vibrant green gem materialized, floating in the air.
Harry caught the ring and slipped it onto his finger, handing the parchment to Hagrid. "You keep the map."
"If a non-forest creature enters, or a XXXX-rated dangerous beast leaves the forest, the map will alert you."
"It's the cry of an owl."
Hagrid nodded. "How do I use it?"
Harry blinked at him.
How else do you use a map?
"You had to say something with your old map, right? Mischief something?" Hagrid asked.
Harry sighed. "That was my dad and the others' prank feature. The incantation was just to stop professors from discovering it."
"But Hagrid, you're a professor."
"And more importantly, you're in charge of guarding the forest. Having a Forbidden Forest map is entirely reasonable."
Then he paused. "I've also enchanted it so that only those who've signed Hogwarts's contract—students and staff—can use the map."
"Be careful not to let students steal it."
Hagrid nodded and casually replied, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the Gryffindors."
Harry opened his mouth to correct him—it's "students," not "Gryffindors."
Then he thought about it and realized: yeah, the other three houses wouldn't likely do something like that.
With the contract complete, the magical creatures began retreating cautiously. The unicorns and centaurs protected their lively young; puffskeins rolled into the leaves; the rest returned to their habitats.
Hagrid returned Grawp and left the area with the others, heading for the forest's edge.
"Harry, thank you so much," Hagrid beamed, clutching the map, watching the scrolling list of names.
The centaurs returned to their grove. The erumpent followed the unicorns—though now, clearly spotted, it was being chased off by them.
Aragog sluggishly crawled back to his nest.
The Acromantulas clustered together, their names overlapping in a messy blur of ink. Only a few scattered ones could be seen, either patrolling or making their way back to the nest.
A group of Nifflers hovered at the forest's edge, hesitant, pondering how to sneak into Hogwarts.
The Forbidden Forest had never looked clearer to Harry.
Every spot, every creature.
"We should thank you," Harry shook his head softly. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known about Barty Crouch Jr."
Barty Crouch Jr.
Perhaps he discovered the pact on his own. Perhaps Voldemort instructed him.
But either way—
He knew about the old contract Ravenclaw signed with the forest, the one that prevented forest creatures from harming Hogwarts students. And he knew Acromantulas weren't considered true forest creatures.
He could sneak into the castle, into the forest, under Dumbledore's nose.
How?
"Besides that, I do have another favor to ask," Hagrid said, almost out of the forest now, hesitating as he spoke.
Harry looked up.
Hagrid raised his thumb and forefinger, leaving a small gap. "Would you guys mind… teaching me more grammar?"
Ron gaped at him in disbelief and panic. "Hagrid, are you serious?"
Learning grammar was mind-numbingly boring.
It wasn't like magic—fun and mysterious. It was as dull as History of Magic.
You had to memorize grammar rules and words that all looked the same.
Ron would rather repeat his fifth year than study language—unless the alternative was math.
"I have to think about Grawp," Hagrid sighed. "I know a lot about magical creatures, but I know very little about anything else."
"Since bringing him back, I haven't had much to teach him."
"Listen, I brought him here. I'm his brother. I'm responsible for him. I can't just treat him like a beast—like Fang, or Fluffy, or Norbert—chained up in the forest."
"I want him to become more than a giant—to become a person. At least someone who can talk to humans."
"He could become a forest ranger, right? There's no one better to handle magical beasts and unruly students than a giant."
Hagrid rambled on.
"But I don't know enough to teach Grawp."
"So I need to keep learning."
"Knowledge is power."
He let out a heavy sigh. "Harry and Dumbledore are right. I've got to keep learning."
"We can help you teach Grawp directly," Ron said quickly, trying to preempt Harry and Hermione from agreeing. He was already imagining himself as a "professor."
Hagrid shook his head. "That would be great."
"But I don't want to trouble you. Harry has more important things to do."
"Without Harry, Grawp is too dangerous for you two. He's a giant. Without a wand, I might not be able to take him myself."
"Also—"
"He hates studying. He's pretty dumb. I'm smarter than him. I can teach myself."
Ron grimaced, thinking of the trees Grawp had carelessly knocked over earlier.
"You've matured, Hagrid," Harry nodded with approval.
If it were three years ago—or even two—Hagrid wouldn't have considered their safety. He'd have brought them to Grawp without hesitation.
Hagrid chuckled sheepishly. "Have I?"
"Olympe says I'm way more mature than I was during the Triwizard Tournament. Says I'm more of a man now."
Ron raised an eyebrow, his expression turning odd.
"No problem," Hermione said. "I'll ask Mum to send over some early education books."
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Powerstones?
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