Although it was unusual to request detention for someone else, Professor Slughorn did not reject Robert's application.
After all, this wasn't the first time Robert had done something like this.
Last time, he had applied for detention for himself.
Besides, Robert was one of Slughorn's favorite students.
When it came to students he liked, Slughorn was always quite indulgent.
With a good sense of timing, he could even tell his students about the dark magic of Horcruxes...
It was because of this that Robert was absolutely confident he could help Anne get a detention from Professor Slughorn.
By the time nine o'clock arrived, Robert and Tom were already waiting at the castle gates. They hadn't been there for long when Anne appeared in the distance.
Seeing Anne's forced smile, Robert grinned.
"Look, Anne looks so happy!"
Tom glanced at Anne's expression and casually agreed, "Yes, very happy. She looks so happy that she might just bite you."
"That's a terrible joke, Tom. Anne is a lady. She wouldn't bite anyone like you do."
"Huh? When have I ever bitten anyone?" Tom asked, visibly annoyed.
"Well… sometimes, harsh words can bite just as much as teeth do."
"Stop saying things that can be misunderstood!"
As they were talking, Anne reached them.
Judging by her expression, she had mentally prepared herself. At least… she wouldn't actually bite Robert right now.
"Good evening, Anne. You look beautiful tonight," Robert said with a smile.
Anne had changed out of her school uniform into a hunting suit, something more suitable for walking in the forest.
In reality, it was the same outfit she always wore when exploring the Forbidden Forest—except tonight, she hadn't brought her Invisibility Cloak.
"Thanks for the compliment, Robert..." Anne forced herself to smile.
Tom, watching her expression, smirked with amusement.
"We should go. Mr. Ogg is waiting for us," he said.
"Okay, let's go. Don't be nervous. The outskirts of the Forbidden Forest aren't as dangerous as other students say," Robert reassured Anne.
It was clear he had no idea that Anne had ventured into the Forbidden Forest many times before.
Standing beside them, Tom couldn't help but admire Robert's flawless act.
When it came to deception and manipulation, he still had a lot to learn from Robert.
Mr. Ogg looked at the three students in front of him helplessly.
He had been Hogwarts' gamekeeper for years, but this was the first time he had seen students who were not only unafraid of detention in the Forbidden Forest but actually seemed to apply for it on purpose!
"I almost forgot that you're Slytherins," Mr. Ogg grumbled. "Even Gryffindors don't treat the Forbidden Forest like their backyard."
"Mr. Ogg, you don't understand," Robert said with an enthusiastic smile. "You're actually our idol. You always patrol the Forbidden Forest alone. In my eyes, that makes you the bravest person in Hogwarts!"
Tom, suppressing his disgust, mimicked Robert's tone and flattered Ogg as well.
Mr. Ogg chuckled at their praise.
"Haha! When it comes to courage, I dare say I'm second to none!" he boasted. "Back when Hogwarts was recruiting gamekeepers—"
Before he could finish, he had already begun recounting old stories of his bravery.
Tom and Robert remained professional, nodding along enthusiastically.
The effect was stronger than they had anticipated.
Barely a few hundred meters into the forest, Mr. Ogg was already deep into his storytelling, completely distracted.
So when Robert suggested that the three of them enter the Forbidden Forest on their own, Mr. Ogg didn't even argue.
He even pointed them in the right direction.
Anne was dumbfounded.
She had expected it to be much harder to convince Ogg to let them go alone.
She couldn't believe all it took was a little flattery!
Tom shot Robert a suspicious look. He wondered if Robert had secretly used magic on poor Mr. Ogg.
Otherwise, wasn't this effect a little too convenient?
"That was a terrible imitation, Tom," Robert complained as soon as they entered the Forbidden Forest.
"I personally think it was spot on," Tom replied with a straight face. "That's exactly how you sound to me."
"Tom, it looks like you need to practice your Shield Charm more."
"Robert… if you just want to beat me up, say so."
"See? You misunderstood me again! I only want to help you improve your pitiful defensive spells!"
"I don't trust you!"
Despite their constant bickering, they continued walking at a steady pace.
They took the lead, while Anne, frowning, quickly disappeared into the forest path.
It was as if she was afraid that Mr. Ogg might change his mind at the last second.
Once they were out of sight, Robert pulled out a map.
He examined their surroundings carefully, as if trying to match the planned route on the map with the actual terrain.
Tom played along, leaning over to discuss alternate routes.
Anne frowned as she watched them.
"Aren't you two already familiar with the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest?" she asked, growing impatient.
In truth, she was tempted to lead the way herself.
If she weren't trying to keep her own Forbidden Forest excursions a secret, she would have already taken charge.
"Well... it's a little hard to navigate at night," Robert said casually. "You know, comparing the map to reality takes some effort."
"Yes… it's very dark," Tom added.
Anne sighed, then held out her hand to Robert.
"What?" he asked.
"Give me the map. I'll find the way."
"But isn't this your first time here?"
"I'm good at reading maps. When my family goes hunting, I'm the one who leads the way," Anne said nonchalantly.
"Ah... that's great," Robert said, handing over the map.
Anne pretended to study it, then confidently chose a direction and led them off the path.
Robert and Tom followed closely behind.
Watching Anne move so decisively, Tom narrowed his eyes.
Through the silent "team voice" spell Robert had created, Tom whispered, "She's been here before. And she knows exactly where we're going. Look—she doesn't even need to stop to check the direction!"
"Sharp observation, Tom."
"Even an idiot could see that. Stop patronizing me!"
"No need to get defensive. It's normal, really. The Witch Party has been looking for that source of magic in the Forbidden Forest for a long time. Anne must have come here frequently to search for it... Honestly, if that magic wasn't already depleted, Grindelwald would have found it by now."
Hearing Robert's explanation, the last of Tom's suspicions faded.
Yes. If Robert had been lying and the magic still existed, Grindelwald's goblin-crafted instruments would have found it long ago.
After a moment of thought, Tom asked, "Are you sure your 'potion mist' will fool Rosier?"
"Relax, Tom. I know exactly what it feels like to suddenly become stronger, so I know how to make the fake look convincing."
Tom turned to Robert in shock.
Robert knew what it felt like to suddenly gain power?
So it was true—his strength wasn't natural. It had to be because of his family background!
That bastard! If I had a background like that, I'd be a fool to run away and become an orphan!
Yes, I'm talking about you, Robert! You absolute idiot!
Just then, Robert's voice rang in Tom's head:
"Tom... next time you scold me, remember to turn off the 'team voice'..."
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427