Draco's sudden outburst caught Hermione completely off guard. It was the first time she'd seen him like this.
Calm, composed, always appearing in control—that was the Draco she knew.
He might not be completely unshakable in the face of danger, but this reaction definitely wasn't like him...
"Did you see someone?"
Noticing his uneasy expression, Hermione walked up to him, concerned. But just like him, she saw no one outside.
Still, she'd clearly heard him say "Who's there."
"No... maybe I was mistaken."
Drawn out of his thoughts by the familiar scent in the air and Hermione's question, Draco shook his head, uncertain. In the end, he chose not to voice the doubts still lingering in his mind.
"But we can't afford to drag this out any longer."
"Mm..."
It wasn't just that Norberta was getting bigger—Draco also couldn't shake the growing unease in his chest. That was why he had decided to act quickly and find a place for her.
'I just hope it's not what I'm thinking.'
Seeing Draco's furrowed brow, Hermione's eyes flickered, as if something had come to mind...
...
There were a few areas in Hogwarts that were strictly off-limits to students.
Aside from the lesser-known third-floor corridor and the legendary Chamber of Secrets, the most notorious and dangerous of them all was undoubtedly the Forbidden Forest, known for its eerie roars every morning.
Honestly, it was strange that a place this dangerous existed so close to a school meant to educate young witches and wizards.
It was undeniably a threat.
If it weren't for the immense power and security guarantees offered by every Hogwarts headmaster, most parents probably wouldn't feel safe sending their children here.
Who knew when a monster might emerge from the forest and snatch a student?
And now, at the edge of that very forest, the figures of two adults and one child slowly appeared—along with a dog...
...
No wizard truly knew how vast the Forbidden Forest was—or rather, no wizard really bothered spending time worrying about such a trivial detail. Even Hagrid, the gamekeeper, wasn't entirely sure.
After all, not even Hagrid had ventured into its deepest parts...
"Hermione, is there really a point to this?"
Hagrid, who had been walking along the forest's edge for what felt like forever, asked Hermione in a low voice, clearly puzzled.
After deciding to go with Draco's plan, they had come here to survey the terrain.
More accurately, it was a request Draco had made specifically.
Though, judging by his demeanor, Draco had no intention of actually going into the forest.
"It's not that simple. The Dragon Breeding Guide says dragons are territorial creatures. If we just toss Norberta into the Forbidden Forest, the consequences could be serious."
Hermione responded offhandedly as she quickened her pace to catch up with Draco.
Her expression was slightly tense. Even though they were only skirting the edge and hadn't truly entered, Hermione still felt uneasy.
The forest canopy nearly blotted out the sky. Its endless darkness and the occasional distant roar from unseen creatures made her skin crawl.
Even though it was still daytime, the eerie aura of the Forbidden Forest made Hermione instinctively edge a little closer to Draco...
"You're right. Hogwarts: A History also mentioned a few things about the Forbidden Forest. I remember reading that all kinds of magical creatures live here—right, Hagrid?"
Agreeing with her, Draco glanced at the towering trees as he turned to Hagrid.
"Yeah, you're spot on. Some magical creatures only exist in the Forbidden Forest."
Hermione, now beside Draco and feeling a little more at ease, grew curious.
"So, Hagrid, do you know what kinds of magical creatures live here?"
"Of course. I don't know what's in the deepest parts, but I know most of what lives around here."
"Really? Can you tell us? I've always wanted to know."
Caught between Hermione's eager gaze and Draco's turned head, Hagrid, delighted to finally be of help, gave his head a hearty pat.
"Let me think... There's the centaur herd that helps me manage parts of the forest, well-behaved Hippogriffs, Thestrals—though most folks can't see 'em—and, of course, the beautiful and pure Unicorns. And my friend, the eight-eyed gi—uh, ahem, that's about all I can share."
Besides wondering just how "well-behaved" those Hippogriffs really were, and being mildly curious about whatever that last bit was that Hagrid swallowed, Draco still trusted the information.
After all, from what he'd seen so far, Hagrid seemed like the genuine, good-hearted type without a hint of scheming...
"So, what do you think? Should we go in? Is that alright, Hagrid?"
"No. I said before we set out—this is the one thing I can't agree to."
"Huh?"
"It's too dangerous for you, Hermione. And I can't betray Dumbledore's trust."
As the gamekeeper, it was Hagrid's responsibility to make sure the creatures of the Forbidden Forest didn't escape—and that Hogwarts students didn't wander in.
In truth, just bringing Draco and the others to the forest's edge already weighed heavily on him. Letting them go in? Out of the question.
"No, we don't need to go inside. Hagrid, what I need is a detailed map of where the magical creatures live. Do you have that?"
"Uh... I don't have anything like that right now, but if you need it, I'll put one together for you."
Relieved, Hagrid let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. If that was all Draco wanted, it wouldn't be a problem.
Unbeknownst to him, what Draco asked for was, in fact, the Forbidden Forest's greatest treasure.
Just then, a sudden rush of wind and faint hoofbeats broke the quiet—coming from inside the forest.
Fang barked as the three of them tensed, eyes fixed on the figure stepping into view. It seemed to be someone Hagrid knew.
"Hagrid?"
"Ferenz?"
"It's Firenze."
"Sorry. You know I've always struggled with Centaur names."
Emerging from the shadows of the Forbidden Forest was a magical creature—human upper body, horse lower half.
Draco narrowed his eyes, curious.
So this is a Centaur...