Inside the gamekeeper's hut.
Hagrid lifted the copper kettle from the fireplace, poured hot water into the wooden tub. Steam billowed up, carrying the pungent smell of raw chicken.
"Urgh..."
Ron vomited up several more slugs.
Slimy liquid mixed with slug bodies splattered into the copper basin in his lap.
"Ron, my method really works."
"You just need to endure..." Hermione tried to persuade him, but he raised his hand to stop her.
Ron lifted his head.
Face pale and awful, he wheezed:
"No, please Hermione..."
"You're right, short pain beats long pain, but I can't handle the agony... urgh..."
"If you punch me again... urgh... I'll really have to go to the Hospital Wing..."
Honestly, Hermione's method did work. Ron simply couldn't take it.
Finally, they came to the gamekeeper's hut, seeking Hagrid's help.
Unfortunately, Hagrid had no solution either. To avoid other professors discovering them, he could only provide a temporary hiding place.
"Hagrid, are you having chicken tonight?"
Harry covered his nose, struggling with the increasingly strong fishy smell.
"That's right!"
Hagrid finished plucking the chicken and turned to Harry, laughing cheerfully:
"I grew some pumpkins and raised some roosters. They're doing well—nice and fat."
"I'm planning to make pumpkin chicken pies."
"You should stay for dinner."
"No no no..."
Hermione and Ron shook their heads repeatedly.
Their definition of pumpkin chicken pie differed fundamentally from Hagrid's version.
Suddenly remembering last year's rock cakes, Harry unconsciously touched his teeth, then forced a strained smile.
"Thanks, Hagrid."
"We already ate."
"Oh... that's a real shame..." Hagrid frowned, muttering with disappointment.
"What did you have for dinner?"
"Can't eat anything else?"
"I'm certain my pumpkin chicken pie will be delicious. Won't you try some?"
"Uh..."
Harry's eyes showed hesitation.
He found it hard to refuse Hagrid's kindness, even if the pie might break his teeth.
"Really, we're fine, Hagrid."
"Thanks for the offer, but they still have a basin of slugs to finish."
Hermione smiled without warmth at Harry.
As if saying: dare to agree and I'll stuff all the slugs in your mouth.
Hagrid: ???
Ron: "Urgh..."
[Recommended Listening: MoonlitDream - DLSS/XunJia]
Night fell.
An elegant serpent-carved lamp stood quietly in the corner, casting soft light. The silent Head Boy's dormitory seemed draped in warm gauze.
Outside the window, dark waters of the Black Lake rippled, shadows occasionally gliding past...
Tiger leaned against the sofa, casually flipping through parchment. The paper rustled softly, particularly clear in the quiet room.
Hermione's records were extremely detailed.
She'd probably guessed why Tiger needed this list. Except for marine magical creatures and human-companion magical animals, most species could be found in the Forbidden Forest.
"Want to go for a ride?"
Tiger looked down at Gunpowder.
The cat had been lazily yawning on his chest, but hearing Tiger's voice, immediately perked up, tail standing high.
With seductive purring, Gunpowder rubbed his little head against Tiger's neck.
He'd been cooped up too long.
"Let's go then."
Tiger sat up, folded the parchment into his coat, quickly grabbed his wool coat from the rack, and left the dormitory. Gunpowder bounced along behind.
It wasn't bedtime yet.
The common room was still lively.
The little snakes enjoyed their party, exclamations from the King's Game rising and falling.
"So, Number Seven!"
"Go sing a song!"
"Number Five, massage my legs!"
Lisa giggled mischievously, stealing glances at Gemma Farley and Riley Shafiq, pretending she didn't know their numbers.
"I shouldn't have listened to her nonsense." Riley glanced at Lisa irritably.
"It's quite an interesting game."
Gemma Farley smiled softly, finished her orange wine, and walked toward the stage.
Enthusiastic cheers erupted.
The Head Girl's elegant, noble bearing was always the girls' standard, especially for first-years, whose eyes showed excited, infatuated looks.
"Well then, tonight's moonlight is enchanting."
"Sweet dreams to you all..."
Her tall, languid figure leaned against the high stool. A melodious, leisurely song began flowing through the room.
Hearing the clear, moving melody, Tiger's steps slowed as he left the dormitory.
As if drawn by invisible force.
His rebellious gaze pierced through the crowd, quietly settling on the stage, watching that moonlight-like languid figure.
The melodious song seemed to penetrate the Black Lake's silence and Tiger's heart.
Until the song ended and applause thundered.
"Damn it!"
"Bloody love potion."
Tiger snapped back to awareness, cursing under his breath as the sudden emotional surge faded.
Gemma Farley gracefully descended the stage. Her flowing gaze seemed to sense something in the crowd, her red lips curving in a meaningful smile...
"Theodore!"
Seeing Tiger, Theodore immediately pushed through the crowd and approached.
"Father, what do you need?"
Tiger tugged at Theodore's serious face.
"Don't be nervous. Get the Centaur tribe key—we're going for a ride in the Forbidden Forest..."
No, I'm not nervous.
And I can tell you just want to mess with me.
Theodore glanced at Tiger silently, then patted the extension bag inside his robes.
"Ready to go."
Moonlight filtered through dense canopy, casting dappled shadows. The thick forest became blurred and twisted in the night, with roars and calls occasionally echoing from the shadows.
Deep, powerful hoofbeats approached through the quiet night like war drums.
Tiger rode the Unicorn through the dense forest. Joyful neighing pierced the night, echoing through the woods.
The pristine white coat gleamed crystal-clear in moonlight. The flowing mane shimmered with phosphorescence, lighting the path ahead.
Venom, long suppressed, now transformed into a terrifying massive shadow, carrying Theodore like approaching storm clouds, leaping freely through the Forbidden Forest depths.
Like approaching disaster.
Muffled earth tremors and crashing trees drove forest creatures fleeing in all directions...
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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